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Response to Oregon FD request

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Kevin Rock

Response to Oregon FD request

I have had some fine responses to my request for a Field Day venue. They ranged from operating locations across the United States to clues for how to start a club featuring my desires where no club existed before. A friend and I have discussed starting this club before. These responses only firm my desire to do so.

How many folks would like to build their own radio and get on the air from a rural location? Or even a city park? I think we could feature the Elecraft rigs to folks who happen by and have some fun meeting one another; either on the air or face to face. The rigs don't all have to be from Elecraft but it would be nice to have only home built gear. Even that does not need to be fixed in stone. Simply getting folks outside to meet and work a few contacts while bringing their families and some food would be nice.

It seems to be rare these days where one can meet others of like mind and visit with them about our mutual interests. Then we can even discuss our differences. All we need is a single thread to start the activity and let it grow from there. If you want to market your KX1, K1, K2, or soon your fancy K3 bring it along and write a note to Lisa requesting some sales literature. I've no problem with Elecraft zealots :)

We can have an Elecraft picnic and get to know one another better. Life is too short to use bad rigs. Build an Elecraft kit and step up to luxury.
73,
Kevin. KD5ONS

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Jason Milldrum

Re: Response to Oregon FD request

Kevin,

I'm in Aloha, so you can sign me up when you get your group together. I
have been thinking about what it would take to get a homebrewer group
together in the Portland area, but I haven't run into any other builders
from the area. It would be nice to have a place out in the woods to
string up some wire. I live in a home where I can't put up an outside
antenna, and I've been too chicken to try to deploy one in a local park yet.

As for the local groups, I can completely relate. I'm a newcomer to
Washington County, but I didn't have very good luck in Salem. When I
went to the local club's FD event a few years ago, the club was not very
inviting. Nothing like wandering around like a lost puppy dog, looking
for someone to acknowledge you! What's irritating is that they advertise
that the event is open to all, but don't really follow up with trying to
make visitors welcome.

Jason Milldrum, NT7S
=====
Amateur Station NT7S - <http://www.nt7s.com>
QRPedia - <http://www.qrpedia.com>

Kevin Rock wrote:
> I have had some fine responses to my request for a Field Day venue. They ranged from operating locations across the United States to clues for how to start a club featuring my desires where no club existed before. A friend and I have discussed starting this club before. These responses only firm my desire to do so.
>
> How many folks would like to build their own radio and get on the air from a rural location? Or even a city park? I think we could feature the Elecraft rigs to folks who happen by and have some fun meeting one another; either on the air or face to face. The rigs don't all have to be from Elecraft but it would be nice to have only home built gear. Even that does not need to be fixed in stone. Simply getting folks outside to meet and work a few contacts while bringing their families and some food would be nice.
>
> It seems to be rare these days where one can meet others of like mind and visit with them about our mutual interests. Then we can even discuss our differences. All we need is a single thread to start the activity and let it grow from there. If you want to market your KX1, K1, K2, or soon your fancy K3 bring it along and write a note to Lisa requesting some sales literature. I've no problem with Elecraft zealots :)
>
> We can have an Elecraft picnic and get to know one another better. Life is too short to use bad rigs. Build an Elecraft kit and step up to luxury.
> 73,
> Kevin. KD5ONS
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Tom Hammond-3

Re: Response to Oregon FD request

Hi Jason, et al:

For what it's worth, and generally UNfortunately for all concerned,
Field Day is probably the very WORST TIME for a new operator (to the
area) to go to a radio club function and expect to be warmly received...

During FD, everyone is running around, trying to ensure that
everything is installed (properly) and running so things can start on
time... additionally, there's a lot (usually) of activity during the
entire activity and well-intentioned welcomes often go out the door
with trying to keep track of who's operating what and where, and how
the rigs are working.

If you want to visit a club, do it at a regular meeting and then
you'll have a lot better chance of being warmly received. And, if
you're NOT... find another club. But please don't let the welcome
you hoped for and didn't receive during Field Day cause you to decide
that this club (whomever they happen to be) is unfriendly or closed
to newcomers.

No matter how hard we might try to be hospitable during FD, it's a
chore, and we often fail.

