I just returned from the 2003 Great Lakes Division Convention in Findlay, OH. This one-day event featured speakers on a variety of topics. The topics included PSK 31, High Speed Multimedia (HSMM), and a variety of other topics.
Jim Bridgewater, AA8JD, head of the FCC Detroit Field Office, kicked off the convention with an interesting talk about the work of the FCC. According to Jim, the majority of their work is investigating things like tower lighting and interference complaints by police and other public safety radio users. He does, however, spend some time on policing the ham bands, and explained the procedure when he does detect a violation.
The other sessions that I attended included:
- a seminar on club activities
- a talk on high speed multimedia (HSMM), and
- a demonstration of PSK 31.
. All of the talks were very well done. (I’ll be writing more about the clubs seminar later, so look for that.)
The final session of the day was an overview of the division, and included short talks by the Division Director, Vice Director, and the three section managers. It was a good way to get to know these guys. Following their short talks, Jim Haynie, W5JPB, ARRL president, got up to say a few words. He’s a great speaker and addressed some of the issues facing ham radio today. Afterwards, he also fielded some questions from the crowd.
Included in convention fees was a banquet that evening, at which both Jim Bridgewater and Jim Haynie spoke again. This time, we got the full treatment from W5JBP. By the full treatment, I mean his heavy duty speech on the ARRL, its activities, and the role it’s playing in shaping the future of ham radio. This speech is one that every amateur should hear. Jim is a great speaker, and has a solid vision for ham radio (imho). Perhaps if the League’s critics could hear it, they would be so ready to jump on the League and denigrate the work they’re doing.
My one (small) criticism was that the banquet festivities dragged on a bit too long. The speeches did not end till around 10 pm, and by that time, we were all ready for it to end.
Overall, though, the convention was a lot of fun and a great experience. I got to meet all of the mucky-mucks of the division, and found them all to be really great folks. I would encourage anyone reading this to attend this event (or one like it in your division) next year.
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