April 10th at 7PM the Sumner County Amateur Radio Association was called to order by President Jon Massaro, W4JDM, meeting at the Sumner County Emergency Services Center. There were 28 members in attendance.
After a quick business meeting Jon led a panel discussion about HF radio and breaking barriers to successful HF operation for hams that are new to the word of HF. The panel consisted of Doug, KO4MKD, Steve, KI4ZDF, Tony, W1VS, and Richard, WA4YQC. Jon peppered the veteran HF ham panelists with targeted questions. The knowledge that was relayed to the forum was astounding. The panel consisted of hams with HF experience of 2 to well over 50 years. Antennas, radios, operation technique and etiquette were all topics of interest. One major point expressed by the panelists on numerous occasions was to listen. Listen, Listen, Listen before keying the mic. And the most important part of any good HF station is the antenna. “I would rather have a great antenna and a 20 dollar radio than a bad antenna and a 20,000 dollar radio!” was one quote that made a big impression on the audience.
Thanks goes out to Jon, W4JDM, for scheduling the panelists and thanks goes out to the 4 panelists for taking the time and sharing their decades of operating knowledge. Events like this are a part of what makes amateur radio clubs a wonderful resource. The friendly knowledge and elmering is heart warming!