This is in lieu of the on-going topic of how to increase the hobby membership. This is by far not a new topic, and during a meeting session at the last Red Clay event Bob was discussing it and I brought up some thoughts, some I'll repeat here. My main modeling hobby is RC tanks, specifically 1/16 scale. In the late '90's it was really micro-scopic when compared to the other small hobby of RC submarines. You pretty much had to trip over someone in the hobby to get into it. Back in the late 90's 1/16 tanks were unheard of, expensive and a very niche hobby, and very unsupported. RC subs in contrast was very small, but very much larger and supported in the hobby. I look back now and it really seams comical of how RC subs was much larger, while being a very niche hidden hobby. I only found out about it by a guy who got into tanks, but was in the RC sub hobby for a few years who new Merriman...who lived close by. For those that don't know Dave is really a Sci-Fi guy first, and an RC sub guy by default of trade/ living. I'm digressing I know, so I'll get back on topic. As I discussed at Red Clay, the thing that launched the 1/16 tank hobby was the introduction of the 'Battling System'. This was a dual-edged sword as it brought all the gamers in by the busload. They weren't really interested in tanks, they just loved the gaming. So they would get into the hobby, which costs over $1000 to get in minimum (sound familiar) and they'd stay and play for about a year and a half and then get out. There was one hell of a turn-over, so that those getting out were replaced by one or two coming in. The hobby grew exponentially, so much so that the static side of the hobby blew up, which as you know helps the RC side. It's still ballooning. To me, the gamers brought a negative side to the hobby, as they weren't really interested in tanks, and were not very technically competent, except for the ones that had transposed from the RC car or truck side of hobbies and then they were an asset, as they brought the advantages of the electronic aspects with them, which was win-win. Bob had discussed some of this at the venue, and I'm not entirely sure that the gamer aspect would positively add to the hobby, but by the numbers I think it would. The latter group who came in, the RC car and truck side brought in advanced technical aspects to the hobby. I feel that this is what is lacking in the sub hobby. Sounds funny, as there are so many different versions of sub-drivers/ WTC's, dry hulls, etc, but what is really needed and everyone is screaming to get to is...ease of use and reliability. Even the masters spend a hellacious amount of time getting their subs ready to get into the water, and sometimes not successfully. It's the race to build a better mouse trap, and that's also part of the zeal of the hobby...to defy the odds and get your sub in the water and run the snot out of it. At Red Clay, this was my first sub event and there was usually about 4 or less subs in the water during the whole event. To me, I was at the bottom of the totem pole of people who are the zenith of their hobby, really spectacular engineering efforts, and I was continuously entertained, yet there was few who were actually running the entire event. Perplexing to me. By trade I've been a Test Engineer off and on since 1989, so trend analysis is par for the course. This has been long in tooth and I apologize, as I'm trying to get my thoughts down for the benefit of this amazing hobby, but one thing that has to be done is make it easier and more dependable. Unlike tanks, this hobby involves mixing water with electronics, and often to the benefit of the hobbyist. Even for the experts, it's a long effort to get the sub satisfactorily working and not be a casualty...or worse lost. To make the hobby greater and better, ease of getting not just 'plug n play', but more dependable ease of use systems is paramount. I'm sure there are those laughing at this, as they've already been there and done that with these thoughts, but they are the underlying reasons that people who look at the hobby and then run to something more easier...like painting flower pots :)
... Standardization.
You long-winded, knuckle-dragging, gear-head, tread-head, you!
David
Your Torpedoman buddy in arms
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