snip

However, contrary to popular belief, "bureaucracy" was an English word

snip

I'll take your word for it.


Okay, where could I get *factual* *unbiased* declarations of their
budget?
That's obvious - I would look on their website for a copy of their
audited annual statement in which the auditors gave a clean opinion.
Also look at the filing they make with the IRS as a tax exempt entity.
Magazines also publish periodic disclosures of subsriptions and sales.


Website - maybe. The other things - okay, I will.


How much utility does QST really have?
Lots if you are a ham and a member of the ARRL.


Lots? Give me some examples.
I'm not a member, but if I were, high on the list would be: It's a
fraternity of like minded people who enjoy both the hobby and
one-another's company (most of the time) on the air.


Does one have to be a member of the ARRL and receive QST to
be "...a fraternity of like minded people..., etc.?" Your example does not
provide a convincing argument for what I asked for.



How strong of a lobbying force is the ARRL with the FCC - really?
I don't know, what is your opinion.


I think about the efforts of the ARRL to persuade the FCC to give us
useful allocations in the Lowfer segments - there's a huge opportunity
for hams to do what they do best - be on the cutting edge and invent
methods to communicate in difficult situations. Only one example of
many.

You asked how strong a lobbying force the ARRL was, but didn't answer
the question.

Yes, I did. I answered the question by providing an example. Part of the
lobbying efforts of the ARRL *is* to encourage technological innovation
and strongly petitioning the FCC to provide useful lowfer segments is a
perfect example of an area where hams could further the communication
art. If the ARRL could accomplish such a feat, it would be a *very* clear
indication of how strong they are as lobbyists.


Actually, the ARRL has a much bigger issue to weigh in on than
expanding the ham bands. The ARRL will be doing well to hold on to
what amateurs have given the trends in membership and demands for
commercial use of spectrum allocated to hams.


Yes, there are big issues at stake - the threat of BPL comes to mind.

As the official hobby organ they have to figure out pretty quickly how
to breathe some life into a mature hobby that is facing some stiff
competition from methoods of communicating that require no license.
The hobby is greying rapidly.


Yes, I've been hearing very similar musings for many years, and yet
here we are.

As far as "greying": I see an integration of new technology with radio -
like hams have always done - EchoLink and the like, if you like that
sort of thing. I've also been hearing new modulation methods on the
bands - DigTRX for one. Then there's microwaves. The sky is the
limit in the microwave segments (and above) - literally.