Another successful auction is in the books! Thanks to the efforts of this year’s auction team, we had a well-organized event with a new and fast-moving format. There were great items auctioned off by our club auctioneer, things offered for sale as “make us an offer”, as well as mystery boxes containing miscellaneous smaller parts and accessories, all on display. However, if you missed out, take a look at this page on the club website for more treasures: https://ns9rc.org/nsrc-auction. At last count we have 58 treasures listed with a suggested price or you can make an offer. Each item’s description states if the item is New, Like New, or just plain Used. Fill out the form linked on the page and make us an offer! Remember the auction and online sale generate the funds to operate our repeaters & beacons, and finance club events.
About a year or so ago I received a phone call from a ham who wanted to know if our club was open to new members. Considering how welcoming I found the club the question puzzled me. I assured him that we most certainly welcomed new members and invited him to that Saturday’s Breakfast at Max’s the next club meeting. However, the question remained: are we really welcoming to new faces at the monthly meetings? Is opening the meeting with a call for new members and visitors to identify themselves enough? Are some folks shy about identifying in front of the whole groups at that point? Discussions concluded that we need to do something different. One idea was to encourage members to introduce ourselves and welcome new members and visitors during a coffee & donuts social prior to the meeting. From what I’ve observed this works well and is now a part of our Heller meetings. The doors at Heller Nature Center open at 7 pm. Please wear your name badge and come on in to introduce yourself to those friend you haven’t yet met. Temporary paper badges are also available from our membership chair Tami Witbrodt KD9IXB (who of course will also accept your 2027 dues.)
Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 10 live at Heller Nature Center and livestreamed on Zoom. The guest speaker will be Eric Swartz with an Elecraft Product Review.
After Eric’s presentation, the nominating committee will be introducing the slate of officers and directors for 2027. The election for those officers will be at our December 8 meeting at Heller.
There are many opportunities to assist running what is IMHO best ham radio club in the Chicago area. Please consider volunteering. More information is available on the website, https://ns9rc.org/open-club-positions.
As always complete up-to-date information about the club is available on our website https://ns9rc.org.
“See” you on the bands, 73.
Brian AB9ZI
President