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

Fri, 6 Feb 2004 06:34:25 -0500

Hi Mike,
IDTA....meaning " I did that already" hi

Your notes and thoughts are well taken. In my notes to the Board this past month and after several discussions that "is" our plan.
Initially my challenge to Pete N8PR and the group assisting was to "get Norm in the repeater". The new repeater and plans have that
almost accomplished.

The challenge for the future to the Board has already been to 'expand our footprint in Florida". To that end I have had discussions
with Norm and others regarding a link to the North. That "is" our challenge for the future and future Club Officers and Boards.

I agree with you and I guess "great minds" etc etc.

Our Membership and Club is strong and moving in the right direction for Growth and Success for the Future.
Bill Marx W2CQ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Raskin" <[email protected]>
To: "SFDXA" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2004 10:15 PM
Subject: [South Florida DX Association] State of the Union (SFDXA) Speech

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)  [email protected]
South Florida DX Association  http://www.qsl.net/k4fk/
Florida Contest Group  http://www.floridacontestgroup.org

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