As a CEO, I would hope he has a lot of business experience and if he’s pretty good at what he does he may not have time for amateur radio but don’t fluff your record just for the job. Although I hope he does well for us, he’s not getting started in the right direction
This definitely shouldn't be forgotten. The few people I've watched go from maybe co-owning a large business to being President, CEO and Owner often just don't have time outside being a trustee on a couple of boards and that is fine but fluffing you record makes you look phony.
Minutes of the ARRL board meeting on August 22, 2018 reflect that a significant number of the directors had concerns about hiring this gentleman as CEO. The vote was 9 to 6 in favor, but some of those 9 were ousted in the recent election.
Tom Gallagher had not been a very active ham, and resigned after a couple of years on the job. Barry Shelley, who had been Chief Financial Officer for many years, was appointed interim CEO to serve until a new CEO was hired. I believe Shelley has retired which was his plan all along.
I’ve been licensed for three months. I’ve listened on 80 and 40 meters with fifteen feet of wire for an antenna. I’m rebuilding my first transmitter now...almost working properly. I get membership-begging mail from ARRL almost every week. Sounds like I may be qualified to be their next leader.
I am not very active at all, but have 1300 Lookups on QRZ, and hold DXCC, WAS and Continents of the World awards, his apparent lack of participation concerns me as well.
Membership up this month will put it towards HRD. There is enough on UA-cam and Google and supporting a local club to keep the hobby alive in my situation. I've seen first hand how these advocate operations are run. It's a shame it has come to this.
This video is interesting. This guy was my former professor back in 2011. I didn't know anything about him being a radio operator back then, all I knew of the guy is he was an engineering professor and was president of IEEE (an engineering organization), and used to be an Air Force pilot.
I did notice QRZ.com censored all comments about the new CEO being a "keynote" speaker and only left one sycophant - Really disappointed but smiling a bit as well; why? You have a voice in community Jim. His QRZ counter moved up a couple K after your vid. Keep up the grate work!
I've thought about joining the ARRL but with everything going on with the organization, I can't bring myself to support it at this time. Your issues with the new CEO are just one more in the list of head scratchers at the ARRL. Really hope they get things straightened out there.
Thanks Don. I am busy painting and installing cabinets. I believe the interim guy is a good choice. I think I met him in Dayton a long time ago. Wonder if we will find out why they made the change. Typically, as you know, the public announcement contains very little about what really happened during closed sessions. I have been on a few local boards appointed and elected. Thanks very much Don. 73, Jim
@@ham-radio There is a string of opinion over on QRZ (Ham Radio Discussion forum). The concerns expressed may have been a/the factor! forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/another-month-more-corporate-speak.685336/
I've been a Ham for close to 4 years now. I was a member of the ARRL for the first year. I just couldn't find anything of value in that subscription that compelled me to continue it. I put my money in gear and watch my elmers on youtube for knowledge. The ARRL can pound dirt. Our best hopes for outreach and communication with the next generation is in social media and maker communities.
I thought why not just call the guy and ask. So I look him up on google, using his and the chinese company name, but get google respons that part of result have been skipped because according to european law people are entitled to have search requests deleted. Can someone try a chinese lookup site?
I had over 1,500 lookups during one contest! That was the New England QSO Party and it was at the top of the solar cycle. I have over 100K lookups and all are from after 2011 which is when I returned to the hobby after a 15-year hiatus.
Maybe you can ask the ARRL how that Child Protection Plan is going to screen ARRL volunteers working with youth? WY7YL and K0RM have a lot of direct experience to get that going-
I Think this guy may be able to help the ARRL and Amateur Radio. Hope they/he are not BS-ing us on his qualifications and activity, but it sure looks like it. If it is proven the qualifications are BS, he should be out of the position! Thanks for this video and the information! AB3BO
I’m hopefully going to pass my tech test on Saturday the 22nd so as a new ham I emailed Howard and asked questions about a first radio. Well he told me as a tech I could only do local voice no dx no digital and cw on other occasions. Well I had follow up questions due to his answer and never received another reply. Needless to say, i won’t email again after this video. And my answer remains a mystery.
