RadioBanter - View Single Post

December 24th 03, 07:18 PM

In article ,
(Len Over 21) writes:

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.

So?

This is
just another subtle bit of business on ARRL's continuing push for
morse code related over and above all other modes.

Not at all. It's just a sample. Other months there are different sample
articles.

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...

Sounds like you want radio amateurs to stop using Morse code. Why is that?

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.

How do you know? Have you gone over their books?

Even if true, what's the problem? ARRL does a lot more than publish QST.

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).

And your point is?

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.

You mean like ham radio and 73, both defunct?

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.

Show your work.

Members try to rationalize others' negative criticsm by using only one
or two of the triad as "justification."

You have nothing but negative criticism and insults, Len. You're playing a sort
of Zen game where you never say what something is or should be but only what it
isn't, or should not be. Why is that?

In truth, ARRL tries to be too
many things under one roof

What would you have them change besides their code test policy?

and that, if too inflexible, may be its
eventual undoing.

It's clear you'd be really happy if ARRL disappeared.

ARRL and QST have existed continuously since 1919. There is no larger amateur
radio organization on earth. At least 30 times the size of NCI....

You seem to think that amateur radio doesn't need a strong national
organization. Reality shows that such an organization - or more than one! -
*are* needed - otherwise, amateur radio would slowly be legislated out of
existence. You'd like that, wouldn't you, Len?

To give just one example - the BPL issue.

Since you have no intention of becoming a ham, Len, why doies any of this
matter to you?