In article , "Kim W5TIT"
writes:

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...

I make this suggestion in dead seriousness. ARRL needs to consult with
a licensed psychologist stat, if not put one on staff retainer. Perhaps
he or she could explain why this is such a stupid idea.

Ha! The ARRL is about nothing but marketing anymore. This is a great
marketing effort to them: become the good cop and get hundreds to join, or
something along those lines.

Just discovered that? :-)

The biggest moneymaker at the ARRL is their Publishing. They break
even with QST but the gold is in the numerous books they have for
sale (shipping charges extra if ordered from Newington but same
prices, no shipping charges if bought over the counter at HRO).

Publishing pays nearly all the bills at ARRL, including all the so-called
membership services that are supposed to be so wonderful and
"cost nothing" to members...renting of banquet rooms for the BoD
get-togethers (and probably travel expenses, too?)...maintenance of
W1AW and the museum...and the legal and lobbying fees in DC.

Membership fees don't go for much directly. That pays for the
"fulfillment services" (mailing lists, printing, distribution of QST) with
the rest of it spread throughout Hq; membership magazine QST
gets its income from advertising charges...just like the other
independent magazines of interest to amateurs.

The 2002 Federal Tax Returns for ARRL showed an operating
budget of around $12 million. Given only 170 thousand or so
memberships, that multiplied by annual dues isn't going to hit any
$12 million.

ARRL stays alive by BEING a business. Their self-promotion is a
necessary thing. Unfortunately, many members don't see that,
preferring the delusion of some altruistic, noble, kind, and good
organization "solely for members." shrug

LHA / WMD

Leo wrote in message . ..
On 27 Jan 2004 00:29:04 GMT, (N2EY) wrote:

In article , Leo
writes:

On 25 Jan 2004 20:30:20 GMT, (N2EY) wrote:

extra credit trivia question: where does the term "wing it" come from? Hint:
Has nothing to do with aviation.

From the theatre, where impromptu performances were given by actors
who received prompts from the wings.

BINGO!

Hey, this guy's good!

Well, sometimes :)

73 de Jim, N2EY

73, Leo


Len, another extra credit trivia question: where does the term "wing nut" come from?

On 27 Jan 2004 15:02:49 -0800, (William) wrote:

Leo wrote in message . ..
On 27 Jan 2004 00:29:04 GMT, (N2EY) wrote:

In article , Leo
writes:

On 25 Jan 2004 20:30:20 GMT, (N2EY) wrote:

extra credit trivia question: where does the term "wing it" come from? Hint:
Has nothing to do with aviation.

From the theatre, where impromptu performances were given by actors
who received prompts from the wings.

BINGO!

Hey, this guy's good!

Well, sometimes :)

73 de Jim, N2EY

73, Leo


Len, another extra credit trivia question: where does the term "wing nut" come from?

OK, but don't call me Len!

You have me on that one - I have always taken for granted that the
term came from the appearance of the 'wing nut' itself - that is, the
two projections allowing it to be finger tightened look kinda like
wings.

Where did it come from?

73, Leo

Leo wrote in message . ..
On 27 Jan 2004 15:02:49 -0800, (William) wrote:

Leo wrote in message . ..
On 27 Jan 2004 00:29:04 GMT, (N2EY) wrote:

In article , Leo
writes:

On 25 Jan 2004 20:30:20 GMT, (N2EY) wrote:

extra credit trivia question: where does the term "wing it" come from? Hint:
Has nothing to do with aviation.

From the theatre, where impromptu performances were given by actors
who received prompts from the wings.

BINGO!

Hey, this guy's good!

Well, sometimes :)

73 de Jim, N2EY

73, Leo


Len, another extra credit trivia question: where does the term "wing nut" come from?

OK, but don't call me Len!

Sorry. I was just trying to feed Steve's paranoia.

You have me on that one - I have always taken for granted that the
term came from the appearance of the 'wing nut' itself - that is, the
two projections allowing it to be finger tightened look kinda like
wings.

Where did it come from?

73, Leo

I have no idea. I was in the Air Force, and the grunts always
referred to us as wingnuts. So I thought you might know.

I should ask Dee. She knows everything and she's always right.

bb

Well... I'm gonna try again. I posted this over 8 hours ago and it's
not shown up on my server yet so my apologies if it turns up twice.

When they came out with incentive licensing, there was a vocal
minority complaining. When they came out with the No code tech license
there was a vocal minority complaining. Now they are doing away with
most of the CW requirement and there is a vocal minority complaining.

WAyyyy back there used to be the class separation and then they did
away with it to the point where the General class had full privileges.
Then incentive licensing, then the new structure with code free techs
on VHF, then they lowered the CW speed and now they are doing away
with most of the CW requirements which are there due to international
agreements.

"To me" it matters little whether they make the requirements tech
heavy, procedure heavy, or require CW. It has little to do with the
character of those coming into the service.

Each change has brought out the "gloom and doom" element proclaiming
this will be the straw that broke the camel's back and the end of
Amateur Radio.

Maybe in addition to the technology and procedure testing we should
run a test on character traits? :-)) If we had been doing such
there would be a number of current hams who would have failed.

I have gone the whole route and yes, I passed 20 wpm to get my
license, but I don't see that need be a requirement for future
applicants.

It really doesn't matter how we test, there is always going to be a
mix of character traits and groups who oppose the way each other
operate. There will also be a small percent who will not be satisfied
no mater what is done.

The move proposed by the League is consistent with international
treaty and world policy.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

In article ,
(William) writes:

(Len Over 21) wrote in message
...
In article , "Kim W5TIT"

writes:

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...

