Are You Buying an ARRL Ring?

[W4XKE]

Do you plan to buy an ARRL ring? I was looking at this one but priced at $508, shouldn’t they offer to put your callsign on it for a bit of personalization? It seems kind of generic for all of them to be alike.:cool:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a201/XLente/ringARRL.jpg

[kc7gnm]

Do you plan to buy an ARRL ring? I was looking at this one but priced at $508, shouldn’t they offer to put your callsign on it for a bit of personalization? It seems kind of generic for all of them to be alike.:cool:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a201/XLente/ringARRL.jpg

Because they are pocketing a bog percentage of the sales. No thanks. I am done supporting that waste of an organization.

[KD4IFB]

80M must be getting pretty boreing tonight!

[AC4BB]

I got my ARRL ring in a box of Cracker Jacks.

[KD6WAG]

No way, that is total "geek squad" apparel. Ham radio already has enough stereotypes within the hobby. The ring would add just another one to the list.

[WA9SVD]

Only if it doesn't clash with the "Amateur Radio Operator" badges...:(

[K9ALT]

They've got to be kidding....

[KD4LEI]

Wanted to support them in the past and get a membership (like QST). Now based on what their supporting and pushing on us, I am not so sure now and probably will never do that.

I will opt to focus on maybe getting a subscription to CQ magazine instead before long.

[KD8HMO]

Because they are pocketing a bog percentage of the sales. No thanks. I am done supporting that waste of an organization.

Do us dirty "no-coders" qualify for one of those rings?? :D

[KD8HMO]

Do you plan to buy an ARRL ring? I was looking at this one but priced at $508, shouldn’t they offer to put your callsign on it for a bit of personalization? It seems kind of generic for all of them to be alike.:cool:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a201/XLente/ringARRL.jpg

If Jostens is making them, Im sure for $$$ anything is possible..

[kj3n]

No way, that is total "geek squad" apparel.

No, a Starfleet Academy Class Ring is total "geek squad" and only cost me about $30. ;)

[k7mh]

I got my ARRL ring in a box of Cracker Jacks.
Most ARRL members already have big rings in their noses so they can be easily lead around.:p :D :eek:

[k4vvx]

Not NO, but H*LL NO. I didn't renew my membership in June 2007 either! Mess with their pocketbooks, that's all that they understand. 73,...Carl.

[KG6YTZ]

The ring I want is awarded by the USBC (http://www.keepsakebowling.com/prestige300.aspx).

[n6hcm]

these are, basically, college rings. as jewelry goes they're not especially attractive or distinctive. here's a more distinctive ring (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIT_class_ring)

[N8CPA]

Do us dirty "no-coders" qualify for one of those rings?? :D

If you believed all the hype that led to the current status of code testing, you certainly do--for your nose.

[kq9j]

No rings on my finger anymore, and I intend to keep it that way. :)

[W0BKR]

No, I can get a really nice ring if I wanted at a jeweler, and besides, it might clash with my storm spotter lights, sirens and multiple antennas on my vehicle.

[N0NB]

Not NO, but H*LL NO. I didn't renew my membership in June 2007 either! Mess with their pocketbooks, that's all that they understand.

Since Mary Hobart was brought in to do exactly that, fund raise, the ARRL has begun to mimic other organizations where fund raising seems to be priority number 1. I have no problem with raising funds for needed expenses, but the past several years have seen my view of an organization with some class erode quite a bit. No question about it, fund raising is necessarily crass and I don't like the amount of crass mailings I've received over the past few years.

But a ring? When I saw that in QST, I just paged onward. I don't wear jewelry and don't intend to. The last ring I bought was my high school class ring. So, no, I won't be buying one as it's silly at best.

[KC2PBJ]

No Way Jose. No Way Hose B.

[W0LPQ]

That would be the LAST thing I bought from the ARRL..!

As has been said ... not only NO ... but H*** NO..!

