KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

Social media meeting the needs of hams

By 2 Comments

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Roy, AB8RM, BCARC president, presenting me with a certificate of appreciation and some lovely parting gifts.

Last Tuesday, I headed west on I-94, then south on I-69 to the middle of nowhere Coldwater, MI to speak to the Branch County Amateur Radio Club about ham radio and social media. There really has been an explosion in social media over the past five years or so, so I thought I’d explore that topic a little.

Below are the slides I prepared. As you can see I have a broad definition of “social media.”

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The key here is that social media should make ham radio more fun.

 

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I’ve never been a fan of Facebook, but for many, if not most, that’s their main social media outlet. Twitter is mine. I have more than 3,000 followers on Twitter.

 

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Some people don’t consider mailing lists to be social media, but they are in my book.

 

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While QRZ.Com and eHam.Net are the big dogs, the reddit forum is much more civilized. There’s a lot less ego on reddit, and the discussions are a lot more useful and interesting and tend to not devolve into silly arguments.

 

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There are lots of good blogs out there.

 

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As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m going to be appearing regularly on the ICQPodcast and may be appearing on HamRadio360 (formerly FOTime). Appearing on these podcasts is a win-win. They get a decent guest (at least I think I am), and I get to be on a podcasts without having to produce one myself.

 

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Social media should enhance, not detract, from our enjoyment of amateur radio.

Related posts:

  1. Social Media meets ham radio
  2. Connect with ARRL and Amateur Radio via Social Media?
  3. Amateur radio in the news: oldest social media, convention, FCC shutdown
  4. Ham radio in the news: Nobel prize winner, social media (old school), JOTA

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I have enjoyed the ARRL NPOTA group on Facebook, there are many helpful and friendly people there. It’s a nice mix. There is info about portable & mobile activating, great pictures of our National Parks, people learning & practicing CW, and of course people complaining, but you can’t get away from that.

    de K8VOX

    Reply

  2. Hi Dan,
    You didn’t mention Echo Link. That could be considered a Web 2.0 tool and be a link between hams. Another site to consider is QRZCQ. One can found lots of information and have contacts as if on a blog and/or chat.
    Thank’s for your sharing views.
    73 QRO de F8ETK, Yvon

    Reply

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