Should I Join The ARRL? Newbie Operator Question
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 4 авг 2024
- First off, I'm not bashing the ARRL I'm pointing out some issues that enough people continually bring up that it is an issue. Next, in a sort of open letter to the leadership of the ARRL I'm proposing some solutions. I know, its a long video but I think I'm bringing up some valid points. I hope you take it in the spirit it's offered and work to make the ARRL a stronger and more vibrant organization.
Наука
Always enjoy and look forward to your videos. I feel you're one of the straightest shooters on the inter-tubes....... thanks for what you do and I'll forward to the next one.
Agree
Thank you.
Just a greenhorn here but I needed two watches to get it in my head. Laws are all the U.K., way different but very stuffy. I use my radio on 26 to 30 MHz and sometimes cb radio to friends who haven’t got their ticket yet. I get some real bad reviews and crap from base/ mobile alike. I do what I do is for fun, conversation and real tech, which is my thing. Great presentation. Really interesting. 👍
The ARRL membership is worth it just for the magazine, filled with great articles and builds.
Bob, have you seen the ARRL's On the Air magazine? It's a magazine for newbies and regular guys/gals. Also free for members.
I am a member and will cotinue They could be better but its all we have Lets make them better
More great content, always appreciate you're insights. This content is always of interest. Hopefully with new leadership at the helm things will get better and strengthen our hobby.
I have been an ARRL Member since I was first licensed in 2012. The best knowledge base for amateur radio is RUclips and my local club memebers.
Keep the great content coming, we won't let the algorithm get you down.
The ARRL folks in my Division (Western Gulf) are some good dudes and always go above and beyond for advocacy and training.
Another great video! Sorry I miss the live stream. I wont miss the next one! 👍😀
Excellent. Well done.
Nicely done, Bob! AE4ER here. I hope they really hear you and reach out. I just renewed after they offered the 2021 Radio Handbook as a bonus, which is valued at the same price as renewal. Best book renew deal they have ever offered, by far, and a great reference book! Someone else mentioned the NRA, which has had some very bad leadership issues. I assume that you are also a life member and perhaps a certified instructor like myself. I don’t know what we can do about that tragic situation?
I agree with everything you said in this video! Keep up the good work!
@ARRL HQ needs to see this! I have seen from others how ARRL is failing. And I don’t see why I should waste my money for an organization who doesn’t support me. Btw, new ham here. I’ll take my money and put it toward a new gear. Hopefully a new group who actually cares, supports & defends Hams is created.
I am a Life Member. Could the ARRL be better.... of course it could. They are the only game in town as far as looking out for hams. I'm the first to admit, it could be better. I have many of the books, and love QST.
Thank you
I know the ARRL was all gung-ho on the Parity Act, but I'm in the minority of hams (I think) in that I believe that's a bad idea. Do CCR/HOA restrictions suck? Yes, they do. But, everyone who is suffering under one, signed it. I do not like the idea of government stepping in to nullify contracts between private parties. That's opening a pretty big door that would never, ever close. If you don't like HOA restrictions, don't live in an HOA. And for those who say there's no reasonable alternative, yeah, that sucks, but it's not the place of government to "fix" it for you.
Beyond that, ARRL is largely irrelevant, and that's sad.
It's kind of hard to find places to live these days which are free from HOAs. As well, there are areas where I live which did not have HOAs originally but now do. Meaning that longtime home owners didn't sign onto the HOA when they first moved in. I also disagree with the notion that there should not be limits on what a HOA can and cannot do. For instance, forcing home owners to leave their garage doors open so that HOA officials can see what's in the garage. That being said, I feel that the ARRL can be more proactive in terms of helping HAMS who live in HOAs operate in a manner which makes both parties happy. For instance, why can't the ARRL take the lead in the development of better antenna technology which does not affect HOA property standards but allows HAM radio operators who live in HOAs to operate more efficiently?
There's a new bill that will be introduced soon. This effort hasn't been abandoned.
Newb here. I think you're spot on on things they need to do, especially for the generation younger than me. I finally got signed up (after waiting days due to delays of my callsign getting to them from FCC and then what sounded like a manual process to then add the new callsigns to the site?!?!), but the younger gen will likely move on because of that. Once the FCC database shows us as active, I should be able to sign up with ARRL immediately. I signed up for two reasons: 1) someone has to keep us some bands clear of commercial junk in Washington and 2) QRP (including the new mag and all back issues available). That's it. The outdated site and new member setup doesn't do them any favors though on attracting membership. It was also clunky getting straight to the online mags. In short, the site and signup process is horribly outdated.
