Additional suggestion:  Emergency Communications for the city of Glendale is offered by the Glendale Emergency Amateur Radio Service (G.E.A.R.S.), made up of a subset of the Crescenta Valley Radio Club and the Pasadena Radio Club plus a few more.

G.E.A.R.S. meets on the third Wednesday of each month at the E.O.C. (under Glendale City Hall).

You can find a link to them at the Crescenta Valley Radio Club's website:  http://www.qsl.net/cvrc

73 de Mark
W6MW

While our numbers were not as low as yours, I found that the way to revive our club was to offer good speakers on a variety of topics.

We also have our business sessions limited to 30 minutes and the speaker takes over for the remainder of the session.

I took over as Speaker Chairman (I am now President) 3 years ago and have had many good speakers talk on Digital Radio Broadcasting, Transmitter-Hunting, PSK31, Cellular Telephone Systems and how they work, GPS Fundamentals, measurement of Plate Tectonics drift using Differential GPS, Use of Imaging Radar in the Space Shuttle for mapping, etc.

The key to speakers in my club is to offer a mix:  I have Rocket Scientists from JPL as well as husbands & wives who only talk to each other (with limited technical knowledge).  I have to cater to both groups - an involved talk on GPS Fundamentals has to be followed by a Dxpedition Travelogue or a talk on how to mount a radio in your vehicle.  

While we have repeaters, I personally feel that you don't need them if you can offer a "good show."  The members came back as they heard about the types of discussions and how good they were.  Of course the repeater was an excellent way to get that message out - hearing people who had attended rave about the speaker usually causes a few more to come next time - but a newsletter, phone calls, and other types of QSO's can do the same.

Good luck!  Get some good topics and watch them come back.

73 de Mark
W6MW

The ARRL offers Club Liability and Equipment Insurance (through a carrier) to all affiliated clubs.

If your club meets the requirements (51% licensed hams and 51% ARRL members plus a few charter-related specifications) you can obtain inexpensive insurance through them.  We pay well under $1000 - closer to $500 annually for $2,000,000 coverage.

If you have a repeater tower and someone climbs it and falls or someone gets injured at a Club event you will certainly want some coverage.

Good luck!

73 de Mark
W6MW

As President of the Crescenta Valley Radio Club, serving Glendale, I'd like to recommend our group.

Tell you friend that we meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month at Verdugo Hills Hospital (7:30PM).  

We also operate two open repeaters - 146.025 (+ offset and 136.5 hz PL) and 445.680 (- offset and 136.5 hz PL) that he can use to find out about the club, members, etc.

I co-sponsor a Field Day Operation with two other friends (KO6TD and KE6MMU) at Lightning Point Campground in the Angeles National Forest (6700' ASL) and anyone is welcome there also - it is not an official club event but a defacto one.

Hope to meet your friend either on the air or at an upcoming meeting!

73 de Mark
W6MW
w6mw@arrl.net

Thanks to all for your comments.  I am single so a van is not necessary for me and as the trustee of a mountaintop repeater, I need an SUV to get over the rocks in the road.

My Explorer has also had a filter installed before the Fuel Pump and the major parts (exhaust pipe, hood, tail gate, etc) have been grounded with strap.  The noise that I get comes in on the antenna... it gets louder and softer with the connection and disconnection of the antenna.  The noise is there regardless of whether the mount is grounded to the vehicle or not.  I have come to the conclusion that Fords are just noisy - one backed up by several articles in "WorldRadio".

That is why I specifically asked about the Escape.  While Ford sells it, it is manufactured by Mazda and might be a bit better in the RF department.  Guess I will have to drag a magnet mount and rig with me to actually listen when I start test driving.

Thanks again... if anyone else has some information please add it here.

73 de Mark
W6MW

Thanks for the input on the Tahoe, Tom.  Ford Explorer has the same problem when you tune the AM Radio to an unused freq or a distant station.  

I too listen to AM radio... why listen to FM when you can play your own favorite CD's?  

Thanks again es 73 de Mark
W6MW

Hello all...

I'm currently driving a Ford Explorer LTD, which generates an enormous amount of RF Noise.  Since the Writers are apparently not striking, I find myself with the funds to buy a new SUV - preferrably one that is a bit more fuel economical.

Under consideration are the Ford Escape (Mazda), Honda CRV, and the Toyota RAV-4.  Anyone have positive or negative experiences with any of these in regards to RF Noise?  The Escape might be a possibility because the Ford Dealer is close by for servicing purposes, but I am concerned with my prior experience with Ford Products.

Thanks for any suggestions or opinions you might offer.

73 de Mark
W6MW
Glendale, CA