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Essex Ham – Dispelling The Myths

Posted on 29 March 201812 August 2021 By Pete M0PSX 35 Comments on Essex Ham – Dispelling The Myths

We’re aware that several “misconceptions” have recently been doing the rounds about Essex Ham at the moment. I had planned to keep quiet on the subject, for fear of making waves, but I’ve been persuaded by a number of members on a Facebook chat that getting this out in the open is, in their opinion, the best way to dispel the myths, clear the air and let everyone move on. Essex Ham is an open group, driven by our members, and we have nothing to hide, so let’s have a go. Anyone is welcome to challenge anything I’ve outlined here (publicly, in the comments section below, for all to see), and I’m happy to provide more information if required.

Pete M0PSX – 29 March 2018

 

Is Essex Ham is planning to take over the world?

No. Why would we? Essex Ham was created in 2011 to try to fill two gaps – there was no regular “newbie” net in Essex, and there was no website for Essex covering amateur radio. Essex Ham has grown, largely due to members asking for something, offering help, or making suggestions.

Yes, we do like getting PR for our group, our members, and the hobby at large. Getting in the local press or on local radio to talk about amateur radio seems to be a sensible thing to do to promote the hobby. Also, if we run a successful event, do some community outreach, or a member does something interesting, then we put it on social media and send the photos to Radcom and PW. We’re not sure what the problem is with getting the hobby and our members, a little PR now and again. Oddly, another club raised this issue in 2014, see: What’s Essex Ham Doing Wrong

Is Essex Ham is trying to take over Club X?

Seriously? As of March 2018, we have 390 members in Essex, 500 elsewhere in the UK, and 150 overseas. With over 1,000 members, we are now one of the largest clubs in the UK, thanks to the support of our members. (A good percentage of members of the 12 traditional clubs in Essex are also members of Essex Ham anyway)

Essex Ham’s filled a gap that isn’t being served by traditional clubs – so becoming (or taking over) a traditional club makes no sense. It’s also clear from our member survey at the start of 2018 that there’s considerable support for us to carry on with what we doing.

Is Essex Ham a business / making a fortune?

Pound CoinsNo, and no. As we’re a ‘virtual’ club, we don’t charge a membership fee, don’t charge for events, and our training courses are free. It’s not cheap running a free club, so we do try to raise money to help cover our costs. Here’s how:

  • Donations for our online course: The vast majority of our students simply don’t make a donation. The reason is simple – after they take our course, they go to a traditional club and pay that club to do their practicals and exams. We actually generate business for traditional clubs who get students knocking on their door who’ve already been trained and are happy to pay for practicals and exams. You’re welcome, clubs!
  • Online Ads: We display Google Adsense adverts on our site. Ask anyone in Internet marketing if banner ads make money these days. For a niche hobby website with a fairly small number of visitors, we’re talking pence per day.
  • Affiliate referrals. We take part in a handful of what are known as “affiliate schemes”. If we recommend someone to visit a website and they buy something, that company pays a small commission. It’s quite common practice. As an example, the most popular product we recommend, is the £10 RTL dongle. Amazon gives us 3% commission on sales of these, and on a good week, we may sell 2 (netting us a massive 57p a week)

Now, let’s look at the outgoings. Essex Ham has 9 web domains and 4 websites (essexham, hamtrain, hamskills, sxham), all with ongoing annual costs. Hosting isn’t cheap, especially when you are hosting podcasts and video. Then there’s the cost of running our 24-hour Internet stream. We pay the RSGB (to be an affiliated club), and ERG for use of their repeater on a Monday. We pay to have a table at the Canvey Rally. We paid to get custom artwork done for some of the Foundation Online modules, paid licence fees for our music used online, and paid for getting our “Morse jingle” and video animations put together. Then there’s the WordPress website theme and software (our forum software isn’t free). We’ve also bought stuff – a 20m filter, a Gazebo, the demo Raspberry Pis, our wi-fi hotspot for events, and an audio mixer for the Monday Net stream. Then, there’s our free car stickers (not cheap), our business cards (over 750 printed so far), plus the printing for those free “Getting Started Guides”, plus the lanyards and ID pouches. Add in setup costs for the T-Shirt logo, video software, donation to Air Ambulance, laminator pouches, the list goes on.

Anyone with any knowledge of how much some or all of the above cost, will fairly soon realise that we can’t make a profit from running a free club. Even after actual cost – consider how many how many hours it takes up a year running Essex Ham? How many phone calls? How many miles? How much stress?

