Amateur Radio clubs are social creatures. There is always a governing body and membership. There is more than one way to approach governing radio clubs. The one I like best is the Board sets policy and budget while the members participate in the activities and programs.

Members have a say, of course, in how the club is run — they do that by working with the Board of Directors. Hams are vocal, as they should be, about how the club is run.

But there is a world of difference between having a Board concentrate on the financial, membership, and program welfare of the club and having every nuance of running the club discussed and voted on at membership meetings.

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Over the last month or so, I’ve provided a “club program idea” a day for use by clubs and their members. As I was doing these, I continually thought of even more! Brainstorming these ideas really generate more, so I suggest you try it.

Each of these program ideas has a link to the short article and a suggested format for the program. In many cases, there are bonus ideas included as well.

Clubs are the backbone of the social networking of ham radio. An efficient business meeting combined with a killer program will draw people to your meetings. And your members will learn from other members about aspects of the ham radio hobby and service.

Here’s the summary and links to each of the ideas:

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Bill, N7OU, setting up to work QRP. Costa Rica.

In this series on Club Program ideas, I’m providing possible programs for clubs to use in their meetings. You can find a full explanation of the approach in Club Programs – The Series.

Today’s program idea: Public Service Communication Modes.

Whether communicating for a community charity walk or helping in emergency disaster communicationsl, we most often think of simply using voice communications. Usually with a repeater. But, is this the only — or best — way of handling all forms of communication in an emergency?

This program looks at alternative communication methods for the support of emergency communications.

Possible format:

• Current communication methods
• Possible communication methods (for example, packet, PSK)
• Matching communication modes with communication types
• Implementing a change if needed

The great advantage of ham radio in emergencies is the ability to use different bands and modes of communication to still get through. Yet, in most public service work, we simply use voice communications. This program suggests that there may be other, better modes for some type of communicaitons work.

Scot, K9JY

After prepping the parts, installing the antenna, and installing the radials, we finally get to performance of the 40-10 meter vertical from ZeroFive Antennas.

The antenna is designed to work with a tuner. In my case, I use the built-in tuner on the Yaesu FT-1000MP.

SWR is more than acceptable with the tuner.

Radials make a difference in SWR

I installed some radials and then measured the SWR. Each time I installed more radials, the SWR was different.

Here’s what it looked like:

As I mentioned, these SWR ranges are easily handled by my tuner.

On-the-air

I have not made hundreds of contacts yet with this antenna, so early on performance can’t be based upon experience. That may change this weekend with Field Day; we shall see.

However, I can say that this antenna works what it hears. There have been enough contacts that were tough for me to hear where the other person was copying me Q5, regardless of signal strength. I attribute that to the radials and the path of the radiated signal from the vertical.

Consequently, I very pleased with the results. ZeroFive puts out some killer antennas; the construction of the hardware is first-rate. You will note how small a profile this antenna makes; ZeroFive just added a “flagpole” line of antennas — with flags!

Plus, the single band antennas would make a great four-square or other type of vertical gained antenna.

I’d highly recommend ZeroFive Antennas for both their product and their service.

You can see all the pictures at SmugMug.

Scot, K9JY

In this series on Club Program ideas, I’m providing possible programs for clubs to use in their meetings. You can find a full explanation of the approach in Club Programs – The Series.

Today’s program idea: Building Practical Wire Beams.

Sometimes we can’t have towers. Sometimes we don’t want towers. But, we have trees or other supports. This program shows members how to build practical wire beams for HF.

Possible format for the program:

• The case for wire beams
• Practical support considerations
• Building methodology
• Performance compared to Yagi’s

Wire beams can be a great addition to the ham radio arsenal. This program helps explain the how and why.

Scot, K9JY