Comments on: Using Seminars for Ham Radio

By: Scot, K9JY

Scot, K9JY — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:49:55 +0000

@Dan KB6NU - Webinars. Now there is a tool that is used in business all the time that could be used here as well.

By: Dan KB6NU

Dan KB6NU — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:56:00 +0000

@Mike/WA4D - Hey, Mike. I recently presented a webinar on kitbuilding that was "attended" by more than 450 people. This webinar was organized by Bill, N3LLR, the ARRL's Atlantic Division Director. That it was attended by so many people shows how much demand that there could be for this type of information. I was so impressed by the technology that now I have signed up for this service, and am capable of organizing these webinars myself. Being a web developer by profession, I'm offering this service to my customers, but since I'm able to hold as many web meetings or webinars as I can manage, I'll also offer this to anyone out in the ham universe that wants to hold one. Contact me for details. 73, Dan

By: Scot, K9JY

Scot, K9JY — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:17:22 +0000

@Mike – True enough. The seminars tend to be a specific convention-type events. DX Conventions, Visalia, Dayton. But, except for Dayton, not a lot of vendors there. And, they are oriented to people are already ham radio operators.

Not so much outside of the specific interests in the hobby.

By: Scot, K9JY

Scot, K9JY — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:15:15 +0000

@Gary, W9XT - I would say it is tough to get hams to learn new stuff. There is a good group that likes to do so, but new technology and change is a frightening thing to too many hams.

By: Scot, K9JY

Scot, K9JY — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:14:13 +0000

@Mike/WA4D - I couldn't agree more.

By: Scot, K9JY

Scot, K9JY — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:13:42 +0000

@Chris Matthieu - It wouldn't surprise me that the ARRL is doing stuff like this; makes good sense. Having local clubs do it is a bit different.

By: Scot, K9JY

Scot, K9JY — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:12:58 +0000

@Tom KA2D - Really fabulous. For those reading the comments, check out the Ham Radio University dot org site.

By: Scot, K9JY

Scot, K9JY — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:10:05 +0000

@john - This is great news to hear. At a minimum, this is a cool thing to do in conjunction with a hamfest.

By: Mike - N3YPA

Mike - N3YPA — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:36:55 +0000

While I have several hobbies, two stand out immediately in their use of, or lack of use of, seminars. I have been to several sci-fi conventions, the most recent in Chicago and there were more panels (seminars) there than any ham radio event that I have been to except possibly Dayton. I would posit that many of the speakers who chair the sci-fi panels may receive some form of compensation where-as the panelists in a ham radio seminar are not compensated.

I also get the feeling that the panels at the sci-fi conventions I have been to are more of the primary focus with the vendor and art exhibits being, although important, the secondary focus of the convention. In amateur radio, it seems like any seminars are of secondary importance to whatever even they are held at, be it a swapfest/hamvention or local club meeting.

By: Gary, W9XT

Gary, W9XT — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:53:20 +0000

The Ozaukee Radio Club (WI) has had seminars at our spring swapfest the last few years. I personally did one on WSJT and an intro to the HF bands right after the no-coders got HF priveledges. Other talks in recent years included antennas, VHF weak signal work and HF transmitting tubes.

I personally attend just about any seminar at hamfests I attend. Apparently not a lot of other attendees feel the same way. We would typically only have 4-5 people sit in.

I’m not sure. Don’t hams want to learn anything new anymore?

73, Gary, W9XT