An ARRL Knowledge Base, and its value to prospective ARRL members
Dave AA6YQ
It's been proposed that the ARRL create and maintain a Knowledge Base that would contain
Information in the Knowledge Base would be organized by subject matter, exploiting well-known online knowledge management techniques that optimize for ease of access. The Knowledge Base would likely be hosted in a Wiki or Content Management System. Ideally, readers could optionally subscribe to specific topics, receiving notifications when new articles relevant to those topics were added to the Knowledge Base.
It has further been proposed that every new US Ham be formally considered a prospective member for one or two years after submitting his or her email address to the ARRL. ARRL members and prospective members would have access to the Knowledge Base.
The combination of access to the ARRL's Online Groups and access to its Knowledge Base would for prospective members demonstrate much of the value the ARRL provides to its members, contributing to the ARRL's ability to achieve measurable objectives like these:
A well-organized mentorship program targeting new US hams would also be required to achieve these objectives.
Comments? Better ideas?
73,
Dave, AA6YQ
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Dave; I am completely in favor of such a proposal, but have two questions:
73, Dale H. Cole K8TS
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Dave AA6YQ
Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2020 1:47 PM To: ARRL-New-Hams@... Subject: [New-Hams] An ARRL Knowledge Base, and its value to prospective ARRL members
It's been proposed that the ARRL create and maintain a Knowledge Base that would contain
Information in the Knowledge Base would be organized by subject matter, exploiting well-known online knowledge management techniques that optimize for ease of access. The Knowledge Base would likely be hosted in a Wiki or Content Management System. Ideally, readers could optionally subscribe to specific topics, receiving notifications when new articles relevant to those topics were added to the Knowledge Base.
It has further been proposed that every new US Ham be formally considered a prospective member for one or two years after submitting his or her email address to the ARRL. ARRL members and prospective members would have access to the Knowledge Base.
The combination of access to the ARRL's Online Groups and access to its Knowledge Base would for prospective members demonstrate much of the value the ARRL provides to its members, contributing to the ARRL's ability to achieve measurable objectives like these:
A well-organized mentorship program targeting new US hams would also be required to achieve these objectives.
Comments? Better ideas?
73,
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I agree and think this is long overdue Steve KG5VK Tele 318-470-9806 ARRL NTX Section Manager Please note: My Out Going Email address is LottsPhoto@... KG5VK@... is forwarded to my Gmail address
On Wed, Feb 12, 2020 at 3:05 PM K8TS <dalecole3502@...> wrote:
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Bernd - KB7AK
I agree as well.
(My local club does something much smaller but similar, when you test with our VE group, you can enroll with the Club with no cost for the first 12 to 18 months, you have access to all Club resources, you just cannot vote)
73, Bernd – KB7AK
From: ARRL-New-Hams@... <ARRL-New-Hams@...> On Behalf Of Steven Lott Smith
I agree and think this is long overdue
Steve KG5VK Tele 318-470-9806 Please note: My Out Going Email address is LottsPhoto@... KG5VK@... is forwarded to my Gmail address
On Wed, Feb 12, 2020 at 3:05 PM K8TS <dalecole3502@...> wrote:
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Dave AA6YQ
+ AA6YQ comments below
On Wed, Feb 12, 2020 at 01:05 PM, K8TS wrote:
+ Obtaining contact information from new prospective members + The name and postal address of each newly-licensed US ham is available from a database provided by the FCC. Because this database does not contain an email address, the ARRL snail-mails a packet to each newly-licensed US ham that (if I recall correctly), advertises the ARRL, offers a full-price ARRL membership, and offers a modest discount on ARRL merchandise. In my opinion, the contents of this packet are obnoxious, indistinguishable from the junk mail I receive. Far better (and less expensive) would be to send a simple postcard with an intriguing radio-oriented background image that says "Congratulations on earning your amateur radio license! The ARRL offers you a free one-year membership with online access to ARRL experts and expertise that can help you get on the air. Visit www.arrl.org/register to sign up!" + The registration page would require the prospective member to specify an email address; the registration mechanism would then send a "completion URL" to the specified mail address so the prospect can complete the registration process; this approach validates the email address. + Establishing a mentor program + Some suggestions:
73,
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Bernd - KB7AK
I thought the FCC captures an email address, because this is typically how you get notified when they issue your license, at least that is what I remember.