You most certainly can work voice DX with a Technician license. When 10 meters opens again in a few years your privilege to operate on that band as a Technician Class holder will allow you to work the world assuming you have a decent antenna. You also can work CW and Digital modes, such as FT8, on 15, 40 and 80 meters. I had to look up the privileges of a Technician Class holder as I've been an Extra Class holder for so long that I'm no longer familiar with the privileges for each license class. The bottom line is his answer was wrong. Based on that answer alone the Board should be looking for its fourth CEO since K1ZZ retired. I live about 20 miles North of Dave, K1ZZ, the longtime former CEO of the ARRL, and he was in just about every major contest with his big station. Every active ham who operated regularly knew K1ZZ was a very active ham radio operator and many ARRL members worked him often. Dave Sumner was an active contester and DXer since I got my ticket in 1988, but I'm fairly certain he was an active ham since he was first licensed which was probably back in the Fifties or Sixties. Chris NU1O
Right on Jim !! I am over ARRL Corporate approach to Ham Radio. They always have their hand out and dues are out of sight at $50 a year. The magazine is nothing but a AD rag. I find CQ Magazine a much better publication. KN4IFI
Hi Jim, To me and very very well vid you did on this thank you!!!! It seems to me that its just my oppion is ARRL brought this guy in and made up a call seing for him and made up all this about him. Or he did?????mmmmm ARRL either needs to have to as it was stated in your Vid A HAMS HAM someone who really and is one Real HAM. And for the HAMS in stead of some one faking...His actions do not show that he ever was as he says he is. Words are cheap Actions prove the truth ALLWAYS!!! FYI Ive been in Ct for over 7 Yrs and the state is the most Lienest state Ive I ever lived in Ever!!!!!. Seems like as normal in Ct Someone lied and everyone belives the lies . Liying again and everyone belives the lies. The truth needs to be brought to the fore front about this Guy. And a nother point why is this the 3rd guy brought in??????,, makes me think ARRL is about the money or power, not the people the Great HAMs" Just a thought. Take care rember if it was not for us supporting ARRL there would be no ARRL. This guy would not even be in his position. Thank you again for bringing this to the forefront. Sincerly Ken. Ps I will be taking my Tech And Gen tests. Out side of Ct. 73 to all REAL HAMs. They need to not go by what a person says but how he has really Done.
Jim, I am not sure the CEO needs to be someone who lives on ham radio as your video seems to elude to. According to the ARRL website, "The Board employs a Chief Executive Officer who manages League affairs under the direction of the Board." That indicates to me that the board is calling the shots. The CEO is simply carrying out their wishes. 73, Mike, AE8U
The Board sets policy and the CEO runs the ARRL day-to-day. The CEO should be an Amateur but he need not be active every day or week. He should be active enough to be aware of the issues facing the hobby, but he need not be as active as K1ZZ was.
I first learned about ham radio back in the early 70s as a 4th grader...5wpm novice and all ...of course i was just a kid so didnt really do anything with it until a cpl years ago when i started to get the itch to play radio so i found a place that was having a ve test session that Saturday (wed evening) and sat for all 3 and barely missed the extra....1 month later i aced it....that said i have more lookups than this guy...and even though i am a no code extra... I actually do cw often 73 Jeff de WD8JM love the videos jim
Jim, I am concerned as well. I've got local HAM's who help me all the time who have 10K plus contacts on QRZ on seemingly every band. I'm blessed to have so many workers from Lockheed Martin and other electrical engineer jobs I suppose but it appears you can throw a stone and find someone who has the management skills and the real world HAM skills to be a good CEO of the ARRL.
Thanks Jim for another timely video. The ARRL have clearly lost its way,which is why I let my dues lapse.To me Jim there are two sides of the ARRL,one is the corporate side QST magazine and lobbying work in DC,the other side is amateur radio.When they raised dues on members they were warned of a mass defection,that warning fell on deaf ears,with the reasoning that the increase would offset the the folks that left.What happened was the much worse than anticipated,but no correction.The corporate side also is suffering from a severe lack of transparency,which by the way is simultaneously going on in DC.Iam monitoring this closely because I agree with you that the ARRL is essential to the service,so far Iam not impressed.73 ai6lz
The ARRL hadn't raised dues for many, many years. That was a mistake by K1ZZ. Dues had to go up. The question was should it have been a one time large increase as was done, or to do it gradually over a number of years. I'll let others debate that issue.
I'm studying for my license so I can use the equipment I have inherited from two uncles and they preached to me to be a member of the ARRL. Judging by what I've read in the comments and your opinion, is this now something I should not waste my money on? I have been all over the same bands but never transmitted, am I qualified to be the CEO?
Lemme guess... Fake News ? According to the fcc uls search hes had that call sign since at least 2000 so the low lookup can't be blamed on a recent vanity. I've been a general since 1996, had a 15-year hiatus, and I've got 4000 lookups from nothing but psk/ft8 on 20 and 40. Granted the guy has probably spent a lot of time traveling for business but this certainly seems a little fishy. They weren't appointing a commander for the local Bingo Hall this is the ARRL I have to believe at least some due diligence was taken if not in the time before election then at least before they published this statement attempting to glorify their new leader to their membership.
I tried to say this before but apparently not very well. I really don't understand how callsign searches on QRZ or the presence or lack of a LOTW account can show anything conclusive about the activity of a particular ham. Since 1983, I have not lived in a place where I could put up a decent radio so I have NO hf activity for over 15 years. On QRZ, I have 499 searches. So why is everyone so hung up on QRZ searches showing level of activity? They just don't correlate. BTW, the announcement that you read does not claim that Mr Michel is active in DX or contests, yet you criticize him for making such claims which you cannot substantiate. He said that he has operated on several (most hf and 2m) using several modes, not that he has done so in the recent past or that he has earned DXCC on all band and all modes. I was struck more by his statement that he has worked those bands/modes using equipment that he has built, repaired or modified. He was clearly preparing for the accusation that he is just an "appliance operator" (and by implication, that he is one of those "no code weenies" who don't deserve to be on the air) but missed the requirement that he regularly work Field Day and the RTTY contests. Sigh ... where is Percy Maxim when you need him?
