The term Club has always come across to me as exclusive and rather derogatory in its application to amateur radio organizations. Amateur radio by its very nature is meant to be all inclusive and somewhat focused on the pursuit of scientific knowledge. When HPM (W1AW) first surfed the airwaves, it was not a social persuit by anyones concept whatsoever. Even the very term HAM was regarded as an insult. Amateur radio has always been considered a hobby because of the individuals unfunded exploration of the universe that they live in. Astronomers ventured into the realm of light that we call radio because of the knowledge-base that we had developed as a society. Today in contrast, radios are mass produced and sold to the public who buys the one best equipped according to the bells and whistles that appeal to the individual. Commonly, the equipment is then utilized in a Hi, how are you? fashion. Relatively speaking, very few of todays hams engage in the type of exploration and personal enrichment activities that once dominated, and justified the hobby. Although the numbers of hams have increased exponentially, the number of individuals actually involved or even committed to scientific endeavors have remained relatively the same over the years. The overwhelming increase of appliance operators has given rise to the public notion that amateur radio is nothing more then another form of CB. As a result, we are slowly but certainly losing our available frequencies of operation to commercial interests as they lobby and court the FCC claiming that we are no longer in need of the spectrum that we have been given. The argument that they are presenting is that their corporations can make better and more important use of the space allotted. However, in defense of appliance operators everywhere, an amateur radio operators very value during a communications emergency is the refined manner in which a ham passes traffic, a routine that is practiced and refined every time that individual pics up the microphone. I have been blessed with the pleasure of participating in clubs and organizations across the country and around the world. Having witnessed some of the most successful and clever programs amateur radio can offer, it is clear to me that an organization focused around amateur radio should promote not just amateur radio itself but the opportunities of scientific and self exploration that the hobby offers. The best run organizations were based upon the principal that what seems difficult to the individual today is in reality a very simple series of relationships. These organizations, exist to help develop the common comprehension of the role of scientific exploration and create opportunities for the common man to participate in these endeavors. I put forth now to the membership and listening public of the Jefferson County Radio Amateur club that these modern principles should be reflected within our mission statement and the names sake of our organization itself. What we should refer to ourselves as, should be something other than club.
Posted on: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 20:53:16 +0000
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