It's a complex problem, and like any systemic issue will require a
number of approaches to successfully reverse the tide. Grassroots
efforts, like the "205 Morning Group", or activity nets are a part of
the solution. But I disagree with the notion that we cannot influence
policy at the American Radio Relay League. I think the argument isn't
that the league should address this issue, it's pretty clear that they
must.
Like most non-profits today, the league's policies are highly influenced
by professional fund raisers whose role it is to secure funding for the
ARRL. This is why you see a number of pages each month in QST devoted to
issues like Spectrum Defense, Broadband over Powerlines, etc. While the
threats are real enough, there is also an element of public relations
involved. Members contribute money when they feel threatened, and the
league needs that money to pay for lobbying efforts, salaries, etc.
Our HF bands are not threatened to any great extent by commercial
interests. Interference is certainly an issue, but wholesale spectrum
grabs are not. On our UHF and microwave bands, however, the situation is
very different. Commercial interests would very much like to gobble up
more of that spectrum. But if no amateur work is being done on those
bands, it will become increasingly difficult for the league to justify
the expense involved in defending them.
How many amateurs would really care if we lose our allocation at 3 GHz?
At the moment, contributions continue to pour in for Spectrum Defense
based largely on principle. Most amateurs view a threat to any of our
bands as threat to all---but a tightening economy means that donations
will slow down, and become more prioritized until we see a broad
recovery. Simply put, "Unless it threatens the bands, I care about, I'm
keeping my money" .
Our limited activity on the bands above 432 account for nearly all the
amateur activity on those bands. Yes, there are some FM repeaters,
particularily on 1296, but other than that, it's a vast wasteland of
very limited activity. Hard to lobby the point that amateurs need access
at all.
That's why I think efforts to build the VUCC "brand" are going to be
important to the ARRL. We just need to provide them with a clear road
map of what we think is needed. No one suggestion or solution will work
for everyone. 5 Band VUCC will be old news for many operators, but an
exciting new challenge for others. Rover VUCC would be a challenge for
the majority of operators.
If the league instituted a "VUCC Challenge" plaque where they celebrated
the new awards by rewarding stations that worked the required grids and
bands within a single calendar year, you've have a recipe for one of the
most active seasons in decades.
--
--
73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF
121 Mayfair Park
Maylene, AL 35114
EM63nf
6M VUCC #1712
AMSAT #38965
Grid Bandits #222
Southeastern VHF Society
Central States VHF Society Life Member
Six Club #2484
Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light
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