BLESS THE XYLs
by PADRE – WØWPD
(07/09/10)

Although I’m not married, and never have been, I appreciate the role XYLs play in the life of everyday Hams who are married.

From my experience with many hundred Hams over the years it is easy to see why the majority of them are not only happily married but grateful for the wives they call their XYL. (For those not familiar with the term it stands for “EX-YOUNG LADY in Ham jargon, even though many (most)? are still YOUNG LADIES, but married. Just like “OM” (Old Man) for male hams regardless of age).

These great ladies often participate in Ham activities, attending club meetings, helping with setup and meals at special events, working at Field Days and Burro Races, assisting with antenna projects at home and even obtaining their own licenses, to name a few.

One YL I know has been licensed, and upgraded to Extra Class to obtain her late father’s call letters and is active each morning on the Colorado Weather net, a commitment to which her dad was soundly dedicated.

I also know of at least one XYL who is motivating the OM to study and persevere in pursuing his upgrade. Maybe he’d do it without this encouragement, but the lady’s support does help.

On the flipside there are XYLs who are grateful the OM is a Ham, since he’s retired and can spends time operating in the shack instead of being under her foot at home all day. The absence of complaining by each one under those circumstances is a real blessing for both.

When I was a young teenage Ham on Long Island I recall visiting another Ham in our apartment building. His was a small unit. There on the kitchen table was his entire station: transmitter, receiver and power supply. (There were no transceivers or solid state devices then as I recall. They were all “TUBE” rigs. Imagine the size of each. But there they sat, with the wife’s blessing, on the table in the kitchen. The apartment didn’t have a dining room or spare room as a Ham Shack.

WHAT A GREAT XYL SHE MUST HAVE BEEN.

HEY GUYS, DON’T PUSH YOUR LUCK WITH YOUR WIVES!!!

BLESS THE XYLs.

73

A Voice From the Past
(4/14/10)

Webmaster Note: The following email was received by Sharon, NØDSV, and is posted here with permission.

Hi Sharon.

While cleaning my basement, I ran across a letter from my old friend, KØUEM. He talked about getting out of the Trail 100 business, cuz he hadn't been able to spend as much time as he'd wished at the cabin. He told me about all the work he'd done on his Bronco... about putting the old "Orange Crush" tire cover on his spare... hoping the Broncos would win. It'd been awhile since I got in touch with Neal and Dolores. I decided to do a search to see what they were up to.

I just finished reading an article in your letter regarding Neal. I can honestly say I was shocked and saddened ... but not surprised. That it happened a year ago makes me especially angry with myself that I didn't maintain better contact with him and Dolores, KBØ Extra Kind Ham. Since moving, the visits back became less frequent... the radio contacts less frequent... till, well, over a year ago.

I can't really remember when or how I met Neal and Dolores. I'm sure it had to do with the Pack Burro races. For years, I took positions about half way up the trail... Fairplay, Leadville... and relay information back down to net control. When Dillon ran a race, my camper was parked at the lake. On one Fairplay race, I burned out the clutch on my motorcycle trying to navigate the rocks on the way to my station. I guess road bikes weren't made for that kind of terrain. Regardless, before the race, after the race, he'd talk about Steve and his family... about how well he was doing, how well the burro was doing...

Neal worked the Ultra Marathon as well. I'd sit in the firehouse at Twin Lakes relaying info back down to the courthouse. That was the first time I used packet to send info down... using an old Toshiba laptop... with a monochrome 24x80 character display and a 170K floppy for storage.

Neal and Dolores worked tirelessly on all those races. Neal had a loyal following of helpers. Several times, I flew back to Denver to help my friend. Sadly, as time went on, my job placed more demands on my time. I became involved with Boy Scouts with my son that took even more time. As a result, even less time was spent traveling to Denver to see my friend.

Sharon, do you have any races planned for this year?

Thank you for your time.

Jim Lemerand K8SSB (ex KCØWE)

SOME CLOSING THOUGHTS
by Padre – WØWPD
(08 08 09)

It’s been just over ten years since Gregg (NØTWO) took on the job as our newsletter editor. Soon after that I joined as his “side kick,” to support his efforts by developing news items, articles and whatever else we thought belonged in a newsletter. At that time Gregg, my nephew, was living with me, working full time and attending college. He was busy enough without taking on the newsletter. But he did, anyway.

In these ten years there have been over sixty issues put together, printed and mailed. Many of them contain informative and interesting articles contributed by those who responded to our request to contribute. I thank those contributors for their time and talent!

Recently looking over my “library” of past QUA issues brought volumes of happy memories and a sense of renewed gratitude to all our contributors of the past.

Gregg and I are turning over the challenge and satisfaction of editing and producing the QUA to another generous and dedicated individual or team. It will all be worth your time and energy. Please contact Sharon to offer your time and talent to continue the QUA.

