2024-10-04 — Communications in the Hurricane Helene Aftermath, 20th Century Amateur Radio Organizations Struggle in the 21st Century, AREDN Production Release 3.24.10.0 is Now Available
My membership in the ARRL ended when K7REX was disqualified by fiat. I stayed through the NTS drama - the last big ARRL board arbitrary rule fiasco - but whether I would have voted for Marler or not, enough is enough. Healthy membership organizations tolerate dissent because it is the wellspring of adaptation. Failing membership organizations are run by people concerned with personal privilege or being right (or both); dissent and adaptation are an anathema for them. ARRL sure seems fall into the latter category, so the notion that we must remain members because the organization is our only representative in Washington is no longer good enough.
Great article about the organizations dying and thank for pointing out the free resources. I joined the ARRL after being away from the hobby for 49 years but frankly I see no advantage to membership especially since their publications lag the times and can often be bought used for a fraction of the cost. I won't be renewing not because of politics but because of obsolescence.
Ralph - It's really sad for it to come to this with ARRL, but I'm in the same situation. I'll let my ARRL membership "coast to a stop" in 2025 and not rejoin.
My membership in the ARRL ended when K7REX was disqualified by fiat. I stayed through the NTS drama - the last big ARRL board arbitrary rule fiasco - but whether I would have voted for Marler or not, enough is enough. Healthy membership organizations tolerate dissent because it is the wellspring of adaptation. Failing membership organizations are run by people concerned with personal privilege or being right (or both); dissent and adaptation are an anathema for them. ARRL sure seems fall into the latter category, so the notion that we must remain members because the organization is our only representative in Washington is no longer good enough.
Bill - I don't have any alternative to suggest to ARRL, but continuing to support ARRL financially just perpetuates the poor behavior.
This is why I'm so passionate about FreeDV on HF for it's semi-secure comms.
And, with a vehicle, a HF rig on say 20m and a laptop, most hams can do this.
And #2 with a repeater out at the HF skip distance to get comms back to another vehicle
in the disaster area out of direct range.
The story of the storm aftermath looks like this one: https://qrper.com/2024/09/helene-aftermath-long-update-monday-september-30-2024/
Loïc - Thank you. Another reader mentioned this story also and I've updated the article to reference it.
Great article about the organizations dying and thank for pointing out the free resources. I joined the ARRL after being away from the hobby for 49 years but frankly I see no advantage to membership especially since their publications lag the times and can often be bought used for a fraction of the cost. I won't be renewing not because of politics but because of obsolescence.
Ralph - It's really sad for it to come to this with ARRL, but I'm in the same situation. I'll let my ARRL membership "coast to a stop" in 2025 and not rejoin.