My callsign is W4POT and I agree with this video. I also agree with the comments about phoning or emailing your local and section league representatives. I've seen some improvement in the last 2 years. I think effectiveness of their old centralized publishing oriented business model was diminished by the growth of internet based sources of information and ability to network with other hams outside of league aligned channels. I included an extra $25 dollars with my membership renewal today flagged for the ARRL Lab's use. They have the ability to do testing beyond that of the average content creator, or forum poster. Those test results in QST and LoTW are worth supporting in my opinion, the lobbying as you observed doesn't seem to be effective right now.
Good rant... thanks Bob.... like most things, organizations need to grow with the times... it can be hard for those you either built this industry or came along with it to recognize the coming changes, but just because there is new does not mean the old has to go... it's kind of like "old media" verses "new media"... play it smart and you can bring the old into the new... ignore or diss the new and you make go the way of the dinosaurs...
Well said!
Great video
Yes I agree social media has alot of power the ARRL can use as a tool
Bob, great video. While I find value in ARRL membership - mainly technical stuff. I agree that more needs to be done defend our turf. While the feds own the spectrum, they have denoted specific parts of the spectrum to ham radio. If later they want take that away and sell it to commercial activities then the value of ham radio should be part of that calculation. When all of those cell networks go down in the next hurricane - who you gonna call? We need lobbyists and Congress members to determine the value of ham radio and to negotiate on our behalf. Lots of lip service about how wonderful RACES / ARES services volunteered by hams are, but little actual money put where the mouths are.
On The Air magazine provides good information for new operators. Glad to see you’re providing more videos! Can you please update us regarding your experiences with the IC-705. Thanks! K7NFO
There are clubs that do the same thing as ARRL with talking over the head of newer people. There are older hams that run the clubs and don't have time to work with new people at the new person's level. I had joined one of the local clubs in Boise (biggest in the area) and when I asked for some help understanding some of the digital radio programs I never got anyone to help. When I would attend the club meetings they were about what the older hams wanted to talk about. So, as a result, I no longer belong to the club and just use my radios when I go hunting. I will join a different club next year but if that is the approach of the next club, I will be done. If the clubs and ARRL don't get on the ball, ham radio has a dim future. W7BOA.
I agree it a magazine subscription.
Good show
Keep up the fight. The ARRL needs to change. Seems like their main function is to sell old books. The recent acceptance to the $35 license and update fee is ridiculous. Also, older hams in general, seem to be engineers and speak in "EE" terms. Times have changed and not all hams are engineers. Some of this is a generational change and some of this is due to the increased interested because covid forced everyone to find new avenues entertainment/escape from our daily functions in life.
I've been licensed since 1978, the ARRL has been on and off again as far as what they are doing to help newbies. Here in Utah, ham radio has largely been a clique group for years and turns off prospective hams unless they "know a guy". We elected a new ARRL Utah Section Manager in hopes of changing the good ole boys perception. So yes ARRL seems more relevant locally but we do need them at the national level. I have been and will continue to be a member, not always happy with the national organization.
It's mighty fine to be a responsible adult and raise questions. The world is not teeming with responsible adults.
They can contact there local section manager for info on HOA issues Ron N6XT
there?
Produce, interact, etc, etc. Trying to Help. Take that algorithm!!
I Agree With Everything. I think you went very easy on them. The reason they don't do anything is because half the money they take in goes to Salaries and Benefits for P{aid Staff. Since this video was released they have gotten worse on all counts, had a nearly 2 month major computer outage, and they decided to raise rates 20% and drop the printed magazine! Looks like they did not watch this video as it would have helped them. Now, I think they are on the way out! Everyone needs to Not Renew this year! Send a message! Force Change!
I haven't been an ARRL mbr for mni yrs, but ur vid helps to decide whether or not to rejoin! Tnx es 73 de WA4ELW in TN 🇺🇲 dit dit 😃
mbr? ur? vid? TN?
What did you do to get kicked out? Your videos aren't showing anything not approved by the youtube powers that be as far as I can tell. Keep em coming and I'll keep watching.
YT jail, that is why I had to go looking for your videos. Not surprised though, if you breath wrong they ban you. You should explore other platforms. Keep up the good videos.
Was an ARRL member for a couple years and just felt even the mag was getting boring. I may join again, but as you say their advocacy is lacking and I feel this is a permanent situation!
Here's your requested comment in fighting the algorithm.
What I will say about the ARRL, is that I'll usually let my membership lapse until they offer some kind of gift in the form of a book that I think would be useful...then I figured a couple of more bucks are hopefully good for the cause.
