[QCWA] A Challenge

[L M]

Hello All,

Ken's mention of the next "Kids Day" on January 7 is timely.  It coincides 
with then next annual "Ham Radio University" on Long Island, New York.  In 
addition to about 25 forums there will be a special event station W2V at the 
site.  If you are in the area, try to attend.  If not, try and join in the 
fun on the air.  They have info on their web site 
http://www.hamradiouniversity.org/.  I think attendance has been running at 
about 400.

I would also like to put in a plug for one of my favorite activities - the 
School Club Roundup.  The next session will run from February 12 at 1300 UTC 
to February 16 at 2400 UTC.

I wrote to Mike off list and related a recent experience.  While a 
multilingual friend was visiting, I tuned 20M and found a strong signal from 
Mexico.  The op was speaking Spanish.  My friend jumped up from the couch 
and ran across the room to listen more carefully.  (I have never seen him 
move that fast.)  He subsequently heard me working other DX and has become 
motivated enough to get a Tech license and is currently studying for the 
General.  He cannot wait to work DX on his own.

I still attend my school club meetings since retiring.  For nearly 10 years, 
every one of the students attending club meetings has been on the INTERNET. 
Today, I rarely see one without his or her own cell phone.  These are not 
the only potential competitors.  There are also podcasting and robotics to 
name just two.

There are lots of challenges, but if we try as often as we can, we can keep 
our beloved hobby going and perhaps even growing.

73,
Lew, N2RQ
n2rq at arrl.net
Assistant Director, ARRL Hudson Division
Nassau Co. NY ARES & RACES
QCWA #20,800

Trustee, W2CXN, Brooklyn Technical High School

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
 safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin

"If we don't model what we teach, we are teaching something else." Unknown


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <ve6afo at rac.ca>
To: "Discussion of QCWA" <qcwa at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 11:18 AM
Subject: Re: [QCWA] A Challenge


Good morning Matt & Mike,

You both have made some very good "though provoking" comments. I don't 
believe
there is a single answer to keeping amateur radio well and alive. It is a
combination of all. Each person has their own expertise in promoting amateur
radio. Where one is lacking the expertise in one area - another can pick it 
up,
and so on.

The short and long of QCWA Wild Rose Chapter 151 - we ARE involved with 
youth
in schools. This is one of our mandates. We have helped to complete 2 ISS
contacts (Dec. 2, 2005 and March 21, 2006). We have exposed the kids to our
hobby. Not everyone wants to be a Ham...but, exposure to ham radio is a sure
way of letting them know what is out there, if they are so inclined to seek 
out
this kind of fun in technology.

Matt - in answer to your remark "Maybe QCWA chapters should set a goal of
having at least one (1) Amateur Radio training class a year, or an open 
house
at a Chapter members station to show interested people what Amateur Radio is 
all
about." ...this coming January 7th would be a good time to start, with 
"Kid's
Day". I try to invite as many young kids to my place for this 'twice a year'
event. The other day of the year for "Kid's Day" is the Father's day weekend 
in
June.

73,

Ken Oelke - VE6AFO