View Full Version : ARRL spaming for new old memeber
kb9rqz
09-26-2006, 03:05 AM
Hello Fellow Ham !!
My name is Katie, W1KRB and I am a new ham! I am also one of the newest staff members at ARRL--the national association for Amateur Radio.
When I came to ARRL 6 months ago as the new Membership Manager, I honestly didn’t know anything about Amateur Radio. I came here with a background in non-profit and government management. But once I started, I discovered an amazing radio service and an association filled with great people: members, volunteers and staff. ARRL’s efforts in advocacy, education, and public service benefit all hams. ARRL is the lifeblood of Amateur Radio, and I cannot imagine being a ham today without being a member of ARRL.
It seems that your membership with ARRL has lapsed some time ago. Let me personally invite you back today! And, if you join now, I will send your choice of one the following free gifts:
CHOICE #1 - Getting Started with Ham Radio, $19.95 value (online Code MRE)
If you have your license, but perhaps you haven’t been active in some time and are thinking about getting back into it, then you’ll enjoy Getting Started with Ham Radio. This new book covers everything from getting your first rig, to the digital universe, using voice on the HF bands, and the World above 50 MHz. It’s also a great reference for all hams!
CHOICE #2 - The ARRL Antenna Book, $44.95 value (online Code MRE)
Ok, so perhaps you have your sights set on improving your station. Start at the top...with your antenna! I have yet to meet a ham that wouldn’t be thrilled to have The ARRL Antenna Book with fully searchable CD-ROM in their library. It’s THE ultimate reference tool for antennas, transmission lines and propagation.
CHOICE #3 - The ARRL Emergency Communication Handbook, $19.95 value (online Code MRE)
Are you a ham with a passion for public service? Since the Gulf Coast hurricanes in 2005, countless individuals have recognized the value of having an Amateur Radio operator’s license and have embarked on the path of emergency communications. The ARRL Emergency Communication Handbook is intended for all hams that volunteer their skills in public service applications.
Joining ARRL is easy! Follow this link to the online membership form: www.arrl.org/join. Be sure to enter the Code "MRE" when you are completing the application form. After you submit the application, you’ll be prompted for your Free Book choice.
Won’t you join me and the other 150,000 hams around the world that proudly call themselves ARRL Members...TODAY!
I look forward to welcoming you back!
73,
Katie
Katie Breen, W1KRB
Membership Manager
PS. If you choose not to re-join the ARRL, would you be so kind as to take a moment and share your story with me? Please don’t hold back – share!!! Write to me directly at w1krb@arrl.org
And, if you decide to re-join – won’t you share that with me as well? I’d like to know what brought you back!
HURRY! The free book offer expires October 15, 2006.
JOIN ARRL
To join ARRL, please use the links in this message to visit ARRL's secure online membership form. Or, call our Membership Team toll-free in the US 1-888-277-5289, Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern time [Outside US telephone (860) 594-0355].
ABOUT THIS E-MAIL
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ARRL
The national association for AMATEUR RADIO
225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494 USA
K7JBQ
09-26-2006, 03:20 AM
Excuse me, but this is not Spam.
If you write them and tell them never to darken your mailbox again, that's another story. But the ARRL certainly has the right to correspond with former members to try to get them to re-up. In fact, they'd be downright foolish not to.
73,
Bill
W6ECE
09-26-2006, 04:26 AM
Strange, those of us who have been faithful members for years never have been offered free books for sending in our dues. Tees me off.
N4AUD
09-26-2006, 04:49 AM
Quote[/b] (W6ECE @ Sep. 26 2006,00:26)]Strange, those of us who have been faithful members for years never have been offered free books for sending in our dues. Tees me off.
Sure you do. Don't re-up early, and if you wait until just before your membership expires, they'll offer you a free book. I just received my new Repeater Directory...
kf4lne
09-26-2006, 04:55 AM
ARRL is the life blood of amateur radio? Did someone sprinkle some crack in the amplifier and the fumes finally catch up? I like it that she wants to know why people won't re-up. I am sure many people who receive that e-mail will rejoin just for the free book and besides, most of the information in the ARRL publications can be found through other sources for *gasp* FREE for the downloading. Google is our friend.
Quote[/b] ]Excuse me, but this is not Spam.
Excuse me, but IT IS SPAM!
Spam being defined as:
Quote[/b] ]An electronic message is "spam" IF:
(1) #the recipient's personal identity and context are irrelevant because the message is equally applicable to many other potential recipients;
AND
(2) #the recipient has not verifiably granted deliberate, explicit, and still-revocable permission for it to be sent.
