What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
Mark (KC9HGJ)
on
April 24, 2005
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Good day to everyone. I hope that things are well with you and yours. I was reading an article the other day on eHam that questioned, "What are you doing for ham radio?" And I wondered what I was doing and if it has a positive affect on the hobby.
I have been interested in radio since I was 7 years old due to my brother being involved in radio. This was in the early seventies and even back then 11 meter operators had call letters. I only recently returned to radio after many, many years of being a father, military service and work, work, work. I have always read anything that I could get a hold of that had anything to do with theory or radio knowledge. I picked up a book for studying the theory and principals of ham radio and after reading it through a couple times I took my test and passed. I have an Elmer that has been in ham radio since 1953 and he is teaching me code and antenna building.
I am going to three different ham clubs now and will soon become a member of our area's Skywarn. I am now helping service the antennas of all the older hams in our clubs that cannot service them due to health or physical limitations. I am also doing other things, moving some of their furniture and cleaning their yards when needed. I have had some over to supper a few times and have learned a lot from their experiences. I would imagine that I will get to meet many hams at the next few meetings and I intend on trying to do some presentations at these meetings on antenna building and other aspects of the hobby for those soon to be hams or older hams that want to learn more.
I have also contacted some old hams that have become inactive due to equipment problems or antenna problems. I am working through the local clubs to search out these inactive hams and help them get their stations back on the air. Most of them are very excited to have someone knock on their door and say, "hey, is there anything that I can do for you to get you back on the air?" I have always done community work through our church so this type of thing comes naturally for me.
What I have found since becoming a ham is that you don't have to be a ham just when you are in your shack but can be a ham when cutting up a downed tree in someone's yard or helping them with other non ham related situations. We are planning some cookouts this summer that don't revolve around radio but just the company of some great people that happen to enjoy the same hobby.
Having the privilege to be in this hobby is just that, a privilege. I want all you old hams that have been here long and seen it all that as a new ham I intend to preserve the hobby and all its great aspects. My goal in being a ham is to leave this hobby better than I found it through club participation, engaging in all aspects, (that I can afford), learning to build my own equipment and preserving the fellowship that ham was based on.
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What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by K0BG on April 24, 2005
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I agree with you, and said so in a recent letter to the editor of QST (April 2005 issue). However, I believe there are other important things people can do besides getting the OTs back on the air. Sharing ones experience, helping newer amateurs with their projects, and the list goes on. The key word here is activism.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by K8MHZ on April 24, 2005
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I'm with you, Mark!
Here are a few ideas:
If your group does not do communications for parades and walks, this is a good place to help out your community and get some exposure for ham radio.
If you have a knack for teaching, teach a tech class.
If every school in your county has not been contacted about the hobby, contact them...invite them to Field Day.
Get the kids interested...they have some great ideas and make the events fun.
There are so many ways to do this. I have spent the last 10 years using ham radio for the benefit of our community and also working to promote the hobby.
Ya know what? I sure wouldn't call it work. It turns out that working parades, Skywarn, teaching class and all of that...is great fun!!
What school would turn down an offer to communicate with the ISS or the Shuttle? How many of us have tried to set something like this up? I will bet that the few that have could tell us some great stories.
I also feel that the way we behave and how we speak of our hobby says myriads about it. People will be more likely to want to be a part of a hobby that is talked of with wonder and enthusiasm than one that is complained about.
My personal goal is to teach 100 people the skills needed to pass their first ham test. 4 down, 96 to go!!
So, what I am doing is...teaching, leading, serving (Public Service Event Coordinator, MCARES and Staffing Officer, Security Operations, Muskegon Air Fair) learning (Dahdahdidit dahdahdidit), facilitating (Webmaster mcares.org, owner MCARES@yahoogroups.com) innovating (break tags, HSMM) networking (like we do here) and loving every minute of it!!
Not to say that I would do none of this if it weren't fun, but the fun facet makes it easier to do all of it. From the outside this looks like a lot of work, but in reality it is my play. TV is too fake and there is no interaction, sports have never interested me (except Motocross racing...doing it, not watching it) and the broken bones in my legs keep me from enjoying martial arts like I used to. (Not from motorcycles...2 bicycle crashes and one header off a ladder) so I have some time available.
I came into the hobby with the goal of getting involved with Civil Defense. Although we don't have much of a "Civil Defense" anymore as other organizations have taken it's place, I have managed to get involved with emergency preparedness in our county.
