The following members of the WIARC have offered their time, knowledge and the benefit of their experience to other area amateur operators who may need assistance with technical problems, help in selecting equipment or antennas or to those who just need advice on setting up a station and getting it on the air.  Club 'Elmers' have agreed to make their services available to all local area amateurs, however please observe the following guidelines in calling and requesting help.

1.  Please use the privilege of having an Elmer to call upon with care.  Attempt to work out the problem on your own first.  Often problems or questions can be resolved through a little research, by reading or re-reading the equipment manual or by searching the internet.  It is very likely that someone else has already experienced the same problem or has had the same question and the answer is out there somewhere just waiting for you to find it.  Use an internet search engine such as Google, or read the manual or use other resources such as relevant ARRL publications.

2.  When calling, please observe reasonable calling hours of 9 AM to 9 PM.  If the Elmer you are working with asks you to observe additional limitations on calling, please respect his request.  Please do not call an Elmer at his place of employment even if you know the number.  Most employers frown upon personal calls at work.

3.  In accordance with the Amateur's Code, family, work and church commitments come first.  This may may mean that the Elmer you call upon may not be able to jump right into a problem until these commitments are first satisfied.  And remember, he may be 'Elmering' more than one person at a time and you might not be first in line.

4.  When calling to ask a question or to enlist help with a problem, please have all relevant information on hand.  This would include equipment manuals and written observations taken at the time of the problem.  Notes taken at the time a problem occurs are much more accurate than your memory when you discuss the problem with an Elmer a day or two later.

5.   An Elmer may be willing to visit your station and help with an equipment problem, however they are not offering to substitute as a repair service.  Please do not be disappointed if the Elmer declines to jump into the innards of your new $2000 transceiver.  Working on another amateurs' equipment assumes a great deal of responsibility.  He may give you advice on how to make the repair yourself or suggest you return it to a repair center. This is his right to do so.

6.  Climbing towers or scrambling around on a roof top to erect an antenna is another area of risk an Elmer may decline to accept.  Putting life and limb on the line is not within the scope of this program of technical assistance.  Experienced or professional climbers are available and should be contacted for this type of help.

2005 WIARC Volunteer 'Elmers'

John Schneider        W9FGH           217-223-7402

Andy Sattebo         KAØSNL        217-222-7563

Dana Myers              NA9DM          217-224-2946

Cork Garner               KNØE             573-767-5306

Robert Mitchell         AB9DU           217-223-1636

Danny Pease                NG9R              217-593-7440

Mike Nowack              NA9Q             217-224-8526