In Sector Baltimore 5SR we are looking at increasing the number of radio watch-standers at both auxiliary and Coast Guard stations by recruiting from the local ham clubs. Has anyone tried this before? What worked, what did not.

Thanks
Bruce

As a watchstander (and a ham since 1953) I offer my opinion about recruiting hams to be watchstanders.

On the surface it seems to be a good idea but the devil is in the details.

Knowledge of the local AOR and having some understanding of how boater's think/act is much more valuable than radio op knowledge. Recruits straight out of boot camp learn the procedures within two weeks.

Further, when a ham learns that they have to qualify as an AUX first and then satisfy the PQS plus local requirements I don't think they would be anxious to join up.

In our AOR, a couple of AUX/hams managed to get most of their ham club to join, and they ended up creating a new flotilla out of them. All they pretty much do is comms stuff, and we can rarely coax them into doing anything else if it doesn't involve a radio or something techy. It's worked out well on the comms side though...

To each their own.

quote:

Originally posted by baloo0136:
In our AOR, a couple of AUX/hams managed to get most of their ham club to join, and they ended up creating a new flotilla out of them. All they pretty much do is comms stuff, and we can rarely coax them into doing anything else if it doesn't involve a radio or something techy. It's worked out well on the comms side though...

To each their own.

Does "comms stuff" include watchstanding at a CG station?

We have 3 hams in our Flotilla, all are W/S qualified and routinely stand watch at the station, as well as having fixed land and mobile stations. One of them has a HF station participating in SHARES. All 3 are also TCS qualified.

Robert Carr
Sta Alpena

I know that alot of people (from multiple flotillas in our division) have at least worked on the WS qual, but I'm not sure how many augment over there on a regular basis.

Thanks for responses. This let me know that the idea has worked. Looking at the RACES/ARES groups since they are hams the have gone through the ICS 100, 200, 700, 800 so paper work is not going to be a deterrent.