October ADAW Column,
Arizona Science Center, W7ASC
The C.A.R.L. General license class is over. We had 12 finishing up, 4 students passed the General written test Sat 9/2. A reminder to those that might be interested: the next Tech class starts Saturday Oct. 7th. Contact me for details.
The following is from Rick, KA0KZB. Rick usually brings a very interesting collection of items to the License classes. An excellent way to reduce that collection of stuff (W7ASC has back issues of QST available for visitors/kids showing interest in Amateur radio).
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A sorrowful aspect of this hobby: easy availability of 'estate sales'. More aptly put: 'estate-give-aways'. Truth hurts; we're a bunch of OLD gentlemen astute at gathering technologic do-dads over MANY years. Most in America have no idea, much less interest, in what we hold value in. I have supervisors (plural) that describe me at the 'fringes' of society for what I collect. I work for a government communications contractor.
I have something to pass along. While I'm still alive I've started to pass out, gratis, those things I hold dear to my heart- 'jewels' of finds I have amassed with diligence. Not radios, per-say. Things that make radio life easier: adaptors foremost. Show me a Ham that doesn't have a collection of N-BNC-SMA-TNC-UHF-miniUHF-APC-SMB-SMA-Pomona-Audio-what-have-you male and female varieties and I'll show you a station that is dark.
I don't stand on a street corner passing these things out. I go to classes. Any license class I hear about and can make the time for. If they're in a class they have brochures to their eyeballs. They are interested. GIVE THEM a N-BNC adaptor (or something similar, don't take no for an answer). SHOW them hardline (I have a collection of 12'' samples- long sordid story), twin lead, power supplies, antennas, isolators, attenuators, circulators, mics and such. GIVE them away if, in your heartfelt opinion, there is a need. What is it doing at your house, sitting in a plastic bucket?
It takes time (trees need time to grow), now I feel like Johnny Apple-seed in the middle of Ohio. I tell them I've given them a start, something to take away and start their own collection. They come back with stories of 'conquest', most times it's with something I've given them. I've provided some insight to the value of technology and how it might be used in other (Amateur Radio) matters. Something a brochure cannot do.
Look around your shack- discover your buckets of debris and be honest; are you going to use that or is your XYL going to end up giving it away? Give a 'Newbie' something useful (even if they don't realize it yet) and yourself a restful nights sleep.
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We are now back to the regular 2 shifts. Volunteers are needed for W7ASC! Spread the word at your Ham Club. Call Bob at 480-961-1109 and volunteer now. A Volunteer sign-up page is available at www.w7asc.org
-73 de KG7QJ Bob B.
kg7qj@cox.net 480-961-1109