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Re: [VHFcontesting] Bringing newbies to VHF-UHF

To: vhfcontesting@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Bringing newbies to VHF-UHF
From: jcplatt1@mmm.com
Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2007 10:13:10 -0600
List-post: <mailto:vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
<snip>
The better idea as spoken here is to do either or both of offering loaner
equipment and antennas, or taking the newbie with you to see how much fun
rovering, hilltopping and portable operating can be.  Also, to get the
newbies involved in the local state or provincial QSO Parties, as they are
friendly and less intimidating.
<unsnip>

Hi Bill.   Well said.  Like many of us, I too have given several
presentations to local, mostly FM, radio clubs, and I too learned that the
best way to deliver the message is to concentrate on what makes VHF/UHF/uW
fun.  I found that if you launch into how to operate, bands, antennas,
feedlines, blah blah blah, you turn them off if they never understood the
fun part to being with.  Its all about the fun.   How to show that ?   Wow
them with pictures, sound files, stories, and experiences.  Once they get
an idea about the fun, then the learning can start.   Most of us are
technical people, so we like to talk about technical stuff first - and we
do need to do some of that - but the presentations need to be about FUN.
We also need to recognize that not everyone will be interested in weak
signal work (ya, hard to believe, huh).

In summary, lets make those presentations to the potential newbies about
FUN.   Perhaps the most seasoned Extra class guy isn't the best person to
present to newbies if they are going to droll on about feedline loss.   Its
all about the fun.

PS:  Thanks for the QSL from the MnQP, great rover picture.

73, Jon
W0ZQ

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