Re: [IRCA] CQ Communications & The idea of merging NRC/IRCA

[James Renfrew <jim.renfrew@xxxxxxxxx>]

I wonder what the actual membership overlap is between the two clubs?

Jim Renfrew, Clarendon NY


On Thu, Mar 13, 2014 at 2:24 PM, Russ Edmunds <wb2bjh@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> As one who was there at the time, I see no point to rehashing the issues
> beyond what Mike has already said.
> From my perspective, the same differences which caused the split in 1963
> continue to be reflected today on
> each side, primarily in terms of how the clubs operate and what drives
> that.
>
> While all of the reasoning Les has provided is solid, as we see all over
> our world today, people and organizations
> are often driven by long-held philosophies which don't go away easily.
> Those exist and haven't really changed a
> whole lot.
>
> Russ Edmunds
> 15 mi NNW of Philadelphia
> Grid FN20id
> <wb2bjh@xxxxxxxxx>
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------
> On Thu, 3/13/14, Les Rayburn <les@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>  Subject: Re: [IRCA] CQ Communications & The idea of merging NRC/IRCA
>  To: "Mike Sanburn" <mikesanburn@xxxxxxxxxxx>, "am@xxxxxxxxxxx" <
> am@xxxxxxxxxxx>, "irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" <irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>  Date: Thursday, March 13, 2014, 2:06 PM
>
>  I think the logic is pretty
>  self-evident, unless someone is too close to the forest to
>  see the trees. Both clubs serve a niche hobby audience, with
>  declining memberships. Very few young people listen to AM
>  radio at all...much less are interested in DXing it. That
>  means that our membership is aging, dying, and otherwise
>  shrinking. While at one time there might have been
>  sufficient numbers to sustain both clubs, it's doubtful that
>  can continue for much longer.
>
>  While I've been a member of one or both clubs for well over
>  two decades, I really have no idea what caused the split to
>  begin with. Even less of idea of what could possibly be
>  worthwhile enough to keep the groups apart today. I also
>  disagree with Mike (who I respect a lot) that the two clubs
>  have distinct personalities. If that's true, it's not
>  reflected in their publications or their e-mail discussion
>  forums. What I do see is a lot of duplication of information
>  and the same names, largely.
>
>  It's hardly a "corporate merger". The annual budget of both
>  clubs wouldn't pay for my company's digital media storage.
>  Let's be honest about who we are, the state of our hobby,
>  and start taking a hard look at what makes sense going
>  forward.
>
>  Grown men shouldn't bear grudges for half a century. The
>  only benefit to growing older is that wisdom sometimes comes
>  with age. I've learned that forgiveness is one gift that
>  benefits the giver even more than the receiver. How many
>  people actively pursue MW DXing as a hobby these days? 300,
>  500, maybe a thousand? Hard to see how a group that small
>  can sustain two national clubs forever.
>
>  Mike is correct that the discussion about this topic comes
>  up every few years. What is never articulated in those
>  discussions is pretty simple:
>
>  1.) What were the issues that caused the original split?
>
>  2.) Are those issues still relevant?
>
>  Or look at it another way. If someone was starting national
>  clubs for a niche hobby today, would they logically try to
>  create two clubs or would they judge that one was
>  sufficient? Either way, I respect the opinions of those who
>  disagree. I'd just really like to see those questions
>  answered, in a civil manner. The last thing we need to do
>  now is reopen an old wound.
>
>  73,
>
>  Les Rayburn, N1LF
>  Proud member of both the NRC and IRCA.
>
>
>
>
>
>  On 3/13/2014 12:51 PM, Mike Sanburn wrote:
>  > I'm not really sure by what logic that " it is long
>  past time for the N.R.C. and the I.R.C.A. to merge ". While
>  both are fine clubs in their own way, each has its own
>  distinct personality. While it was sad to say goodbye to the
>  printed DX Monitor, the I.R.C.A. is still a viable club with
>  much to offer its members. Yes there are areas that we can
>  have friendly interaction with other BCB DX clubs such as a
>  common test committee chairman or even occasional dual
>  conventions in the future, I see no great benefit in the two
>  clubs merging at the present time. This topic seems to come