73, Bernd – KB7AK
From: ARRL-New-Hams@... <ARRL-New-Hams@...> On Behalf Of Dave AA6YQ
+ AA6YQ comments below
+ Obtaining contact information from new prospective members + The name and postal address of each newly-licensed US ham is available from a database provided by the FCC. Because this database does not contain an email address, the ARRL snail-mails a packet to each newly-licensed US ham that (if I recall correctly), advertises the ARRL, offers a full-price ARRL membership, and offers a modest discount on ARRL merchandise. In my opinion, the contents of this packet are obnoxious, indistinguishable from the junk mail I receive. Far better (and less expensive) would be to send a simple postcard with an intriguing radio-oriented background image that says "Congratulations on earning your amateur radio license! The ARRL offers you a free one-year membership with online access to ARRL experts and expertise that can help you get on the air. Visit www.arrl.org/register to sign up!" + The registration page would require the prospective member to specify an email address; the registration mechanism would then send a "completion URL" to the specified mail address so the prospect can complete the registration process; this approach validates the email address. + Establishing a mentor program + Some suggestions:
73,
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Dave AA6YQ
+ AA6YQ comments below
I thought the FCC captures an email address, because this is typically how you get notified when they issue your license, at least that is what I remember. + If you know of an FCC database that includes an email address for each callsign, please post its location here. + The FCC may collect email addresses and employ them internally, but not make them publicly available to avoid enabling spammers. 73, Dave. AA6YQ
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My Cellphone
Establishing a mentoring/coaching program is really difficult to do. In terms of organizing, the purpose, matching mentors and mentees, etc. the concept of transferring institutional knowledge is really the easy part. The difficult part is development if the process and the logistics of starting and concluding the mentoring and ready for mire matches.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
On Feb 12, 2020, at 1:05 PM, K8TS <dalecole3502@...> wrote:
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Dave AA6YQ
+ AA6YQ comments below
Establishing a mentoring/coaching program is really difficult to do. In terms of organizing, the purpose, matching mentors and mentees, etc. the concept of transferring institutional knowledge is really the easy part. The difficult part is development if the process and the logistics of starting and concluding the mentoring and ready for mire matches. + The continuing loss of members constitutes an existential threat to the ARRL. To turn this around, the ARRL must encourage more new hams to become members and stay members. That requires the ARRL to provide new hams with demonstrable, sustainable value. What do new hams need most? Mentoring, and equipment. A mentorship program addresses the first need, and also provides fulfilling opportunities for experienced members to make a contribution by becoming mentors. I agree that this won't be easy, but what's the alternative? Watch the ARRL bleed out? + The ARRL may also be able to help with the need for equipment. 73, Dave AA6YQ
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My Cellphone
I want apologize for my thumb typing, below. I have developed several Mentoring and Coaching programs in my employment. I'm happy to help with looking at the process. Once key aspect is the Mentee being able to clearly identify specific knowledge based goals and a method for identifying the progress and completion of the milestones for completion. The matching can be done through posting and then the Mentor's selecting the Mentee and the body of knowledge they can help the person obtain. This can be done through a simple application. There some risk areas that should be considered in how the process flow itself will work and hopefully gaining some assistance of Elmers from local or nearby clubs when needed. Just tossing out a few thoughts, Rob Abbott KJ7MAY
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020, 3:05:52 PM PST, Dave AA6YQ <aa6yq@...> wrote:
+ AA6YQ comments below Establishing a mentoring/coaching program is really difficult to do. In terms of organizing, the purpose, matching mentors and mentees, etc. the concept of transferring institutional knowledge is really the easy part. The difficult part is development if the process and the logistics of starting and concluding the mentoring and ready for mire matches. + The continuing loss of members constitutes an existential threat to the ARRL. To turn this around, the ARRL must encourage more new hams to become members and stay members. That requires the ARRL to provide new hams with demonstrable, sustainable value. What do new hams need most? Mentoring, and equipment. A mentorship program addresses the first need, and also provides fulfilling opportunities for experienced members to make a contribution by becoming mentors. I agree that this won't be easy, but what's the alternative? Watch the ARRL bleed out? + The ARRL may also be able to help with the need for equipment. 73, Dave AA6YQ
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In a previous life, I have developed similar over-the-web type solutions and to a lesser degree still work on a few projects here and there to keep the OTW database programming skills sharp.
