The petition lays out a comprehensive plan for the restructuring of the Amateur Service. The 59 page document lays out a progressive plan that includes modifications to the existing Technician Class license privileges to provide restricted MF and HF access, and promotes it as the entry-point into the Amateur Service. It also promotes the retention of the five word per minute telegraphy requirement for the General and Amateur Extra Class licenses, promotion of Advance Class licensees to Amateur Extra, Novice Class licensees to Technician, refarming of the HF amateur spectrum, revamping of the amateur testing process, new integrity assurance measures for VECs, modification to the vanity call sign system and a 300 kHz wideband digital window on 29 MHz that would be available to all license classes.
The petition has yet to be assigned a rule-making (RM) number by the FCC and has yet to be placed for public comment.
The group, organized and led by Robin Gist, K4VU, was organized in response to the petition put forth by the American Radio Relay League, Inc. Hams from all over the United States participated in the petition's development. "As amateurs, we feel that the ARRL has become complacent, misguided and possibly even corrupted by pecuniary interests.", says Gist. "Most amateurs who have a sense of value for the service felt that the League's petition was at best ill-conceived, and at worst, pathological. We've worked very hard to come up with a better, more sensible alternative." However, Mr. Gist feels that amateurs have become complacent themselves and bear some of the responsibility for this happening. "Amateurs have sat by and watched this happen, with only complaints, and without action. I most definitely accept my part of the blame as well.", admits Gist. "Time after time, members of the ARRL have just rubber-stamped their respective director's re-election, even though they have not approved of their actions. The true democratic process erodes when any elected official in any system reaches the point of arrogance that comes from the belief that he is not truly accountable to his electorate. At that point, anything can happen at the highest levels. In our case, we feel the ARRL leadership has lost touch with the true needs of those they represent. This time, the League crossed the line. I truly believe that many of them felt that the would not be held accountable for anything."
Mr. Gist also asserts that abandoning the ARRL by resignation in protest is not a good idea. "If you don't believe in what your national representative is doing, don't quit -- make him accountable, and work to throw him out!. In contrast, if you support his decisions, get behind him. If you believe in America, you don't (usually) renounce your citizenship and move to another country just because you don't like what you're government is doing. You get behind alternatives, and work through the system to change it. The same is true in the case of Amateur Radio. For better or worse, the ARRL is our national representative, and until there is an alternative, we must work to ensure that they represent our interests. If you believe in the Amateur Service, but don't like what is happening to it, get behind and spend a little time supporting another candidate for director. If there is no other candidate for your director to run against, consider putting yourself up for the position. In this day, we all just complain and take no action, usually hiding behind the assertion that one has no spare time to really do anything about it. Well, if it means enough to you, you'll make time. Walk your talk. If you truly believe in your message, folks will get behind you. You may win, or you may not. But if you make a serious, earnest challenge, if will have a positive effect."
Mr. Gist asserts that, if he continues to reside in his native Southeastern Division, he will run for director. However, work obligations may move him to other points in the country. "If we cannot put forth a more suitable contender for the next director election, I will run against Frank Butler (W4RH) myself, provided that I am still residing in the division. It is nothing personal against Frank - I think he's a heck of a nice guy. However, I do believe that he has let down his constituents by signing off on the League's petition. To his credit, he is a man of good character, and does admit openly to endorsing it. Other directors have not been so forthcoming to their constituents, and have been hiding behind the fact that their individual votes were not recorded in the minutes of the executive meeting. I have also heard rumors of actual abusive statements attributed to directors in response to their constituents'. Also, lets give credit where credit is due. K5UR of the Delta Division reportedly voted against the petition. Rick is an active contester, DXer and VHF enthusiast, so it seems consistent with the story."
"Personally", adds Mr. Gist, "This incident has motivated me to actually restart my ARRL Life Membership. Many of the folks who worked so hard on our petition do not feel the same way about the League as I do. I, for one, would like to see a better ARRL. The only way to do that is to work to make it better by doing what you have to do from the inside. However, I do believe that there is ample room for another national organization. An alternative view is always a good thing."
"At a more fundamental level, it is up to us as experienced amateurs to bring the new folks along, not to judge them and treat them like outcasts because they have yet to learn the code. If we just sit back in our know-code/don't-know-code cliques, it will just perpetuate itself. We must be the first to welcome newcomers to our service, let them in on our knowledge and little secrets for this and that. If we as 'old timers' don't act as good elmers, then they may never understand why we find certain aspects of the hobby so valuable and sacred. If we continue to judge newcomers -- for whatever reason -- they will only return the same in kind, and nothing positive will be gained. In contrast, maybe we also -- as "old farts" -- have something to learn from them as well. But again, nothing positive will come from closing our minds and hearts."
To view the petition put forth by the Radio Amateur Foundation, go to www.qsl.net/k4vu/ARS-RESTRUCT0F.pdf