Hello WMA. By now, you are cursing fall every time you look out the window and see all those leaves on the ground. Also knowing the silly season is around the corner. Of course, we all have our Santa Ham list at the ready, right?
There is plenty of stuff going on though. I hope you have placed your vote for the director of New England for the next three years. The deadline is noon Nov 15. The candidates have been busy visiting clubs doing their own campaigning for their agenda’s.
Another goodie is the upcoming SET which is on Nov 10. Thanks to Chuck WS1L for putting it together and getting the word out. Hopefully the participation will be good. Remember, this is open to ALL hams whether they are in ARES or not. It’s all about communications preparedness.
On Oct 14, I hosted an NTS training on Zoom and it was really successful with 82 in attendance from across the country. There is now an edited recording of it available on the nts2.arrl.org website. Many thanks to Marcia KW1U, Bob KC1KVY and Shawn N1CVO for being part of the session. I do plan on doing it again at a later date and maybe some other things as well.
Tuesday Oct 29, I start a Technician License course on Zoom. This is part of the WMA Train and Test Group I formed and the program has been getting great feedback not to mention new hams licensed. The one thing I have been emphasizing is mentoring, finding a club, and other things to get that new ham off to a good start and be on the air.
I’m sure you got word that DXCC is back online. They are now processing the backlog of submissions. There is still work to do, (like our arrl.org email address!) but are making progress.
The new location for Near-Fest was met with great reviews. Friday was reported a packed fairground. The fairground seemed a bit more compact, but was adequate for their needs. It even had heated restrooms! Hopefully they will have a good relationship for many years to come.
The recent events in North Carolina and Florida does serve as a reminder of the value amateur radio has as a hobby for ourselves, but also as a service to our communities. We did receive some good publicity from the media as to our efforts there. We need to promote ham radio to as many as possible. That is by getting on the air, starting relationships with our served agencies, training and mentoring, the list goes on. Everyone with a license needs to be participating in something for not only that, but to add new hams to keep this hobby vibrant and active for many years to come. NEVER assume someone else will do it. YOU need to be the solution, not the problem.
If I do not see you soon, I hope you all have a wonderful, happy, and safe Thanksgiving and see you next month.
73 Ray AA1SE