[QCWA] New 2010 Roster Statistics

Fri Aug 6 15:47:29 EDT 2010

Hi Dave, Val, et al,

I have tried to get old time friends to join to no avail.  Some people are
limited in their interests and operating activities.  It is a good idea to
try as you never know.

I was licensed at age 18 but would have been licensed younger if I could
have.  I did do the 20 WPM CW thing in 1979.  I have short term memory
problems so I never have been able to work CW in my head like I would like
to.  I have electronic aids to help with that but it is not the same.  I had
QRM zeroing in on 80 meters CW and QRN now here in town so I only work SSB
there as 75 meters is not as messed up.  Some day I might have a remote site
on the family farm east of town.  Some say one should not work more than
25-watts in town.  I have a Clipperton-L amplifier, some day I might try and
how bad the RFI situation is with 1500-watts out?  It should not be too bad
with almost all on satellite and cable.  I think I am the only soul in town
receiving digital TV over the air.  We are around 50 miles from the TV
stations.

73,

Ron, K0IC

On Fri, Aug 6, 2010 at 12:18 PM, L M <n2rq at optonline.net> wrote:

> Hi Dave, Val, et al.,
>
> I cannot help but to put in a plug for a youth activity that I have been
> promoting and administering for more than 25 years - the School Club
> Roundup
> (SCR).
>
> It would be nice to hear from local chapters and individual that are using
> the SCR promote amateur radio.  If you are not familiar with SCR you can
> find info at WWW.ARRL.ORG/school-club-roundup-scr.  (The page is a work in
> progress).  We have an email group: SCR-L at yahoogroups.com. There are two
> sessions/year; one in the 3rd week of October and one in the 2nd week of
> February.  The next session is October 18-22, 2010.
>
> Although I am a life member, I have never been involved with my local
> chapter.  In my working years, they met during the day while I was at work.
> More recently, I found that most of the members I knew are either SK or
> moved away.
>
> 73,
> Lew
> n2rq at arrl.net
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dave - VE3JX" <ve3jx at sympatico.ca>
> To: "Val Erwin" <dallasqcwa at sbcglobal.net>; "QCWA Reflector"
> <QCWA at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 11:37 AM
> Subject: Re: [QCWA] New 2010 Roster Statistics
>
>
> > Hi Val,
> >
> > It was great to hear from you.  Hope all is well in the big state of
> > Texas.
> >
> > You mentioned, WRT declining membership, certain questions: "A.) Is it
> due
> > to loss of interest in the organization/failure to renew membership? B.)
> > Loss of interest in the hobby? C.) Has  the Member gone SK?"
> >
> > I think there is a measure of truth behind A and C, but not so much with
> > B.  I would hope that, if a person has stuck with the hobby for over 25
> > years that their interest would not peter out after joining QCWA.
> >
> > As far as A is concerned, Chuck commented: "it's the loss of renewals
> that
> > is most troubling" in reference to this membership decrease.  So, "A" is
> > quite valid.
> >
> > Question "C" highlights why we have to always be a growing organization,
> > since a significant number of Silent Keys will always be a factor
> > associated with QCWA.  We are a "senior" association; therefore, SK's
> will
> > always be a major membership normal attrition factor.  We can't stop
> > people from dying.
> >
> > Your comments WRT some Chapter meetings just being meals, and that not
> > being conducent to growth, is well taken.  Many Chapters, though, seem to
> > have associated, with their meal venue, technical presentations and other
> > programs that are much appreciated.  Those chapters are to be commended
> > for making the experience more than just a strain on the waistline.
> >
> > You made a point about "the majority of our Members being more mature"
> and
> > that was " inversely proportional to the energy level that the average
> > Member is willing to put forth in ensuring a vibrant/enthusiastic
> > organization."
> >
> > It is no doubt true that some members can barely make it out to a
> meeting,
> > due to their advanced age.  However, my experience, with ARES for
> example,
> > seems to indicate that it is the "older crowd" that you can depend on to
> > participate in exercises and projects, as well as social functions.  As
> > well, we do have a number of members that are "younger seniors" and would
> > love something useful to do; they don't want to be put out to pasture
> just
> > yet.  And so, if a Chapter is active with various projects or programs, I
> > think there would be lots of support and interest, once these things get
> > off the ground.  It takes leadership at both the Chapter and National
> > levels, though, to pull it off.
> >
> > "National" projects may give the whole organization some active direction
> > and stimulate interest among QCWA members throughout the whole structure.
> > For example, I believe that there was a commitment made by QCWA and
> > ARNewsline to foster a youth mentoring program.  Could we do more in
> > promoting this on a National/International level?  Some Chapters are
> > already participating in youth educational (ham radio) programs.
>  Perhaps,
> > promotion at the National/International level would assist in getting
> more
> > chapters and people involved in that.  I know discussion has been going
> on
> > about youth education and QCWA's possible increased role in this.  Once
> it
> > is decided how best QCWA can participate in this, we may have a common
> > project to promote for all chapters to share in.  Other ideas, such as
> > radio history preservation, might be good as a "National" project also.
> >
> > Whatever National/International project(s) we come up with need to be
> > actively promoted and "advertised".  In my role of WRO columnist, I would
> > be happy to assist in this, adding to whatever promotional materials are
> > contained in the Journal.
> >
> > I understand Val, from what I've observed in the "New Members" page in
> the
> > Journal, that you are exceptionally adept in signing up new members.
>  Well
> > done!  Now, we just have to close the back door in order to grow.
> >
> > Some random thoughts from the bitter end of I-75.  Thank you so much for
> > yours.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Dave Hayes VE3JX
> >
> >
>
>
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-- 
Ronald D. Erickson, K0IC
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