We also work very closely with the March of Dimes. If the March of Dimes has events in your area that do not have amateur radio support, PLEASE contact me. Our relationship with the March of Dimes goes back before my entry and they have asked that I make an attempt to assure that every March of Dimes event has amateur radio coverage.
If you want to do something positive for ham radio, start by establishing a relationship with beneficial organizations in your area. Working public service events gains exposure for us, provides a venue to test emergency equipment and techniques, and gives the group an activity in which they all can contribute.
I really liked the idea of contacting hams that may be off the air due to their inability to repair their stations.
Great subject,
K8MHZ back to net control...
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by SWANMAN on April 24, 2005
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CW should be gone by next summer at the latest. Read this: http://www.hamwave.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewnews&id=689
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What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by WB5YYX on April 24, 2005
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Mark KC9HGJ -
I enjoyed your article very much! It is getting back to our "roots" that will save Amateur Radio. Congratulations and thank you for your contributions.
As for mine, I can state I was first licensed as a Novice in September, 1967. That was my senior year of high school and I had just started (I was 17 years old). My first call was WN2CXS in Passaic, New Jersey.
During my senior year in my homeroom I met Bob Meece. He was a member of the Knight Raiders VHF Club in Passaic. Through him I met my mentor and president of the Club Jack Wilk K2KDQ/N2DXP. He lived the next block
over from me. I lived on 196 Marietta Avenue and Jack lived on 120 Brook Avenue. From then on I was introduced into the world above 50 MHz. The club operated the three ARRL VHF Contests each year. Jack's basement was our meeting room/club station for K2DEL. We operated the June and September VHF Contests atop Garrett Mountain near Paterson, New Jersey portable. The ARRL January VHF SS was operated in Jack's basement. I got my roots in VHF and above this way. I upgraded to General Class 1968, then Advanced in 1969 (WA2CXS).
I served the ARRL Hudson Division as a PRA (Public Relations Assistant) until 1976 when I moved to New Mexico. I became an ARRL annual member in 1969, then Life Member in 1976. I have served several Amateur Radio Club positions in different organizations in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1985 I successfully petitioned the FCC for written examination credit. Until then in the new VE system there was code credit but written examination credit only by an issued FCC license. Also in 1985 I became a very active VE with ARRL and W5YI VEC's. In 1986 I successfully upgraded to Extra Class and upgraded my VE status. I assisted in creating the Albuquerque VE Group to sponsor Amateur Radio license examinations. During 1990 I won an election and became an ARRL Rocky Mountain Divison Vice-Director for a two year term. I was re-elected Vice-Director in 1992 for another two year term. During 1994 I decided to move onto other challenges and chose not to run again. I was an Amateur Radio news columnist for Radioscan Magazine for several years. In August, 2004 I moved from Albuquerque (Bernalillo County) to Mountainair, New Mexico (Torrance County). Mountainair is extremely rural population about 1,200 and 2 square miles in size. I am a Charter member of our new first club here called the Estancia Valley Amateur Radio Association.
I am now active in ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service). I also write Amateur Radio articles now for EHAM.NET AND QRZ.COM. As a related interest I now collect and repair antique radios including classic Amateur Radio equipment. I have been doing this for the past three years.
I am fully confident that leading a diversified life in Amateur Radio promotes motivation and creativity.
Thank you Mark for an excellent topic and the board managers for allowing it here! We are not bragging about our accomplishments on this topic, we are rather
simply stating facts. It should be done far more often especially to elmer and inspire newcomers and existing Radio Amateurs!
Best 73's,
Bob Scupp WB5YYX
Licensed since 1967
Life Member ARRL, QCWA
Former ARRL Rocky Mountain
Division Vice-Director 1990-1994
Charter Member Estancia Valley ARA
ARES
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by K0BG on April 24, 2005
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Swanman (I assume that was or is your CB handle), back in the days when amateur radio started, CW was the only mode of transmission. Even after AM radio broadcasting became all of the rage, it was a number of years before any large amount of AM phone was in use on the amateur bands. SSB was demonstrated before WWII, but really didn't take off until the 60s. Nowadays, the digital world is starting up. Part of the FCCs NPR will also address digital transmission, as well as the proposed bandwidth sub-banding the ARRL has recently petitioned.
