On Mastodon, Michelle, W5NYV, posted:
There’s something that’s happened recently over at the #arrl, which is the national #hamradio organization for the USA.
ARRL identified, by name, clubs and organizations that produce educational videos as “being in competition with” the ARRL “Learning Center”.
ARRL then retaliated against these clubs and organizations, calling them up and stating that these organizations *would be excluded from ARRL publications and partnerships*
Firsthand, #qsotoday and #ratpac are affected.
This is bad.
I found this to be kind of amazing, so I contacted Dan, K7REX, one of the RATPAC organizers and Eric, 4Z1UG, the man behind the QSO Today Academy (formerly the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo). Both verified this story.
Dan, K7REX, said,
Sadly, what Michelle posted appears to be true. RATPAC has been on the league’s naughty list for sometime. For us, it started when we began working with FEMA and other such organizations. Since then, the ARRL came up with their Learning Center and apparently we qualify for their naughty list for that too.
Eric, 4Z1UG, said,
I was told orally by [an ARRL official], in a telephone conversation, that QSO Today Academy is in competition with the “Learning Center”. Therefore, [the official] says that the ARRL cannot endorse, put on their Events Calendar, or promote QSO Today Academy in their press because of this direct competition. I was also told that because I did not have the ARRL logo on the new Academy webpage, that I had made a decision to keep the ARRL out of the Academy.
Good business practice or boneheaded?
So, is this good business practice or just boneheaded? I’m leaning towards boneheaded. I seriously doubt that this move by the ARRL is going to put either RATPAC or the QSO Today Academy out of business. In fact, it may make them even more determined to continue to provide the services they do to the amateur radio community.
And, for the life of me, I can’t see how this policy makes amateur radio better. It seems to me that the ARRL’s biggest fault is that when it makes decisions like this, they only consider what’s best for the ARRL, not what’s best for amateur radio. They fail to see that if they made decisions as to what was best for amateur radio in general, the ARRL would benefit in the long run.
Since posting this, discussions have popped up on both the subreddit /r/amateurradio and the Facebook group My ARRL Voice. Most of the comments are negative, although some challenged W5NYV’s post as lacking any backup info. This blog post and a comment from K7REX in the My ARRL Voice discussion should dispel those doubts.
A personal story
I may also have been affected by this new policy. About a month and a half ago, I received an email from an ARRL editor asking if I would be interested in doing some freelance writing and editing on ham radio-related news pieces. She noted that this typically required less than 10 hours per week. I replied that I’d be happy to do this for them and asked how much they were paying.
Since it seemed to me like they needed someone sooner rather than later, so I emailed them four days later when I didn’t hear back from them. The editor replied, “Sorry for the delay. I’m in the process of gathering further details. Will get back to you shortly.”
Well, I never did hear back from her. After reading this, I’m guessing that someone recognized my call sign and told the editor, “Hey! We can’t hire that guy. He’s one of our competitors!” This might have been an amusing thing to do. If anyone at the ARRL is reading this, I’m still available.
Ria Jairam N2RJ says
Welcome to the club, Dan. Although Minster’s actions against me also had political motivation, they didn’t want any competition. That said I’m glad I left and on to better opportunities to serve the ham radio community. Thanks for doing the investigative legwork.
In my view ham radio and it’s (claimed) national association should welcome any and all sources of knowledge and even go as far as supporting them.
Douglas V says
While reading the article I thought of your dealings.
Dan KB6NU says
I want to point out that both K7REX and 4Z1UG are still supportive of the ARRL in spite of getting the cold shoulder. Eric also wrote, “I just renewed my ARRL Diamond Club membership and I encourage every ham, including those outside of the USA (like me) to support the ARRL if only for its spectrum defense initiatives and representation to the IARU. We need their strong voice to keep major corporate interests from eating up the amateur radio spectrum.
Douglas V says
These sort of stories and actions is why people don’t want to or don’t see the point joining in national organizations like the arrl. I lost trust in the nra and long time ago and that distrust of that organization roled over into not wanting to join the arrl. Just when I was seriously considering joining, a slew of new things coming up out that put doubt back in my mind. I want to support the arrl and have a few products like the antenna book and study books.
