[South Florida DX Association] State of the Union (SFDXA) Speech

[Michael Raskin]

As many of you know, Sherry and I have moved to Stuart and are well out =
of repeater range.  Several other active members (K4PB, W4QN, K2EWB, =
W4SAA) are also in the same boat.  There are several very active DXers =
in this area (K1PT and K4MM, to name a few) who are not SFDXA members =
but could be if they could reach the repeater.  When the SFDXA was =
formed, the only way to spot DX was the repeater - there was no packet =
cluster and no internet.  Want lists and "one-ringers" were the rule =
rather than the exception.  When packet came around, we embraced it and =
most everyone used it even though it was "local" and not tied into any =
other packet nodes.  Sometime later we were able to connect with =
multiple nodes and spot from around Florida, and later, the US, were =
available within a few minutes.  The repeater was still used for "real =
time" spotting since packet was relatively slow.  With the internet, =
packet become slow and redundant.  However, the internet may tell too =
much, even with filters.  Depending on the band, you are generally =
interested in what is being spotted in South Florida and not Michigan.  =
The repeater can be used for that purpose especially when helping a =
member spot the listening frequency.  In fact, this is best accomplished =
with the repeater.  We may been coming around full cycle.  The point is =
that unless the SFDXA squarely addresses the future of the club and =
plight of members and potential members out of repeater range, we fight =
a war of attrition of our members.  The few that join each year are =
easily offset by those we lose.  Look back at the "old" club and look at =
the numbers.  Our web site Now lists 10 Associate Members and 26 Full =
Members, which include myself, W4SLR, W4QN, K4PB, all clearly beyond =
repeater range.  What's my point?  I think the club should consider a =
north link to reliably reach up into Palm Beach, Martin, and Okeechobee =
Counties.  You will immediately have a more active repeater with DX =
instead of what you had for lunch.  Also, there are DXers up here in the =
"North" who are potential members.  Technically, this can be =
accomplished - it only takes some money - most of it, we already have.  =
I have the "honor" on being the first SFDXA Hog (and I'm proud of it!) =
as well as being President of the SFDXA and a member of the Board of =
Directors for more the 15 years.  Now is the time to decide if you the =
club to proceed with expanding repeater coverage or not.  I would like =
to propose (I'm am still a member of the BOD but have elected not to run =
again) that the new BOD form a Strategic Planning Committee to explore =
the possibilities and options and have their report ready to present to =
the membership within three months.  I would volunteer to be a part of =
that committee and I'm sure Norm would too.  Tell your new officers and =
BOD members what you think.  This is your club and only you can set the =
course and direction.  Hope to see many of you at the Miami Hamboree =
this Saturday.

73.
Mike, W4UM (ex-K4KUZ)  w4um@arrl.net
South Florida DX Association  http://www.qsl.net/k4fk/
Florida Contest Group  http://www.floridacontestgroup.org


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