DELARANEWS
DELARA NEWS is the monthly publication of the Delaware Amateur Radio Association, Delaware OH. March 2021 VOL 40 Number 3

Welcome

This is the official newsletter of a great ham radio club! Our DELARA family appreciates what you’re doing with the hobby! Why not take a few minutes and write out what interests you in our hobby! We have room for your article always! Send it to Stan [at] standi.com by the end of the month.

The Prez’s Shack

Spring is in the air... Well, that last pile of snow along the driveway has finally melted. The days are noticeably longer, and buds are popping out on trees everywhere. Spring has sprung a little early, and you can tell that club members are itching to get outside and play radio. Conditions are improving as well. It seems more likely that we will resume in-person meetings soon, as so many of our members have received their first (and in a few cases both) vacination shots. It will be great to be back together again. Zoom has kept us connected, but they say the camera adds 10 lbs. So we should all look much better in person! Our Training Committee, headed by Joe K8MP, has established regular meetings and is making progress on planning our first training event for 2021. As previewed in last month's newsletter, this will focus on the basic skills a new ham may need to participate in Field Day. Look for more details soon, and get with Joe if you want to contribute to the planning. It should be a lot of fun for those making their first wire dipole antenna, or calling CQ for the first time. Our Membership Committee, headed by Bob W8ERD, has paired up Elmers with newer members seeking advice. In fact, I think we have an available Elmer if anyone is looking for assistance in getting started in ham radio. Contact Bob if you want to get involved. By the way, our new members have been very active. We've had some great Monday Evening Nets with our newer members running Net Control. There has been much more activity on the W8SMK .17 repeater during the day. And there seems to be more interest in digital voice modes of DMR and Fusion too. If someone wants to start a digital net, now might be a good time (hint hint). Speaking of nets, our 7:30 Informal Net is coming up on its 1 Year Anniversary! We started this net on March 24, 2020, and typically have 10-15 call signs in the log each night. I want to thank all those who have joined in the fun, and made it a success. It feels like the club is gaining momentum, and building toward a great spring and summer. I can't wait. 73 - Mike W8MDC DELARA President President@K8es.org

Getting Old

If you look around at hamfests (remember when we had them?) and other typical gatherings you’ll notice a lot of gray/white hair…or a lot of ‘no’ hair. While amateur radio licenses number higher than ever before, it seems just from observation that we’re all getting older. That doesn’t bode well for the hobby if you consider attrition rates that naturally take place. For many the answer is “recruit the children!” but that’s a pretty big project. And what happens when their interest is swayed away from radios to sports, dating and cars? Is there another crop of interest that we could positively affect? I submit the younger professional is a target that should be considered. Set in career, family, and finance many may be looking for a hobby- a way to rest and get off the treadmill. Ham radio certainly fits that bill. But unlike earlier generations who grasped the “duty to give back” philosophy many these days are “What’s in it for me?” If we can provide an answer, including the personal benefits we each derive from being active in ham radio, we might have a chance of getting their participation! Take a look around and don’t hesitate to ‘pitch’ the personal benefits of ham radio any time you can! -Stan, N8BHL
DELARANews
DELARA NEWS is the monthly publication of the Delaware Amateur Radio Association, Delaware OH. March 2021 VOL 40 Number 3

Welcome

This is the official newsletter of a great ham radio club! Our DELARA family appreciates what you’re doing with the hobby! Why not take a few minutes and write out what interests you in our hobby! We have room for your article always! Send it to Stan [at] standi.com by the end of the month.

The Prez’s Shack

Spring is in the air... Well, that last pile of snow along the driveway has finally melted. The days are noticeably longer, and buds are popping out on trees everywhere. Spring has sprung a little early, and you can tell that club members are itching to get outside and play radio. Conditions are improving as well. It seems more likely that we will resume in-person meetings soon, as so many of our members have received their first (and in a few cases both) vacination shots. It will be great to be back together again. Zoom has kept us connected, but they say the camera adds 10 lbs. So we should all look much better in person! Our Training Committee, headed by Joe K8MP, has established regular meetings and is making progress on planning our first training event for 2021. As previewed in last month's newsletter, this will focus on the basic skills a new ham may need to participate in Field Day. Look for more details soon, and get with Joe if you want to contribute to the planning. It should be a lot of fun for those making their first wire dipole antenna, or calling CQ for the first time. Our Membership Committee, headed by Bob W8ERD, has paired up Elmers with newer members seeking advice. In fact, I think we have an available Elmer if anyone is looking for assistance in getting started in ham radio. Contact Bob if you want to get involved. By the way, our new members have been very active. We've had some great Monday Evening Nets with our newer members running Net Control. There has been much more activity on the W8SMK .17 repeater during the day. And there seems to be more interest in digital voice modes of DMR and Fusion too. If someone wants to start a digital net, now might be a good time (hint hint). Speaking of nets, our 7:30 Informal Net is coming up on its 1 Year Anniversary! We started this net on March 24, 2020, and typically have 10-15 call signs in the log each night. I want to thank all those who have joined in the fun, and made it a success. It feels like the club is gaining momentum, and building toward a great spring and summer. I can't wait. 73 - Mike W8MDC DELARA President President@K8es.org

Getting Old

If you look around at hamfests (remember when we had them?) and other typical gatherings you’ll notice a lot of gray/white hair…or a lot of ‘no’ hair. While amateur radio licenses number higher than ever before, it seems just from observation that we’re all getting older. That doesn’t bode well for the hobby if you consider attrition rates that naturally take place. For many the answer is “recruit the children!” but that’s a pretty big project. And what happens when their interest is swayed away from radios to sports, dating and cars? Is there another crop of interest that we could positively affect? I submit the younger professional is a target that should be considered. Set in career, family, and finance many may be looking for a hobby- a way to rest and get off the treadmill. Ham radio certainly fits that bill. But unlike earlier generations who grasped the “duty to give back” philosophy many these days are “What’s in it for me?” If we can provide an answer, including the personal benefits we each derive from being active in ham radio, we might have a chance of getting their participation! Take a look around and don’t hesitate to ‘pitch’ the personal benefits of ham radio any time you can! -Stan, N8BHL