The Revival of The Rag Chewers' Club Award

[w5alt]

In early 2004 the ARRL announced it was discontinuing the Rag Chewers' Club Award due to a lack of interest. Conversations with various hams, old timers and new comers alike, seemed to indicate that the lack of interest was due mainly to the cost of the award. It seems that the original intent for the RCC award was to offer a warm welcome into ham radio by offering an award certificate that would be prized, yet obtainable by newcomers. Instead of lamenting, a group of interested hams has revived and updated the venerable RCC Award.

The Society for the Preservation of Amateur Radio (SPAR) is pleased to announce that effective September 1, 2004 the Rag Chewers' Club Award will be made available to all interested hams. The rules for the award follow the spirit of the original ARRL award: Present evidence of having had an actual QSO (not a net or roundtable) that lasted at least 30 minutes. The awards are numbered and endorseable by mode (CW, Phone including FM, and Digital). The QSO can be made on any legal amateur frequency.

The RCC Award certificate is available to all licensed hams free of charge. The complete rules and an online application is available on the SPAR web site (http://www.spar-hams.org/index.php). All certificates are distributed as Adobe ™ PDF files suitable for printing and framing. Award recipients will also be recognized on the SPAR web site.

In recognition of the international nature of amateur radio and especially our Spanish speaking ham compadres, the award certificate is also available in Spanish as "Club de Radioaficionados Charlatanes." After all, one of the purposes of amateur radio is to enhance international goodwill.

The awards are available to all hams everywhere. SPAR hopes that they will serve as a warm handshake for newcomers and old timers alike, as if to say "Welcome aboard! Now let's have some fun and learn a lot with ham radio!"

The presentation of this award is truly a group effort, however, special kudos go to Alberto, LU6DZ for his design of the updated certificate.
http://www.spar-hams.org/awards/rcc.jpg
http://www.spar-hams.org/awards/crc.jpg

[lu1dz]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Muchas gracias por la consideración que han tenido hacia el mundo de habla castellana. No estoy seguro de que haya muchos diplomas ofrecidos al menos en dos lenguas.
Seguramente que este interesante y risueno diploma, será solicitado por todos los miembros de la SPAR que hablamos el Castellano (Spanish), para lucirlo con orgullo y simpatía en nuestros cuartos de radio.

Un gran abrazo Walt y gracias a los demás miembros de la SPAR por la intención de mantener viva la llama de la radioafición y agregarle una nota de humor.

Alberto LU1DZ

[kb3ioj]

Thanks very much. I am relatively new and am working on my General upgrade. I qualified for my RagChewers award quite a while ago shortly after I got my Tech ticket, almost two years. However, I wasn't excited to have to pay the cost of it when it obviously wasn't that big of a deal. The PDF file thing is a great idea and the ARRL could have done the same thing. They did for Kids Day for my son. Anyway, as soon as I get home, I'll be sending in my info. I almost had my Friendship award complete too, when they cut that out also. Another PDF idea.

Steve
KB3IOJ

[n0nwo]

That is great! I absolutly will not PAY for an award. I have many long lasting conversations on HF. I don't get excited until they last at least an hour, due to the fact I am a CW op. I have a few CW conversations that lasted over 90 minutes, but none of 2 hours or more. That is due to the fact that I work a lot of 30 meter and that band is not stable that long during this cycle, and also due to the fact that I am 10 of the most boreing people I know, and just don't have that much to say HI-HI.

One question... Why RAG CHEWING there has got to be a less disgusting term for long winded QSO's. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[KC8QMU]

This is a great idea. It's too bad that the ARRL doesnt realize that its the little things like this that encourages a beginner to feel that he is welcomed into the "fraternity" we call amateur radio.

It's nice to see someone doing the right thing. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[K6BBC]

Oh joy...

[wd5kca]

Quote[/b] (w5alt @ Aug. 22 2004,17:42)]In recognition of the international nature of amateur radio and especially our Spanish speaking ham compadres, the award certificate is also available in Spanish as "Club de Radioaficionados Charlatanes." After all, one of the purposes of amateur radio is to enhance international goodwill.
Babelfish translates that as:

"Club of Prattling Radio Hams"

Anyone up for a good prattle?

[k1lwi]

this is great.got my rcc back in 1959 did not know arrl stop this award http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif 73 wendell k1lwi

[KB1KIX]

I was surprised when the league dropped the award, Haynie replied to my post in these forums and said it was due to lack of interest.