[KD6NIG]

What, no bling-bling while on the straight key? :D

Jostens. I remember them well. They were the ones at my High School who sold that crud. I remember my Freshman year they had a guy come out trying to sell them. I think he got 2 orders. The next year the guy didn't come out, they just had an announcement that the "brochure" was in the office. Being an office aide 2nd Period, I remember that pile of brochures sitting on the counter for about a month, untouched. I wasn't shocked, I lived in a small town in the Sierra Nevada (we had 312 students grades 7-12) and if someone had a grand laying around, they would probably be buying firewood to survive the winter, not bling! I also remember the office girl in there telling me one day that on my way around to collect attendance slips to take that pile of brochures and drop it in the dumpster..... I don't think the guy even bothered to drop anything off the year after that.

But just think, it would be the perfect conductor to have on your hand when you stick it into that live amplifier to see if something is not working right. Should make that arc jump to that finger nicely :)


ZZZT! Courtesy of your nice ARRL ring! :eek:

[W5HTW]

I may put my order in today. $5.08 is not a bad price for a ring. As long as it includes shipping. If it was ten bucks, I'd have to think harder about it. But I'm gonna order one of these, plus one of the ones that says "ARES" on it, plus one that says "G-Man" and one that reads "Wadio Hero." That will leave my thumb free.

There's one of those things up in the truck stop where you drop in 50 cents and you operate a crane which picks up (or actually rarely does) goodies from the floor of the box. I may try that instead, and if I get something cute, I'll just write "ARRL" on it myself.

However, for the well-dressed ham, yep, the ARRL ring is a necessity. Goes with the ARRL jacket, the ARRL cap, the ARRL pants, (blue, with red coax stripes down the legs) and the ARRL shoes.

Ed

[ka0sog]

Since Mary Hobart was brought in to do exactly that, fund raise, the ARRL has begun to mimic other organizations where fund raising seems to be priority number 1. .

Good marketing principles would have been to contact the customer base and see what they were interested in and merchandise accordingly. Me, I prefer a ring that traditionally indicates an accomplishment. This ring says nothing as it has no recognizable factor in the eyes of the public. I wear a wedding ring on the left hand (35 yrs May 19th!) and a Masonic or Shrine ring on the other.

The League needs to focus on finding out what the membership wants first if it wants to crank up a fundraiser. How about doing a special key with like Benchmark with your call sign engraved and yrs licensed? Could be a give away for a thanks to an outgoing club officer etc. To be an accomplishment I think a ham ring might be best for say QCWA or something.

[KI6NNO]

The ring I want is awarded by the USBC (http://www.keepsakebowling.com/prestige300.aspx).


Hehe, GL with that. I tapped out at 240 a long time ago... :(

[kr2c]

Why would anybody buy a ring like that. Those type of rings are supposed to be a symbol of achievement. Like graduating high school or college. What achievement are you displaying when you put one of those on? That you spent your $35 for a membership? Now that's an achievement.

[w8znx]

yea sure

ring would be fb
for good contact
when hung up
on high voltage

[KE7JFA]

I bought two of them.

[n7wr]

Lets see, for the price of one of those rings the guy on another thread who was fretting about the price of HF rigs could buy a pretty good used rig.

[K9STH]

Those rings have been around for decades. It is just that the ARRL is now "pushing" them.

I still have my high school ring and my college ring. Frankly, I wasn't going to purchase a college ring but my wife insisted that I buy it. Now both of those rings do signify at least some accomplishment. If I were an ARRL member I would have to think long and hard about purchasing one of their rings.

Glen, K9STH

[KC9ECI]

If I were an ARRL member I would have to think long and hard about purchasing one of their rings.

Glen, K9STH

I am a member and I don't have to think about it at all.

[ae5bn]

Says there made by Mastercraft. Cheapest one is the Mans oval signet ring at $178 in sterling silver. $178. I guess I won't be getting one.

[K9STH]

Tom:

Actually, there is no way that I would purchase an ARRL ring. Even if I actually wanted one (which I definitely do not), my wife would go through the ceiling if I even mentioned buying one!

I was just being "nice"!

Glen, K9STH

[KC9ECI]

Glen-

I bow to your greater diplomatic prowess.

[w8gtf]

Do us dirty "no-coders" qualify for one of those rings?? :D

Why sure we do. Not only that. But any non ham's that buy a ring get an extree license from the FCC at no extra charge.

[KC9JIQ]

wowy yowwow.

Um, NO.

Rings and the ARRL? hahaha.

Seems to me the ARRL is acting like a senator that needs to get re-elected.

