The idea of radio clubs opening their doors to allow members to try things new is not a unique concept, and is not rocket science. In some cases though, the trick is to make sure that such an event is correctly packaged and made accessible to everyone.
This page is intended to provide some background on the Skills Workshop concept, and some guidance for amateur radio clubs looking to find new ways of engaging with amateurs in the area – It’s working in Essex, so may work for your club.
The aim is that Skills Workshop sessions attract the following people:
- Those new to the hobby looking for help, advice & ideas
- Those considering getting started in amateur radio who want a taste before their course
- Amateurs looking to try new modes, acquire new skills and learn from others
- Anyone interested in passing on knowledge or mentoring the next generation of amateurs
More informationFore more information on the Skills Night, and how you could roll out a similar event for your group, see our “Amateur Radio Skills Night Formula” – It’s also available as a PDF from our Amateur Radio Resources section. |
Ham Skills in Essex
Let’s look at an example of how the concept can be rolled out.The idea of ‘Skills Workshop’ was pioneered in Essex in 2014, hosted by the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society‘s training team.
The Chelmsford ARS brands its variant of the workshop as the “Amateur Radio Skills Night“, and this is held monthly in Danbury, close to Chelmsford.
The sessions are held on the third Monday of the month, to allow a tie-up with Essex Ham’s weekly 2 metre net. The Essex Skills Night typically includes the following:
- Show-and-tell sessions where people will demonstrate equipment, modes and procedures
- Hands-on sessions, such as programming a radio, setting up a station and using electronic logging
- The opportunity to ask questions in a friendly, relaxed environment
- For the more experienced amateur, the opportunity to help and mentor those new to the hobby
- A social get-together, where amateurs can meet, chat, share knowledge, and have a cuppa
Attendees are asked what they want from these evenings (via a questionnaire which is available to attendees on the night or via an online questionnaire).
Examples of Skills Workshops:
| Timelapse video of March 2016 Skills Night |
Skills Nights in Essex now regularly attracts an average of between 50 and 70 attendees from Essex, Kent, Suffolk and London. Topics are based on suggestions from attendees via online and paper feedback forms, and the nights are supported by the weekly Essex Ham Monday Night Net.
The Structure of Skills Workshops
The Skills Workshop isn’t a formal training course, neither is it a traditional “sit down and watch a Powerpoint” session. The concept is fairly simple
- Provide a room with some tables
- Encourage keen amateurs to bring things along to talk about
- Provide refreshment
- Promote it well
Other considerations include:
- Making it available to all, not just your own club
- Making it free (funded by donations for tea & coffee)
- Making is a part of your club’s training – to help mentor new licensees
One of the keys for the roll-out in Essex has to get the online presence correct, and Essex Ham hosted a dedicated microsite for the CARS Skills Night. This included videos, reviews of evenings, a mailing list for those interested in attending, an online feedback survey and event photos.
The Background
The Skills Workshop concept was conceived by Essex Ham’s Pete M0PSX with input and support from Jim 2E0RMI and Sarah M6PSK. It launched in January 2014, hosted by the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society’s training team.
The Skills Workshop is a variant of Essex Ham’s Foundation+ concept, an idea to help encourage newly-licenced amateurs to gain confidence, progress, and stay in the hobby.
It was originally proposed that Foundation+ would be rolled out in the South of Essex by the Thames Amateur Radio Group, but after their decision not to adopt the idea in 2013, a re-packaged “Skills Night“, was proposed to the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society, who enthusiastically adopted the idea in early 2014.
Starting Skills Workshops
Hopefully, this page has provided information on how to get a Skills Workshop off the ground. If you’re associated with a club that’s keen to try something like this – please get in touch with us. We may be able to help, or pass on some of what’s been learned through the first rollout here in Essex.
Related Links
- Essex Skills Nights
- Amateur Radio Skills Night Formula – How to run your own Skills Night
- Amateur Radio Training Resources
