Part of the nets issue, I believe, may be historical. When I came to GV in 2004, there was an "official" club net on Thursday evenings. Over time, this became less and less "official" and more and more an informal social gathering place. That is what it is today. It has been joined by another social "net" on Tuesday mornings. Both attract their like-minded followings, and are doing fine.
i say, it ain't broke, so don't fix it. Ham radio is supposed to be fun, and what is "fun" is not the same for everyone. (What? Not everyone enjoys chasing weak-signal DX in the wee hours on 160-meter CW? What is the world coming to?) Many enjoy an informal social time on the repeater, and why not?
Here's a suggestion: We haven't had a real club net for several years. If enough members feel the need for an "official" GVARC club net, with net controls, bulletins, announcements, etc., then let's start a new one. It can meet at any agreed time other than Thursday evenings or Tuesday mornings. For starters, how about Wednesdays at 7 pm on non-meeting nights?
73,
Ray W2RS
I have read the comments by club members, who, for their own reasons, have chosen not to participate in our informal Thursday evening net. Apparently exercising their perogative not to participate, is not enough for them. They suggest that we follow a more formal protocol. They even suggest that the way we've been doing this for the past few years, reflects badly on the club.
HUH !
We're a bunch of club members who get together once a week and have fun. We DO NOT follow any formal net protocol, AND WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF DOING SO....EVER.
What could reflect in a more positive manner, than a bunch of hams getting together to ....talk on the radio...
Let me suggest that what reflects badly on the club,is to have a bunch of sanctimonius, self righteous nit pickers, sniping away at those of us who enjoy doing what we're doing.
Let me offer a comment I received by one of our regulars;
I thought you were gettin' hammered unjustly. You want a real stiff, formal, directed net - go to MARS or one of the traffic nets - - otherwise there is the Ice Cream Net. I was actually suprised no one said anything to you personally and just sniped. Enough of that
In fact, I had heard unfavorable comments from the two club members involved, at a meeting quite some time ago. I did not confront them. I just continued business as usual..Apparently that was not good enough for them, and they elected to go public.
I do not intend to change one thing. We have a great group of regulars. We enjoy our weekly net just the way it is... and we welcome all of our fellow members to join us every Thursday evening at 6:30. We chat for a while, then go out for ice cream.
We'd love to hear from you.
Bob Epstein AD7FQ
For those who have read the comments and felt as I currently do I wanted to say I have read the comments made as of today's date, and choose to hold my comments at this time.
Dora McGowan
KE7KCR
Several years ago many of our members enjoyed checking into the Thursday evening net which was run with proper protocol, informative and a means to foster camaraderie. At some point interest seemed to wane and the time slot replaced with the “ice cream net”. Getting together for food and socializing is a worthwhile activity and utilizing the repeater system to facilitate that is surely a valid use of air-time. Our repeater system is first rate and should be utilized for the enjoyment of our amateur community.
The “ice cream net” is far from being a net and should no longer be referred to as a club sanctioned activity. The operating procedures used by “net control” are sloppy, un-focused, un-directed and an embarrassment to our organization.
Perhaps the membership would be interested in a properly organized net on Wednesday evenings at 1900hrs to coincide with our monthly meeting schedule. Topics of interest could be discussed, equipment function would be verified and perhaps airing of News Line would be an interesting and informative segment.
73’s
Rudy, N3EBG
It's great that members are thinking about ways to get more involved in the club, amateur radio, and service to the community. While doing that, let's bear two thoughts in mind:
73,
Ray W2RS (V.P., 2006-2007)
I have been a member of the GVARC for about 2 1/2 years, I know that isn't long but I have had a chance to stop, look, and listen and sometimes suggest an idea or two.
I was recently handed a copy of the New Members Brochure. It was not dated but the President at that time was Bud Jeavons WA6GEF. The only names I recognized were Mr. Lloyd and Carolyn Miller.
It gave me a good idea of what the GVARC was doing at that time. We had our monthly meeting, The Snowbird net, The weekly breakfast, A Ladies Luncheon. The Special events were the Titan Missile event in April, Field Day in June and A local demonstration at one of the shopping centers. After reading this I questioned myself as to what happened.
We should get involved in starting an open NET in GV. and see where it takes us. I personally think we need to talk and teach each other more often than just at the meeting. A time and place without the stress or time constraints.
With all that is going on in the world and locally today I believe we should "tighten up" our loose ends as an Amateur Radio Club. We need to redefine ourselves and weave our abilities and capabilities into the fabric of Green Valley in the emergency services area. We need to get further involved with the Cert (Civilian Emergency Response Team) team in GV. Along with RACES and ARES.
"We need to be fully prepared to help, When the lights go out"
Jack McGowan
AD7NK
All GVARC Members.
"ALL GVARC NETS SHOULD REFLECT FAVORABLY ON THE GVARC"
Good words spoken by the president last evening at the GVARC Meeting.
As I sat at the Nov meeting of the GVARC and listened to President Ron Gross, AD7FV, talk about Amateur Radio Nets, their purpose, how they are run, and duties of the NCS I got thinking about the nets I have been part of over the years. Most of them where well run and based on well established protocols.
Here is my thinking;
We have the " Ice Cream Net" operating under the GVARC name that does not "reflect favorably". I feel it reflects the opposite to all that hear it which is unfortunately a wide area of Southern AZ.
For my part I stopped checking in a long time ago as I felt embarrassed to have my Call letters attached to such an abuse of even the most basic Ham Radio operating procedures.
I find it sad that what should be a fun club social event got tied to what I think makes the GVARC the laughing stock of Ham Radio Operators all over Southern AZ.
What do you think?
Gene W0KAD
Hi Everyone –
At last night's club meeting we talked a bit about amateur radio nets in general as well as how they are organized and operated. We also saw and heard an excellent presentation by Bill Hickey, AB7AA, on RACES. The two topics went well together.
Now I'd like to get some feedback. If you have some ideas about nets or types of nets that you'd like to share, please consider putting them on the "Comments" section of the GVARC Web site.
Click on the Ideas & Suggestions link above and send your comment to the Webmaster who will post it at the top of this page.
I know that there are lots of good ideas out there; maybe yours is the one that will work!
73,
Ron Gross, AD7FV