I agree, the cost was the main factor for me, it seemed like a cash cow. I like some of the things the league is attempting to do, but man, do we need to keep charging outrageous bucks for these things!!!!

Kudos for SPAR and reviving a classic!!!

Now, for that long list of new hams I need to nominate..........

Jonathan

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (lu1dz @ Aug. 23 2004,15:14)]http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Muchas gracias por la consideración que han tenido hacia el mundo de habla castellana. No estoy seguro de que haya muchos diplomas ofrecidos al menos en dos lenguas.
Seguramente que este interesante y risueno diploma, será solicitado por todos los miembros de la SPAR que hablamos el Castellano (Spanish), para lucirlo con orgullo y simpatía en nuestros cuartos de radio.

Un gran abrazo Walt y gracias a los demás miembros de la SPAR por la intención de mantener viva la llama de la radioafición y agregarle una nota de humor.

Alberto LU1DZ
!Que' El dijo'! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[W0LC]

Great! Why not! Go for it!
I have that award still in my album from my "earlier" years and I cherished it then and still do today!

I say, "make it so"!

[W5GCM]

W5GCM would like to say that I received my RCC Award in the 40s and value it to this day. After 70 years, it still means something to an Old Old Timer. What has happened to the ARRL? Let us still have some awards, not just for DX. 73's: Art

[n7spy]

Quote[/b] (lu1dz @ Aug. 23 2004,12:14)]http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Muchas gracias por la consideración que han tenido hacia el mundo de habla castellana. No estoy seguro de que haya muchos diplomas ofrecidos al menos en dos lenguas.
Seguramente que este interesante y risueno diploma, será solicitado por todos los miembros de la SPAR que hablamos el Castellano (Spanish), para lucirlo con orgullo y simpatía en nuestros cuartos de radio.

Un gran abrazo Walt y gracias a los demás miembros de la SPAR por la intención de mantener viva la llama de la radioafición y agregarle una nota de humor.

Alberto LU1DZ
He said:

"Many thanks for the consideration that you've had toward the Spanish speaking world. I'm not sure that here are many diplomas (awards) offered at least in two languages. For sure that this interesting and fun diploma (award) will be requested by all members of SPAR who speak Spanish to show it with pride and sympathy in our ham shacks.

A big hug to Walt and thanks to the rest of the members of SPAR for their intention to keep the Amateur Radio flame alive and for adding a note of humor to it"

[ky5u]

Quote[/b] ]Oh joy...

Oh jerk.....


Quote[/b] ]One question... Why RAG CHEWING there has got to be a less disgusting term for long #winded QSO's.

Actually "chewing the rag" was a term that predated Amateur Radio. #Found the term in pre-1900 books. #It's generally interesting how language has changed. #Much of our current language is driven by the media. #I think about going into an English class 40 years ago and saying, "My weekend was soooo fun!" LOL

Anyway, great idea Walt for the RCC award. A tradition worth preserving...

[ab0ox]

Perhaps The Logbook of the World can't handle start-time // end-time? #Or this requires a separate 5 year plan with colossal database and data integrity routines? # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

73,

Jack

[W9GRN]

Sounds like a great idea! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[K7JBQ]

Walt,

Great. Now for a more radical idea:

RCDXCC.

Yep, confirm worked half-hour QSOs with 100 different countries.

Yes, countries. We don't need no stinking entities.

73,
Bill

[af2cw]

Excellent idea Walt!!

How about RCWAS?


Rich/kg2hg

I received the same reply from W5JBP too. "We didn't think there was any interest!"

my response was 'Well, since ARRL didn't REALLY publicize the RCC <like they used to do!> NATURALLY people don't know about it.

The ARRL's program must have been coded this way..

10 Lack of knowledge
20 Lack of interest.
30 Not wanted.
40 Do away with it!
50 Did away with it
60 Announce demise of RCC
70 People said "WHY?"
80 Answer was = 'We thought no interest!'

END

Glad SPAR is keeping it alive.

My first RCC when first got licensed in 1968. FIRST award I ever got. (Back then you had to send a transcript of the QSO to the ARRL and cert was no-cost -save an SASE)

I STILL have it and I keep it in the binder with my other IMPORTANT documents.