Okay. We don't agree. You said "....the announcement that you read does not claim that Mr Michel is active in DX or contests, yet you criticize him for making such claims which you cannot substantiate." Sure I can substantiate. From the ARRL, Michel opined "...that some of his favorite activities include ... contest operating, and DXing,..." In any case, let's look to see what he accomplished so far. Hopefully, he has done a lot. Unlike his previous volunteer positions. Thanks Sam for your insight. 73, Jim Heath W6LG with 148,235 lookups on QRZ.com.
@@ham-radio He has clearly overstated his on-air experience, but I am of the opinion that although the CEO should be an active ham, QRZ lookups aren't the whole story and they shouldn't be the deciding factor as to whether he's qualified to run the ARRL.
If you get involved in contests, Facebook, emergencies, community projects, that number will grow rapidly. I had 160,723 lookups. Many active ham radio guys have similar numbers. Thanks for writing a comment. 73, Jim W6LG
ae7q.com/query/data/CallHistory.php?CALL=wb2itx show his license as active. (Edited because my license is active, but I have one logged QSL on QRZ) I do agree in spirit that he should have some reflection of his activity. But at the same time, I've been "active" during the past two Field Days (Winter and Summer), along with Operation Black Swan. But I didn't use my callsign--I used a club sign. So, QRZ (and other sources) won't reflect that at all.
Jim, I really don't get your point, but I suspect if you did I would vigorously disagree with you. Mr. Michel did not claim to be either a DXer or a contester, yet you call him for making "missteps" at the beginning of his tenure as CEO and try to judge him against some imaginary standard for operators of those sorts, primarily the number of times his callsign has been searched in various databases. Personally, I find your insistence that he can't be an active Ham if he doesn't show tens or hundreds of thousands of lookups on the Web to be shallow if not deliberately misleading. I was first licensed in 1980 and I remember mailing out postcard size pieces known as QSL cards. As a 50-year ham, he may well of done something similar and may be a nostalgic ham who still does so using the ARRL Bureau. But all of this is really irrelevant. Please note that the "E" in "CEO" is for "Executive" NOT "Elmer". Mr. Roderick mentioned Mr. Michel's qualifications and referenced his management skills and experience running a membership organization (IEEE). These experiences are much more important than his singleop score in the Winter Field Day. If a new ham wants to know the best way to earn DXCC in a week, or the best antenna to achieve that important milestone, they should not be thinking that the ARRL CEO is the bet source of advise (you and other active Elmers fill that role). His role is to make sure that our dues, and any donations, are being applied in the most effective manner to achieve the purpose of the ARRL (as determined by our elected Directors). I'm impressed that he seems to be actively seeking input from the membership and I will judge him by his effectiveness in addressing the feedback of the members, not by some arbitrary measurement like the number of times his callsign is searched on the Web (in whatever database). AA3SY/4
Hi Sam! How are you? Thanks for writing. You said in part, " Jim, I really don't get your point.." I will try to clarify. The title I used says the following: Ham Radio Basics--Is The New ARRL CEO, Howard Michel WB2ITX, An Active Ham Radio Operator? It appears from the data that can be gotten from the internet, that, he is not an active ham radio operator. Perhaps I am mistaken in my desire to the CEO of the ARRL be very knowledgeable with respect to our licensed radio service and hobby. I don't think anyone has commented to the contrary. Over the years, I have met 3 of the CEO's and found them to be involved, receptive, interesting and active. Some were better than others. He does have a nice smile! Thanks Sam for your help. 73, Jim Heath W6LG, LIFE MEMBER OF THE ARRL
@@ham-radio Thanks for the reply. I apparently wasn't clear so let me state unequivocally that while the ARRL CEO certainly should have an amateur radio license, I disagree that he/she need be an "active" ham. The Board is tasked to hire an executive to run the organization based on the policies they set forth. This position is meant to manage a staff, not to be the Elmer in Chief for amateur radio. The ARRL is a complex non-profit organization that just happens to deal with Amateur Radio. ARRL is a publishing and fulfillment house. Although the subject of all of the publications happens to be Amateur Radio, that is irrelevant to the operation of the business. Please note that my conclusions are based on the reasons *I* believe the ARRL is essential. I want to be a member of an organization that will look out for the best interests of our hobby when dealing with the FCC and Congress (after all, ours has always been a regulated hobby -- that is not the fault of the ARRL) by leveraging the power of the numbers involved (your calling your Congressman with your ideas and me calling with mine has far less impact than an experienced lobbyist from the ARRL calling on a committee chair and saying I have signatures from xx,000 licensed amateurs from around the country who want you to ...). I want an organization that can help me stay up to date with the state of the art in our hobby and an organization that can provide an organizational structure (maybe something called ARES) to help individual hams become involved on a larger scale. It's difficult for me to imagine that a person in the role of CEO of such an organization could be involved in the details of all of these tasks. Instead, I would look for a person who has a broad range of management experiences who can hire the right people to be involved in the details and then herd them in the right direction to meet the goals established by his bosses (the membership as represented by their elected Division Directors serving on the Board). In fact, if I found that the CEO was spending so much time "playing radio" that he was getting the tens of thousands of searches that you seem to desire, I would be looking for another, more effective, organization to get behind.
