{"id":10439,"date":"2025-02-01T10:00:54","date_gmt":"2025-02-01T10:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silveridge.com\/?p=10439"},"modified":"2025-01-31T18:23:44","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T18:23:44","slug":"february-2025-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silveridge.com\/?p=10439","title":{"rendered":"February 2025 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Meet The Park\u2019s Newest Club:<\/h1>\n

Silveridge Amateur Radio<\/h2>\n

By Dale Dauten<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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In our last issue, we wondered if Alice\u2019s Getaway was the\u00a0oldest\u00a0resident organization at Silveridge. And, given that no one came forward to suggest an even older group, we\u2019re giving the title to Alice\u2019s. Today, though, we get to go the other direction and take a look at a brand new club, the Silveridge Amateur Radio Club.<\/p>\n

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If your reaction is like mine was, you\u2019re first thought was \u201cRadio? Are we talking about that thing everyone used to listen to way back, before the cellphone, before the iPod, even before the Walkman? Wolfman Jack and Cousin Brucie?\u201d No, not that radio. This is what was called, and still is called, ham radio. Which raises questions, including \u201cPeople still do this?\u201d and \u201cWhat\u2019s ham got to do with it?\u201d<\/p>\n

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We got to sit down with two of the new club\u2019s charter members Rick Homan and Lucian Vittori, to find out.\u00a0[That\u2019s Rick (left) and Lucian in the photo, seated with some of the club\u2019s equipment.]\u00a0While Lucian is one of the folks who\u2019s been involved with radio for decades, Rick is a relative newcomer, having gotten involved within the last couple of years.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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They answered the question \u201cpeople still do this?\u201d by pointing out that there are three million people worldwide with radio licenses, and about three-quarters of a million in the U.S. alone. That then raised another question: licenses? Yes, given that the airways are regulated, a license is required to send radio signals. On the other hand, anyone can listen in, and that\u2019s how many people involved in the hobby began. Currently, there are at least seven Silveridge residents with licenses and six of them recently sat down for a photo. (You know a hobby has true enthusiasts when there are specialty t-shirts.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Seated Lucien Vittori, AB0LV, Ed Way, K9WAY, Ann Lauer, KB9BAL,<\/p>\n

Standing: Rick Homan, K3RWH, Lu Way, KA9WAY and Larry Lauer, WB2UFO<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
Getting licensed involves some study, but Rick and Lucian assured us that online study-guides and practice tests make that less daunting than it used to be. In fact, there was a time when a proficiency in Morse Code was a requirement, but that\u2019s no longer the case. Why get licensed? The motivation is two-fold. The weightier reason is that radio communication still plays an important function during emergencies. That\u2019s why, as Lucian explained, the Red Cross has a radio station at their Phoenix facilities. And it\u2019s how Lucian came to play a role with a Coast Guard emergency: \u201cI was in Omaha at the time,\u201d he explained, \u201cand a Coast Guard station in California was involved in a search for a missing vessel. They couldn\u2019t contact the boat but I could and was able to patch the two together so they could communicate.\u201d<\/p>\n

And while emergency use continues to be the critical motivation for radio groups around the country, and why FEMA conducts classes in its use, many activities of radio clubs are social. Radio promotes spontaneous conversations in a way that Rick says \u201cyou would never get with a cell phone.\u201d And these are worldwide \u2013 Rick has had contact with those as far away as Russia and Viet Nam, and Lucian even recounted times he communicated with Antarctica. But the appeal of radio clubs is that operators get out and socialize in person. Clubs have field trips, often meeting in parks, but also gathering in special spaces \u2013 Rick described how decommissioned ships like the USS Hornet and the Midway let radio clubs come in and use their radio rooms.<\/p>\n

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Speaking of radio rooms, the park has its own, albeit it\u2019s in a shared classroom with photography and other clubs. But it isn\u2019t just the room, the club was able to adapt an unused antennae on top of the clubhouse. Thanks to funding from the Renters\u2019 Association, they acquired a rotator to turn the antennae, and thanks to diverse backgrounds of Silveridge residents, put together an installation team, as seen below. (That\u2019s Lucian and Rick, along with Kevin Reski, Greg Whitmarsh and Jeff Bidinger.) Also, a shout-out to Don Beckett, VA7DOW, who has left the park but was instrumental in getting the club started and stays in touch with the members.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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If you\u2019re curious about the radio club, you\u2019re invited to stop by on Fridays, 10AM-3PM, in the classroom next to the Activities Desk and listen in and\/or ask questions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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What\u2019s \u201cham\u201d got to do with it?<\/p>\n

