ARRL and RAC petition

[W8LBO]

I think we came to a conclusion in one of the other threads that we need to get together a youth Dxpedition funding petition to send to the ARRL and RAC. And even though there's no possible way that they would come through, it seems like an awesome idea so might as well try, right? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif I'll try and write something up, and anyone who wants to sign it, I'm now taking call signs. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[W8LBO]

BTW, any ideas on how to make this pursuasive are welcome too. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Duncan P. MacLachlan, KC0VVU


I will be your first signature.

[W8LBO]

Thanks, just like Benjamin Franklin...er....no...that's probably not right....

I dunno...i think that is right...

dangit! If only i paid more attention in social studies class! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[VA7AAX]

akshay parelkar, VA7AAX . your next signature in the petition . you are doing a wonderful job.

[VA7AAX]

the most persuasive thing is to tell RAC and ARRL that funding such a thing will encourage young people to join this wonderful hobby. also such a thing will be really a "amateur radio first". http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[VE6WTF]

Okay, The trick is to make SURE!!
The words youth, opportunity, Learning, Great, Hobby, blah blah
are in it, And I am sure could be alot more convincing

Kyle Kindjerski

[KE5FIX]

here's your 3rd signature.
Jonathan Franks
So, when should I start packing and will airfare and food be covered? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[K1LFG]

4th?

Nicholas J Curcuru, KI4LFG

Worth a try

[VA7AAX]

Quote[/b] (KE5FIX @ Feb. 07 2007,22:18)]here's your 3rd signature.
Jonathan Franks
So, when should I start packing and will airfare and food be covered? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
lets hope so!

[W8LBO]

LOL, alrighty. If anyone else wants added feel free. I've got a test coming up that I have to study for, but after that I'll have plenty of free time to burn on it. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[VE6WTF]

Shall I post about this in some other forums?
and add it to my club website?

[W8LBO]

LOL, no, that'd be somewhat embarrassing. imo

[VA7AAX]

Quote[/b] (W8LBO @ Feb. 08 2007,13:26)]LOL, no, that'd be somewhat embarrassing. imo
embarrasing? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[VE6WTF]

Yeah?
whats that about?

[W8LBO]

Maybe I'm too self-conscious, but for one thing, people are not going to be particularly thrilled if they found out their ARRL dues are going to be used for the enjoyment of only a couple people http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif And the other thing is that there is no possible way that the ARRL would come through with the money, so it seems somewhat foolish to broadcast that we're trying. But, then again, I could just be too self-conscious. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[VE6WTF]

meh, HEY if you have 40m get on it now!

[W8LBO]

Sorry about that, I sold my powersupply and my antennas are down so I can't. Probably just about now would be a pipeline to Alberta though.

[DJ1YFK]

Go for it! We did a youth-DXpedition a few years ago and it was quite a success: http://www.qsl.net/8q7zz/

From my own experience I can tell you that it's possible to get a lot of
support from many companies, clubs and individuals, if you manage to persuade them that you'll do a great expedition. This is, however, a lot easier if you can already show off with some nice contest scores, DX experiences etc. A vicious circle, I know, but there are many ways to get involved.

Ask local contesters to work from their stations or to join multi-op events, if you get a "no", don't just give up but ask again or ask the next. Persistance helps. Also try to do as good as you can from your home stations, even if you won't sport some top 10 scores, people will start to notice you and you'll eventually get involved more.

This is how I got into serious contesting: When I started in 1998, I always longed to operate from one of them "big guns", but for a few more years I was confined to operating my little QRP + G5RV station at home. Then I was first invited to a CQWW CW at a local M/S and showed that I can keep up with the old farts, and was subsequently invited again and again. Nowadays I get more offers for the major contests to operate than I can take...

[VA7AAX]

it is possible to do it as dj1yfk said, but we need to become serious about it.!!