Jim, appreciate your findings and evaluation. Still think that in order to lead a big organization, some perhaps not so common ham-skills might be needed. I dont want to argue at all on the choice and as I’m not a member , post this opinion only to remind that organizations tend to need diffeent kind of people in order to tackle with current challenges. Jim, your doing great videos, keep up the good work👍🏽
I think K1ZZ had a salary package of close to $250K per annum. I don't think it's an unreasonable figure to manage an organization the size of the ARRL.
A couple of simple points: This (approximately) eleven minute video presentation could have been completed in five (or so) minutes... without deleting any words. The noise in the background is not necessary. That having been stated, maybe the guy is really "active in VHF and UHF circles, and is not an avid contester, except maybe in those which would not show up in the mentioned web sites. Maybe he is active on the air in contests, etc, using another ham's station and call sign. The guy knows how to function in an interview setting, hence he was hired. His statement appear to have come from what is recommended be said before, during, and after a job interview. Michel is now in the money, at least for the time being... with 2018 coming to a close, it is not likely there would be any changes at the ARRL. He interviewed well, said the right things, and has the other three things necessary to be the CEO of the League... Temperature, Pulse, and Respirations. Yes, I am not renewing my expired membership, at least until I see some positive results.
The noise/pulse was from the computer. I was able to lessen the noise volume. I used Audacity to try to eliminate the noise without success. Now let us see what happens. I am a life member. I would like to see an overhaul of the place from top to bottom. I would also like to see a revamp of the logo and name. Thanks for you help. 73, Jim
You can only vote for your own section leader, not those in other regions so "cleaning house" will have to take place by members from all over the country. BTW, some incumbents were defeated in the past few years. A YL defeated a longtime incumbent in Hudson Valley.
I was curious, so I looked up my own QRZ info and was floored when I saw that I have almost 1500 lookups and I became a General just a few years ago. I do not contest and keep the majority of my contacts on a steno pad or log book. Edit: I wonder, what is his salary? His heart is not in the right place if he draws much more than a generous stipend. Also, doing business with an enemy of the "free" world is akin to treason. I don`t pay much attention to global politics or ARRL doings but, I can see who MY enemies are. Nudge nudge! Wink, wink!
from u.k. yes a hobby!! always someone thinks I want to be boss of Hobby!! substitute any Hobby that isn't a job (like Golfists!) from butterflies to astronomy . definition of a Club is a group of like minded people prob with these self appointees they take over unless we say no!!! say no more but 1938 uk or 1941 usa !!
Exactly, I want to see more ham radio operating. At this time, there is none to be found for the new CEO. You might disagree with me but I think it is critical that the CEO be a ham radio operator. Emphasis on 'operator'. Someone who is operating. It does not look like we have that now. Thanks, Jim W6LG
For an organization the size and scope of the ARRL to be successful, it needs leadership with business leadership experience. If having thousands of contacts in the log was the only qualification to grow and run a HAM related organization, all the local clubs would be flush with membership and money. The guy's already been hired, by the way. How about waiting a few months to see how he operates a business and judge him on the merits of his successes or deride him on the embarrassments of his failures in his capacity to do the job he was hired to do, instead of worrying that he doesn't participate in the leisure side of things enough. Looking for things to be outraged about and inventing controversy where there really is none is hardly activity that will help the League or HAMs.
@@ham-radio There is no doubt the man was not an active ham when he was hired. I believe the CEO should be an active amateur, but his first responsibility as CEO is the management of the ARRL staff and managing its financial resources. I never understood the need to amass what is now about $15 million in investments. I recall the LoTW computers were old and outdated. Money should've been spent on maintaining state of the art equipment which benefits the members rather than amassing a financial war chest.
Why did they not hire you Jim! I bet half the active hams in the world Know Who You Are!
As a CEO, I would hope he has a lot of business experience and if he’s pretty good at what he does he may not have time for amateur radio but don’t fluff your record just for the job. Although I hope he does well for us, he’s not getting started in the right direction
This definitely shouldn't be forgotten. The few people I've watched go from maybe co-owning a large business to being President, CEO and Owner often just don't have time outside being a trustee on a couple of boards and that is fine but fluffing you record makes you look phony.
