fortunately, we have been getting allot of younger people into the hobby 
over here.  Not as many as there once were of course, but still quite a 
number.
There are still lots of techno geeks out there who have an interest in this 
kind of thing.
Most of the young guys now walk around with an IPhone, an IPad on their arm, 
and an HT on their belt.
Some even use the HT along with the IPad for things like pedestrian mobile 
APRS, GPS and packet.
One guy uses a Wouxun dual bander and an IPad for just that all the time.

Unfortunately, most of these younger guys aren't that much into HF.  So no 
outdoor antenna experience or know how.
But just the same, there are a good number of young people, with their 
licenses, buying houses and so on where they do put up towers and antennas.
So thankfully the hobby/service isn't dying out here.
There's a huge bunch of young guys involved with ARES as well which is good 
or bad depending on your politics.
Alberta being the oil rich province it is, allot of younger 20 and 30 
somethings have money to buy homes and radio/antenna gear.  That can offten 
be the biggest draw back to the hobby.  An hf station with radio, 
accessories and an antenna system can go into the several thousands of 
dollars, and many people around the world just don't have that kind of 
expendable income for toys.
One must eat, pay bills and rent after all lol.
Also, alberta seems to have quite a bit of grant money availible for amateur 
radio clubs, as long as they have some aspect of emergency preparedness to 
go along with the fun part.

73
Colin, V A6BKX

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Keith Barrett" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 9:28 AM
Subject: Re: Doesn't anyone belong to a ham club?


> Well, where I am in south wales, most of the clubs have folded through
> lack of interest.
>
> Also, there are not many younger people entering ham radio.
>
> Wonder if there will be any left in 20 years time.
>
> Anyway, I am hoping to get these beams up sometime but not optimistic.
>
>
>
> On 24/06/2011 15:53, Tim Crawford (GI4OPH) wrote:
>> I think another point worthy of consideration here is safety.  Especially
>> when dealing with crank-up towers, and heavy masts in general which have 
>> the
>> potential to cause serious injury or worse if something goes wrong.
>>
>> Therefore it's quite important that amongst those providing assistance 
>> there
>> should  be at least one person having some knowledge and experience in 
>> this
>> area.
>>
>> Certainly here in the UK, owing to a number of reasons, not least 
>> planning
>> restrictions the number of hams who have any type of radio mast are I 
>> would
>> think very much in the minority.
>>
>> Although there is a local club here, surfise to say, they have a 
>> reputation
>> for not being all that welcoming to anyone outside a certain little 
>> cleek.
>>
>> Not sure why, possibly some changing trend in social habits, folks having
>> less leasure time in general, but help seemed more readily available 20
>> years ago.
>>
>> Anyway, I know a couple of really good experienced guys, trouble is, they
>> live around 1 hours drive away, so don't like to bug them too often 
>> smile!
>>
>> Best 73,
>>
>> Tim.
>>
>> Bangor, N. Ireland.
>>
>>
>> Skype:  tim-crawford
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Terry Robinson"<[log in to unmask]>
>> To:<[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 8:59 AM
>> Subject: Re: Doesn't anyone belong to a ham club?
>>
>>
>>> Hi Colin,
>>>
>>> I was fortunate to find a friend to help. He and I make a good team for 
>>> =
>>> antenna work and for NFD.
>>>
>>> I did have some willing help from others, but I seemed to know more =
>>> about it than they did, so communication and verifying outcomes could be 
>>> =
>>> difficult.
>>>
>>> Fortunately, my friend and I started speaking the same language from the 
>>> =
>>> outset, so I believe that what's said is what's happening!
>>>
>>> Cheers&  73,
>>>
>>> Terry
>>>
>>> ************************************************************
>>>
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>>>
>>> Terry Robinson B.Sc
>>> 82 Albert Rd.
>>> Crosshill
>>> Glasgow
>>> G42 8DR
>>> Tel: 0141 423 2683 - Mobile: 07771 610002
>>> Web: www.describe-online.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>> signatur=
>>> e database 6234 (20110623) __________
>>>
>>> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
>>>
>>> http://www.eset.com
>>