ARRL Board Again Snubs Membership

[w0woi]

More than two weeks have passed since the July 21-22
ARRL Board of Director's meeting. To date there has been no comprehensive report to the membership upon the business conducted.

One could therefore believe one or more possible scenarios:

1) There was no membership business conducted with members footing the bill for a good olde boys weekend.
Ever wonder what one of these "board meetings" really costs? #Given airfare, hotel rooms, meals, et all probably $50,000 to $75,000. #Members are never told.

2) There was member business conducted, but the Board chooses not to let members know what deed has been done in secret this time.

3) Similar to #2, but the Board is spinning their notes into an "official document" to be released when they feel they've developed political cover.

4) And the most likely of all, no report is a mere continuation, intential or not, of the Board's disrespect and contempt for the membership.

There are undoubtedly other possible scenarios for wondering minds to muse.

[N5PVL]

I'll have to agree that #4 is the most likely case of all.

I'd like to see a new national organization pick up the ball the ARRL has dropped. - I say this after years of dissapointed hoping that the ARRL would eventually fix itself.

Now I'd just like to see another organization because I have lost my optimism that the ARRL will ever reform or return to its former standards of behavior. The way it is set up now, nobody gets to advance or even participate at the so-called 'higher levels' unless they parrot a party line. Original thinkers and reformers need not apply.

Another perfectly good organization which has lost its sense of mission. - Undermined into insignificance by promoters and salesmen.

I'll step up here and say it's time to cut our losses there and put our effort and money into something new. - Returng to an organizational model by and for hams and ham radio.

[W4BD]

NPL

Well you make the motion and I will second it for sure. I agree that we are like mushrooms "KEPT IN THE DARK AND FED A BUNCH OF BULL STUFF"!!!!!

73's

[ab0wr]

Quote[/b] (N5PVL @ Aug. 07 2006,18:00)]I'll have to agree that #4 is the most likely case of all.

I'd like to see a new national organization pick up the ball the ARRL has dropped. - I say this after years of dissapointed hoping that the ARRL would eventually fix itself.

Now I'd just like to see another organization because I have lost my optimism that the ARRL will ever reform or return to its former standards of behavior. The way it is set up now, nobody gets to advance or even participate at the so-called 'higher levels' unless they parrot a party line. Original thinkers and reformers need not apply.

Another perfectly good organization which has lost its sense of mission. - Undermined into insignificance by promoters and salesmen.

I'll step up here and say it's time to cut our losses there and put our effort and money into something new. - Returng to an organizational model by and for hams and ham radio.
QST no longer carries technical articles of significant interest. The ARRL itself no longer seems to care much about it's membership other than as a revenue source.

When they can't even get the minutes of the Board meeting posted in a timely manner, it is obvious that there is something wrong with their focus.

I would never have believed it but I am seriously considering dropping my ARRL membership and just subscribing to QEX as a non-member.

I know the arguments about needing to remain as a member in order to change the organization from the inside but that just seems to be a losing battle.

I still have a couple of months to go before I have to decide. Maybe I'll see something hopeful before then. I'm not holding my breath in anticipation, however.

tim ab0wr

[KA8NCR]

Soooo...y'all create a charter and start your own organization.

[ab8ro]

Quote[/b] (ka8ncr @ Aug. 06 2006,19:56)]Soooo...y'all create a charter and start your own organization.
I hear K1MAN has some extra flyers and stuff you could use.

[WA9SVD]

Although I don't agree that another, Nationally (or internationally) recognized organization would or could replace the ARRL (any time soon,) I too am greatly disappointed with thee way it is currently being run.
QST used to be a 110% quality publication, something even professional journals admired. NOW, there is drivel, erroneous or marginal information (only sometimes corrected months later) and "technical" articles that leave the "important stuff" either in the "members only" section on the 'Net, or referr to a QEX article for the full project information.
Since the inception of QST until about the last few years, QST was the ultimate reference for technical information, ideas, and construction details. You could go back to a 40 year old QST article (from the 1960's) and finmd every detail necessary for a construction project. And many libraries (at least in major cities) carry those QST's, as well as some of the other Ham magazines. But 40 years from now? HAH!
A new operator will open a 2006 QST, see a great construction project, and then read "DETAILS ON THE MEMBER'S ONLY PAGE" and be long gone. Or "transformer winding details in QEX issue XX 2006." And no source for QEX.
That In my NOT so humble opinion, is a travesty to the tradition of what ARRL and QST once stood for. Either include the project article in it's entirety, or don't bother. Otherwise, it's just popularizing "bragging rights" for some authors, and providing NO actual service to the Amateur community, now or worse yet, in the future.

