Why are ham radio club websites stuck in the digital dark ages, and what impact does this have on attracting new operators to the hobby? In this eye-opening episode, we evaluate real amateur radio club websites, exposing the good, the bad, and the downright embarrassing approaches clubs take to their online presence.Drawing from our extensive review of club sites across multiple states, we uncover alarming patterns - outdated information, broken links, confusing navigation, and membership processes that seem designed to discourage rather than welcome newcomers. We break down specific examples ranging from well-established organizations like the Nashua Area Radio Society to smaller specialized groups, scoring each on their effectiveness at communicating with both existing members and potential newcomers.The conversation goes beyond mere critique as we establish clear best practices for clubs looking to improve their digital footprint. From responsive design fundamentals to content strategy, we outline practical steps any club can take to transform its online presence without requiring advanced technical skills. The most successful club websites strike a careful balance, providing clear pathways for newcomers while serving existing members with current, relevant information about activities and opportunities.This isn't just about aesthetics - it's about the future of amateur radio itself. As Todd reflects on his early experiences searching for clubs as a new ham, and Paul shares insights from his web development background, we explore how a thoughtfully designed website can be the difference between a thriving club that attracts new blood and one that slowly fades away. Whether you're a club leader looking to grow membership or simply curious about the state of ham radio's digital presence, this episode provides valuable perspective on an often overlooked aspect of our hobby.Links to club website reviewed:Https://N1FD.org Nashua Amateur Radio Societyhttps://85webpage.org/ K1IRS REpeater Society http://www.acara-vt.org/ ACARA https://merrimackvalleyara.org/ Merrimack Valley ARAhttps://w6trw.com/ W6TRW Amateur Radio Clubhttp://w1bd.club Central Vermont Amateur Radio Club https://www.lcara.net/ Lake Cumberland Amateur Radio ClubLeave us a Review via Text Message!Support the show//**************************************************************//Support the show:Buy Us a Beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lfhpodcastPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/LiveFreeandHamPodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093543540309Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livefreeandham///***********//Leave us a Show Review via SMS Text - https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2178012/open_smsLeave the hosts a voicemail:Call and leave us a voicemail with comments or questions, or tell us how to do our jobs! 978.233.1142 Affiliate:Reliance Antennas - 10% off and free shipping at https://www.relianceantennas.com/ CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAMHalibut Electronics - 10% discount on all purchases https://electronics.halibut.com/ of $25 or more, limited to three uses per listener. CODE: LIVEFREEANDHAM YouTube Channel:Live Free and Ham - @livefreeandhamEric (N1JUR) - @N1JUR Paul (N1OG) - @NovemberOneOscarGrouch Todd (W1STJ) - @W1STJ Swag/Shows/Updates:https://livefreeandham.comJoin our discord:https://discord.com/invite/zas2cAVNPsIf you would also like to learn more about the hosts:Todd (W1STJ) - https://w1stj.comEric (N1JUR) - https://n1jur.comPaul (N1OG) - https://www.qrz.com/db/N1OG

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