VK3BQ wrote:Like a voucher to the wia bookshop A uhf antenna book or a free years wia membership??
A state wia run/paid for upgrade course for the winning f call?? Etc.
The whole prize money etc idea is a bit tacky, but they are great (and practical) ideas, and not hard... you would think.
Who wouldn't like a new UHF/Microwave/Antenna Book, etc.
VK5ZD wrote:...What we really need is to increase the participation rate...
I doubt anyone would disagree with that.
But, in other words, the event needs to be
managed, which includes promoting it, not just collating the logs.
Are there too many VHF/UHF Field Days?
Do we really need three per year?
A quick glance comparing the results of 2011 Summer and Winter Field Days, reveal that less than half participated in the Winter FD.
The less frequent something is, the more you tend to look forward to it.
As I alluded to above, none of us are getting any younger.
I suspect many "Home Station" operators of today would have been very active and out and about in previous years.
For health reasons, or perhaps they have simply been there and done that, is why they no longer go portable.
Not unreasonable?
So how is the event promoted to "younger" people (say, under 45?) that might enjoy participating for a first time, and hopefully get the "bug"?
From what I see on 21st century "hangouts", it isn't.
As far as I know, the Field Days have a writeup in "Amateur Radio" (with it's limited readership), and is posted on two email reflectors.
That's it.
Nothing has really changed since the late 1990's.
That means "we" need to entice new participants, and being realistic, most likely from a younger demographic.
How about regular promotional videos on YouTube?
(Which of course can be embedded in the WIA website as well.)
Show how much fun it can be going out camping and making contacts.
(Providing it isn't pissing down of course - like last weekend up here!!!
![Crying or Very sad :cry:](./images/smilies/icon_cry.gif)
)
I can't find anything with WIA branding on YouTube.
Is the "WIA" on FaceBook?
How about posting/promoting on this very forum?
Beyond what us individuals try to achieve, in compensating for the complete absence of "official input".
It's only been around since 2006.
Anything that will appeal and capture the interest of younger tech savvy people.
And email reflectors don't.
I fear the style of promotion required, and trying to reach out to a fresh audience might not ever happen, because of a generational gap that seems to exist.
I'm 48 this year, and I still don't understand Twitter!
VK5ZD wrote:Maybe someone (the WIA?) should run a survey to try and find out why people don't take part.
Good idea, but flawed.
If people cannot bother participating in a Field Day, then what are the chances they will take part in a survey?
Ad hoc polls have been run on this forum over the years.
Out of the 100's of daily users, only a small fraction ever bothered responding.
And it only takes a few mouse clicks.
I'd like to think people haven't become
that lazy, but evidence does suggest otherwise.
And why do companies/advertising agencies have to give away prizes these days, simply to get responses?
Look what happened today to the legendary company "Kodak".
Resist change, poking your head in the sand hoping things will go away, or be slow to react, and it's a slow but certain death.
The apparent rise in Field Day participation in recent years is partly due to having VK Logger around, and the activity and interest it has helped create.
I would bet, if VK Logger were turned off, and no suitable replacement came along, we would see Australian VHF/UHF activity in general (including Field Day participation) fall back to where it was circa 2005.
Just my honest and frank assessment of where we're at, at the moment.
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