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



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
>
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>  Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are
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>  staff, or officers
>
>  For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org
>
>  To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>
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> Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the
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> IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers
>
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>
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>
>
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