[Boatanchors] Sacred Cows

[Jim Wilhite]

Fred, I too cherish my privacy and share your concern about the sale of any 
list I have given any information to for their benefit.

If you have ever filled out a warranty card for any appliance, tool or 
television, you have given your information to more people than QCWA could 
sell in many lifetimes.  The real sad thing is that if you don't fill out 
the card, they warranties are void.

I can't imagine who would want to buy their list.  I joined back in the 80s 
and my membership number is in the 15K range.  I haven't looked lately but 
it can't be much more than that, maybe in the 30 K range.  I am a charter 
member of two chapters, one of which is not defunct.  QCWA is much more 
loose knit than, say, the VFW or Rotary Club.  They are really a great 
bunch, and if you wish to know more about them go to this site: 
http://www.qcwa.org/

There you should be able to contact someone in the Officer's group that will 
answer your questions.  Most are OFs as you define and like to reminisce 
about many things and talk about past times.  It can be a pleasant group 
with which to be affiliated.  Check them out thoroughly before you decide. 
They, like any organization, can't please everyone.  Make your own judgment.

73  Jim
W5JO  Lifetime Member

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "FRED - W4FJF" <


> After reading the posts on the QCWA, and being licensed in 1979 as KA2HLW, 
> I am going to adopt a "wait and see" attitude towards applying for 
> membership. The wait and see requires a public response from the QCWA 
> about these posts, and their present policy towards publishing membership 
> lists and the sale of such. I had always dreamed of membership in the 
> QCWA, but now that I am eligible I may not want to be a part of a possibly 
> untrustworthy organization. I value my privacy very much, especially when 
> privacy invasion is becoming the norm, not the exception. I regret my 
> attitude towards this matter, and request forgiveness for being what some 
> members may think "out of line" here.  And as far as being considered an 
> "old fart", I wear the label proudly. I have been called this in the East 
> Central Alabama Area many times. My station runs from the "hollow state" 
> to the "solid state" with emphasis on hollow state. I really do not plan 
> to change anything, as I EXPECT to get at least 20 years use out of any 
> equipment I buy. I make no distinction between those who may be considered 
> to be "appliance operators" and "real radio builders". I am disappointed 
> if a ham doesn't make at least one attempt to build from scratch or from a 
> kit, but that does not determine who I talk to. Hams with character, and 
> those who are willing to ask questions to further their understanding of 
> the hobby and their equipment, I always enjoy talking to. Those who render 
> a blow by blow account of their drive home on 2m are boring, I'm sorry to 
> say, and I seldom talk to them. So if this makes me an "old fart" - so be 
> it.
>        TNX FM FRED - W4FJF/NNN0QAA REGION FOUR, 73
> AMATEUR RADIO IS A NATIONAL RESOURCE, NOT "JUST A HOBBY". NAVMARCORPSMARS 
> MEMBER,"PROUDLY SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE".
> A FOOLS PARADISE IS A WISE MAN'S HELL.
>
> -- fkamp <fkamp at comcast.net> wrote:
> w2agn wrote:
>> Apparently, one is not permitted to criticize a Sacred Cow, such as
>> QCWA or the ARRL, or whatever.
>>
> I believe this has always been the case from the beginning of time.
> Criticism has a tarnishing effect on the sacredness of the cow.  Too
> much criticism and the cow just becomes another cow.  Which, of course,
> it was in the first place.
>
>> I answered a question about QCWA with a sincere warning. Make no
>> istake, they DID vote and approve the selling of member information.
>> They admitted it to me. The only reason it was not done was it turned
>> out they did not need the funds. There is no guarantee they would not
>> do it again.
> That is the most honest privacy policy disclosure I have ever read.
>
>>
>> My disgust, and what caused me to leave after 20 years as a member,
>> active in the Delaware Valley Chapter, was that they showed no
>> contrition for doing this behind the member's back. Indeed, they
>> reminded me they were within their rights as they had no "Privacy
>> Policy."
> Every organization and even most individuals have 'Privacy Policies'.
> Not everyone publishes them so you need to determine what they are from
> the way they treat private information.  There may even be differences
> in what an organization considers as private information.
>
> Most published privacy policies that I have read merely state that they
> can do whatever they wish.
>
> The only way to keep your private information private is to avoid
> disclosing it.  Some might wonder if, once disclosed under whatever
> circumstances, does it still qualify as being private.
>>
>> If this doesn't bother you, then by all means, sign up. You may stop
>> sending me private emails calling me "old fart" and other not so nice
>> names. Any more such received will be just forwarded back to your ISPs.
> Ooops.  I hope I have not just become involved in an ongoing 
> dissagreement.
>
> I was under the impression that I was the only 'old fart' on Boatanchors.
>
> Regards,
> Frank Kamp
> K5DKZ