"Michael Coslo" wrote in message
...


If enough people are as "alienated" as he says, it should be possible
to
compete however, and build a new alternative to ARRL membership. I've
given
enough reasons that I don't think it will work, but I don't mind being
proven
wrong.


I've read that paragraph several times, and it remains
self-contradictory.

(A) "it should be possible", but (B) you've "given enough reasons that I
don't think it will work". So which of those won't you "mind being
proven wrong", A or B?



My message is pretty simple. Take away all the "sophistry" and it is:

- "If you don't like what is happening, get involved. Change it."


That's Paul's clear message. But yours is wrapped in condescending
patronization.

The Man in the Maze
QRO from Baboquivari Peak, AZ

--
Iitoi






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Iitoi wrote:
"Michael Coslo" wrote in message
...

If enough people are as "alienated" as he says, it should be possible
to
compete however, and build a new alternative to ARRL membership. I've
given
enough reasons that I don't think it will work, but I don't mind being
proven
wrong.


I've read that paragraph several times, and it remains
self-contradictory.

(A) "it should be possible", but (B) you've "given enough reasons that I
don't think it will work". So which of those won't you "mind being
proven wrong", A or B?

I'm not particularly worried about either one. I won't comment more
about that, because you are swinging the topic toward me, and away from
the ideas regarding forming a new organization.



My message is pretty simple. Take away all the "sophistry" and it is:

- "If you don't like what is happening, get involved. Change it."


That's Paul's clear message. But yours is wrapped in condescending
patronization.

Illitoi, would I do better to tell the guy, "Give up, you can't do
anything about it?

Let me tell you a little story, then see how condescending you think I
am. In our local club, we were dying the death of a thousand cuts.
Membership was down, interest was disappearing quickly. We were lucky if
we got 10 members to a club meeting. Field day might get 4 of us.

I got together with another officer, and said Let's change this.
Initially there was lots of resistance by members. "Hams are getting old
and don't care any more. "Testing requirements are letting in rifraff,
and that's why no one is interested. "Ham Radio is dying, and our
generation is the last". On and on and on.

My reply was that "All that is possible, but I want to try something".

First thing I demanded was a change in attitude. No Morse code
supremacy. A person might know that he is better than other Hams because
he took a Higher speed test, but let's keep it to ourself for a while.
Morse code proficiency is really cool, and I respect that a lot, but it
doesn't make me a better Ham than the Technician who volunteers for all
the public service work. Respect for ALL the Hams is Job One.

Second thing is everyone was reminded that they were once newbies, and
didn't come into radio knowing everything. We set up training classes in
the basics, and even put together a workbench for training at our "shack".

Third was "Quit complaining, daggonit!" Does the new guy really need to
hear about how much you hate (insert topic here) within five minutes of
meeting him? Give it a break, it isn't a good way to attract new folks,
and those it might attract are likely to be complainers.

Fourth was institute testing before club meetings. We did this as soon
as the F.C.C. rules changed to allow it. Works wonderfully. Test
applicants get a round of applause, and another if they pass. Those who
do not are offered help to be sure to pass the nest time.

Finally, and this one takes constant watching, is that members have to
avoid being an "UberHam". You may have a hundred foot tower with a 40
meter beam, and Yaesu's fine 12K offering running into an Alpha, but the
guy with a Swan into a dipole is doing okay too.


Results? The quixotic quest that was doomed to failure, trying to
regenerate interest resulted in local growth in new Hams at the 2
percent rate, increased membership in the club, and at least a
quadrupling of Field day competition. We have alternating weekend
breakfasts and weekend mountaintop days, all heavily attended.

So while some might think that I am being condescending when I tell
someone to get out and do something, I have to note that I am dead
serious. Maybe my reasons that I think it will fail are wrong, just like
I proved the local naysayers wrong. But unless the guy gets moving and
proves me wrong, it just ends up being another Ham complaining in a
newsgroup, or eHam, or QRZ.com, or on the air. And that really doesn't
accomplish much.


Thunder is impressive, but it is lightning that does the work.

- 73 de Mike KB3EIA -