[HCRA] Everyone has an opinion -
John Bourque
dcbourq at juno.com
Tue Sep 21 09:28:16 EDT 2021
This is America. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Unlike conversation, you can always just stop reading atany point where you start feeling uncomfortable or disagree. Personally, I have a philosophy. I just try not to let other peoplesignorance bother me. Instead, I regard it as merely humorous. WA1JKB ********************************************************************
---------- Forwarded Message ----------
From: Kevin M Washington <kwashin282 at comcast.net>
To: hcra at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [HCRA] Fw: Re: Fostering new Hams
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2021 08:37:45 -0400
______________________________________________
-------Hampden County Radio Association-------
-----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
______________________________________________
Ladies and Gentlemen.
My wife and I got our technician licenses in Jan of this year. We
have enjoyed the hobby very much. ALL of our QSOs have been extremely
courteous, welcoming, and helpful. We were pleasantly surprised at
the wonderful sense of community and all the assistance we have received.
I suggest that when using email here everyone use the same protocol that
we use when communicating on the radio. I have never heard a harsh word
or acrimonious comment on the air.
Please consider that email is just another form of communication for our
community and should reflect the same sense of community that we expect
and find on the air.
Demographics plays a big role in this hobby. I think the decline of
the manufacturing and "foundational support systems education" is a huge
factor. Added to the social changes we have seen there is no longer a
large population of "builders" in our society. There is a large
population of users. Most of our people are users of the all the hard
work that went into creating the infrastructure necessary for everything
to work. There is a huge difference between smelting steel or building
a railroad and sitting behind a deck typing on a keyboard. The
life/work lessons learned are almost diametrically opposed. The
life/work feedback loop is severely degraded.
If you build a circuit and you designed it wrong you may let the smoke
out and have to start all over. Hours of labor lost. If you make a
mistake in software you can revert to a previous version, change the
parameters, re-build in a matter of minutes, if you do it properly.
Building infrastructure by hand is a labor of love. As engineers we
want it work and work properly and we take it as a personal affront if
what we build is not 100%. Not so in the software world.
In 40 years of computer science the two sentences I have never heard
from a software engineer are "I'm sorry." and "It won't happen again."
This is why our volunteer organizations are struggling to find people to
replace their ranks. Personal responsibility in a social context is
draining away. Add to that the fraying of our social fabric and how can
our community, based on mutual respect and common interest, continue?
So I think we need to stop trying to cater to a group of people who are
simply put, not like us. We need to get programs into the STEM
institutions. In my opinion there should be an amateur radio course
available at every STEM college/university and open classes we run
regularly for anyone who is interested.
The other part is interest. Right now, other than RACES/ARES and
different nets like Morning Brew, there is little to talk about on air.
"Comments of a personal nature", right? I think we need to expand to
topics of interest. Things like the concept of communication itself.
The use of language. Personal relations. Every one of these things we
do on the air every time we key up and are foundational to how we
operate, yet we say nothing about it because it is inherent to our
thinking. I think we need to run our own coordinated and integrated
programs that offer more than just a rag chew or an echo chamber for our
own related focus like swapping gear or being an Elmer.
Leaving it up to the inherent interest of our general population to grow
or even maintain our population isn't going to work in my opinion.
73 to everyone.
KC1OQB/Kevin
On 9/20/2021 10:48 PM, Steve Berian wrote:
> ______________________________________________
> -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
> ______________________________________________
> Hi folks just want to say a few words about ham radio versus commercial and non-commercial radio. the two latter forms of radio are what I got involved in when I was 11 years old and I stayed involved with them for close to 40 years. I have done some engineering work in radio, but more in Manufacturing cuz I like to build stuff. stuff that gets used by a lot of people and also stuff that gets used by our government.
> I was introduced to ham radio when I was 14 Adam Mars station at Hartford Public High School in Hartford Connecticut are Electronics instructor, Colonel George C Arvantaki ran the station as well as the electronics lab. The electronics bug bit me, but the ham radio bug didn't.
> The photography bug bit me hard and I started investing in cameras, lenses & lab gear. Continued my electronics education @ Pratt & Whitney as an apprentice ET, followed by an AS in Electronics @ Univ of Hartford's Ward Tech. Worked my way thru business college as an ET. Subsequently have had several engineering & management positions leveraging both academic areas.
>
> Several buddies during college & after asked why I wasn't a ham. Just had not appealed to me.
>
> One in particular, WA1ZEV, has nagged me on it for 40+ yrs! I said awhile ago that I'd get involved with ham when I retired. That happened 2 yrs ago.
>
> Got my tech license & recently bought a DMR radio. Earlier this summer got involved w Springfield RACES. Two weeks ago, went to the Hamvention in Marlboro. Learned a few things, took some notes, saw & had dinner w some friends.
