From: ehare@arrl.org (Ed Hare KA1CV)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: AARL vs ARRL
Date: 24 Jul 92 12:04:51 EDT
Organization: American Radio Relay League

In rec.radio.amateur.misc, rc@cmr.ncsl.nist.gov (Robert Carpenter) writes:

>I talked to Hugh Turnbull, W3ABC, at the Frederick/Walkersville Hamfest
>about a month ago. He brought up the subject of changing to AARL and asked
>whether I thought it made sense. He mentioned that it seemed to be an
>especially poor choice (re: AARP), but that some hams elsewhere in his
>Division were lobbying for the change (Hugh is ARRL Atlantic Div Director).
>I agreed that the change is inapproriate, and really out of date, since the
>advent of Packet Radio has brought ham radio full circle back to the message-
>relaying business again. ps. Hugh is in his 70s, but really tries to keep up 
>to date, has a packet mailbox, logs into the DX Cluster, etc. He is not a 
>DX man.

73, Bob W3OTC

Bob,

You have the right idea. I truly hope that all people who want to actually
influence this decision that will be made by the ARRL Board of Directors
will take the time to contact their Division Directors and make their
view known (on this or any other ARRL policy matter). 

You can do this by telephone (most Directors list their phone numbers), by
letter or postcard, or in person. Most Directors show up at major hamfests
and ARRL State or Division Conventions. One of the most effective ways
to influence a Director is to attend the ARRL Forum that is usually conducted
wherever a Director goes. Most of the time the Directors address the 
current "hot-button" issues, and, even if your topic is not brought up
by the Director, they invariably ask if anyone has any comments. Speak right
up! You will often find that there are others in the room that agree with 
you (bring them along as ringers if you like). I have often been bothered
by the relatively low attendance at ARRL Forums. In a hamfest that has 
an attendance of 2000 I have seen as few as 20 attendees at the ARRL Forum.
I know that we all go to a hamfest for the 'fest part, but many sensitive
issues are dealt with by the ARRL Directors, based primarily on the input
they receive from hams in their Divisions. Take the time to address the
issues that are important to you.

You can find your Division Director listed on page 8 of QST. (If you don't
get QST (non-member, new member, potential member, blind member, etc.),
I will be happy to mail you a copy of page 8.) Speak up! Flame us if you
like (politely, please), but speak up. If you tell your Director what you
think and the Director votes differently, you have every right to complain
(with your next ballot if you choose), but if you don't take the few minutes
it takes to have your say, you will never know whether your idea might have
been the one that saved the day or whether your "vote" may have been the
one to tip the scale.



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Ed Hare, KA1CV                  ehare@arrl.org
American Radio Relay League
225 Main St.
Newington, CT  06111            There is no limit to what you can 
(203) 666-1541 - voice          accomplish if you don't care who
ARRL Laboratory Supervisor      gets the credit. - Harry S Truman
RFI, xmtr and rcvr testing  
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