Years ago, there were a lot of electronics clubs, particularly in schools and many students "cut their teeth" on crystal sets, simple valve radios, guitar amplifiers and so on. It was a great breeding ground for a vast number of technically qualified or otherwise "switched-on" people.

Now, it seems as though we could see a resurgence in electronics clubs and not necessarily just in schools. Why do I say this? First, we recently have had an increase in the number of people asking to be put into contact with an electronics club, largely so that they could have someone help them with a current electronics project that they were having difficulty with. Sadly, apart from referring people to amateur radio clubs, we have not been able to give such contacts.

Second, we have been contacted by a number of teachers in schools who are interested in starting an electronics club. Some schools do have quite a thriving club and they do use SILICON CHIP articles as a major source of material. It also seems that a major cause of this resurgence is a requirement in the curriculum for teaching a certain amount of electronics. I find this a very gratifying development.

More importantly, many young people have become disenchanted with just playing games on their computers and want to have some real "electronics" fun. A school club could be just what they are looking for.

But the concept could go a lot further. It occurs to me that there a large number of electronically knowledgeable people in Australia who would enjoy the process of "mentoring" those who are just starting out in the wonderful world of electronics. As part of a club structure, they could provide a sterling service to those who are floundering with projects but are otherwise extremely enthusiastic about electronics as a hobby. I am thinking mainly of retired people as the "mentors" but often it is retired people who are the novices, taking up this hobby now that they have the time.

So are there people out there who are willing to start up such clubs? We would do whatever we can to help the process, including publishing an annual list of clubs in the magazine and on our website. Electronics retailers would also happily refer people to electronics clubs and would probably provide some special pricing for clubs.

It also occurs to me that amateur radio clubs could do a lot to grow their stagnating memberships if they actively promoted themselves as "electronics" clubs. In fact, they might give thought to that as their major activity and not have the intention of just promoting the amateur radio side of things. Such a change in emphasis might really boost things along.

Anyway, I feel that the time is ripe for a renaissance of electronics clubs. Let’s see if we can’t give the idea a big push. Finally, if you know of or are a member of an electronics club, please send us your particulars so we can compile a database.

Leo Simpson