Calaveras Amateur Radio Society, Inc.

SM Dan Pruitt, AE6SX- ASMs K6YK and N2NS, ACC W6DPD, SEC KF6FIR, OOC N1VM, STM K6RAU, PIC K6QI, TC W6TE.

Hello San Joaquin Section;

MY APOLOGIES – OVER A MONTH LATE DUE TO COMPUTER ISSUES!

Where are you in your goals for your hobby of Ham Radio?  If you are
like most hams, you are frustrated by time constraints and commitments
to Clubs and Organizations close to your heart.  This is a good thing.
we continue to advance the art and we strive in our personal goals.  All
is part of Ham Radio.

There are some lightly addressed parts of Amateur Radio and I want to
mention them here to recognize the importance and realize the value of
them in Amateur Radio.  Those are DIY and Elmers.

DIY (do it yourself) is still alive and well.  Yes, you can buy
something off the shelf but doing your own wiring, small projects,
interconnecting interfaces and such, give you confidence and
accomplishment.  These allow additional modes and administration
aspects like logging, internet connectivity for QSL purposes, digital
modes, satellite and weak signal communication.  Oh yes, building your
own antennas that fit or work as you want them.  Also if you have done
these things, this leads right into Elmering.

What is an Elmer?  I think of them as Mentors, but more than that.
They are the hobby’s coaches!  Just like sports, there are coaches
for every aspect of the sport.  Each of us have the ability to at
minimum, help a person get their license.  We all have one so we can
pass this on.  Now it doesn’t stop there.  We all have our likes and
dislikes, goals and priorities.  As we advanced, someone gave us
advice, offered their own experience or gave us avenues of study.
Think about it.  Now what could you pass along to another Ham that
wants the same things?  OK, now how do you make that known?  This is
another venue of our Clubs.  Do a presentation at a meeting.  Make
yourself available on nets or with the organizations you spend time
with, charitable, DX, Contesting or social.

My final comment on these areas, volunteer to work within your church,
scouting or youth programs and have fun!  The organizations will offer
structure.  You will have a better opportunity to find like minded
persons.

Get your sites posted for Field Day and send out invitations to operate
on the GOTA station or free VHF station.

DX Convention in Visalia coming up!

Remember to support HR-1301 and get your letter to ARRL and your
Congressional Representative. Go to the link on the ARRL website
www.arrl.org/hr-1301.  We have to start now to finish the Amateur Radio
Parity Act, this year.

73;
Dan Pruitt, AE6SX

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ARRL San Joaquin Valley Section
Section Manager: Dan Pruitt, AE6SX
ae6sx@arrl.org
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