[MicroHAMS] Thanks

[Mike Lewis (MSM)]

A thought on how to use our growing ample budget.

Several times a year come up with "awards" for creative hm projects
designed to spur activity in radio stuff.   There could be several
categories.  Here are some getting started ideas.

1.  QRP rigs
2.  QRP QSO total for year
3.  Field Day - top points getters
4.  Microwave project
5.  Distance records
6.  Homebrew (other than QRP, or maybe we have categoties
7.  Published articles - incentive to write articles to share knowledge
8.  QRO homebrew

The board could add more value to the club by acting as judging panel
according to published critieria for categories.  Date windows would be
published, perhaps quarlterly, or mybe yearly oe semi-yearly but rotate
which one comes due so each month a new category is considered.   This
suggests we might come up with 6 to 12 categories with one jusdging date
per year each.   Spaced out you could better enter more than 1
competition.

Awards could be gift certificates to favorite ham stores, purchased
items, subscriptions to ham pubs like QEX, NCJ, QRP rags, kits, parts.  

Periodically we could advertise for award donations (commercial and
private).  Club funds would also be allocated.  IF too much came in on
donations, we could organize an annual auction (any longer and newer
items lose too much value).