Though I've been licensed since 2003, I had to take a loooong break (budgeting went elsewhere), so I'm still at a newbie level all these years later. Of course, the impending fee has motivated me to study for my Extra. Anyhow... The good thing about technology is that it's making information available much more broadly. In generations past, you'd have to belong to a club, and to a national organization of some kind for someone to show you the ropes. Now, I can get that (for free) from the constellation of YT channels. If nothing else, it gets the information out there, and frees people from needing a club or bigger organization. Now, those existing clubs and ARRL will need to adapt or die. I've never been an ARRL member, but maybe I will just so I can use the QSL buro? Eh, we'll see. Time to become relevant in a hurry. Either find a way to attract younger folks (I'm middle aged, but relatively young), or lose out. Thanks for the video!
ARRL has gone the way of AARP, NRA, and the US Chamber Of Commerce. These organizations raise lots of money and lobby for their OWN Interests and self-preservation. Interests of their rank and file members seems secondary
ARRL delivers a ton of things for hams that are well worth more than $49 a year. Why not volunteer to help out?
I'm a new ham but have been a lifelong gun enthusiast. This video makes me see that ARRL is a lit like the NRA. They could be great but just are not. What I didn't know is that ham radio needs advocates as almost as much as 2A supporters do. How do I get into so many hobbies that have to push back against bad or phoney information?
...& btw, this video is GREAT for newcomers but also good for much more seasoned hams like myself, hi hi🤓
hi hi? Why say hello, hello?
Very well articulated bob ... i think with the new leadership at arrl they will hear you an understand your qualms and hopefully head in that direction
👍🏻
As a new ham but long time gun owner, they remind me a lot of the NRA. Which, to be honest, isn’t a good thing. Most of us below 50, maybe even 60, year old gun owners have completely abandoned the NRA due to ancient ideas and methods. ARRL probably should be careful.
to be honest? Otherwise you lie? It is not A double RL. It is not A double RL. It is not A double RL. It is not A double RL. It is not A double RL. It is not A double RL. It is not A double RL. It is not A double RL. It is not A double RL. It is not A double RL. It is not A double RL. It is not A double RL.
@@K1OIK k
Well said Bob! W6CPY
It's $49 per year. I see a lot of complaining about the $49 cost. I don't get it, it's only $49 per year. That's about $4.09 per month, I don't get it with all of the crying about $49 per year.
I have tried to get the League to understand that full-time RV'ers want the Digital Edition only so the mag will not pile up in our RV's and as we move, we won't have to worry about the print edition getting lost in the mail trying to get to us. Seems logical to me. Think how much money that would save the League in print and postage costs. So maybe drop the membership to 40 bucks for printless membership. ARRL seems to be asleep at the wheel.
The CEO has the discretion to offer a digital only membership for a discount (bylaw 4(a), which I voted on). They already offer print opt-out today but the cost of printing and postage isn't a huge savings, especially given that the printers and mailers give volume discounts. So, ironically, if more opt out of print it will cost the League more to send out the magazine. Many advertisers also want a physical magazine in front of people.
@@n2rj Thanks for the courtesy of a reply. But most online retailers don't print catalogs anymore which is a good thing. I really like trees!! lol
To me, the ARRL is the same as the NRA. They both collect a lot of money, but don't provide much advocacy at all for their grass roots membership. I had an ARRL membership for years. I bought an NRA life membership for myself and my daughter. Neither of them are getting any more of my money.
Anymore, Gun Owners of America is the organization doing the better advocacy...
The ARRL is the only organization strong enough to stand up to the FCC. Not perfect by any means, but without them there would be a good chance amateur radio would be eliminated. It's no secret the FCC considers amateur radio a nuisance. And current incompetent leadership in DC does not want any source of information sharing that they cannot control. If it weren't for the ARRL, the amateur license fee would be $50 as the FCC demanded. They had demanded $150 for an Extra class upgrade.
Last QST issue…not episode..,,
What typified my dislike of the ARRL right now is that situation with the HAM VS Karen which happened a month or so back. This is where the Karen tried to blame a HAM radio operator for causing problems with her insulin pump. Instead of stepping in immediately as soon as this was brought to light -- the ARRL seemed to lay back before they did anything. As well, it was clear from the get go that the HAM radio operator was not the cause of the insulin pump problems and it was likely that the pump itself was defective. Then there is the fact that medical devices like this are certified to operate properly in normal areas which have other equipment that generate EMI -- like refrigerators. If that was not the case people -- like my dad -- would be dropping dead because they got something out of a running refrigerator which caused their pacemakers to fail. Yet, again, this poor guy was forced to take apart his station and stop doing something that he loved because of flagrant and IMO, abusive speculation coming from a HOA and a Karen. The aforementioned is why we HAMS need advocacy at every level -- particularly in the levels that the ARRL can/should provide advocacy -- that being every governmental agency from city on up.