[KB1LQD]

just my 2 cents here but to me it seems like the general atmosphere of society would not be thrilled about a group of under 18 kids to going to a isolated island and using members money to fund that.... I'm not trying to be pesemistic about the whole idea but why not use those funds to help premote amateur radio to get more youths on now...... just my 2 cents...

[NA4BH]

Quote[/b] (W8LBO @ Feb. 08 2007,17:24)]Maybe I'm too self-conscious, but for one thing, people are not going to be particularly thrilled if they found out their ARRL dues are going to be used for the enjoyment of only a couple people #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif And the other thing is that there is no possible way that the ARRL would come through with the money, so it seems somewhat foolish to broadcast that we're trying. But, then again, I could just be too self-conscious. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
As a member of ARRL, I would love to see a Youth DXPEDITION. At least I would know the money was going to a GREAT cause and adventure. Wish I was a lot younger, heck I would sign up.

Good Luck,
Hope to work you on the DXPEDITION,

73
Bob

[KB1LQD]

I agree that it would be great to see a full fledged youth dxepedition but i believe at the current moment that the thousands, if not 10's of thousands of dollars that would need to be funded for it could be used for more pressing issues at the moment, I'm doing alot within my school club and community to get youth amateurs and i've been doing it for a few years now as I can tell you that the issue of getting young amateurs is very important right now, but simply, the less young amateurs there are , the harder it is to get new ones. At a locacl arrl section meeting, one ham put it perfectly (He was not a young ham), kids don't want to feel like they get on the radio and talk to their parents, they want to talk to other kids.... I doubt anyone can say that there isn;t an age-interest difference.... besides, when's the last time you met an under 18 ham on the air?

This is just my two cents, whichever way this goes... there's no worry that I won't pay my ARRL dues or such, If the arrl supports something, they damn well know what they are doing!

[K1LFG]

Well out to a island in the middle or no where wouldn't be the best but a smaller DX entity that would cost far less and be easier to work.

Hopefully soon when the code drops there will be a few more young hams on the air.

[KE5FIX]

Quote[/b] (KB1LQD @ Feb. 09 2007,18:54)]I agree that it would be great to see a full fledged youth dxepedition but i believe at the current moment that the thousands, if not 10's of thousands of dollars that would need to be funded for it could be used for more pressing issues at the moment, I'm doing a lot within my school club and community to get youth amateurs and i've been doing it for a few years now as I can tell you that the issue of getting young amateurs is very important right now, but simply, the less young amateurs there are , the harder it is to get new ones. At a local arrl section meeting, one ham put it perfectly (He was not a young ham), kids don't want to feel like they get on the radio and talk to their parents, they want to talk to other kids.... I doubt anyone can say that there isn;t an age-interest difference.... besides, when's the last time you met an under 18 ham on the air?

This is just my two cents, whichever way this goes... there's no worry that I won't pay my ARRL dues or such, If the arrl supports something, they damn well know what they are doing!
I think a dxpedition of just youth would be a great ideal to get other youth involved. Wouldn't you think a hobby that you could potentially get a all expense paid trip to some foreign country just to talk on a bunch of radios for a week or two sound pretty cool?

Quote[/b] (NA4BH @ Feb. 09 2007,17:22)]
Quote[/b] (W8LBO @ Feb. 08 2007,17:24)]Maybe I'm too self-conscious, but for one thing, people are not going to be particularly thrilled if they found out their ARRL dues are going to be used for the enjoyment of only a couple people #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif And the other thing is that there is no possible way that the ARRL would come through with the money, so it seems somewhat foolish to broadcast that we're trying. But, then again, I could just be too self-conscious. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
As a member of ARRL, I would love to see a Youth DXPEDITION. At least I would know the money was going to a GREAT cause and adventure. Wish I was a lot younger, heck I would sign up.

Good Luck,
Hope to work you on the DXPEDITION,

73
Bob
That would be another thing. We would have to have older hams or a guardian along because of insurance policies I believe it is.

