I took part in a “webinar” today, which is a cross between an online conference and a teleconference. Basically you get to view — as a group of participants — a powerpoint type of presentation, and listen in by telephone to the presenter.
This webinar was hosted by the Atlanitc Division, and featured Dan Henderson, N1ND, who heads up the regulatory office at ARRL HQ.
It was my first webinar, and Dan's first too. He basically explained much of what his job entails, and gave some info on the rules and regs that affect the Amateur Radio service — which aren't all contained in Part 97, I learned.
Other than the fact it was a toll call, the webiner was very good. It's not as interactive as a teleconference, which is probably just as well — trying to manage a meeting of a couple dozen hams and keep it on track and on agenda can be akin to herding cats.
From my cursory research, webinars seem to have a place in training and distance education. It worked well with Dan's presentation too.
There was a Q&A period at the end, and — being the onery cuss I am — I submitted a question regarding the control operator issue as related to the column in a recent non-QST publication. I didn't demean anyone, nor did I try to make anyone “at fault.” The gist of my question was “has anything changed in that regard in FCC interpretation.”
In retrospect, it was probably a question better suited to an e-mail. I wasn't looking for him to denounce the author, or say he was “wrong.” My question simply asked if the FCC's interpretation had changed from what it has historically been.
Dan didn't really address that, but simply stated what was undeniably true — the author has years of experience as an FCC official, and that he takes a very conservative view of the regulations.
All in all, the webinar is a good resource for presentations and the like. Well controlled and can't get sidetracked by the audience.
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It's the June VHF contest and I've not yet made the first 6 meter contact. ARRGH! Lots of things going on today, just none of them involve time in the shack. Maybe tomorrow.
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My personalized license plate (“ARRL”) on my Suzuki mini-SUV attracted the attention recently of someone walking his dog. I was parked — of all places — in the cemetery to visit my parents' graves. I was back in the truck when he came by walking his dog. I had the window down, and he stopped and asked me if I was a ham radio operator.
Turns out he is one of our local hams who has been inactive for years, but maintains his license. He had an interesting story of how he (as a “2-lander”) wound up here in town. He had several family members/friends who were hams, and he got his first ticket in the 1960s. We had a great time talking radio. He's not been active in some years, but still keeps his ticket current. I encouraged him to get active, and to call me if there's anything I can help him with.
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That's the latest news from the trenches … more updates soon!
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