Raise our Fees!
In the latest QST Editorial (found here), they discuss considering the increase of ARRL Membership. I dive into it a little and share my opinion on the matter.
The ARRL is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to advance the art, science, and enjoyment of Amateur Radio. The ARRL funds its operations through membership dues, grants, and other contributions. As an ARRL Member, I firmly believe that a proposed Membership increase is needed to keep up with the additions.
Here is a little background for my visitors who don’t know the ARRL.
The ARRL Headquarters building in Connecticut houses the League's administrative staff, as well as its library collection and museum artifacts. The headquarters also houses the League's editorial team for QST magazine; the publishing office for books such as "The ARRL Handbook" (the most widely used reference guide for Amateur Radio); a production facility that produces printed materials such as certificates or awards; an audiovisual department responsible for making videos about Amateur Radio activities; an IT department that maintains web sites; plus many other departments needed to keep everything running smoothly! They are a business that supports the Ham Radio community and supports us when governments try to restrict our antennas and activities locally.
Representing Hams who are hand-tied by HOA Lobbyists
The opposition to amateur radio is strong and growing. The HOA lobby has been gaining strength, with more than 2,000 registered lobbyists in Washington, DC, alone. This means more people are working against us than those supporting our cause.
The power of these lobbyists cannot be underestimated; they can make or break legislation that affects the future of amateur radio across America. Suppose we want to see positive changes happen in our favor. In that case, we need the ARRL to be financially strong to go to bat and advocate.
The Benefits of ARRL's Fees
The ARRL's fees are used to support their many services and programs. These include:
Funding for educational programs, including the National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) program and the Youth in Amateur Radio (Youth Ham Radio) initiative.
Resources for amateur radio operators include a monthly magazine mailed to all members and an online database of radio equipment and antennas.
Support for amateur radio advocacy efforts, such as working with Congress on legislation affecting our hobby or testifying before state legislatures when they consider bills that could impact hams' ability to operate their stations freely. Which is a big one for those who live in HOA-restricted places.
How ARRL Fees Support Amateur Radio
When I hear folks mention how they feel they aren’t getting the “value” for membership in the ARRL. But here are how some of our fees support Amateur Radio in several ways:
ARRL's Initiatives: The League's initiatives include developing and implementing programs and services that benefit all amateurs, such as Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) training courses; the annual National Conference on Emergency Communications (NEC); Ham Aid kits for disaster response; and more.
ARRL Advocacy: Through its Washington Office, the League advocates on behalf of Amateur Radio before Congress and federal agencies to ensure it remains free from unnecessary regulation or restriction by government entities.
ARRL Commitment: The ARRL has been committed since its founding in 1914 to serving its members through volunteerism, community service, and public information programs designed to promote understanding of Amateur Radio among non-hams who may be interested in learning more about this unique hobby/service opportunity but don't know where or how they can get involved locally with their local club(s).
The Impact of ARRL Fees
The ARRL is a non-profit organization that relies on membership dues and donations to fund its operations. The League has been around for over 100 years and continues to provide valuable services for amateur radio operators across the country.
The benefits of membership are many: Members receive copies of QST magazine every month; they can attend local club meetings or conventions; they have access to online forums where they can ask questions about their equipment or get advice from other hams who've been there before them; members have access to free training courses offered by ARRL Field Organization volunteers. These are only some of the many ways that being an ARRL member helps you get more out of your hobby!
What ARRL Fees Mean for Amateur Radio
The ARRL is the national association for Amateur Radio, and it's the organization that supports amateur radio in the US. The ARRL has many roles, including:
Supporting Amateur Radio by providing training resources and certification programs
Promoting Amateur Radio through public relations campaigns and outreach efforts
Providing legal protection for hams who operate on frequencies reserved for them by law.
The Need for ARRL to Increase Fees
The ARRL is the national amateur radio association responsible for many activities that help make Amateur Radio fun. The organization provides training materials, publishes magazines and books about the hobby, sponsors conferences, and conventions, supports local clubs, and more.
These fees are used to pay for things like:
The magazine QST (Quarterly Communication)
The website ARRL.org
National conventions such as Hamvention® or Dayton Hamvention®
Scholarships for Youth, STEM Support and education (Pioneered by Steve K5ATA), and other projects that fund the advancement of the hobby.
Why am I for the increase?
You may be wondering why the ARRL needs to raise its fees. The answer is simple: it's because of all the benefits of being a member of this organization. As an ARRL member, you get access to a wide range of resources and services that can help you improve your skills as a ham radio operator.
They are our representatives in Congress and our local communities. When they support us, how are we going to help them?
Please let me know what your thoughts are. Do you know if these increases are overdue? Should the ARRL just cut back? Let me know in the comments.