[Boatanchors] Hallicrafters HT-33A

[Glen Zook]

There was nothing "nasty" in my comment about not being an ARRL member.  It is just a fact that I discontinued my membership around 1980.  I just do not believe that the ARRL usually represents my ideas as to how amateur radio should progress.  Frankly, from 1959 until I finally decided not to renew I was definitely an ARRL supporter.  In fact, I held several appointments in the organization.  I even kept being a member during the incentive licensing fiasco when a lot of people "dropped out of" the organization.  

The ARRL has done good for amateur radio and they have done things that, in my opinion, were bad for amateur radio.  When "weighing" the good against the bad I decided that it was better for us to part ways.  I do not criticize internal dealings of the ARRL.  That is between headquarters and the membership.  However, when the ARRL proposes something to the FCC then that is a completely different situation.  Since those proposals are a matter of public record and they affect amateur radio operators in general, I have every right to send my comments to the FCC.  Sometimes I agree with the proposal and sometimes I do not agree with the proposal.  But every amateur radio operator has a right to express their opinion to the FCC when a NPRM is issued.

I do not get involved in any "politics" concerning the ARRL.  As I stated above, internal politics are matters for the membership.  It is only when the ARRL steps outside of the organization that I feel that I am entitled to comment.

Again, it is a stated fact that I am not a member of the organization.  There is nothing "nasty" about that even though you may consider it so.  However, when Jim Haynie was the President of the ARRL he definitely communicated with me on numerous occasions by E-Mail and by telephone (he lives just a few miles from me).  Sometimes we would agree and sometimes we would disagree.  But, we never lost respect for each other.

I know many ARRL members and I know a lot more amateur radio operators who are not ARRL members.  Remember, the ARRL has around 20% of those who hold an amateur radio operator's license as members.  It does not matter to me if someone is a member or not as being a member is a personal choice.  I do "tend" to get a bit "testy" when someone gets "in my face" about how the ARRL can do nothing wrong.  But, fortunately, those persons are few and far between.  I believe that the vast majority of ARRL members understand that the organization has its faults.  Those persons have taken into consideration all facets of the organization and they have chosen to remain members.  Then there are those present members who are not renewing their membership.  That is their choice.  There are also persons who are joining the ARRL for the first time or after a time of not being a member.  Again, that is their choice.

However, I sincerely believe that it is "uncalled for" to criticize me for stating the truth and that simple truth is that I am not an ARRL member.  I have made my choice and that is a personal right.  There is nothing sinister about me not being a member nor is there anything sinister about those who are ARRL members.  I was not attempting in any way to encourage or discourage anyone from becoming an ARRL member.  Frankly, I have nothing to gain or lose by doing such.  Being an ARRL member is a personal choice and I will not take issue with such a choice.

Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com


--- On Thu, 9/18/08, WA5CAB at cs.com <WA5CAB at cs.com> wrote:

From: WA5CAB at cs.com <WA5CAB at cs.com>

Now that was a bit of a nasty comment.  And totally uncalled for.
 
Glen Zook <gzook at yahoo.com> wrote:

I checked the ARRL archives on their web site.  Nothing found.  Now there may be something in the members only section but I haven't been an ARRL member for decades.