Some Clarification On OAUSA

[OLLIE]

HISTORY OF OAUSA:
DaveK approached a few people, myself being one of them, early to mid 2007 about putting together an amatuer radio net that discussed outdoor adventures and aspects thereof. There were 4 people at the first meeting. Those four people were DaveK, Squishy (KB6SRT), and myself. The fourth has gone his seperate way for now. Our big obstacle, which we are still working on, was to link North SoCal with South SoCal through repeaters to establish a wide spread Outdoor Adventure Amateur Radio Net. That was our original intent...

After several meetings to establish our scope for the nets, discussions turned toward creating a website to support the amatuer radio nets so people could have a place to go to see what the upcoming net topics would and make suggestions for some potential new topics for us to discuss. That's where the forum came in. Eventually it developed into an all-inclusive website about oudoor adventure. With having access to repeaters with IRLP and Echolink ability it was our realization that eventually the entire country could chime into our nets... that is where Oudoor Adventure USA was born. Slowly but surely it has become a website and forum more so supported by the Outdoor Adventure USA Amateur Radio Nets rather than the website supporting the nets. It is becoming much bigger than we ever thought it would in such a short amount of time with more opportunities being laid in our lap all the time.

THE MERGE OF ADVENTURE4x4 WITH OAUSA:
There was a lot going on behind the scenes with Adventure4x4 that most were not aware of. I will not openly go into details on a live forum such as this but I know most of the members felt it happening. The website was slowly sinking and we were stuck in the quicksand. I was not there at the inception of Adventure4x4 but I was dedicated to it from the time I got onboard. I do not believe there is anyone that would dispute that with me. There were less than 50 members when I registered. Adventure4x4 was my mistress (other than my rig) from the day I registered. I wanted nothing but grand things for Adventure4x4. However, the FACTS are that due to certain things that were in place, Adventure4x4 was in trouble. No matter how we played the cards, the recuscitation of Adventure4x4 was probably not a likely thing to happen.

About a month prior to our announcemet of the merge I was on my way to an Adventure4x4 Board of Directors meeting (yes, we had established a board). The meeting was to establish the go-forward plans for Adventure4x4. So on that long trip up to the Board meeting I came to a conclusion and presented it to the Board Members that were present. That idea was to offer the members of Adventure4x4 a home at OAUSA. After some discussion it was determined that it was the correct move to make. We wanted a place that the members of Adventure4x4 could call home and OAUSA seemed a good fit.

OAUSA does have the original visions of Adventure4x4 as PART of its vision. As we have stated before, OAUSA's scope is MUCH broader than Adventure4x4's was. The OAUSA incorporation will not be Adventure4x4. There was never an intent to make OAUSA into Adventure4x4. In fact, when setting up this website and everything about it we specifically took steps throughout its development to AVOID any similarities with Adventure4x4 or any other website, group, club, etc. At the time of its development there was no intent to merge the two websites. I intended to maintain my seats on BOTH Boards of Directors and split my time equally. I intended on inviting everyone over to OAUSA after it was kicked off to participate but that was it. I in no way, shape, or form had any intention of enticing members of Adventure4x4 to leave and jump onboard with OAUSA and I will leave it at that.

However, since we did make the decision to merge the two websites we will be maintaining certain aspects of Adventure4x4. Those aspects being limited to a few things. Fest events are an example of those things. We plan on going forward with seasonal fest events. They will have a bit of a different feel to them, which we hope will be for the better. We are trying to bring a lot of the information over from Adventure4x4 because there is a lot of good information in the posts. We would like to retain that information. We did not have to attempt to do this. We could have just turned out the lights and said good night but we don't think that's in our best interests. Nearly every decision made on OAUSA's behalf will be made and acted upon based on a majority vote from the Board of Directors (currently 7 members strong). This will not be a one or two man show.

I think we have established a great place for the old Adventure4x4 members to call home. Not as Adventure4x4 but as OAUSA. Adventure4x4 will always be in our heart and I apologize if this isn't as warm and cozy as you may have grown accustomed to. Please be advised right now that we have no intent of staying small. We plan on growing and growing. I hope you all stay onboard for the ride because we think we have something exceptional in the making.

