[KL7AA] Alaska State Fair booth staff needed

[John Lynn]

Alaska State Fair 2009 Amateur Radio Booth Roster
Contact John Lynn at johnlynn at gci.net or 337-1091

Volunteers for the full day are provided admission and parking.  All Hams are welcome to come and help and visit for any part of the day.  Everyone is welcome to come by and visit, soak up a cup of coffee and get out of the weather.  (We do have all kinds of weather at the fair!)

Three HAMs Scheduled for each day, so two are on duty at a time, and the other can walk around, shop, eat or whatever.  A private outhouse will be provided behind the booth for volunteers.

August   22 Saturday 9AM-Noon Trailer Haul & tent setup
KL7CY KL2FM  _____  _____ _____  _____  _____  _____ 

August   27  Thursday Noon-10PM KL7CY _____  _____
August   28    Friday Noon-10PM KL7CY _____  _____
August   29  Saturday 10AM-10PM KL2FM KL7JFT KL2FA
August   30    Sunday 10AM-10PM KL2FM KL7JFT KL2FA
August   31    Monday Noon-10PM KL7CY _____  _____
September 1   Tuesday Noon-10PM KL7CY _____  _____
September 2 Wednesday Noon-10PM KL7CY _____  _____
September 3  Thursday Noon-10PM KL7CY _____  _____
September 4    Friday Noon-10PM KL7CY _____  _____
September 5  Saturday 10AM-10PM KL2FM KL1IL  _____
September 6    Sunday 10AM-10PM KL2FM KL1IL  _____
September 7    Monday 10AM-10PM KL7CY _____  _____

September 9 Wednesday 6PM-8PM Tear Down if needed
KL7CY KL2FM _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____



Alaska State Fair Amateur Radio Booth Briefing
by John Lynn July 2007

The Amateur Radio clubs and community in south central Alaska work together to staff the booth at the Alaska State Fair each year.  There are many different groups that are targeted by the booth:
 
	The general public that has possibly heard the moniker “HAM” or “Amateur Radio Operator” but has no idea what they do or what value they can provide.  They are skittish due to lack of knowledge and perhaps fear of technology.  They are the best investment of your time to educate and perhaps kindle an interest in the hobby.  A positive contact here is the best insurance against antenna ordinances and other unfavorable regulation.
	The prospective HAM that may have technical interests, or is a SWL or Scanner listener, but has no idea what to do next.  You can help build interest and demystify the process of becoming licensed.  You should help them find training materials, classes, testing sessions and clubs to support them.  
	The new HAM in the area has no contacts.  They need to know what club is close by and see some friendly faces to keep them moving forward.  Give them a list of repeaters and nets.  Help them pick out their first radio or even to program their radio.   
	The inactive HAM that has for one reason or another fallen away form the hobby and needs some encouragement and contact to become active again.  Hook them up with a club or some nearby HAMs to get them going again.
	Rural Alaska HAMs looking for contacts, resources, nets and other help.
	The regular folks that you visit with on the radio but perhaps have never met in person.  

The booth will have brochures for up coming license classes, lists of clubs, repeaters and nets.  Make sure you get these materials into the hands of all visitors.  A visitors log is maintained at the booth but it is optional to keep from scaring off newcomers. As you visit or help staff the booth, make sure you create a positive image for HAM radio and enjoy the contacts with folks from all different backgrounds and interests.  The goal of the operation is to show the value of Amateur Radio and build interest in the hobby.  Use care not to frighten them away with the technology or to snub them because of their lack of knowledge.  One of the most common mistakes is to become preoccupied with the display equipment or visiting with other HAMs and thereby miss the opportunity to talk to some of the new ones described above.  

The hours of the Fair are Noon to 10PM weekdays and 10AM to 10PM on weekends.  The goal is to have three HAMs on staff for the whole day.  There are two in the display area at all times.  The third position is rotated to allow each one some time to look around the fairgrounds or eat or whatever.   Those volunteering for the whole day are provided tickets for admission and parking.  Many others help for various parts of a day or just stop by to visit for a while.  During the week KL7CY stays on the fairgrounds and opens up so the rest of the staff can show up a little late and also leave a little early to beat the rush home.  On the weekends, the valley HAMs usually open and close to let those that came from Anchorage come a little late and beat the traffic home.  







John Lynn
7013 Trafford Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99504
Telephone 907-337-1091
Facsimile 907-338-4791
Email johnlynn at gci.net
or KL7CY at arrl.net
gridsquare BP51df
61-13-18N 149-45-00W