Source (http://www.spamhaus.org/definition.html)
Everybody who thinks that the recipient of the above spam was the only one sent the same email the same day should raise their hand. It is unsolicited mail and it is bulk mail.
According to her FCC info she lives out of HQ?
Hmmm...
KD6NIG
09-26-2006, 04:33 PM
Yeah, but if you read all of the current spam/telemarketing laws, they can legally contact you if you were formerly doing business with them, unless you specifically tell them not to when you break contact, or you tell them so later.
If you don't like the spam, I would reply with such a request. I'd follow it up with a certified letter to make sure they got the notification.
Otherwise, they can and will contact you. I've cancelled a few credit cards recently and I keep getting calls from them to 'reestablish' an account. A simple demand of no longer being called and the calls stopped, but unless you state it and ask for them to confirm your choice, and get a name of the person you talked to, they will keep doing so.
Heck, my father bought a troy-bilt rototiller 20 years ago (sold it over 10 years ago!) and he still gets mail from them. The calls stopped when he told them to, however.
Since she provides her email address, she should be able to remove you from the list, and technically, as long as they do so, they are within the rules. If they don't, then you have a potential violation to report.
W0LPQ
09-26-2006, 04:45 PM
As NIG says, it IS very simple. Just ask. No matter who it is ... if you politely ask them to remove you, they will.
I've done that with magazines, people who send junque mail and so on.
Bill, W0LPQ
Quote[/b] (AB2MH @ Sep. 26 2006,08:55)]According to her FCC info she lives out of HQ?
Hmmm...
Yes, I noticed that. Perhaps a prisoner held in Sumner's closet where the Reddysnitch is hidden too. They drag her out in chains as their token female Tech licensee to send out letters. Seriously, my only problem with their mailouts is that they can send out half a dozen spams a year but they can't send out ONE membership poll yearly on the important issues and publish the results.
Of course, this would take all the power from the back room dealers...and the HSMM Group's plans for world domination.
kb9rqz
09-26-2006, 06:19 PM
Quote[/b] (KD6NIG @ Sep. 25 2006,10:33)]Yeah, but if you read all of the current spam/telemarketing laws, they can legally contact you if you were formerly doing business with them, unless you specifically tell them not to when you break contact, or you tell them so later.
Since she provides her email address, she should be able to remove you from the list, and technically, as long as they do so, they are within the rules. #If they don't, then you have a potential violation to report.
report to whome i keep asking them to leave me alone and sometimes I just say bugger and stop spaming it cntiues I get this sort of thing every few months
can't understand why I was memebr a 2 year 7 years ago right I got my license hindeed I don't know where they got the email address they used I did not even have that one when I was a member of the ARRL
K7JBQ
09-26-2006, 06:23 PM
Uh, Mark...
If you do a callsign search in that little box at the top left of your screen, you'll find your email address.
If I could find it in 5 seconds, my guess is that ARRL HQ could find it in less than a week.
73,
Bill
KD6NIG
09-26-2006, 06:35 PM
Quote[/b] (kb9rqz @ Sep. 26 2006,11:19)]Quote[/b] (KD6NIG @ Sep. 25 2006,10:33)]Yeah, but if you read all of the current spam/telemarketing laws, they can legally contact you if you were formerly doing business with them, unless you specifically tell them not to when you break contact, or you tell them so later.
Since she provides her email address, she should be able to remove you from the list, and technically, as long as they do so, they are within the rules. #If they don't, then you have a potential violation to report.
report to whome i keep asking them to leave me alone and sometimes I just say bugger and stop spaming it cntiues I get this sort of thing every few months
can't understand why I was memebr a 2 year 7 years ago right I got my license hindeed I don't know where they got the email address they used I did not even have that one when I was a member of the ARRL
For the spam to be 'legal' in the sense provided by law, it should contain a removal address (although some of them use this to confirm valid email, yes).
They are also supposed to contain an address for removal, if its not the actual company sending the spam.
In the case of this spam, I would send an email and/or a snail mail to the Marketing department C/O ARRL.
If you continue to get them afterwards, you may have to send a registered letter (to prove they got it, prevents "well, we never got your mail" stuff, and some of them WILL do that) reiterating your request for removal. I've only had to do this in 2 cases, but it does work.
Yes, its a lot of legwork that we shouldn't have to do. Yes, it means the consumer has to do all of this, instead of having it the way it should be, IE, you opt out unless you give permission, but thats the way the law is written, and if you were to contact the appropriate authority, its the first question they are going to ask you. Once you do all of this, if they continue to spam you, then you may have recourse.
Course, this assumes the spammer is following the law (many don't), is within the US (US law doesn't apply to servers sending spam that aren't on US soil) etc.
