IN THIS ISSUE:
+ Remember When? Remember Now.
+ New Customizable Awards
+ ARRL Insurance Benefit
+ Once Affiliated, Always Affiliated
Remember When? Remember Now.
By Norm Fusaro, W3IZ
At one time or another we have all drifted back to happier, simpler times
to help ease the stresses of life. While many professionals might agree
that an occasional trip down memory lane is healthy and often therapeutic,
few would recommend that we live in the past. Our human brains are wired
to remember things that are comforting and suppress unpleasant memories.
That is why we tend to use phrases like "the good old days" even if the
time in reference was peppered with hardship.
Depending on how you look at it, ham radio like the automobile, has either
hardly changed over the last 100 years or has advanced dramatically because
of technological progress. Today's automobiles are loaded with safety features
and convenience gimmicks yet the basic car is still a wheeled vehicle that
burns fossil fuel in an internal combustion engine in order to transport
passengers from point A to point B. In comparison radio operators still
modulate and demodulate electromagnetic signals to communicate with stations
near and far. Computer processing and micro electronics play a big part
in how these illustrations have evolved, but have things really changed?
Amateur Radio is just one of many sectors where we see state-of-the-art technology
blended with traditional concepts. A trip to any marina will find modern
sailboats made from composite materials and loaded with the latest navigational
electronic devices but the basic component, harnessing energy from the wind
to propel a vessel, has not changed in the thousands of years since its discovery.
I am sure that you can think of your own examples where the application
of modern technology has reshaped an old-fashioned idea, but the point is
that while it is nice to remember and replicate things from the past, we
live in the present.
Many people have an image of Amateur Radio as a nostalgic remembrance of
another time when radio seemed to be magical when in fact it has always been
cutting edge and futuristic. This portrayal of ham radio is reinforced by
radio amateurs themselves through their reluctance to accept change and their
insistence on preserving old technologies. The propensity to look back is
not as prevalent in other activities as it is in Amateur Radio. When I go
fishing I don't run into any anglers sporting woven rattan creels and bamboo
fishing poles yet there is not a day that goes by when I am not reminded
that "real radios glow in the dark" or some other witty reference to bygone
times. How far back do we want to go to be authentic before it becomes absurd?
"If it ain't spark it ain't radio?"
Years ago companies like Heath provided a way for many to get involved with
Amateur Radio through kit building. The radio kit was less expensive than
factory produced gear and, depending on the skill level of the builder, the
finished products performed pretty well. Maintenance and repairs were
easily performed because the builder had an intimate knowledge of the circuitry.
Today, mass production and robotic manufacturing processes help drive down
the cost of electronic equipment and in many situations make replacing a
device more cost effective than repairing it. A current manufacturer of Amateur
Radio that started life as a kit company quickly experienced a similar evolution.
After a few short years of producing kits, the company found that they could
offer a better product at a lower cost by providing assembled circuit boards
populated with surface mount components. Assembly is a matter of plugging-in
boards and configuring systems similar to how a computer is built. Digital
electronics has allowed the experimenter to trade-in the soldering iron for
computer software codes and the term home-brewing, once a common ham radio
activity, has now given way to a more descriptive phrase -- soft-brewing.
Developers like Joe Taylor, K1JT have completely re-written the rules when
it comes to EME, meteor scatter and other exotic digital modes once reserved
for the eccentric radio amateur. Today many hams employ WSJT software with
modest stations to ricochet information to one another via the lunar surface.
Other software experimenters are developing new modes and tools for the
radio amateur to exploit the power of digital processing. Commercial interests
are able to offer feature packed equipment that is relatively less expensive
than gear offered in the past, and hams are finding applications for this
stuff that could only be imagined a short time ago.
Amateur radio has many examples of innovation and creativity. Sometimes
an idea can be ahead of its time. Take for instance an article that appeared
in the July 1934 issue of QST that suggested "International Round Table Nets
and Globe Circling Relays" using an elaborate network of tape machines and
relays to remotely control HF stations as far as 200 miles away so that the
ARRL broadcast could be made simultaneously in all 48 United States. We
are able to do that exact thing today using Voice over Internet Protocol
(VOIP) but there are some who will argue that this is not "real" radio. Phooey!
ARRL founder Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW was a forward thinker who moved in the
same circles as Edison, Ford and Firestone, people who changed our world.
Maxim was innovative and has many inventions to his credit. When the spark
gap transmitter used at Maxim's station 1AW, could no longer generate radio
signals it was replaced by a modern transmitter that used vacuum tubes.
When asked if there were plans to repair the spark gap transmitter Maxim
acknowledged the position of employing modern technology when he remarked
"The voice of the spark set at 1AW will not be heard again." (QST, January
1923, pg 14)
Maxim was always looking beyond the horizon. Displayed in a showcase at
ARRL headquarters is the Elser-Mathis cup. This trophy was inspired by Col
Fred Johnson Elser, W6FB and SCM Lt Cmdr Stanley Mathes, K1CY after Elser
learned of Maxim's fascination with the planet Mars. The unique wooden cup
is waiting to be awarded to any radio amateur for the first Amateur Radio
Contact between Earth and Mars. I am certain that "tongue may have been
firmly planted in cheek" when this award was conceived but I believe that
this trophy may be awarded to some radio amateur in my lifetime.
I would like to think that if Mr. Maxim were here today he would be very
happy to see that Amateur Radio and the ARRL have stood the test of time
and continue to attract newcomers to the hobby nearly 100 years since the
League was founded. However I would not be surprised if The Old Man shook
his head in bewilderment to find that we have spent much time and energy
worshiping the past instead of looking ahead to the future.