Just my $0.02 here. Your mileage may vary.
73
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Rob Okray KB9OAK
I think a central repository for the collective knowledge of HAM Radio is a great idea. Assembling and curating that much information is bound to be a monumental task, but the potential benefit to the pursuit as a whole may even more monumental.
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Jim Idelson
Jess, What guidelines can you suggest regarding the number of people, required skills and time commitment to successfully launch this kind of effort and keep it current and valuable over the long term? I'm looking for an estimate that makes it a best-in-class implementation that sets a high standard; a system that truly delights it's users. 73 Jim K1IR
On Thu, Feb 13, 2020, 12:38 PM Jess Hunter <w9abs@...> wrote:
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My Cellphone
Hi Jim,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Let me send something in the morning. I think time commitment and the best way to manage it may have to do with the kind of mentoring it becomes. Tomorrow my friend. Rob. Kj7may
On Feb 13, 2020, at 6:31 PM, Jim Idelson <k1ir@...> wrote:
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Devin Ganger WA7DLG <devin@...>
If we’re doing a knowledge base, I would really like to see it be something that is available to all hams, not just ARRL members. Many of the hams I have talked to who are not members of ARRL cite this kind of thinking as one of the motivating reasons.
However, the work involved in maintaining a useful knowledge base like this can be a lot – something that can’t be done without volunteer effort. And *that’s* where I would suggest drawing the membership line. If you’re an active ARRL member, you can submit content (new articles or updates to existing articles), or you can go through training and become an editor/maintainer (assuming there’s a workflow to approve changes and not just Wild West like Wikipedia) over a given section.
-- Devin L. Ganger (WA7DLG) email: devin@... web: Devin on Earth cell: +1 425.239.2575
From: ARRL-New-Hams@... <ARRL-New-Hams@...>
On Behalf Of Jim Idelson via Groups.Arrl.Org
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2020 6:31 PM To: ARRL-New-Hams@... Subject: Re: [New-Hams] An ARRL Knowledge Base, and its value to prospective ARRL members
Jess,
What guidelines can you suggest regarding the number of people, required skills and time commitment to successfully launch this kind of effort and keep it current and valuable over the long term? I'm looking for an estimate that makes it a best-in-class implementation that sets a high standard; a system that truly delights it's users. 73 Jim K1IR
On Thu, Feb 13, 2020, 12:38 PM Jess Hunter <w9abs@...> wrote:
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Devin, I agree that this would need to be open to ALL hams. After all the ARRL is " the national association for amateur radio". I also agree that there needs to be a work flow process where submitted content is reviewed and edited if need be prior to being presented in the KB. As for members of the Development, Maintenance and Review teams being required to be ARRL members, I disagree. I know from first-hand experience of some Hams who are not members of the ARRL who possess a considerable amount of knowledge, skill and experience that could be beneficial to a project such as this. I also know of some ARRL members who can't even program their radio without the use of a computer. If setting a criteria for KB team administrators, it should be based on skill, knowledge and ability.
73,
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Jim,
You're kind of putting me on the spot here. Right now this idea has been some random thoughts being bounced around by only a handful of people. More thought would need to be given as to the entire scope of a project such as this. However, from the 35,000 foot viewpoint here is what would be needed to get the projected started (my personal opinion only).
