Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club ARRL Special Service Club

President's Message

September 2010

Hello everyone!

I hope that everyone has been enjoying this spectacular summer, one of the best in years. And yet, for those in need of substantial quantities of rain, this has been anything but a wonderful summer. Even Mother Nature has a difficult task in trying to please everyone all of the time. Sometimes you just have to grin and bear it.

This year has been the celebration of the 45 years that LIMARC has been in existence. That in itself is quite an accomplishment. With the diversity of members and backgrounds that have made up this club for so many years, it has always been a struggle to maintain the general interest of all. Overall, the club has been successful at doing this, particularly as measured by maintaining and even increasing our membership numbers.

We are beginning to see a renewed interest in amateur radio to some extent precipitated by the increased interest in emergency response. The singular motivation to get a license is sometimes lost in the overwhelming diversity of the hobby. Many new hams sign onto the repeater with little idea of what to do, and trepidation if they will even be welcomed by others. In this instance, we can all be on the same track. It is extremely important that all of us take on a role as mentor, as “Elmer,” when we hear new voices and call signs on the air. Don’t let calls go unanswered! Exercise patience! Offer gentle guidance regarding rules and regulations! Encourage, don’t discourage!

The common desire to maintain this hobby is after all our most common ground. Your good efforts will help to insure not only the survival of LIMARC, but the survival of our hobby, and we can look forward to many more years of trying to figure out how to keep everyone happy, rain or shine.

73, Richard Cetron, K2KNB


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