We don’t have the luxury of guaranteed membership fees each year, profitable training courses, tea & coffee money or admission fees from events, or raffle proceeds to cover our costs. We don’t have thousands of pounds in a club bank account either, for that matter. Nuff said?

 

Does Essex Ham / Pete M0PSX have an agenda?

Yes. Doesn’t everyone?

Secret AgendaEssex Ham’s is proudly displayed on our home page – to promote & support the hobby.

Where we’ve found a gap in the current local amateur radio offering, we’ve tried to fill it – Examples over the last 7 years include: Newbie Net, County-wide website, our events calendar covering training & events from other groups, the YL Net, our chatroom, audio/video podcasts, Essex-wide support forum, Getting Started Guides, training videos and material, online training, PR for the hobby, plus lots more.

This is all stuff that we saw there was a need for – stuff that no-one else was doing. Does anyone really have a problem with that agenda?

And Pete M0PSX? “It’s a great hobby, I’ve met loads of great people, and feel I’ve helped to make a difference in promoting the hobby. Just because someone chooses to give up their free time to do something they enjoy, doesn’t mean there’s a sinister ulterior motive. I’m sure the same is true for the majority of the RSGB’s other 849 volunteers. I’ve been a member of a local charity radio station for 32 years – I do that for the enjoyment too, and not for any tangible gain – exactly the same as the majority of volunteers for charities and non-profit groups.”

Has Essex Ham walked away from the Skills Night?

Sadly yes, but not by choice.

Between August 2016 and September 2017, Pete M0PSX had been in talks with the event’s host club CARS about a “reboot”, due to a drop in numbers, the need for something new, and as CARS were no longer running activities or staffing their table. After suggestions for a reboot were rejected by CARS, they experimented with a CARS-only social / show & tell format at the end of 2017, which didn’t appear to be well-received. Pete was given permission to start work on a “Skills v2” event, and commissioned a survey that many Skills Night attendees completed. Plans were in progress for a revamped event, going back to the original Skills concept as a neutral event supported by a group of clubs working together and not owned by any one club (the ‘Suffolk RED’ model), at a more appropriate central-Essex venue.

In December 2017, the new CARS committee expressed concerns about a perceived a conflict of interest with Pete M0PSX helping out at CARS (due to his involvement with Essex Ham). After a brief email exchange, it became clear that CARS had some ‘issues’ with Pete and/or Essex Ham. Pete asked if CARS would like him to step away from CARS until things could be resolved. The offer was accepted. It was left that should CARS have an interest in working together again (benefitting both groups), then Essex Ham would be receptive, and until then, Essex Ham would be happy to continue to promote CARS’ events via the group’s website and social media.

Nothing further’s been heard, and we continue to promote CARS’ activities including the Skills Nights.

(Note from Pete M0PSX – “It’s sad to have to walk away from an event that I’ve worked so hard at over the years. My thanks to everyone who came along, helped out, supported the event, and helped to make it great. I genuinely think we made a difference.”)

Group photo from the first Skills Workshop in January 2014
Group photo from the first Skills Workshop in January 2014

 

Was Essex Ham taking the credit for Skills Night?

The reason for this myth is actually quite simple. From the start, it’s been a CARS event, and that’s always been made clear when we’ve promoted the event. Look back at the early event photos and check for yourself.

The reason people have assumed the Essex Ham connection is two-fold. Firstly, it was part of the original “deal”, and secondly, it’s the way that PR works. At launch, it was agreed that CARS and Essex Ham would jointly promote the event. Frankly, Essex Ham’s PR was better. For example, for the first 18 months of Skills Nights, CARS didn’t have a Facebook or Twitter account. They also didn’t operate an opt-in mailing list, and didn’t run a busy weekly 2m net. CARS members heard about Skills from the CARS newsletter, and the rest of Essex (and beyond) heard about it from Essex Ham (confirmed by the 2017 Skills survey).

Lots of people heard about it from Essex Ham, and came along because the promotion went to a much wider audience than just CARS. There’s a strong body of opinion that without the foresight of Clive Ward G1EUC, that early spirit of co-operation between groups such as CARS, Essex CW and Essex Ham, there wouldn’t have been a CARS Skills Night.

