Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Amateur Radio Club Activities & Ideas

I often hear people talking about the lack of activities with their Amateur Radio Clubs. I know the local club in Muskegon, Michigan- M.A.A.R.C. Is active and encourages activities of many types; of course there is always room for improvement.
I would provide a link to the
Muskegon Area Amateur Radio Council, unfortunately their site is down.
So here are some ideas that I thought of, maybe this will help you and your club out.
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* A web-site hosted by the club.
*Participation Certificates for those who are regularly active on Nets and other activities.
Wall Paper is always a plus.
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Nets
*2-4 nets a week, maybe one on a repeater and one on Simplex or HF.
(Types of Nets)
*Tech-Net
*Space Net
*Digital Net
*CW Net
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Classes
* Antenna Building & Maintenance
* Education on how to use different radios, equipment and construction.
*Technician Class
*General and Extra Classes
*CW Class
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Activities
*Fox Hunts
*Softball Team
*Bowling Team
*Frisbee Golf
*Weekend Picnics once or twice a month at various parks in your area.
*Outings to different sporting events like Baseball, Hockey or even the local dirt track.
You may even ask the venue if you can set up a demonstration/information table to attract new members.
*After Club meetings or Nets meet up for Coffee, Pizza or Burgers.
*Campouts, Fishing-Hunting Trips with Field Stations.
*Family Trips to local Amusement Parks, Zoos, Museums etc.
*House Call Weekends- Where the Club Experts will come over to a members home and help with Antenna Erecting, Tuning, Radio Set-up etc. This is a great way to show new and old members that the club supports on air activities and wants YOU to be involved.
*Club Sales-Yard/Garage or local flea market.
Ham Fest/Swaps etc. Get club members to donate items to raise money for club activities or to set up a benevolent account to help club members during difficult times.
*Club T-Shirts, Sweat Shirts, Hats, Jackets, Coats, Coffee Mugs etc. a great way to show unity and promote the club.
*Get the Club involved with local charities and schools to help out needy kids and families. This too is a great way for Club recognition.

These are just a few ideas, feel free to use them or even add to the list. Just send me an e-mail or contact me through Twitter.
73,
De KD8BIGLink

My Stamp Collecting Blog

Counter Added January 1, 2011

free counters

HOW TO READ PROPAGATION NUMBERS

The A index [ LOW is GOOD ]

  • 1 to 6 is BEST
  • 7 to 9 is OK
  • 11 or more is BAD

Represents the overall geomagnetic condition of the ionosphere ("Ap" if averaged from the Kp-Index) (an average of the eight 3-hour K-Indices) ('A' referring to amplitude) over a given 24 hour period, ranging (linearly) typically from 1-100 but theoretically up to 400.

A lower A-Index generally suggests better propagation on the 10, 12, 15, 17, & 20 Meter Bands; a low & steady Ap-Index generally suggest good propagation on the 30, 40, 60, 80, & 160 Meter Bands.

SFI index [ HIGH is GOOD ]

  • 70 NOT GOOD
  • 80 GOOD
  • 90 BETTER
  • 100+ BEST

The measure of total radio emissions from the sun at 10.7cm (2800 MHz), on a scale of 60 (no sunspots) to 300, generally corresponding to the sunspot level, but being too low in energy to cause ionization, not related to the ionization level of the Ionosphere.

Higher Solar Flux generally suggests better propagation on the 10, 12, 15, 17, & 20 Meter Bands; Solar Flux rarely affects the 30, 40, 60, 80, & 160 Meter Bands.

K index [ LOW is GOOD ]

  • 0 or 1 is BEST
  • 2 is OK
  • 3 or more is BAD
  • 5 is VERY VERY BAD

The overall geomagnetic condition of the ionosphere ("Kp" if averaged over the planet) over the past 3 hours, measured by 13 magnetometers between 46 & 63 degrees of latitude, and ranging quasi-logarithmically from 0-9. Designed to detect solar particle radiation by its magnetic effect. A higher K-index generally means worse HF conditions.

A lower K-Index generally suggests better propagation on the 10, 12, 15, 17, & 20 Meter Bands; a low & steady Kp-Index generally suggest good propagation on the 30, 40, 60, 80, & 160 Meter Bands.

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