The Honest TRUTH About Ham Radio Clubs

Some ham radio clubs today struggle with recruiting new members into their ranks -we need to change. Here are some helpful hints that we have used in our own club to recruit and retain members - helping build a positive community that helps each other out.

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[jackKFIT]

The same types of things in the US. Our club only meets once a month on Tuesdays. 6pm - 7pm is the board meeting. 7pm - 9pm is the regular club meeting.We try to always have a program that teaches something. Last month was a Buddipole demonstration, this month was a Fusion/Wires X class and demonstration, next month will be a "best practice" class and an intro to Meshtastic. We have members in their teens all the way to the 80's. We do VE testing every month and, depending on the weather, have an informal "radio day in the park' where we set up portable in a public (although less populated) site and practice NVIS voice SSB & FM, FT8 on any band. We also have a retired lunch every Thursday that's very popular. The vast majority of our members are ready and willing to welcome and help new hams. We also encourage our younger members to train for and take leadership positions in the club as well as our ARES group. They are the future.

[mikeZLXD]

I've been with the same club here for 30 years and I'm an Examiner, I truly understand from the phone calls I've had from around NZ that there are Clubs that don't really get it when new people call them and get quite a rough response, that isn't good enough in a hobby like Amateur Radio.
These people are the future of this hobby, we NEED to encompass and encourage them.

[lordofthemound]

I’ve only been a ham for a little over two months (already U.S. General Class), but my local club has been amazing! I’ve never experienced anything other than friendliness and a willingness to help in any situation. The club is very active in the community and the individual members are incredibly welcoming. I’ve had people who barely know me, invite me into their homes, invite me into their vehicles, in order to acquaint me with their rigs and give me any advice I ask for. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

[Eric]

If you want to bring your club into the modern era and be successful, as far as I can’t tell you need to do at least 2 things. #1, be a yes club that goes out and does things, be active and proactive. And #2, have a discord. If you try to accomplish these two things you’re well on your way. Glad to see your club making strides and setting a great example!

[flipster]

Our "club" is more of an interest group. No fees, a few good socials a year and everyone is happy to help each other. Sometimes the formality of a chairman, vice chairman, committees etc just kills a good vibe amongst those who share a common interest.

[Sonicgott]

As someone who has been a computer technician for decades, surprisingly, I am new to Ham Radio. I appreciate the insight of this conversation. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[TerryKnipschield]

Ironic that a hobby about communication won't effectively communicate with new members to help them along and educate them.

[KG-xfew]

I am a licensed ham. It is a well known truth in the ham world that hams are killing off their own hobby with their elitist snobbery. The most unfriendly nerd-flexing people you'll ever meet are ham radio operators.

[raymondmartin]

Agreed. Being 80 years old, and
licensed over 60 years, I have
belonged to many clubs over
the years, mostly bad, like 5
years ago with my wife in the
club where we lived in Florida,
and now in New Hampshire.
We are soon moving back to an
area of New York State where
we were charter members around
25 years ago, still feel welcome
there, been back there for Field
Day, The Holiday Dinner, and they
were active during Covid, and have
continued to grow and develop. 😊

[HardwayRanch]

We have a "Radio" club - NOT a "Amateur Radio" club. The club includes Ham, CB, GMRS, FRS, and whatnot. Of course they encourage members to become Amateur radio operators. This way people interested in GMRS (or whatnot) can enjoy the club and this expands participation.

[daveengstrom]

I used to belong to a club (I moved away) but there were a couple of older guys who showed us how to make things every meeting. Antennas, switches, chokes, etc etc. These guys made it fun and CHEAP to accumulate our equipment. No one builds their own radios any more, but I really miss those Heath Kits. Those were fun to do. I really like the idea of your ham trailer.

[lowend]

Clubs could answer their emails and PMs from prospective members.

[Jason-nmbs]

You guys are spot on. I only just got my foundation license last weekend, I went to a club and they had there meeting and it was like watching paint dry. Though it might have been interesting like people getting on the air or building things. Look I am no young guy only 49, but things need to change we need to get young kids involved into this wonderful hobby. I want to be one of those people to make a change and make it this hobby grow. There are lots of the old timers that have a lot to give but they need to find the passion again and teach the next generation.

It would be great if you could list all the things you guys are doing and send me a copy so I can work out a way to start to change things up.

[joelaut]

The hobby needs to be affordable if you are interested in getting young people involved. Some longtime hobbyists think a minimum of $1500-$2000 on equipment is necessary; don’t see too many kids with that kind of pocket change! ( mind you a lot of adults too!)
No, the approach should be to emphasize small simple to build kits or home brew designs that can be used to Elmer candidates to getting on the air.
Also the plethora of inexpensive Chinese HT’s available also helps with getting on the local networks and repeaters. An HT with a home brew 2, 70cm handheld antenna can be used to make satellite / space station contacts which are really impressive experiences.

[JamesHalfHorse]

Clubs honestly kept me away for so long. The times I visited when I was younger it was a bunch of geriatric old guys thumping rule books at each other. Everything was treated like an overly serious military operation and not... having fun. I have gotten a bit more involved now that there are some people my middle age there now but it's still.. boring. For me I want to have some fun, build things, learn things, get the soldering iron out and who knows maybe even make some friends over the radio by talking and a lot of that is not ham radio anymore it seems much less most clubs. Despite all the bad on the band the 11 meter guys get more hands on, build their own stuff and get more into teaching the dark arts of RF and just having fun talking on the radio than hams are more down to earth about it in my experience. Ham now seems to be all about plugging boxes you bought in to boxes you bought and doing contests. The ham radios I have collect dust just there case I need them one day not really interested enough to do anything more with them or the hassle of a test that I have to find some stodgy ham guys to take so I can... do contests with more stodgy ham guys? Not worth it.

[TheArtofEngineering]

If the club that is local ain’t a good fit…. Meet like minded hams and group up with them. Gotta say, when I returned to the hobby after 30 yrs away I had a woeful experience regarding EchoLink and being locked out of the repeater…I guess another route to a good club is join and make it better. Great video as always Hayden. 73 de VK2AOE

[Chris_KIWCO]

When I started in Ham I was in a club and it was all business. Not interested in a club now, but would love to be a part of your club if I was in Australia. Great work.

[TimGautier]

When I got my license it came with a year long free membership to the club running the test. I filled out this questionnaire and they seemed really glad to have me in their club. I gave them a ton of info about myself including different ways of contacting me and different things I'd be interested in helping out with.

I literally never heard another word from that club until a year later, when they sent me a notice that I owed them $25 to stay in the club. I just laughed and threw it away.

[LilBoyCalledRoy]

Check out the video by Jason from Ham Radio 2.0 about how to ruin a HAM club. In my view, effectively managing a good HAM club can significantly shift the public perception of HAM radio from the stereotype of the "Sad Ham" to something more positive and respected. Central to this transformation is respecting others, which should be a fundamental principle of any club.

[aexo]

we have guys taking tests every month. New members coming to the meetings. MOre and more people at our events. We are growing every month. We must be getting it right