A Monthly Update from the President’s Shack
Toward the end of last year, the company that I work for went through an ownership transfer. For many people, such a thought brings some natural anxiety, uncertainty, and the ageless question of ‘what’s next?’ The family that owned my company provided a major shock to the employees during this announcement; the company ownership had been transferred to the employees of the company. In a sweeping, whirlwind weekend, we were engulfed in learning about a employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and what it meant for us as a company and as individuals. Through expert outside consulting that was patient with our seemingly endless questions, one consistent message permeated most discussions; “with ownership transition to an ESOP, everything is different, but everything is the same.” When I look at our current events with the COVID-19 and the impact it has on our businesses, communities, families, habits and hobbies (like amateur radio), I remain hopeful that even though everything is different, everything will remain the same.
Within a few quick weeks, everything changed for the Parker Radio Association. We went from two monthly face-to-face meetings to none. We went from monthly committee breakfast meetings and portable operation gatherings to none. The future of our monthly face-to-face meetings is also unknown. One of our main events of the year, ARRL Field Day, will likely see some major changes in 2020. When all of this resumes, we do know for certain, everything will be different.
One of the elements of amateur radio that is at the core of the service is versatility. Radio amateurs are versatile and can adapt to unexpected changes with ease. Actually, we embrace and thrive on constant change. Take a look at our 2019 Field Day – we went from beautiful weather, to thunderstorms, hail, wind, dropping temps and even snow flurries. The best part was that we adapted to the elements, and continued to play radio, have fun, and kept the squelch very loose.
Over the past couple of weeks, we maintained focus and commitment to moving our monthly face-to-face meetings to both an on-the-air meeting and a YouTube Live event for Elmer Night. Although it was different, everything remained the same. We had a lot of laughs, a great presentation, and we all learned so much by adapting to what we faced. It could have been very easy to cancel or postpone these events, but with the momentum that these events have, we simply found a way to make it work. Our YouTube Live event was far from pretty or polished, but it was a lot of fun and we received a lot of great feedback.
With everything changing, everything remains the same, particularly when it comes to amateur radio. Amateur radio is consistent and is always there. It welcomes you back when you’ve been off the air for a while. The hobby adapts to change relatively quickly with modern digital modes via computer or raspberry pi. Even traditional methods of morse code and voice communication remain very active, even in the computer assisted digital age. Like amateur radio, the Parker Radio Association will continue to adapt to change, with a kindred spirit that continually promotes having fun, playing radio, and keeping the squelch loose.
Don’t forget, wash your hands often! See you on the air or on one of our online platforms!
73,
Dan – N2SRK
President
Parker Radio Association