When asked the origin of the term \u201cham radio,\u201d Lucian relayed the joke that there\u2019s so much food when ham operators get together that the acronym could derive from Have Another Meal. He then went on to explain that the actual derivation might have come from the clumsy use of Morse Code by\u00a0\u201cham-fisted\u201d operators. We turned to Google for more, and among many competing theories, the one from Wikipedia seemed most solid, agreeing with Lucian and writing this:<\/p>\n

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At the turn of the 20th century, the terms “ham” and “plug” were used by landline telegraphers to describe an operator “who lacks ability”\u00a0or who had poor or “ham fisted” skills. By 1881, it had been alleged by telegrapher unions and trade groups that companies were employing “ham” operators who were negligent or incompetent.\u00a0These unskilled operators were described as either drinking alcohol while working, irresponsible teenage boys, or merely having very little ability. Their miscommunication was blamed for causing severe train wrecks.\u00a0Railroad executives during this era were also accused of hiring unskilled operators to save money and were said to be accepting bribes from telegraph schools to hire unqualified students.\u00a0These disreputable telegraph schools were referred to as “ham factories.\u201d Early radio (initially known as wireless telegraphy) included many former wire telegraph operators, and within the new service “ham” was employed as a pejorative term by professional radiotelegraph operators to suggest that amateur enthusiasts were unskilled.<\/p>\n

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FROM THE ACTIVITY OFFICE<\/h3>\n

With the busy season upon us, it is fitting that my message is about time and love. Every year, I need to be reminded to stop and breathe. Those who know me well, know I fret over every detail of every event. I want to provide a variety of activities to please all residents. In the quest to do that, I let the small stuff get in the way of the truly important things. Things like saying \u201cthank you\u201d, \u201cI love you\u201d, \u201cThat was so nice of you\u201d, \u201cYou are special to me\u201d, \u201c You make a difference in my life\u201d, and \u201cI appreciate you!\u201d Many of us are now enjoying the plethora of activities. This is GREAT! That means we are enjoying life and for most of us, enjoying retirement. Remember, that it is not just the activities but the relationships we are making that are truly important! I get so focused on the tiniest details and I need to remember all those who make it happen. I am so blessed with an amazing village that is ready at a moment\u2019s notice to lend a hand. I couldn\u2019t do my job without all of you. Just know I love and appreciate each and every one of you. Silveridge is truly a very special community.<\/p>\n

February is packed with a ton of activities. I always say you can be as busy as you\u2019d like here at Silveridge. December \u201863 concert is the music of FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS comes to life in this one-of-a-kind concert experience. DECEMBER\u201963 showcases all your favorite songs from Frankie Valli including the classics that have been thrilling audiences for decade. This re-creation of a Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons concert will have you reaching for the high notes as our cast and band take you on musical journey with stops at every phase of the careers of Frankie and the boys!<\/p>\n

We have the John Denver tribute dinner show. \u201cCowboy\u201d Brad Fitch specializes in original folk and western music. Brad has performed John Denver tribute concerts throughout the United States. Brad has<\/p>\n

also performed at the annual John Denver memorial concerts in Aspen, Colorado several times.<\/p>\n

Brad has recorded 19 albums featuring his original music that reflects what he loves about nature and the western lifestyle. Raised in Estes Park, Colorado, singer, songwriter and guitarist Brad Fitch has been playing professionally since he was 15 years old. Brad was awarded the All-Around Cowboy Entertainer at the Aspen Lodge Cowboy Poetry Gathering and performed traditional cowboy music for the President of the United States during his 2001 visit to Colorado. Don\u2019t miss this incredible dinner show. It is usually a sold out evening at Silveridge.<\/p>\n

Showtune Productions will be bringing the Broadway Showstoppers to our stage. Celebrate the greatest hits from Broadway featuring showtunes from Mamma Mia, Chicago, My Fair Lady, Moulin Rouge, Oklahoma, Hamilton, CATS, Les Miserable and more, This concert features 6 vocalists and a 10 piece orchestra. Showtune Productions has brought us Dolly Parton, and the Dick Clark tribute. The music will be amazing. This will concert will not disappoint you. Don\u2019t wait! Get your tickets now. Enjoy this fun packed month and know I appreciate you!<\/p>\n

Thank you for making Silveridge<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe Friendliest Park in the West.\u201d<\/p>\n

-LU & Sylvia<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Meet The Park\u2019s Newest Club: Silveridge Amateur Radio By Dale Dauten In our last issue, we wondered if Alice\u2019s Getaway […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/silveridge.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10439"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/silveridge.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/silveridge.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silveridge.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silveridge.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10439"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/silveridge.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10439\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10440,"href":"https:\/\/silveridge.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10439\/revisions\/10440"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/silveridge.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silveridge.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silveridge.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}