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ALERT: Mon, July 14, 2008; 9:18 AM ET On a periodic basis we all need to retreat and evaluate our position in life. What are we doing/ Why are we doing it? What are my plans, visions, desires for next month, next year, my retirement? I have recently been through such a retreat and evaluation on a personal level. All my life I have freely given time and effort to multiple causes and programs: Church activities, Red Cross, Boy Scouting, Ambulance Service, First Aid and EMT Training, Hunter Safety, Little League, Amateur Radio as well as projects associated with work. Now, I find myself in a position where "retirement" is just over the next ridge. Additionally, on Friday evenings, Barbara and I get to "video conference" with our son, daughter in law and grandchildren in Australia. We have an open invitation and opportunity to spend part, if not all of the NNY winters in VK2, enjoying both our family and the Australian Summer. Putting all this together, it becomes clear to me that I must "organize, simplify and minimalize" demands on my time. Part of that revaluation is my Amateur Radio Activities. I have had the honor of serving the Northern New York Section since before it officially was a section, while "plans were in the works", and once it became a Section, as an active member of the Field Services Team. During the last two years I have been your Section Manager. I am up for re-election. The nominating petition must be in by the end of August. After much due consideration, I will not be seeking re-election. I urge any interested individual to file a nominating petition within the next few weeks. I thank all of you for your support and cooperation during my terms as Assistant Section Manager and, most recently, as Section Manager. 73, Tom, WB2KLD, SM-NNY |
News last updated: Mon, July 14, 2008 at 8:54 AM ET
NORTHERN NEW YORK SECTION WEBPAGE
Well, here we are in Mid-Summer already. I hope all of you are having the opportunity to enjoy the summer weather and your plans, whatever they are, are coming together. Unfortunately, the crazy elevation in fuel costs is causing many of us to adjust our travel plans and stay closer to home. Perhaps on the upside of this situation, more time at home may allow us to accomplish some of those home based projects whether they be landscaping, painting or antenna work. Remember, be safe out there no matter what you are doing. Think it through before you act. Don't let carelessness add your name to the SK list in QST.
How are your clubs? No, not your driver, putter and sand wedge, your Radio Clubs. I know many clubs traditionally go into a "Summer Shutdown" mode. Usually this is due to members travel and other family activity. However, I believe it is a good time to maintain contact, even if informally and not directly related to ham radio. How about a family centered picnic, a golf outing or a charter fishing trip on Lake Ontario or Lake Champlain? It may be a good way to "softly" encourage family or relatives to join our amateur radio activities by showing them we are not "single minded radio geeks". Please keep me informed about your groups activities, plans and accomplishments. Also get the information to our section PIO, Rich Burns.
I urge all of you to actively participate in at least one radio club. At least one? That infers MORE than one. Why, you may ask, should I participate in more than one club? Because many clubs, although they profess to be "general interest" clubs do not really cover the gamut of the hobby. Therefore, our exposure to "other" aspects of the hobby is often minimalized. "An Amateur Should Be Rounded" (in interests, not body shape). Some of us partake in only one aspect of the hobby. There are many special facets to this wonderful hobby: DXing, Contesting, VHF Weak Signal work, Satellites, EME, RACES/ARES, Digital, ATV or.... Have YOU tried something new this year? Yes, our clubs do offer a chance for eye to eye communication and all important public service. BUT, they also offer an opportunity to expand horizons, both on a personal level and our hobby as a whole.
I am renewing my challenge to all to help bring the amateur radio hobby to others. Has your club sponsored a licensing class within the past year? If not, why not? It is not hard to do, particularly with all the assistance available from HQ. The class content is all prepared in the instructors guide. You do not have to be an EE or a graduate of a teachers college to teach a licensing class! If several folks work together, you don't have to teach the full course yourself. What's that, you don't have time? Many groups have had much success doing one or two weekend classes. If you would like some information regarding the setup and operation of weekend classes our Atlantic Division Staff member Mona, NY7P can provide guidance.
In NNY we have 10 affiliated clubs, zero special service clubs, 304 ARRL members and 1422 licensed hams. I do believe we can do better, in several ways. Specifically, at least 2 clubs come to mind that should qualify as Special Service Clubs. Our Country needs more league members and more licensed hams. We need to double the number of licensed amateurs in NNY, as well as recruiting many for ARRL Membership. The worries about where we will find ops for the next ice storm, blizzard, high water event, tin-man, iron-man, parade, search or white water race will be a thing of the past!
The Atlantic Division Webpage at www.atldiv.org/training has information on various Webinairs. These activities, the brainchild of Bill, our Division Director and Tom, our Vice-Director are excellent education forums, usually lasting about 90 minutes. I urge all Section Staff to participate and NNY members to sign on to listen and learn.
Join us on Saturday mornings on 3955 KHz at 0900 local for the NNY callup. On the third Saturday of the month, we try it on 5 MHz. If Saturday is no good, try Sunday on 3958 KHz at 0830 local.
Keep any event information coming to myself, Mike O'Dell (for the NNY website) and Rich Burns (PIO)
Don't forget another resource - our own radio WIZ, Roland Patnode, our NNY Tech Specialist if you have a technical concern.
If you have any concerns, queries, suggestions or comments regarding the ARRL or the hobby in general, please contact me via my e-mail, wb2kld@arrl.org or land line, 518 827 4800 (H, till 9PM) or 518 827 4852 (W). Actually, the land line is preferred since it is easier for me to have a give and take so I am sure of, and in detail, about whatever the subject you present.
If you are not on the section e-mail list, please consider contacting the League to put yourself on it since it is the fastest way for me to get information to the whole section at once. Thanks.
LAKE PLACID HAMFEST - Due to several reasons, including dis interest on the part of vendors as well as falling attendance, the Lake Placid Hamfest / NNY Section Convention will not be held this year.
UPDATED NNYARA WEBPAGE Mike is still looking for our NNY Club News Letters; so be sure to send him yours! For the Latest in NNYARA News and Updates on future meetings and events plus a lot more,check out: thanks to N2MX - Mike O'Dell, our NNYARA WebPage at http://www.nnyara.org/
73 for now
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