Re: [Elecraft] Response to Oregon FD request

[Jason Milldrum]

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 - 
QRPedia - 

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

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Re: [Elecraft] Response to Oregon FD request

[N2EY]

In a message dated 6/13/07 12:38:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] 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


**
 See what's free at 
http://www.aol.com.
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Re: [Elecraft] Response to Oregon FD request

[Stephen W. Kercel]

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...





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Re: [Elecraft] Response to Oregon FD request

[Tom Hammond]

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...




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Re: [Elecraft] Response to Oregon FD request

[Stephen W. Kercel]

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...





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Re: [Elecraft] Response to Oregon FD request

[Tom Hammond]

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...




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Re: [Elecraft] Response to Oregon FD request

[Stephen W. Kercel]

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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Re: [Elecraft] Response to Oregon FD request

[Tom Hammond]

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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Re: [Elecraft] Response to Oregon FD request

[Jason Milldrum]

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 - 
QRPedia - 

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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[Elecraft] Response to Oregon FD request

[Kevin Rock]

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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