Get On The Air Program
 |
Mark Wagner, N1ZYZ
GOTAP Coordinator |
Who You Going To Call? |
Hi. I’m Mark Wagner, N1ZYZ, and I am the
ARRL GOTAP coordinator for NARC.
Welcome to my first column. This month I’ll
be providing a overview of GOTAP. What’s
GOTAP you ask? Read on.
What is GOTAP?
GOTAP is a new program that the ARRL
has put together in order to help new and
existing hams get on the air and stay in the
hobby. It has been loosely defined by the
ARRL and covers many areas in which the
club has already been involved. I started in
this role in February and the program is now
starting to come together in Nashua.
How does it work?
The program is fairly simple. We have
supplied the ARRL with a list of zip codes
for the surrounding area. Every month, the
ARRL provides a data feed containing the
names and addresses of new hams, upgraded
hams, non hams who have contacted the
ARRL about Amateur Radio, new ARRL
members and ARRL members who are
rejoining after a hiatus of several years.
As coordinator, I take the list and ensure that
we contact everyone on it to see how their
ham experience is progressing, to see if there
are areas in which the club can help, to help
answer questions and basically try to support
as much as possible.
How is it going so far?
I have received the first feed from the ARRL
covering October through January. I have
managed to contact by phone most of the
people on the list. I will be sending out mail
to the people I haven’t contacted yet.
So far, I’ve found that the main interest of
the people contacted is preparing for the
5WPM or 13WPM tests. I have been able to
talk to several new hams that I can definitely
relate to. We’re Technician Plus licensees,
but lack the confidence to get on the air with
CW. I will be setting up a schedule on 10
meters for us to get together and work on
CW skills and procedures as well as our
confidence. If you are interested in listening,
joining in, or playing Elmer, let me know as
I hope to make this a regular activity.
There also Technicians out there trying to
learn the code for the 5 WPM test. Perhaps
next months column could be in CW? I’m
also looking into getting equipment to help
people get on the air. If you have anything
to lend or donate, please speak up.
What’s next
I will be presenting a more in-depth look at
GOTAP at the May meeting. In the
meantime, I’m learning how to best meet the
needs of the new ham community. If you
have any tips or suggestions that you would
like to share, I would love to hear them.
You can reach me on the Nashua repeater
(147.045+/224.28-), by electronic mail
(markwagner@geocities.com), or phone
(603-424- 1516).
I hope to make this a regular column. Next
month I'll publish a list of times and
frequencies for the interactive code practice.
73 de Mark, N1ZYZ
Back to In this issue...