The club’s new officers and board of directors have been busy the past month with the following activities:
Reserving 4H grounds for our September Hamfest
Finalizing our 2012 operating budget
Identifying all club committee chairpersons
Planning monthly club programs for 2012
Formulating new ways to increase club membership
Making modifications to our club’ website
Monitoring 147.18/88 repeater performance
For example, the newly established Contest’s committee has been combined with Awards and will be headed up by Kenny, W2KRD. A complete listing of all committees can be found in Crosstalk.
I’m confident that 2012 will be an exciting year for our club with all its planned activities and programs. And more importantly what are your personal plans for 2012? Is this the year you upgrade your license - and privileges? Learn to use a new operating mode - CW, digital, QRP, satellite, DX. If so, how can the club help you achieve your goals? With our active membership I believe we have a specialist in every aspect of amateur radio. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance. Or, if you decide to go it alone, share your knowledge and experiences with your fellow members. Write an article for Crosstalk, volunteer to make a club or Elmer session presentation. We even have members that can help write an article or put together a presentation.
The club is also very interested in promoting amateur radio within the community. For example, Bill, NJ2S has been requested to give a presentation on ham radio to BSA Troop #9 scouts and parents in West Deptford on the evening of Thursday, February 2nd. As of this writing, Bill is working with Cory, WA3UVV and will call upon others within the club to make this an exciting and informative session. In addition to promoting amateur radio and generating interest to join our ranks, it also lends itself nicely to increasing the general awareness of our club and the public service we perform within the community.
On another note, I’ve been asked by Lou, KC2FXK, club treasurer to remind all members to renew their membership for 2012 and that he would gladly accept your dues either in person at our next club meeting or via the mail. And if you need to renew your ARRL membership, please do so through the club for which the club will receive a percentage. Lou’s mailing address is listed in both the club’s membership directory and QRZ.com.
Finally, as I mentioned at our January club meeting, the Aruba Amateur Radio Club (AARC) has been in existence for over 50 years which is about the same time as our club. In order to save Amateur Radio in Aruba, the AARC has been lobbying, for the past few years to update its current and very outdated legislation governing Amateur Radio there. In order to raise awareness with their government officials and show international support they’ve requested that Amateur Radio operators worldwide send a QSL to the Minister of Communications, with the write up:
Support Amateur Radio in Aruba. (No RST, etc needed)
Please send your QSL card direct only (No SASE) to:
Ing. Mike de Meza
Minister of Communications
L.G. Smith Boulevard # 76
Oranjestad
Aruba
The AARC hopes to show both international support for amateur radio and also the art of QSL’ing which Doug, WA2NPD will present at our February general membership meeting.
Looking forward to seeing everyone there…
Tnx and 73,
Tom, KE2ES