[1000mp] AARE

[John Rippey]

I read in the ARRL's newsletter that the American Assocation of Radio 
Enthusiasts (AARE) has been set up, apparently with ICOM USA as the 
sparkplug, to market ham radio in the States and attract some new 
licensees. Kenwood, Yaesu, SGC, Timewave and Alinco are some of the charter 
members. This cannot be anything but a good thing.

The existence of AARE has gotten me to wondering whether its members would 
consider upgrading transceiver performance by setting some standards in 
basic areas. For example, better CW keying envelopes to reduce key clicks, 
better AGC circuitry to reduce headphone "thumping"--both as reported in 
this reflector--and better 2d order IMD on transmit. Just examples of where 
improvements could/should be made by these and other manufacturers.

While I'm at it, why not some standardization of  transceiver/computer 
interfacing (Ethernet?), key, headphone, mike and power jacks, etc., etc. 
These guys might actually talk to one another.

73,
John, W3ULS