Dumbed down the written exams? Well, they've certain;y done that to QST, and I can only surmise that's what's happened to those that run the organization.

[w8znx]

Quote[/b] (ab8ro @ Aug. 07 2006,19:07)]Quote[/b] (ka8ncr @ Aug. 06 2006,19:56)]Soooo...y'all create a charter and start your own organization.
I hear K1MAN has some extra flyers and stuff you could use.
do not like the way things are
quit bitching

do something

that would take geting off your but
and maybe working

oh no
it's more fun to piss and moan

start a club, call it the league haters club

can have regular get meetings
talk about how much
you are beeing abused by the League

will be renewing my League membership
this fall

mac dit dit

[k7unz]

So what's the surprise?

When the new dude got "elected" he stated he supported, and intended to continue, the policies of his predecessor.

That's when I bailed....

Jim/k7unz

[ab8ro]

Quote[/b] (w8znx @ Aug. 07 2006,13:40)]Quote[/b] (ab8ro @ Aug. 07 2006,19:07)]Quote[/b] (ka8ncr @ Aug. 06 2006,19:56)]Soooo...y'all create a charter and start your own organization.
I hear K1MAN has some extra flyers and stuff you could use.
do not like the way things are
quit bitching
Lighten up mac, that was supposed to be funny. You should be laughing now instead of getting your undies in a bunch.

You're absolutely right of course. The ARRL is the organization that we have and it takes a LOT of motivation to create something new to replace it. If there was anything serious in my comment it was to underline the fact that angry complainers like K1MAN do not stand a chance trying to replace the ARRL.

[N2MWE]

This was the first year I did not renew my membership. I have watched QST transform from a fine magazine about amateur radio into a damned catalog. ARRL has lost touch with its membership. And that's a damned shame, folks. HPM is probably spinning in his grave.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[kg4kww]

I agree N2MWE, they haven't done squat to get the FCC to act on the code issue (could palms be getting greased under the table to keep the code?) and they haven't done squat to get ARRL member clubs to include VHF/UHF SSB into their events.

The ARRL is being run by a bunch of rich dudes who don't care about the little people like us who keep the organization running by paying dues.

[n0iu]

Quote[/b] (N2MWE @ Aug. 08 2006,13:31)]I have watched QST transform from a fine magazine about amateur radio into a damned catalog.
As any good detective will tell you, "Follow the money!"

Scott NØIU

[K3UD]

I renewed my membership this month but that does not indicate that I am happy as to what is going on at HQ and among the board. The high handed response comments to the regulation by bandwidth petition almost caused me to bail.

It seems to be increasingly clear that the ARRL is out of touch with the membership and becoming less effective when dealing with the FCC on Amateur Radio related matters.

I don't know what it will take to re-incorporate the membership into the policy making decisions, but unless they are considered first, we will continue to see declines in membership and overall ARRL prestige in the ham community.

73
George
K3UD

[N5PVL]

That is part of why a real need exists for a second national ham radio organization.

[NN3W]

So, why don't you form one? I've got the name of some good Washington lawyers that you can use for lobbying. They charge anywhere from $275 to $675 an hour...

[K3UD]

Charles,

For better or worse the ARRL is what we have. Others have tried and failed in an attempt to create an alternative to the ARRL. Wayne Green in the early 60s with the Institute For Amateur Radio and more recently, K1MAN. Wayne came the closest as he had lobbyists on the payroll, but in the end it could not be sustained.

If just 25% membership got ARRL got proactive and stayed in contact with their division directors on issues confronting Amateur Radio, We might have a realization from HQ that the members indeed matter and that they actually have a voice in attempting to change policy. Unfortunately the vast majority of members do not do this and are seemingly content with whatever the ARRL wants to do....until they get affected personnally, and then it is too late.


73
George
K3UD

[ky5u]

Quote[/b] (NN3W @ Aug. 09 2006,05:54)]So, why don't you form one? I've got the name of some good Washington lawyers that you can use for lobbying. They charge anywhere from $275 to $675 an hour...
Seems like an Amateur who is also a lawyer would have sued to get the ARRL to make a full financial disclosure. Opening the books to review by members would be a good first step in cleaning up.

[N5PVL]

I disagree about previous attempts to start up an alternative national organization. Those were all "cult of personality" deals, nothing at all like hams would really want to have.

I'm talking about the real deal.

