[Wswss] WSWSS Update

[Kent Tiburski]

Greeting All Members and Folks reading this post:
 
  I just wanted to introduce myself for those that don't know me.  I'm Kent, K6FQ (formerly WA6TBO) from San Diego, Ca.  I've been a licensed ham since 1972 at age 15 and currently hold an Amateur Extra class license.  I've been into VHF since 1984 and have grown to really enjoy it.  As many of you are aware I recently ran and was elected as Vice President for the club.  Our President, Hank W6GGV, passed suddenly last month.  He was one of the founding members of the organization.  Since Hank's passing I have assumed the office of President as per the Constitution and By Laws.
 
 
  As such, I have appointed Rod Adkins, WI6M, as our new Vice President to fill my vacancy.  Paul Hammer, KA6CHJ and Steve Rapata, KG6TCV serving as Treasurer and Secretary respectively, comprise the rest of the Officers for the club.
 
 
  This last Sunday your Officers met in Corona to discuss club business.  We are working on the annual Conference which I'm proud to say planned to be held in San Diego.  This will be the first time we as an organization have held it here.  There is a lot of work to be done to make this happen.  
 
 
  I thought I'd take the time to focus ourselves on the purpose of the club.  It's certainly no secret the over the last few years some members have let their dues lapse, new membership is down and some members have left with a bitter taste in their mouths over the club.  I think we have to ask ourselves, Why?  I can see many things that might have caused this.  What is the club about?  This sums it up:
 
  1.  The Western States Weak Signal Society (WSWSS) promotes the use of weak-signal Amateur Radio communications above 50MHZ.
 
  2.  We are dedicated to the preservation and use of these frequencies.
 
  3.  We conduct regular nets in various parts of the Western States and encourage all modes of DX communication. 
 
  4.  We participate in all band planning activities and support all ARRL national band plans pertaining to the weak signal segments of our VHF bands. 
 
  5.  We also promote technical activity and have an annual conference to present technical and operational accomplishments.
 
 
  I'm sure you've seen these before (on our Webpage).  One thing the needs to pointed out, this is our hobby and should be FUN!  I'd be the first person to say that I've been wrapped around the wheel" once or twice before.  But we're talking about radio, it's supposed to be fun.  We need to keep ourselves focused on why we like VHF/UHF/SHF.  It's challenging and enjoyable!
 
 
   We have some issues that I think are important, the conference is one, getting our webpage updated and filled are two big ones.  We had some other noteworthy ideas that we discussed.  Two that were discussed were the possibility of reimbursement or partial defrayal of gas costs for Rovers and local VHF group's outings, picnics, etc.  These are two ideas that require more input and further discussion.  Do you guys have ideas or programs you'd like to see?  Do you have comments for the two items I've mentioned?  Send them to us.  This is YOUR CLUB, you should have a voice in what we do.
 
 
  I just want to let everybody know that as President, I speak for the rest of the Officers,  that we work for you and want to make the members happy in pursuing our hobby.  Feel free to contact me.  Thank you.
 
 
73, Kent, K6FQ
WSWSS President