Quote[/b] (KB1LQD @ Feb. 09 2007,18:54)]I agree that it would be great to see a full fledged youth dxepedition but i believe at the current moment that the thousands, if not 10's of thousands of dollars that would need to be funded for it could be used for more pressing issues at the moment, I'm doing alot within my school club and community to get youth amateurs and i've been doing it for a few years now as I can tell you that the issue of getting young amateurs is very important right now, but simply, the less young amateurs there are , the harder it is to get new ones. At a locacl arrl section meeting, one ham put it perfectly (He was not a young ham), kids don't want to feel like they get on the radio and talk to their parents, they want to talk to other kids.... I doubt anyone can say that there isn;t an age-interest difference.... besides, when's the last time you met an under 18 ham on the air?

This is just my two cents, whichever way this goes... there's no worry that I won't pay my ARRL dues or such, If the arrl supports something, they damn well know what they are doing!
I agree. I know some kids who seemed scared by the fact that they would mostly be talking to adults. Me, I don't give a care! I just like to talk!!! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

What would be interesting is if we got a grant to a POPULATED island and work on recruiting youth or really anybody and expand the HAM community. As well as gaining some operating skills, making new friends, and meeting people from different countries and all walks of life.
So, instead of focusing only on making contacts, we work on getting people interested. I think the ARRL would be more supportive of that. The ARRL wants more young hams, but I don't think they would complain to getting older hams either!

[KB1LQD]

Its just my thoughts from hands on experience with running my schools club for the last couple years, and seeing kids get into it then fade away, we are different from most teens, we dont care that much about who we talk to but for the general population, its a real turn off to constantly talk to people 30-40+ your own age, its a sad but true fact....

And on the topic of people not liking the whole island thing I wasn't talking about kids, I'm talking about the adults who would be responsible, as well as the general pop....

[VA7AAX]

i too wouldnt mind if i had to talk to 50 plus age group. i think the only really big problem after getting the youth to join ham radio is, equipment. expensive. i myself havent had a HF QSO as yet. but i am planning on asking a local ham i know very well if i could use his HF rig

[W8LBO]

Quote[/b] (KB1LQD @ Feb. 10 2007,13:18)]Its just my thoughts from hands on experience with running my schools club for the last couple years, and seeing kids get into it then fade away, we are different from most teens, we dont care that much about who we talk to but for the general population, its a real turn off to constantly talk to people 30-40+ your own age, its a sad but true fact....

And on the topic of people not liking the whole island thing I wasn't talking about kids, I'm talking about the adults who would be responsible, as well as the general pop....
Yeah, actually, I'd have to agree wtih you on both statements. It'd be really hard to organize a DXpedition for minors, especially with the whole parental permission dealio. I wouldn't be able to go anytime this year either, because I'll be too busy earning money for school. So, anyway, I'm still going to get a petition together, just for the fun of it. But I won't be able to put that much time into it cause things are getting really busy around here.

[K1LFG]

I'd have to agree with the whole not being able to chat with anyone of your own age group however I can try to sked with schools and groups of people towards the end of the month. Only 12 days till the I can get my paperwork done!

[KB1LQC]

Quote[/b] ] So, anyway, I'm still going to get a petition together, just for the fun of it.

Ok, Why do that? Whats the use if you are going to petition the ARRL anyway. This will only be a nuisance to the ARRL and make it seem like youths will push for something, in the long run, not worth pushing for. My suggestion would be to drop the idea and not petition the ARRL, they have many other pressing issues to deal with, most notably getting more amateur radio operators.

The resources needed to put together a youth dxpedition far outweigh even the idea of what to do with a bunch of youths in some exotic place.

When companies and organizations support a dxpedition, one of the main goals is to get as many contacts from a not-so-amateur-radio-dense country or territory. The other goal for companies would be to get their product's name out... Like if Icom sponsored the peter island dxpedition (I dont know if they did or didn't but hypothetically speaking)... from all the publicity and word of mouth it would get around that hey... Icom went to peter island and make over 80,000 contacts in Antarctica...

