KA3DRR (Scot): Visiting The Satellite Amateur Radio Club | W6AB

Mike, KI6UAL Satellite Amateur Radio Club President

Good morning from the #hamr shackadelic zone where clear blue sky and a warm front will push the Shell Beach thermometer into the low 70s later this afternoon. Recently, a serious conversation about the state of ham radio clubs evolved on Twitter, mainly; organizational business and internal political strife significantly damaged participation enthusiasm leading to an eventual decline in activity or folding of the club.

Additionally, David, W9CJS wrote an article titled the Un-Club and it was posted on the American Radio Relay League's website wherein he stated, "Sometimes the best way to reenergize a club is to deformalize it."

W6AB History
According to the Satellite Amateur Radio Club (SARC) website, "The Satellite Amateur Radio Club, W6AB, was originally formed to act as a point of contact within the amateur radio community for the launch of OSCAR-1, the first "Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio"".

This historic event for Amateur Radio happened on 12 December 1961 and 51 years later SARC is still intact and growing.

The New Club Model
Perhaps, like most organizations, there is an ebb and flow of membership and, in this case, the new model of success motivated by Mike, KI6UAL is less business and more ham radio related activities.

The club's participation roster from last month had over 25 signatures and Mike mentioned the key to their success is orienting activities toward the varied interests of the local ham radio community. Their success was de-emphasizing business and re-emphasizing 'why' participants want to participate.

Participants want to learn. They want to socialize. They want to connect. And, they want to experience ham radio from its theoretical foundations to sitting in the chair logging contacts from all over the world.

What participants do not want, from my perspective, is an over emphasis on business, politics often leading to clique formation, and an ego bully pulpit.

The club is neutral ground for sharing a common experience.  

Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) Equipment

Infrastructure Investment
Several factors contribute to SARC success for example infrastructure re-investment from a software defined radio to new linear amplifiers to new wireless sets to bold antenna projects including a remote site as well. Additionally, an equipped moon bounce station with associated antenna system, a stocked meeting room with projector, and an Internet wireless connection.

Mike, KI6UAL emphasized ever since moving club business as a club priority to focusing on ham radio related activities, their membership numbers have significantly spiked in the last year or so.

Facebook Likes With Mike, KI6UAL Inside W6AB Shack

Conclusion
Our shared hope is too see SARC as the local center of gravity for ham radio related activities between Santa Barbara and Paso Robles, California. The renewed enthusiasm is contagious and the general vibe is SARC cares, really cares about the future of our hobby and wants every participant to enjoy their ham radio experience from the technical to time in the chair.

Anticipate positive momentum from SARC who played a role in the launching of Amateur Radio's first communication satellite OSCAR-1 in the near future.

Life is wireless.