Local clubs are the backbone of the amateur radio community. They provide support by sponsoring radio classes, mentoring new Hams, and holding licensing sessions. Club meetings are also a place where Hams can get together, share technical advice, or learn about the latest in radio communication.
Local amateur radio clubs are a valuable resource to help maintain and generate interest in the hobby. Here are seven ways they can help:
1. Mutual Aid: Together, club members can do way more than any individual. If there is a need for erecting a tower, putting up an antenna, or some other large project, club members can count on each other to get it done. And it doesn’t have to always be a major undertaking. It can be as simple as advice on soldering a coax connector or helping a new Ham install and tune a dipole antenna.
2. Camaraderie: Clubs help Hams meet other Hams. Local club meetings become a place where they can chat about the hobby and participate in fun and interesting activities, like project nights, Field Day, picnics, and radio fox hunts. Many gather periodically for informal breakfasts or lunches at a local restaurant. One of my favorite events is getting together with fellow PCARS (Portage County Amateur Radio Service) members for dinner prior to the monthly meeting.
3. Tech Support: Ham radio is such a diverse hobby that no one can know everything about everything. Newbies often have that “deer in the headlights” look when faced with radio information overload. Most local clubs have a group of Elmers—experienced Hams who can help reduce the learning curve and act as mentors. Even the old-timers can learn a thing or two.
4. VE Testing: In 1984, the Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) program was created to allow Hams to take exams in their own communities rather than driving to the nearest FCC office—in my case, two states away. The vast majority of VE testing is done by local club members who are trained to administer exams. They help existing Hams advance, as well as add new Hams to the ranks.
5. Community Service: Ham radio operators provide volunteer communications support for various local activities, including foot races, hikes, bicycle rides, fairs, parades, and other public gatherings. One local club, the Mahoning Valley Amateur Radio Association (MVARA), provides communications for a yearly Special Olympics event. They also sponsor a Santa Net during the holidays for children in the community and patients at the Akron Children’s Hospital Beeghly Campus in Boardman, Ohio.
6. Shared Resources: When disaster strikes, communication systems can fail or become overloaded. Sometimes communities are cut off from contact with response agencies. Other times, first responders may have trouble contacting one another or their own units in the field. Fortunately, when all else fails, the Amateur Radio Service can help bridge the gap.
A significant number of clubs provide and maintain repeaters. They’re routinely used by amateurs for chats, nets, and local communications. When there’s a severe weather warning or local emergency, repeaters can be pressed into service to provide reliable countywide communications. Hams become the on-site eyes and ears for NWS, FEMA, EMA and first responders, having the ability to observe events and relay messages quickly.
7. Sponsoring Ham Events: Local clubs sponsor a variety of Ham events. Probably the most recognized is Dayton Hamvention®, sponsored by the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) every May, though this year’s gathering, like in 2020, has been canceled due to the pandemic. Clubs also sponsor local hamfests and swap meets throughout the U.S. Examples of other special events include a Groundhog Day observation (Punxsutawney Area Amateur Radio Club), Freeze Your Acorns Off QRP event (Portage County Amateur Radio Service), and numerous QSO parties.
Will local clubs continue to remain relevant? The Ham universe is affected by the world around it—culture, technology, events, and the changing interests of new generations. Yet participation in Ham radio has remained stable and even shown a slight increase. One factor is continued support from local clubs to their communities and amateur radio.
You’d think Ham radio would become stagnant during the pandemic, but it’s the exact opposite. Online training courses are booming and filling up quickly. Demand for VE testing for new Hams and license upgrades are off the charts. And local clubs are working to meet the demand while adapting their meetings and activities to online technology. After all, we’ve been practicing social distancing for 106 years.