If you care, here’s the history:

Skills Night was developed by Pete M0PSX in late 2013. Originally planned as something called “Foundation +”, Pete first presented the idea to TARG, who chose not to adopt it, allowing Essex Ham to run with the concept. Clive Ward G1EUC at CARS saw an opportunity and suggested that the idea be pitched to CARS. To fit the CARS demographic, the pitch was changed to focus on all levels, not just Foundation. The December 2013 pitch stated that the event would be “run under the CARS banner, and supported by the CARS Training Team and Essex Ham”. Promotion of the event would be shared between CARS and Essex Ham.

Clive Ward G1EUC at an early Skills Workshop
The much-missed Clive Ward G1EUC at an early Skills Workshop

For the event to work, a wider group of people needed to be involved. Just having the CARS Oaklands Museum attendees going to Skills wouldn’t have worked. For that reason, Monday night was selected, so that the event could be a meeting place for Essex Ham’s Monday Night Net regulars and get a new crowd along. Also, we needed helpers and demonstrators from other clubs and areas, to keep it interesting.

A “club neutral” approach was needed, to attract other clubs, so the website “HamSkills” was created for the event (hosted free by Essex Ham). For the Skills Night to be a success, it needed to be a collaboration. CARS provided the venue, Essex Ham largely drove the PR, the Essex CW Club got behind it, and volunteers from lots of clubs helped out.

The co-operative deal ended with the very sad passing of Clive G1EUC in 2015, which is when the new CARS team decided to change things, such as switching from HamSkills to CARS. But that’s a whole different story!

(By the way – If anyone doubts any of this, there’s a substantial paper trail to back this up: the original written proposal, CARS minutes from 2013/14, emails, the announcement in the Feb 2014 Radcom and in the Jan 2014 CARS Newsletter,  write-ups on the CARS and Essex Ham websites and in the CARS newsletter, review in the March 2014 Radcom, etc.)

Would Skills have happened, or been a success in those early years, without Pete’s original proposal, the help of Essex Ham and its members, and the foresight of Clive G1EUC? You decide.

What have we missed?

Any Essex Ham myths still to be explained? Let us know in the comments below.

Questions… Comments… Disagree?

Rarely does a week go by without some rumour or other about Essex Ham being circulated. It’s great that we’re such a hot topic for conversation -but if there’s something on your mind… just ask out in the open, and we’ll give you an answer. Our forum, Facebook group, email chat group, chatroom, Twitter feed and comments section are all open and public!

Heard a rumour? Have a question? Please add a comment or question below, and we’ll answer for all to see, so that you can make up your own mind!

Enough, already

Can we now get on with having fun with radio for a bit please?

Radio Clubs - Can't we all just get along?

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Comments (35) on “Essex Ham – Dispelling The Myths”

  1. 2E0WHB says:
    30 March 2018 at 01:24

    I am sad to hear Essex Ham will not be letting me take over the world, I’d just made a new axe.lol

    Here’s the thing. I like going on CARS net but if you turn up a little late you’ve missed it.
    Essex ham is a dedicated project and usually works to satisfy the different ideas in radio but on one net and website.
    I am a fan of my hobby but infighting is quickly making think it’s about time to box up my radios. I would rather the hobby be that than seeming to be becoming a find fault with the movers and shakers kinda people and therein lays the problem.

    Right, this radio few years has been fun but I ain’t hanging with people that diss good people that got dead air alive again, so best wishes for the future and goodby

    Bri

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      30 March 2018 at 01:54

      Whoah Brian!

      First off, keep that axe handy (and the mead)

      None of this talk of packing up the radio, good sir. This is my take on various myths doing the rounds. I’m hoping there are simply some misunderstandings, and this is an attempt to publicly state my position.

      We’re all passionate about radio, and we’re not all going to agree with each other. But the radio spectrum is big enough for us all, so the aim here is to state our cases, and get on with doing radio stuff.

      We need you on the nets (all of them), if nothing else because we can guarantee you’ll say something off the wall when we least expect it. We also need our Trixie updates, and I need to know whether to stay up late Foxing.

      The above is only my take. Hear the other side before making any conclusions and getting out the bubble wrap.

      Reply
      1. James Daniel Beatwell says:
        30 March 2018 at 11:47

        There is a few people there I know I could use the axon so don’t get rid of it all splitters keep together

        Reply
    2. G7OED says:
      30 March 2018 at 13:17

      Ignore the infighting that is what Dorothy and I do :)

      Reply
  2. Terry 2E0IPK says:
    30 March 2018 at 01:33

    I myself run two websites (Not Ham related) that deal with affiliations, I had to buy software, domain names, web space, and sort out PR on my own, I have had no help from any quarter financially. These sites are very costly over the course of the year but it’s something that I do. Like EssexHam I get a meagre sum from adsense and related affiliate programmes, so I know that what EssexHam is saying here is very true. I am actually in the process of building my own website in my own right, not with a view to making money but to promote Amateur Radio to the best of my ability. I will push people in the direction of every club in Essex (If I can find them all) and also Stores, and major organisations within the Ham community using my Links Page and have lots of other stuff on there, once completed I will be no threat to any club or organisation, actually for them it’s free advertising elsewhere within the net.

