Klystron wrote in
:

"Pat Cook" wrote:

I'd offer it as a point of debate Jim (Curiously of course ). What
*would* your new organization offer that ARRL & the many, many other
worldwide clubs don't already offer, Klystron & Iitoi?


The objective would be to provide an organization to those hams who
wish to make ham radio innovative and progressive (again). By
comparison, the ARRL exists to serve those hams who wish to keep ham
radio retrogressive, insular and xenophobic. Certain technologies
would be championed (digital voice, digital data, e.g.) while other
technologies would be abandoned to their fate (Morse).

Now that you have made the rather strong claims, will you be able
to provide some evidence? If you start your organization, you'll be asked
to "prove it" by people who will be a lot less kindly than me.

What are some examples of ARRL catering to retrogressive Hams?

ARRL caters to a large and varied group of Hams. While some issues
deal with vintage radio, others deal with antennas, all kinds of
subjects.

Some examples of catering to insular Hams?

ARRL is constantly experimenting with methods to attract new blood.
I've used some of the material to attract new Ham in my area. I couldn't
disagree more with your assertion. The results are a 2 percent growth in
our area.

Some examples of Xenophobia?


I really don't know how to approach this one.


If you look at those organizations that are EFFECTIVE in
representing their members and advancing the members' agenda (NRA,
teachers' union,
tobacco lobby, trade associations that represent defense contractors,
etc.), certain patterns emerge,

snip


What is your fund raising approach? All of those groups have some
pretty deep pockets. You are going to have to raise a lot of money in
order to operate as they do. There are 625,000 of us, and with all due
respect, you're present approach alienates a lot of them. So you are
going to have to generate those funds from say 300.00 people tops;
probably a lot less.



Well...I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. So I ask
again....What *would* your new organization offer that ARRL & the
many, many other worldwide clubs don't already offer, Klystron &
Iitoi? I'm really curious.


Long story short: Once upon a time, hams were viewed as 'rocket
scientists' and were a force for progress and innovation. Now, they're
viewed as cranky old geezers who are living in the past and pounding
Samuel Morse' old telegraph key while whining about young
whippersnappers who don't respect their elders. A new organization
would break free of that past and move forward. It goes without saying
that ARRL types will not want this and will try to stop it.

Might I respectfully suggest that you are engaging is some serious
profiling? In addition, some proof would go a long way to advance your
argument.

I haven't been able to find any evidence of ARRL's "serving" of the
amateurs you've mentioned above. The closest thing to it is on the QST
opinion pages, and people are entitled to their opinions. A look at their
web pages doesn't show any evidence of what you are accusing them of, nor
does their magazine.

I haven't found anyone with the opinion that Hams are "cranky old
geezers who are living in the past and pounding Samuel Morse' old
telegraph key while whining about young whippersnappers who don't respect
their elders" except for certain Hams who have an axe to grind, for
whatever reason. The general public doesn't have much of an idea about us
one way or the other IMO.

- 73 de Mike KB3EIA -