How about somthing useful, like a ARRL ruler, Standard and Metric units.

Or how about a pocket watch with the ARRL engraved into the door?

Or a ARRL flyswatter, somthing, anything that would be useful. :(

[k8pg]

YOU MUST BE JOKING-RIGHT

Paul

[K8ERV]

Think I will just snag a pix, print it, and wind it around my finger.

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

[N5PVL]

wowy yowwow.

Um, NO.

Rings and the ARRL? hahaha.

Seems to me the ARRL is acting like a senator that needs to get re-elected.

How about somthing useful, like a ARRL ruler, Standard and Metric units.

Or how about a pocket watch with the ARRL engraved into the door?

Or a ARRL flyswatter, somthing, anything that would be useful. :(

How about an ARRL bamboo backscratcher, sent to each member and handed out at hamfests.

[K8ERV]

these are, basically, college rings. as jewelry goes they're not especially attractive or distinctive. here's a more distinctive ring (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIT_class_ring)




I had one of them thar MIT rings. After many years of not wearing it, sold it for the gold, dun real good.


TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

[K8ERV]

I bought two of them.



But you backed out of that bridge I offered!!!

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

[K9STH]

PVL:

I still have a couple of those bamboo backscratchers that Mouser used to give out at "hamventions". They do work very well.

Glen, K9STH

[ab1ga]

I had one of them thar MIT rings. After many years of not wearing it, sold it for the gold, dun real good.


TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo


You couldn't have gotten THAT much, aren't they 10K gold? A tougher alloy, I know, but I doubt you paid off the mortgage with the proceeds!

:D

[KG6YTZ]

Hehe, GL with that. I tapped out at 240 a long time ago... :(
287/697 here, more than six years ago. Had the first 10 in the first game [the 287]. A tap in the third game cost me my 700 series and $595 from the house in the "Treasure Chest" game they were running. [Which basically went something like this: "Strike in every one of these frames (see chart) and you win."]

<multiple expletive> 10-pins on solid pocket hits... :mad: It was the best of nights, it was the worst of nights.

Anyway... On the topic? No. I won't be buying an ARRL ring. I'm just not a $200-big-clunky-jewelry-wearing kind of guy, and frankly, I would have more practical uses for that money than personal decoration.

[KI4NGN]

Do you plan to buy an ARRL ring? I was looking at this one but priced at $508, shouldn’t they offer to put your callsign on it for a bit of personalization? It seems kind of generic for all of them to be alike.:cool:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a201/XLente/ringARRL.jpg

Not a chance. Not because of anything to do with the ARRL, but because if nothing else that amount of money would be better used towards shack improvements/upgrades.

Mike

[KC2PBJ]

I'd be willing to trade one of my heavily used Icom baseball hats for an ARRL ring. Should be an even trade. Will not consider trading either the Gonset or EF Johnson hats.

[KD6NIG]

Says there made by Mastercraft. Cheapest one is the Mans oval signet ring at $178 in sterling silver. $178. I guess I won't be getting one.

Mastercraft? The same people that make Fishing/"Pull boats"?

Thats pretty funny right there!

[W5HTW]

I was just thinking, though, how it would look on a chain, hanging around my girl friend's neck. OK, I'll bid six bucks.

Ed

[k4kyv]

Only if it doesn't clash with the "Amateur Radio Operator" badges...:(

http://ssl.maxsell.com/tmpimages/v3kpv5552wai3w55y4szhh55_2063.jpg

You must mean one of these (http://ssl.maxsell.com/productdetails.aspx?productID=2011)! :D:D

[K8ERV]

hanging around my girl friend's neck. OK, I'll bid six bucks.



Is that for the right or girlfriend?

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

[kg4kww]

NO I will not by a ring

[wb5ydk]

About the high price... You guys didn't notice that there's a microchip embedded in the ring? It decodes Morse Code for display on its sapphire screen!

[kf4vgx]

I didn't read any replies,seems to make reading QRZ enjoyable.

I love jewelry , that is a really nice looking ring.

Yea, I would buy it .

[KI4RVH]

No way!! Rather spend my money on something I can use, like antennas and radios!

73,
Chris

[K1CJS]

No way, that is total "geek squad" apparel. Ham radio already has enough stereotypes within the hobby. The ring would add just another one to the list.

