Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2026 CVARC Member Survey. Your feedback is essential to understanding what our members value, where we can improve, and how to best shape the club's direction for the year ahead. The survey covered a wide range of topics from operating interests and contesting preferences to event planning, digital platforms, and open-ended suggestions for the future of W3ACH.

Below is a full breakdown of the results along with the original charts from the survey data. Club leadership will be using these findings to guide programming, events, and communication throughout 2026.

Who Responded

Our respondents are mostly Extra Class operators (66.7%) with over 10 years of experience (55.6%), though we had a solid mix that included General and Technician class operators and newer hams as well. Over half are on the air daily, and every single respondent prefers email for club updates.

What You're Interested In

HF leads at 88.9%, followed by VHF/UHF at 66.7%. Contesting and digital modes both came in at 55.6%. DXing, emergency communications, and POTA all tied at 44.4%, with building and tinkering at 33.3%.

What You Love About the Hobby

Making friends and contacts was the top pick at 77.8%, followed by technical learning and emergency preparedness, both at 66.7%. DX, the community aspect, and always having something new to learn all tied at 55.6%. The social and educational side of ham radio clearly matters most to our membership.

Contesting

Most members are into contesting in some form — 33.3% enjoy it outright and 44.4% participate depending on the contest. Only 11.1% avoid contest weekends, and 11.1% weren't sure what contests are, which is an opportunity for education and outreach.

For internal club contests, quarterly themed contests were the unanimous favorite format. DX and QRP challenges each had 50% interest. Digital mode and VHF/UHF contests came in at 25%. Nobody was interested in monthly sprints or an annual championship — members clearly prefer periodic, themed events over frequent competition.

Challenges

Equipment budget (33.3%) is the top hurdle, followed by understanding technical concepts, learning CW, and finding time to operate — all at 22.2%. Antenna restrictions, troubleshooting, and keeping up with new technology each came in at 11.1%.

2026 Field Operations & Events

Summer Field Day received 100% support, it is the clear flagship event for the year. Winter Field Day (75%), Club POTA activations (62.5%), and club picnics (62.5%) also had strong interest. NVIS outings drew 50%.

Opinions on special event stations were mixed. Some members support events like Across the Centuries in May and want greater public visibility, while others believe the club should focus on growing membership before taking on outward-facing operations.

Your Top 5 Priorities

1. Summer Field Day — 66.7%
2. Winter Field Day & Educational Programs — 55.6% each
3. Special Event Stations — 44.4%
4. Emergency Communications & Club POTA — 33.3% each
5. Antenna Building & Fox Hunting — 22.2% each

Social events, a Hamfest, and the Steam Show also received votes.

Antenna Building Workshops

There is a bit of a demand: 44.4% said yes, 44.4% said maybe, and only 11.1% said no. Most members described their antenna-building experience as minimal or limited

Fox Hunting

A third of respondents would like to try one and see how it goes. Another 22.2% expressed interest in regular hunts on a monthly or quarterly basis. Some cited transportation as a barrier, and one respondent was unfamiliar with the concept. There is enough interest to pilot at least one event this year.

Communication & Platforms

Email is the unanimous choice for club updates. The club website is second at 44.4%.

For Discord and Groups.io, there is a clear gap, 44.4% are aware of them but don't use them, 33.3% didn't know they existed, and only 11.1% actively participate. Despite low usage, 87.5% believe the club should continue offering these platforms. One respondent raised data privacy concerns. Promotion and onboarding are areas we need to improve.

Over half of respondents (55.6%) follow ham radio content online, including channels like Ham Radio Crash Course, K8MRD, Tech Minds, and Jim's Spare Parts.

For outdoor activities, most respondents (66.7%) have no seasonal preference. Spring was the most popular specific season at 33.3%, followed by summer at 22.2% and fall at 11.1%.

Sunday Night Net Feedback

The net received constructive feedback. Suggestions included shortening the preamble, adding tech help and swap/shop segments, and revisiting the check-in format. Opinions were split on whether to use the member list approach or keep open check-ins. Some members are satisfied with the current format.

Club Website Feedback

Feedback was unanimously positive. Members feel both w3ach.com and contesting.w3ach.com are well-maintained. No changes were requested.

Requested Workshop Topics

Two topics were specifically requested: first aid and self-reliance, and emergency preparedness. Both align with the strong EmComm interest seen throughout the survey.

Why You Joined CVARC

The common thread is community connecting with local hams, supporting the repeater, gaining knowledge and resources, making friends, and participating in league-sanctioned activities. Emergency communications and mentoring also came up.

Open-Ended Feedback

We received thoughtful long-form responses covering a range of topics. Here are the key themes:

• Community outreach — Members want the club to have a stronger presence at local events like the Cumberland Valley Steam Show and school demonstrations.
• Organized contest participation — Interest in serious club entries for contests like the PA QSO Party, competing for a club score.
• POTA as group outings — Club activations are seen as an ideal combination of socializing and on-air activity.
• Membership engagement — A desire for more active participation from members beyond paying dues.
• New locations — Interest in scouting new field day sites and activation spots around the local area.
• Casual social gatherings — Simple get-togethers are valued alongside structured on-air activities.

Most respondents are open to follow-up conversations as we plan the year ahead.

Thank You

Your input directly shapes the direction of CVARC. Stay tuned for event announcements!