Since this is (essentially) my last contribution to the newsletter I feel it’s OK to share two frustrations over this decade. First is the poor response to our request for input and articles from the members over the last couple of years, with some exceptions.

Second is the almost total absence of any received observations (feedback) from members about a particular issue or in general, whether negative or positive. We welcomed both of course, but had very few, even though we have frequently invited them.

Based on such poor feedback Gregg and I sometimes wondered how many folks were actually reading the newsletter, whether on the web or in the printed edition. We also wondered if it was worth the club’s expenditure to produce, print and mail each issue. Obviously we felt it was and is worth the time, effort and expense to provide a vehicle of club communication. We trust everyone else does, too.

In fine I thank everyone who has supported us in whatever way in our effort to maintain and further the interests of the PCRC and provide good material in our newsletter.

I COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT GREGG.

Of course the newsletter will continue on the web thanks to Jack’s ongoing service. I will continue to supply meeting minutes and other membership information to Jack and the new editor(s).

73

DYING CLUB???
by Padre -- WØWPD
(2/1/08)
Reprinted by Special Request
(2/1/09)

Is the Park County Radio Club dying???

Some might say it is. So far we haven’t called in the mortician.

I hope we never have to.

Why might some say it’s dying?

A lack of strong leadership? Boring meetings? Meetings too long?

Not enough technical discussion? A few who monopolize the meetings?

Repeaters not always working properly? Personality clashes? And so forth???

As I have read in many other newsletters “This letter has something for everyone. For those looking for errors we likely have something for you.” (just to paraphrase and apply in general to the PCRC).

Yes … if YOU are looking for a problem you’ll surely find it here in the club, in the newsletter and at the meetings. No one in this club is perfect. No one!!!! Not even the self-appointed critic.

I will address just a few of the so-called problems:

Regarding meeting “problems” how many come to a meeting just to come, and how many come to contribute and move the meeting along with decisions, progress and offers of help, as needed. Many attendees usually just sit on their hands and wait for someone else to make a motion (or second it) or add to a discussion, or volunteer?

A lack of involvement by most at a meeting is why just a few make motions and seconds to keep things moving along. When is the last time, and how often, have you bestirred yourself to understand the matter at hand and make a motion or second one?

Have you offered to develop and deliver a talk on a technical topic?

Have you made yourself available to help with repeaters? Not just with technical matters, but perhaps to offer transportation of the techs or be available to monitor and/or participate in testing by the techs … simply by monitoring and standing by?

How often do you monitor our repeaters, and more importantly use them? How often have you heard a “stranger” call, and you stop for a minute or two to visit and welcome him/her to use the machine?

Let’s face it: An organization of any descript is only as ALIVE and strong as it’s members are.

As has been observed many times in other situations, “If you’re not part of the solution you are part of the problem.”

“IS THE CLUB DYING?’ NO! But there seems to be certain malaise among some members. We have three new members since November, and a fourth about to signup. I wonder how long they’ll stay with us.

Our loss of members is less than other Ham clubs around us are experiencing, by percentages. We’re OK, but could be much better, and each of us can further that goal.

73.

See the articles below for more.

NET PARTICIPATION
by Padre WØWPD
(2/2/08)

A quick look at Wednesday evening’s net check-ins.

Looking at 19 nets from Sept. 5, 2007 through the present there was a total of 205 participants (including the NCS).

Average number of check-ins was 10.79 per net. That’s about 20% of club membership.

Thank you to those who always, or nearly always check in; thanks to those who do at least once in a while. Thank you to the NCS operators. Where are the other members?

COME JOIN US, PLEASE! The net is only as good as participants come and make it.

Do you have suggestions for improving the net? Let me know:

73

“… BUT I CAN’T GET TO MEETINGS”
by Padre – WØWPD
09/16/06

Each year at “Dues are Due” time we hear the above, or something like it.

PCRC member George Cowan, NØQJY, lives in Leadville and has never been at a PCRC meeting in Bailey, but is the first each year to renew membership.

PCRC member Patricia Roberts, KCØQNH, Bailey, has severe medical problems.

PCRC member Carl Lippman, WH6ANH, lives in Aurora.

PCRC member Jim Bobo, W5ODD, lives in Texas eleven months of the year.

PCRC members Judy and Ray Thompson (KØWGN, and WØIVB) spend about half the year in Arizona.

All the latter three come to meetings when they are in the area during the summer.

There are other PCRC members, too numerous to mention, who live “here” all year round, but who find it difficult, if not impossible to be at meetings regularly … if at all.

There are work related, or health related, or basic family related concerns … to say nothing about weather and distance which keep many from regular meetings. We understand that.

