Well said Mat. This is the sort of response I would have expected to what I considered to be a straight forward question. I found some of the other responses to be rude and very much "I'm right and you are wrong"; something I would expect from some in the membership and not from those in "office". The guy may need education or not understand. After all, if you don't know you should ask. Being howled down and abused is not a valid response. Shame the courtesy and compassion shown to foundation candidates (which I don't agree with I might add) does not extend across the board. Disappointed and disgusted probably sums up my feelings at the moment.
Ian VK1IAN
On Sun, 4 Dec 2011 00:45:00 Matt wrote:
Barry, I might put my 2 cents in on this one.
The comments by others on this group are valid - but I would emphasise that the primary reason we participate in these type of events is to provide some basic experience in making/logging/handling a relatively high volume of traffic whilst in an environment that is not too critical if we make errors. In addition, this also provides us the opportunity to construct and set up portable repeaters and other portable communications setups. These are all important skills to have if there is ever a need for us to provide assistance in the form of communications in an emergency. Is there a high likelihood of this happening? I don't think so, but there remains the potential and as such, we should attempt to ensure we have some skills to offer in times of need
As has been mentioned by others, we do receive donations for our assistance to the rally's horse endurance events, etc, but this is not the reason we participate - whilst nice that we bring some money into the clubs coffers, the above reasons are why we do what we do. If we were doing this on a commercial basis we obviously wouldn't be using amateur frequencies - but there is no way that these events can afford what it would cost if done on a commercial basis.
An additional benefit in doing these events is that we help out other community organisations. Whilst doing this, we are also raising the profile of the hobby in a positive manner - and potentially gathering new recruits into the fold. Certainly beats sitting back and wondering why our numbers are reducing and it is also enjoyable to get out in the bush and play radio (tongue firmly in cheek there). Bit of a win win situation really.
I don't know if you have been involved in one of these events previosly, but you are most welcome to come along and participate to see what it is that we do - contact either Phil VK1PL or myself so we can slot you in for an event.
Matt VK1MA State Coordinator, WICEN ACT (still very much with training wheels on and with Phil doing most of the work)
----- Original Message ----- From: Steve To: Barry Matson ; committee@VK1committee ; wicen-members@crarc.ampr.org Sent: Saturday, December 03, 2011 5:15 PM Subject: Re: [WICEN-Members] [Committee] [Vk1-news] Request for assistance - WICEN Exercise for the "Rallye des Femme" (Lady Drivers Rally)
I can think of a few reasons:-
- They aren't interested in the comms side of these events. They just
want to it work and turn their internal resources to whatever type of event it is. 2. CB, regardless if 27MHz or UHF would have great difficulty covering the area required during many (most?) of these events. You should know this. 3. CB repeaters are often supplied by CRARC, but are almost instant magnets for other "traffic". Have you ever listened to a UHF repeater near a population centre? Don't do it with your mother present.. 4. They could use mobile phones in some instances, as long as they have coverage and could absorb the costs. This would start to get very expensive given the short messages typical of these events (flagfall costs). 5. These groups like us for other reasons too. They need extra people and our mob free up their limited volunteer pool for other things.
And what do the radio people get out of it?
- Some people like operating equipment, and these events are a good
excuse to actually do it. I like operating in the great outdoors, for instance. 2. Sometimes the club gets a donation. WICEN is the main reason we only pay $30 per year. We don't get a donation for everything, but some groups are good to us.
There's probably many more reasons, but why don't you put your hand up and see for yourself?
Steve (VK2ZSZ)
On 12/03/2011 01:13 PM, Barry Matson wrote: Why do we bother with this? This is what the Citizens Band was created for. Why can't they do their communications for themselves.
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