I make this suggestion in dead seriousness. ARRL needs to consult with
a licensed psychologist stat, if not put one on staff retainer. Perhaps
he or she could explain why this is such a stupid idea.

Ha! The ARRL is about nothing but marketing anymore. This is a great
marketing effort to them: become the good cop and get hundreds to join, or
something along those lines.

Just discovered that? :-)

The biggest moneymaker at the ARRL is their Publishing. They break
even with QST but the gold is in the numerous books they have for
sale (shipping charges extra if ordered from Newington but same
prices, no shipping charges if bought over the counter at HRO).

Publishing pays nearly all the bills at ARRL, including all the
so-called
membership services that are supposed to be so wonderful and
"cost nothing" to members...renting of banquet rooms for the BoD
get-togethers (and probably travel expenses, too?)...maintenance of
W1AW and the museum...and the legal and lobbying fees in DC.

Membership fees don't go for much directly. That pays for the
"fulfillment services" (mailing lists, printing, distribution of QST)
with
the rest of it spread throughout Hq; membership magazine QST
gets its income from advertising charges...just like the other
independent magazines of interest to amateurs.

The 2002 Federal Tax Returns for ARRL showed an operating
budget of around $12 million. Given only 170 thousand or so
memberships, that multiplied by annual dues isn't going to hit any
$12 million.

ARRL stays alive by BEING a business. Their self-promotion is a
necessary thing. Unfortunately, many members don't see that,
preferring the delusion of some altruistic, noble, kind, and good
organization "solely for members." shrug

LHA / WMD


Len, wasn't it Mike Deignan that used to beat the "publishing" drum?

Don't forget the advertising sales in all those publications, and of
course, the endowment funds.

Mike who?!? :-)

QST's advertising "card" is on the League website and anyone who
has more time than they can spend on something useful can grab
an issue of QST and figure out the approximate income from QST
ads each month. That's enough to pay for the staff salaries of QST,
the paper-printing-binding costs, and some of the Fullfillment
services (list maintenance, distribution, delivery)

Since ARRL controls QST, they can get FREE advertising for
whatever else ARRL is publishing. They do. It's an all-around
money-winner since they don't pay much for submitted work by
others. Since ARRL arranges to OWN first rights to all articles in
QST, they can reprint that material in Handbooks or anything else
as much and as many times as they wish without giving a cent
more in compensation to authors. Fabulous setup for making a
bit of money for the League. They've got it sewn up tight. :-)

Note: Retail outlets for League publications make a small profit
on publishing sales, yet the price for each one is the same whether
one buys it in HRO or orders from Newington. The difference is
that anyone ordering from Newington has to ALSO pay shipping
charges! Double profits...no cost to them for shipping and they
make the retailer's discount difference for themselves! Lovely.

"Endowment funds?" I doubt there are many millionaires out
there bequeathing large sums to the League. Nowhere close to
Kroc endowments. It is a kind of crock, though.

[now watch all the ARRL syncophants come out, panting with rage
and vitriol for Telling It Like It Really Is...:-) ]

LHA / WMD

In article ,
(William) writes:

73, Leo

Len, another extra credit trivia question: where does the term "wing nut"
come from?

Ahem...that's LEO, Brian... :-)

But, you have to admit that the A.I. message program is a darn
good one! :-)

The term "wing nut" probably came from within the USAF before
Larrah signed off the Form 1 on his desk. [that's what he was
called when trying to "wing it" with rationalizations of how and why
he did what he did]

LHA / WMD

"Kim W5TIT" wrote in message
...
But, for DXers and paper chasers, it's probably a nicely organized
rigmarole. Do you mind the wait, Bert? You must be "into" DXing and
contesting, eh?

Kim W5TIT

Nah, I'm neither a DXer nor a contester, Kim. I mostly like to ragchew. One
of my Elmers taught me that "a QSL is the final courtesy of a QSO." I guess
it kinda stuck with me.

Most of the folks I've QSO'd with have sent me their card direct and right
away. W0EX's card actually arrived the same day I mailed his out.

There is one fellow R.R.A.Per who owes me a card tho...ahem. hihi ;-)

73 de Bert
WA2SI

"Roger Halstead" wrote in message
...

Well... I'm gonna try again. I posted this over 8 hours ago and it's
not shown up on my server yet so my apologies if it turns up twice.

When they came out with incentive licensing, there was a vocal
minority complaining. When they came out with the No code tech license
there was a vocal minority complaining. Now they are doing away with
most of the CW requirement and there is a vocal minority complaining.

WAyyyy back there used to be the class separation and then they did
away with it to the point where the General class had full privileges.
Then incentive licensing, then the new structure with code free techs
on VHF, then they lowered the CW speed and now they are doing away
with most of the CW requirements which are there due to international
agreements.

"To me" it matters little whether they make the requirements tech
heavy, procedure heavy, or require CW. It has little to do with the
character of those coming into the service.

Each change has brought out the "gloom and doom" element proclaiming
this will be the straw that broke the camel's back and the end of
Amateur Radio.

Maybe in addition to the technology and procedure testing we should
run a test on character traits? :-)) If we had been doing such
there would be a number of current hams who would have failed.

I have gone the whole route and yes, I passed 20 wpm to get my
license, but I don't see that need be a requirement for future
applicants.

It really doesn't matter how we test, there is always going to be a
mix of character traits and groups who oppose the way each other
operate. There will also be a small percent who will not be satisfied
no mater what is done.

The move proposed by the League is consistent with international
treaty and world policy.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

Great post. Propose anything and there will be that minority that
opposes it.

Cheers,
Bill K2UNK
ARRL and NCI