Welcome to my Arduino Ham Radio Starter Kit, a “virtual box” of ideas and motivations with one objective: More hams and their clubs engaging the local maker community as a gateway to amateur radio.
First of all, let’s think about the three waves of technical hobbies over the past century. In a technical hobby, individuals and groups tinker, learn and make. First of all, they are attracted by personal interest in a new, emerging technology. In addition, technical hobbies provide a gateway to science, technology and engineering careers . Occasionally, hobbies lead to businesses, even industries. Here’s what I mean.
With each wave, participation grew by a factor of 5. Today, the number of kids and adults involved in making surpasses the ranks of radio hams by 25 times or more. Steve Wozniak participated in all three waves. He got his ham license in grade six, started Apple Computer, and recently commented on maker culture. Maybe we hams can learn from this progression. Attracting a few “makers” would stimulate our hobby.
Why an Arduino Ham Radio Starter Kit? Central to the emergence and popularity of making is the Arduino microcontroller. It’s the engine under the hood for most projects, including 3D printers and DIY CNC machines. Most of all, it’s a gateway into the community. For hams, it seems like a good place to start.
Traditional pathways into ham radio included fascination with radio, citizens band, shortwave listening. Not so relevant any more. Encouragement by friends and family is the remaining gateway. In order for us, as hams, to attract friends and family into the hobby, we must offer them something of interest. Most of all, we should reach them where they are already engaged – the maker community. I believe hams and makers have many common interests and synergies. Also, the great obstacle of Morse Code is no more.
Finally, watch this video about the Not Your Grandpa’s Ham Radio booth at a recent Maker Fair in California. Maybe your club can do similar things to engage the maker community.
New pathways to ham radio are wide open. Take them. In our next article, we’ll talk about the synergy between ham radio and making.
Source: play.fallows.ca