OT - Lighthouses and Amateur radio

[Ken Kopp]

I acknowledge this topic isn't appropiate for here.  Well, I -do- have
a K2 built at an Oregon lighthouse .... (:-)

Ron, others ...

Yes, we've been working in the park and at the lighthouse for five years
and they're well-aware that I'm an amateur radio operator.  One ranger
is slightly familiar with the hobby ... he was especially interested in
the suit-sat experiment and I've supplied him with the orbiter's
down-link frequencies for his scanner.  A fellow host is K7JJ.

I pretty confident that the park management and staff are "OK" with the
hobby as a whole and they do understand what lighthouse week is about.
I think they go along with the operation each year because they know if
they didn't there would be flack from the Lighthouse Society and others.
On the other hand if they didn't have to take the flack from the
visiting public because of the operation they'd be happier.   In
reality, it's us hosts who have to deal with the visitors.

My comments mostly relate to the lighthouse visitors and their
impression of the amateur radio operation/s at the lighthouse.  There's
very little opportunity to "educate" them about what's going on.  Most
aren't at all interested and see the operation as a visual intrusion
into their photo-op and resent the "clutter" of the antennas, RV's,
tents, noise, etc.  "Who ARE those people?" "What's going on out there?"
"Oh ... my cousin plays with radios, too ... his handle is Stump-Jumper.
Do you know him?"

Most lighthouse visitors are well-aware of the history and the need to
preserve the structures and their history.  That's why they visit.  I
don't see much, if any, help with preservation by handing out contacts
to QSL collectors.  Few have any interest in lighthouses beyond getting
a "unique" QSL and they're unlikely to join the Lighthouse Society as a
result of a QSO.

I'd give a whole lot to be able to eleminate the word "HAM" from our
hobby.  Most of the visitors see us as just that ..."hams"... those
strange folks outside on the lawn.  I detest the name.

Perhaps my view is jaded ...

73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
[hidden email]


----- Original Message -----
From: Ron D'Eau Claire
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Saturday, 23 June, 2007 03:29
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Pacific Coast Lighthouses First Day of Issue
Ceremony


Well, Ken, did you step up and identify yourself as an Amateur Radio
Operator and explain how that activity helps promote an awareness of
these historic structures around the country?

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----

As a passing comment ...


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[Ron D'Eau Claire-2]

Hi Ken:

Thanks for the clarification. I think the subject IS appropriate to Amateur
Radio Operators and so Elecraft owners. We, as Amateur Radio Licensees, have
an obligation to consider the impact of our activities on non-Hams. I would
be miffed to bring some of my European relatives to, say, our local Newport
Oregon lighthouse to see a bit of history and find some sort of Ham radio
operating activity going on that detracts from the experience of visiting a
historic structure.

It never occurred to me that any such group would intrude on places like
lighthouses in a way that was obvious or intrusive to those visitors not
particularly interested in the radio activity. It's true that one never has
a second chance to make a good first impression.

It's something to be aware of as we choose how we operate and enjoy our
hobby, wherever we are.

Ron AC7AC


-----Original Message-----

I acknowledge this topic isn't appropiate for here.  Well, I -do- have a K2
built at an Oregon lighthouse .... (:-)

Ron, others ...

Yes, we've been working in the park and at the lighthouse for five years and
they're well-aware that I'm an amateur radio operator.  One ranger is
slightly familiar with the hobby ... he was especially interested in the
suit-sat experiment and I've supplied him with the orbiter's down-link
frequencies for his scanner.  A fellow host is K7JJ.

I pretty confident that the park management and staff are "OK" with the
hobby as a whole and they do understand what lighthouse week is about. I
think they go along with the operation each year because they know if they
didn't there would be flack from the Lighthouse Society and others. On the
other hand if they didn't have to take the flack from the
visiting public because of the operation they'd be happier.   In
reality, it's us hosts who have to deal with the visitors.