The benefits of a youth dxpedition are really not that much, resources could be used for better purposes with youths in amateur radio. The majority of people even affected by a youth dxpedition would be other amateurs... NOT non-amateur youths. the best way to bring more amateurs into the hobby, especially youth operators, would be something other than a dxpedition.

Good idea W8LBO however it is not very practical. Do not get me wrong, I am NOT trying to go against you about this, I am merely reasoning the pros and cons and using them to make my own decision... I could not stress you enough to not make a petition... especially if it's put together hastily.




My 2 cents
Thanks es 73's
Bryce
KB1LQC

[KB1LQD]

ok, how about a petition to pressure the radio manufactures to design and sell an under $50 Hf ssb/cw and also under $50 vhf handheld that Is decent and can be bought by almost anyone? whens the last time you looked at the prices of an handheld, the cheapest one I could find is an IC v8... $100 (I've seen so many people turned off by the price on an Ht)
Now look at HF, any decent rig costs at least $300.... hows that for getting new people arn't sure if they will like it or not?

[W8LBO]

[quote] Ok, Why do that? [quote]

First, because I said I was going to. #Second, because I thought it would be fun(the purpose of the hobby).

[quote] This will only be a nuisance to the ARRL [quote]

That would make the whole thing worthwhile. #Besides, sifting through ideas is what they're getting paid to do.

[quote] they have many other pressing issues to deal with, most notably getting more amateur radio operators [quote]

I think you mean like trying to get off the couch. #They have absolutely NO power in Washington. #They couldn't save the ham bands from a mouse. #As far as recruiting more amateurs, they aren't very good at that either.

[quote] The resources needed to put together a youth dxpedition far outweigh even the idea of what to do with a bunch of youths in some exotic place. #[quote]

I don't understand what you are trying to say there.

[quote] When companies and organizations support a dxpedition, one of the main goals is to get as many contacts from a not-so-amateur-radio-dense country or territory. #The other goal for companies would be to get their product's name out... Like if Icom sponsored the peter island dxpedition (I dont know if they did or didn't but hypothetically speaking)... from all the publicity and word of mouth it would get around that hey... Icom went to peter island and make over 80,000 contacts in Antarctica... [quote]

I agree with that 100%.

[quote] The benefits of a youth dxpedition are really not that much, resources could be used for better purposes with youths in amateur radio. [quote]

I agree with that to a point, but the only way resources could be better used to get young ops on is giving away free rigs. #The whole outreach program they have is worthless. #I don't know anyone who got into ham radio because of it.

[quote] The majority of people even affected by a youth dxpedition would be other amateurs... NOT non-amateur youths. [quote]

Maybe true, but I don't see that as a problem. #There are three types potential young operators. #Those that would love the hobby if they knew about it(a very small percentage), those that would get their ticket but not use it after a month or two(a larger percentage, and the only benefit of this is for the ARRL numbers and manufacturers pocketbooks. #It is actually worse for the young ham then not getting into it at all because then he has to resell all his gear.), and the third group is those that wouldn't get on the air even if licenses were free without a test.(a very large percentage). #So you might as well make the hobby the best it can be for the hams who like the hobby, instead of wasting money on something that isn't going to do any good at all.

[quote] the best way to bring more amateurs into the hobby, especially youth operators, would be something other than a dxpedition. [quote]

Maybe true, maybe not. #What they're doing right now isn't working though, so might as well try something new that would atleast benefit a few people.

[quote] it is not very practical [quote]

Practical is good within a limit, but if you always practically live life, that's hardly living. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Anyway, like I say, I can see where you're coming from.

[W8LBO]

Quote[/b] (KB1LQD @ Feb. 11 2007,15:18)]ok, how about a petition to pressure the radio manufactures to design and sell an under $50 Hf ssb/cw and also under $50 vhf handheld that Is decent and can be bought by almost anyone? whens the last time you looked at the prices of an handheld, the cheapest one I could find is an IC v8... $100 (I've seen so many people turned off by the price on an Ht)
Now look at HF, any decent rig costs at least $300.... hows that for getting new people arn't sure if they will like it or not?
That'd be awesome.