    I got into the hobby many many years ago after listening to The Radio Ham with Tony Hancock (Hence the Bread Pudding at Skills Night) but because of the CW exam it put me off getting the licence and I let if. That is until I watched my first episode of TX Factor which happened to be #9 featuring CARS and EssexHam. During that programme the EssexHam web address was given out so I took a look and have never looked back since. Through the site I found out about the CARS Skills Night which they themselves call CARS Essex Skills Nights. I went along for the first time in Sept 2016 and have only missed one since. I liked it so much there that I decided to take my Foundation there, even though there were nearer clubs to me that held courses.
    I now hold my Intermediate and if CARS hold Advanced exams that will be done there too. I for one believe that I wouldn’t be licenced at all if it wasn’t for Essex Ham, Yes and CARS together. I am quite often on the Monday Night Net which I found invaluable for TX Practice and I am very grateful to have people giving up their time to accommodate this. I believe we are stronger together, even if people are not club members but are happy to turn up at events. People should pull together and help each other for the good of the hobby. I know this is what I’ll be doing, verbally and with the help of my new website.

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      30 March 2018 at 02:03

      Thanks Terry. I didn’t know you did so much with websites. Your plan for a site sounds like where I was in 2010. Loved the hobby, could find what I wanted, so started writing my own. Here we are, 7 years on with a thousand pages and a thousand members (and a big hosting bill!).
      Thanks for the kind words (and the bread pudding), and let me have a peek at the site when it’s running? Pete

      Reply
      1. Kev says:
        30 March 2018 at 11:43

        Sounds like sour grapes to me. Essex Ham is a great way for anyone to discover radio. If only more clubs would be as proactive. CARS and other hidebound clubs need to take a long hard look at what they contribute to our hobby. Kev G0PEK

        Reply
        1. G7OED says:
          30 March 2018 at 13:16

          WOW
          I am a member of CARS and I like it the way it is.

          I do not want CARS to become Essex Ham they are 2 different entities.

          Dorothy and I go to several clubs they are all different and we appreciate the differences.

          The way I see Essex Ham is a very large online presence with the opportunity for local clubs to be able to use it’s large online advertising potential to possibly get more members and when running special event stations letting stations around the country know so they can listen and possibly make a contact they may not have otherwise listened for.

          Local clubs should not be looking to become Essex Ham and should keep their established identities but to not use a large online presence such as Essex Ham to let even more people know what their club is up to and possibly increase their membership as well is a disservice to their existing members.

          I do intend to ask at all the 4 local clubs I am a member of if they utilise this large online resource to compliment the clubs existing online presence.

          As I have stated on a different post I look forward to the day when all the misunderstandings have been cleared up.

          Richard G7OED

          Reply
          1. Pete M0PSX says:
            30 March 2018 at 14:47

            Thanks Kev for the kind words about Essex Ham, and & Richard for the comments on how we can support other clubs.

            If anyone has an event they’d like us to publicise, they can submit it via https://www.essexham.co.uk/submit-event

  3. Rachel says:
    30 March 2018 at 09:40

    OK, my take on all of this. I had been out of the hobby for quite a long time and came back into it just a few years ago to a lot of changes being made over the years. I found this a new venture with all the different call signs and quickly learned the new formats. I became a member of a local club to me ( Acorns ) and then found EssexHam. Having joined the first net i heard, i quickly found out i was in the right place to be on a Monday evening. Overview done, i believe that EssexHam is NOT trying to take over the world or any other club within it’s grasp, but to promote the hobby as a whole, for every single club out in this wonderful world of radio. If anyone thinks E.H is trying to take them over, they need to go sit in a corner and think things through VERY CAREFULLY to understand that taking on the world is not E.H’s intention but to HELP EVERYONE get the best out of the hobby by assisting with talks, demos and even free advertising to help small clubs grow.
    Pete, you have not done anything wrong at all with your agenda. This is how a GOOD group works and is the only way to promote the hobby no matter what the level is.I want to see EH live a long time with the good it is doing for OUR hobby, being steered in the RIGHT direction by an excellent skipper at the helm. When someone attacks the captain of a ship, they attack the whole crew. Keep on doing what you do best Pete, running Essex Ham in the only manner it should be run. I am proud to be a part of E H and will not be put off by ANYONE.

