New hams are like sponges--ready to absorb the accumulated knowledge of the old timers. In light of the League's new "Hello" campaign, here's a challenge to experienced hams to help new licensees feel wanted and welcome.

Wisdom is Like Electricity

"Wisdom is like electricity," Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in the 19th century. "There is no permanently wise man, but men capable of wisdom, who, being put into certain company, or other favorable conditions, become wise for a short time, as glasses rubbed acquire electric power for a while."

The key to knowledge is the challenge to accomplish results. In my day job, I often teach people to use complex software programs that have hundreds of features. Unfortunately, some of my trainees think I can open their skulls and pour in my accumulated knowledge, and they will walk away as experts. I find that most people, myself included, are much more successful in learning when one of two situations occur: They have a project that needs to be done, or they are required to teach others.

If you want to learn how to do something, having a project that you are passionate about greatly enhances the learning process. Even more effective is teaching the skill to your peers.

Learning in a Vacuum

Many of you may remember the hours you put into studying to pass or upgrade your Amateur Radio license. Most of us also realize how much of that "knowledge" vanished from our brains, sometimes as soon as we left the testing center.

The concept of "incentive licensing" has already been debated ad nauseam. Whether you loved or hated it, one thing was very clear: Studying material simply to pass a test has very little lasting effect. Take something you really want to do in Amateur Radio, and we see much greater retention of the material you learn to accomplish your goal.

My Challenges to You

During the rest of this year I challenge you to:

1. Learn something new.
2. Share your knowledge.

Don't worry. I have some ideas to get you started.

Learn Something New

The best way is to first identify a new ham radio activity or skill you would like to try: I've mentioned many examples in my previous columns. These include trying a new operating mode or band, building a rig or accessory, experimenting with new antenna designs, preparing yourself for emergency communication by taking the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications courses, to name a few.

You can further enhance the project and your learning by working together with a group of hams--especially if you include newly licensed hams.

Share the Knowledge

In the so-called "olden days" there were really only two ways to share the knowledge: In person or by writing a book or magazine article on the topic. Today, the Internet has provided a third, highly accessible, means.

• Be an "Elmer." One of the greatest gifts a ham can give back to the hobby is to serve as an Elmer. The one-on-one mentoring of an Elmer can be one of the most effective ways to bring an interested person through licensing, those first QSOs, setting up a station and becoming an A-1 Op that epitomizes the Amateur Code.

• Teach a licensing class. After you have whetted their appetite with your presentations to outside groups, the next logical step is to provide prospective licensees with a way to join us by teaching a licensing class.

• Be a public speaker. Provide programs for local organizations and/or put on public demonstrations of Amateur Radio for fairs, schools, civic groups, NGOs, etc. Since this is a QRP column, I cannot stress enough the need for QRPers to provide programs to local clubs to spread the word on the joys of low-power operating.

• Introduce yourself to newcomers. Many hams are hesitant to do a club program speak in public, so here is an easy, no-planning-required way to share your knowledge. Think back to your first visit to a local radio club meeting, hamfest or Field Day site. I am guessing that you, as most new hams, might have been somewhat shy and overwhelmed. So you, as a veteran ham, need to make the first move. Introduce yourself, share information with newcomers, ask if they have questions and invite them to become part of the group. To make it even easier, here is a list of some ideas to be successful:
  

  A few examples of name badges. Even if all the "regulars" at your club meetings know your name and call sign, wearing a name/call sign badge is a great way for newcomers to meet you.

  Installing a PL-259 coax connector can be daunting to new hams.

  1. Purchase and wear a nametag/badge with your call sign and name.
  2. Ask what attracted them to Amateur Radio.
  3. Invite them to visit a working ham shack (your club's or your own). Most new hams have little idea of what equipment is really necessary, how to create a spot to put it in, how to arrange it and how to get that magical RF signal through the walls and outside to the antenna.
  4. Demonstrate the operation of equipment. Everything from your handheld transceiver to HF rig, antenna tuner, mobile setup or other gear can be invaluable to someone planning their first equipment purchases.
  5. Invite them to attend a hamfest with you.
  6. Invite them to visit an operating event, such as Field Day, a public service event or a contest station.
  7. Introduce them to the club members who are "experts" in various aspects of the hobby (ie, the antenna gurus, contesters, DXers, QSLers and of course the QRPers.)
  8. Be patient, helpful and positive!

• Write! Write articles for your local radio club's newsletter or for a ham radio magazine (for writer's guides visit ARRL Publications, CQ-Amateur Radio and World Radio).

• Publish. Writing a book and getting it published was once a fairly difficult task, but with today's software and duplication equipment, a self-published, soft-cover book or booklet is quite a viable endeavor.

• Create a Web page. Probably the ideal way to share your ham radio knowledge is to create your own Web page. Work at your own pace. There are no deadlines and it is easy to change mistakes or update information. Your work is immediately available to your audience, worldwide and with no mailing or printing costs. You control the content, style and functionality. You may have heard that Web sites are expensive, hard to maintain and require learning all that HTML stuff. The good news is that these are all myths (usually put out by people who want to impress you with their own Web sites or want to charge you to design and build yours.) You can create a site for free, thanks to Alan L Waller, K3TKJ and his free hosting of ham radio Web sites on QSL.net. He got me and many, many others started in producing our first Web sites. Alan's work is a real gift to the ham community. Check it out! Then you can start your own ham radio Web site and, while you're at it, make a donation to help support his fine efforts. Visit my Web site for more information and suggestions for creating your own Amateur Radio Web site.

Reader Feedback and Author's Comments

Speaking of learning something new and sharing the wealth, spring is the time of year when QRP forums begin popping up around the country. These forums are great places to meet fellow QRPers, see new kits and homebrew projects and learn more about our fascinating hobby.

The first event of the year is Atlanticon held in the Baltimore, Maryland, area. OzarkCon, sponsored by the Four State QRP Group is the next event, held in Joplin, Missouri. Scheduled during the Dayton Hamvention® week, Four Days in May® (FDIM) sponsored by QRP-Amateur Radio Club International (QRP-ARCI), one of the premier QRP gatherings is marking its eleventh year.

For more events, see the schedule table on the QRP Community Page of my Web site for a listing of QRP get-togethers around the country. If you are aware of one I've missed or have more detailed information on an event, please e-mail me with the information to include in the schedule.

I definitely hope to see you at one of the QRP get-togethers this year!

Editor's note: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT, an ARRL Life Member, lives in Stow, Ohio. He has worked in the field of medical microbiology for 18 years and is now a Technology and Computer Coordinator for a local school district. Luscre is an avid QRP operator having earned DXCC, WAS and WAC using no more that 5 W output. Readers are invited to contact the author via e-mail, k8zt@arrl.net or visit his Web site.

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