To all present and future members of the RF Hill ARC:
First, I would like to thank my predecessor, John-KB3EWV for his many years of service helping keep the club spirit alive, and heading up Field Day and the Hamfest. John continues to take charge of the Hamfest, but new blood is needed for Field Day, especially transporting the club trailer.
Juggling a globetrotting work schedule and being President of the club presents the challenge of trying to be in two places at one time. The other board members are doing a yeoman’s job of keeping things going and keeping all of the balls in the air. Special thanks to Jim – WA3YLQ and Jim- KC3LXV, who started out as co-secretaries. So if you hear me refer to Jim2, I’m talking about Jim & Jim (WA3YLQ & KC3LXV). Even more thanks to Jim – WA3YLQ subsequently and graciously volunteering to fill the Vice-President’s seat and provide you with programs for our club meetings. I wonder what he now owes his wife?
The previously empty V.P. position is a symptom of the changes our great and wonderful hobby has been going through since the advent of the affordable PC, the much less affordable Apple computing products, and smart phones. The Amateur Radio ticket holder is an aging breed where many, if not all, radio clubs are suffering from the lack of new and younger members, the enthusiasm for activities like Field Day is dwindling, and providing radio communications for public events is less in demand as in essence, everyone always has a radio in their hands. So, what do we need to do collectively, the Amateur Radio community as a group, to try and mitigate the shrinking numbers?
I’m sad to say that many people never heard of our hobby and the life saving and health and welfare communications Amateur Radio provides after disasters, natural or otherwise. When power, cell towers and telephone lines are down, they can’t call Ghost Busters to help out. We have the knowledge, skill and equipment to provide front line communications with equipment we’ve purchased with our own money, built with our bare hands, constructed antennas out of wires and powered our radios with batteries, solar power and generators. I’ve volunteered my time over the years during hurricanes, played Santa on a repeater for children in hospice care, walk-a-thons and even the Eastern States 100, which I’m hoping to do again this year, and I’m always appreciative when someone says thank you for helping out. I would really like to see our club get back into providing public service and find ways of getting the message about Amateur Radio back into the public’s mind’s eye!
What can we do? Can we find Middle or High School events, or other public events needing our participation? ARES & RACES? In this part of Pennsylvania, we really don’t see much of the horrific WX that plagues the Mid-West and the coastal storms coming up the East coast, but what will climate change bring?
I would encourage everyone in the club to brainstorm and come up with ideas for getting more involved. Let me hear your voice at our monthly club meeting. The Board had a suggestion a few months ago and as a result we recently started to offer a free 1 year membership to anyone who passes a test [new or upgrade] at our club held Volunteer Examiner testing sessions. Perhaps this will help bring young hams into our flock.
It’s time to get away from the comfort of our home operating positions and start getting involved again.
Cary Binder, NI2Q
2024 President, RF Hill Amateur Radio Club
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The Radio Amateur is
CONSIDERATE… He never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the
pleasure of others.
LOYAL… He offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local
clubs, the IARU Radio Society in his country, through which Amateur Radio in his
country is represented nationally and internationally.
PROGRESSIVE… He keeps his station up to date. It is well-built and efficient. His
operating practice is above reproach.
FRIENDLY… He operates slowly and patiently when requested; offers friendly
advice and counsel to the beginner; kind assistance, cooperation and consideration
for the interests of others. These are the marks of the amateur spirit.
BALANCED… Radio is a hobby, never interfering with duties owed to family, job,
school or community.
PATRIOTIC… His station and skills are always ready for service to country and
community.
– adapted from the original Amateur’s Code, written by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA, in 1928