The recent introduction of our 20m ground plane kit caught the eye of some of the folks over in GI. The idea of the kit is to act as a focus for a series of radio-club activities. At the kind invitation of West Tyrone ARC, I will be travelling to Northern Ireland this weekend to speak on "How to energise your radio club" as part of a one day conference. In my talk I will be sharing a few ideas on how radio clubs can grow more effectively.

They have their licences - but are they active?

In the last year or so I have visited around 40 radio clubs which has given me the chance to see clubs in various conditions; growing, static and declining. The differences are interesting. Radio clubs should be thriving - because the licencing system is club-led. This gives clubs the chance to get potential members right at the start of their amateur radio "careers". But the overwhelming impression I get is that radio clubs struggle to transition people from getting a licence to becoming active in the hobby and continuing to support their alma mater. these steps are vital to the health of the hobby.

I believe that portable operating has much to offer in this respect. It's the perfect vehicle to get everyone involved and to have some sort of common goal. Maybe its something that I should be writing about.

Let me know your ideas.

richard@sotabeams.co.uk