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Re: [IRCA] CQ Communications & The idea of merging NRC/IRCA
- Subject: Re: [IRCA] CQ Communications & The idea of merging NRC/IRCA
- From: Mike Sanburn <mikesanburn@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 11:25:46 -0700
Whatever the battle was between the two clubs way back during the Kennedy administration is now irrelevant. The fact is the split has occurred and out of it we have two different clubs. Even if all the original players have passed on or have shaken hands and made up, we have taken our separate pathways. While not by design, one seems to be a bit more East coast oriented and the other West...No it isn't a proposed merger on a corporate scale, and if both clubs are supposedly destined to die without merging, then it probably follows that they will die with the merger as well. I see nothing to gain (for IRCA and its members anyhow) by a merger. The "new" merged club (I imagine it would be called NRC) would certainly gain a few new members, while the IRCA, it's columns, and bookstore, and LOW subscription price would completely disappear. I wasn't around when the rift was happening but have heard a few bad attitudes towards IRCA at various NRC conventions I've attended in the pa!
st. True that was just from an individual or two, but those things are tough to forget. I for one am happy with two clubs. In fact if someone were to try starting up a third major BCB club tomorrow, I'd likely support their cause. ms
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 13:06:03 -0500
From: les@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: mikesanburn@xxxxxxxxxxx; am@xxxxxxxxxxx; irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [IRCA] CQ Communications & The idea of merging NRC/IRCA
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
>
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>
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>
--
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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