[amsat-bb] Space Center Abandoned Dish Rehabilitation - Outreach #1

[Jerry Buxton]

On 8/14/2019 23:49, Zach Leffke via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> Idea 2: maybe the more important/valuable one?
>
Zach's idea #2 is of value, BUT (here we go) there is an important
consideration in creating such a venue: it all has to be continuously
kept current, kept clean, in good repair, and frequently attended by
volunteers who will engage the public.  Without that face to face piece
the prospective hams who were attracted to it and had questions and
interest come away with nothing to fuel and build their interest.  They
are likely to be disappointed, as well. 

Just think of the huge difference those of you may have experienced, in
just looking at one of the Center's displays compared to that of talking
to one of the docents/volunteers about the display/object/process of
interest.  Amateur radio needs that personal contact.  We were all
likely most persuaded to get involved in amateur radio by contact with
other amateurs, Elmers who answered questions and fueled the desire,
regardless our level of interest in radios and electronics and visits to
the local science museum or Space and Rocket Center.  Displays invoke
interest and curiosity, not a sudden desire to take a Tech test. 
Amateur radio is a vague part of what the display says it's about, the
content of the display may be remembered but the fact that it was/can be
done by hams, probably not.

I think of some impressive club stations over my years of being a ham,
at universities, science museums, and even and older-than-me yearly
high-attendance special events where many ham stations were going strong
for a varying range of years and suddenly became locked up ghost
stations or disappeared because of the lack of new volunteers in the
area to keep that public interface going.  Whether the volunteer's lack
of time or interest, that doesn't matter in the long run.  And at that
point the display becomes a bane to amateur radio as it gathers dust and
is just but a relic of what was going on back whenever, oh look honey,
how quaint!  And the folks who afforded the opportunity for the ham
community to set up a station or special event are jaded and
inconvenienced when that space they donated goes unused after a few
short seasons or years.  They are likely to invite hams to come back,
but only to clean up and get the heck out and thanks for not living up
to your promise you - you amateurs. 

How many times have we unknowingly approached someone about something
that amateur radio might help them with, and they aren't at all
interested, only to find out that the reason for disinterest was that
they don't trust hams because of the conduct or attitude of (one or a
group of) hams who they did agree to work with before?  For better or
worse, much of the time each one of us represents all of amateur radio
and opinions are formed regardless the fact they are built from
encountering such a minuscule sample of the hobby.

What I said may sound negative, but this is not intended to say any of
it is a bad idea or to be negative.  I have worked with Zach, he is
smart and follows through, like I said his idea has value.  I'm just
adding a point to this discussion, about thinking things through to the
end.  A complete project plan beyond Launch, into the longer and often
less exciting pieces of Operation and Sustainment and finally,
Closeout.  Closeout is often forgotten.  When/how is this project
completed, terminated, decommissioned, disposed? 
Enthusiasm is what makes things like this happen.  For a successful
project that enthusiasm has to be extended to include the commitment to
keep it going over time, not just to designing it and getting it going
and then - well, somebody else will come along then who can/will be
there each day and know how to keep this idea going, right?  And figure
out what to do when it/they are done, right?

That's all.  Enjoy the thought exercise, you never know what might happen!

73

Jerry Buxton, NØJY