[HCRA] ARRL Director election - my view

Mon Sep 20 12:07:29 EDT 2021

Chris,
In Septembers Zero Beat just as in every month was "From the Presidents 
Shack" where Larry always talks about a variety of subjects that range 
from club activities, upcoming contests or whatever is relevant at the 
time. September to no ones surprise was about the upcoming elections. I 
wrote the article on AB1OC from material he made available for the sole 
purpose of clubs and their newsletters.

Long before this email rant began I already had both K1KI and K1VR's 
articles in my possession. They will both be in the October Zero Beat. 
To have all three in the same issue would probably push ZB to a new 
level as far as the number of pages and content go. This happened 
because one or more HCRA board members approached them at HamExpo or via 
email. They were given a chance for equal time and they both gladly 
submitted an article for October and Larry fully supported this even 
though he supports AB1OC.

I'm leaning towards AB1OC but want to see the video before I make up my 
mind. I might be relatively new to the ARRL as a new member but I've 
been a ham since 1991 and first joined HCRA in 1993 with my then new 
call-sign I got when I upgraded to Advanced class. I can understand how 
many "old timers" felt back then when the code requirement was first 
dropped creating "No-Code Techs". If it wasn't for that entry class 
ticket and a good friends urging I might not be a ham today! Because I 
felt like an outsider being a no-code I was on the fast track to 
upgrading and it only took two years to learn code from nothing to 20 
wpm as my goal was to get a 2x2 call hoping for a KD1KR which is my 
first, middle and last initials but ended up with KD1KU. Life got in the 
way and the hobby took a backseat to kids and life. Imagine my surprise 
when I returned to learn that code was dropped entirely and the advanced 
class was dropped entirely! I'll stay an Advanced class operator only 
because if I upgrade that is gone forever. I tried an online Extra Class 
practice test for ha ha's and missed it by one question without any 
studying. It doesn't matter that I might not like the code being 
completely dropped but it's probably better for the entire ham radio 
community especially future hams!

My point in saying this is I could have very easily not became involved 
again and walked away but I chose to get more involved in the hobby and 
the HCRA, the easiest way for everyone to do this is to attend meetings 
even if they are still on Zoom!

I can certainly understand how some feel excluded no matter the reason 
and we should be going out of our way to make EVERYONE feel included and 
to be a part of the hobby no matter their gender, race, religion or 
anything else! Without doing this there is NO future for our hobby and 
that is NOT something I want to see!
Just my 3 cents,

73, Ken ~ KD1KU
Zero Beat Editor
Join Hampden County Radio Association
Visit HCRA.org <http://www.hcra.org>

On 9/19/2021 8:51 PM, Chris Scibelli NU1O via HCRA wrote:
> ______________________________________________
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> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
> ______________________________________________
> Larry,
> Your column in September's Zero Beat may as well have been a paid endorsement by AB1OC. Now you're using club resources once again to support your candidate for the ARRL's regional seat.
>
> If K1KI or K1VR asked to submit a free ad to Zero Beat, or to this site, to offset your endorsement in your column would you accept it?
>
> Don't you feel you've created a conflict of interest by using the resources of the HCRA to support your candidate?
> Chris Scibelli  NU1O
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Larry Krainson <wb1dby at gmail.com>
> To: John Ewell <ewelljohn188 at gmail.com>
> Cc: HCRA at mailman.qth.net <HCRA at mailman.qth.net>; AB1OC Fred Kemmerer <ab1oc at ab1oc.org>
> Sent: Sun, Sep 19, 2021 5:42 pm
> Subject: Re: [HCRA] ARRL Director election - my view
>
> ______________________________________________
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> ______________________________________________
> OK Folks. I posted the link to the debate video hoping everyone would watch
> it and make a decision as to who they would vote for in the upcoming ARRL
> New England Division election. The ballots go out October 1st.
>
> Many of you know me. I am the current president of the HCRA, am an ARRL
> life member and also a member of FCARC and BARS (in eastern MA).
>
> Many of you also know I am a staunch supporter of AB1OC for the New England
> Division Director. Making this decision was not quickly done. I decided by
> what AB1OC (Fred Kemmerer) stands for and what he has accomplished with the
> Nashua club.
>
> We all want someone who not only supports getting students involved but
> also works hard on keeping newly licensed hams of all ages involved in the
> hobby. Fred Kemmerer has put in place solutions that work. He wants to
> share those solutions with the clubs and hams in New England and eventually
> all of the USA. They are solutions that work, period.
>
> Fred Kemmerer has the ideas and energy to make this happen. His ideas for
> bringing new people into ham radio, for keeping newly licensed hams in ham
> radio, for creating a positive image of ham radio are sound and spot on.
> Simply said they work.
>
> It's this kind of energy and dedication to our hobby that we all want.
>
> If you watch the debate video, you'll see his opponent K1VR talk about
> himself. K1VR he has no vision of the future of ham radio in New England or
> anywhere without himself being in front of everyone getting credit for
> things. You won't ever hear him mention New England hams or clubs. K1VR has
> had this position for nearly 3 years now. How come we're only seeing him in
> public now that it's election time?
>
> Tom Frenaye was the director for some 20 years just prior to K1VR. When he
> speaks, he talks about his accomplishments of 15-20 years ago. Nothing K1KI
> says is current or again pertains to hams and clubs in New England. Tom's
> time has come and gone and he has lost touch with everything New England
> ham radio-wise other than the New England Qso Party which is his baby that
> he created years ago.
>
> When K1KI visited the HCRA Field Day this past June, he asked where KK1W
> was and why wasn't the president of the HCRA around and at his Field Day.
> KK1W has not been the HCRA President for 7 years now. Is that someone who
> is in touch with the goings on of the present. To me, I feel he should
> retire and let AB1OC step up and make a difference.
>
> I urge everyone to go to:  https://ab1oc-4-director.org/creating-future/
> and really read what Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC is all about, what he stands for,
> what he has accomplished so far and what he can accomplish for all of us in
> the future.
>
> Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC has a 100 day plan. He will be holding Town Hall type
> Zoom meetings where all are welcome to join and ask questions and discuss
> ideas. Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC will be held accountable for everything he
> promises.
>
> If three years from now, you can say Fred Kemmerer accomplished nothing
> like K1VR has done the past three years, then vote him out.
>
> For now, he is the BEST thing that New England has to represent ham radio
> ops and clubs.
>
> You don't want to deny those ideas, accomplishments and energy. You want to
> VOTE Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC into office as the New England Division Director
> and let him make a difference for us all.
>
> Larry, W1AST
> HCRA President
>
>    - Visit my Ham Radio club website at: www.HCRA.org
>    - Team K2H - 13 Colonies Massachusetts State Manager
>
>
>
> On Sat, Sep 18, 2021 at 1:17 PM John Ewell <ewelljohn188 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
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