[AMRadio] Where we stand

[w5jo at brightok.net]

I have finished going through the membership roll and found that, before I 
removed the accounts that have been deactivated because of excessive 
bounces, we had over 700 members.  Some members are in foreign countries. 
That does not count Canadians, they are neighbors.

After removing those inactivated accounts we still have over 500 active 
accounts.  After Brian, W5AMI passed away I became the default owner of the 
list.  He asked me to moderate with him so many years back that I have 
forgotten, but it predated the social sites.  Following his untimely death, 
I asked Ronnie, W5SUM to assist me with moderation.  I did not realize how 
many subscribers we have, and they are quality people.

Ronnie and I own a site on groups.io which was started in the late 80s by 
Mike, WA5CMI on yahoo groups, Ronnie became the default owner of it and 
asked me to help.  When Yahoo announced they were eliminating groups, we 
migrated to groups. io.  It has even less traffic than this list and does 
not cover you up with advertising.  I have thought about eliminating it but 
it has many pictures of stations and people who are long gone.  Many of them 
you would know.

Now in relation to this list, I had many emails about the future.  When I 
began, we had some members who caused a lot of grief.  Over several months, 
Brian and I eliminated them and the din stopped and we were left with a 
peaceful, quite, informative list.  That is what those who emailed me said. 
Given the collective knowledge and involvement in our hobby of those who are 
here, it will go on. I had decided that if I chose to stop with it, I would 
offer ownership to others and I had some offers to help.   It is not a 
burden, nor has ever been.  I am retired and have plenty of time.  However I 
am rapidly approaching 80 and will make arrangements to pass ownership 
should something happen.

Another thing is we are fortunate that the owner of the server allows us the 
space without charge.  That is the owner of QTH and I suggest, if you have a 
few extra bucks, that you make a donation to him.  I am concerned that, due 
to current circumstances, he may require a fee for this service.  One way to 
forestall that would be donations to cover the cost.  When Ronnie and I 
migrated the yahoo group the kind people at groups.io made the move fro 
free. Now they charge for that.

This list is not a burden for me or for Ronnie.  That is because everyone 
here that posts uses good judgment and the posts are to the point and 
specific.  Regarding that post from the ARRL, it and other items of that 
nature that affects our hobby are allowed, so if you receive or see anything 
like it, feel free to post it if you have authorization.  Please, this is 
not a license to violate copy write laws.  If in doubt message either of us 
and ask, we will look and decide.

I also invite you to make your thoughts known.  I have tried to make this 
list about equipment, operation, suggestions and people.  Thank all of you 
for being members.

73,

Jim
W5JO