> And attended the candidate's "debate". So now at least I can distinguish between the three gentlemen. I've alread said how intend to vote & why.
>
> I'm not sure I will stay with this hobby, we'll see.
>
> Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>
> ________________________________
> From: hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net <hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Chris Scibelli NU1O via HCRA <hcra at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021 5:29:15 PM
> To: hcra at mailman.qth.net <hcra at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [HCRA] Fw: Re: Fostering new Hams
>
> ______________________________________________
> -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
> ______________________________________________
> This problem is exactly why I wrote the ARRL should use some of its $40 million endowment to create stations for public use in all 50 states. ARRL could pay for a basic station and it could be located in a public building such as a school to save on having to buy and maintain real estate.
> Chris NU1O
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: w1rm at comcast.net
> To: 'John Bourque' <dcbourq at juno.com>; hcra at mailman.qth.net
> Sent: Mon, Sep 20, 2021 4:53 pm
> Subject: Re: [HCRA] Fw: Re: Fostering new Hams
>
> ______________________________________________
> -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
> ______________________________________________
> John you've hit on a point that I feel is very worth following up on.
>
> Back in my formative years, I had no station and very little money. As a
> 14-year-old putting together my 50-cents per week allowance to buy some gear
> was a very big deal.
>
> In those days, I had a club at the high school I attended. They had a
> station and that was a place to get a glimmer of what it was all about. My
> mentor (one might call him an Elmer today) was W2KMQ. He had a home brew
> transmitter and a beautiful NC-300 receiver. On a few occasions I got to
> visit his home and see what life on 75 meters was all about. Later, he put
> up a 15-meter beam and was on 15.
>
> I don't know if HCRA has a permanent meeting location where a station might
> be installed. Alternatively, members who are willing might host a new ham
> on occasion to visit and see what life on the air is really all about.
>
> Clubs can play an integral role in solidifying interest of a new licensee.
> No amount of YouTube or such can replace a real-live QSO!
>
> Another great opportunity is the ARRL Rookie Roundups. Perhaps the club
> could sponsor a few stations where rookies could get into the round up and
> get a taste of what it's all about.
>
> Just some grist for the mill.
>
>
> Pete Chamalian, W1RM
> W1rm at comcast.net
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net <hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf
> Of John Bourque
> Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021 4:10 PM
> To: hcra at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [HCRA] Fw: Re: Fostering new Hams
>
> ______________________________________________
> -------Hampden County Radio Association------- -----------e-mail list
> (reflector)------------- ______________________________________________
> I write this is response to the issue of our failing attempts to foster more
> interest inour worthy Amateur Radio hobby. First, let me digress and
> explain a bit about myself. I am 68 YO and got my Tech license only two and
> a half years ago. I am retired withtwo grown kids on their own and my house
> is payed off. I have also been a widowerfor the past 20 years. Bless her
> soul, but I therefore, don't have to negotiate with awife to justify the
> expenses associated with my radio shack purchases. Most of us hams tend to
> forget just how much money we have spent over the yearson our own Amateur
> Radio pursuits. One of the major errors we Hams make when trying to promote
> our hobby to potentialnew hams is, that we fail to consider things from
> their point of view. We already havea ham license and we also already have a
> fully functional radio shack to use. They don't.They don't even have a Tech
> license yet. Depending on just how involved they maychoose to get,
> prospective hams are facing
> thousands of dollars of investment that theyprobably can't afford at the
> present time just to get started. Suffice it to say, high schoolers are too
> young and most college students are alreadyeyeball deep in school loans.
> Pursuing an inherently expensive hobby is probably the lastthing on their
> mind. Post college and even middle 20's leads to thoughts of marriage,paying
> off loans and considering home purchases. Enough! You get the picture.We
> have all been there. We all know that just a Tech license gets old real
> fast. The 2m and 70cm bands aren't asbusy as they used to be. It is no
> wonder that, without outside influence, Tech holders loseinterest
> altogether. Personally, that is what would have happened to me if I hadn't
> and gotten my General license right away. And then, although more restricted
> than Extra, General leads to much more expensiveHF transceivers, elaborate
> antenna arrays and the required additional support equipment. Bottom Line:
> Money is a critical factor. Wi
> th the US economy the way it is and, even if interest is there, most
> potential hams are going to second guess themselves before venturing into a
> hobbythat will prove to be expensive. Especially if they aren't sure if
> Amateur Radio will only betemporary passing or turn into a life long passion
> like it is for the rest of us. Put yourself in their shoes. Consider their
> perspective. BTW, I have heard that, despite all the free introductory HCRA
> memberships that we offer tonewly licensed Techies, few,i f any,
> prospective's ever follow-up with subsequent regularmemberships. Perhaps it
> is because they never attend any of our meetings to discover whatHCRA is all
> about. Perhaps it is because we in HCRA never reach out to these
> perspectives,invite them to our meetings and make any special concerted
> effort to welcome them into ourfold at our meetings. You get the idea. 73
> John B, WA1JKB ---------- Original Message ----------
> From: Chris Scibelli NU1O via HCRA <hcra at mailman.qth.net>
> To: "HCRA at mailman.qth.net" <HCRA at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [HCRA] Fw: Re: ARRL Director election - my view
> Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2021 12:51:44 +0000 (UTC)
>
> ______________________________________________
> -------Hampden County Radio Association------- -----------e-mail list
> (reflector)------------- ______________________________________________
> The most ironic thing about all of this is there will be some who wrote
> posts who won't bother to vote. All talk and no action types.
