Most of my amateur-radio involvement has grown through two organizations: the Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club and Houston POTA. They are different clubs with different purposes, and both are important parts of my experience in the hobby.
Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club
BVARC was the first amateur-radio club I joined. I currently serve as Vice President and as the regular Net Control Operator for the Wednesday edition of the BVARC Stir Crazy Net. I also started Brews with BVARC, a recurring social gathering built around giving club members another informal place to meet.
I have helped organize and operate BVARC Field Day, Winter Field Day, Parks on the Air activities, club programs, and other events. I am also trustee for the BVARC club call KK5W.
Houston POTA
My friend Anthony, W5LIC, and I began going to parks, setting up stations, and inviting other people to join us. Some of those early Parks on the Air gatherings were organized through BVARC. As the activity grew, we formed Houston POTA as an independent club with its own board, bylaws, events, and club call.
I am a co-founder and the current President of Houston POTA. The club call is KE5HP. I am not the trustee for that call; Houston POTA’s Vice President holds that responsibility.
We schedule events at parks around the Houston region. Operators can bring a complete station, bring a single piece of equipment they want to try, or simply show up and learn. Between the members present, there are usually radios, antennas, batteries, filters, computers, tools, and enough practical experience to get someone on the air.
Why I stay involved
I enjoy the technical side of radio, but clubs are where that knowledge becomes useful to someone else. A good event gives experienced operators room to experiment while making it easy for a new operator to ask a basic question, sit down at a station, and make a contact.
Leadership in these organizations has involved planning events, coordinating equipment and volunteers, helping resolve practical problems, and making sure the activity remains enjoyable enough that people want to return.