I think ratpac and similar organizations fill a void that the arrl can’t do or possibly has been unwilling to do for whatever reason.
Chuck K4RGN says
Is it time for the ARRL to divest its publishing and education activities? Most of the competitive concerns, whether real or imaginary, would go away. The ARRL would be left with responsibilities such as spectrum defense, FCC liaison, IARU representation, FEMA and Red Cross liaison, contesting and awards and LOTW, etc.
Ria Jairam N2RJ says
Bruce Perens suggested that when he wrote about my issue. It may be a good idea. And David Minster can be the CEO of that. It would probably be a good fit for him.
And the advocacy arm can then hire someone else more suitable, with experience in advocacy.
Wayne L Oliver/K0WLO says
Not that it is worth much, ARRL should be licensing for a fee, materials etc not in the production side of publishing. IMHO
Jeff n1kdo says
ARRL does not seem to know how to put the foot-gun down.
First there were many dubious conflict-of-interest issues with various directors and vice-directors, then the utter lack of transparency about the almost 60% increase in dues (if you include printed QST, which has always been part of membership,) and now this?
I have a life membership, now I am not sure who will expire first: me or ARRL.
Jerry says
Ditto, I’m a life Member and this is just the latest in the string of idiotic decisions
Tristan says
Boneheaded idiocy. They seem to think that the ARRL is a business first, and should be the only game in town when it comes to Amateur Radio. Even worse, they’re stuck in the 1990s and trying to keep going like that. They will not survive if they keep going like this. They are not the 500lb gorilla they think they are (as can be shown by the fact that increasing numbers of hams don’t join).
Rather than try to run a business, they should be running a charity. Divest the publishing arm, let it sink or swim. Refocus on the really valuable aspects like spectrum defense, FCC relations, lobbying and the lab and advice to members.
The learning platform also needs to be open. You’d probably get more community support from that. People would see what you’re doing, and be more likely to join. Yes, there will be free-loaders, but at least you’d get the advertising dollars from YouTube.
Maybe its also time for the IARU secretariat to be removed from the ARRL – I hear nothing about the IARU from the ARRL, and given the QSO Today Academy is on-line and therefore international (not to mention Eric is in Israel), they area not exactly playing well with the international community.
Mac says
They didn’t get back to you on the freelancing because you didn’t offer to do it for actual *free* as your price.
Dan KB6NU says
Hah! That might be. I go by the quote attributed to Samuel Johnson, the English poet, playwright, essayist, moralist, literary critic, sermonist, biographer, editor, and lexicographer, who said, “No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money.”
Dave Jensen says
I support the ARRL, even though I recently gave a donation to ARRL for Spectrum Defense and was not even sent a thank you for a free mug or anything. NADA. Still, I also support RATPAC and anything that Eric does which includes the QSO Today Academy. I don’t know why we can’t ALL work together to fix the issues we have going forward. One of those issues continues to be education, and I can say that I’ve loved all the RATPAC and QSO Today material I’ve had access to over the years (not so much the random YouTube stuff, except Josh, Dave etc..). Personally, I think that if the ARRL wants to be the Big Gorilla, they could pull it off by being INCLUSIVE. In other words, get everyone in the Ham Radio education business together under different streams from the ARRL. I couldn’t access the Learning Center for some reason (despite being a member), but once they get that issue squared away, why not be the ONE PLACE TO GO for all Ham Radio education quality content, by offering Eric his own “channel” inside the ARRL and same with RATPAC. Man, these petty grievances that hams go through have the potential to just sink the whole hobby. Dave, QRZ Columnist, “Trials and Errors — Ham Life with an Amateur.”
Paul kw1L says
Wayne Green would be proud of you, Dan.
Dan KB6NU says
Whenever I write posts like this, I ask myself, “What would Wayne Green do?”
JoAnne says
Write about ham radio and try to sell us on collodial silver?
(grin)
Dan KB6NU says
…or cold fusion. :)
John says
ARRL has made some progress at getting the “old heads” out, but need more replacements on the board, who think in today’s world and not in a corporate world of yesterday. Fresh thinking is needed. Some changes have been made, but more, so called, leaders need to be replaced. ARRL is a model T, on a EV frame!
