With more than 10,000 fans on Facebook, the ARRL page is the number one spot for hams on the Internet’s most popular social networking site. Not only is the ARRL page the most popular Amateur Radio page on Facebook, it is attracting young -- and not-so-young -- hams to share their opinions and ham radio-related news with other hams.

According to Facebook demographics, more than 100 people between the ages of 13-17 are fans of the ARRL’s page, with 80 percent below the age of 55 (Facebook breaks down its statistics in age groups of 13-17, 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54 and 55+). The ARRL page also averages about 400 users each week. Users are those who post their own comments, comment on others’ posts or “like” a comment. Along with this, the ARRL Facebook page generates more than 3000 page views each week, with the majority of stories generating more than 80,000 "click-thrus."

“We are excited to have such a strong presence on Facebook,” said ARRL News Editor S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA. “Through our page, we try to showcase all the fun that Amateur Radio is by using interactive status updates, articles from the ARRL Web site and photos from events that are happening all around the world. Personally, I really enjoy seeing what other hams have to say about their love and enjoyment of Amateur Radio.” Keane maintains the ARRL Facebook page that was created by Herman May, KE5HYW.

While US hams make up the majority of users on the League’s Facebook page, hams from all over the world, such as Indonesia, Spain, Greece, Australia, Italy, Argentina, Denmark and the Netherlands, are active, too. “Facebook only gives us the top 20 countries represented that visit our page, but I know from personal interaction with hams that we have more than just those 20 countries visiting us every day,” Keane explained.