I was aware of the ARRL's existence well in advance of me getting my HAM ticket in late 2018 -- going on some 50 years now. Put it this way, I was aware of the ARRL when I was DXing with a Radio Shack SW radio as a teen. Back then I thought it would be an honor to be a member of the ARRL but when ticket time came around -- I could not find any benefit to me as a HAM to being a member of the ARRL. This is because during that time period I have seen how the ARRL's advocacy has gone from vocal to muted. Which, for HAMS who take the time to pass tests, who take the time/money to invest in radio equipment, who take the time to learn how said equipment works, who take the time to help with emergency communications and who have invested part of their lives to something which is not only a enjoyable hobby but a service -- I find quite egregious. KN4PNC, 73s.
This issue has not been fully resolved yet. The ARRL took it to the FCC. The wheels of government turn very slowly. And ARRL local officials did get involved, immediately.
...& shudn't the folks at the ARRL be non-political, EXCEPT as it relates to Amateur Radio?
shudn't?
@@K1OIK u obviously DON'T know Morse code
@@ehayes5217 You are right. I have only been using it for 62 years. Are we on Morse code now?
Asking me to renew my membership way before its due 🤬
The league is currently like a deer in the headlights when it comes to new fees for what used to be free renewal every ten years! Ai6lz
NRA wrote the playbook on deer in the headlights.
Interesting... I have found it curious, that Amateur Radio, being kind of an expensive hobby/activity/service based thing; attracts a lot of the more affluent amongst us; like doctors & lawyers...
One would think the pro-ham lawyers would get together & fight on our side far more than they apparently do. Just sayin'
It is NOT expensive.
One would think everyone would get involved, not just the affluent. The ARRL is like any other organization, it's made up of members. All members. It takes member involvement to decide the course.
Hello
Unless you are a member, they don't want anything to do with you.
...& ur SOOOOO right abt what the ARRL "should" be doing vs what they just routinely do now! When I got started in hobby almost 50 yrs ago, the ARRL was THE place to join, as they always spoke for & supported hams; now, sadly, it's almost as if they've sorta' lost their way🤔
Come on Bob wasn’t the free coffee mug shirt and sticker pkg enough to win you over 😳😫🤔😉
You went QRT on YT and now you’ll pay.😂🤣😂. ARRL took a page out of the NRA membership book.
YT?
No! There are a lot of reasons.
I know it would be nice to have the big Hamcom in Southern California again someday.. I won't travel to the midwest or east coast to go to one.
Not much love in the comments for the ARRL...lol. -'73
Long live the algorithm!
If you agree with how the ARRL handled repeaters being removed on the left coast and their "fight" to keep licensing for amateurs free you'll love them and maybe even their monthly publication of ads. Otherwise, run. Stay away
The ARRL didn’t do nothing to stop the FCC charge fee for ham radio who voluntarily help other in a emergency using there own money and equipment I, I stop my membership with the ARRL. . The ARRL are living from the amateurs ham radio
What did you expect the League to do? The FCC is the government... they're going to do pretty much what they want to do and it's the FCC doing the paperwork! While HAM fees will go up, the GMRS license is coming down to meet it!
It sounds like an interesting equation... I think we are going to be doing some interesting mixing with the interested from GMRS. So in the end, the fees don't really bother me.
False. Yes they did. The FCC wanted $50, the ARRL got it reduced to $35. And the ARRL will pay the $35 for new hams.
@@gregembury3510 What's your source for this?
@@kc0itf Right here on RUclips, the Smokin Ape and others. Also the ARRL website.
@@kc0itf ruclips.net/video/K1AoXJgIUBk/видео.html
The ARRL is just like some of the old guys in the club. They have no new ideas, they ask the “new” guys for ideas, and then bitch about the new ideas. So many are stuck in a stagnant climate from 1950. 73 sir, KC9YFD
Bob for Ham Prez ..!! jk lol
jk?
@@K1OIK joking
@@Ranchhand323 What did you do with the time you saved not saying so in the first place?
I was a member for years… let it expire…. And got back into radio and renewed the membership…. I was disgusted with the progressive agenda crap with the carpet munching member spotlight this last episode…. I will not renew
Right now: 101 likes and 0 dislikes....that says alot about the amateur community response to this video and the ARRL
And it seems like the majority of dislikes are non ARRL members. Coincidence ?
Hope you are in a better situation with youtube now. Some of what you brought up reminded me of Wayne Greene's efforts, comments, etc about the ARRL. W2NSD was an ARRL life member, and commented every month in 73 Magazine. ARRL's recent price increases may result in a significant loss in membership numbers. Look for the video from K7AGE interviewing the Southwestern Director, N6AA. He does not rubber stamp what HQ is saying nor doing, and they may well replace him for what he had to say. Sorry this got a bit long. ruclips.net/video/AH8Xd9u9_pw/видео.htmlsi=jsxhf4nQ4WzgI0iI. 73 de n0km