Kenneth,
I'm not trying to suggest that the ARRL isn't doing their job, just that
they seem to have their own interests in tow and not that of the general ham
who is active in VHF contesting.. I AM trying to get my fellow VHF'er piqued
enough to write them, call them, or email them, to make their suggestions
and comments heard so they can have an active say.
It's a lot like the apathy in the federal gov't...not many people (who are
the gov't) take an active part unless their personal space gets invaded or
trampled upon. We have to constantly have and give them input to stay
current.
I try to stay abreast of my local, regional and federal gov'ts and take an
active effort in telling my elected officials what I, myself and a few of my
fellow citizens feel about certain things they are doing for us. As an
example...PRB-1, NY state congress the last few sessions has had this issue
on the table and every year for at least the last 3 that I've been keeping
track have shelved it just before their 3 month break. I'm constantly trying
to pursuade them and my local reps to pass the legislation required to let
me and my fellow hams to raise our towers and antennas so that we might play
radio, as well as be prepared for the next 9/11 or Ice Storm '98.
Next to my amateur interests and reflector email for the same the next
largest email I receive is from my elected officials' websites and the
senate offices. We all want certain things to occur, but most of us would
rather not be heard and let those elected officials GUESS at what we want,
or do what they feel is the right thing to do for us.
>This is, in fact, exactly what the VHF Awards >subcommittee of the
Membership
>Service Committee has asked that ARRL members do - >provide feedback on
>the proposals.
I was active in this process, but what I was upset about it was the fact
their reply period was only about 3 weeks in duration. Not hardly enough
time to have many of the over 500,000 hame in the country to reply, let
alone research the subject and reply with an educated submission.
Enough said... I think you see what I'm trying to get at....
Jim, N2YEV
FN34gs, Plattsburgh, NY
Six Club #1663, SMIRK #6480
jhayes9424@charter.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kenneth E. Harker" <kenharker@kenharker.com>
To: "James Hayes" <jhayes9424@charter.net>
Cc: <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, July 19, 2004 3:24 PM
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] ARRL kills VHF, Should we let them?
> On Mon, Jul 19, 2004 at 01:55:00PM -0400, James Hayes wrote:
> > QUESTION:
> > Regarding this recent thread...why should we let them? Aren't there are
> > other groups out there that could support our VHF contesting efforts?
Why
> > not try and solicit them?
>
> The ARRL is not the only game in town - CQ Magazine sponsors a VHF
contest,
> the East Tennessee DX Association sponsors some, and does SMIRK and a few
> other obscure clubs. The ARRL has just been _by far_ the most successful
> VHF contest sponsor for North America. They spend the most money on VHF
> contest sponsorship, and over the years have hit upon the best formulas
> for rules, event times, etc.
>
> The ARRL has introduced a lot of cool innovations to VHF contesting -
> such as the Rover station. If you have the attitude that any rule change
> is a bad rule change, you'd never have had a rover class today.
>
> > Other than that why not email everyone we know who does the VHF
contesting
> > and have them email the h#$@ our of the ARRL until the take notice that
we
> > don't want our fun to go away.
>
> This is, in fact, exactly what the VHF Awards subcommittee of the
Membership
> Service Committee has asked that ARRL members do - provide feedback on
> the proposals.
>
> > Ya know...politics really suck the life out of all of us, but it
shouldn't
> > be a part of amateur radio in any form except to work as a liason
between us
> > and the FCC. I get so tired of everyone whining about this cause and
that
> > cause using 'political correctness' as an excuse to get stupid bills
passed
> > that won't do anyone any good...like Megan's Law, I can't see where one
> > person has been saved or even warned about those predators.
>
> Ah yes, the completely irrelevant rant technique of persuasive agrument...
>
> > I guess what I'm trying to say is we all have to make our voices heard,
as
> > they are ELECTED OFFICIALS aren't they?
>
> Yes, they are. Unlike CQ Magazine, the ARRL is run by a representative
> structure.
>
> > And as elected officials they
are
> > supposed to do as we recommend.
>
> I'm an ARRL member, and I recommend that they adopt several of the many
> proposals. There, now it's a done deal.
>
> > Because without US there IS no Amateur
> > Radio. Lets stay a band of brothers and sisters, "...united we stand
divided
> > we fall."
> > Anyway, enough said for this round...what are your views, comments
> > questions, flames etc???
> >
> > Jim, N2YEV
> > FN34gs, Plattsburgh, NY
> > Six Club #1663, SMIRK #6480
> > jhayes9424@charter.net
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "John Geiger" <johngeig@yahoo.com>
> > To: "George Fremin III" <geoiii@kkn.net>; <vhfcontesting@contesting.com>
> > Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2004 9:23 PM
> > Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] ARRL kills VHF, Should we let them?
> >
> >
> > > Oh they will definitely save 2 meter FM and packet.
> > >
> > >
> > > --- George Fremin III <geoiii@kkn.net> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > IF the ARRL decides to end VHF contesting as we
> > > > know it after this
> > > >
> > > > I am pretty sure the ARRL will be selling off all of
> > > > our bands (with
> > > > the exception of 160 meters) and taking the proceeds
> > > > and have a keg
> > > > party at ARRL HQ where they will burn the Wouff Hong
> > > > as part of a
> > > > satanic ritual.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > George Fremin III - K5TR
> > > > geoiii@kkn.net
> > > > http://www.kkn.net/~k5tr
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > VHFcontesting mailing list
> > > > VHFcontesting@contesting.com
> > > >
> > > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > __________________________________
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> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> >
> > _______________________________________________
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>
> --
> Kenneth E. Harker WM5R
> kenharker@kenharker.com
> http://www.kenharker.com/
>
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