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Somewhere in the dim past of Amateur Radio the term 'Elmer' came into being. I must admit I have no idea how the son of Elsie the Borden cow got involved in electronics, but there it is. An 'Elmer' is a Radio Amateur who helps someone else become a Radio Amateur.
Anyone reading this newsletter understands what a wonderful fraternity (should I say sorority to be politically correct?) we are part of. I'll bet there are any number of your friends who've seen your shack and are impressed with the contacts you make. I'll bet that on your street there are young people who would be interested in your hobby. I'll bet that someone was an 'Elmer' to you. It's time to pay back the favour. Have your friends or a neighbourhood youth over for a visit, but this time tell them how easy it is to become a 'Ham' today. Bring them out to our meetings to see our great guest speakers. Lend them some 'Ham' radio books. Pay back the investment someone made in you by passing along that gift of time.
No, I don't want to hear how computers are the only thing that interests electronic hobbyists today and that the computer will be the death of ham radio. The computer is one of the greatest ham radio tools we have ever seen, a tool that just makes the hobby that much more interesting, and one that allows the computer enthusiast to expand their interest to a realm where others cannot go. If you want to see some of the valuable Amateur Radio software available, check out my website by going to the KWARC home page, clicking the Ham Links button, them clicking on VE3ETK.
Anyway, back to the important topic; A part of the magic of Amateur Radio is making contact with fellow amateurs without the use of wires, and doing so with your own equipment and installation of accessories. I don't need to say more - you understand all of that. Your challenge is to pass that magic on to someone else, to bring them into the fraternity, to bring them into KWARC.
73 Bill VE3ETK
KWARC Vice-President
and Membership Chairman