I know this is a bit long but it so represents the spirit of this
reflector, I just had to pass it along. Enjoy. As one of Jeff's "Elmers" I
know I walk a little taller after reading this.
73s Jim, W4ATK
"Find the Golden Thread in BARC"
By Jeff Drew, N4JDU
There is a value to club membership that every new member needs to use.
There is no charge, but the end results can not be measured. I have only
been a ham for about a year but I have discovered from the Elmers ( i.e.
senior hams) a sincere dedication to the future of ham radio and to us, he
younger hams.
I used to ask, why all this attention to younger hams? There is plenty
of
literature available to all of us, but nothing is better than actual one on
one contact by an Elmer. We are fortunate to have in our club a large
number of Elmers. I strongly recommend that any new ham find three or
more Elmers to share the fine points of ham radio with you. I guarantee
they will do it!
Heres why: These hams have seen the effects of time on our hobby.
Some
good, some bad. They know that if we dont use it, we lose it! They realize
that the bands associated with Amateur Radio are constantly being sought
after by commercial endeavors. Currently, the attack is with access to
broadband power lines (BPL). There are many such quests for our band space.
My point is that the band allocation to ham radio is always politically
un-stable. Technology plays an important factor here for both interests.
The Elmers want to se the art form preserved. Their theory is that a
certain perpetuation plan be put in place. Heres what I think it is:
· Be available to young hams for questions and answers.
· Help them in their particular interests. (I.e. Phone, Rtty, PSK, CW,
Satellite, EME etc.)
· Encourage new hams to explore the broad characteristics of the amateur
radio.
· Share your experience with new hams that want to learn.
There may be more un-published directives from the Elmers, but I have
seen
their determination to preserve the hobby.
From my point of view, they see the future of ham radio in us! It is
up
to us to put forth the effort to locate an Elmer to counsel us as we embark
upon this vast sea of radio. Nothing could be a better resource than having
the knowledge of an Elmer. It is the golden thread in our organization. Let
s use it before we lose it! Think about how powerful we would all be if we
each had an Elmer who passed on his experience with us!
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