Minutes of the ARRL board meeting on August 22, 2018 reflect that a significant number of the directors had concerns about hiring this gentleman as CEO. The vote was 9 to 6 in favor, but some of those 9 were ousted in the recent election.
Any idea about the 3 CEO's in this year? Were any of them fired? Thanks, Jim Heath W6LG
Tom Gallagher had not been a very active ham, and resigned after a couple of years on the job. Barry Shelley, who had been Chief Financial Officer for many years, was appointed interim CEO to serve until a new CEO was hired. I believe Shelley has retired which was his plan all along.
@@z95m OK, thanks. Really just one guy before Howard recently. And that guy lasted about 2 years or more. Thanks for the help. 73, Jim W6LG
@@ham-radio So what is the "Golden parachute " worth with the past CEOs? Deferred comp etc?
There has been a pretty big shakeup of the BoD in the past few years.
I’ve been licensed for three months. I’ve listened on 80 and 40 meters with fifteen feet of wire for an antenna. I’m rebuilding my first transmitter now...almost working properly. I get membership-begging mail from ARRL almost every week. Sounds like I may be qualified to be their next leader.
I am not very active at all, but have 1300 Lookups on QRZ, and hold DXCC, WAS and Continents of the World awards, his apparent lack of participation concerns me as well.
Membership up this month will put it towards HRD. There is enough on UA-cam and Google and supporting a local club to keep the hobby alive in my situation. I've seen first hand how these advocate operations are run. It's a shame it has come to this.
This video is interesting. This guy was my former professor back in 2011. I didn't know anything about him being a radio operator back then, all I knew of the guy is he was an engineering professor and was president of IEEE (an engineering organization), and used to be an Air Force pilot.
Valid points Jim. It is concerning to me as well as a new ARRL member recently back into the hobby. 73
Hell, I've got 1746 lookups and I operate maybe once or twice a week! And that is only 5 years worth.
I did notice QRZ.com censored all comments about the new CEO being a "keynote" speaker and only left one sycophant - Really disappointed but smiling a bit as well; why? You have a voice in community Jim. His QRZ counter moved up a couple K after your vid. Keep up the grate work!
Makes me stop and wonder about why they did that. I am trying to be fair with respect to his hiring. Thanks again for your input. 73, Jim
I've thought about joining the ARRL but with everything going on with the organization, I can't bring myself to support it at this time. Your issues with the new CEO are just one more in the list of head scratchers at the ARRL. Really hope they get things straightened out there.
Wow. Give the guy a chance.
Mr. Michel is out as CEO of the ARRL. The board has elected an interim CEO - Barry Shelley, N1VXY who was their CFO for many years!
Thanks Don. I am busy painting and installing cabinets. I believe the interim guy is a good choice. I think I met him in Dayton a long time ago. Wonder if we will find out why they made the change. Typically, as you know, the public announcement contains very little about what really happened during closed sessions. I have been on a few local boards appointed and elected. Thanks very much Don. 73, Jim
@@ham-radio There is a string of opinion over on QRZ (Ham Radio Discussion forum). The concerns expressed may have been a/the factor! forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/another-month-more-corporate-speak.685336/
I've been a Ham for close to 4 years now. I was a member of the ARRL for the first year. I just couldn't find anything of value in that subscription that compelled me to continue it. I put my money in gear and watch my elmers on youtube for knowledge. The ARRL can pound dirt. Our best hopes for outreach and communication with the next generation is in social media and maker communities.
I thought why not just call the guy and ask. So I look him up on google, using his and the chinese company name, but get google respons that part of result have been skipped because according to european law people are entitled to have search requests deleted. Can someone try a chinese lookup site?
That is very strange...weird. I wonder why that happened. 73, Jim
Hmmm, now he has 2,890 look ups. I wonder if those original 594 look ups were from becoming CEO and folks like up started to look him up.
Very likely. 73, Jim
I had over 1,500 lookups during one contest! That was the New England QSO Party and it was at the top of the solar cycle. I have over 100K lookups and all are from after 2011 which is when I returned to the hobby after a 15-year hiatus.
Maybe you can ask the ARRL how that Child Protection Plan is going to screen ARRL volunteers working with youth? WY7YL and K0RM have a lot of direct experience to get that going-
I Think this guy may be able to help the ARRL and Amateur Radio. Hope they/he are not BS-ing us on his qualifications and activity, but it sure looks like it. If it is proven the qualifications are BS, he should be out of the position! Thanks for this video and the information! AB3BO
I agree with you. 73, Jim
Wow Jim, very concerning.
I’m hopefully going to pass my tech test on Saturday the 22nd so as a new ham I emailed Howard and asked questions about a first radio. Well he told me as a tech I could only do local voice no dx no digital and cw on other occasions. Well I had follow up questions due to his answer and never received another reply. Needless to say, i won’t email again after this video. And my answer remains a mystery.