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      30 March 2018 at 14:51

      Thanks as always for your kind words Rachel, and for your ongoing support.

      Reply
  4. M0PZT says:
    30 March 2018 at 10:55

    Part of the reason why Essex Ham “does stuff” is because soooo many times, the response given by clubs is that of “we don’t do that here”. Whether it’s a casual operating event at beach/park, running a special-event for the Air Ambulance, some sort of “Got My Foundation, But Where Now?” thing – if a traditional, established club won’t run with it – others will. It’s often said that “we all have Shacks at home” – well, these days not everybody has the luxury of a decent-sized garden, low noise-floor or even a half-decent radio. Providing operating opportunities *should* be a key aspect of a club as much as the monthly talk/meeting.

    Amateurs enjoying themselves by learning, doing, helping (and communicating) – where’s the harm in that whatever club does it?

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      30 March 2018 at 15:00

      Cheers Charlie. With 20 or so groups in Essex, there should be something for everyone (and room for all formats). As a wise man once said, the days of everyone being a one-club ham are in decline, and people now gravitate towards meetings & events (regardless of whichever club is running it) – hence the importance of listening to what the members want, and clubs working together with other clubs for the benefit of the members.

      Reply
  5. Rachel says:
    30 March 2018 at 11:37

    Well said Charlie, couldn’t agree more. Essex Ham is there to bridge that gap, and do what it says in the disclaimer ” supporting amateur radio in Essex “. When a new licensee get’ that important document through the post and they get the licence, the first thing that goes through the mind is ” what do i do now and where do i go from here? ” This is what E H is all about, helping them get on the air through the first port of call, The Monday Night Net. Everyone is made to feel comfortable and welcome, questions can be answered easily through the website, Field days and other events always give the new licencee a chance to get on the air, and so much more help and support is available without question. I personally have held my licence since 1981, and even i have benefited from being a member of Essex Ham. The work done by Essex Ham in encouraging newcomers into the hobby is at the top of the list in my opinion, and deserves to be there. Keep doing a great job Pete and Essex Ham, the group for all, young or old age has no barriers with Essex Ham.

    Reply
  6. G7OED says:
    30 March 2018 at 12:59

    I have just read what Peter has written and am confused as to why responders have started to have a go at CARS as I do not see the article as a direct knock at CARS more what has happened from Peters point of view.

    Dorothy and I are members and supporters of both clubs (plus others) and I feel both sides are passionate about the hobby and that there is more common ground than animosity. I do not believe that Peter has a grudge as he still advertises CARS club nights and any of their events he is aware of.

    If anything I read disappointment in Peters post that what he has been trying to achieve has been misinterpreted this is not helped by people that do have a grudge against the CARS club jumping in and trying to distort what Peter has written.

    I look forward to the day when the misunderstandings are all behind us.

    Richard G7OED

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      30 March 2018 at 15:09

      Hi Richard,

      Yes, you’re correct. It’s not my intention to knock any specific club. Ours is a small hobby, and we all talk, which is why it’s very easy for misunderstandings to arise, and mis-information to circulate.

      Your assessment is correct – if anyone’s misinterpreted our mission statement or our motives, then hopefully this summary will set the record straight, or give people the chance to ask questions or raise any issues about what we do. The aim is that we can move forward without constantly having to explain what Essex Ham is trying to achieve for the hobby.
      Like you, I’m hoping for that day, and hope this post gets us a tiny bit closer to it!
      Pete

      Reply
  7. Steve M0SJY says:
    30 March 2018 at 14:06

    I for one am very greatful for what Essex Ham has done for the hobby. They have kept my interest in amateur radio alive (especially as I don’t get on the air as much as I would like too). There will always be a need for local clubs, and it appears that Essex Ham have been able to fill the gaps as needed to help promote the hobby. As mentioned many times before by many people, this is a hobby, and if Essex Ham can help people enjoy it, then long may it continue. I am about to join my local club, but this will not stop me nor make me feel disloyal to them by attending any Essex Ham event that interests me. The Calender of Events that Essex Ham have is a great way to see what is going on around the region with other clubs. It’s a great central place to be able to see what’s happening. Just one example of how Essex Ham can be that ‘bridge’ for local clubs.
    Keep up the good work Pete & Essex Ham, it would be a massive loss to the hobby if Essex Ham was to fade away.

