Hello, welcome to another month. With this one coming around operators’ thoughts of Field Day are dancing in their sleep. Some clubs are looking at new sites and others are securing their usual spots for this year. Planning either way should be in earnest now as how and what to set up, site permits (if any), and the all important porta-potti if needed. The important thing to consider is inviting all those new hams you have invited to their club and mentored to get active. Wait, you did not do that? Why??? Field Day is the best place to have a social event, tech education, show off your setup, eat lots of food to fill up the porta-potty! 😊 And above all try to get those younger hams involved so they can carry on the tradition!
In 2025 Western Mass. Got 148 new hams licensed. Overall, for the year we still ran at a 0.2% drop in league membership. No one section or division posted increases. I would love to know how many of the newbies became members, and how many were told of the league and their benefits of membership. VE teams need to look at what interaction they do AFTER they pass the test to at least introduce them to a club, the league, a mentor. I know from experience when I got my license, it was “now what?”
One of the things I have observed is people getting their licenses because they want to be prepared in an emergency. That’s great. The problem is that they are not active and after 10 years, they have forgotten about it and let their license drop. In a time when world events get goofy like they are now, people need to know about what they can do with amateur radio and the need to prepare and practice now, and not when the “stuff” hath swatted the fan. Again, the importance of being proactive and help those to get active and teach them right at the handing of the CSCE! Consider these when you have that VE session, or thinking of a club activity, Field Day, etc.
Mt. Tom Club has gone through a changing of the guard with the election of a new president, vice president, treasurer. They seem to be moving their meetings to Holyoke Hospital where HCRA holds theirs, and their website is getting a revamp. This is the result of a group participation and supporting each other. There are clubs struggling as they seem to think one person will do it all. That only leads to burnout and frustration and give up. I wish Mt. Tom the best of luck and much success.
Think Spring! Remember, Field Day will be here before you know it!
Take care and 73