[TVARC] Villages On the Air VOTA First Draft

[Anthony Wayne Hackenberg]

Hi Members of TVARC’s MailList,

I am glad to see somebody else is trying to breathe new life into this idea of “The Villages on the Air” [TVOTA] event.  However, if you are proposing this as an “official” club-sponsored, activity, then I hope your resurrection of this idea faces a better fate than mine did.

I initially proposed something similar (TVOTA), as an official TVARC (club sponsored) event, during my tenure as the club’s secretary, when the ARRL’s National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) event was winding down. This NPOTA was a huge hit and I thought we could apply it to The Villages.  Initially, I thought “activators” could activate each of the mini-villages (neighborhoods; like mine is “Dunedin”) in The Villages while “chasers” tried to work them to score points.  During at least two club meetings, we discussed ideas (see archived minutes). People suggested we include VHF/UHF contacts (including repeater ones).  Digital mode contacts were also mentioned.

Unfortunately, that earlier TVOTA proposal quickly DIED due to lack of support by club members.  I could not even get a planning committee formed (only one member volunteered and nobody wanted to lead the effort).  So, we punted.

There should be minutes in the club’s archives regarding that earlier TVOTA proposal. The “spade” work may also be in the club’s archives/records (as I deleted it all from my computers when another club secretary took the reins).

I sincerely hope your resurrected TVOTA effort gains traction and becomes a recurring reality (special event, contest, hybrid, or whatever).

CAVEAT: As you pursue this resurrected TVOTA effort, I would caution you to be careful to distinguish whether you are proposing something that the club would officially do vs. what an “informal” group might want to do.  For example, an informal group of club members activated three (3) sites during the ARRL’s NPOTA; but this was NOT an official club event (like “Radio on the Square” or “Camp Villages”).  Of course, if your proposal is for an official club event, you will need to pitch it to TVARC’s Board and get their prior approval.

73,

Tony/K4QR