[kc4wms]

Rag Chewing *is* still alive! As a matter of fact , Monday through Saturday on 7.272 mhz. between 09:00 and 11:00a.m. e.s.t ( that is 04:00 til 06:00 zulu for the technocrats ) the 7272 RagChew net meets to propagate the art of "Rag Chewing" it's an OPEN net All hams are welcome, with a roundtable format, open to contacts, NO fees or numbers are required. NCOs vary, but ALL welcome new check ins and make you feel like you want to call the net home. There are plans for extending the net to 08:00a.m. checkins for the early birds. Feel FREE to join us.

73 de KC4WMS http://www.anora.org/aradio/

[WA3KYY]

Quote[/b] (kc4wms @ Aug. 25 2004,09:09)]Rag Chewing *is* still alive! As a matter of fact , Monday through Saturday on 7.272 mhz. #between 09:00 and 11:00a.m. e.s.t ( that is 04:00 til 06:00 zulu for the technocrats )
I believe you meant 1400-1600Z, EST is 5 hours behind zulu time :-)

[ag0a]

When the ARRL dropped the RCC they also dropped the Old Timers Club. Just my two cents worth.

[kb9ygd]

Hi Guy`s.The R.C.C. Award Was My 1st Award & Hangs On The Wall Along With Many Other`s.The ARRL Cant Just Give This Stuff Away Because Of the Postage,Print Cost & Other Handling Involved.I Was A Bit Saddened When They Stopped Offering This Award.73 To All ``THE #REAL #HAM``My Webpage (http://www.qsl.net/kb9ygd/index.html)

[K4JSR]

Quote[/b] (n0nwo @ Aug. 23 2004,14:16)]One question... Why RAG CHEWING there has got to be a less disgusting term for long #winded QSO's. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
Because "chewing the rag" is lower in cholesterol than is
"chewing the fat". Also rag chewing is high in fiber!
Jeeeez! #Don't you folks know anything about healthy eating? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

73, # #Cal # K4JSR
# # # #Road Kill Cafe, Ga.

[KB1JCY]

Finally somebody acknowledges the value rag chewing has to the hobby. Refer to my "
Is Rag Chewing Dying? (http://www.livejournal.com/users/kb1jcy/3279.html)" post in my blog.

[w4nti]

Quote[/b] (n0nwo @ Aug. 23 2004,14:16)]That is great! #I absolutly #will not PAY for an award. #I have many long lasting conversations on HF. #I don't get excited until they last at least an hour, due to the fact I am a CW op. I have a few CW conversations that #lasted over 90 minutes, but none of 2 hours or more. #That is due to the fact that I work a lot of 30 meter and that band is not stable that long during this cycle, and also due to the fact that I am #10 of the most boreing people I know, and just don't have that much to say HI-HI.

One question... Why RAG CHEWING there has got to be a less disgusting term for long #winded QSO's. :O
It is called RAG CHEWING because that is what it is. It has been called that since hams became hams. Get it?

Dan/W4NTI

[k9kxq]

Quote[/b] (kb9ygd @ Aug. 24 2004,12:52)]Hi Guy`s.The R.C.C. Award Was My 1st Award & Hangs On The Wall Along With Many Other`s.The ARRL Cant Just Give This Stuff Away Because Of the Postage,Print Cost & Other Handling Involved.I Was A Bit Saddened When They Stopped Offering This Award.73 To All ``THE #REAL #HAM``My Webpage (http://www.qsl.net/kb9ygd/index.html)
Very true Mr.Norm, my R.C.C Award is hanging on the wall in my shack, thanks to the rag chew with you Mr. Norm.

Thank You, Thank You Very Much!!

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

[w5alt]

Anyone who thinks Rag Chewing is dead, must not do much operating! So far 51 certificates have been sent and there is a backlog of at least 30 more to go out in the next day or so.

And if you want to claim to be the Ultimate Rag Chewer, you guys better get started. Some of the applications quote "all nighters," at least one marathon QSO that lasted more than 24 hours, and a CW Rag Chew between old friends for over 17 hours.

Lack of interest? The award isn't even supposed to be effective until Sept 1st, but we've started sending out certificaes so as to not get too large a backlog.

Walt, W5ALT

[N9ADJ]

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif I find Rag Chewing to be the best part of ham radio. Just to get on the air and make a quick contact in my opinion is not ham radio. When you Rag Chew, you actually get to know the person you are talking to! I got my Rag Chewers' Award in 1964 using CW and after 40 years I'm still proud of it!

[N4LI]

Anytime someone comes up with a way to benefit the radio community, it should be celebrated.

One question, though... has anyone checked with ARRL to make sure that using the term "Rag Chewers Club" won't run afoul of any registered or common law trademarks?

Just wondering.

Peter, N4LI

[af2cw]

Quote[/b] (N4LI @ Aug. 28 2004,12:10)]One question, though... has anyone checked with ARRL to make sure that using the term "Rag Chewers Club" won't run afoul of any registered or common law trademarks?

Just wondering.

Peter, N4LI
Yes it has been looked at and the ARRL sends its blessings.
There is no infringement on any rights concerning the RCC.

[N4LI]

> Yes it has been looked at and the ARRL sends its blessings.

Cool.

Peter, N4LI

[m0bsw]

I like a good old Rag chew it's the reason I got licenced
Paul M0BSW

[lu1dz]

I said:

Many thanks for thinking in the spanish speaking amateur radio community.
SPAR did a great job with this award.
It´s FREE and very funny.
Best regards

Alberto LU1DZ

When I got my tech plus ticket about 8 years ago, this was the first award I got. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I was in a tractor trailer on 2 meters in CA and rag chewed with 2 other hams. #It was the most memorable time as a newbie. #It took me a little longer to get the Friendship Award..the same way...in a tractor trailer. #I proudly display both awards in my shack and they mean a great deal to me. #I don't understand 1) having to pay for an award and 2) not having this award through ARRL. #Isn't it for promoting ham radio?? #What will they think of to get rid of next?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[wb4aej]

Why Rag Chewing? #I suspect it was called that because you moved your jaws like you were chewing a rag. #

# #When I was visiting 'Down Under', I operated on two meters under the call sign 'VK3ESS'. #While I was operating on a local repeater in the Melbourne area, I heard one of the local Australian operators use the term 'waffling'. #

# #When I keyed again, I told him he was going to have to explain that one to me. #He said that 'waffling' was what U.S. amateurs called 'Rag Chewing'. #However, I was later told that it was not a ham radio expression. #It was part of the colorful lingo used by the Australian people, non hams included. #I assume that that is how it is spelled, someone correct me if I am wrong. #

# # Since I've brought up the subject of ham radio 'Down Under', I was surprised to learn that most Australians know exactly what ham radio is whether they are licensed or not. #That is quite a difference from here in the States when most non hams haven't got a clue as to what amateur radio is. #

# # Unlike the United States, Australia did not have 'Universal Telephone Service' (which I'll refer to as UTS from here on). #UTS was a way of skimming off the top of high density markets (like New York, Los Angeles, Washington, etc.) and using the money to subsidize telephone service in areas such as the remote parts of Colorado or other areas where it would not have otherwise been cost effective to provide telephone service. #If people living in those areas had to pay the full amount of providing telephone service (to areas where there might have been one to three subscribers in a square mile area), they could not have afforded telephone service. #

# # Australia did not do this. #For this reason, places in the desert and the Outback did not have telephone service (I wouldn't be surprised if there were still some that don't). #For that reason, Australians living in these remote parts used amateur radio to stay in touch with each other. #When a farmer would leave his home for a few days, the nearest neighbor might have been a hundred or more miles away. #His wife would stay in touch with their nearest 'neighbor' via ham radio. #As you can see, people living in the remote parts of Australia used technology to stay in touch long before the phone companies could provide them with service. #They learned to look out for one another. #

# # While I was there, I went to a corner convenience store (their equivalent of our Seven-Eleven) and purchased three different ham radio magazines over the counter. #I was quite surprised to find even one publication there, much less three different publications. #

# # The Australians are wonderful folks. #They are full of beans (meaning they have a good sense of humor), very friendly, and they seem to love Americans very much. #I still remember the wonderful time I had when I spent time among them. #I'd love to go back. #

# # Regards, #



# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Fred, WB4AEJ
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ex-VK3ESS

[K7CCC]

Here Here! to SPAR! #The spirit of Amateur Radio rests in the RCC, the Friendship Award, the OTC, etc. #There was *no* reason for ARRL to discontinue these awards, other than the $10 they were charging turned too many hams off - hence they had fewer requests. #As I personally told ARRL Membership Services Mgr., Wayne Mills, N7NG, "hams should not have to pay for friendship." #It's shameful. #Kudos to SPAR!

73, Dave, K7CCC