Page 44 January February 2018 TCA

FRESH ON THE AIR

— ADVENTURES FOR THE NEW AND BEGINNING HAM

cats dressed up as mice angels fighting evil in articles on the Amateur Radio adventures of club
Hell. Club members can also help you learn new members. For instance, there could be an article
Amateur technology or introduce you to other about a member who recently went to Russia to
activities. Outside of the hobby itself, joining a see how Russian Amateur operations differ from
club provides professional as well as personal Canadian, or maybe meet an on‑air friend for the
networking that might be beneficial to you in your first time, or help set up a new repeater station in
Phillip Boucher, VE3BOC line of work. a city or community.
E: phillipjboucher@gmail.com
www.phillipjboucher.com
Club members can help you set up and equip Club repeaters may be run or endorsed by the
Going out Clubbing your base or mobile station or give valuable clubs themselves or by club members on behalf
advice and experience on what types of radios
of the club. Club repeaters can and do form the
That’s right. Hitting the and equipment would be best for your particular centre of club members’ on‑air contacts and the
clubs, man! Doing the interests. There are sometimes antenna‑erecting running of Amateur Radio nets.
Locomotion, Daddy‑o! parties in which club members head over to There are many public service activities such as
Twisting to the Twist, little another member’s home and help install and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
miss! Swinging out to erect an antenna or tower. Be aware that these and Search and Rescue operations, Goblin Patrol
“In the Mood” or mixing it types of parties almost always occur in the dead or community coordination for parades and events
up with the “Mashed Potato” of winter. that form a core aspect of club membership. These
or the “Monster Mash”! Some clubs provide Amateur Radio training to public service activities help to support public
Do crocodiles really rock? acquire new endorsements and may provide service agencies or provide an extended level of
And what about cheese to examinations as well. Classes can help you communications during times of reduced work
go with your Macarena? obtain or upgrade your “ticket” (your Amateur force or emergency response.
(And if any of you young Radio certification), participate in classroom
“whippersnappers” find this education about new modes of communications Note: For more information see the Public Service /
all just gobbledy gook, look some club members may be experimenting with, ARES column and the Section News.
it up online.) or help you learn Morse Code. Many club Websites run by clubs provide information and
Cool, far out, right on, and meetings feature talks from guests on Amateur‑ education to the public and club members in
the bee’s knees. But what I related topics. regards to all of the clubs activities. For instance,
am really referring to is Many clubs participate in local fairs, carnivals how to join the club, repeater call signs and
Amateur Radio clubbing. and other such community events to bring frequencies, how to access repeater features,
members’ call signs, meeting info, upcoming
I’ve had some new hams Amateur Radio to the public’s attention, explain
ask me about the what the hobby is all about, and give interested events, contest info, technical articles, guest
advantages of joining a people a turn at actually operating and talking to articles, member profiles, and a wide array of
local club. What are the other Amateurs over the air. These public other topics can be found on club websites.
benefits? How will it benefit relations opportunities help to promote Amateur So as you can see, becoming a club member has
me? What do I get out of Radio’s personal and community involvement for many benefits far beyond simply supporting your
joining a club? a greater broader understanding and also help to local Amateur Radio community and Amateur
On the outset, it may seem give those who may be interested in the hobby a Radio in general. Friendship, camaraderie,
to be a selfish way at hands‑on opportunity to enjoy a shove to obtain volunteer and community involvement, and a
looking at clubs. But these their ticket. myriad of other benefits abound. What joining an
Amateur Radio club does for you is present you
are legitimate questions Clubs participate in or run activities such as
that new Amateurs have. Hamfests and Flea Markets, Field Day, foxhunts, with all the opportunities to learn, enjoy, and
So below, I’m going to give and on‑air contests. Many clubs also have participate in our hobby while making new friends
a brief but concise synopsis annual or semi‑annual parties or get‑togethers to and having fun with people who share your
of why new Amateurs celebrate Christmas or club and/or members’ passion for Amateur Radio.
should join their local club. anniversaries. Some clubs may also have Transmission Tidbit:
Joining an Amateur Radio informal get‑togethers at local diners or Beware the eBay seller! I recently ordered an
club lets you meet and restaurants for members and non‑members alike antenna advertising an NMO mount and
network with other local to enjoy breakfast, lunch or brunch while talking received it but it had a PL‑259 instead. Still
Amateurs who not only over Amateur Radio or club topics. waiting for a supposed replacement with the
share your love of our Club newsletters provide valuable and interesting right connector. It seems some sellers are really
hobby, but may also be information on the club and club members. not familiar with Amateur Radio equipment at all
involved in other activities Everything from new members and members’ and don’t know their mounts from a hole in the
you may enjoy yourself milestones and accomplishments, to club ground. Whatcha gonna do?
such as bowling, sports, activities, meeting minutes and times/dates, and
cultivating carnivorous also repeater information and their status can Write me via the magazine, email me at
plants, or taking pictures of make it into newsletters. Some also feature short phillipjboucher@gmail.com, or via my website at
http://www.phillipjboucher.com/.
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