If the AARG is going to continue with it's mission of supporting the community and club members it will need capital to survive. We are (at present) a no dues organization which makes it tougher to have funds to continue the goals and mission. I have mentioned some ideas to the Board of Directors of possible ways to get capital including: offering license classes for a fee, offering antenna installation help to other organizations for a fee, assessments to club members for the purchase of equipment.
Please add to this conversation with ideas that can bring in needed support for the club. Thank you for your time and consideration!
I don't recall which group it was, but I paid a nominal fee ($10, I think) to take my Technician exam at Goose Creek Library ... I did not mind at all ... 3 exam graders and a couple other folks were there ... they took care of all the paperwork/registration to get my License registered with the FCC ... they offered to forgo the fee cuz I was a disabled vet, but I paid anyway ... a fair price to stay off of that @#$!! user unfriendly FCC website. I had to navigate thru that accursed website to first get my FRN, then my GMRS license, so if I never have to log into that torturous path again that will be just fine with me
also, I love supporting small businesses ... I would much rather buy a quality end fed antenna from some guy making it in his garage (like Greg) or a small two meter antenna (like Brian in Andrews) ... If the club was to buy from them, and tack a reasonable surcharge it would be a no brainer for me ... small businesses I really like are Portable Zero, Signalstuff, KB9VBR and Aero Antennas ... there are things that can be made with 3d printing that I would much rather buy from one of our "hobbyists" at a gathering vs going thru the gamble of having it shipped ... just spitballing...
For the record, I will not participate in washing cars, nor hustling popcorn or cookies <grin>
of course everyone has seen these type of dust covers ... I would not mind having one or several that had KQ4ZBE on it (if there is the talent available in our group) ... Realtree camo material would be up my alley, no need for waterproof (for me) just something to keep dust at bay
to continue with the dust cover theme, I would not mind having BARF, or nothing at all ... Realtree camo is preferred, but woodland camo is ok too ... like I previously mentioned, just spitballing