BTW - The MMARC (Jefferson City MO) tries(!) to welcome all visitors,
and we WELCOME CW operators... of course, we welcome all other ops as
well. In fact, we have a LOT more CW ops than SSB ops... go figger.
But come visit us at a Club meeting... we'll be even more friendly then.

73,

Tom Hammond N0SS

At 09:57 06/13/2007, Jason Milldrum wrote:

>Kevin,
>
>I'm in Aloha, so you can sign me up when you get your group
>together. I have been thinking about what it would take to get a
>homebrewer group together in the Portland area, but I haven't run
>into any other builders from the area. It would be nice to have a
>place out in the woods to string up some wire. I live in a home
>where I can't put up an outside antenna, and I've been too chicken
>to try to deploy one in a local park yet.
>
>As for the local groups, I can completely relate. I'm a newcomer to
>Washington County, but I didn't have very good luck in Salem. When I
>went to the local club's FD event a few years ago, the club was not
>very inviting. Nothing like wandering around like a lost puppy dog,
>looking for someone to acknowledge you! What's irritating is that
>they advertise that the event is open to all, but don't really
>follow up with trying to make visitors welcome.
>
>Jason Milldrum, NT7S

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Stephen W. Kercel

Re: Response to Oregon FD request

Tom:

That depends on the club. Just last week I sent out letters to every
newly (since Jan 07) licensed/upgraded ham within an hour's drive of
Topsham ME inviting them to take part in the KS1R/N1TRC operation on Field Day.

Given that many FD operations have GOTA operations, I expect that we
are not the only ones welcoming beginners.

73,

Steve

At 12:33 PM 6/13/2007, Tom Hammond wrote:
>Hi Jason, et al:
>
>For what it's worth, and generally UNfortunately for all concerned,
>Field Day is probably the very WORST TIME for a new operator (to the
>area) to go to a radio club function and expect to be warmly received...

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Tom Hammond-3

Re: Response to Oregon FD request

Hi Steve:

I didn't mean that we don't welcome beginners, just that, with all
the hassle of FD, it's sometimes pretty easy to become preoccupied
with other things and to give the impression of being disinterested
when you're really not.

We also urge all newly licensed ops to join us as well.

73,

Tom N0SS

At 16:08 06/13/2007, Stephen W. Kercel wrote:

>Tom:
>
>That depends on the club. Just last week I sent out letters to every
>newly (since Jan 07) licensed/upgraded ham within an hour's drive of
>Topsham ME inviting them to take part in the KS1R/N1TRC operation on Field Day.
>
>Given that many FD operations have GOTA operations, I expect that we
>are not the only ones welcoming beginners.
>
>73,
>
>Steve
>
>
>
>At 12:33 PM 6/13/2007, Tom Hammond wrote:
>>Hi Jason, et al:
>>
>>For what it's worth, and generally UNfortunately for all concerned,
>>Field Day is probably the very WORST TIME for a new operator (to
>>the area) to go to a radio club function and expect to be warmly received...
>

Stephen W. Kercel

Re: Response to Oregon FD request

Tom:

Yes, I understand. The solution (assuming enough warm bodies are
available) is to have a designated GOTA coach whose primary task is
to demonstrate an interest in the newcomers.

73,

Steve
AA4AK

At 06:36 PM 6/13/2007, Tom Hammond wrote:

>Hi Steve:
>
>I didn't mean that we don't welcome beginners, just that, with all
>the hassle of FD, it's sometimes pretty easy to become preoccupied
>with other things and to give the impression of being disinterested
>when you're really not.
>
>We also urge all newly licensed ops to join us as well.
>
>73,
>
>Tom N0SS
>
>At 16:08 06/13/2007, Stephen W. Kercel wrote:
>>Tom:
>>
>>That depends on the club. Just last week I sent out letters to
>>every newly (since Jan 07) licensed/upgraded ham within an hour's
>>drive of Topsham ME inviting them to take part in the KS1R/N1TRC
>>operation on Field Day.
>>
>>Given that many FD operations have GOTA operations, I expect that
>>we are not the only ones welcoming beginners.
>>
>>73,
>>
>>Steve
>>
>>
>>
>>At 12:33 PM 6/13/2007, Tom Hammond wrote:
>>>Hi Jason, et al:
>>>
>>>For what it's worth, and generally UNfortunately for all
>>>concerned, Field Day is probably the very WORST TIME for a new
>>>operator (to the area) to go to a radio club function and expect
>>>to be warmly received...
>

Tom Hammond-3

Re: Response to Oregon FD request

We'll have two dedicated GOTA coaches and one 'circulating' coach as well.