[McRover]

Thanks for that. Dont sweat the few that don't like change. you will never please every one. I for one am glad some one is taking up where Adventure 4X4 would have left off. keep working to grow and improve the site and you will find good group to call it home.

[cruiserlarry]

Ollie,

Thank you for posting that very informative summary of OAUSA's beginnings, and the reasons for the site merger with Adventure4x4.net. I think this will make the focus of this new site clearer, to those who are considering joining OAUSA.

As a founding member of Adventure4x4, and a board member of OAUSA, I am very excited about the future of this site, and the breadth of its focus. As I monitor the ADV4X4 site, and respond to the criticisms some have brought up about OAUSA, I've realized many folks just don't understand that ADV4x4 was fading out, regardless of this merger, due to factors outside our control; and that OAUSA will give these same people the opportunity to continue the vision that was ADV4X4, while expanding it to other outdoor interests, too. And I hope people see the relationship between outdoor activities and amateur radio - since off-roaders are dependent on good communication, I think this should be a natural fit.

As some of the criticism demonstrated to me, part of the issue is a natural resistance to change. For ADV4x4, it was inevitable. And for the folks who feel worried about ham radio "ruining" their interest in this site: I'm sure if you give it a fair shot, the realization that it is not just compatible, but even desirable to incorporate better communication methods with your love of the outdoors, will be inevitable, too.

[gon2srf]

Great story Ollie. You need to print it, shellac it to some plywood, antique it and hang it your office! On tough days you can look up and smile at it. Go OAUSA!

[BlueFJ]

Thanks Ollie and Larry for the clarification. I truly appreciate your hard work and realize the look and feel of the site is secondary to the data migration and can be worked out once the "heavy work" is done.

[cruiserlarry]

Thanks Ollie and Larry for the clarification. I truly appreciate your hard work and realize the look and feel of the site is secondary to the data migration and can be worked out once the "heavy work" is done.

Your consideration and patience is greatly appreciated. The site is new, the board is excited about the future of this forum, and I think people will feel comfortable here if they give it a chance.

Remember, folks, those of us working to make this site successful are dependent on people signing up, hanging around, and participating on the forum. We realize "if you build it, they will come" only works in the movies.

Help us to make this the premier outdoor activity site on the net - sign up and post up !!!

[cruiserlarry]

Great story Ollie. You need to print it, shellac it to some plywood, antique it and hang it your office! On tough days you can look up and smile at it. Go OAUSA!

Thanks for the encouragement, and I'm looking forward to your input on this forum, Scott. (It's always nice to see familiar "faces" on-line.... )

You are a major asset to the blue forum, and you were a major part of ADV4X4 in its prime, and I'm sure your contributions to OAUSA will help it grow and prosper, too.

Your avatar photo is awesome - is that on the Mojave Road ?

[gon2srf]

Great story Ollie. You need to print it, shellac it to some plywood, antique it and hang it your office! On tough days you can look up and smile at it. Go OAUSA!

Thanks for the encouragement, and I'm looking forward to your input on this forum, Scott. (It's always nice to see familiar "faces" on-line.... )

You are a major asset to the blue forum, and you were a major part of ADV4X4 in its prime, and I'm sure your contributions to OAUSA will help it grow and prosper, too.

Your avatar photo is awesome - is that on the Mojave Road ?

Thanks Larry, it's good to be here, especially now that I can stop whining about font size. I'm looking forward to participating here on the forums and out on some trail runs and seeing everyone again soon.

That picture was taken at a not so secret camp spot out near the Mojave Road, just a few miles east of the 95. I hope to share this spot with some others some day. It was so beautiful and a perfect hide away from the wind.

[jeshua]

I for one am glad to see this change take place!

my activity over on A4x4 drop to about 0 because of... I hope to start stopping in here on a more consistent bases and start to learn more and become more familiar with OAUSE.

Keep up the good work guys.

[big dave]

Sometimes i hate change, but i finally made it over here. Its not too bad