[QCWA] QCWA

[marvin bronstein]

my perspective on the QCWA 25 year requirement,.


QCWA is most likely not suitable for every licensed amateur and I am
convinced it was
never intended to be a 'catch-all' organization.  For others who might not
have reached
their 25th year of license there is still ARRL as there are other groups
that have special
interests.
Personally, having started my amateur radio activity in 1957, I have
participated in many
different ham activities over the years including CW, AM, SSB, RTTY, PACKET,
MARS,
TRAFFIC HANDLING, HF/VHF/UHF/S-BAND etc.  It doesn't bother me in the
least that any person still enjoys AM or CW with vacuum tube rigs or
solid-state. My interest is to enjoy the interaction of others who have spent
25 or more years in ham radio exchanging experiences of those years albeit from
1945 or 1985........25 years brings a lot of 'experiences'.
QCWA stands for  recognition  of the years   involved   in amateur radio and a place
to exchange those experiences..
Why should I bother to join QCWA or any other ham related organization if I'm
already a member of, say, ARRL? It boils down to 'special interests'.
We should keep in mind the value of elmering and socializing but this should
never
be limited to an 'organization' like QCWA or ARRL etc., it should be
incumbent upon
each and every other ham to help those in need.
There is never a limit on who may attend a chapter meeting so that the
need of under 25 years to be able to  'join' as a member of QCWA is not necessary.

73,
Marv, K2VHW