Neil Sablatzky, K8IT is running for Great Lakes Division Directory. I support him and hope that you’ll support him as well. Here is his candidate’s statement.
A Novice operator at age 14, I enjoy Amateur Radio Public Service, Experimentation, and Operating most modes. I have provided public service operations for many events, including: New York City Marathon, MS-150 Bike Tours, Michigan UP-200 Dog Sled Races, and many Skywarn, ARES, RACES, and Storm Recovery Nets. I am a member of the ARRL High Speed Multi Media Working Group, serve as a local AEC, and enjoy training amateurs on new subjects.
After 31+ years of Amateur Radio, (Extra, Age 46), our hobby is facing declining interest, we are in danger of losing frequency bandwidth, facing antenna restrictions, and losing public acceptance of Amateur Radio.
The Future.
First, we must elect active, progressive thinking and technically competent leadership.
Second, we must evaluate every mode, frequency allocation, and operating procedure. We need to adjust for the future, but not at another mode’s expense.
While a CW test is not needed, given a mirror or flashlight, what other mode can replace CW?
Third, we must not abandon the new Amateur. We must address the availability of training, offered to new amateurs, once they pass the test.
Fourth, we need youth. We must communicate that Amateur Radio is fun, group conversations are common place, and students with licenses can earn the required community public service needed for high school graduation. We must boost the number of significant college scholarship grants by teaming with industry to market Amateur Radio, as a skill set development opportunity.
Fifth, the ARRL must become the voice of the amateur. This requires that the Board of Directors listen to its members, and not sanction causes such as “Regulation by Bandwidth†if the result limits operation and experimentation.
Please email mailto:[email protected] for additional information.
I, K8IT, look forward to serving as your Great Lakes Division Director.
W8RCM says
My reply
First, we must elect active, progressive thinking and technically competent leadership.
• I couldn’t agree with you more. Active HAM operators in these positions are paramount.
• You say progress thinking yet you mention CW, hmmm? How progressive is that? Has everything that can be invented been invented?
• This can be a highly technical and complicated hobby. Being technically inclined is good.
Second, we must evaluate every mode, frequency allocation, and operating procedure. We need to adjust for the future, but not at another mode’s expense.
• Hmmm, yet another hint about CW, am I right? CW as a MODE isn’t going away. Those who choose to use CW as their mode of communication can do so as long as they live.
While a CW test is not needed, given a mirror or flashlight, what other mode can replace CW?
• Hmm let’s see: BPSK31, QPSK31, FSK31, RTTY, Packet (HF/VHF), Pactor (RX only), AMTOR (FEC), MFSK, Hellschreiber, Throb, Fax (RX only), SSTV, MT63. Let it go.
Third, we must not abandon the new Amateur. We must address the availability of training, offered to new amateurs, once they pass the test.
• I personally not see abandonment as any issue…getting the numbers of licensed operator might be. I would have become a HAM long ago had I have received a notice that the CW requirement had been dropped, but nothing heard.
• There is no lack of information for self improvement, from books, to videos and mentors.
Fourth, we need youth. We must communicate that Amateur Radio is fun, group conversations are common place, and students with licenses can earn the required community public service needed for high school graduation. We must boost the number of significant college scholarship grants by teaming with industry to market Amateur Radio, as a skill set development opportunity.
• Youth is good thing. I sure every active HAM has a time or two has either tried or has got a family member to become a HAM.
• I don’t believe in FORCED PUBLIC SERVICE. I let people know how much fun I have with this hobby. I even got the neighbor to get his ticket.
• As for as the scholarships go, this is without question a noble task.
Fifth, the ARRL must become the voice of the amateur. This requires that the Board of Directors listen to its members, and not sanction causes such as “Regulation by Bandwidth†if the result limits operation and experimentation.
• I’m sorry; I was under the impression that the ARRL is a voice for the amateur?
wb8wka says
W8RCM:
I’ve worked with Neil on the HSMM for 2 or 3 years now. I can assure you he is not a “CW or die” kind of guy and is active with many of of the HF digital modes you mentioned. I can’t speak for him but my guess is he might have just been trying to say he is not anti-CW, which some people have tried to paint the High Speed Multi Media committee as being.
In any case, he is by far the best choice we have here. He is not a ARRL “yes man” and will work to bring the ARRL into the future.
Thanks
Jeff wb8wka