You most certainly can work voice DX with a Technician license. When 10 meters opens again in a few years your privilege to operate on that band as a Technician Class holder will allow you to work the world assuming you have a decent antenna. You also can work CW and Digital modes, such as FT8, on 15, 40 and 80 meters. I had to look up the privileges of a Technician Class holder as I've been an Extra Class holder for so long that I'm no longer familiar with the privileges for each license class.
The bottom line is his answer was wrong. Based on that answer alone the Board should be looking for its fourth CEO since K1ZZ retired. I live about 20 miles North of Dave, K1ZZ, the longtime former CEO of the ARRL, and he was in just about every major contest with his big station. Every active ham who operated regularly knew K1ZZ was a very active ham radio operator and many ARRL members worked him often. Dave Sumner was an active contester and DXer since I got my ticket in 1988, but I'm fairly certain he was an active ham since he was first licensed which was probably back in the Fifties or Sixties.
Chris NU1O
Right on Jim !! I am over ARRL Corporate approach to Ham Radio. They always have their hand out and dues are out of sight at $50 a year. The magazine is nothing but a AD rag. I find CQ Magazine a much better publication. KN4IFI
I agree with you on this Jim. I think this guy is full of bologna.
He has 2 spots on 11-28-18 on 3533.0 by AA4VV and N2QT.
I've been a 100% QRP op since 2006 and I have 6293 lookups.
Lee, WA8QFE
I am not a member of the ARRL. I feel my time, money, and resources are better spent to support my local clubs to spread the hobby. 73 KG5RIZ
Your local club may be making a yearly donation to the ARRL. That's quite common.
Hi Jim,
To me and very very well vid you did on this thank you!!!!
It seems to me that its just my oppion is ARRL brought this guy in and made up a call seing for him and made up all this about him. Or he did?????mmmmm ARRL either needs to have to as it was stated in your Vid A HAMS HAM someone who really and is one Real HAM. And for the HAMS in stead of some one faking...His actions do not show that he ever was as he says he is. Words are cheap Actions prove the truth ALLWAYS!!!
FYI
Ive been in Ct for over 7 Yrs and the state is the most Lienest state Ive I ever lived in Ever!!!!!. Seems like as normal in Ct Someone lied and everyone belives the lies . Liying again and everyone belives the lies. The truth needs to be brought to the fore front about this Guy.
And a nother point why is this the 3rd guy brought in??????,, makes me think ARRL is about the money or power, not the people the Great HAMs" Just a thought.
Take care rember if it was not for us supporting ARRL there would be no ARRL. This guy would not even be in his position. Thank you again for bringing this to the forefront.
Sincerly
Ken.
Ps
I will be taking my Tech And Gen tests. Out side of Ct. 73 to all REAL HAMs. They need to not go by what a person says but how he has really Done.
Jim, I am not sure the CEO needs to be someone who lives on ham radio as your video seems to elude to. According to the ARRL website, "The Board employs a Chief Executive Officer who manages League affairs under the direction of the Board." That indicates to me that the board is calling the shots. The CEO is simply carrying out their wishes.
73,
Mike, AE8U
All excellent points. Thanks Mike. I still would prefer an active, passionate amateur who understands; gets it. 73, Jim
The Board sets policy and the CEO runs the ARRL day-to-day. The CEO should be an Amateur but he need not be active every day or week. He should be active enough to be aware of the issues facing the hobby, but he need not be as active as K1ZZ was.
I first learned about ham radio back in the early 70s as a 4th grader...5wpm novice and all ...of course i was just a kid so didnt really do anything with it until a cpl years ago when i started to get the itch to play radio so i found a place that was having a ve test session that Saturday (wed evening) and sat for all 3 and barely missed the extra....1 month later i aced it....that said i have more lookups than this guy...and even though i am a no code extra... I actually do cw often
73
Jeff de WD8JM
love the videos jim
Jim, I am concerned as well. I've got local HAM's who help me all the time who have 10K plus contacts on QRZ on seemingly every band. I'm blessed to have so many workers from Lockheed Martin and other electrical engineer jobs I suppose but it appears you can throw a stone and find someone who has the management skills and the real world HAM skills to be a good CEO of the ARRL.
We will need to wait and watch what happens. I am not hopeful. But will just watch from here. 73, Jim
Hence the old saying " Money talks ... "
Thanks Jim for another timely video. The ARRL have clearly lost its way,which is why I let my dues lapse.To me Jim there are two sides of the ARRL,one is the corporate side QST magazine and lobbying work in DC,the other side is amateur radio.When they raised dues on members they were warned of a mass defection,that warning fell on deaf ears,with the reasoning that the increase would offset the the folks that left.What happened was the much worse than anticipated,but no correction.The corporate side also is suffering from a severe lack of transparency,which by the way is simultaneously going on in DC.Iam monitoring this closely because I agree with you that the ARRL is essential to the service,so far Iam not impressed.73 ai6lz
The ARRL hadn't raised dues for many, many years. That was a mistake by K1ZZ. Dues had to go up. The question was should it have been a one time large increase as was done, or to do it gradually over a number of years. I'll let others debate that issue.