> Thanks for your service to our country!
> Chris NU1O
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Bourque <dcbourq at juno.com>
> To: HCRA at mailman.qth.net
> Sent: Sat, Sep 18, 2021 9:08 pm
> Subject: [HCRA] Fw: Re: ARRL Director election - my view
>
> ______________________________________________
> -------Hampden County Radio Association------- -----------e-mail list
> (reflector)------------- ______________________________________________
> Grow-up everyone. This is America - The land of the free. And I express this
> as a currently retired 24 year retiree from the US Army. 5 Years active and
> 19 years in the Army Reserves. Every one has the right to freely express
> their OWN opinion. Whether you agree with it or not. If you don't agree,
> express your "One person; One vote" opinionat the ballot box. Now get the
> hell off each other's back and act civil. WA1JKB
>
> ---------- Forwarded Message ----------
> From: Chris Scibelli NU1O via HCRA <hcra at mailman.qth.net>
> To: "HCRA at mailman.qth.net" <HCRA at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: Re: [HCRA] ARRL Director election - my view
> Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2021 00:14:21 +0000 (UTC)
>
> ______________________________________________
> -------Hampden County Radio Association------- -----------e-mail list
> (reflector)------------- ______________________________________________
> Go find one sentence from my message where I denigrated digital modes or put
> down those who don't know CW. You won't find one because I didn't write a
> word about the things you referred to.
> My point is we should go after those actually joining the hobby and not
> waste time or money on demographic groups that aren't joining the hobby. In
> essence, that's all I wrote. Maybe you're too sensitive, or you can't
> handle actual facts.
> Chris NU1O
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nick Maslon - K1NZ <k1nz at arrl.net>
> Cc: HCRA Email List <HCRA at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sat, Sep 18, 2021 7:18 pm
> Subject: Re: [HCRA] ARRL Director election - my view
>
> ______________________________________________
> -------Hampden County Radio Association------- -----------e-mail list
> (reflector)------------- ______________________________________________
> Chris,
>
> This email reads as a slap in the face. At 30 (licensed at 20), I'm one of
> the younger, if not the youngest HCRA member. If it weren't for the support
> I received from Kx1x, KK1W, N1FJ, K1TTT, N1TA, and other HCRA members, I
> most likely wouldn't still be a ham.
>
> Your sentiments echo many of those that I have heard over the years. I'm not
> a real ham because I'm not proficient at CW. FT8 isn't a real mode. I should
> turn in my license because I didn't walk uphill both ways during a blizzard
> to the FCC office 50 miles away to take my 30 WPM novice test.
> These gatekeeping sentiments are EXACTLY why youth are not joining the hobby
> and/or fizzle out soon after being licensed.
>
> Instead, we should be promoting other avenues such as maker spaces, digital
> modes, tech, etc. where there are opportunities to capture the youth
> demographic and potentially expose them to other facets of the hobby. For
> example, I was always interested in dxing but after I got licensed was
> introduced to SOTA and contesting. After a few years, I discovered digimodes
> and now that's honestly 70% of my at-home operating.
>
> We're honestly running out of time. If we don't embrace the younger
> demographic, we won't have a hobby left. If that requires the hobby to
> change, then we have to adapt, otherwise there won't be a hobby left.
>
> Also, I'm not going to address the women in ham radio point because I can't
> speak to their experiences. You do seem however to have ruffled some
> feathers.
>
> This hobby is big enough for everyone. Why can't we just play nice and enjoy
> it together? Just because I don't enjoy it the same way you do doesn't mean
> I'm not entitled to have fun being a ham.
>
> 73,
> Nick K1NZ
>
>
> On the Droid.
>
> On Sat, Sep 18, 2021, 14:59 Chris Scibelli NU1O via HCRA <
> hcra at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>
>> ______________________________________________
>> -------Hampden County Radio Association------- -----------e-mail list
>> (reflector)-------------
>> ______________________________________________
>> If AB1OC is going to try and turn the demographics of our hobby into
>> that of the overall population that is reason enough NOT to vote for him.