My comments mostly relate to the lighthouse visitors and their impression of
the amateur radio operation/s at the lighthouse.  There's very little
opportunity to "educate" them about what's going on.  Most aren't at all
interested and see the operation as a visual intrusion into their photo-op
and resent the "clutter" of the antennas, RV's, tents, noise, etc.  "Who ARE
those people?" "What's going on out there?" "Oh ... my cousin plays with
radios, too ... his handle is Stump-Jumper. Do you know him?"

Most lighthouse visitors are well-aware of the history and the need to
preserve the structures and their history.  That's why they visit.  I don't
see much, if any, help with preservation by handing out contacts to QSL
collectors.  Few have any interest in lighthouses beyond getting a "unique"
QSL and they're unlikely to join the Lighthouse Society as a result of a
QSO.

I'd give a whole lot to be able to eleminate the word "HAM" from our hobby.
Most of the visitors see us as just that ..."hams"... those strange folks
outside on the lawn.  I detest the name.

Perhaps my view is jaded ...

73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
[hidden email]


----- Original Message -----
From: Ron D'Eau Claire
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Saturday, 23 June, 2007 03:29
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Pacific Coast Lighthouses First Day of Issue
Ceremony


Well, Ken, did you step up and identify yourself as an Amateur Radio
Operator and explain how that activity helps promote an awareness of these
historic structures around the country?

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----

As a passing comment ...


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[John Lemay]

Good morning all

I'm a newcomer (just 2 days so far) to this group, and joined with the
single objective of learning more about the K3. I'm afraid lighthouse
information does nothing at all for me.

Thanks

John G4ZTR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ron D'Eau Claire
Sent: 23 June 2007 07:35
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Good Public Relations (WAS: OT - Lighthouses and
Amateurradio)

Hi Ken:

Thanks for the clarification. I think the subject IS appropriate to Amateur
Radio Operators and so Elecraft owners. We, as Amateur Radio Licensees, have
an obligation to consider the impact of our activities on non-Hams. I would
be miffed to bring some of my European relatives to, say, our local Newport
Oregon lighthouse to see a bit of history and find some sort of Ham radio
operating activity going on that detracts from the experience of visiting a
historic structure.

It never occurred to me that any such group would intrude on places like
lighthouses in a way that was obvious or intrusive to those visitors not
particularly interested in the radio activity. It's true that one never has
a second chance to make a good first impression.

It's something to be aware of as we choose how we operate and enjoy our
hobby, wherever we are.

Ron AC7AC


-----Original Message-----

I acknowledge this topic isn't appropiate for here.  Well, I -do- have a K2
built at an Oregon lighthouse .... (:-)

Ron, others ...

Yes, we've been working in the park and at the lighthouse for five years and
they're well-aware that I'm an amateur radio operator.  One ranger is
slightly familiar with the hobby ... he was especially interested in the
suit-sat experiment and I've supplied him with the orbiter's down-link
frequencies for his scanner.  A fellow host is K7JJ.

I pretty confident that the park management and staff are "OK" with the
hobby as a whole and they do understand what lighthouse week is about. I
think they go along with the operation each year because they know if they
didn't there would be flack from the Lighthouse Society and others. On the
other hand if they didn't have to take the flack from the
visiting public because of the operation they'd be happier.   In
reality, it's us hosts who have to deal with the visitors.

My comments mostly relate to the lighthouse visitors and their impression of
the amateur radio operation/s at the lighthouse.  There's very little
opportunity to "educate" them about what's going on.  Most aren't at all
interested and see the operation as a visual intrusion into their photo-op
and resent the "clutter" of the antennas, RV's, tents, noise, etc.  "Who ARE
those people?" "What's going on out there?" "Oh ... my cousin plays with
radios, too ... his handle is Stump-Jumper. Do you know him?"

Most lighthouse visitors are well-aware of the history and the need to
preserve the structures and their history.  That's why they visit.  I don't
see much, if any, help with preservation by handing out contacts to QSL
collectors.  Few have any interest in lighthouses beyond getting a "unique"
QSL and they're unlikely to join the Lighthouse Society as a result of a
QSO.