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      30 March 2018 at 15:16

      Hi Steve,
      Yes, a great assessment of what we’re trying to do. Where there’s a need, and there are local ‘gaps’, then it’s very easy for a ‘virtual group’ to try to help fill those gaps. Of course traditional clubs are still needed, as are the specialist and social groups, and canny hams go where the events that interest them happen to be, regardless of the club name printed on the organiser’s t-shirt.
      Thanks for the kind words,
      Pete

      Reply
  8. Sarah says:
    31 March 2018 at 12:46

    Hello All,

    Some of you may know me some may not – I am the Chairman of Suffolk RED and I have now known Pete for about two years (Although it seems like a lifetime!), long before I became Chairman.

    We got chatting back in 2016 when I offered up some professional feedback on E.H website (I run a promotional media company so I couldn’t help myself).

    Before I became Chairman of RED, I was total newbie (still am!) to the wider Amateur Radio community, having only been involved with RAYNET I had no idea what else was out there.
    I found the E.H Online resources a huge help in the early days of being licenced (I still do!) there is nothing like this anywhere else locally so I soon found myself wanting more from my region.
    This is where Suffolk RED is about to fill a gap in whats being offered in the virtual world of Amateur Radio in Suffolk.

    Pete and I were sat next to each other at the RSGB Presidents talk at the Convention last year, when both E.H & S.R we held up as examples of how there are some who are ‘breaking the mould’ (See video: https://youtu.be/8kSFjDvqf48) of what Amateur Radio has been viewed as (old grey haired brainiacs who sit wrapped in coax in sheds) since Marconi & Co took wireless communication to the masses.
    Neither of us were expecting that and to be honest were a bit taken aback by the responses we have both received since the talk and the release of the video.
    Majority are asking what the secret is to the success of E.H & S.R, I cant really answer that question and I am sure Pete also struggles to answer it.

    What I can say with confidence is Pete and I share a fair few ideas of how the future of Amateur Radio is evolving/adapting. Having another forward thinking person such as Pete as my friend in the world of Amateur Radio is brilliant.

    Both E.H & S.R fill a gap in what is being offered locally to their areas, clubs are still offering plenty for the members but its tricky to keep everyone happy.
    E.H & S.R offer a little bit extra and something a little bit different from the normal club nights but share the same aim which is – everyone who attends E.H events & S.R events get what they came for and hopefully something else.

    No one involved in the running of such events have agendas for ultimate domination or ulterior motives. Likeminded individuals will form their own group of supporting friendships, out of those friendships ideas will form and from those ideas something new will come along.

    To penalise or ridicule someone for having the idea first and the ability to get it up and running is a negative, when everything no matter what it is, if its in the best interests of keeping the Amateur Radio hobby alive, should be viewed positively.

    I getting the other Chairmans across Suffolk together for a pow wow so we can plan moving forward in 2018.
    Many will know that Suffolk has had too many SK over the past two years, each club in Suffolk has lost an integral cog in their wheel. The losses have run deep and its through supporting each other that we are coming through the other side. So far the enthusiasm for a big get together is brilliant, they are pestering me for a date & venue, eager to get collaborative working up and running, helping each other overcome the issues in their clubs.

    At no point has anyone thought that I am looking to govern all Suffolk Clubs and that everyone must sing to a RED hymn sheet (if they have then they are sadly mistaken), they are looking at this as the fantastic opportunity it is, to work together to get Amateur Radio thriving once again in Suffolk and to promote what the hobby has to offer to the wider world – been immensely supportive in my endeavour to achieve this.

    73’s Sarah 2E0ISJ

    “We are all worms, but I do believe I am a Glow-worm” – Winston Churchill

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      1 April 2018 at 01:03

      Thanks Sarah!

      For those that don’t know, Suffolk RED is an excellent example of what can happen if clubs are willing to work together for the greater good. It was great that RED received recognition for ‘breaking the mould’ by the RSGB President, and a pleasant surprise that Essex Ham was acknowledged too, as was the what the Skills Night format achieved (due to the hard work done by everyone who helped, supported and “got it” in those early years). The needs of amateurs have changed, especially those new to the hobby, and they will continue to change as the hobby morphs. The RSGB’s 2022 Strategy is their way of addressing the need to change, and full marks to the groups out there working to grow the hobby, and who want to pull in the same direction.

