Hi everyone:
"Klystron" wrote in message
...
"Pat Cook" wrote:

I'd offer it as a point of debate Jim (Curiously of course ). What
*would* your new organization offer that ARRL & the many, many other
worldwide clubs don't already offer, Klystron & Iitoi?


The objective would be to provide an organization to those hams who
wish to make ham radio innovative and progressive (again). By
comparison, the ARRL exists to serve those hams who wish to keep ham
radio retrogressive, insular and xenophobic. Certain technologies would
be championed (digital voice, digital data, e.g.) while other
technologies would be abandoned to their fate (Morse).

Okay, so it's true they were somewhat relunctant to allow digital
communications such as, and perhaps namely, packet to take place on the
bands. But look what's happened in the end. Not only have digital
communications become an acceptable form of communications (Thankfully
spearheaded by the work of TAPR BTW), digital communications have been
EMBRACED as a means of PROMOTING Amateur Radio. When was the last time you
proudly told someone that you can work the International Space Station? My
last time was just this afternoon while on the bus enroute back home from
the "candy store" (Hi...Hi).

True, ARRL does do some valuable things for the Amateur Radio Service and
since I *am* a validly licensed Ham, they *do* represent me in various
political and legal capacities (For which I am eternally grateful BTW), I
still see a reason to join them if they're going to represent me anyway.
They know my position on various issues because much the same sentiment
is
shared by SCORES of Hams like me. And many of those Hams have made their
sentiments public. I don't need to submit what would sound like a broken
record in the eyes of ARRL because they've heard it many times before.


If you look at those organizations that are EFFECTIVE in representing
their members and advancing the members' agenda (NRA, teachers' union,
tobacco lobby, trade associations that represent defense contractors,
etc.), certain patterns emerge, regardless of the nature of the
organization or the type of agenda. Such organizations tend to be
politically astute when dealing with government. They use PAC's, they
organize letter writing campaigns, they advise their members on the
voting records of their elected officials, they can deliver votes in
support of those who help them and in support of the OPPONENTS of those
who oppose them.

That's because ARRL *IS* a PAC (And a SIG). I doubt ARRL denies that.

Well...I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. So I ask
again....What *would* your new organization offer that ARRL & the many,
many
other worldwide clubs don't already offer, Klystron & Iitoi? I'm really
curious.

Long story short: Once upon a time, hams were viewed as 'rocket
scientists' and were a force for progress and innovation. Now, they're
viewed as cranky old geezers who are living in the past and pounding
Samuel Morse' old telegraph key while whining about young
whippersnappers who don't respect their elders. A new organization would
break free of that past and move forward. It goes without saying that
ARRL types will not want this and will try to stop it.

*SOME* ARRL types. Not all.

And despite your efforts to "break free" from ARRL, you will ALWAYS have
members who will gleefully rush out to their mailbox to retrieve that shiny
new edition of QST each month. And there's NO WAY you will EVER be able to
stop that.

Just my honest opinion....

Cheers & 73

Pat Cook, KB0OXD
Denver, Colorado
WEBSITE - http://www.qsl.net/kb0oxd/
**NEW VIDEO SECTION - http://www.qsl.net/kb0oxd/cybershacktv/