It may be comforting to stroll down memory lane and fire up the vintage radio
for the evening. The warm glow of the tubes and the refreshing aroma of heat
radiating from the chassis will create soothing reflections and transport
you back to a time when there was no internet, e-mail or cell phones. As
you blow smoke rings from your briarwood pipe and replicate the authenticity
of what you refer to as "real radio," try to remember that the icons of technology
that you pay homage to were once state-of-the-art, modern appliances that
filled the dreams of many. As much as Amateur Radio owes to its past, adoration
of vintage radio should not take away from Amateur Radio's future.
New Arrl Award Products Available
The ARRL now offers custom awards for clubs, groups and individuals for recognition
and achievement, offering a wide range of styles and price levels. Each award
is customized with your text and the ARRL logo.
Products offered include a tan leather rectangular key fob with a call sign
on one side and the ARRL diamond on the other; a rosewood pen and pencil
set with personalization available on the pen and pencil, as well as the
presentation box; an 8x10 inch wood plaque with blue plate engraved with
up to 14 lines of gold text; a swiveling wood desk clock that holds a photo
or an insert --- personalize this with up to 25 characters on two lines,
and a beautiful crystal 3-inch etched globe on a crystal base, presented
in a velvet-lined gift box.
Do you have that one ham in your group who comes out every Field Day, rain
or shine, who stays from beginning to end, helping out in any way possible?
Acknowledge their involvement with a beautiful gift that shows how much you
value their service? What about the ham in your club that has been a member
for 25 years and has yet to miss a meeting? Show them how much you appreciate
their contribution with a small personalized token. Do you have an Elmer
you would like to thank with more than words? A personalized gift with their
name and call sign on it would remind them of you every time they used it.
Each item features the ARRL diamond logo. Award orders will be processed
and delivered within 20 working days. View the entire award product line,
as well as ARRL clothing items, at the Barker Specialties Web site
www.barkerstores.com/arrl
ARRL Insurance Benefit
Bill Morine, N2COP
ARRL Public Relations Committee Member
Several years ago, my automobile insurance carrier mailed me a new policy.
I was about to file it away with my other papers when my eye caught the
title of a section of the policy that read, "CB Radio/Telephone Exclusion".
I read the language and called my carrier. The claims department spokesperson
confirmed that my amateur radio equipment was excluded from the basic coverage
however for an additional $90 per year I could buy a rider that would cover
my ham radio equipment. This was a nice offer but my equipment would still
be subject to my policy's $500 deductible. Another example of an inadequate
insurance policy is the case of my buddy whose ham shack suffered a lightning
strike. He had a $1,000 deductible on his policy and to make matters worse,
his claims adjuster had no knowledge about amateur radio. My friend has been
off the air for several months as he and the adjuster argue over the process
of repairing his HF transceiver.
That's when I realized another benefit of ARRL membership. - ARRL's "All-Risk"
Ham Radio Equipment Insurance Plan. This is a comprehensive program that
protects Amateur Radio equipment in your home car from all risk form which
includes fire, lightning, theft, collision, and other accidents and natural
hazards. Coverage can also be provided for computer software and hardware
as well as station accessories such as antennas, rotators and towers.
Coverage is affordable and in most cases substantially lower in price than
adding a rider to your current homeowner's or automobile policy. As with
all insurance products, you should read the provisions of coverage carefully
by going to
www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/insurance/equipment.html
If you're like me and you shop around for insurance then you
will find that this is a good deal. What's more is the underwriter even has
an agent dedicated just to ham radio claims so it's nice to know that if
you should ever have to file a claim you will be working with someone who
is familiar Amateur Radio.
Once Affiliated, Always Affiliated
Once your club is affiliated, it remains affiliated however a club can be
listed as active or inactive. To stay actively affiliated, you must complete
and submit an Annual Report at least once a year. Your club's status will
be changed to inactive should 2 years go by without our receiving an Annual
Report. Your club can return to active status at any time by simply completing
and submitting an Annual Report.
Your club can update its record anytime important information changes. Information
such as club officers, meeting time and place, etc. should be kept current
so that prospective members can get in touch with you.
Updating your club record is as simple as following the update link on the ARRL Affiliated Club web page:
www.arrl.org/club
If you need to update your Special Service Club record please visit the SSC page at:
www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/forms/fsd7/index.html
You may direct any questions about clubs to
clubs@arrl.org
ARRL Affiliation Milestones for December 2007
10 Year
*W2 SNJ Delaware Valley Ragchew Club N2HQX
*W3 EPA Camp Watonka Amateur Radio Club KB3BUM
*W4 VA Franklin County Amateur Radio Club W4FCR
KY Big Sandy Amateur Radio Club K4PGA
*W0 MN Stillwater Amateur Radio Association W0JH
NE Strategic Air Command Memorial Amateur Radio Club K0AIR
75 Year
*W2 SNJ Manchester Area FM Group W2SV
*W3 WPA Triple 'A' Amateur Radio Association, Inc. N3TN
WPA Beaver Valley Amateur Radio Association W3SGJ
*W0 IA Des Moines Radio Amateur Association W0AK
The ARRL CLUB NEWS is published on the first Wednesday of each month by the
American Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur Radio--225
Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax 860-594-0259;
www.arrl.org. Joel Harrison, W5ZN, President.
The ARRL CLUB NEWS is an e-mail digest of news and information of interest to active members of ARRL Affiliated Clubs.
Material from The ARRL CLUB NEWS may be republished or reproduced in whole
or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given
to The ARRL CLUB NEWS and The American Radio Relay League.
Editorial questions or comments: Norm Fusaro, W3IZ,
clubs@arrl.org
Delivery problems (ARRL direct delivery only!):
club-el-dlvy@arrl.org
Past issues of The ARRL CLUB NEWS are available at
www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/clubnews/. Issues are posted to this page after publication.
