[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Discord Server!

[Jason Palma]

Good evening,

I mentioned during the net that I set up a Discord (https://discord.com/) server to enhance our ability to exchange information as club members. This is just a test for now, it is up to our club leadership whether we would like to have an official Discord server, but for now I’d like to invite our membership to join up and start chatting and sharing. 

We have a net night chat channel that we use to discuss topics as folks are talking. I set up a bunch of channels as starters to see how they would work. Club news, ARES, DSTAR, POTA, Builds, Ragchews, Net Night, Club Announcements, the possibilities are endless.  I’ve posted the ARC shorts as a PDF, and net night contacts as test examples. I could see a channel for Mobile installs with pictures, videos and discussions that folks could participate in.  If you are doing a radio or antenna install, you could live stream it to the club! Maybe get Rich and Ian to live stream drilling holes in vehicle roof tops :). 

Discord is great for direct voice chat, video chat and screen sharing. Net control could be live on camera during a net and there could be side conversations going on, if we wanted. The main purpose is to have a closed forum for the club that works on any device, desktop to phone. A few of the hams that are Youtubers run Discord chats after their livestreams. I’ve also found a couple of other clubs that use it. The best part is that it is free (of course that is not true, I didn’t pay anything but I know nothing in life is free). Let me know if you want to give it a go!

You would just need to setup an account on any computer or device.  There are a few clubs out there using Discord servers to share information and chat. If you set up notifications you will know when one of us sends a message in the chat. If you set up an account, be sure to add your call sign in your user name. I am WA6MPR_Jason, Bryan is WD4ADF_Bryan, Ryan is KO4EBY, and Don is Don_KI4D. You can connect directly with them or through my server. 

Here are the steps below to setup an account:

Step 1: Download Discord on your Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS device at https://discord.com/
Step 2: Create a Discord profile. Recommend using this format: callsign_name
Step 3: Let me know your Discord profile name and I will send you an invite to join the server. 

Here is a good (4 min) video on Discord basics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIqyPJQAgT4 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIqyPJQAgT4>

Lastly, rules (sad I have to say it, but here it is). 

1. I am the moderator of this server. What I say goes. Club rules apply -be nice.
2. Again, be nice to your fellow club members. If you want to argue, do it somewhere else. Not on my server. 
3. Stay out topics that are controversial or do not enhance the amateur radio experience. Remember, you can always make your own server or fire up the radio and do your own thing. 
4. If you can’t be nice, I will drop you from the server like a bag of hammers. 
5. Have fun and share your knowledge with the group!

73,

Jason

WA6MPR