"JEP" wrote in message
m...
I don't like ARRL because:

1) Membership price too high

Really?? Many local clubs charge anywhere from $20 to $30 and can't do a
whole lot for their members except maintain the local repeater.

2) Can't separate QST from membership

Why would you want to?

3) QST only counts as $15 of the $39 membership fee

Actually you are lucky that it counts as little as that. These days typical
magazines generally cost $3 to $4 an issue so they must be getting a good
break on the publishing.

4) Incentive licensing from the 60's

That was the FCC's idea not the ARRL's.

5) Ham radio is a dying hobby

There are more hams than ever before in history.

6) 5wpm Extras

So what. The very earliest requirements for licensing hams were, guess
what, 5wpm.

7) No value given for the money invested

Let's see. Ham radio would have remained closed after WWI if not for the
ARRL. They have managed to expand our HF and VHF frequencies. Battled,
athough sometimes unsuccessfully, to preserve our allocations. Have
lobbying power in Washinton. Convinced the FCC to come up with what is now
PRB-1, which gives hams some protection from restrictive city ordinances on
antenna height. They are now fighting BPL, which will tear up our HF bands
if implemented, and they are working on a bill in Congress to give hams
protection from restrictive covenants.

You have and will continue to benefit from the ARRL's work, all without
having contributed a dime.

8) No accountability of the board and Executive staff

They are accountable to the membership. Any member can challenge them. Any
member can get involved, run for a position, and work to change things.

9) Really doesn't represent the majority of hams (majority don't
belong)

That is not the ARRL's fault. They keep trying to recruit. That majority
of hams that don't belong don't belong to any other organization either nor
do they attempt to form an alternate organization.

10) Really no different than 'NRA', 'AARP', 'NAACP'. Take your money
and use it for their own agenda, NOT yours!

The agenda is set by the MEMBERS. Any time the MEMBERS do not like the
policies they can elect new officials. The agenda is based on what members
decide to push.


That is enough for a start.

Sorry to see '73' and Wayne Green exit publishing.
Sorry to see 'Ham Radio' exit publishing.

ex ARRL member


You obviously expected the ARRL to ignore all the other member's preferences
and expected them to have an agenda 100% tailored to your wants and
expectations. That doesn't happen in any organization. If you want them to
change, you have to get in there and work hard to get into the thick of the
action. Sitting on the sidelines and criticizing doesn't accomplish
anything.


Dee D. Flint, N8UZE