[CW] Fw: ARRL Directors Meeting

[Gerry Maira]

N7DC@cs.com wrote:
> 
> I am wondering if, with the new Logbook of the World being available, if we
> can then get new countries confirmed on a DXCC certificate we already have, and
> not be a member?  If so, I am gone sooner than they think.

You can't. As a U.S. ham, you have to be an ARRL member to apply for DXCC or
endorsements. The old rules still apply on that. You can use LOTW, but it won't get you
much without membership. 

I've had to make some choices too about membership. I ended mine a few years ago, mainly
out of frustration with CW issues. I'm glad I did, because as I expected their actions
since then have just gotten worse, but my dues money did not help to fund them. I've
always been interested in DXing and for a long time dreamed of someday making the honor
role. I never applied for basic DXCC when I was a member. I planned to wait until I had
250 or so countries confirmed, but that came later. Now I am passed 300, but I have no
plans to rejoin to get the award. I am happy with just the QSL cards and the knowledge
that the contacts were legitimate. I might rejoin for a year someday to get the honor
roll plaque or 5 Band DXCC, but right now I just can't stand the thought of sending the
ARRL any money for any reason. It's very hard to give up the DXCC awards after working
at them for 20+ years, but on the other hand the organization that issues them has in my
opinion lost it's integrity and is selling us out. How can I send them money? I can't.
   
BTW, for those who may think they are saving money by keeping membership for use of the
outgoing QSL service, I have found the opposite to be true. I do a lot of DXing and DX
contesting and receive a lot of cards from my incoming bureau. I answer them all. My
costs have been about $20 a year to mail my cards directly to foreign bureaus. So, I
save about $20 on ARRL membership, plus their outgoing bureau fees, which I heard have
increased. Even if you send out more cards than me, it's hard to imagine the cost
topping the membership fee.

73, Gerry KA2MGE