But for this particular spam, this should work. Yes, it won't work for all of them, heck it probably won't for 80% of them, but reductions in it are possible.
I got sick of credit card apps too, and they each have to say who you can contact to stop getting them in the mail. That works also-except for ones from my current company trying to goad me into getting a "better" card, I get none now.
Yes its a lot of legwork, but it does work. You'll never fully be rid of it by any means-but if you have this much venom towards the ARRL, I would take this course, if they don't comply then you have something on them.
Besides, the person asks you to tell her why you're not renewing. Perhaps a note in return telling her that you don't appreciate such spam (with a note also to REMOVE) is worth a shot. Shes soliciting commentary, I'd oblidge her...politely. Keep the QRZ venom on QRZ http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
n6hcm
09-26-2006, 09:46 PM
Quote[/b] (AC0H @ Sep. 26 2006,08:50)]Quote[/b] ]An electronic message is "spam" IF:
(1) the recipient's personal identity and context are irrelevant because the message is equally applicable to many other potential recipients;
AND
(2) the recipient has not verifiably granted deliberate, explicit, and still-revocable permission for it to be sent.
Source (http://www.spamhaus.org/definition.html)
Everybody who thinks that the recipient of the above spam was the only one sent the same email the same day should raise their hand. It is unsolicited mail and it is bulk mail.
i'm not sure criterion #2 is satisfied here. why would you have given your email address to the ARRL if you didn't want them to use it?!?
WA2ZDY
09-26-2006, 09:55 PM
I got that email and even made mention of it in another thread here.
I like it. #"Hi, six months ago I knew squat and now I have a classic old time call and am the membership guru here at ARRL." #Classic indeed.
I know I can find the info on the web but that $45 antenna book is a valuable reference and sometimes I like sitting on the sofa with a good book. # They want to give me a $45 book for $39 and toss in 12 free issues of QStreet? #Sign me up.
Letting my membership lapse last year was a good idea. #Now I just have to be sure I actually get my book. #I never did get the book I was offered when I joined in the first place two years ago.
I agree with those though who feel this is spam. #At least we know for real who sent it.
kb9rqz
09-26-2006, 10:06 PM
Quote[/b] (n6hcm @ Sep. 25 2006,15:46)]Quote[/b] (AC0H @ Sep. 26 2006,08:50)]Quote[/b] ]An electronic message is "spam" IF:
(1) #the recipient's personal identity and context are irrelevant because the message is equally applicable to many other potential recipients;
AND
(2) #the recipient has not verifiably granted deliberate, explicit, and still-revocable permission for it to be sent.
Source (http://www.spamhaus.org/definition.html)
Everybody who thinks that the recipient of the above spam was the only one sent the same email the same day should raise their hand. It is unsolicited mail and it is bulk mail.
i'm not sure criterion #2 is satisfied here. #why would you have given your email address to the ARRL if you didn't want them to use it?!?
I did not give it the arrl they guessed since it is my call at someplace
Quote[/b] ]i'm not sure criterion #2 is satisfied here. why would you have given your email address to the ARRL if you didn't want them to use it?!?
I think it does.
The original poster didn't give "verifiably granted deliberate, explicit, and still-revocable permission for it to be sent."
Just because the ARRL has your email addy on file doesn't mean they get to keep sending you mail after your membership has ended. Just because you give them permission to use it once doesn't mean they have that permission in perpetuity.
Send them some mail telling them to stop sending you mail. If they send one after that you've got them by the short hair.
kf4lne
09-26-2006, 10:49 PM
Quote[/b] ]If your mother still drives you to school,.... you ain't no gangster. PULL YOUR PANTS UP!
Agreed
Quote[/b] (AB2MH @ Sep. 26 2006,10:55)]According to her FCC info she lives out of HQ?
Hmmm...
Sorry, AB2MH, but the FCC does NOT require you to receive mail where you live...Only that you provide an address where you can reliably and in a timely fashion receive mail from the FCC.
Since she works at ARRL HQ and presumably is there Monday through Friday, I assume that meets their requirements.
And if you'd caught Morkie's (KB9RQZ) comments on USENET, you can understand why this lady took the wise action of NOT using her home address on her license.
73
Steve, K4YZ
Quote[/b] (K4YZ @ Oct. 18 2006,07:01)]...you can understand why this lady took the wise action of NOT using her home address on her license...
Ah...yeah...
kb9rqz
10-18-2006, 03:47 PM
Quote[/b] (K4YZ @ Oct. 17 2006,08:01)]Quote[/b] (AB2MH @ Sep. 26 2006,10:55)]According to her FCC info she lives out of HQ?