During all of this time, you heard two sides to the story. One pro, and one con in each of the aforementioned aspects of amateur radio. All of the dire consequences never came to pass. And the fact remains, CW, AM, and SSB are all still with us, and will be for years to come. You may not like CW, and you may love AM, but the real truth is, if and when you're going to enjoy ALL of amateur radio, you'll learn the code instead of bemoaning it. It is, after all, the original essence of amateur radio, like it or not.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by K8MHZ on April 24, 2005
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http://www.hamwave.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewnews&id=689
This article mentions nothing about the FCC dropping code. Is there more to it?
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What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by N0AH on April 24, 2005
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Political activist for ridding the hobby of MFJ crap-
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What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by N0AH on April 24, 2005
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Gee wiz, all of these wimps who can't learn code....at 5 wpm for goodness sake. (excluding medical exemptions of course) Go jump off a cliff and join the fishes. Your better off as bait than being on the HF bands. You deserve to be where you are. You earned it, remember??? Just like those of us have earned our tickets back in the day where an Extra was Extra at 20 WPM, not some Extra light at 5 WPM. Now put a cork in your pie hole. You get what you earn. That is what this hobby is about. It's not some crappy C.B. show.
Paul 2 Alpha Tango 934
P.S. There now, did I do something for our hobby now?
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RE: another troll article
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by NS6Y_ on April 24, 2005
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I'm beginning to develop the opinion that the more time one spends on this and other internet forums talking *about* ham radio, the less one is actually doing *for* ham radio.
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RE: another troll article
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by N0TONE on April 24, 2005
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Alex, you have hit the nail on the head.
Posting on eham.net is not ham radio. Turning on the rig and making a QSO is ham radio.
You are doing nothing at all for ham radio if you're not using it.
I am happy to see people help out for disater preparedness, public service, elmering and all that, but if you are not, personally, adding to the number of stations on the air that's available for a QSO, then you are not helping the hobby!
My logbook shows that I have made at least a couple of HF QSOs every day for several years, except a few times when I was out of the country.
Sure, I post on the internet, and I elmer. But I do those AFTER I have made myself available for someone else to have a QSO with.
AM
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by KB9YZL on April 25, 2005
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Um, …….Er, ……..Excuse me for pointing it out, but the original article had nothing to do with Code!
It reminds me a bit of an uncle I used to have: …Every time there were more than two people in a room with him, he would try to start a religious debate. The end result was that everyone learned to avoid him, because they were sick and tired of his nonsense.
Get the point?
Kent Carroll
KB9YZL
“Appliance Operator”
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RE: another troll article
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by KB9YZL on April 25, 2005
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NOTONE:
You wrote: >>“I am happy to see people help out for disater preparedness, public service, elmering and all that, but if you are not, personally, adding to the number of stations on the air that's available for a QSO, then you are not helping the hobby! “<<
On the first read, I find your statement rather alarming; …But it is, of course, possible that I’m not understanding you correctly: ……Are you really saying that the guy who has his daily rag chew is making a more positive contribution to the ARS than those who are involved in Disaster Preparedness and Public Service?
Kent Carroll
KB9YZL
“Appliance Operator”
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RE: another troll article
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by NS6Y_ on April 25, 2005
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Geez what kind of junk is N0FONE trying to spout now??? "If you're helping out with disasters but not helping me with my QSO you're not helping the hobby"?? Helping out with disasters etc are what our QSO are essentially practice for!! NOTONE needs to pull his head out of his, um, TONE.
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What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by W2AYY on April 25, 2005
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I have crossed to the other side about a year and a half ago. I became disable from an auto accident. It was very hard and we lost everything. It is one of the factors that lead me to become a ham.
I met one ham that had me over to his home and helped me build and understand Quad antennas. He also came over after I past the test and taught me about resonate dipoles and helped me put some up. He has always been there to answer my questions.
Last week I met another ham who live in a town about 45 minutes from me. He came over last Saturday and spend all day using his own materials helping me put up a 80 meter loop antenna.
Both hams knew I did not have the money to pay them for the materials or there help. My son who helps me from time to time has his own family and has just spent a year in Cuba. It has help me so much and meant so much to me to have these guys help me.
But it is very hard to ask for help. Pride maybe. Not accepting my limitations yet. Whatever the reason I wonder how many hams out there like me have difficulty asking for help? My disability prevents me very going to the club meetings so I don’t see or hear from any of the local members. But if more were willing to help and ask to help, not just wait to be asked, then maybe more people with disabilities or limitation might be on the air.
