Wow, So Empty

Wow, our blog site is so empty.  So I have decided to start posting some things and try to generate some content for anyone interested in ham radio or technology.   We aren't limited to technology or electronics, they are just a means to communicate with people locally or all over the world.  Or with the upgrades to the International Space Station, even people in space.   No word if Elon Musk is planning a Ham Radio Club on Mars.   (For the HI-SEAS experiment they used a high latency simulation to provide mars-like communication experience. A 20 minute delay, talk about being zoomed out.)  

So A little bit about me to provide some context.  My name is Michael Miller, KI4RDP.  Many of you probably know me as RDP (Romeo Delta Papa, or Remote Desktop Protocol).  I will have to give up my short 3 digit break in because the growth of ham radio callsigns has been pretty impressive since I first received my callsign. 

I have been a longtime fixture around the Atlanta Radio Club, so quite a few of you know me.  This is my first time become part of leadership.  I have the complete enjoyment to serve with a great group of people.   And want to thank Jeff Hochberg W4JEW for all of his hard work and time spent on the club.  I believe he is responsible for the current website, configuration, and just a lot of the general back office stuff that most of us don't really want to be involved in.  I know I don't want to deal with paperwork.  I can't tell you how many half, quarter, eighth and zero-done projects i have scattered around the house.

This isn't my Club.  This is your club.  So help us to help you and make the club enjoyable for everyone.  And in many ways, this is more a social club more than anything.   We have people that work to get interesting presentations and topics together for our entertainment and occasionally we learn a few things along the way.

I think one of the main challenges for any Radio Club is that many of us are busy.  We have work, family, social and other commitments that all try to get a slice of our time.  It can be hard to have any time for radio.   We want to have fun and enjoy the hobby.  As Bill Perkins KB4KFT used to say (or at least I think he said), if your working hard- you are doing something wrong.  

There are plenty of avenues to get your radio/technology fix.   Or if you just want to talk to someone, you can get on the radio.   I think one of my favorite memories was the daily commute.  People would get on the radio and talk about whatever interested them while on the way to work.   

Maybe you are like me.  You moved, and now you have dozens of radios and absolutely none of them hooked up!.   Well the good news is DMR is pretty accessible and doesn't require a whole lot of setup.  Now you might have to find where you buried your charger, but I think that's a small price to pay.   Check out our Repeater Nets Page:  https://www.atlantaradioclub.org/nets.html     Or if you are new, feel free to try and break that squelch to make your first contact!   I think for most it's easier to just join a regularly scheduled net.   I joined one and didn't even really know what it was, or even what I was doing when I did it.   I'm sure Bill probably has my first check in scribbled somewhere on a sheet of paper or in a yahoo group before I even knew anything about the club.  

So let us know what sort of things interest you.  Or if you want to share some knowledge with other new hams, please let us know.    And if you just want to practice or play radio, let us know.  I am sure we can find someone to help be available to have an on air test.  Or even get some people to help install an antenna in your home or vehicle.   

73s,  (Best Regards - it's from telegraph/wire days known as 92 Code)
KI4RDP