[SCCC] An excellent meeting

[Wayne Overbeck via SCCC]

I really agree with those who have said  today's SCCC meeting 
was a good one.  I think it was one of the best club meetings I've 
ever attended--and I attended a LOT of club meetings during 
four terms as an ARRL vice director.

Dick Norton led an excellent discussion of major issues in 
amateur radio and contesting.  About 50 people were there,
maybe more.

Among the highlights:

*Dick asked for a show of hands of those who had been 
licensed less than 20 years.  No hands went up.  (That has all 
sorts of implications for the future of contesting and amateur 
radio itself.   I would guess that the majority of those in atten-
dance have been licensed more than 50 years.)

*Dick asked how many live in places with deed restrictions 
limiting antennas.  I believe seven hands went up.

*Also, Dick asked about the prevalence of TVI/RFI problems and 
problems of noise generated by neighbors' electronic devices.  
Interference TO neighbors seems to be a far less serious problem 
than it once was, but interference FROM neighbors is getting worse.  
Our host, N6HC, said that when one neighbor turns on a plasma TV, 
it basically puts him off the air.

*There was a fascinating discussion of the pros and cons of remote 
ham radio operation.  Some cited horror stories about stations 
signing a call sign from a different continent than their transmitter site
during a contest, with no indication of that fact.  Others noted that remote 
operating can be a solution for those who cannot put up antennas at 
home.

*The prognosis for a legislative override of deed restrictions does not 
appear to be good.  (The basic problem, IMHO, is that over the last 
50 years there was been a growing consensus among developers, 
urban planners and lenders that amateur radio antennas are not 
compatible with the environment in planned communities.  By now 
more than 60 million Americans live in communities that have CC&Rs 
restricting antennas.  Many CC&Rs forbid not only antennas but also
operating a "shortwave" radio station in the community.)  Dick men-
tioned a new League publication citing public service by hams nationwide.
The pamphlet is an outgrowth of W6XD's club talks about the way 
amateur radio has been marginalized in recent years while ARRL has 
not adequately publicized ham radio's contributions.

This isn't intended to be either a news story about the meeting or a set 
of minutes of the meeting.  I just thought I'd share some of what I heard.

73, Wayne, N6NB