About

Venture Out Electronics Club History 1986-2015

By Edith Kohler

In the spring of 1986 Ham Radio enthusiasts Jim Fischer and Cliff Hunt taught the first classes in radio theory and Morse code at Venture Out. Sharing their technical knowledge sparked an interest among Amateur Radio operators to form the Venture Out Ham Radio Club and, since computer users were increasing rapidly, they soon included computers. In January 1987, fifteen residents met to discuss forming the Venture Out Electronics Club that would include both Ham Radios and Computers.  They hoped to reach a goal of 50 members.  Kempton's RV donated a used Park Model for them to use as a Ham Shack and it was placed on a concrete slab in the southwest corner of VO, near the water retention basin. It housed radios and computers. 

In February 1988, they rented a computer for a month and Art Domes taught the first computer class for six students in the Prayer Room of the Recreation Building. The group worked diligently to organize, establish their purpose and by-laws, set membership dues ($5 per person), determine fund raising activities and elect officers. They were accepted by the Social Board. 

In December that year the Club received their first IBM model 25 computer with 640 Ram, color display, IBM DOS, 20 MB hard drive, mouse, an extra 5-¼” floppy drive and a printer.  Nineteen students signed up for computer instruction.

The Club was growing so rapidly they soon outgrew the park model trailer. A building committee met on February 6, 1990 to plan a new facility. The Condo Board gave final approval of plans for a block building to be placed in the northeast corner of the park.

A private contractor constructed the outer walls of the building during the summer of 1991. The remainder was a large room with a water and drainpipe projecting out of the floor. Howard Soper constructed  interior walls with the counsel of the Electronic Executive committee. The Handymen helped erect walls and attach dry wall. Jim Andersen, Jim Fischer and John Finn installed electric wiring. Working on the project brought the club members closer together.

Throughout the fall, Computer and Ham Club members gathered old tables, desks, chairs, bookcases, old computers, etc., and brought them to the building. The room was filled.

By the December 10, 1991 membership meeting, Lorrie Moran had become the new President of the Electronics Club. Lorrie announced that she expected this Club to be beautiful and equipped with new furnishings. All of the old stuff that had been placed into the building was to be removed and the room cleaned. She said, “what isn't removed will go into the dumpster. Everything going into the building will be first class so we have a facility of which we are proud.” Through her leadership, foresight and tenacity going to the Social Board, Condo Board and Park Administration requesting additional funds for a quality building, the electronics building was completed by Christmas and classes began January 16, 1992.  By 1999 the Electronics Club was the largest Club in the Park.

Since the beginning, the Electronics Club has been ever changing to keep up with technology. It started with one dial-up telephone line to the Internet that people had to share, one at a time. Now they have two ultra-fast DSL connections that everyone shares. These connections provide 50M bps download speed; the highest speed currently available without installing a private, direct (probably fiber-optic) line to the Internet Service Provider. Once such lines are available to the building, even faster Internet access will be provided.

There are now 30 computers, including four Macintosh, two Windows 8.1, several Windows Vista and Windows 7 PC computers. Since many members own pre-Windows 8 PCs, the Club maintains a mix of Windows-based PCs for them to use, and are transitioning to the latest operating systems in PCs and Macs to match member's needs.

Originally, printing was done with a computer-connected inkjet printer that was accessed by all users through that computer. As technology changed, the Club transitioned to networked laser printers, including color laser printers, and now offer wireless printing for computers, iPads, iPhones, etc.

The Amateur (Ham) Radio section of the Club initially had one radio and one antenna. Today there are four transceivers and an array of antennas, including two that rotate for optimal signals. This section provides East Valley Ham Radio operator training and licensing. Weekly meetings are held for VO Club members as well Ham radio operators from nearby parks. The Electronics Club Ham members also provide an important public service by assisting with crowd/traffic control for Park events.

Ham radio technology is rapidly transitioning to digital. Accordingly, our “Ham Shack” includes three computers and two printers which are networked to the Internet. This allows such things as Echolink connection/access, call-sign look up/verification and digital maps. As new frequencies become available and digital technology expands, our Shack will upgrade accordingly.

Training has always been a key part of the Electronics Club. Originally people hardly knew how a computer was used and types of software. The Club provided classes that met that need. Today, with the arrival of the “Boomers,” people arrive with all the basic knowledge and experience. So the Club is transitioning from basic computer classes to advanced use of the Internet and the “cloud,” image processing, how to use tablets, etc. As technology is moving rapidly, the Club is working with other parks to obtain cutting-edge instruction at VO from professionals and even from academia.

The Electronics Club uses three training facilities: a classroom with seven student stations and a large digital display, a conference room that seats 24 with a large display and the nearby Oasis facility that seats up to 100 which also has a large display.

The Electronics Club also offers conversion of photographic 35mm slides to digital, VHS tapes to DVD, audio cassettes to CDs, document/photo digitization and Fax services for the entire park.

In the future the Electronics Club will continue changing to adapt to the most advanced technologies and the knowledge base of VO members. It is impossible to predict what lies ahead but one thing is certain: the Electronics Club will be on the cutting edge of that technology and continue to respond to the needs of VO residents.