Some thoughts from one of QCWA’s younger members

Saturday afternoon — I joined the QCWA earlier this year –actually, I’m a couple of years past the minimum 25 years as a licensed Amateur Radio operator, but that’s OK. I’ve paid my fees and joined.

There was once a Kentucky chapter of QCWA that showed up at hamfests regularly … but the driving force behind that effort (whoever it was) seems to have become an Silent Key or those involved lost interest. I have to give credit to those Kentucky QCWA members, they were the ones who encouraged me to join several years ago (and before my 25th year).

I took a look at the QCWA membership list today, and I was surprised to find I am one of 38 members in Kentucky. I thought that number tiny, given the number of licensed hams we have in the state (and given the average age of the ham population in general).

So why join QCWA? Part of the reason is vanity — I wanted to be a part of a club that denotes the fact I’ve been a ham for at least 25 years. Perhaps simply to use the cool logo, which to me has always looked a bit like the hippie 1960s cartoon work of Robert Crumb of “Keep On Truckin’ ” fame.

But on second glance, what image does the QCWA present? It’s the image of QST’s “The Old Man” with his pipe sending hand-sent code into the Ether with his (presumably) spark gap transmitter. I love reading T.O.M’s screeds “Rotten QRM,” “Rotten Sending,” “Rotten (fill in the blank)” Funny stuff — but very period … 1920s and 30s.

But what does QCWA offer its members? There are chapters scattered about the country, of course. Membership isn’t expensive, but as Groucho Marx once observed, “I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.”

For starters, it would be nice to see the state chapter return; however, there are only 38 members in the state … I don’t know if that translates into a lot of SKs or just a lot of hams aren’t interested in “joining a club that will have them as a member.”

I think an update of the logo would be a good start … QCWA from the outside looks like a club for grouchy-ass senior citizen hams. I qualify 100 percent in that regard, of course, but let’s think image here … as in the “curb appeal” of membership. In other words, the membership is open to grouchy old farts, but membership isn’t limited only to GOFs.

QCWA also carries the perception it is a CW-only organization. I assumed it was until I joined. But the organization is open to all hams. QCWA has a decent newsletter that is emailed to members. The bulletin could be beefed up some perhaps, but a good newsletter is a big plus to members.

But lets get back to image. The organization needs to update its image. I believe it possible — and desirable — to revamp the image with new logos and a new website. It isn’t to alienate us GOFs, but simply to broaden the organization’s appeal. When my term as SM is done, maybe I’ll jump into QCWA … well, that will require approval from “the Boss.” While she too is a ham (and qualifies for QCWA membership herself), getting involved in more ham radio commitments may not be high on her list. Better buy her flowers and chocolate before I suggest something like this.

While searching for a full-color QCWA logo, I came across the logo at right — a very attractive logo at that! It has a very classic look to it, certainly. Was this an old QCWA logo? Perhaps it was a new one being tested??