Hmmm...
Sorry, AB2MH, but the FCC does NOT require you to receive mail where you live...Only that you provide an address where you can reliably and in a timely fashion receive mail from the FCC.
Since she works at ARRL HQ and presumably is there Monday through Friday, I assume that meets their requirements.
And if you'd caught Morkie's (KB9RQZ) comments on USENET, you can understand why this lady took the wise action of NOT using her home address on her license.
73
Steve, K4YZ
well hi there Steve how you doing?
interesting to see you support her right to use another address and not mine but then no one has ever accuased you of being consistant
but this is QRZ can you respect the spirt of the place enouh to at least use my name?
It seem not
ai4ep
10-18-2006, 03:48 PM
I WAS a ARRL member for the past 2 years.
This year I decided not to re-join.
I have received no less than 6 #letters ( all of different types ) asking me to re-join.
The last 3 have made me the offer of getting the REPEATER DIRECTORY free.
The last offer not only made me the offer of getting the REPEATER DIRECTORY free, but another book ( out of 6 - 8 choices ) .
So now I have an option of
* sending in my money
* receiving the REPEATER DIRECTORY free
*receiving another book free
But I still aint re - joined #and most likely will not.
IMHO they have spent quite a bit of money attempting to get ME to re join out of my last year #fee to get me to re - join THIS year. #That was / is their decision, not mine.
Imagaine the money that is spent attempting to get #other old members to re- join.
The U S Mail is not cheap. #Nor should it s services be abused.
One thing that I do not think HAS been mentioned is the fact that ---
* about 90 % of what is available in the monthly issue of QST is also available on their own internet web site ---FREE . So why buy a magazine when the internet information is FREE ( or most of the valuable stuff, any way ) ? !!
Quote[/b] ]* about 90 % of what is available in the monthly issue of QST is also available on their own internet web site ---FREE . #So why buy a magazine when the internet information is FREE #( or most of the valuable stuff, any way ) #? !!
Yep.
In the new (Nov., 2006), there is a five-page article by W5BIG about his AIM430 antenna impedance meter. #The article is full of "filler" about the theory and operation of the instrument, but nowhere are we given a complete schematic, parts list, parts sources, where to obtain the source code, etc. #We aren't even told to go to W5BIG's website for more information.
When we do go to W5BIG's website, we learn that the AIM430 is obsolete and is replaced by the new, improved AIM4170 and is available from Array Solutions for $400. #Array Solutions is a QST advertiser (see full page ad on page 115 of the November issue).
Of course, none of this good information is given in the QST article. #That would have been a little too obvious.
The only thing we are left to conclude is that the ARRL in effect paid W5BIG to write a five-page advertisement for his own commercial product.
And the ARRL wonders why a lot of us don't renew our memberships.
n0nwo
10-18-2006, 05:32 PM
Although I am not currently a member, I see nothing wrong with sending out mass e-mails to former members. Seems a much smarter fund raising method than snail mail. Good for them. Looks like the ARRL is getting their moneys worth out of Katie Breen.
It's nice to see the ARRL do somthing smart once in a while.
Minton
Quote[/b] ]Looks like the ARRL is getting their moneys worth out of Katie Breen.
To the ARRL, that's what it seems to be all about: money.
Quote[/b] (K5FH @ Oct. 18 2006,10:16)]Of course, none of this good information is given in the QST article. That would have been a little too obvious.
The only thing we are left to conclude is that the ARRL in effect paid W5BIG to write a five-page advertisement for his own commercial product.
And the ARRL wonders why a lot of us don't renew our memberships.
Over the years, I've bought many programming guides - tutorials - and related literature that turned out to be nothing more than a 'teaser' for the authors' wares...most of these publications did little except to provide the reader with the most general of overviews.
I've since taken to perusing the 'Net for information. There are no shortage of individuals (myself included) who will gladly share knowledge with their peers in the software community.
Ditto re: radios.
Exactly.
I don't have a problem with advertising a product if it is admitted up front that you're trying to sell a product. #But I DO have a big problem with what amounts to printed "infomercials" that aren't honest enough to identify themselves as such.
Even worse is that the ARRL went along with it. #Sumner and Ford need to explain this.
kl7aj
10-18-2006, 06:30 PM
Those 1x3s ARE hare to come by.
ai4ep
10-19-2006, 01:23 PM
you think they would actually ( in a product report ) print BAD information , even if it was true , about the product #?
Shucks no.
Especially if the manufacturer had advertisements ( especially the color full page ads ) in their magazine.
#...but they would not mind taking my money...again.
No it aint being offered. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif