• New ARRL Club Development Program
• National Inventor's Day Special Event Station N2I
• Amateur Radio Proclamations and Recognition
• VOTA Update
• YCARS Youth Engagement Team Hosts Providence High School NJROTC
• New York Club Celebrates 50 Years
• Club Commission Program Promotion for 2023
• Correction
• Submitting Info for this Newsletter
• How to Plan and Apply for an ARRL Hamfest or Convention
• Important Links

Amateur radio clubs across the country are led by many dedicated volunteers who often give more than their share to make the club successful. They are often asked to take on rolls that may or may not line up with their personal experience. ARRL is hoping to bridge that gap with its new Club Development Program. This program consists of a series of free webinars aimed at covering the various roles that exist in clubs. Subject-matter experts from across the country are volunteering their experience to help provide training. In today's ever-changing environment, just having someone review what each role entails can be a big help.

The first online seminar will take place on Thursday, March 30, at 7 PM Eastern time. All webinars will be recorded and made available in the ARRL Learning Center. The first online seminar will concentrate on the role of Club Secretary. Future seminars will look at the roles of Treasurers, Newsletter Editors, Public Information Officers, Webmasters, and others. The link to register for the webinar is below. Feel free to spread the word to others that may wish to attend.

Register in advance for this webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AzCmCTdORruOmPu5gm2W_g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

The New Jersey Emergency Communications Team celebrated National Inventor's Day on February 11 with special event station N2I at the Thomas Edison monument in Menlo Park. One of Edison's major innovations was the establishment of an industrial research lab in Menlo Park. Created in 1876, it was the first of its kind on this site. There, his team invented the electric light bulb, phonograph, and the carbon microphone for Alexander Graham Bell's telephone.

Special event station N2I. [Photo by Perry Biase, AA2BR]

The club made over 200 contacts worldwide on 2, 10, 20, and 40 meters from the foot of the monument. Local hams came to visit, as well as four new hams from the club's recent Hamcram event at the Neptune Twp OEM held in January. Many hams who had communicated on the radio in the past were able to meet for the first time in person, and new hams made their first international contacts while being mentored by club members. Local residents who were touring the museum stopped by for information.

-- Thanks to New Jersey Emergency Communications Team Club President Holger Skurbe, K2HES

One of the better ways to build relationships and foster recognition for your club's events, and amateur radio in general, is to work with your local government representative to develop a proclamation of recognition. Many clubs have done this in the past, and some have even done so with their state governors office. Typical proclamations are for World Amateur Radio Day and ARRL Field Day, but a club can also be recognized for the good work that they do at any time.

This is a great opportunity for your club's Public Information Officer to reach out to your local government representative and see just what the process is to receive a proclamation of recognition. If you do succeed in having a proclamation or any other letter of recognition presented, we want to know. Send us a copy to PR@ARRL.ORG. ARRL is working on a way to archive these and have them available for view. These also come in handy when our legislative efforts can show that local and state government recognize the value of amateur radio. By nature, hams are communicators, and this is a great example of communication.

The yearlong operating event recognizing volunteers continues to attract attention both online and on the bands. With favorable conditions and near-record turnouts for operating events, many hams are getting the chance to contact more and more ARRL volunteers. We encourage you to take a look at the website for the latest schedule and list of volunteer points. More information is being added as we go. W1AW/ stations are being activated each month, and this is your chance to contact as many as possible.

From my home station in Connecticut, I have been having a great time with 100 W and my vertical antenna on 10 meters. I have not been able to say that for quite a while. If you have not already done so, check out the website and get on the air. A special thanks to the volunteers that have built applications for the events.

The Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) at Providence High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, recently visited the York County Amateur Radio Society (YCARS) clubhouse, where students had the opportunity to experience the world of amateur radio and technology.

The visit began with a brief history of amateur radio and how it applies in today's world. Captain David Biggers, K1DVB, from the Rock Hill Police Department also gave a brief presentation on the application of radio in public safety and how local amateur radio operators have assisted the police department with radio communication. Students toured the clubhouse, where they were introduced to the various equipment and technologies used in amateur radio, including radios, antennas, and other communication devices. Theo Moore, K4TTM, demonstrated how to properly operate the equipment and explained the different frequencies and modes used in amateur radio communications.

After the tour, NJROTC students had the opportunity to get on the air and make their first amateur radio contact. Under the guidance of YCARS members, the students communicated with other amateur radio operators in the area. This was a thrilling experience for them, as they were able to make real-life connections with people through radio.

The students also participated in several science experiments related to amateur radio and technology, such as testing Lenz's law with a copper tube and magnets, building homopolar motors with wires and batteries, and trying their skills at Morse code. These hands-on activities helped the students understand the concepts behind amateur radio and technology in a more interactive and engaging way.

