Shortly after I went to my first ham radio club meeting, I instantly regretted it. I simply didn’t feel like I belonged. The people were nice, and I know the club does a lot of stuff for the ham community, but it wasn’t a club that fit. It took me a while to figure out why, but I learned that it didn’t fit because I felt no sense of belonging and because the club was way too big. Massively big.
Please don’t misunderstand me. It’s a great club, but just like shoes, certain clubs don’t fit well for certain people. I guess I’m a certain people.
I finally found a small local ham radio club through the help and suggestions of a local ham. The club is much smaller and because of that, the club is much more personable.
The weekly net for the first ham radio club (the massive club), there are so many hams that check in, it’s pointless for me to check in. They have to move so fast through the roster, there is little time for chewing the rag. I know that is just the way some nets operate, but that isn’t what I want in a net all the time.
The net for the newly discovered ham radio club, usually only has about a dozen check-ins. This allows time for conversation. The net is more relaxed and less rushed.
But the real deal maker for the new and smaller radio club, is that I got a phone call from a board member welcoming me to the club. We had a good conversation.
I found the perfect ham radio club! Huzzah!
73,
W7KBX
