2002 ARRL Field Day
06/24/2002 |
W8FT
Before everything "wears off" after Field Day, I wanted to tell someone about how successful the GOTA station concept was at the Findlay Radio Club (Ohio) this year.
Over the past several years our club had seen a decline in the number of members participating in Field Day. We have around 100 members on the roster, with about 30 of them being somewhat active (at least attending some club meetings). Last year at Field Day we reached a low point in participation with 8 people taking part.
I have not done a final count, but I believe we had at least 40 people
participate in the Field Day activity this year, and I am convinced the biggest reason for the upswing was the GOTA station. We talked it up at several of the meetings prior to Field Day, and several people - especially the younger kids we have recently had join our club - seemed interested. That seemed to encourage some of the adults to also get involved. The fact that I also made and "executive decision" and decalred that anyone who had dinner at the FD site had to make at least one QSO before they could eat probably helped also.... ;>)
This weekend we were amazed at the number who sat down and made contacts - in several cases their first HF contact. We will be making a list of all those who got on so we can get a count, but our guess is 15 to 20 people got on the air because of the GOTA station. The guys who helped out with the GOTA station said there were several times when the kids were literally lined up to take a turn. Several kids got on who were not interested in Ham Radio prior to the event, but had come along with Dad or someone else who was coming to Field Day. The left with an interest....
I can't say enough good things about the GOTA idea - whoever thought
that one up should be commended! I sure hope it is part of Field Day
next year. Even if it is not, the Findlay Radio Club will have another GOTA station set up again next year. We are looking forward to it! -- N8ET
Over the past several years our club had seen a decline in the number of members participating in Field Day. We have around 100 members on the roster, with about 30 of them being somewhat active (at least attending some club meetings). Last year at Field Day we reached a low point in participation with 8 people taking part.
I have not done a final count, but I believe we had at least 40 people
participate in the Field Day activity this year, and I am convinced the biggest reason for the upswing was the GOTA station. We talked it up at several of the meetings prior to Field Day, and several people - especially the younger kids we have recently had join our club - seemed interested. That seemed to encourage some of the adults to also get involved. The fact that I also made and "executive decision" and decalred that anyone who had dinner at the FD site had to make at least one QSO before they could eat probably helped also.... ;>)
This weekend we were amazed at the number who sat down and made contacts - in several cases their first HF contact. We will be making a list of all those who got on so we can get a count, but our guess is 15 to 20 people got on the air because of the GOTA station. The guys who helped out with the GOTA station said there were several times when the kids were literally lined up to take a turn. Several kids got on who were not interested in Ham Radio prior to the event, but had come along with Dad or someone else who was coming to Field Day. The left with an interest....
I can't say enough good things about the GOTA idea - whoever thought
that one up should be commended! I sure hope it is part of Field Day
next year. Even if it is not, the Findlay Radio Club will have another GOTA station set up again next year. We are looking forward to it! -- N8ET
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