"Bert Craig" wrote in message .net...
"N2EY" wrote in message
...
In article , "Carl R. Stevenson"
writes:

What
money are you talking about? (If you say "the manufacturers" that's
baloney.
I haven't seen a SINGLE comment filed on the current round of petitions
by
any manufacturer ...)

All that's really happened so far in the "current round" is a flurry of
petitions. There are more in process that don't have RM numbers yet.

Back during the restructuring NPRM, there were comments from
manufacturers.

But not when mere proposals and petitions were flying about.

And let's be up-front about it - manufacturers are part of the amateur
radio community, and have a vested interest. If a rules change has an
effect on Kenwood's sales, why shouldn't they comment?

That doesn't mean their comments will necessarily always be in the
best interest of the ARS.

In fact, the most-often-quoted-by-FCC commenter in the R&O to 98-143
wasn't ARRL or NCI or NCVEC or some individual radio amateur.

It was Kenwood.

I wonder if any folks let them know that they would NOT be purchasing
Kenwood products because of this? I've always been a big proponent of
leveraging one's monetary muscle.

Good idea! But considering that I've never owned a non-USA made piece
of hamgear, I doubt it would mean much to them coming from me.

In fact, I'm probably the exact type of ham that Ikensu wants to go
away. In 36 years as a ham, I've bought exactly two major pieces of
ham radio equipment (transceivers). Both were kits. Both were from
American companies. All the rest has been used stuff, military surplus
("and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and never make war
any more") and good ol' homebrew. A few rrap regulars have heard and
worked said homebrew.

BTW, has anybody sent their respective ARRL candidates an e-mail re. their
stance on the code?

More than one.

I'm getting campaign flyers in the mail, seems like the
right opportunity. Same with our regular elected representatives. Drop 'em a
note and make 'em, at least, question the FCC. Remember how the vanity call
system came about.

I dunno if bugging congresscritters will do much good. But the ARRL
directors really do want to know, because it means they have backing
whichever way they decide.

73 de Jim, N2EY