Posts in Category ‘Ham Radio Organizations’

I just wasted more money on the ARRL. Why did I rejoin the league? The hobby needs a voice and the ARRL is the only one in town so I put more of my hard-earned money in the shredder. Stupid!!!

The last time my ARRL renewal came up I decided to renew.  This came after much thought.  I have been a member for over 55 years and have supported the ARRL as I felt the hobby needed a voice in the power centers of the world.  So, I sent in my funds for renewal.  I have to admit that wanting the 275 entity sticker for my DXCC was the main driving force behind my last renewal.  The fact is the ARRL does not need me anymore (if the ever did).  Their future is young people, contesters and big donors (especially big donors) not us old school CW operators.  Also, for a number of years QST magazine was a welcome benefit to membership.  I cannot remember the last time I got anything substantial from the publication.  In fact, I wrote this post on a flight from ATL to LGA and got all I could form the December 2022 issue before we reached altitude.

Note:  I did not vote in the latest ARRL 2022 decision election because I had nothing in common with the candidates.

I was surprised by comments made in the September 2021 QST by the CEO on page nine paragraph six. He was saying the important members are only the ones out in front or give a lot of money. (Please read for yourself.) I sent an e-mail questioning his comments only to get confirmation in a nice and polite way that I am really not all that important.

As I said in my e-mail to the CEO – The ARRL has done things throughout the years I did not agree with, but felt it was the only voice the hobby had to protect its survival. Maybe 55 plus years of membership is enough.