73,

Tom

At 18:04 06/13/2007, Stephen W. Kercel wrote:

>Tom:
>
>Yes, I understand. The solution (assuming enough warm bodies are
>available) is to have a designated GOTA coach whose primary task is
>to demonstrate an interest in the newcomers.
>
>73,
>
>Steve
>AA4AK
>
>
>At 06:36 PM 6/13/2007, Tom Hammond wrote:
>>Hi Steve:
>>
>>I didn't mean that we don't welcome beginners, just that, with all
>>the hassle of FD, it's sometimes pretty easy to become preoccupied
>>with other things and to give the impression of being disinterested
>>when you're really not.
>>
>>We also urge all newly licensed ops to join us as well.
>>
>>73,
>>
>>Tom N0SS
>>
>>At 16:08 06/13/2007, Stephen W. Kercel wrote:
>>>Tom:
>>>
>>>That depends on the club. Just last week I sent out letters to
>>>every newly (since Jan 07) licensed/upgraded ham within an hour's
>>>drive of Topsham ME inviting them to take part in the KS1R/N1TRC
>>>operation on Field Day.
>>>
>>>Given that many FD operations have GOTA operations, I expect that
>>>we are not the only ones welcoming beginners.
>>>
>>>73,
>>>
>>>Steve
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>At 12:33 PM 6/13/2007, Tom Hammond wrote:
>>>>Hi Jason, et al:
>>>>
>>>>For what it's worth, and generally UNfortunately for all
>>>>concerned, Field Day is probably the very WORST TIME for a new
>>>>operator (to the area) to go to a radio club function and expect
>>>>to be warmly received...
>

Stephen W. Kercel

Re: Response to Oregon FD request

Tom:

I expect that your newcomers should feel well looked after.

73,

Steve
AA4AK

At 07:16 PM 6/13/2007, Tom Hammond wrote:

>We'll have two dedicated GOTA coaches and one 'circulating' coach as well.
>
>73,
>
>Tom
>
>At 18:04 06/13/2007, Stephen W. Kercel wrote:
>>Tom:
>>
>>Yes, I understand. The solution (assuming enough warm bodies are
>>available) is to have a designated GOTA coach whose primary task is
>>to demonstrate an interest in the newcomers.
>>
>>73,
>>
>>Steve
>>AA4AK
>>
>>
>>At 06:36 PM 6/13/2007, Tom Hammond wrote:
>>>Hi Steve:
>>>
>>>I didn't mean that we don't welcome beginners, just that, with all
>>>the hassle of FD, it's sometimes pretty easy to become preoccupied
>>>with other things and to give the impression of being
>>>disinterested when you're really not.
>>>
>>>We also urge all newly licensed ops to join us as well.
>>>
>>>73,
>>>
>>>Tom N0SS
>>>
>>>At 16:08 06/13/2007, Stephen W. Kercel wrote:
>>>>Tom:
>>>>
>>>>That depends on the club. Just last week I sent out letters to
>>>>every newly (since Jan 07) licensed/upgraded ham within an hour's
>>>>drive of Topsham ME inviting them to take part in the KS1R/N1TRC
>>>>operation on Field Day.
>>>>
>>>>Given that many FD operations have GOTA operations, I expect that
>>>>we are not the only ones welcoming beginners.
>>>>
>>>>73,
>>>>
>>>>Steve
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>At 12:33 PM 6/13/2007, Tom Hammond wrote:
>>>>>Hi Jason, et al:
>>>>>
>>>>>For what it's worth, and generally UNfortunately for all
>>>>>concerned, Field Day is probably the very WORST TIME for a new
>>>>>operator (to the area) to go to a radio club function and expect
>>>>>to be warmly received...
>

N2EY

Re: Response to Oregon FD request

In reply to this post by Kevin Rock

In a message dated 6/13/07 12:38:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[hidden email] writes:

> For what it's worth, and generally UNfortunately for all concerned,
> Field Day is probably the very WORST TIME for a new operator (to the
> area) to go to a radio club function and expect to be warmly received...

