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A couple of months ago, I blogged yet again about getting kids into amateur radio. One reader e-mailed me a comment directly:

I would add that the problem is that the hobby has no eye candy. Go see a model train setup or go see a quilting show. I think you get the idea. Amateur radio really has nothing for the public to see, except people sitting in front of a radio talking. Someone operating Morse Code is a little better, but not much. Cell phones are more imaginative than that. Let’s face it, if you can’t grab someone’s interest very quickly, then you are not going to grab it at all. Funny how early in life we are curious and will touch that “don’t touch”, but later in life we will just pass it by, mostly.

He has a point. If you’re going to set up a public demonstration of amateur radio, you’re going to have to do better than stringing up a dipole and calling CQ. When our club sets up at the local Maker Faire, we do several things. One guy brings out his K3 set up including panadapter. That generates a lot of interest. I have my Morse Code setup and encourage kids to learn how to send their name in Morse Code. I’ve also brought an interesting selection of QSL cards that show the international aspect of our hobby.

I’m always looking for more ideas. What kind of eye candy do you use?