Thank you for your example and to the hams that have helped me. May your example encourage others to enjoy this great hobby more. I know I have because of people like you and them.
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by KC9HGJ on April 25, 2005
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My article does not have anything to do with pro code or no code. It has to do with being advantagous to the hobby and enjoying it through productive participation. Not through arguing about code and no code, so please if you wish to discuss code no code post it somewhere else.
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What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by K0RGR on April 25, 2005
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Good article, Mark, and thanks for your service.
"Saving ham radio" is not something that will ever be over and done with. It is a process, not a single act. It is something we all need to be doing all the time.
Certainly, the things you are doing help a lot.
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What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by WA6BFH on April 25, 2005
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Mark, while I agree with your good intent, I think that there is one thing we all must remember! We own these frequencies. It is not by privilege that we have access to them, it is because we were aware that they were there, and wanted to do great things with them!
I take it that the privilege you speak of has reference to the test you passed and that piece of paper that is now on your wall because of successfully passing that test. The test that the first Ham’s passed was to build a working station. If they failed, they communicated with no one.
Remember that the first Ham’s were active for about 40 years before such examinations, or the FCC existed!
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by KC9HGJ on April 25, 2005
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We as to if we "own" these frequencies or I must say that I disagree. The licensed ham operators own these frequencies about as much as a licensed driver owns the roadways that they use to commute. I checked out your site and although you obviuosly are very knowledgable in the field of amatuer radio I must disagree with your opinion. I would prefer that this thread not become a "flamefest" but its comments like these from extremely arogant radio operators that tends to bring out the worst in others. Its people that drive down the roadways at reckless speeds, drunk and dangerous claiming "I own these here roads" that presents some of the problems in ham radio. Then we get the " I have been licensed to drive ten times longer than you, so there for I OWN the road." Well plain and simple, and at direct quote of the Federal Communication, licensed operators in their respective bands have the same rights that another ham that has been licensed for decades.
Quote from FCC site:
All frequencies are shared. No frequency is assigned for the exclusive use of any amateur station. Station control operators cooperate in selecting transmitting channels to make the most effective use of the frequencies.
And yes the privilage is related to the license that I have and give me the right to use the frequencies that are allowed by my license.
I wonder, if there was a test of humility to become an amatuer, or a test of eagerness to encourage others instead of belittling them, or a test to determine if someone is a pompous ass........ some of the operators would be sitting (with the radios they built) without a license.
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by WA6BFH on April 25, 2005
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KC9HGJ, I think you missed my point.
What you did take away from it though leaves me amazed and staggered!
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by KB9YZL on April 25, 2005
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KC9HGJ;
I think the point of WA6BFH’s comments was just this: ……Any Power or Authority the FCC wields is theirs only because we, as voting citizens, gave it to them.
What is given can be taken away: …..Something the “Boys in Washington” need to keep in mind!
Kent Carroll
KB9YZL
“Appliance Operator”
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by WA6BFH on April 25, 2005
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Remember that the first Ham’s were active for about 40 years before such examinations, or the FCC existed!
.........................................
I should have followed this sentence with the statement :
We carry on in their tradition. If we do that, we will be doing what we need to do to preserve and protect the greatness of Ham radio!
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What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by KE5CMU on April 25, 2005
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Mark, thank you for the great article. As amateur radio operators and human beings I feel we all should reach out to help our brothers and sisters. I remember when I first got licensed and the president of our local radio club reached out and elmered me. I felt the need to do the same when a young man got licensed a month ago at a local hamfest. He was scared to get on the air and make his first QSO. I explained to him what was taught to me - listen for a little while and learn the protocol and then jump right in.
God Bless,
Paul
KE5CMU
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by NN6EE on April 25, 2005
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Thru out my tenure as a HAM I've done alot for the "HOBBY" though some are blind to that fact!!! But here's (1) example:(As reprinted from the "DailyDX newsletter (25-04-05)NN6EE notes that one contributor to the Peter One DXpedition effort is
a first- grade class of school children in Massachusetts, who call
themselves "the hamsters." First grade would be children seven to
eight years old. Teacher Donna LaRoche led the effort to raise the $50
these children sent. NN6EE contributed a shortwave receiver so the
class could listen in and copy SSB and CW in the classroom. The
school children are keeping scrapbooks of QSL cards hams send them,
but so far there have been few received. There are 21 children in the
class and the school year will end in another month and a half. If
you can send 21 of your own personal QSL cards, signed with 73 and
your name - mail them to:
Winn Brook School
c/o Ms. Donna LaRoche & HAMSTERS
97 Waterhouse Road,
Belmont, MA.