[KB1LQC]

Quote[/b] ][quote] Ok, Why do that? [quote]

First, because I said I was going to. Second, because I thought it would be fun(the purpose of the hobby).

[quote] This will only be a nuisance to the ARRL [quote]

That would make the whole thing worthwhile. Besides, sifting through ideas is what they're getting paid to do.

[quote] they have many other pressing issues to deal with, most notably getting more amateur radio operators [quote]

I think you mean like trying to get off the couch. They have absolutely NO power in Washington. They couldn't save the ham bands from a mouse. As far as recruiting more amateurs, they aren't very good at that either.

[quote] The resources needed to put together a youth dxpedition far outweigh even the idea of what to do with a bunch of youths in some exotic place. [quote]

I don't understand what you are trying to say there.

[quote] When companies and organizations support a dxpedition, one of the main goals is to get as many contacts from a not-so-amateur-radio-dense country or territory. The other goal for companies would be to get their product's name out... Like if Icom sponsored the peter island dxpedition (I dont know if they did or didn't but hypothetically speaking)... from all the publicity and word of mouth it would get around that hey... Icom went to peter island and make over 80,000 contacts in Antarctica... [quote]

I agree with that 100%.

[quote] The benefits of a youth dxpedition are really not that much, resources could be used for better purposes with youths in amateur radio. [quote]

I agree with that to a point, but the only way resources could be better used to get young ops on is giving away free rigs. The whole outreach program they have is worthless. I don't know anyone who got into ham radio because of it.

[quote] The majority of people even affected by a youth dxpedition would be other amateurs... NOT non-amateur youths. [quote]

Maybe true, but I don't see that as a problem. There are three types potential young operators. Those that would love the hobby if they knew about it(a very small percentage), those that would get their ticket but not use it after a month or two(a larger percentage, and the only benefit of this is for the ARRL numbers and manufacturers pocketbooks. It is actually worse for the young ham then not getting into it at all because then he has to resell all his gear.), and the third group is those that wouldn't get on the air even if licenses were free without a test.(a very large percentage). So you might as well make the hobby the best it can be for the hams who like the hobby, instead of wasting money on something that isn't going to do any good at all.

[quote] the best way to bring more amateurs into the hobby, especially youth operators, would be something other than a dxpedition. [quote]

Maybe true, maybe not. What they're doing right now isn't working though, so might as well try something new that would atleast benefit a few people.

[quote] it is not very practical [quote]

Practical is good within a limit, but if you always practically live life, that's hardly living. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Anyway, like I say, I can see where you're coming from.

Ok, Please do not bash the ARRL. I do question what supports the reasoning for your beliefs about them (I am not going against you on this, I just dont know what your backing this up with)

I will agree that years ago there were problems in regard to getting youth operators... But that has changed. Recently they are starting to change and are doing a very very very good job. Again I do not know what you have done but the only reason I can come up with is that you have not had much experience working with the ARRL... nothing bad about that at all but do not speak badly of them if you have not dealt with them.

With our high school radio club, the ARRL has helped us immensely. We did work, writing grants and finding approvals to get granted the ETP "Big Project" grant, it took us more than a month to write everything, nut it gave us a free station. We were not simply handed a station, we had to prove that we were willing to stick together as a club and operate for many many years, introducing new amateurs to the hobby. Using the gear to promote amateur radio.

The more I am involved with the ARRL the more I see that they are trying to change. They are now adapting to a new society and those of us young amateurs willing to work with them and persevere to promote the hobby with ambition are helping the community as a whole.

as for my take on the radio, yes a very affordable $50 or so radio would be perfect. Companies giving away radios will not happen, but very affordable radios will definitely be possible... my take... SDR? small, about 8 IC's and you can make a very simple Software Defined Radio, no huge frills... mabye 5 watts but it will work... just my ideas...

