I enjoy Sweepstakes sponsored by the American Radio Relay League because of its complex exchange. However, not all share the same opinion, and I'm forecasting that Sweepstakes may not sustain itself into the next century. This particular activity touched an entire generation of enthusiasts, basically, those who are 50 years of age and older.
There is high personal value attached to this event.
Back End Number
The same high value, high sentiment is not bridging the age gap on this side of the Atlantic. I would like to cite an interesting piece of information collected by the American Radio Relay League, QST, October 2013 issue on page 13 wherein it was stated, "[T]here is some concern about the fact that in the first half of 2013, upgrade license activity decreased by 19% compared with the same period last year."
The front end of (n = 712,922) as a total of U.S. Amateurs represents a 3% increase over that of last year isn't translating at the back end as cited in QST, October 2013, page thirteen.
I'm taking a snapshot and rounding up that is 20% whom are not upgrading represent roughly 140k as potential high frequency enthusiasts. Certainly, (n = 712,922) is a good looking front end number however glancing back at the tail (n = +/- 140,000) whom are not upgrading potentially suggests stagnation; loss of interest; fulfilling a requirement; or peak high frequency activity on this side of the Atlantic.
Change Management
The fundamental rule in Sweepstakes is one can only log a station once on any wavelength. Additionally, one chief complaint focuses on day two of activity when the number of logged stations exceeds that of the available stations.
It is a game sustainment issue potentially if something doesn't change in the next few years Sweepstakes will lose day two because of the sheer lack of activity and resulting boredom.
This is going to happen despite the best efforts of RadioSport clubs because our back end numbers suggest stagnation; loss of interest; fulfilling a requirement; or peak high frequency activity.
I'd recommend reading about the principles of change management as one organization suggested that "change" is an imperative. The outcome of not changing leads either to obsolescence or irrelevancy.
Conclusion
Overall, I enjoy Sweepstakes for its exchange excitement and for this activity to sustain itself into the next century, something needs to change. Additionally, the middle ground of time will take care of this is gone, leaving two choices on either side of the bell shaped curve.
73 from the shackadelic near the beach.
There is high personal value attached to this event.
Back End Number
The same high value, high sentiment is not bridging the age gap on this side of the Atlantic. I would like to cite an interesting piece of information collected by the American Radio Relay League, QST, October 2013 issue on page 13 wherein it was stated, "[T]here is some concern about the fact that in the first half of 2013, upgrade license activity decreased by 19% compared with the same period last year."
The front end of (n = 712,922) as a total of U.S. Amateurs represents a 3% increase over that of last year isn't translating at the back end as cited in QST, October 2013, page thirteen.
I'm taking a snapshot and rounding up that is 20% whom are not upgrading represent roughly 140k as potential high frequency enthusiasts. Certainly, (n = 712,922) is a good looking front end number however glancing back at the tail (n = +/- 140,000) whom are not upgrading potentially suggests stagnation; loss of interest; fulfilling a requirement; or peak high frequency activity on this side of the Atlantic.
Change Management
The fundamental rule in Sweepstakes is one can only log a station once on any wavelength. Additionally, one chief complaint focuses on day two of activity when the number of logged stations exceeds that of the available stations.
It is a game sustainment issue potentially if something doesn't change in the next few years Sweepstakes will lose day two because of the sheer lack of activity and resulting boredom.
This is going to happen despite the best efforts of RadioSport clubs because our back end numbers suggest stagnation; loss of interest; fulfilling a requirement; or peak high frequency activity.
I'd recommend reading about the principles of change management as one organization suggested that "change" is an imperative. The outcome of not changing leads either to obsolescence or irrelevancy.
Conclusion
Overall, I enjoy Sweepstakes for its exchange excitement and for this activity to sustain itself into the next century, something needs to change. Additionally, the middle ground of time will take care of this is gone, leaving two choices on either side of the bell shaped curve.
73 from the shackadelic near the beach.