      The secret? I’m not sure I know either. I think it’s about being passionate, trying new things, listening to the requests coming in from your supporters, and trying not to get bogged down by the politics and nay-sayers. Oh, and coffee.

      I’m sure we’ll see quite a few changes to how we all meet and communicate in the coming years – There’s been a lot of change in Essex in the last 10 years. Essex CW started as a virtual club and now has over 400 members around the world, Thurrock Acorns sprouted onto the scene to fill the RM16/RM17 postcode void, the bunker boys and girls formed their contest group at the SNB, the Essex AR DX Group was formed, and Essex Ham arrived in 2011 to fill in the gaps. Long may the Essex and Suffolk scene continue to evolve (who know’s what round the corner!)

      Pete M0PSX

      “Flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss” – Douglas Adams

      Reply
  9. Rich says:
    31 March 2018 at 17:14

    From what was siad in the forum, Pete has done what they wanted and left the Chelmsford club and he is letting them get on with it. But they are still spreading rumours and trying to dismiss what Essex ham has done. I don;t think it is sour grapes, I think it is jealousy. I had a look at the Chelmsford club web site to see why they think they are so much better. TBH I wasn’t very impressed. To think that Essex Ham would want to become or take them over is laugheable. Perhaps instead of picking on other clubs maybe they should mind their own business and get their own house in order first.

    Rich (M0ZAO)

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      1 April 2018 at 00:14

      Thanks Rich. As Richard G7OED pointed out earlier, this post isn’t intended to be used for discussion of other clubs – just to clarify some of the points that a couple of clubs seem to have been discussing about Essex Ham. It’s great that they’re so interested in what we do, but we would like to make sure the facts are straight.

      Reply
  10. Alan says:
    31 March 2018 at 18:02

    Hi,
    As a chairman of a Suffolk club I suppose that I am not really involved with the affairs of Essex clubs. However my club is one of three in the same area (Ipswich) and if you count Leiston that’s four. It would be reasonable to say that all four clubs are very different and therefore appeal to different aspects of the hobby. My club, FDARS, is the only one of the three that does face-to-face training. Martlesham Radio Society is known for Microwaves (and host the world-wide Round Table) Ipswich Radio Society is mainly concerned with contesting. Several of my members are members of some, if not all, of the other clubs.

    Every year there is an East Suffolk Wireless Revival rally (June in Kirton) which is shared between all four clubs. This is an opportunity for them to work together. At last year’s rally CamHams brought over Flossey and set up an event station for us. Of course, Suffolk RED were also in attendance because it is made up of members from all the local clubs.

    This weekend Suffolk RED is running a special event station at our local site to promote RAF 100. Being only an umbrella organisation it has not site of its’ own. We as a club are happy to support them in this endeavour.

    It is fair to say, then, that local clubs working together for the collective good is the way forward. No one club is claiming the success of Suffolk RED as theirs, or the rally. And that is how it should be. Working together greater things can be achieved. I look forward to working with Suffolk RED for the promotion on Amateur Radio in our area.

    Keep up the good work Pete, I am sure the wider membership of Essex clubs appreciate the work you do. I firmly believe that the structure of local clubs meeting local needs and county wide virtual clubs helping to pull it all together and to facilitate sharing of the good stuff is the future. Any club that expects that their members have loyalty only to them have failed to move with the times and the desires of their members.

    73, Alan M0 JSA Chairman Felixstowe and District Amateur Radio Society
    ps. These are my personal views and are not necessarily the official position of FDARS; although I expect they are!

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      1 April 2018 at 00:27

      Hi Alan,

      Thanks for the message, and the insight into what’s going on in Suffolk. I suspect quite a few of us in Essex don’t know what goes on “across the border”, so it’s great to hear how things work, and that Suffolk RED, like Essex Ham, is meeting a need.

      Obviously we’re on the same page regarding groups working together to promote the hobby, help members and sharing. We’ve worked closely with a number of clubs in Essex to help do just that – training slides, Foundation Online, working hard to make sure the original Skills Night was an inclusive and fun event (and a game-changer), supporting local events (like the 2m Activity Day and the Canvey Rally), using our site to promote other club’s events, and making it easier for newbies to find the most appropriate training and/or club for them. We’re always open to talk to any club about how we can work together, and perhaps provide a service they can’t, or to promote something that they’re doing well.

      Thanks again for the Suffolk update, and good luck with your upcoming special event station. Here’s hoping the snow stays away!

