CW PHILIPPINES

OUR ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES & CULTURE

By 4F1EAA

There are several reasons why we joined CW Philippines. We need an Amateur Radio Club in order to obtain or renew our license. We heard so much about this club from our friends or checked in the regular morning net. Since other clubs can help us meet these need, why did we choose CW Philippines? Your reasons for joining CW is different from mine, let me therefore share my own observations. In short, I liked the values and culture of the group.

At the time I attended the first breakfast eyeball in Roxas Blvd., I knew that CW Phil. is a bona fide ham radio club when I saw QSL cards distributed by Mel, 4F1DMD to some members. I knew it was not only another radio group when they talk about DX. The members are up to date with the technology when Tito, 4F1CJC talked about computers. Other clubs are also truly dedicated to the hobby. They likewise have Dxers, club stations and repeaters. What therefore makes CW Philippines unique?

 

The answer lies in its values and culture that one only feels after spending time with the organization, in its meetings and activities and most importantly in the informal talks and jokes. Values are what the members cherish, while culture is the general norm or characteristic of the organization. My observations are very personal and I invite the reader to personally analyze his own observations.

One must truly and honestly earn his license.

In some organizations, people dare talk openly how they obtained their license improperly. In CW, one even proves that he passed the NTC exam properly and will take the CW exams administered by the Club if only to prove the point.

Advancement

In CW, advancement in terms of upgrading your license from Class C to A is almost a religion. I felt that I need to obtain my 4F prefix to become "one of the boys." A Class C license is the minimum because it is the barest requirement to enter the Club while a Class B ticket is only a transition. There is a subtle pressure to upgrade and to obtain a 4F prefix.

Personally, I like this culture associating it with the culture of "academic excellence" when I was in college. In any organization whether we like it or not, there is a subtle form of yardstick to measure one’s standing. It could be your economic or social status, your age, tenure, how high your antenna is or the equipment that you keep. In CW Philippines, this yardstick is relevant to the tenets of Ham Radio, how progressive you are in upgrading your skills and knowledge as manifested in the class of license you are holding.

Operating Ability

All members pride themselves for being able to modulate properly in the airwaves. We may exchange jokes in the air but we always use the proper amateur format. Any member can communicate with confidence to any ham even on HF, even in any country without hesitation.

This is evident when one monitors our working frequency. Stations who drop by and fail to follow proper operating format are advised to follow procedures. Perhaps this is one reason why members do not normally operate outside the calling and working frequency - we find it very awkward to correct other hams operating in their calling and working frequency.

Individual Skills

Recognition is given to individual members for their distinctive skills. These skills could his CW speed, his DX status or his technical and home brewing abilities among others. Service is recognized in the net controller, and in operating during contests and special events. Again the culture fosters growth and development of the individual ham. I have personally experienced some organizations where again the yardstick is how generous you have donated to the club or to the revenues you have solicited in advertising for the souvenir program.

The average member knows that his club is faithful to the tenets of ham radio and their leaders can stand shoulder to shoulder with any officer of any club in the country. He is proud to belong to the club and is confident that what he practices cannot be faulted by others. I have talked to hams that in the past associated with CW Philippines. They were proud of their experience and heritage. To an extent, this created an aura of mystery and apprehension on non-members that they either admire the club or feel the need to bring down the club to its knees.