[MilCom] Pop'Comm & Milcom Dec 2005

[Steve Douglass]

Let me start by saying that I do appreciate Ken's monthly 
commentaries on what the scanner magazines have to offer (or not 
offer) and I promise he isn't being paid to promote either magazine.

Like they say, there is NO bad press.

In response to Ken's comments on my column in Pop Comm, he insinuates 
that there is something
hokey or silly about the "Space Marines and the  FB-23 pieces.

I assure both are legitimate programs and not based on rumor or 
tabloid fodder. I'll let you read and decide for yourselves.

Ken seems to enjoy critiquing both MT's and Pop Comm's MILCOM content 
(which is his right)  as what he undoubtedly feels is a public 
service for those who don't subscribe to either magazine, but keep in 
mind the comments expressed are colored by his obvious negative 
opinion that neither magazine is doing enough to promote MILCOM 
monitoring.

I suggest you buy, beg, borrow (but don't steal) an issue and see for 
yourself if we have any monitoring merit.

But just as it is Ken's right to cast doubt on the how grounded in 
reality my column in, I also reserve the right to respond.

Comments like "Just as I thought the column had come back to earth.." 
insinuates that in the past my column was somewhere on the lunatic 
fringe and is only now getting back to reality.

Sure I have covered topics as diverse as black military projects and 
SETI, but they all have been grounded in fact and (from the 
overwhelmingly positive mail I've received) of interest to utility 
monitors.

It is my personal suggestion that Ken walk a mile in our shoes and 
try his hand at writing articles of his own and submitting them for 
publication.

If they are  well researched, written in a professional, interesting 
and readable style they will be accepted.

In other words.. if you think you can do better ... then do so!

Show us what you got Ken!

I honestly think Ken has the knowledge to write about MILCOM for a 
major publication.

If the magazines aren't hiring, how about a BLOG, or an Internet 
Magazine, or even a pod cast?

Maybe he should give it a shot and see what it is like from this side 
of the fence.

But no matter the critiques from Ken and others, we are (and I think 
I can speak for both staff's at both magazines) trying to do our best 
to publish news and articles that are entertaining, filled with new 
information and promote radio monitoring hobbyists' interests.

Don't forget,  the writers at MT and Pop Comm are just as interested 
in MILCOM as you are and we write and research articles that we would 
like to read ourselves.

Sure, we sometimes trip, stumble and make a few mistakes from time to 
time  but who doesn't?

Personally, I have been pushing very hard for more MILCOM coverage, 
but we can't be all things to all people and no matter what we write 
about some group will feel slighted.

We accept the fact that none of us are experts and we try not to push 
ourselves as being the ultimate or last word on radio monitoring, 
although some think we are doing just that.

Since taking on the column , I have been criticized, vilified and 
even had personal attacks (including identity theft) all aimed me 
because some do not like (no.. hate) my work.

But I have also received a lot of "Hey attaboy " and "Don't let them 
get you down" and "I just love your stuff!" comments which are what 
have keep me going.

So its not enough just be a good writer, you have to be able take the 
heat along with the praise.

Like I've said before, honest criticism is always welcome. Criticism 
based on personal rancor is not.

I've always sought help and guidance from the real experts (not the 
self-appointed ones) who  keep us on our toes and pushes us to keep 
things real, honest and accurate.

With that in mind, I stand by both the  Space Marines and FB-23 story 
and are as down to earth as the rest of the column.

-Steve Douglass

P.S, Thanks for reading Popular Communications!







>"Popular Communications" magazine, December 2005 edition, Steve 
>Douglass' column 'Utility Communication Digest', main thrust this 
>month is 'MILCOM Above 30 mhz:  The Right Antenna System For You, 
>Plus Monitoring An Osprey Mispahp!'
>
>Douglass discusses various antennas & coax cables to aide in 
>milcom/milair monitoring, including pictures of some of his 
>mobile/portable gear. Additionally he cover's an Osprey mishap that 
>he monitored (frequencies not listed in the column) & responded to 
>with camera in hand to take pictures (one in the column) as a 
>stringer for "Aviation Week & Space Techology" magazine....  Just as 
>I thought the column had come back to earth, the next segment was 
>"Space Marines" (you got to read that!) as well as about the 
>upcoming FB-23..  This was followed by reader provided  HF Logs, 
>primarily with a military emphasis....
>
>Ken
>
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