COMING SOON: ELECTIONS for 2019
Our next meeting will be our final meeting for 2018. Nominations Chairman, Rich Nagel, W8KU will announce the results of the elections for the 2019 Board of Officers. Other business will be discussed as we tie up loose ends and wrap up the year.
Our first get together for 2019 will be our January rollout dinner. VP, Mike Marganski, KE8HBK is heading up the event and will fill us in at the meeting.
Our recent workshop
No one likes trouble but troubleshooting can be fun. And that’s what happened at the last meeting. Hams are all about helping each other and the recent meeting was a good example of that. Several members jumped in and did a troubleshooting session on a member’s ailing IC-718 station. While the receiver was functioning well, the rig appeared to have low transmit power. We’ll discuss the approach to the problem and the solution at the next meeting.
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS “SWR”?
Hams talk a lot about “standing waves” and something called “SWR,” but what are these things, really? Have you ever seen standing waves? Can waves really stand? At our next meeting you’ll see that it’s actually possible to observe standing waves. At our December 3rd meeting we’ll have a couple short classic programs followed by a live demonstration that will give unique visualization and understanding of standing waves.
2019 DUES
It’s that time again to ask for your support in the form of membership dues. A new Member Application form has been posted on this site. Some members change phone numbers, email or other info during the year, we ask you to submit a new application each year. Many members have already renewed and that’s very comforting. We appreciate your support and will continue to do our best.
Some thoughts about nets
Many times I’ve asked myself, “why do people participate in what could be called “social amateur nets… like the PRC FM net and the our 10 meter net, where there’s no formal program such as traffic handling training. Just social get togethers where people exchange chit chat. You can be sure that where ever in the world there are amateurs, there are social ham nets. I think it’s time well spent for net control operators and others to consider why people participate in these nets. There are certainly many more activities to choose from.
Now, keep in mind that these comments are mine not the result of professional research so I could be all wet. But after considerable thought: Hams are a lot like people and people generally enjoy being part of a group where they’re recognized, welcomed back, listened to and shown appreciation for their opinions and participation. And while not everyone can be a regular attendee, people they like to know the others miss them when they’re not around. Being part of a group also gives you the opportunity to hear a sweet sound- your name. People love to hear their name. Hearing your name tells you the other person might like you and possibly think about you when you’re not around. People like sincere feedback and advice. It tells them you care. So we shouldn’t hesitate to give sound technical advice that could help them fix their audio or signal strength.
People enjoy nets where they’re encouraged to contribute their personal experience, knowledge or opinion. And people like a venue where the general topic changes from net to net or within the net.
I’ve noticed that many of my favorite net control operators are sure to respond with a few words to each participant so that he or she doesn’t feel their words fell on deaf ears. So while a busy net control often feels pressured to move along to the next check in, they’re sure to slip in responses like, “some interesting things to think about, Tom.” “Or what a day you had, Marie. Let’s hope the rest of your week is all up.”
And many net control operators use computer logging that can recall a persons name… if it’s properly entered or isn’t a new call. A smooth net control avoids referencing the mechanics of the computer log. Mentioning the hardware breaks the illusion that they remembered your name.
A good net control operator enjoys the net as much as we do. That’s probably because they listen closely and are trully interested in what participants have to say. The result can’t help but make for a fun net.
Hal Rogers, K8CMD, President and Communications Director