I'd give a whole lot to be able to eleminate the word "HAM" from our hobby.
Most of the visitors see us as just that ..."hams"... those strange folks
outside on the lawn.  I detest the name.

Perhaps my view is jaded ...

73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
[hidden email]


----- Original Message -----
From: Ron D'Eau Claire
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Saturday, 23 June, 2007 03:29
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Pacific Coast Lighthouses First Day of Issue
Ceremony


Well, Ken, did you step up and identify yourself as an Amateur Radio
Operator and explain how that activity helps promote an awareness of these
historic structures around the country?

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----

As a passing comment ...


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[Ian Maude]

John Lemay wrote:
> Good morning all
>
> I'm a newcomer (just 2 days so far) to this group, and joined with the
> single objective of learning more about the K3. I'm afraid lighthouse
> information does nothing at all for me.
>  
You should have been here a few weeks ago John, you couldn't move for K3
postings.  So much that people were complaining about them :-)
It is sort of a quiet time at the moment as we wait for the launch and
release of figures and manuals with anticipation.  Those of us with
orders already in for the K3 are looking forward to the shipment
eagerly!  This thread will soon die out.  Roll with it a bit longer and
you will see that this is a community mailing list.  The people on here
are great and happy to help any time.
Have you looked through the FAQ on the website for the K3?  All those
points came out of mailing list questions, that was how busy it was.  I
am sure you will see plenty more about it.  In the meantime, if you have
any questions, ask away.
Welcome to the list.

72/73 Ian

--
Ian J Maude G0VGS
SysOp GB7MBC DX Cluster
Member of RSGB, ARRL, GQRP
K2 #4044 | K3 #?

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[KBG Luxford]

Firstly, welcome to the group, John.

One of the downsides of joining a group of such enthusiastic people is
that from time to time a number of us get rather carried away by a
thread that may be interesting to us, but perhaps of little interest or
even baffling to others.

What you will find here is an extraordinary willingness to help out
people with problems and, largely, an absence of personal comments or
"flames".

The enthusiasm for more Elecraft products could perhaps quite accurately
be described as a frenzy.  The K3 has been long awaited, although real
information up to the launch date was absent.  Following the product
announcement, the tsunami of K3 capability queries has largely subsided.

As for me, I am still building my K2.  It has been several years in the
works, but now am girding my loins to advance its construction another
notch.  I am not even thinking about a K3 at the moment.  My good wife
would worry that money spent on a K3 might be better used when I am a
little less capable and have less marbles than I have now.

73
Kevin
VK3DAP / ZL2DAP

John Lemay wrote:
> Good morning all
>
> I'm a newcomer (just 2 days so far) to this group, and joined with the
> single objective of learning more about the K3. I'm afraid lighthouse
> information does nothing at all for me.
>
> Thanks
>
> John G4ZTR

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[Julian, G4ILO]

On 6/23/07, Ron D'Eau Claire <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> It never occurred to me that any such group would intrude on places like
> lighthouses in a way that was obvious or intrusive to those visitors not
> particularly interested in the radio activity. It's true that one never has
> a second chance to make a good first impression.
>
> It's something to be aware of as we choose how we operate and enjoy our
> hobby, wherever we are.

That's a very good point and one I hadn't thought of before. One could
also argue that radio amateurs operating from mountain summits are
spoiling the enjoyment of those who go there to experience nature.
Though many hill-walkers here "collect" summits by climbing them, so
ours is just another way of doing it!

When I saw a photo of the BS7H operation I felt that many would think
radio hams must be mad to send a bunch of people to a pimple of rock
in the ocean just so they could claim a new prefix. But perhaps we
would be better off confining our expedition activities to places like
that which no-one else has an interest in. :)
--
Julian, G4ILO
G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com
K2 s/n: 392  K3 s/n: ???
www.Ham-Directory.com: the best ham resources on the net
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