Beware: Soapbox approaching!
The ARRL may be "all (we've) got" but that sure doesn't mean we have to
like it. It, like many other organizations (incl. governmental) seem to
evolve into self-aware entities that worry about their own existence
(this is not bad, per se) more than their original charters. As an ARRL
life member (which I became >20 yrs ago in high school) I must say that
the quality of QST's technical articles has gone down hill as ARRL's
size has grown (it has, hasn't it?) The technical and competitive
aspects of amateur radio must now be addressed in separate magazines
(both QST and CQ have these sister magazines). Perhaps this is good as
it allows more comprehensive coverage of the topics, but is perhaps
equally due to the less technical nature of the organizations in general
which coincides with the dumbing-down of Americans.
Of course, it is correct to say that organizations like the ARRL have
some really good people, too, and they fight for spectrum allocations on
behalf of hams (members or not). It's surely not always out of
selflessness, however - if there were no amateur frequencies, there
would be no ARRL. It, and the ITU, are in many ways like the ISO/TQM
establishments that create a pseudo-combative atmosphere and then jump
in to claim themselves heroes.
If the ARRL has become mostly a lobbying group, then let's call it that.
I think amateur radio needs one! It should NOT be considered the final
word on all things technical nor a source of unbiased views regarding
the more political aspects of radio, especially those issues that might
affect the number of new hams that could one day pay league dues :).
Stepping down now!
Mike N2MG
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