Tier 1 support: 1 or 2 System Admins, These people would be responsible for maintaining the system once completed. Strong OTW database and applications skills are a must.(If you do not know how to write an SQL query, or hard code a PHP page, you would not be on this team). Tier 2 support: This group would be responsible for reviewing and approving submitted content. The would also act as the initial tech support for the system. Handling log-in issues, troubleshooting end-user experience issues, etc. Using the ARRL organizational breakdown I would say 1 person per division (just a thought, no real reason for this number). Now we drill it down to a more localized level. Here again, no real thought given to these numbers or positions, just throwing things against the wall to see what sticks. Section Level: Local Level: As I mentioned in another thread in this forum, I am currently performing a major revamp of a semi-local amateur radio website that has plans to integrate a system much like what is being proposed here. That feature is quite a ways down on the priority list but it is on the list non-the-less. Priority now is to finish an on-the-air activity system where hams at the local levels can generate their own localized contests/QSO parties. Rolled out a similar program back in January (WinterHeat 2020) that culminated in 139 registered participants making 6500 logged contacts using VHF/UHF simplex frequencies. Received a lot of feedback from new and old licensees alike so developing the system to allow others to manage their own events.
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Devin Ganger WA7DLG <devin@...>
Jess,
My personal stance is in line with yours. However, I have seen what seems be a sizeable contingent that will push back on the ARRL doing anything that non-members might benefit from, so I was attempting to describe one potential path to balance the two imperatives.
-- Devin L. Ganger (WA7DLG) email: devin@... web: Devin on Earth cell: +1 425.239.2575
From: ARRL-New-Hams@... <ARRL-New-Hams@...>
On Behalf Of Jess Hunter via Groups.Arrl.Org
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2020 5:27 AM To: ARRL-New-Hams@... Subject: Re: [New-Hams] An ARRL Knowledge Base, and its value to prospective ARRL members
Devin, I agree that this would need to be open to ALL hams. After all the ARRL is " the national association for amateur radio". I also agree that there needs to be a work flow process where submitted content is reviewed and edited if need be prior to being presented in the KB. As for members of the Development, Maintenance and Review teams being required to be ARRL members, I disagree. I know from first-hand experience of some Hams who are not members of the ARRL who possess a considerable amount of knowledge, skill and experience that could be beneficial to a project such as this. I also know of some ARRL members who can't even program their radio without the use of a computer. If setting a criteria for KB team administrators, it should be based on skill, knowledge and ability.
73,
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Dave AA6YQ
+ AA6YQ comments below
As for members of the Development, Maintenance and Review teams being required to be ARRL members, I disagree. I know from first-hand experience of some Hams who are not members of the ARRL who possess a considerable amount of knowledge, skill and experience that could be beneficial to a project such as this. + So long as the submitted content is curated, that should be fine. It might even motivate some of those non-members to become members! If setting a criteria for KB team administrators, it should be based on skill, knowledge and ability. + Agreed. I am in the process of doing a total revamp of a semi-local amateur radio related website. One feature that will be included would be the ability for users to create their own tutorials, white-papers, etc. Any content submitted would require a review by an "Administrator" who would then either approve the content or send it back to the author for editing. To a lesser degree, this feature is very much like the KB system that is being proposed here. + Agreed. 73, Dave, AA6YQ
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Dave AA6YQ
+ AA6YQ comments below
My personal stance is in line with yours. However, I have seen what seems be a sizeable contingent that will push back on the ARRL doing anything that non-members might benefit from, so I was attempting to describe one potential path to balance the two imperatives. + The ARRL is coming to realize that every US ham who isn't a member of the ARRL is a prospective member for whom it should aspire to provide compelling value sufficient to motivate a membership. If someone expended the energy to obtain a ham license, they are a candidate. We should shoot for an 80% membership rate, and an 80% new ham retention rate. 73, Dave, AA6YQ
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