Resolve to Support Ham Radio in 2009

It’s that time again, when with the best of intentions we make promises that deep in our hearts (or memories from years past) we know we won’t really keep. Most of the time, I think, the lack of follow-through is because our resolutions are too grandiose. Or simply made to impress friends and family. Or maybe we are self-deceptive and lack personal insight and integrity. OK, skip that last one.

So, let me helpfully step-in and offer some resolutions you might actually be able to keep. They are all Amateur Radio-related and each with make you a better ham, the world a better place, or both.

(In editing this piece, I realized I’d made the assumption that readers are members of the ARRL. If you are not a member, it is the most important $39 you can spend to support our hobby.)

Here goes:

1. Become a volunteer examiner and start helping out a test sessions—or organize them. This is especially important if you’re an Extra class licensee, since only Extras can give all three tests. But, we also need Generals to help bring new Techs into the world. I work with both the W5YI (mostly) and ARRL VE programs.
2. Help organize a one-day HamCram in your area. This is the easiest way for someone to get a new license or to upgrade from Technician to General. But, it also requires follow-up training. To learn more visit hamcram.com. Drop me a line if you have questions.
3. Help your local club or emcomm organization by being more than “just” a member. Every group has projects they’d take on if more help was available. You can start by recruiting new members and making a habit of attending meetings, checking into club nets, etc.
4. Try a new mode, band, etc. Riley Hollingsworth told our local club that Amateur Radio would be a better place if every six months each of us would learn to do something new, or get interested once again in something we used to do but have stopped. He played with PSK-31, what will you do? There is so much to ham radio that if you’re bored, you haven’t looked through the Operating Manual for new things to do.
5. Make a donation to a ham-related cause—the ARRL has several tax-deductible ways you can help.
6. Build something. If I learn the code (see next time), I’d like to build a simple QRP rig to play with.
7. Learn the code. This is what I think I will do. It’s so different from my other activities and if I learn the code (again) I’ll actually make a contact this time.
8. Contests? You don’t need a huge signal to have fun in a contest (though it doesn’t hurt).
9. Awards—select an award and make that your goal for 2009. If you don’t have Worked All States or DX Century Club, those are the places to start.
10. Training—First aid and CPR/AED are the basics and may be available free through a served agency. There are a number of FEMA and other courses available online (search this site). During 2008, I earned something like 60 hours of continuing education for my EMT certification. Many of those hours—like the Weapons of Mass Destruction training—are available to volunteers, if you know where to ask. Check with your served agencies for training opportunities.
11. Write for this site! I am looking for people with interesting things to say who would like to say them here.