RAFARS Monthly Newsletter

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

New And Re-Joining Members:

None this month

Silent Keys:

None notified

RAFARS SECRETARY VACANCY

The RAFARS Council post of Secretary became vacant on 31st March 2022. This role is vital to the smooth running of the Society and is a key Council post. This is an unpaid volunteer role, although expenses for travel and administration such as stationary and postal charges may be claimed.

To give potential volunteers an understanding of the tasks involved a list of current responsibilities is shown below. This is not necessarily comprehensive and would be subject to negotiation.

• Computer literate with an understanding of word processing and the use of spreadsheets.

• Able to make contact with members by telephone, email and post as required.

• Attending Council meetings at RAFARS HQ at RAF Cosford approximately 6 times a year (However, attendance by video conference may be an alternative for some meetings).

• Preparation and distribution of minutes (a record of actions) following Council meetings and the AGM.

• Making arrangements for the Annual General Meeting and Dinner in October each year.

• Have a good understanding of the importance of Data Protection in line with GDPR.

Potential volunteers for this post, should in the first instance contact the RAFARS Secretary by email at secretary@rafars.org

RAFARS CONTEST MANAGER VACANCY

The position of RAFARS Contest Manager remains vacant, if you are interested in taking on this role, please contact the RAFARS Secretary at Secretary@rafars.org

RAFARS AGM AND DINNER - NEW Date

In order to avoid a clash with the Newark Hamfest, the RAFARS AGM and Dinner will now take place on Saturday 22nd October. Details to follow shortly.

RAFARS ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE

A gentle reminder that the annual membership fee was due on 1st April. Those of you who pay by Standing Order do not need to take any action. However, if you pay by cheque, postal order or direct bank transfer, then you should have received a reminder with the Spring 2022 edition of QRV. Payment by Standing Order is the preferred method as it ensures that your membership continues uninterrupted.

Members have enquired about the use of PayPal to pay their membership fees, but currently, the society is unable to take payment this way.

RAFAC EXERCISE BLUE HAM 22-2

RAFAC EXERCISE BLUE HAM 22-2 will take place over the weekend of 11-12 June 22, details can be found at https://alphacharlie.org.uk/exercise-blue-ham

RAFARS WEBSITE MEMBER AREA

Members are reminded that there is a Members Area on the website at https://www.rafars.org/welcome/ containing a searchable list of members (Number, callsign, first name and county) updated on 10 Jan 2022. Other resources include copies of QRV and the latest edition of the 'talking' QRV for those who prefer to listen rather than read.

Access to the member area is by registration at https://www.rafars.org/register/

If you have registered in the past but have not visited the Member Area for over a year, then your details will have been removed and you will need to reregister.

RAFARS LOGOS DOWNLOAD

Several members have asked if RAFARS produces a 'digital' QSL card for use with online QSL bureaus such as eQSL. No such card is available but it is possible to create your own card using any computer graphic design programme.

To assist members in producing such QSL cards, the Webmaster has redrawn the classic RAFARS wings and diamond logos. These designs are the property of RAFARS and can therefore be made available to members.

The logos are available for download in the website Member Area under the heading RAFARS Logos. Note that you will be required to log into the Member Area using your website username and password.

If you have not yet registered for access to the Member Area, see the registration form under the Members menu heading.

COSFORD AIRSHOW SUNDAY 12 JUNE 2022

The RAF Cosford Air Show 2022 will be held on Sunday 12th June 2022. Tickets can be purchased from the official Airshow website https://www.cosfordairshow.co.uk/tickets/

RAFARS will have a stand at the airshow, hopefully just inside the STEM hangar at the same location as in 2019. It is planned to open the HQ for members to visit. Details to follow.

RAFARS CONTESTS, RALLIES WITH RAFARS STANDS AND OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS IN 2021/22

For a list of Radio Rallies with planned RAFARS stands, see the website rallies page https://www.rafars.org/rallies

Note that RAFARS will have a stand at the NARSA rally at Blackpool on 24th April. Do come and see us for a chat and to sign in. Further details at https://https://narsa.org.uk

RAFARS QRV JOURNAL

Members will have already received the Spring 2022 edition of the RAFARS Journal QRV. Many thanks to Robert GW6GBY for producing another excellent and most enjoyable publication. The twice-yearly journal is for some of our members the only contact they have with RAFARS during the year. Of course, we have the website but not all members have access to the Internet so the paper edition of QRV remains very relevant. It should also be remembered that QRV is your journal and therefore relies heavily on your contributions.

The QRV Editor is actively seeking content for the Autumn 2022 edition of QRV. Submissions can be anything that you think might interest the members, personal stories, technical items, aviation stories etc. There is no need to write War and Peace, a couple of pictures with some descriptive text would be perfect. Please send submissions to the Editor at QRV@rafars.org

Digital jpg photos should be sent as an attachment to Word documents. Please do not import them into the text.

COUNCIL MEETINGS 2022

Dates for the council meetings in 2022 are as follows:

• Monday 13 June (Following RAF Cosford Airshow?)
• 6 September
• 4 October (AGM run through)
• 15 October (AGM - not a Council meeting)
• 15 November

Any member may attend Council meetings but travel costs cannot be paid. Members wishing to attend must contact the Secretary initially by e-mail at secretary@rafars.org

RAFARS WEEKLY ZOOM NET

The RAFARS Weekly Zoom Net has proven to be a great success with members using the video conference as an additional way of keeping in touch. The Net takes place on Fridays at 1400-1800 local.
See the Member Area on the website for joining details. If you have not yet registered for the Member Area, you can do so online at https://www.rafars.org/register

JOINING THE ROYAL AIR FORCE AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY

All Radio Amateurs and SWL's, (no requirement to be Ex RAF), are invited to apply for RAFARS Membership if you have an interest in the Amateur Radio, the RAF, or Military aviation and are prepared to help the society achieve its published aims and objectives. Membership details are available on the website at https://www.rafars.org/join

Two formats (PDF) of the membership application are available for download, completion and return by post on the Join RAFARS web page.

A new online application form is also available, to be completed online and then printed and posted with your membership fee. The online form is “smart” in that it will display the appropriate membership fee as the form is completed. Those joining after 1 October pay half the normal membership fee.

RAFARS NEWS DESK

This newsletter is published on the RAFARS website every month.

Please send all submissions for the newsletter to Newsdesk@rafars.org