Hi Jason, et al:
For what it's worth, and generally UNfortunately for all concerned,
Field Day is probably the very WORST TIME for a new operator (to the
area) to go to a radio club function and expect to be warmly received...
During FD, everyone is running around, trying to ensure that
everything is installed (properly) and running so things can start on
time... additionally, there's a lot (usually) of activity during the
entire activity and well-intentioned welcomes often go out the door
with trying to keep track of who's operating what and where, and how
the rigs are working.
If you want to visit a club, do it at a regular meeting and then
you'll have a lot better chance of being warmly received. And, if
you're NOT... find another club. But please don't let the welcome
you hoped for and didn't receive during Field Day cause you to decide
that this club (whomever they happen to be) is unfriendly or closed
to newcomers.
No matter how hard we might try to be hospitable during FD, it's a
chore, and we often fail.
BTW - The MMARC (Jefferson City MO) tries(!) to welcome all visitors,
and we WELCOME CW operators... of course, we welcome all other ops as
well. In fact, we have a LOT more CW ops than SSB ops... go figger.
But come visit us at a Club meeting... we'll be even more friendly then.
73,
Tom Hammond N0SS
At 09:57 06/13/2007, Jason Milldrum wrote:
Kevin,
I'm in Aloha, so you can sign me up when you get your group
together. I have been thinking about what it would take to get a
homebrewer group together in the Portland area, but I haven't run
into any other builders from the area. It would be nice to have a
place out in the woods to string up some wire. I live in a home
where I can't put up an outside antenna, and I've been too chicken
to try to deploy one in a local park yet.
As for the local groups, I can completely relate. I'm a newcomer to
Washington County, but I didn't have very good luck in Salem. When I
went to the local club's FD event a few years ago, the club was not
very inviting. Nothing like wandering around like a lost puppy dog,
looking for someone to acknowledge you! What's irritating is that
they advertise that the event is open to all, but don't really
follow up with trying to make visitors welcome.
Jason Milldrum, NT7S
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