Posted on 07/14/2016 1:26:03 PM PDT by NewHampshireDuo
I know that there are a fair number of hams (amateur radio operators) that are Freepers. We are "represented" by the American Radio Relay League. The ARRL was founded in 1914 and is supposed to be representing the interests of the American ham radio community.
Unfortunately, as is the case with many organizations, it has lost its way and has become a secretive club with its own agenda. It needs to be reformed.
A set of recent unfortunate incidents have proven to the be the breaking point for many active hams. A petition to reform the ARRL has been launched. All that it is asking for is that the activities of the ARRL Executive Committee be open and transparent. Not secret and behind closed doors.
If you are a ham and want to see the hobby prosper, please read the detail at the link and sign the petition.
Thanks
https://www.change.org/p/arrl-board-of-directors-a-demand-for-transparency-at-the-american-radio-relay-league
Thanks. Active HAM since 1979, was an ARRL member for only a few years. They did very little for me. Perhaps I can re-join if it looks worth it.
I gave up when they took code out of the requirements. I had to pass their dameed theory. Started handing out 2 MTR tickets like lottery tickets. Lost my support. (Wx9B)
Keep your transmissions short, on legal bands, respectful and infrequent.
A person can operate quite effectively that way and you don't have to worry about the government taking your toys away at some future date.
I’ve been an off-and-on member for years. I’m only keeping my membership because I have a couple of appointments and have to have access to some of the services. Other than that, I get a mediocre magazine once a month.
I think that Joe’s defamation suit against ARRL will be a watershed. He’s got a substantial amount of information that will show that they just went after him for “showing them up.”
Screw the ARRL. Overpriced insiders club.
W4CBL
Been licensed since 1963 as a teenager (yeah, I’m that old). Extra class license and ARRL life member. I had to do it the hard way and test at FCC offices.
Current system is much better and I applaud the removal of the CW requirement - gets more people interested. The license question pool is available from many sources and easy to memorize. Should be a cakewalk for anyone to get a General class license.
I’m missing the issue. The ARRL is simply a resource for me. What am I supposed to be upset with them for?
-.-
The latest thing seems to be getting the extra class license with scarcely any operating experience. Memorize the questions and take the test. I know one fellow who hadn’t even operated on HF when he got his extra.
For a second there, I thought the USDA was order a recall of all hams at the behest of the MoHAM-MADmen.
So, what is the real agenda behind this?
It is possible to be a moslem HAM and not be beheaded. I think Mo’ said it was a permissible exception.
The story of what triggered this was that FEMA approached an elected Area Chair directly about developing a RF only long distance messaging system. The Chair notified ARRL of the launch of the effort and kept ARRL informed every step of the way. It was tested last June and was highly successful. The ARRL was hoping it wold be a big flop but it wasn’t. The ARRL got all torqued because FEMA didn’t go through them. If they had, in all likelyhood, the proposal would have gone into a committee black hole forever.
The leadership doesn’t like anything that will disrupt their positions. They decide what gets squelched and what goes forward with little input.
Most hams just see ARRL as a group that coordinates some stuff like Field Day and contests and sells books. That’s about what it is. They throw in a few legislative things now and then. Public service (the stuff that hams do in disasters) gets about 2 pages per issue in the magazine.
It’s very much like congress. Secretive and compromised. Cross them and they want to destroy you.
And this is supposed to be a fun hobby.
I passed all three tests in a period of three weeks last year.
I could have passed it when I was a teen, except for the CW. I simply never got the hang of it.
The group I work with are the local RACES group. One of our members keeps wanting us to do ARRL stuff. We all look at him like he’s daft. We’d rather play with the goodies we can get from DHS.
Yes, they might come and take my radio away. But I have several left over from my dad. Good luck finding those.
Please provide evidence.
Have been an ARRL members for years. Ham since 1982.
What. the. heck. are. you. talking. about?
The struggle was a journey to get the four letter call. Symbolic to me, same thing going around everywhere, make things easier, like kids not having winners and losers at a soccer game. Just hand out trophies to everyone.
Wayne Green held the ARRL in lower esteem than he did the communists.
Great guy..sad he’s gone.... World’s Smartest Crackpot!
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