I'm studying for my license so I can use the equipment I have inherited from two uncles and they preached to me to be a member of the ARRL. Judging by what I've read in the comments and your opinion, is this now something I should not waste my money on? I have been all over the same bands but never transmitted, am I qualified to be the CEO?
I have been licensed for less than a year. My only antenna is a dipole in the attic. I have more lookups than this guy.
Seriously?! Wow, that is very telling. Thanks, Jim W6LG
@@ham-radio For those who may doubt my claims, check me on QRZ.com. KN4IDB
Me too!
His information is classified.
Lemme guess... Fake News ? According to the fcc uls search hes had that call sign since at least 2000 so the low lookup can't be blamed on a recent vanity. I've been a general since 1996, had a 15-year hiatus, and I've got 4000 lookups from nothing but psk/ft8 on 20 and 40. Granted the guy has probably spent a lot of time traveling for business but this certainly seems a little fishy. They weren't appointing a commander for the local Bingo Hall this is the ARRL I have to believe at least some due diligence was taken if not in the time before election then at least before they published this statement attempting to glorify their new leader to their membership.
I tried to say this before but apparently not very well. I really don't understand how callsign searches on QRZ or the presence or lack of a LOTW account can show anything conclusive about the activity of a particular ham. Since 1983, I have not lived in a place where I could put up a decent radio so I have NO hf activity for over 15 years. On QRZ, I have 499 searches. So why is everyone so hung up on QRZ searches showing level of activity? They just don't correlate. BTW, the announcement that you read does not claim that Mr Michel is active in DX or contests, yet you criticize him for making such claims which you cannot substantiate. He said that he has operated on several (most hf and 2m) using several modes, not that he has done so in the recent past or that he has earned DXCC on all band and all modes. I was struck more by his statement that he has worked those bands/modes using equipment that he has built, repaired or modified. He was clearly preparing for the accusation that he is just an "appliance operator" (and by implication, that he is one of those "no code weenies" who don't deserve to be on the air) but missed the requirement that he regularly work Field Day and the RTTY contests. Sigh ... where is Percy Maxim when you need him?
Okay. We don't agree. You said "....the announcement that you read does not claim that Mr Michel is active in DX or contests, yet you criticize him for making such claims which you cannot substantiate." Sure I can substantiate. From the ARRL, Michel opined "...that some of his favorite activities include ... contest operating, and DXing,..." In any case, let's look to see what he accomplished so far. Hopefully, he has done a lot. Unlike his previous volunteer positions. Thanks Sam for your insight. 73, Jim Heath W6LG with 148,235 lookups on QRZ.com.
@@ham-radio
He has clearly overstated his on-air experience, but I am of the opinion that although the CEO should be an active ham, QRZ lookups aren't the whole story and they shouldn't be the deciding factor as to whether he's qualified to run the ARRL.
Thanks Chris. I wonder how he is doing on the job now a year later. 73, Jim W6LG
Im a 3 week old ham and i have 13 lookups. Thats 4.3 lookups per week. If my lookups stay constant in 50 yrs ill have 11,180 lookups
If you get involved in contests, Facebook, emergencies, community projects, that number will grow rapidly. I had 160,723 lookups. Many active ham radio guys have similar numbers. Thanks for writing a comment. 73, Jim W6LG
Jim W6LG wow how cool you replied back! I grew up in grass valley! Im tuned into the snars repeater on mnt rose 147.150
I have 2656 lookups on QRZ and I am not that active on the DX scene.. I have more than him.
ae7q.com/query/data/CallHistory.php?CALL=wb2itx show his license as active. (Edited because my license is active, but I have one logged QSL on QRZ) I do agree in spirit that he should have some reflection of his activity. But at the same time, I've been "active" during the past two Field Days (Winter and Summer), along with Operation Black Swan. But I didn't use my callsign--I used a club sign. So, QRZ (and other sources) won't reflect that at all.
Very concerning.
