KØHB wrote:
From: ARRA [mailto Sent: Friday, July 1, 2005, 4:01 AM
To: All Radio Amateurs ]
Subject: Important Organizational Announcement

ARRA Founder Glen Baxter cuts a deal with Washington

Belgrade Lks, Maine., July 1, 2005 - In a surprise deal, ARRA Founder K1MAN and
FCC legal representatives at Dewey, Cheatum, & Howe, announced today that all
charges and NAL pending against K1MAN would be dropped contingent on a merger
agreement between ARRA and ARRL. Under the proposed arrangement, ARRL would
acquire the American Amateur Radio Association (ARRA), a leading provider of
Amateur Information Bulletin Services. The deal would unite the two most
prominent Amateur Radio organizations in the United States. Financial terms of
the proposed acquisition have not been finalized.

"The acquisition of ARRA complements ARRL's already extensive offerings to
include up-to-the-minute information and interactive discussion on what is
happening in the world of Amateur Radio," said Jim Haynie, W5JBP, president
of ARRL. "Together, we will be more effective in taking on some of the
challenges facing Amateur Radio, such as BPL and Spectrum Defense. This
brings us one step closer to being the national membership association for
Amateur Radio operators."

The acquisition also brings the strong leadership skills of Glenn Baxter,
K1MAN, to the ARRL organization. Baxter has been named ARRL Third Vice
President in the move. "Mr. Baxter is a welcome addition to our management
team here at ARRL," said David Sumner, K1ZZ, and ARRL Chief Executive
Officer. "I look forward to his fresh perspectives and enthusiastic
approach to running a service organization like the ARRL."

"Water under the bridge," said Glenn Baxter of ARRA about past frictions
between the two organizations. "Today marks a new beginning for all of us.
We're in this together now." Plans for collocating Mr. Baxter and Mr. Sumner
in adjoining offices at ARRL headquarters are currently underway.

In an official statement, Mr. Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, FCC Legal Advisor
for Enforcement added, "Over the years, Glenn and I have become very close.
I look forward to continuing our professional relationship as he assumes his
new position."

In an effort to accelerate the shift to its new on-the-air image, ARRL has
already filed the paperwork necessary to make W1MAN the official call sign
of the combined organization. Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, ARRL station manager was
thrilled with the change, saying, "What a creative way to reflect our
traditional roots while also letting our bold, new face shine through!"
Broadcast operations at the facilities of ex-W1AW will be shutdown
immediately. ARRA's state-of-the-art studios in Belgrade Lakes, ME will
become the new source of all ARRL transmissions.

Amateur Radio insiders applauded the move. "These are interesting times for
Amateur Radio," said Gordon West, WB6NOA. "I sense a likely shift in the
ARRL views on many areas of the service. I think we'll be feeling the
positive impact of this merger for years to come."

"This is big . . . really big," said Joe Walsh, WB6ACU, lead guitar player
for the Eagles. It's exactly the kind of thing that will send our ticket
sales through the roof. With Glenn on vocals, and Sumner on drums . . .
this tour season will be our best since '73"

Audio aficionado and Amateur Radio entrepreneur Bob Heil, K9EID, also
supported the move. "This is a good thing for Heil, and it's about time
these guys got together", said Mr. Heil. "We are already working on a
special commemorative W1MAN microphone to honor the event."

ARRL was founded in May 1914 by Percy Maxim, a leading Hartford,
Connecticut, inventor and industrialist. Today ARRL, with approximately
152,000 members, is the largest not-for-profit organization of radio
amateurs in the United States.

Hans,

Did you ever write for "Gearvakf" (the "f" is silent)?

Dave K8MN