[TenTec] ARRL reviews

[Gary Smith]

> I think you can pretty much tell the opinion of the ARRL's staff, both
> technical and non, by reading reviews both literally and "between the
> lines".  Actually, they write reviews pretty much like I write letters of
> recommendation for students: you can tell how positive the letter is by
> *what* is emphasized (i.e., whether it matters) and by how much.  You have
> to write -- and read! -- letters/reviews that way in this litigious age!
> 
> 73,
> 
> Joe, W2RBA


This sounds right to me. 

I had to let an employee go who was a minority. They were never able to work fast 
enough to do their share of the work and both my patients & I suffered for it. I did my 
best to train her to be a team player and do what the job required. She just wouldn't 
or couldn't do it. I couldn't afford to keep her & hire someone else to keep up her 
slack and after her three month trial was over, I let her go. 

One of the most difficult things I had to do was write a reference for she told me the 
reason she thought I let her go was because she was of a certain group and wouldn't 
accept any other explanation. Actually, part of the reason I hired her was for diversity 
& I sincerely hoped she would work out. I was always afraid she was going to sue me 
for letting her go or for not giving her a stellar recommendation.

I couldn't lie on the reference and ended up expounding the few positive abilities that 
she demonstrated and left out the essential parts that got her let go. I couldn't say 
she was un-motivated, had an attitude problem and was unwilling to be a team 
member without it coming back to me. So, I took the safe way out and anyone who 
read the reference could see there was nothing in it which said she was a valued and 
capable member of the office staff.

I suspect that's the kind of dance the ARRL has to play & it's really a shame things 
are this way but litigation relief for reviewers won't improve in our lifetimes. 

What I can't understand is why any company would send out a product out for review 
without making sure it's working 100%.

Back to the Corsair II

Ahh.

Gary
KA1J