This originally appeared in Dale’s monthly email to Great Lakes Division members…..Dan
What’s ARRL done for me lately?
That was the subject of a couple of recent talks I had the pleasure of presenting to Division radio clubs. It struck me that this was a really important topic and perhaps a look at it for everyone would help instill a little pride in what our organization is all about. With so many facets in the great hobby, we often forget about that the other guys and gals are doing. So here is my shot at an ARRL overview.
Here are just a select few items:
- Advocacy Programs
- PRB-1 and Antenna Protection Legislation
- Lobbies for spectrum protection – Intruders
- Lobbies for additional bands. – WARC and VLF
- Represents the interests of US hams at IARURules Enforcement –
- Amateur Auxiliary and OO Program
- ARRL Laboratory
- Technical Information Service
- Tests new equipment and provides reports
- RFI Assistance
- Provides Social Media Programming
- W1AW – Training and Bulletins
- VEC – examinations
- Publications – Technical and Operating Journals
- QST Monthly Journal
- QEX Bi-Monthly Journals for experimenters
- NCJ Bi-Monthly Journals for contesters
- QSL Service – incoming and outgoing
- Training Courses
- Technician Licensing
- General Licensing
- Teachers Institute
- Volunteer Counsel Program
- Volunteer Consulting Engineer Program
- Technical Specialists
- Volunteer Instructors
- Electromagnetic Compatibility Committee
- RF Safety Committee
- ARRL Outreach Program
- Youth
- Schools
- ARRL Foundation – Scholarships
- Heritage Museum
- NTS
- ARES
- Public Service Honor Roll
- LoTW
- On the Air Awards
- DXCC
- WAS
- WAS
- VCC
- A-1 Operator Club
- Triple Play
- Fred Fish Memorial Award
- Morse Code Proficiency
- Elmer Award
- First Contact Award
- Contests
- Straight Key Night
- Kids Day
- RTTY Roundup
- January VHF
- School Club Roundups
- International DX, CW and Phone
- June VHF
- Field Day
- IARU HF World
- 222 MHz and Up
- 10 GHz and Up
- Rookie Roundup RTTY
- EME 23 GHz and Up
- EME 50-1296
- Nov Sweepstakes CW and Phone
- 160 Meter Contest
- 10 Meter Contest
- Rookie Roundup – CW
I think a lot of us simply fail to realize all of the things we members
of ARRL are fortunate to have available to us. Hopefully this little
“Dale’s Tales” reminder will open a few doors to further involvement.
68 areas of interest support (if you count WAS twice *{perhaps a typo?}) for members of ARRL is a lot of offerings from any advocacy organization. That alone is less than a dollar of dues per item on this list per year. I once questioned the idea of membership in ARRL, but I have changed my mind, having learned more about it through study and input from more experienced hams. I am now in favor of supporting ARRL because it really does support us, especially those who do not have years of operating experience. The wealth of technical material published by ARRL alone makes it a worthwhile investment.
Thanks Dan for putting this on your blog,
and 73!
I feel much the same, Steve. The ARRL’s not perfect (just like any other organization), but they do a lot for us all, members or not. I’m more than getting my dues’ worth from them, just from their lobbying efforts alone.