[CW] W1AW's thoughts on the ARRL

[Lawrence Makoski]

Last year, when the ARRL announced that the BOD was going to meet in
January, I sent an e-mail to my Division Director and Vice-Director (and
just about anyone at the League who I could find an e-mail for).  In
what I though was a rational, logical and well thought out letter, I
reasoned that it behooved the League to once and for all, poll the
membership as to a definitive stance on the Morse retention issue.  They
could then make the results public and then take that stance as their
"maching orders". I relayed my feelings that since this is such an
emotional and "hot button" issue; that the League owed it to the
membership to do this. I deliberately left out my stance on the issue
out of this letter.  My point was to make an arguement for actually
taking a vote; and then publishing the results - whether it agreed with
my personal stance or not.

My Vice-Director responded by telling me that a paper ballot of the
membership would probably cost upwards of $6000 and he thought that
money could be spent better fighting the BPL fight.  HOWEVER, he did
support an Internet poll, where each ARRL member could vote ONLY AFTER
keying in his membership number.  His vote would be recorded once; and
once only - making it as "stuff-the ballot-box" proof as possible.  He
thought that something like this could be done in an ecomical manner and
then the League would have a clear view of where the majority of
membership stood - even if it was a narrow split.  He added that he
thought that the Morse issue was important enough to merit this action.

My Division Director insisted to Ed Hare, who frequents the QRP-L, that
I was not a member of his division; and that I instead lived in Arizona.
Needless to say, I was very disappointed as I have lived here in New
Jersey all my life, even in the same county!  When he was advised to the
folly of his thinking, he finally did answer.  It wasn't much of an
answer - mostly political doublespeak and that sort of thing.  Oh, and
by the way, when he finally did answer, he adressed the e-mail to
someone named "Ed" whoever that is.  I'm afraid that my Division
Director isn't too much on top of the ball.

I recieved a courteous reply from the Atlantic Division director; but
alas, from no one else.  The only thing I can think is that the League
wasn't really interested in what the membership thought.  I believe that
if they took a poll, the results would not have changed much from the
poll they undertook in the early '90s and thus, would go against what
they have wanted to do all along ... increase the number of amateur
radio operators (and potential League members) no matter the
consequences.

I am very disappointed in the League.  I have in the past volunteered my
time as a VE and have held several League appointments in addition to my
cash support.  I have donated to the BPL fight and the new Diamond Club.
I am also a Life-member having donated all that back in the 80's. I have
always been a vocal supporter of the League - geting involved in local
club debates as to whether or not they are indeed, a good organization.

Well that's come to an end.  I will not terminate my membership
(probably can't). However, W2LJ's purse strings have become very tight
to the League's requests for any future donations.  I have severe
problems of donating to a "representative democracy" which doesn't
bother to find out what the constituents really think before
"representing" them.

I would be interested in reading Hiram Percy Maxim's thoughts on the
ARRL.  While the technology may have changed; the mission remains
largely the same.

73 de Larry W2LJ - Vivat Morse!

W2LJ@arrl.net
http://www.qsl.net/w2lj

ARRL Lifemember  QRP ARCI #4488     NJQRP #47
FISTS #1469  QRP-L #778   FP #612  QRPp-I #759
ARS #1528 --- K1 #1647 --- AmQRP, CQC #746