Again, you could be totally right, but please lets keep this forum to a positive attitude willing to help the hobby.




Thanks
Bryce
KB1LQC

[W8LBO]

Quote[/b] (KB1LQC @ Feb. 11 2007,17:19)]Ok, #Please do not bash the ARRL. #I do question what supports the reasoning for your beliefs about them (I am not going against you on this, I just dont know what your backing this up with)

I will agree that years ago there were problems in regard to getting youth operators... But that has changed. #Recently they are starting to change and are doing a very very very good job. #Again I do not know what you have done but the only reason I can come up with is that you have not had much experience working with the ARRL... nothing bad about that at all but do not speak badly of them if you have not dealt with them.

With our high school radio club, the ARRL has helped us immensely. #We did work, writing grants and finding approvals to get granted the ETP "Big Project" grant, it took us more than a month to write everything, nut it gave us a free station. #We were not simply handed a station, we had to prove that we were willing to stick together as a club and operate for many many years, introducing new amateurs to the hobby. #Using the gear to promote amateur radio.

The more I am involved with the ARRL the more I see that they are trying to change. #They are now adapting to a new society and those of us young amateurs willing to work with them and persevere to promote the hobby with ambition are helping the community as a whole. #

as for my take on the radio, yes a very affordable $50 or so radio would be perfect. #Companies giving away radios will not happen, but very affordable radios will definitely be possible... my take... SDR? #small, about 8 IC's and you can make a very simple Software Defined Radio, no huge frills... mabye 5 watts but it will work... just my ideas...

Again, you could be totally right, but please lets keep this forum to a positive attitude willing to help the hobby.




Thanks
Bryce
KB1LQC
Well, as far as my stance on the ARRL goes, it is a result of both contact with them and following what they do. #First, they act like they want to help new people get into the hobby, but then they turn around and charge an arm and a leg for all their services. #Membership $39, which is retarded. #
Next, they have the courses, which is even worse. #Note that I would not take any of these courses if you paid me $20, let alone me paying them.
CCE course
EC-001 $75
EC-002 $75
EC-003 $75
EC-004 $115
EC-005 $95
EC-006 $95
EC-008 $95
EC-009 $95
EC-010 $69
EC-011 $95
EC-012 $95
EC-013 $95
If they actually wanted people to take these courses, they would lower the price on them.

Secondly, they have NO power in Washington. #This was very clearly illustrated with the rejection of their petition for licensing restructure by the FCC.

As far as them liking youth in the hobby, very few schools have clubs, no doubt about it. #Maybe your school has been having luck with it, but most schools the ARRL system does not work with.

And third, they screwed a friend of mine and me for $65. #It's not a lot of money, but it's a matter of ethics.

So, to keep this in a productive tone, Amateur Radio is a great hobby, but the ARRL is not so awesome.

Have a good one,
Tim W8LBO

[VA7AAX]

prices of rigs are really skyrocketing. ARRL and RAC should start a program where they give a rig to any youth that joins ham radio. the least they could do is give the rig temporarily so that the youth get to experience ham radio .we could start a petition on that ,too

[VE6WTF]

Well akshay, I could help you out with rigs,
I have no trouble getting some here.
its really just an image that they are trying to create guys.

they may say they want youths, promote youths.
But its all talk!
its more to make the ARRL look good than anything
If we want something we would have to do it for ourselves

[KB1LQC]

OK, #1, I high doubt you have started a club in your high school. SO please do not say anything about how high school clubs don't do well with clubs, we persevered and never gave up. maybe there aren't many people who do that but I KNOW there are many other students who will do that given the chance, they just need that chance to act upon.

As for membership, the membership includes a QST subscription... last time I checked... magazines were going for about $25 or $30 a year... that would make membership about $10-$15 a year. The classes are merely extra stuff... you do not need to take them so they do not apply. I personally have dealt with them, and am impressed with how willing they are to help. I believe that more schools will have stations in the coming few years... and they are currently working on making that so with their efforts.