02478
NN6EE, Jim, summarizes, "The kids really do deserve a small token of
thanks from the Amateur fraternity!!!" Wouldn't it be nice if they
were deluged with hundreds or thousands of cards to end their school
year!? It occurs to me that if you are reluctant to "use up" 21 of
your current cards, many of us still have half a box of cards from
previous callsigns, from years ago, from expeditions we've been on,
etc. Those should be just as good for this purpose. Personally, I
think kids that age would be fascinated (as I have noticed when I've
made presentations to elementary school classes) also by DX cards from
around the world, if you have some old shoeboxes full you don't need -
or if you are in possession of the cards from a silent key friend (as
I have been). Just a thought.
**************************************************
So in conclusion GUYS: "What have you done???" other then complain about the sad state of the "HOBBY"??? More pro-activeness instead of NEGATIVITY will save our "HOBBY" not BS!!!
Jim/nn6ee
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What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by WB4M on April 25, 2005
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I spend more time on the air and less time on eHam and the rest of the internet.
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What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by KG6TT on April 25, 2005
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Becoming a VE is one of the best 'give backs' for me. Being friendly, helpful, encouraging to new hams and those working towards upgrades...
I also enjoy 'talking up' the hobby when I get the opportunity. Small things usually but on ocassion I get to tell more of the ham story.
I think I also give back by trying to be a positive example... although I know I am far from perfect... thinking that way keeps me more or less on track in that area.
I also give back by volunteering my time and energy helping those other hams that I can. Some need it for physical reasons others need the mentoring.
Lastly I have been fortunate to have positively contributed in several disaster reliefs in my 40+ years as a ham. I know that doesn't sound like much but when I was needed I tried to be there.
Its a great privilege to be a member of the Amateur Radio Service, because we have such colorful and divergent 'vocal' opinions just makes it anothe slice of life.
73, Jerry
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by NN6EE on April 25, 2005
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Jerry,
You're not giving others who are trying to do something for the youngsters any credit!!!
VEs are only as good as the entrance of KIDS into our "HOBBY"!!!
What are YOU doing to get the younger-set into the FRAY???
Regards,
Jim/ee
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by KG6TT on April 25, 2005
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Jim:
Hmmmm?
I can't recall the youngest individual I have helped into this hobby... in fact I probably wouldn't know. I suppose some of the courses I wrote were taken by very young people too. I certainly went through a lot of effort to make the easy to follow. But that is ancient history. I know many of the classes I taught when I first came to California had numerous young people in attendance... but that is also sort of ancient history.
For now I do what I can as an active VE and giving big smiles to the young ones when they come to test.
Jerry
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by X-WB1AUW on April 25, 2005
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Congrats on getting your first ticket, last March.
One thing hams can do is to remain active throughout many sun spot cycles. That helps our hobby a lot.
Plus, simply up-grading to the highest ticket possible helps. Becoming a VE. Resolving that ALL DX runs split. Making sacrifices to, and ask the DX gods to have lightning strike your tower if you ever play traffic cop. Pledging to ignore "back-stabbers and syndicators" jamming DX's transmit.
Shutting off processors, and disconnecting "audio-equalizers" helps our hobby ALOT!
73
bob
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by KE7BFD on April 26, 2005
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What am I dong for the Hobby? Well lets first make one thing clear! As this is a hobby and not a required college course, it is voluntary! Also I would like to add that everyone needs to start somewhere, and if that means only having a no code ticket, then that in itself is at least a start!
I believe that everything involved in this hobby, to include echo link, IRLP, HF, VHF, UHF and satellite work, are all just as important as the other! In todays time it is not always easy to find the time and a elmer to help you through the hard issues. Some pople find code easier than others, some people find hands on easier than others, but even so, this makes them no less than those that have their code! How many of you elmers are willing to give of your time to help out someone who has a hard time with code?
What are you doing for the Hobby???
If just making QSO's is the game then we dont need this forum or any other means of communication! Everyone should just throw out their internet, cell phone and whatever means of communication, besides their HF and just use that to communicate!
Small minds have small ideas!
What do I do to help out the hobby? I offer any assistance I can to whoever ask me, so that I might learn more, do more and become a better HAM!
