In article .net, "Dwight
Stewart" writes:

"Len Over 21" wrote:

(snip) All of the information is from
ARRL's own website under QST
Circulation. There are some apparent
discrepancies on that, probably due to
"creative rearrangement" of the data.
For example, the "average monthly paid
circulaion" (six months, ending at end
of June) was only 142,992. Between
that and the indicated membership is
12,140 unaccounted for and not
explained by sales to library/institution
subscriptions (only 891) or net single
copy sales (only 1,784). (snip)

While I obviously cannot be certain, most of those 12,140 issues are
probably free handouts, Len - sent to current advertisers, potential
advertisers, staff, those who wrote articles or sent pictures for each
issue, executives of various companies, industry insiders, news
organizations, politicians, and so on. It's a fairly common practice in the
publishing industry.

Dwight, with all due respect, I think I know a bit about the
periodicals industry and Publisher's Sworn Statements. :-)

The seed of this particular sub-thread was the EXACT number of
ARRL membership. According to Katherine A. Capodicasa,
Circulation Manager of QST, given on ARRL's own web page,
the ARRL membership as of the end of June 2003 was 155,132.

Also, on the same ARRL page was the statement of the "average
monthly paid circulation" (for previous 6 months). That is 142,992.
It is also a difference of 12,140 from the June membership number.
That difference MIGHT account for the "family membership" single
copies and other things. Might, that is, trying to infer anything
from insufficient data is pure speculation such as others have been
doing.

In item 3 on the Circulation page is "average unpaid and sample
copy circulation per month" of 1,140. That would be freebies,
sample copies, stuff sent to potential advertisers, and so forth.
[others have tried to imply higher numbers for this as rationalizing
other differences but that is more speculation without facts and
also - obviously - not going to the "official" ARRL pages...:-) ]

Now, connecting the dots to other notable numbers, one who
longs for the olden days keeps putting up others' database values
to show that U.S. amateur radio licenses are increasing. [they
are, but only slightly and don't follow the overall population increase]
Yet, on the Circulation page of QST, ARRL membership shows a
slight but definite DECREASE in paid circulation...from 143,904 at
end of January 2003 to 142,311 at end of June 2003, a difference
of -1,593.

Connecting more dots farther apart, clicking on ARRL publications
and QST yields a table of contents of January 2004 issue. On
there is a link to a "Micro Keyer" (CW keyer) which is viewable,
but no other viewable link to more general amateur radio articles
such as making nice front panels for homebuilt equipment. This is
just another subtle bit of business on ARRL's continuing push for
morse code related over and above all other modes. ARRL may
take a "neutral" stance on morse code testing regulations but one
can only take away their code key from their cold, dead fingers...

In truth, a "Publishers Sworn Statement" is SOLELY for the
benefit of potential ADVERTISERS. QST subsists almost entirely
on the income of advertising to pay for printing, author compensation
(miniscule by comparison to other periodicals), "fulfillment"
(publishing-speak for subscriptions), and QST direct staff. Note that
QST has used a heavier-weight glossy paper than most periodicals
(which costs more) but has gone to slightly lower-weight glossy paper.
Anyone can go through any issue, count column-inches, and
determine the issue's Real income within 20% or so just from QST's
rates (also on the web site, different page).

Advertising pays the bills at a periodical. Advertising revenue is
finite so all periodical publishers will condense and "tailor" the
Publisher's Sworn Statements as much as they can...so that
potential advertisers are convinced to pay them instead of any
competition. Since advertising budgets are finite, some periodicals
just don't get as much income...and some may have to quit when
there isn't enough income to pay bills.

There's bound to be someone who shows "exceptions" to the rule
that advertising pays the bills. I'm familiar with that. As one who
gets a number of trade periodicals (EDN, Electronic Design, RF
Design, Microwaves & RF, PET, etc.) entirely without any monies
from me ("controlled circulation" magazines), that's proof enough of
my statement. There are MORE "free" trade publications in the
USA than there are subscription-fee publications.

Parishoners at the Church of St. Hiram have been busy rationalizing
and speculating on the "reason" for differences that I noted. :-)
They are all wrong, but are convinced they Know...ARRL can do no
wrong.

All that can be gleaned from the QST Circulation page is the number
(and EXACT number) of ARRL membership at any one time.

ARRL is basically three organizations in one: A membership club;
a political-action special interest group; a publishing business.
Members try to rationalize others' negative criticsm by using only one
or two of the triad as "justification." In truth, ARRL tries to be too
many things under one roof and that, if too inflexible, may be its
eventual undoing.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Dwight.

Len Anderson