Our first meeting of the year started off well. In attendance were Don Weber KA7QQV, J.P. Rouland – KE6UXM and Roger – WB1CFQ. Joining us for the first time were two new hams, Larry McDonald -
KG6EPS and Frank Nielsen - KG6ELK. Both Larry and Frank left with a stack of newsletters and a current application. Before each of them left, their pictures were captured,
and in Larry’s case, his completed MARC application arrived in Irvine before this update went to press. Welcome aboard Larry – that was quick!
At our meeting, Don Weber – KA7QQV talked about scheduling our radio CHECK-UP day and plans for a local ride. Don should have a date schedule by our February meeting with details on what to expect and where to go. He is also trying to
contact some of the local wing groups to trigger interest in them for helping us support events.
We also talked about how riders new to helping in events might find riding with another member helpful until they feel comfortable enough to go it on there own. J.P., who is new to riding, said this would be a good way for him to get experience.
After writing that sentence, it dawned on me that this would also be a good way for riders who don’t have a ham license to see how effective amateur radio can be at communicating across a large area and maybe that would generate interest in taking the test and attending our meetings.
Since our last meeting, Lewis Osborn – K7LVO, has agreed to stop off in San Jose on his way to Hesperia’s WOTI ride in. He will join David Sawyer and another local rider Stephen Carn and I on our way to the West Coast Ride In (WCRI). On
Saturday morning, Lewis, David and I plan on attending the MARC meeting and should arrive before 8:00 AM. Don Weber might also join us at the last minute if he can find a way of avoiding work on Friday the 9th.
Ralph Burr sent us his new phone number in a note telling us he is okay and will be at the next meeting. This was good news to hear after not hearing from him after his accident with a car.
Our BA-MARC web site continues to gather links and now contains all the MARC member sites that I know about. If there are other sites out there that haven’t been published on the MARC list, or if there are sites MARC members think would benefit others, take a moment and put them up on the list, or in an email to me so that the site can be listed.
73s,
Roger…
WB1CFQ
