Norfolk County Radio Association Awards ARRL Elmer to W1MA and W1JAW

Dick Bean, K1HC, writes:

[Norfolk County Radio Association] Associate members Ed Lajoie, W1MA, and Jack Wyatt, W1JAW, both Cape Cod residents, received a double surprise when NCRA President Dick Bean, K1HC, invited them to lunch on November 6 with a mystery guest, who turned out to be their long-time mutual friend and fellow NCRA member and club Secretary, Dave, K1HRV. 

Pictured, left to right: W1MA, K1HC, W1JAW. Photo courtesy K1HRV

The second part of the surprise was presenting both Ed and Jack the ARRL Elmer award.  Ed has been an Elmer to many hams in several clubs and was a [World Radiosport Team Championship] volunteer in the past local WRTC competition.  Jack was an Elmer to many hams, and Dick, related how Jack came back to Jack’s high school alma mater, Catholic Memorial [CM] High School in West Roxbury, to meet with and encourage the then current members of the amateur club, including Dick, who was then WN1KDL. Ed was also a member of the Catholic Memorial Amateur Radio Club but preceded both Jack and Dick in his years of attendance at CM. 

 

Norfolk County RA Presents ARRL Elmer Award to K1HRV

left: Dave Doe, K1HRV; right: Dick Bean, K1HC, President, NCRA

Norfolk County Radio Association President Dick Bean, K1HC, writes:

The Norfolk County Radio Association presented Dave Doe, K1HRV, with the ARRL Elmer Award at its September 11 meeting to thank him for his mentoring of so many fellow hams over 51 years of club membership (since January 10, 1968).  Dave has held many leadership positions in the club, and he is currently club secretary and historian.

“Virtual Elmer” Project Envisioned

Gerry Hull, W1VE, writes on the YCCC reflector:

There’s a Facebook Group called “Ham Radio – New to the Hobby”.

I’ve seen many posts in this group with people stating “I’ve had my General or Extra for a while.  However, I’ve never had an HF QSO.”

Reasons?

– Don’t know how to use the radio.
– Don’t know the procedure for making a QSO
– Mic fright.
– Don’t want to screw up and get in trouble with the FCC.

Lots of these guys are outside any club territory.

So, I created a poll on that site this morning.   Here’s what I got for responses:

More than 56 people interested in getting into an online QSO  — in less than a day.   However, Jim, K1IR, pointed out it would be a much better process to combine some needy hams with some Elmers.   We can do this virtually.    A really good use of Internet technology.

So, I registered the domain virtualelmer.org   I’m going to use that to gather people and co-ordinate.

To be an Elmer, you’d need to have some form of Video Chat (Facebook Messenger, Skype, etc). and some time.   You could help the new ham understand how to use their rig.   How to connect an antenna.  How to choose what band to get on.

And most importantly, get on the air and help them with a First QSO — with you. If you are interested, send me an email and tell me of your interest. I’ll get you hooked up with some of these folks.  You set the date, time with them.