NHRC

Since we haven't had an On Frequency club newsletter lately, I have missed 
out on writing a President's column like Maynard and the other Past 
Presidents.  So here is what is on my mind.

I attended a meeting of the River City ARCS last night.  I'm not so 
concerned about our comparative attendance now that ours is picking up 
again, not to mention our healthy repeater and net activity!.  But we have 
lost ground to them as a Co-ed Ham club.  When I joined NHRC after retiring 
(didn't like meetings before a workday), North Hills had a number of 
licensed spouses attending and holding office.  I saw a similar mix last 
night at the River City meeting, while our meetings are now frequently Stag!

Back in the 1960s-1970s, the RAMS (Radio Amateur Mobile Society) was often 
the largest Ham club in Sacramento and the Sacramento Valley Section by far, 
and had whole families attending.  Many new members transferred in to 
McClellan or Mather and commented that this was the first time their wives 
showed any interest in Ham Radio.  Many local Hams today were kids in RAMS 
families back then.

I'm not saying that North Hills should have family activities like the RAMS 
had then, but what are we doing wrong to lose the ladies, while another club 
hasn't?  We lost a lot of couples due to age and the new members don't seem 
to bring spouses, but why?  The commute hours used to be a big thing for Ham 
couples on our repeater and autopatch, but cell phones killed that.  That 
can't be the reason.  Do we need to shift our program subjects, or is this 
as good as it gets with the members we have?  When I see a lady attending 
the first time, I imagine them looking around for a friendly female face and 
not seeing any.  I don't expect them back.  Ham couples and families are 
good for the club because it means more people and more participation than 
just OM's night out.

I grew up in a Ham family, and my ex and adult children are Hams, so that is 
the way I expect it to be.  My two brothers let their licenses lapse only 
because I don't live close enough to exercise a baseball bat..  The 
grandkids just turned three years old, so maybe next year for them.

Next meeting is Tues Feb 16.  See you then.

Les Cobb, W6TEE
NHRC President