      Pete

      Reply
  11. Paul M0XMT says:
    31 March 2018 at 18:56

    Pete, keep up the good work and I think a couple or few quid a year to cover server costs is more than reasonable. This is controversial but most other boards award “status” based on what you have donated. It doesn’t get you much but shows under your name/avatar. Come on It cost me £9.99 for my breakfast this morning. Maybe the members should start a “support Essex Ham” splinter group…. You shouldn’t have to bear all the cost.

    Paul, M0XMT

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      31 March 2018 at 22:41

      Hi Paul. Many thanks. I appreciate the sentiment re. awards for donations, but I fear that could get messy, or make things awkward. Nice idea though!

      This isn’t really a money issue. The finance stuff was raised here not to ask for donations, but to address a rumour circulating that Essex Ham is some kind of profitable business, as opposed to a free virtual club. I’m still unclear as to why a radio club even thinks it’s any of their business discussing how another group tries to cover its costs. If they were curious, they could have simply asked us!

      Pete

      Reply
  12. David says:
    1 April 2018 at 09:44

    CARS > Act your age (82) and stop picking on the younger boys in the playground. Play with your own train set.

    Reply
  13. G0UKP says:
    2 April 2018 at 20:12

    Hi all, for what it may me worth I think that Essex Ham as a group, Pete and all those who support it do a great job, especially helping the new comers to the Hobby, even the rest of us can benefit from meeting new friends and learning new skills, as we all know none of us know it all. The only thing I can gripe about is being threatened by another Radio Ham over the air, and having told others about this person nothing has or was said, does that mean they agree to his conduct, maybe not but it makes me think, it did keep me off the air for a while but I was not going be put off by well all I can say is a bully, I have yet to confront this person but its only a matter of time dispite me being retired. He may have forgotten the incident but I have not, These people are not good for the Hobby or the work place. If your wondering what i did to get him to respond like that just ask me and I will tell you nothing.! Brian.

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      4 April 2018 at 01:18

      Thanks for the kind words Brian.

      No-one in this hobby should ever feel victimised or bullied, but sadly very occasionally, it does go on. Early on in my time in the hobby, I had to take some time off-air after an incident that dented my confidence, and actions of others since then have made me question why I put myself through the unnecessary stress on a couple of other occasions, so I do know how you feel. There’s plenty of spectrum, so those with opposing views should be able to keep out of each other’s way. Hard know what the right course of action is when you’re on the receiving end of inappropriate behaviour… name-and-shame, turn the other cheek, speak up, withdraw. The trick is not to let them win and try to force you out of a hobby that you enjoy, I guess.

      73 Brian… Pete

      Reply
  14. Mike M0MMB says:
    2 April 2018 at 22:33

    I very much agree with all the positive comments on this thread.
    After reading everything it seems that there are several things going on…..
    Clubs are jealous of your success with Essex Ham but are still too set on their ways to change for the good of the hobby.
    There ARE people that DO have an agenda and some of those are so childish they need to be centre of attention and create dramas that they can be involved in.

    Hobbies, pastimes and indeed the world evolves and changes, you have changed the face of ham radio and actually stood up and done something.
    Keep up the good work!

    73
    M0MMB

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      4 April 2018 at 01:06

      Thanks Mike. That seems a pretty fair assessment of what’s going on. With luck, everyone can now go about their business, at least until the next drama… 73, Pete

      Reply
  15. Horris says:
    7 April 2018 at 22:19

    Hi Pete
    Keep up the good work. You and Essex Ham have done a great job of promoting our hobby. Unfortunately there will always be Dinosaurs out there that do not like change.

    Dave
    M0HBV

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      9 April 2018 at 08:47

      Many thanks Dave. Yes, “change” shouldn’t be a scary word. As long as there are groups out there for all, then people can hopefully gravitate towards a group that suits their needs. Hope all’s good, Pete

      Reply
  16. G0UKP says:
    8 April 2018 at 10:39

    Hi Pete, Thank you for your reply it was very welcomed, As you know these frequencies are very valuable to outsiders so we all need to pull together and work to keep the Hobby going and promote learning, we are all different and that is a good thing, its a pity that some have the wrong attitude towards it, everyone should have the chance to get into this hobby but should not be left to stagnate but encouraged to go for there full licence.
    Thanks Pete regards from Brian G0UKP.

    Reply
    1. Pete M0PSX says:
      9 April 2018 at 08:49

      Thanks Brian – room for everyone, and enough space on the bands to allow everyone to get on with their own thing without the need to upset, harass or undermine others. Pete

      Reply

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