>  up every few years. I for one would vote against a merger
>  unless there was a massive push FOR it within our club, and
>  I haven't really seen that. Folks are always welcome to
>  belong to both clubs concurrently. Subscription rate for
>  SDXM is only $10 worldwide for a year. That's a great
>  bargain. As I say, both are terrific clubs with a rich
>  history. In the corporate world we've seen many mergers in
>  recent decades and usually they lead to higher prices, less
>  competition and creativity, job losses, etc....
>  >
>  > Mike Sanburn   KG6LJU
>  >
>  > > Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 12:14:54 -0500
>  > > From: les@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>  > > To: am@xxxxxxxxxxx; irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>  > > Subject: [IRCA] CQ Communications & The idea
>  of merging NRC/IRCA
>  > >
>  > > Discussions over the past few days regarding the
>  demise of print media
>  > > in niche hobby markets, along with decisions to go
>  "all digital" by
>  > > organizations like the WTFDA, have also
>  > > rekindled interest in the idea that it is long
>  past time for the
>  > > National Radio Club and the International Radio
>  Club of America to merge.
>  > >
>  > > Whatever happened in 1961 (a year before I was
>  born) is ancient
>  > > history--and I suspect has little or no bearing on
>  how the organizations
>  > > function today. With a shrinking pool of
>  hobbyists, it only makes sense
>  > > for the two clubs to strongly consider pooling
>  their resources.
>  > >
>  > > For years, I served as the CPC Chairman for both
>  clubs. During my
>  > > tenure, representing both clubs was never an
>  issue. Many of us have been
>  > > members in both clubs for a long time, and I don't
>  really detect any
>  > > differences in how they approach the role.
>  > >
>  > > My personal request to the BoD of both clubs would
>  be to explore and
>  > > strongly consider the advantages of merging into a
>  single club. Pooling
>  > > resources, and better position our hobby for
>  long-term survival.
>  > >
>  > >
>  > > --
>  > > 73,
>  > >
>  > >
>  > > Les Rayburn, N1LF
>  > > Maylene, AL
>  > > EM63
>  > >
>  > > Member NRC, IRCA, & Medium Wave DX Circle
>  > > Former CPC Chairman for NRC/IRCA
>  > >
>  > > Perseus SDR, SDR-IQ,Funcube Pro, Wellbrooke
>  ALA-1530+ loop, LF
>  > > Engineering Active Whips,
>  > > Quantum Phaser, Kiwa Loop, Palstar MW
>  Pre-Selector
>  > >
>  > > _______________________________________________
>  > > IRCA mailing list
>  > > IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>  > > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
>  > >
>  > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing
>  list are those of the original contributors and do not
>  necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors,
>  publishing staff, or officers
>  > >
>  > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org
>  > >
>  > > To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>  > >
>
>
>  -- 73,
>
>
>  Les Rayburn, N1LF
>  Maylene, AL
>  EM63
>
>  Member NRC, IRCA, & Medium Wave DX Circle
>  Former CPC Chairman for NRC/IRCA
>
>  Perseus SDR, SDR-IQ,Funcube Pro, Wellbrooke ALA-1530+ loop,
>  LF Engineering Active Whips,
>  Quantum Phaser, Kiwa Loop, Palstar MW Pre-Selector
>
>  _______________________________________________
>  IRCA mailing list
>  IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>  http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
>
>  Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are
>  those of the original contributors and do not necessarily
>  reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing
>  staff, or officers
>
>  For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org
>
>  To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> IRCA mailing list
> IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
>
> Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the
> original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the
> IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers
>
> For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org
>
> To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca

Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers

For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org

To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx