Are you an ARRL member?

[w5ljm]

I've been a member for a short time now, but I believe another fee hike is just around the corner, my membership will probably be short lived, as well.
Take care.

[AL2I]

The fees are trivial IMO, and they are not always asking for money like other organizations I have supported.

I am filled with deep concern about what they are doing lately, however, and I am unwilling to support them financially beyond the magazine subscription.

[N8CPA]

I am right now. For the time being, I will continue to renew my membership on an annual basis. But, the current apparent alliance with the vendor of hardware using a proprietary protocol, and their attempts to secure regulatory structure in which to proliferate that protocol make me very happy that I'm not a life member. Never-the-less, I can only think of one development that would make me resign my membership. As long as that doesn't happen, I will continue to pay my dues.

[WA2ZDY]

Quote[/b] (al2i @ Aug. 23 2005,05:11)]The fees are trivial IMO, and they are not always asking for money like other organizations I have supported.

You need to have your mailman investigated. #I get stuff from them begging me to be a diamond member or donate to this defense fund and that all the time. #It's not quite as often as from the NRA, but often enough that anything from ARRL that isn't about the size of a magazine goes right to the shredder.

I was a member 30 years ago, and I joined again last year. #I complain about them enough, I decided I would be a paying complainer rather than a non-member. #Makes me feel a little better with myself. # Dunno why but it does. #

I admit, I wish I could be a member without paying for Q Street. #The best magazine in the world in my youth is now just a waste of paper.

[W3DBB]

My five year A.R.R.L. membership runs out in February 2007. Due to a series of ill-considered petitions the League made to the F.C.C. during this time frame, I will probably not be renewing my membership in the American Radio Relay League.


Per page 9 of the September 2005 QST:

"The American Radio Relay League Inc is a noncommercial association of radio amateurs..."

"ARRL is an incorporated association without capital stock chartered under the laws of the State of Connecticut, and is an exempt organization under section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986."


Who owns the American Radio Relay League?

[KA4DPO]

Quote[/b] (KA3TGV @ Aug. 23 2005,05:54)]My five year A.R.R.L. membership runs out in February 2007. Due to a series of ill-considered petitions the League made to the F.C.C. during this time frame, I will probably not be renewing my membership in the American Radio Relay League.


Per page 9 of the September 2005 QST:

"The American Radio Relay League Inc is a noncommercial association of radio amateurs..."

"ARRL is an incorporated association without capital stock chartered under the laws of the State of Connecticut, and is an exempt organization under section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986."


Who owns the American Radio Relay League?

The US Government often enacts policies that I don't agree with but by and large the Government does the right thing. So when they do something I disagree with I may voice my concern but I choose to be an american and support the US Government and the Constitution, I don't pack up and go to Canada.

ARRL does some dumb things in my opinion but they also do a lot of good things. I still feel that the good far outweigh the bad so I continue to be a member.

Other groups like Glenn Baxters AARA and IARN ask for money and don't provide much of anything. The No Code International NCI, asks for money and provides nothing in return except to pocket your hard earned loot.

You sure you want to loose the ARRL? If they dissapear in ten years I'll expect you to fight congress and the FCC for me. Hope your up to the task.

[KJ5T]

I am an ARRL member because I feel that the ARRL is the only organization that supports amateur radio. Of course like an organization or group of people I may not agree with everything they have ever done. I do believe that do enough good for me to be a member, and one day I plan on being a life member. if I can afford to become a diamond club member one day, I would. Its the fact that ARRL is looking to the future of amateur radio, and they are dedicated to continue this hobby by keeping us on the radar sceen at the FCC.

[KG4RUL]

To those of you who say no to the ARRL, what is your alternative?

Dennis

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

[K9STH]

I was a "staunch" supporter of the ARRL until the mid-1970s. At that time we "parted ways" and I have not been sorry.

The ARRL has done good, there is no doubt about it. But, on the other hand, what they have done "bad" outweighs the "good" in my book.

I know several life members who tell me that if they weren't already life members (and don't have to pay anything) that they would definitely drop their membership. They also say that they get requests all the time for additional funds.

One thing that has hurt the ARRL is that a number of the life members joined when they were in their 20s and 30s at a time when life membership was not so costly. Frankly, they are still "going strong" 30 years later (and don't expect to be "silent keys" for many years to come). Providing membership benefits to those life members cannot but place a burden on the ARRL finances.

Also, the ARRL had heavily invested in the stock market and real estate. Both of those took a "downturn" a while back and still have not fully recovered. In addition, membership in the ARRL is definitely down. Just take a look at the QST distribution figures that appear from time to time (in the VERY small print in the back of the magazine).

I do not criticize internal matters of the ARRL and this includes things to do with their membership. However, once the ARRL presents some request, comment, and so on to the FCC then that becomes a matter of public record and it is definitely "open seacon" on the ARRL in those matters. When what the ARRL does affects me directly or indirectly I believe that I am free to make comments. But, on matters that are internal only to the ARRL then I keep my mouth shut!

Glen, K9STH

[KY5U]

Couldn't have said it better!