CARA

Calgary Amateur Radio Association

Enjoy Amateur Radio | Serve Our Community


Housekeeping and More Activities

  • 28 Oct 2017 9:31 AM
    Message # 5409517
    Peter LaGrandeur (Administrator)

    There are certainly many housekeeping chores being addressed these days in CARA.  This is good; administrative chores must be attended to to make a successful club environment.

    But its important to make sure that basic rewards are there for joining.  Fun and fellowship, yes.  Training classes, yes.  But something that we need to provide more of are many more radio activities.  More activities, activities, activities.  That's what we ultimately joined a radio club for, so we can have more and more fun with our radio toys. 

    How about an annual CARA HAM Fest?  Base it somewhere that has motels, camping, pubs, a meeting room, outdoor amphitheatre, and terrain suitable for HF and VHF activities.  Don't forget an evening BBQ followed by a country music entertainer.

    Actively promote CARA public service events to other HAM clubs in western Canada when calling for radio volunteers, and ask that we are included in volunteer calls from those other HAM clubs in Canada west.  This would promote great interaction between more HAM radio operators in our part of the globe.

    More outings with the comm trailer for contesting and to make sure it is ready, and people are trained for, disaster scenarios?  Yes, how about a winter contesting day?  Bring an extra heater for the trailer and that Canadian toque!    <:-O

    Lots of 'building' work shops (hands on) where members come out to make things like custom antennas, APRS/GPS setups in a vehicle, setting up an HF antenna & tower, setting up a HAM shack, etc..  If tools, technology, 3D printing, etc., are required for building, some events could be held at a maker-space premises.  This would be attractive for all ages from students to seniors.

    How about 'fox hunts', either on foot or bicycle, or in vehicles out in the foothills / mountains.  End the day with a BBQ / campout.  This would be especially attractive to younger science minded people.

    Product knowledge (PK) and demos put on by equipment retailers, maybe on a Saturday morning at the retailer's shop.

    Engage more event organizers to use amateur radio operators to help manage their events.

    Attend more trade and hobby shows, especially those that cater to young people, and show off the comm trailer, the different types of radios, and the activities that HAMS do.

    Get the CARA repeater trunk up and running, reliably, from one end to the other, including all branches.  A working net is a basic expectation of a radio club.  In particular, it can be used by those in "dark zones" in the back country between themselves while out there and between back country users and the folks at home.

    End each activity with a social at a coffee shop, tea emporium, pub, outdoor BBQ, restaurant, ... .  Review what went on at the event and plan another.

    Last modified: 15 Nov 2017 7:09 AM | Peter LaGrandeur (Administrator)


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