[NLRS] QST Content and New Hams

[N0HJZ at aol.com]

I think Dick has the right take on this.  My earlier email was a bit  of a 
spoof on QST.  There is a lot of "fluff" in QST but I've been around  quite a 
while and my interests are pretty well set (DX,contesting,  weak-signal).  
 
Two threads have emerged from the discussion on the reflector (Some don't  
like the QST content and some are seeing new hams lacking in some of the skills  
needed on the air)
 
1)  If we don't like what we see in QST, let's get some articles  written.  
Some of you are very good with explaining technical items in a  "user-friendly" 
manner.  Put together an article.  Jon, W0ZQ, has sure  done a great job of 
analyzing some of the contests for QST!  I've actually  got an idea for an 
article that I've already been working on.  Maybe it  will get published!  If you 
have an idea - go for it!
 
2) I like the ideas already given about modeling behavior on the air.   
Newbies need to learn and they learn best by seeing or hearing others.  I  remember 
my first months on the VHF bands.  I listened to KB0ZQ, WA0BWE and  K0GJX 
call CQ and work others.  I listened and tried to mimic their  behavior.  When I 
wasn't getting the contacts correctly, they pulled me  aside and explained the 
best way to get through.  Those talks were  invaluable to me getting more 
grids, working more stations and having more  fun.  We all need to explain the 
hobby to the new guys and they'll turn out  to be OK.
 
Some good discussion on the reflector!
 
Rich N0HJZ
 
 
In a message dated 4/8/2009 8:44:18 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
rphilstrom at frontiernet.net writes:



I find the mix of articles in QST is not too bad.
In order  to appeal to as many as possible they have to try and cover a 
wide range  of topics that would be of interest to Hams with widely 
varying levels of  expertise.  I find that many of us older Hams need to 
be more  welcoming to the new Hams. They may not have had to learn Code 
or draw  schematics and put in appropriate values for components as was 
necessary  many years ago for some of the FCC Exams. Multiple choice 
testing  simplified the tests considerably years ago. Then the publishing
of  Question Pools for the various classes make it much easier to get a  
ticket. But we all need to remember that anyone that puts out that  
effort has one thing in common with all of us and that is they love  
Radio Communications.
Today that interest may take the form of a  Handheld and repeaters or 
Digital modes where you never even have to be  able to hear the guy on 
the other end to make a contact or like many NLRS  guys a desire to get 
on Microwave bands and do Rain Scatter and other  modes of propagation.
These things were not even in existence when we got  our tickets. I still 
find them fascinating and can only dream of what  modes and equipment 
will be in use 50 years from now.
Lets help these  new guy out and if they don't know something do as Bill 
did send them info  to put them on the right path. If good examples are 
provided by all of us  new operators will pick up good habits and we will 
all enjoy this  wonderful hobby even more.
Oh well off my soapbox for now. looking forward  to Aurora and seeing all 
of you guys there.

73's Dick Philstrom -  W0TLE Newbie compared to Bill only 44 years

BTW Happy 54th anniversary  Bill Glad to see someone else enjopying the 
hobby as much as I  do.




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