[IRCA] IT'S ONLY A HOBBY...BUT...

["Mark Durenberger Mobile" <Mark4@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

John, another thing you bring to the table is PERSPECTIVE.  You have a few 
years on me but not so many that I don't appreciate what your Macro view can 
mean.  Appropriately, your last line says it all: "Carry on, fellow DX'ers, 
and keep the hobby going!"

Lee Freshwater's desire to spend some time in reinvention is a healthy one, 
methinks.  I've been watching his long-time requests for help that seemingly 
have gone unanswered.  At the same time, some of us see the multiple 
postings on these reflectors from folks who don't belong to either club but 
are obviously interested in DX activities.  So we know there's energy out 
there.

Having said all that, many of us heed your advice and don't intend to let a 
dwindling interest in DX-ing get away from us.  On Saturday night 8/3 at the 
convention, Skip Dabelstein will lead what I hope will be a spirited and 
POSITIVE discussion on the future of the clubs and what we can do to provide 
useful services, attract new members and reinvigorate existing membership.

We do not intend to let this discussion stray all over 'yesterday' but 
instead focus on today and tomorrow.  Many believe we're at a watershed in 
both clubs.  Fewer members are carrying more of the load.  Club Board 
members (who also have a 'life') are accused of being indifferent...but we 
sometimes forget they're paid their dues over the years.  Fewer folks are 
reading the on-line offerings when nothing new is offered.  That happens 
because members (who of course also have a 'life') don't make sharing a 
priority...

A primary purpose of this year's convention is to audit and hopefully renew 
an interest in all this.  It'll be good to hear what people say about 
expectations.   It may well be that a good number of folks throw up their 
hands at it all...but as my friend Jim Wulliman would say to the rest of us; 
"Don't get mad...get involved!"  I hope we can unearth a way to turn up 
involvement and tap the perceived potential energy.

A complete report will be posted following the discussions for those of you 
interested but unable to make the convention.  Kudos to those of you who 
will be there and will hopefully 'get involved.'


Mark Durenberger
On the Road

-----Original Message----- 
From: John Callarman

Anthony, I appreciate your comments. What has happened in my case is not 
that I've lost my love for DX, it's simply that other time-consuming hobbies 
have moved up the list of how I enjoy spending my time.

During the first six years that I moved back to Texas, I enjoyed the 
challenge of identifying the stations that would from time to time give me 
enough clues for a positive ID and a decent tape on a crowded frequency. I 
could still enjoy the challenge, but there are things that I now enjoy more. 
I'm so far behind on keyboarding genealogical and family history information 
I've collected into the data base I could spend 24/7 for months on that 
chore alone.

The lure of DX remains, but the temptation is currently being resisted.

Carry on, fellow DX'ers, and keep the hobby going!

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