JUST DO IT!
A Non-Joiner's Rant
Another club for a specialized operating activity? Who needs it?
Do these "specialty" clubs serve a purpose? In amateur radio their purpose is usually to bring like minded individuals together to enhance a feeling of belonging and to achieve some lofty goal. They also provide recognition in the form of awards and certificates. But they also tend to isolate and divide by creating an atmosphere of exclusivity where members are encouraged to communicate and mingle with other members but not with the amateur community as a whole.
Is there another way to achieve a goal and become recognized for doing it? Yes, I believe these goals can be achieved without clubs if an individual can discover the magnificent value of this singular phrase: JUST DO IT!
Here are some examples of amateur radio clubs where their stated purpose for existing could be easily achieved by an individual remembering to JUST DO IT!
10-10 International
Purpose: Increase activity on 10 meters especially during the low period of the sunspot cycle.
Club activity: Issues membership numbers, awards for working ten other members with endorsements for working additional members.
JUST DO IT! Get on 10 meters. Have meaningful QSOs with other ops. Ragchew with locals if the band is dead
Geratol net
Purpose: Increase activity in the 75 meter phone Extra class sub-band.
Club activity: Issues membership numbers, awards for working ten other members with endorsements for working additional members. Operates a net to assist in members working other members.
JUST DO IT! Get on 75 meter Extra class sub-band and work others. Have meaningful QSOs with other ops. No need for quickie contacts made through a net. Some operators might even view contacts made in a net as “cheating” or at the minimum a less challenging method of making contacts or working all states.
WAS nets (3905 Century Club, OMISS, Triple H, etc.)
Purpose and club activity: Issues membership numbers. Operates a net to assist stations to achieve Worked All States awards.
JUST DO IT! Tune the bands. Call CQ. If necessary call a directional CQ for states needed. Be patient. If you operate regularly and have a good signal eventually you will work all states. You might even have time to analyze exactly what working all states indicates. It indicates you have assembled a station capable of contacting all the states and you have spent the time to actually do it. JUST DO IT!
QRP clubs (QRParci, NAQCC, Flying Pigs, etc)
Purpose: Promote QRP operation..
Club activity: Issues membership numbers. Sponsors QRP contests.
JUST DO IT! Operate QRP. For added challenge, don’t sign /QRP.
CW only clubs (Fists, SKCC, etc)
Purpose: Promote CW operation.
Club activity:Issues membership numbers. Sponsors contests, issues awards, Fists has QSL buro.
JUST DO IT! Get on the air and operate CW. Use a straight key if you prefer. Use money you save by not paying for membership to buy the CW key of your choice or make your own!
Old Timer Clubs (QCWA, OOTC, etc)
Purpose: Camaraderie amongst old timers.
Club activities: Meetings, conventions, philanthropic activities.
JUST DO IT! Call up your old buddies and invite them to lunch. Set up skeds to talk to them on the air. Give to the amateur radio charity of your choice. Support your local radio club and be a good example to newcomers.
Superior Operator Clubs (FOC, CW-OPS, A-1 op, etc)
Purpose: Enhance top operating skills by recognizing ops who are perceived to have top operating skills. Sometimes having an excellent station and working a pile of DX is an additional requirement.
Club activity: Issues membership numbers to those selected to join the club.
JUST DO IT! Be a top notch operator. Set an example. No need to wait for an invitation which may never arrive. If you practice being a good operator, you will become one. No club recognition is necessary or possibly even desired.
Inferior Operator Club (SOC) - These folks understand the concept!
Purpose: To provide camaraderie to those ops who see no need to impress others with operating skills they may or may not have.
Club activity: Issues membership numbers to all applicants (a very inclusive activity). Certificate is optional. Conducts QRP contest, the results of which may or may not ever be posted. (Hey, where's my recognition?).
JUST DO IT! Get on the air and have fun. If you feel you need recognition for any operating activity, be confident that this recognition will exist as the fine example of the best human qualities that you will be displaying while on the air.