[w8znx]

Quote[/b] (ab8ro @ Aug. 08 2006,18:29)]Quote[/b] (w8znx @ Aug. 07 2006,13:40)]Quote[/b] (ab8ro @ Aug. 07 2006,19:07)]Quote[/b] (ka8ncr @ Aug. 06 2006,19:56)]Soooo...y'all create a charter and start your own organization.
I hear K1MAN has some extra flyers and stuff you could use.
do not like the way things are
quit bitching
Lighten up mac, that was supposed to be funny. You should be laughing now instead of getting your undies in a bunch.
im not wearing any

[NN3W]

Quote[/b] (AG4YO @ Aug. 09 2006,07:15)]Quote[/b] (NN3W @ Aug. 09 2006,05:54)]So, why don't you form one? #I've got the name of some good Washington lawyers that you can use for lobbying. #They charge anywhere from $275 to $675 an hour...
Seems like an Amateur who is also a lawyer would have sued to get the ARRL to make a full financial disclosure. #Opening the books to review by members would be a good first step in cleaning up.
Well, feel free to file suit.

Here's the address for the court in Hartford:
101 Lafayette Street, Hartford, CT 06106

Be sure to review the rules on corporate disclosure and accounting practices before you decide to file suit.

[ky5u]

New ARRL Membership Opinion Section Campaign:

[kj3n]

Quote[/b] (w8znx @ Aug. 09 2006,12:21)]Quote[/b] (ab8ro @ Aug. 08 2006,18:29)]Quote[/b] (w8znx @ Aug. 07 2006,13:40)]Quote[/b] (ab8ro @ Aug. 07 2006,19:07)]Quote[/b] (ka8ncr @ Aug. 06 2006,19:56)]Soooo...y'all create a charter and start your own organization.
I hear K1MAN has some extra flyers and stuff you could use.
do not like the way things are
quit bitching
Lighten up mac, that was supposed to be funny. You should be laughing now instead of getting your undies in a bunch.
im not wearing any
That definately falls under TMI!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[W8FAX]

During Dayton Hamvention this year I attended one of the ARRL's forums. There was very light participation. After much blah by K1ZZ and the new public relations lady (the big new catch word this year is "EXCITING") and a couple of others, the floor was open for comment. Two guys (both life members) said they felt the ARRL had lost it's way, what with digital, code requirements, testing, ignoring the membership at large, etc etc and since the membership was declining, what did the current bunch intend to do about it. Future plans and all...........After some more "EXCITING" comments from the PR lady, who had not a clue, and a 10 minute blow by K1ZZ, and about 5 minutes from a couple of other directors, one guy pointed out....."Yes, that's all just fine and dandy, but you have completely failed to answer my question." They ignored him pretty much and continued with more "EXCITING" blab about drumming up more membership and then adjourned before their time was up.........I was so impressed......

[W0JBC]

KWW ... 10-4..........



JB

[N5PVL]

There would be no particular need for another national ham radio organization to "replace' the ARRL or what it currently does. - That would be pointless to have the same thing all over again under new management.

I would hope that a new national organization would be deliberately structured to avoid the kind of situation that the ARRL has drifted into. Such matters would be initially determined by the charter group, I would suppose.

It seems to me that there is a lot of ground here that is being handled by the ARRL but not to the general satisfaction of its membership. - The recent digital proposals by the ARRL to the FCC come to mind. - These are places where a new organization can do things better and at the very least create some healthy competition tomorrow, where today there is none.

Is it correct that 25% or so of US hams today are ARRL members? - If so, then it seems to me that there may be another sizable block of hams who would respond well to a different, possibly better approach.

I doubt seriously that nearly so many hams would respond well to a "me too!" ARRL wannabee. - So I think it's safe to scratch that idea off of our list, right away.

I'd expect a new outfit to be visibly different from the ARRL, if it is to have any chance to succeed at all.

[K3UD]

Here is someone who is attempting to create some kind of an alternative although it is limited in scope. I personally do not see much coming out of it though.

New Organization (http://www.eham.net/articles/14442)


73
George
K3UD

[w5alt]

Hey, the ARRL finally posted the minutes of the July BoD Meeting. Wow, it must have taken awhile to massage them into the right spin ...

[WA2CWA]

Meeting minutes were posted yesterday afternoon, 8/10. Most of the major points of the meeting were already covered in ARRL News on July 31st. However, at least now you can read the Committee Reports.

Also the 2005 ARRL Annual Report was posted on August 7th. Lots of great info if readers are running out of ARRL things to talk about.

Pete, wa2cwa