Question for you ham radio enthusiasts.

[grumpyduck]

This has nothing to do with ham radio itself, but there's a discussion in another chat room about why more women aren't interested in this or that. My position is, well, so what? People are interested in what they like. I could say the same thing about "more" guys not being interested in something.

Why am I asking about ham radio? Just because a friend has been trying to get me involved, and that was the first thing that came to mind. 😀

So, in your own experience, are there "a lot" of women involved in amateur radio, or is it mostly a guy thing?

[Corgigal]

1. My husband does ham radio.

Loves it and has made many friends.

As his wife, I have no interest. Even though I’m older, I don’t want to use my female sounding voice over the air. I worked air traffic control back in the day, and even with that..you can be bothered.

Ham radio, a good setup cost thousands too. I spend my money on music equipment, hubby can spend on ham.

My husbands group has 5 women, out of 35. They do exist.

[Yonnie3]

2. What is a lot?

There are definitely some. I believe it is estimated that about 15% of licenses are held by females. How many are active and on what bands or modes I don't know.

Many years ago I taught entry level classes. There were some married (to hams) women in the class. They got their Technician licenses and kept in touch with their spouses but mostly didn't do more.

I am not active on any voice modes any more so I don't have a feeling what is going on now days.

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

3. So far there are not "a lot" of women...

but that is beginning to change. As educational institutions continue to promote and encourage female students to get involved in STEM, the numbers of women/girls involved in ham radio will also continue to increase.

I see the same thing with guitar playing. For the longest time, guitar wasn't even really marketed to females. That began to change about twenty or so years ago. Now it is becoming quite popular and there are many, more very fine female guitarists than ever before.

The main issue I see is the millennia long patriarchal dominance of all things educational, business, religious or political, (i.e., women in "their place." ) I do think, for the most part, much of the world has moved beyond the worst aspects of this, however, it is so clear, (as with racial issues,) we have so far left to go.

As to ham, it's a fine hobby and a useful skill to have during emergencies. That said, the hobby is still heavily dominated by outdated, patriarchal and racist mentalities amongst many of the older operators. I believe that will begin to shift some as they die off. I hear all kinds of RWNJ chatter on ham bands anytime I tune it. Of course the beauty of radio is you can always just spin the dial!

[LastDemocratInSC]

5. Your last paragraph is spot on.

I have avoided the low bands for years due to the "outdated, patriarchal and racist mentalities amongst many of the older operators".

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

6. Yeah, I hear that.

73

[Yonnie3]

8. "outdated, patriarchal and racist mentalities"

Amen! I rarely tune 75 phone anymore.

[Squeaky41]

4. Ham Radio Wife Interest

Have been a ham 60 years. Gave wife Technician Study Manual for Christmas per her request. She hears local networks in shared hobby room where she quilts and sews.

[Baked Potato]

7. Mrs. Potato's interest is watching me have fun with my radios.

She loves to go to Hamfests with me and chat with the other ladies. In my 50+ years of Hamming I have only seen a handful of women or girl Hams. I have QSOd a couple on CW.

Truthfully, a smart phone is more practical for comms and socializing, but not as fun as Hamming.

[Yonnie3]

9. There is a bit of "magic" to me in the hobby

Putting a few watts into a wire strung between trees and regularly chatting directly with cw to acquaintances in New Zealand and Europe seems magical to me. No infrastructure needed. I'm waiting for the sunspots to increase so I can work the world using a wet noodle on 10M. HI HI

dit dit

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

12. Yes...

I've always considered radio "magic" as well. I use that term to describe it to non-radio people.

[Baked Potato]

14. Yes, it is magic! I am all about CW QRP

I put together an Elecraft K2 when they first came out and it’s my go to little rig. I know what u mean with the cycle coming back. I remember talking to Australia in the 2003 timeframe with a re-crystalled CB with a whip from Arizona. That was amazing, it was during a contest so it was quick. I talked to McMurdo on 5 watts CW from Maryland, it was eerie sounding, like a bell with an echo.

When the balloon goes up and the Internet craps, Hams will be talkin’ ! HI HI

On a tuned up piece of string! Just like that noodle!

[abqtommy]

10. When all the dust settles from this op and replies, women will do anything they want to. nt

[Fla Dem]

11. The Vast of Night. Amazon movie features a female radio operator.

In the twilight of the 1950s, on one fateful night in New Mexico, a young, winsome switchboard operator Fay (Sierra McCormick) and charismatic radio DJ Everett (Jake Horowitz) discover a strange audio frequency that could change their small town and the future forever. Dropped phone calls, AM radio signals, secret reels of tape forgotten in a library, switchboards, crossed patchlines and an anonymous phone call lead Fay and Everett on a scavenger hunt toward the unknown.

TV Series / ‘Frequency’, /A Father-Daughter Cop Duo are Separated By a Ham Radio … And 20 Years

Frequency is an American mystery science fiction drama television series that aired on The CW from October 5, 2016 to January 25, 2017.[1] Inspired by the 2000 film Frequency, the television series was developed by Jeremy Carver. The series was canceled on May 8, 2017; five days later, an epilogue to the series was released.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency_(TV_series)

Not interested in Ham Radios, but did know of and watched 2 productions featuring female operators.

[Arazi]

13. Would there be any interest in the ham radio community for a free tower?

It’s currently attached to a house but the owner wants to donate it/give it away. Will even help take it down.

How would he find someone that might want it? (Other than a scrap metal guy)

[Ptah]

16. Look for a ham club in your area.

[grumpyduck]

17. Geez, I'd think talking to hams would work. nt

[Emile]

15. When I was a kid I use to listen to ham operators on short wave. I

use to cards from them from all around the world. This was early 60's and some were ladies, but majority were men.