I’ve heard plenty of comments from longtime amateur radio operators who are concerned about the lack of young people in the hobby. Those concerns are very much justified.
However, while the youth population in the hobby is small, it’s continually growing. Within this community that young people have formed for themselves, we are helping our peers have the best experience possible and constantly advocating for each other.
How can young hams advocate for each in amateur radio? It can be as simple as helping someone set up their station, make their first contact in a new mode, share opportunities in the hobby, or give tips and advice when needed. It also means helping new hams make connections and find their footing in the community.
In effect, the best way to advocate for young people in amateur radio—regardless of your age—is to make these new operators feel seen and heard, and to ensure that they feel like they have a place in the hobby. While I enjoyed amateur radio even before I knew many other young hams, meeting youth operators and forming real friendships with them made a difference in how much I wanted to pursue the hobby.
One of the biggest reasons young people don’t stay involved with amateur radio is that they feel like they don’t fit in with the typical demographic, and they believe there’s no way to overcome that. It’s certainly possible with a little persistence, but it doesn’t happen overnight. Even though the younger generation has the hobby in common with the older generation, there are still many other differences to learn how to navigate—for both parties.
A big part of advocating for your peers as a young person in amateur radio is simply showing up and staying active in the hobby yourself. It may not feel like you’re directly helping another young ham, but the visibility of other young people genuinely enjoying the hobby can be immensely encouraging for those who feel like there are no other youths around. Imagine attending a club meeting as a teenager and being three decades younger than the next youngest person there. This is the reality for many young operators. It can feel isolating at first, especially before you’ve gotten to know anyone. Now imagine the alternative: You walk into that same meeting and, instead of being the only teenager, there are a few others. It feels significantly less isolating, and you don’t feel quite as out of place.
Another direct way to advocate for your peers is to start a youth-focused club or strengthen one that already exists. Not only does it give already-licensed young people a place where they feel like they belong, but it introduces others to the hobby who may never have heard of it otherwise. That can lead to more young people getting licensed, which adds to the visibility of youth in the hobby—and the cycle continues.
Finally, one of the most important parts of advocating for your peers comes down to how you present yourself and represent the hobby. The generational gaps in amateur radio can be significant at times, and they occasionally create tension as well. I’ve met many older hams who genuinely believe in and support the younger generation of operators, but there can still be an occasional air of skepticism—and understandably so. The youth of amateur radio have big shoes to fill, but with some encouragement and guidance, I’m confident we’ll be able to help the hobby continue to flourish.
Editor’s Note: Watch this short ARRL video to see some of the youth participation at Dayton Hamvention® 2026:
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