My thought as well. Anyway, don't you have to be a member for 4 years (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, then Senior) before you qualify for one?:D

[N9LCD]

Can I get a discount if I take four?

I need a new set of brass knuckles. The bars up here can be a little tough.


Hi! Hi!

Jerry

N9LCD

[WA6MHZ]

Think my WIFE would rather I wear my Wedding ring

[KA4DPO]

Do us dirty "no-coders" qualify for one of those rings?? :D


Yes but it's tarnished....:D

[n4cd]

It's like college rings - in the same price category. They're not going to be making thousands and thousands of that design...and folks will all want different sizes, so it is a small batch operation to make them out of gold.

Like college rings, you can get your name engraved inside....either they'll do it for an additional charge, or your firendly local jeweler can do it.

Some folks join the annual 'platinum' club.

Some folks join PBS and go for the trinkets....'gifts' for different levels up to hundreds and even thousand of dollars.

I don't wear rings...have a college one that sits in the safe deposit box. At one time I did, but now retired, and just kicking back. It was a big clunky thing (I got skinny fingers).

If some folks want them, why not? If you don't, then don't spend your bucks. If you got the bucks to spend and want a new ring, go for it.

I'm an ARRL life member, and most years I send them more than the annual magazine dues to keep up the good work on keeping BPL out of the ham bands, trying to get more priveleges on 60M, and 600 meters, and keeping the allocations we have against the commercial interests where 10 MHz of spectrum can fetch 10 billion bucks from someone eager to have it.

it's a fund raiser. So? If you don't like the price, don't order the $500 bottle of wine, the $75 steak/lobster dinner, or rent the Lamborghini for the weekend for $800.

[K8ERV]

No way!! Rather spend my money on something I can use, like antennas and radios!

73,
Chris


And Vanna

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

[KI4RVH]

And Vanna

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

I don't get it Tom? Its late enlighten me.

Thnx

Chris

[WA6MHZ]

Wearing a ring while working on Electronic circuits is very dangerous! While my fingers have high resistance when working with low voltage, a gold ring is another story. Let that ring get across positive to negative and the only thing that limits the current is the power supply. It is going to get WHITE HOT!!! and, meanwhile, that is on your finger!!! I wince to even WRITE about it!!!! So, I took off my wedding ring while fondling around in some live high current circuits. The next week, I couldn't find it, but luckily it was there on the work desk, PHEW!!! But better than having my finger torched!

[K9STH]

RVH:

Tom has a "thing" for Vanna White.

Glen, K9STH

[KI4RVH]

RVH:

Tom has a "thing" for Vanna White.

Glen, K9STH

Oh, that Vanna. Well, who could blame him for that?

Chris

[K8MHZ]

Wearing a ring while working on Electronic circuits is very dangerous! While my fingers have high resistance when working with low voltage, a gold ring is another story. Let that ring get across positive to negative and the only thing that limits the current is the power supply. It is going to get WHITE HOT!!! and, meanwhile, that is on your finger!!! I wince to even WRITE about it!!!! So, I took off my wedding ring while fondling around in some live high current circuits. The next week, I couldn't find it, but luckily it was there on the work desk, PHEW!!! But better than having my finger torched!

Yep, lost my class ring because it completed the circuit made by a wrench between the terminals of a car battery. After getting burned pretty good, I took it off and put it on the breather and forgot about it. I never saw it again.

:(

[K8ERV]

Oh, that Vanna. Well, who could blame him for that?

Chris

My wife (KA8SNH)

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

[ky5u]

No Coder ARRL Ring. Inscription: "CW, just another mode... I can't do"

[N2RJ]

Is ARRL getting married to me?

I am not buying any silly ARRL ring.

[W4XKE]

Wearing a ring while working on Electronic circuits is very dangerous! While my fingers have high resistance when working with low voltage, a gold ring is another story.