What identifies and unites all of the above is that year after year they stay current with dues payments and, frequently, with offers of help one way or another.

They support the club for what it has done and is doing for Ham Radio, emergency services, support of civic events, VE testing, social events and moral support, to mention just a few.

Maybe they can’t be physically with us for meetings all the time, but they are represented by, and appreciated for, their financial and moral support.

Not to go unrecognized here are those who, despite distance or weather, are always, or virtually always, at meetings.

Here’s a sincere THANK YOU to all who regularly support the PCRC year after year.

73

“MEMBERSHIP”
by Padre – WØWPD
(11/29/05) 

Do you dare read this??? 

Does “membership” in an organization mean just paying dues? 

Does “membership” mean maybe showing up for some meetings, if at all? 

Does “membership” mean someone else will volunteer and do the work? 

YES, I know, the above are often the case.   There is a certain percentage in any and all organizations where “membership” as above sums it up!!! 

To break it down a bit. 

There are those who always (or almost) show up for meetings --- even with some inconvenience/sacrifice/distance. 

There are those who always get involved and volunteer to help in whatever way possible to make a special event successful. 

There are those who come early and leave late to see how they can help. 

On the other hand -- 

There are those who come to meetings, vegetate, or make “motions,” raise their hands to “support” a motion for some activity, and that’s the last for their involvement!!! 

There are those who do none of the above, and  figure their $20/year is all that’s expected.  For some it’s like buying a ticket to a movie show.   Go in and sit passively while they hope to be entertained.    

Then, when surveys are circulated asking for members’ guidance and input many don’t respond and wonder why the club is not going anywhere because of lack of interest by the (OTHER) members!!! 

When calls for volunteers and other help are sent out they are met with stony silence. 

Then, of course, there are members who want every suggestion they make to be passed and implemented.  If not …. they quit!  Or if they don’t quit they don’t talk with the officers, but complain to others privately.   

Yes, I well know society is made up of all “kinds” of people, and clubs are no different.  But one would hope those who join and pay dues would be more positive and supportive of club programs and involvements.   Or am I off base, here???? 

A SUCCESSFUL CLUB IS ULTIMATELY
IN THE HANDS OF IT’S MEMBERS!
YOU’RE A MEMBER.  IT’S UP TO YOU, ISN’T IT?   

Public Service Communications Concerns
(8/26/05)

Although I have been interested in Ham radio for many years (perhaps fascinated by would be a better way to put it), I am a relative newcomer. I got my Technician License in 2003, spurred on by the fire season of 2002 and the Blizzard of 2003. I saw some of the communications problems presented by both, and as one of the founding members of Disaster Support Volunteers (DSV) had participated in numerous discussions regarding how Ham radio could help in these situations. So, while I sat in the cool, quiet, dark and watched it snow, I made up my mind to bite the bullet and do it. Aided by the blizzard, which forced the postponement of the normal VE session (held by PCRC in ODD months), I was able to take and pass the examination in an EVEN month, April, thus continuing a long tradition of being an ODDball.

My early fascination with Ham radio was based upon the ability to communicate with people throughout the world. This of course was well before the Internet made it possible, and at times all too easy, to communicate globally. As I became more seriously interested, in my later teens, and did some research on Hams and what they do, two themes became obvious: Hams provide emergency communications during disasters, and Hams provide public service communications at other times. And along with it, they learn a lot and have a lot of fun.

Due to limited resources and too many other interests (typical teenager, I think), I did not get my license at that time. But I did retain my interest, and continued to see the themes of emergency communications and public service communications whenever I read anything about Hams.

When I decided to get my license, I was already committed to the 285 corridor as a result of shared experiences and many wonderful friendships. BUT, I was convinced to join PCRC because of the expressed interest in providing help and public service. This interest was soon shown to be reality, as I was invited to participate in public service communications for the Burro Races, PCRS Race to the Rescue (which I have not participated in as a communicator, but have been involved with under my DSV 'bandana' in helping to provide volunteers), Conifair, and several other events which I have not been able to participate in, as well as emergency communications training, exercises and classes. This was exactly what I was looking for!

Thus, it was with sadness and concern that I read the email from Dutch advising that PCRC's participation in this years Conifair has been cancelled, due to lack of volunteers to adequately staff the communications points providing safety for the passengers on the hay wagons between the Lodge and the main Conifair site.

I am distressed that PCRC was unable to fulfill this important public service communications need.

I would like to personally apologize to the Conifer Chamber of Commerce for our failure to provide this service.

I do not know what factors contributed to our inability to provide this service. However, I believe we must take a long hard look at this situation, in order to determine why an organization with the number of members we have, as well as associated resources from others, all dedicated to emergency service and public service communications, was unable to provide this service.

We MUST take steps to assure that this will NOT happen again!

73, Jack
WØDSV