Captain Biggers, K1DVB, talks about the application of radio in public service and safety. [Photo by John Gendron, NJ4Z]

The visit also included a discussion about future careers related to amateur radio and technology. YCARS members shared their own personal experiences and discussed the various career opportunities available in the field, such as roles in the military, engineering, communications, and emergency management. The students were able to ask questions and learn more about the different paths they could take in the future. Finally, the NJROTC students were introduced to the various opportunities available for youth to get involved in serving their community through amateur radio. YCARS members discussed the various community service projects we participate in, such as providing communications support during natural disasters and volunteering at public events. The students learned about the impact that amateur radio can have on their local community and the importance of giving back.

Overall, the visit to the YCARS clubhouse was a valuable experience for the NJROTC students. They were able to learn about the world of amateur radio and technology through hands-on activities and real-life connections. They also gained an understanding of the different career opportunities available in the field and the impact that amateur radio can have on their community. YCARS members did an excellent job of showcasing the opportunities that amateur radio can provide for youth and encouraging them to get involved in serving their community.

-- Thanks to YCARS PIO John Gendron, NJ4Z

The Tryon Amateur Radio Club (ARC) is celebrating its 50-year anniversary serving Fulton County, New York. The club was originally founded in 1973 by a group of hams seeking to share ideas, operating tips, and technical skills. They quickly built the K2JJI repeater, which is still on the air in Fulton County today. They became an ARRL Affiliated Club on January 14, 1976, and pride themselves on 47 years of affiliation.

Throughout the years, the club has become very active in the community. During COVID, they ran nightly health and welfare nets to help ensure that everyone was okay and had essential items. Members provide communications for marathons, give amateur radio demonstrations at local events, and participate in ARRL Field Day at public places to show off the hobby and the capabilities of ham radio. The club has given several Technician license courses and holds monthly VE test sessions to serve amateurs in the area.

Tryon ARC works closely with their local government officials in the county Emergency Management Office and has often been asked to assist with communications for local community events.

Visit us online at www.tryonarc.org or say hello via Echolink at K2JJI-R.

-- Thanks to ARRL Northern New York Section Manager Rocco Conte, WU2M

One of the benefits of being an ARRL Affiliated Club is having the ability to participate in the Club Commission Program. This program allows clubs to earn a commission for enrolling new and renewing ARRL members. Participation in the program involves clubs:

·Distributing the application forms to prospective and existing members.

·Collecting the applications and filling out a Club Reconciliation Form.

·Sending all the forms with the dues to ARRL.

Once the above steps are done, the club will then receive a commission check from ARRL.

The necessary forms are located at Affiliated Club Benefits (arrl.org) under the Club Commission Program link.

Consider having a quarterly event at a club meeting to discuss ARRL membership and offer this to members. Members can renew at any time without losing time. If your renewal is normally in July and you renew in May, the time is added to your July date.

In the spirit of 2023 and ARRL's Year Of the Volunteers, we are offering the following promotion to clubs using the Club Commission Program:

· For every five new members signed through the Club Commission Program through the end of 2023, ARRL will give the club a copy of The ARRL Handbook, which can be used as a promotion, a door prize, be auctioned off at hamfests, or used however you choose.

Keep reading ARRL Club News for additional information on how clubs are using this program.

In the last issue of ARRL Club News, the story, "Top of the Panhandle 50th Anniversary" mistakenly identifyed the Top of Panhandle Amateur Radio Club, K5PH, as the Panhandle Amateur Radio Club, W5WX. Both are very fine clubs and are doing great work in Texas. I apologize to both clubs for the confusion and again congratulate Top of Panhandle ARC on their anniversary. I also forgot to identify a supporter mentioned in the story, Bennie Walker, Jr., KB5JXO. I am told he has been instrumental in developing the club. Thanks to all.

ARRL Club News is for radio clubs to show how they are working in the community and the hobby to advance amateur radio. If your club completes a project, supports an event, does an EmComm activation, or activates a park, we want to hear about it. You can submit your newsletter article to us at clubs@arrl.org. We like to get them as text or Word files instead of PDFs. If you have pictures, please submit them with caption information, as well as the name and call sign of the photographer. We want to highlight the good work being done by the clubs and show others in the community. Think of this as a chance to show off your club and your programs.

If your amateur radio club is planning to host a convention, hamfest, tailgate, or swapfest, please consider applying for it to be an ARRL-sanctioned event. To learn what it means to be an ARRL-sanctioned event, and to get some ideas on how to prepare for and conduct a hamfest or convention, visit www.arrl.org/arrl-sanctioned-events.

To have your event sanctioned, complete the online application at www.arrl.org/hamfest-convention-application.

The ARRL Hamfests and Conventions Calendar can be found online at www.arrl.org/hamfests. In addition, the Convention and Hamfest Calendar that runs in QST each month also presents information about upcoming events.

ARRL Home: www.arrl.org

Find an ARRL Affiliated Club: www.arrl.org/clubs

Find your ARRL Section: www.arrl.org/sections

Find a license class in your area: www.arrl.org/class

Find a license exam in your area: www.arrl.org/exam

Find a hamfest or convention: www.arrl.org/hamfests

Email ARRL Clubs: clubs@arrl.org