Rick Barnich says
What Next? Outlaw Ham Radio Clubs?
Goody K3NG says
The irony here, as it was with the N2RJ situation at ARRL, is that ARRL is in its own self-created conflict of interest with revenue generation and preservation versus its mission of amateur radio advocacy. It’s time for ARRL to address this and end it, even if that means splitting the organization into for-profit and non-profit entities.
Regretful Life Member, K3NG
Jason VE3MAL says
Careful there, your (awesome) little arduino keyer is a great project for new hams. I think you might be “competing” with the ARRL’s new ham recruitment!
Also, thanks for the fun project!
Eric 4Z1UG says
While trying not to wax nostalgic for the good ole days, listen to my reprise of my interview with Dave Sumner, K1ZZ at https://www.qsotoday.com/podcasts/k1zz_2. Dave really exemplifies leadership, as former General Manager of the ARRL, now retired, based on commitment to the hobby and his 40 year roles at the ARRL. He echos the spectrum defense work and major funding to the IARU (I did not know that before) that the ARRL plays to keep our spectrum relatively safe from corporate and government interests.
I am used to adjusting to the times. QSO Today Academy will be fine as long as I have the time and energy to keep it going. I appreciate support from the community and hope that everyone comes to the Academy Event this week. qsotodayhamexpo.com
Cee Bee says
So RATPAC made contact with FEMA? I can see this has nothing to do with Learning Center, but the ARRL not wanting to get pulled into RATPACs commitments with FEMA. It seems petty on the surface, but I think I would take the same position as the ARRL in wanting to avoid blurring any lines in all respects.
I’m not a fan of the whole ecomm schtick, and the ARRL’s pandering to Winlink and the ARES dudes is annoying. But I can see how competing groups vying for the attention of the likes of FEMA would not be in anyone’s best interest.
Ria Jairam N2RJ says
RATPAC has been open to guests on its show for a long time. Initially it was a section managers meeting then evolved into a weekly-ish education group with meetings and webinars.
Yes a FEMA official or two was on there.
ARRL doesn’t like that. The underlings need to stay in line and this means they can’t talk to anyone “official.”
In fact this was now made official policy at the July ARRL board meeting. Only the President and his designees can talk to government officials and even large donors.
And usually he designates Minster.
Frankly this isn’t good at all as locally I’ve talked to state officials about various issues and we have gotten things done despite the hierarchy which only produces bureaucracy and little else.
The only drivers behind this policy are egos of the ones in charge and the ones who are forcing themselves to be in charge.
ARRL wants to be in charge of many things ham radio, exclusively. I don’t think we can trust them with that unless there are major changes.
Look at the VEC program – the FCC opened it up to several organizations. FCC asked if they could open it up to more VECs. ARRL opposed. Why? It has a financial interest in the VE system and competition would reduce revenue.
ARRL needs to focus less on revenue and more on advocacy for amateur radio. It has lost its way.
Michael Crestohl, W1RC says
The New England Amateur Radio Festival is the biggest gathering of radio enthusiasts in the northeast. Our hamfest is held spring and fall at the Deerfield NH Fairgrounds. We are primarily an “Old School” hamfest although all are welcome. Next one is October 13th and 14th 2023. This is our seventeenth year. Since the beginning we have been an independent hamfest which means that we are not “sanctioned” by the ARRL. We are not anti-league either by any means; we have always offered the NH Section Manager a complimentary table in our commercial building. Two years ago we hosted a “Town Meeting” forum for the three candidates for New England Division Director were able to present their platforms to the electorate. We have funded a scholarship through the ARRL Foundation for many years and will continue to do so.
However we have never had the Headquarters folks as exhibitors at our hamfest. They would be welcome but if they plan on selling their publications and memberships they would be required to pay commercial vendor fees just as any other vendor who sells at our hamfest.
The ARRL has many conditions and requirements in order for a hamfest to be “sanctioned” by them. We just believe that we should be independent and run our event the way we want. We refuse to be drawn into hobby politics and drama; after all, it is a hobby!
73,
MisterMike, W1RC