>> This hobby has tried for decades to get teens into the hobby and I
>> think most of us have finally realized it's not going to happen. This
>> is 2021, not 1951. Teens have a plethora of hobbies to chose from and
>> they view our hobby as antiquated and boring. At least that's what the
>> teens I've talked to about ham radio have told me. Some of us from
>> the HCRA elmered a teen about 5 years ago. I must have spent 50 to
>> 100 hours with him on the air or on the phone. He was gung-ho at the
>> start but it only lasted about a year. He's now an inactive ham. He
>> didn't quit due to a lack of support from local hams because he received
> plenty of help from myself and others..
>> .As for getting loads of women into the hobby, I don't see that
>> happening, either. Most female hams are usually the spouse of a ham or
>> a significant other introduced them to the hobby. I think many join
>> the hobby to please a spouse.
>> As it stands now, most new hams are still mainly male, they toyed with
>> radio at some point in their lives, and they are now near retirement
>> or fully retired. They now have the time and money to buy and use a
>> station, That has been the background of almost every new ham I've met
>> in the past decade. We may as well go after the demographic group
>> actually joining the hobby instead of trying some social experiment
>> destined to fail. It's simply a losing battle fighting demographics
>> and I won't vote for a candidate who thinks that's possible.
>> I'm voting for Tom, K1KI. He's done a great job with the New England
>> QSO Party for the past 20 years. That tells me he can stick with a
>> project and he has the needed time to devote to the job. We also know
>> he's been a very active ham for decades.
>> 73,
>> Chris NU1O
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: John Ewell <ewelljohn188 at gmail.com>
>> To: HCRA at mailman.qth.net <HCRA at mailman.qth.net>
>> Cc: AB1OC Fred Kemmerer <ab1oc at ab1oc.org>
>> Sent: Sat, Sep 18, 2021 1:15 pm
>> Subject: [HCRA] ARRL Director election - my view
>>
>> ______________________________________________
>> -------Hampden County Radio Association------- -----------e-mail list
>> (reflector)-------------
>> ______________________________________________
>>
>> To my fellow HCRA members regarding the upcoming ARRLDirector election
>>
>> Beginning in October, ARRL members will have the opportunityand
>> responsibility to elect a new Director from the New England Region.
>> Ourregion has 3 candidates for the Director position. All of them are
>> very smart,very accomplished and active hams. We are very fortunate to
>> have an actualchoice in candidates for our region.
>>
>> 2 of the candidates have held the Director position (FredHopengarten,
>> K1VR is current, Tom Frenaye, K1KI is previous). Fred Kemmerer,AB1OC
>> is the President of the Nashua Area Radio Society.
>>
>> I met Fred Kemmerer AB1OC, as I took a 3-day Ham crashcourse to get my
>> Extra license a couple of years ago. He held the class at hishouse,
>> and provided multiple examples of equipment and its use from his
>> hamshack. We went through test equipment, various types of antennas,
>> satellite communications,all in a hands-on fashion. His team of
>> instructors was able to explainelectronic to this poor steam and water
>> based mind (my background is in powergeneration, not electronics).
>>
>> We also had demonstrations of some of the projects andsuccesses that
>> he has had with NARS, such as ham boot camp, ISS – school
>> contacts,and high altitude balloon tracking.
>>
>> Fred has a background in corporate management at the toplevels in the
>> electronics industry. He has plenty of experience building a teamto
>> accomplish a goal. He has turned NARS into a fantastic resource for
>> hamradio, which is freely shared online. He knows the value of radio
>> clubs inmaintaining activity, education, public interaction and
>> involvement, andgrowing radio. He has used social media to share and
>> grow his club, and others.He has reached out to other clubs and hams
>> to share their talents and ideas.
>>
>> Fred has recognized that in order to grow, we have to lookbeyond the
>> traditional ham – beyond older middle class white men, and
>> startlooking at the overall population and try to mirror that. His
>> success withyoung and school age entry into radio speaks well for him and
> us.
>> I feel strongly that Fred Kemmerer is the strongestcandidate in the field.
>> He knows how to build a team, how to motivate people,how to inspire
>> that wonder that started many of us in radio. He is also one ofthe
>> best speakers I have seen in radio. He has a plan, he has set goals
>> forhimself, and has a history of succeeding at what he puts his mind to.
>>
>> I wanted to wait until just before the voting start to sendthis out. I
>> didn’t want it to come out too early and be forgotten.
>> So,beginning October 1, until November 19, we have an opportunity and
>> an obligationto choose where our organization goes. Continue the
>> status quo, or move to anactive and diverse future.
>>
>> If you are an ARRL member, please treat this election seriously.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> John Ewell N1JIE
>>
>> n1jie at arrl.net
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
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