HADARS has recently moved its website to a new “home” on the internet, and we’d like to share why this was important for us and what it means for you, our members and visitors.
Why Did We Need to Move? Imagine that our old website was like an old house—one that hadn’t been renovated in years. The paint was peeling, the pipes were leaky, and the doors were hard to open. In other words, the technology behind our website was outdated, making it hard to use and even less secure. The information on our site was also a bit like old furniture—some of it was no longer useful or needed an update.
The Problems with the Old Website Our old website had a lot of issues:
- Old Software: The website was built with an outdated version of something called “WordPress.” WordPress is a tool that helps us create and manage the website. Because our version was out of date, it was like using an old phone that doesn’t get updates anymore—it couldn’t do new things well, and it wasn’t as secure as it could be.
- Outdated Tools: The old site had many tools (called “plugins”) that helped us add features like contact forms. Unfortunately, many of these tools were outdated, and some of them didn’t even work properly anymore.
- Lack of Security: When you visited our old website, it didn’t always use the secure version of the internet (known as HTTPS). This was like leaving the front door unlocked—it wasn’t keeping things as safe as they should be.
- Difficult to Navigate: The old website hard to use, like trying to walk through a house filled with clutter.
What Did We Do? We decided it was time for a fresh start, so we moved the website to a new “hosting platform.” Think of this as moving our website to a brand-new house—one with better locks, new appliances, and organised spaces. Here are the changes we made:
- Updated Software: We upgraded everything to the latest versions, ensuring we had the newest features and the best security available. It’s like getting a new phone that works much faster and has better safety features.
- Improved Security: Now, whenever you visit the HADARS website, all the information is kept safe with the latest internet security. This means you can browse the site without worrying about anything being insecure.
- Better Performance: The new website is faster, easier to use, and works smoothly on both computers and mobile devices. It’s like upgrading from an old, slow car to a brand-new one that runs effortlessly.
New Features Available Now We have introduced several exciting new features that will enhance your experience:
- Up-to-Date Calendar: We now have an up-to-date events calendar that will always be correct, making it easier for you to know what is happening and when.
- QRZ Library: We have added a new QRZ library where you can access all the back issues in one place.
- Beginners Guides Section: This new section is perfect for anyone looking to learn new skills or get useful advice. It’s a great resource for beginners and experienced radio enthusiasts alike.
- New Newspaper: We have launched a new newspaper feature, where we will regularly post articles about all things radio and related topics.
Coming Soon We are also working on introducing a subscription system so that you can receive all of our updates straight to your email as soon as they happen. Stay tuned for this convenient feature!
What’s Next? Now that we’ve moved, we have big plans for the new website. We’re working on updating all the information to make sure it’s fresh and useful. We also plan to add new features that will help make your experience on the site even better. If you’d like to be an early tester, let us know, and we’ll give you an early invite to try it out.
We appreciate your patience while we made this move. Our goal is to make the website a welcoming and helpful space for everyone interested in amateur radio and for all HADARS members. Please check back often as we continue to add new features to improve your experience.