Agreed.
>
> During FD, everyone is running around, trying to ensure that
> everything is installed (properly) and running so things can start on
> time... additionally, there's a lot (usually) of activity during the
> entire activity and well-intentioned welcomes often go out the door
> with trying to keep track of who's operating what and where, and how
> the rigs are working.
>

I have observed three general types of FD group behavior:

The first is the well-prepared group. People know what they are supposed to
be doing, how to do it, and where the stuff is for them to do it. And they're
busy doing it.

The second is the unprepared group. People don't know what they are supposed
to be doing, don't how to do it, and don't where the stuff is for them to do
it - or even if they have the stuff. And they're busy trying to figure it out.

The third is the observer/kibitzer group, who simply watch and sometimes
offer comments.

The first two groups are distracted by their activity.

> If you want to visit a club, do it at a regular meeting and then
> you'll have a lot better chance of being warmly received. And, if
> you're NOT... find another club. But please don't let the welcome
> you hoped for and didn't receive during Field Day cause you to decide
> that this club (whomever they happen to be) is unfriendly or closed
> to newcomers.
>

The thing with FD is that you have to show up when they are doing the
planning - which varies all over the place.

And if one group doesn't seem welcoming, try another. If none of them are
welcoming, start your own.

You don't need a formal club - just a group.

73 de Jim, N2EY

**************************************
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Jason Milldrum

Re: Response to Oregon FD request

In reply to this post by Tom Hammond-3

Tom,

I have no doubt that your club, and many others, do a fine job of
welcoming others to your events. I did come to the conclusion that this
particular club is unfriendly to newcomers because I got the same
treatment at one of their regular club meetings later on. It was a very
"good ol' boy" atmosphere at both events. What little interaction that I
did have with club members convinced me that they viewed me as lower
than them. Perhaps it was because I'm quite a bit younger than most of
those guys and they didn't take me seriously. Or perhaps they just want
to keep their socialization to their own cliques. It doesn't really
matter to me, as I feel that I didn't want to be a part of a group that
would treat others like that.

My biggest beef is that they went through the trouble of advertising the
event and stating that all were welcome, when that was clearly not the
case. I understand that FD is a lot of work, and can be very hectic.
However, if you don't have the resources to deal with interested
outsiders, then don't ask for them to come.

Jason Milldrum, NT7S
=====
Amateur Station NT7S - <http://www.nt7s.com>
QRPedia - <http://www.qrpedia.com>

Tom Hammond wrote:

> Hi Jason, et al:
>
> For what it's worth, and generally UNfortunately for all concerned,
> Field Day is probably the very WORST TIME for a new operator (to the
> area) to go to a radio club function and expect to be warmly received...
>
> During FD, everyone is running around, trying to ensure that everything
> is installed (properly) and running so things can start on time...
> additionally, there's a lot (usually) of activity during the entire
> activity and well-intentioned welcomes often go out the door with trying
> to keep track of who's operating what and where, and how the rigs are
> working.
>
> If you want to visit a club, do it at a regular meeting and then you'll
> have a lot better chance of being warmly received. And, if you're NOT...
> find another club. But please don't let the welcome you hoped for and
> didn't receive during Field Day cause you to decide that this club
> (whomever they happen to be) is unfriendly or closed to newcomers.
>
> No matter how hard we might try to be hospitable during FD, it's a
> chore, and we often fail.
>
> BTW - The MMARC (Jefferson City MO) tries(!) to welcome all visitors,
> and we WELCOME CW operators... of course, we welcome all other ops as
> well. In fact, we have a LOT more CW ops than SSB ops... go figger. But
> come visit us at a Club meeting... we'll be even more friendly then.
>
> 73,
>
> Tom Hammond N0SS