VA7AAX, it would be nice but on a national level it would take a huge overhead cost to start something like that... think about it, with all the rigs (and their cost... well say they get them at manufactures cost), they still need to be kept somewhere, have a database of which rig is where and the cost of shipping (astronomical these days... I was going to order a bolt for my brakes on my bike (Disk brakes.. special bolt... yay hihi) and the part was $1.50 and weighed about 50 grams... Shipping was $9.50) I didnt order that part haha. While I totally agree that that would increase the popularity of the hobby to youths, something on a smaller scale like a very inexpensive rig would do the trick very well. In fact, at a low cost of around $50, may small clubs could buy multiple rigs and loan them out, sharing the burden over a very wide area rather than one central group. We shoudl all work to achieve this... I've been reading a lot on SCR... whether its feasible or not I dont know, but its worth a shot to me, maybe Ill build something this summer!




Thanks
Bryce
KB1LQC

[W8LBO]

I think the best bet for young hams getting into the hobby is just to study up, and then get either a loan from parents, or maybe get a part time job. #Or, write a petition to their parents about the benefits of being a ham and having that particular rig. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[W8LBO]

Quote[/b] (KB1LQC @ Feb. 11 2007,18:30)]OK, #1, I high doubt you have started a club in your high school. #SO please do not say anything about how high school clubs don't do well with clubs, we persevered and never gave up. #maybe there aren't many people who do that but I KNOW there are many other students who will do that given the chance, they just need that chance to act upon.

As for membership, the membership includes a QST subscription... last time I checked... magazines were going for about $25 or $30 a year... that would make membership about $10-$15 a year. #The classes are merely extra stuff... you do not need to take them so they do not apply. #I personally have dealt with them, and am impressed with how willing they are to help. #I believe that more schools will have stations in the coming few years... and they are currently working on making that so with their efforts.

VA7AAX, it would be nice but on a national level it would take a huge overhead cost to start something like that... think about it, with all the rigs (and their cost... well say they get them at manufactures cost), they still need to be kept somewhere, have a database of which rig is where and the cost of shipping (astronomical these days... I was going to order a bolt for my brakes on my bike (Disk brakes.. special bolt... yay hihi) and the part was $1.50 and weighed about 50 grams... Shipping was $9.50) I didnt order that part haha. #While I totally agree that that would increase the popularity of the hobby to youths, something on a smaller scale like a very inexpensive rig would do the trick very well. #In fact, at a low cost of around $50, may small clubs could buy multiple rigs and loan them out, sharing the burden over a very wide area rather than one central group. #We shoudl all work to achieve this... I've been reading a lot on SCR... whether its feasible or not I dont know, but its worth a shot to me, maybe Ill build something this summer!




Thanks
Bryce
KB1LQC
I agree on the second part of your post. The ARRL doesn't owe young hams in particular anything. But I do think they owe their members more then they are providing for how much they charge. And I'm not a member, so I'm not saying they owe me anything.

As far as your high school club goes, that is awesome. What I'm saying is the ARRL's "We are the people who get young hams interested." image that they try to portray is ridiculous. It's great that your school has a club, but we're talking 1 out of ten's of thousands of schools. The schools with clubs to the schools without clubs ratio is probably atleast 1:5000. I have absolutely no problem with this, it might even be for the better. My problem is with the ARRL falsley representing themself.

And the classes cost is very relevant. They act like they are trying to further the education of the hobby, but they charge an arm and a leg to do so.

[W8LBO]

And I'm not the only one who thinks the ARRL isn't so hot, less then one out of four American hams are in the ARRL, so 3/4 of the U.S. population is obviously not a big fan of the organization.

[KB1LQC]

OK done, no more about ARRL... everyone is entitled to their views but lets keep them off this board, especially the youth board, Lets both stop now.