This is one of the things that separate the fair-weather sailors from the REAL seamen. Only dedicated members of the fraternity will be wearing the ARRL ring. Anybody passing the Yaesu booth at a hamfest can sport a chintzy Nippon cap. (What is the value of a freebie?) (Many sought to count the cost and determined that it was too high.) When you see a ham wearing his fraternal ring, you know he is among that small group of amateur radio operators that is truly dedicated to ham radio and to the support of the organization that sustains it. ;)

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a201/XLente/RingARRL2.jpg

Anybody choosing to stick his fingers into a live amplifier can always wear his gold ring on a chain around his neck for safety. / Hi Hi / My former electronics instructor was approached by a lady at a dinner party when his wife intervened to say, “Sorry, this one is taken!” The lady retorted, “Well, he isn’t wearing a ring. He could get into a lot of trouble around here for false advertising!” (He was already in trouble, through no fault of his own, other than he lacked the intestinal fortitude to wear a gold ring.) :)

[KC9JIQ]

LOL LOL

Yeah the only place I would wear that ring is at a hamfest, and why one ring, two or three, hehe.:o

[KC5CSG]

I'm just curious to know what kind of a moron would waste his money on this ring? Give me a break. What is the ARRL going to do next to get some money? I think this is the basis for a law suit. Taking advantage of the mentally impaired. We call that a scam down here.

Jerry

[KC0OFZ]

I'm just curious to know what kind of a moron would waste his money on this ring? Give me a break. What is the ARRL going to do next to get some money? I think this is the basis for a law suit. Taking advantage of the mentally impaired. We call that a scam down here.

Jerry

Well Jerry, you know the saying about a fool and his money. I guess what ever what ever if they have the cash to chuck around so be it.

[KD8HMO]

http://ssl.maxsell.com/tmpimages/v3kpv5552wai3w55y4szhh55_2063.jpg

You must mean one of these (http://ssl.maxsell.com/productdetails.aspx?productID=2011)! :D:D


HAHAHAHA!!! An official "whacker" badge...

http://ssl.maxsell.com/tmpimages/onkdnbf2cb3byw2drheert45_2063.jpg

[KC0OFZ]

Why anyone would want one of those badges defies all logic. You might as well put a sign on your back that says "kick me" if you are going to wear that thing.

[w1zp]

In A Word.....no!!!!!

[WR8D]

No way, that is total "geek squad" apparel. Ham radio already has enough stereotypes within the hobby. The ring would add just another one to the list.

I completely agree!!

Next thing will be one of those little hats with the propeller on the top and a bright colored jacket with all those fancy patches to go with it...and a belt with multiple velcro patches so we "all" could walk around with five ht's on our belts.

Man we'd look cool, like "real" radio operators.

What a waste!

I forgot to ask...what's the arrl????

Good lord we could start an arrl bash party with this one...but don't you know there's probably
tons of new hams that have sat on their rears for years thanking the great league
for helping them get hf access finally.

Introductory offer for the new licensed ham. You just got that new introductory "extra class license"
now, so support your league that helped make this all possible by purchasing one of these rings. Yeah you
don't know how to cut a dipole but we'll put one of these on your finger so you can proclaim your
"equalness"....is there such a word??? hi hi.

I've had to much caffine but do hope i've put a grin on a face or two!

73 John WR8Dud:cool:

[KD8HMO]

No Coder ARRL Ring. Inscription: "CW, just another mode... I can't do"

It should say, "CW, just another antiquated mode that I am not interested in doing"

[WA9SVD]

RVH:

Tom has a "thing" for Vanna White.

Glen, K9STH

TOO diplomatic. Tom has a one track mind...

[WA9SVD]

Different tastes. Some people collect black velvet paintings of bull fighters or Elvis, some people collect jewelry. After all, it IS their money, and tastes differ.

The interesting thing is that a (jewelry) company would have to believe there's a market and profit to be had before they would produce such an item. If the rings have been around for a while, the company making the rings must believe there's still profit to be had, or they would stop production. But basically, for the ARRL, every ring sold IS profit. Now, whether that profit is sufficient to pay for much advertising is another issue.

[K8ERV]

TOO diplomatic. Tom has a one track mind...

I agree, but at least mine in on the RIGHT track!!

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

[WA9SVD]

I agree, but at least mine in on the RIGHT track!!

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

Touché :D

[N8CPA]

Different tastes. Some people collect black velvet paintings of bull fighters or Elvis,

Don't forget how he's smiling benignly down from heaven on that big, shiny 18-wheeler.