[FLham] Section News

[Ron Wetjen]

Paul Toth-NA4AR recently wrote:
 
> It was reported this evening on the West Central Florida Net the 
> ARRL Board plans to take up the proposed elimination of SECTION NEWS 
> from QST, the ARRL's official monthly publication.  The proposal 
> reportedly has been floated as a cost-cutting measure.

It's now also reported, but not confirmed, that ARRL Contest results, IN
ADDITION TO Section news, are on the chopping block (and who knows what
else?).

Ironically, a recent article posted on the "Members Only" page on the
ARRL Web site says ...

"Contests. What comes to mind when you hear that word? A great 
opportunity to snag that rare one? Lots of signals on otherwise quiet 
portions of the bands? Or an interruption to your pleasant Sunday chat 
time? Whatever your response, contesting remains the most popular 
operating activity, and there's no letup in sight."

The end of the article says ...

"In 2002 the Contest Branch will have an expanded presence on ARRLWeb. 
Members will have the opportunity to submit stories and photos 
concerning their contest activities. By the end of 2002 ARRL hopes to 
make available a searchable database where one can, for instance, 
compare one's standing against others and sort that information by 
some other variable. ARRL typically receives several thousand 
photographs of Field Day activities. With the advent of inexpensive 
digital cameras, these numbers will likely increase dramatically. The 
Contest Branch ARRLWeb pages will be able to accommodate far more
pictures than can QST. Look for inauguration of these services in the 
coming months."

Now knowing the Section News AND possibly Contest Results are on the
chopping block, reading this, makes it look like it's already a "done
deal", and adding expanded coverage on the ARRLWeb, is their way of
making things right.

To be honest, about the only things I still look at in QST ARE the
Contest results and Section News!  The rest of the stuff doesn't really
interest me anymore.  Yes, I do support the League and what they do for
Amateur Radio in the US.  But if it looks like there will be nothing
left in QST that I'm interested in ... my $39 won't make 'em go broke
... but it might also be spent better elsewhere than for a magazine that
doesn't get read.  

73, Ron  WD4AHZ