Contesting Makes Further Inroads Online; PVRC To Host Internet Conferences on Contest Items

By Jamie Dupree NS3T radio-sport.net
Posted May 10, 2009

Looking to use the internet to further publicize the ham radio contest hobby, leaders of the Potomac Valley Radio Club in the US have decided to embark on a series of web conferences geared towards contesting.
"As one of the leading contest clubs, I believe we have a responsibility to support the contest community at large, and promote our sport and Amateur Radio in general," said PVRC President Ken Claerbout K4ZW, who announced the initiatve to his membership May 10.
"This is a tool that can be used to extend coverage of contest topics to a much broader audience," Claerbout told radio-sport.net.
"Imagine being able to attend a presentation by some of the top names in our sport, from the comfort of your shack or with your laptop sitting in your easy chair," he added.
Claerbout says the PVRC will not charge for any of these on line presentations, making it open to anyone in the contest community.
"All you have to do is click on the invite link then sit back and enjoy the show," said Claerbout.
"If we can come up with sufficient server space, the Webinars will be recorded so that individuals can view them at a later date."
Among the early offerings from the PVRC:
Choosing Your First Tower by K4ZA & W2GD
Introduction RTTY Contesting by K4GMH
Long Term Antenna and Tower Reliability by W3LPL
Contest Antennas by N6BV
"The plan is to host one Webinar a month but with the wealth of topics available, we might decide to increase their frequency," said Claerbout.
"This is a tool that can be used to extend coverage of contest topics to a much broader audience."
Claerbout also sees it as a logical recruitment tool, to find people on the internet who might be interested in ham radio and in radiosport.

PVRC Wins Sweepstakes Club Battle

Along with looking at ways to promote contesting, the Potomac Valley Radio Club is one of many groups that do their best to get as many members on the air for the ARRL November Sweepstakes contests.
In 2008, the PVRC won the top slot in the Unlimited category, with over 22 million points from 317 entries.
Finishing second was the Northern California Contest Club with 20 million points from 278 entries.
"GREAT news!" said PVRC'er John Klim N3KHK on the PVRC reflector. "Dayton will be even better now!"
And it will become official in Dayton, as the gavels for the 75th anniversary Sweepstakes will be awarded to the PVRC at the Saturday morning Contest Forum at the Day Hamvention.
"Let me thank those who helped organize our effort, those who submitted scores, hosted guest operators, or contribute to the club in an number of ways not just in this event but throughout the year," said PVRC President Ken Claerbout K4ZW.
PVRC members will get to show off their pride on Friday night at the Contest Super Suite at the Crowne Plaza Dayton as the club will be sponsoring the 11pm pizza party that night