And just so you know I have helped out many hams in my area. If you dont believe me than come to Reno and give me a call!
It is either all for one or not at all!
73's
KE7BFD
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by WA6BFH on April 26, 2005
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BFD, I think that you express the synthesis of Ham radio rather well!
A point that I would like to attempt to make, and I hope that it will be decently and matter of factly received, is the idea (or even ideal) of ‘what is important’ in Ham radio?
I know, fully well realize, and accept, that certain Ham’s like to do certain things. Some like chasing 20 Meter DX, some like QRP, some like only the digital modes -- and each of these preferences, as well as many many others may have particular interest on only one or two bands!
My premise, and I know that some may not receive this well, is that some things are actually more important to do! Like I said, just hear me out, and if you then think to yourself, ‘well, there goes BFH again’ -- that’s cool, I’ll swing with that. My idea is that while you may like or enjoy certain aspects of Ham radio, just like you have a favorite color, favorite food, or other things on your ‘list of favorites’ -- we have some things that we MUST pursue as science!
Those of you who know me, know what I would next list so, I will just leave that alone! Anyway, just think about the idea! Chew it over, and kick it around a bit!
73! de John
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What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by N5PFZ on April 27, 2005
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Greetings all. I like this question and appreciate the work of those I've read about here. I am currently the President of the Shreveport Amateur Radio Association. We have a had a great year so far in the public eye due to a small but dedicated group of members who have worked extremely hard to bolster Ham radio in our community. We have two public schools we sponsor with ARRL books and multimedia. (Today one school club is testing (15) fifteen students for thier Tech. license with our local VE's. I hope to report a 100% pass rate soon!)
We held a special event station (W5E) with the 8th Airforce Museum and BArksdale Airforce Base. The on air response and the public response was tremendous. We have been invited back to the Base for at leats two more special events in the near future.
The club is also involved in JOTA, Field Day and other contests.
Most of our members are ARES certified and have gone through extensive additional training for public services in time of need.
So what have I done for ham radio? Well, I tend to look at things from the perspective of a team. Although I am involved in every amateur function in my area, I also know without the other hams involved I would be there alone. Don't mistake this for group think. We all bring our ideas to the table and we have the good fortune of having the resources to take advantage of all opportunities.
I know a few others have listed ideas of how to get involved so please allow me to add and maybe duplicate a few:
1. Join a local 2 meter or other net in your area. This is where you can meet other hams interested in the same things you are. If you are ready, seek to be a net control op.
2. Demonstrations to young people in your area. Why not send a simple invitation/letter to the parents of the youth in your neighborhood or township to have the kids come by for a demo day. We had a young man make his first HF contact during our Special Event and he is now working on his general.
3. Contact your school board about setting up a demo for a school class in communications or science. I think a discussion with science students about propagation or electronics could be great.
There are so many great ideas on sharing our hobby that is virtually infinite.
Finally, enjoy ham radio. If I could recommend anything to do for our hobby it has to be encouragement of the other liscense class hams to advance and young people to get involved. If we are positive in what we do day in day out we reap the rewards.
TNX
Richard
NZ5S
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RE: What Are You Doing for the Hobby?
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by NN6EE on April 28, 2005
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Jerry,
Anyone who's a VE can give'em a test BUT FIRST YOU HAVE TO GET THEM at whatever age INTERESTED, once you do that everything else will fall into place!!!
Jim/ee
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RE: Small Minds
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by X-WB1AUW on April 28, 2005
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We loose more hams tru the sun spot trough than we do during the peak.
Next time you tune 10, 12, 15, 17 and even 20, don’t hear any Qs, and get No answer to your CQs, and you know the band is open, just remember how “unimportant” is for people to remain active.
I often think it is bizarre that people complain about W6CCP, and there are many nights he is the ONLY signal in the SSB portion of 20 meters! Especially head spinning when some op tries to jam his DXing!
Same for “Blacky”, and Otto on 75 meters.
Unless the rules have changed, only Extra VEs can administer Extra tests; they are the ONLY ones who can administer ALL VE tests. Since there are only VE tests sessions now, being an Extra VE is a very simple, major contribution.
73
Bob
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RE: Small Minds
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by WA6BFH on April 28, 2005
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I try to tell people the same thing about 50.125 MHz, and different 'Hot Spot' frequencies on 10 Meters but, Oh Well!
By the way, whats a VE?
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