Hi Everyone,
Happy April! While the calendar says spring, Mother
Nature seems to be playing an April Fool’s joke on us with
this unpredictable weather. Hopefully, we’ll see
consistently warmer days soon. And speaking of spring,
the hamfest season is definitely in full bloom!
I’ve had the pleasure of attending several hamfests
recently, and the calendar is packed with even more
exciting events in the coming weeks.

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It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts, learn new things, and maybe
even find that elusive piece of equipment you’ve been searching for.
I’m particularly looking forward to May and the promise of consistently better weather. Of
course, May also means the Dayton Hamvention is just around the corner! Have you secured
your tickets and accommodations yet? With only 46 days to go, time is of the essence, as hotel
rooms are filling up quickly. Don’t delay!
The Great Lakes Division will once again have a booth inside the ARRL area at Hamvention,
just as we did last year. We’re encouraging everyone to participate in our “Brag Board” by
bringing a QSL card to display. We had a great display last year, and I hope even more of you
will contribute this time around.
To ensure a truly impressive display, please remember to bring your QSL card with you. If you
happen to forget, a business card will also work in a pinch! Be sure to stop by the Great Lakes
Division booth and say hello. We look forward to seeing you there!

World Amateur Radio Day is approaching on Friday, April 18th. Is
your local club planning any special events or activations to
celebrate? If not, there’s still time to organize something fun and
engaging. World Amateur Radio Day is a chance to showcase the
invaluable contributions that amateur radio operators make to their
communities and to citizens around the world.

Field Day is rapidly approaching (June 28th and 29th). Is your club
preparing for this important event? If so, please remind them to register on the ARRL Field Day
locator: https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator.
Here’s another great idea: Reach out to your local government officials and request a
Proclamation for Amateur Radio during Field Day weekend. Many local governments are
happy to recognize the importance of amateur radio in this way. Be sure to invite the local
news media to the proclamation event to generate positive publicity for amateur radio. Amateur
radio groups are encouraged to share a copy of their proclamations with ARRL via email
at: pr@arrl.org. ARRL will often share these proclamations to advance legislative efforts,
creating additional support of awareness for amateur radio among lawmakers.
Club leaders, are your meetings being offered in a hybrid format (e.g., Zoom, Teams, Go-ToMeeting) in addition to in-person attendance? While hybrid meetings require a bit more effort,
they offer a fantastic way to include members who may have difficulty traveling at night or
attending in person due to distance or other commitments. It truly enhances accessibility and
inclusivity. While it does require extra effort on the part of the setup crew, it means so much to
those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend. It also opens the door to attracting new
members.

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I’ve heard from several club leaders who have experienced an increase in membership from
outside their immediate area or state since implementing hybrid meetings. Furthermore, hybrid
meetings can unlock a world of possibilities for your club’s programs and guest speakers!
Consider showcasing one of the excellent recorded webinars available in the ARRL Learning
Center or hosting a live presentation from a guest speaker located hundreds or even
thousands of miles away.
Offering hybrid meetings doesn’t mean that in-person attendance is discouraged. It simply
provides an alternative for those who are unable to attend physically but still want to
participate. Many excellent recorded webinars are available from experts around the globe,
covering a wide range of topics. Most of these webinars are approximately 30 minutes in
length, making them a perfect fit for a club meeting agenda.
Remember the “posterior rule”: The brain can only absorb what the seat can endure! Keep
things engaging and concise.

That’s all for this month. Stay safe, everyone, and I hope to “Catch You On The Air, at a
meeting, or at a hamfest!” Most importantly… Have FUN and… Get On The Air!
73,
Scott Yonally, N8SY
Director – Great Lakes Division