There seems to be a large amount of negativity with a select few radio amateurs who seem to spend all their time bashing social media, but what becomes apparent is their total lack of understanding of what social media actually is which is quite simply content created by people this could be text, video or photographs using accessible publishing technologies.
This new buzz word is nothing new its been around since the early days of the internet, and is common place on a lot of the most visited amateur radio websites including the likes of QRZ.com and eHam.net, I’m of course referring to the simple forums which lots of these nay sayers are criticising saying its killing amateur radio when people should get on the air and hold a QSO.
But what they don’t seem to understand is they’re already using it, just by posting there messages on the likes of eHam or QRZ, of course social media is rapidly changing with the tools like Twitter, Blogs, Facebook and heaven forbid MySpace. but what these people need to think is how can these tools be used in conjunction with amateur radio whether its for talking about the hobby they enjoy and at the same time giving it PR which amateur radio needs to generate future hams to carry on the hobby.
Its worth stopping and remembering that the internet’s social media platform will not kill amateur radio, it can only help drum up interest from the wider world. What will do harm is the poor attitude that this small minority spread around the internet with little more then elitist views.
Very well said. Social media is actually helping the hobby by exposing it to a broad range of individuals who may have never found out about it.
73,
Jerry Taylor
kd0bik
Host of the Practical Amateur Radio Podcast
http://myamateurradio.com
Agreed, The forums are handy for those who are looking for information on the hobby, Granted there has been a decline in use of the spectrum since the net and other technologies came about, but this is to be expected,
The number of ham related social sites is actualy a good sign as it shows there are people who still have interest in the hobby, And no matter how much the web takes over our lives, It will never replace a good QSO on HF.
It was through the internet that i managed to find the resources to gain my licenses, And i am sure that it has helped many others too, So as Peter says lets not be negative towards this.
Wise words – anything that promotes the hobby and allows like-minded people to share ideas is a good thing. Nowadays you can research a topic, find out if others are doing the same as you and even avoid common problems when trying new things (eg: aerials).
It’s true that people fear what they don’t understand and those amateurs who rubbish social networking sites (including forums) typically do not have the open mind to realise that it may actually be helpful to them in ways they couldn’t possibly have imagined.
dah-di-dah,
Charlie – M0PZT
Go Young Man! We need more of you in the hobby, lots more. During my 55 years as a SWL we were always the silent majority until the Internet gave us a voice. Where are all the dissenting voices groaning about CB radio and foundation licenses now? running for cover no doubt.
Arguably, Ham radio was the original social medium!