RACES AND ARES are "supposed" to be for emergency ops - any designators
there are understandable, not sure about any dues/fees involved. "I" have
never heard of any fees involved, least not that I can recall.

Yes, and Races won't talk to non-races stations, they are prohibited.
I guess it makes sense if you think that after the nuclear war, we hams are
going to be doing national security work...
They do charge fees, at least around here.

But I DO agree with your assessment of the 10-10 club.. Either way, they
aren't
getting my dough. I can talk to the many others who aren't members. So,
when
they run out of suckers to apply for more numbers, and that is all they
choose to talk to, I guess they are screwed! No one else to talk to.. WOW,
what a boring conversation and life. At least with doing WAS and such, you
can usually enjoy a QSO along the way. Getting Hawaii for WAS - I spoke to
the guy for an hour. Enjoyed every minute of it. I'm still collecting
cards
for contacts of places I've yet to talk to, but for an award? Who needs
it?
Not me. My thrill is in making the contact and chat itself. The way it was
meant to be. G.W.

It's a pity that so many folks only seem to turn on the HF rig when there's
a contest on, then they don't want to chat, and I understand that, I
suppose..

I need to get some more iron in the air, before winter sets in!