Jim, I really don't get your point, but I suspect if you did I would vigorously disagree with you. Mr. Michel did not claim to be either a DXer or a contester, yet you call him for making "missteps" at the beginning of his tenure as CEO and try to judge him against some imaginary standard for operators of those sorts, primarily the number of times his callsign has been searched in various databases. Personally, I find your insistence that he can't be an active Ham if he doesn't show tens or hundreds of thousands of lookups on the Web to be shallow if not deliberately misleading. I was first licensed in 1980 and I remember mailing out postcard size pieces known as QSL cards. As a 50-year ham, he may well of done something similar and may be a nostalgic ham who still does so using the ARRL Bureau. But all of this is really irrelevant. Please note that the "E" in "CEO" is for "Executive" NOT "Elmer". Mr. Roderick mentioned Mr. Michel's qualifications and referenced his management skills and experience running a membership organization (IEEE). These experiences are much more important than his singleop score in the Winter Field Day. If a new ham wants to know the best way to earn DXCC in a week, or the best antenna to achieve that important milestone, they should not be thinking that the ARRL CEO is the bet source of advise (you and other active Elmers fill that role). His role is to make sure that our dues, and any donations, are being applied in the most effective manner to achieve the purpose of the ARRL (as determined by our elected Directors). I'm impressed that he seems to be actively seeking input from the membership and I will judge him by his effectiveness in addressing the feedback of the members, not by some arbitrary measurement like the number of times his callsign is searched on the Web (in whatever database). AA3SY/4
Hi Sam! How are you? Thanks for writing. You said in part, " Jim, I really don't get your point.." I will try to clarify. The title I used says the following: Ham Radio Basics--Is The New ARRL CEO, Howard Michel WB2ITX, An Active Ham Radio Operator? It appears from the data that can be gotten from the internet, that, he is not an active ham radio operator. Perhaps I am mistaken in my desire to the CEO of the ARRL be very knowledgeable with respect to our licensed radio service and hobby. I don't think anyone has commented to the contrary.
Over the years, I have met 3 of the CEO's and found them to be involved, receptive, interesting and active. Some were better than others. He does have a nice smile!
Thanks Sam for your help.
73, Jim Heath W6LG, LIFE MEMBER OF THE ARRL
@@ham-radio Thanks for the reply. I apparently wasn't clear so let me state unequivocally that while the ARRL CEO certainly should have an amateur radio license, I disagree that he/she need be an "active" ham. The Board is tasked to hire an executive to run the organization based on the policies they set forth. This position is meant to manage a staff, not to be the Elmer in Chief for amateur radio. The ARRL is a complex non-profit organization that just happens to deal with Amateur Radio. ARRL is a publishing and fulfillment house. Although the subject of all of the publications happens to be Amateur Radio, that is irrelevant to the operation of the business. Please note that my conclusions are based on the reasons *I* believe the ARRL is essential. I want to be a member of an organization that will look out for the best interests of our hobby when dealing with the FCC and Congress (after all, ours has always been a regulated hobby -- that is not the fault of the ARRL) by leveraging the power of the numbers involved (your calling your Congressman with your ideas and me calling with mine has far less impact than an experienced lobbyist from the ARRL calling on a committee chair and saying I have signatures from xx,000 licensed amateurs from around the country who want you to ...). I want an organization that can help me stay up to date with the state of the art in our hobby and an organization that can provide an organizational structure (maybe something called ARES) to help individual hams become involved on a larger scale. It's difficult for me to imagine that a person in the role of CEO of such an organization could be involved in the details of all of these tasks. Instead, I would look for a person who has a broad range of management experiences who can hire the right people to be involved in the details and then herd them in the right direction to meet the goals established by his bosses (the membership as represented by their elected Division Directors serving on the Board). In fact, if I found that the CEO was spending so much time "playing radio" that he was getting the tens of thousands of searches that you seem to desire, I would be looking for another, more effective, organization to get behind.
Jim this guy seems to be like a $3.00 bill....phony...great vid.
KB8YBG JIM
Jim, appreciate your findings and evaluation. Still think that in order to lead a big organization, some perhaps not so common ham-skills might be needed. I dont want to argue at all on the choice and as I’m not a member , post this opinion only to remind that organizations tend to need diffeent kind of people in order to tackle with current challenges. Jim, your doing great videos, keep up the good work👍🏽
Can we get the salaries of the management of ARRL? How much is Michel making including all benefits? What does the board make?
I think K1ZZ had a salary package of close to $250K per annum. I don't think it's an unreasonable figure to manage an organization the size of the ARRL.
A couple of simple points: This (approximately) eleven minute video presentation could have been completed in five (or so) minutes... without deleting any words. The noise in the background is not necessary.
That having been stated, maybe the guy is really "active in VHF and UHF circles, and is not an avid contester, except maybe in those which would not show up in the mentioned web sites. Maybe he is active on the air in contests, etc, using another ham's station and call sign.
The guy knows how to function in an interview setting, hence he was hired. His statement appear to have come from what is recommended be said before, during, and after a job interview. Michel is now in the money, at least for the time being... with 2018 coming to a close, it is not likely there would be any changes at the ARRL. He interviewed well, said the right things, and has the other three things necessary to be the CEO of the League... Temperature, Pulse, and Respirations.
Yes, I am not renewing my expired membership, at least until I see some positive results.
The noise/pulse was from the computer. I was able to lessen the noise volume. I used Audacity to try to eliminate the noise without success.
Now let us see what happens. I am a life member. I would like to see an overhaul of the place from top to bottom. I would also like to see a revamp of the logo and name.
Thanks for you help. 73, Jim
Sadden to hear this news. Obviously a bad hire. League seems like a very top heavy organization to me. I vote to clean house. W9KW.
You can only vote for your own section leader, not those in other regions so "cleaning house" will have to take place by members from all over the country.
BTW, some incumbents were defeated in the past few years. A YL defeated a longtime incumbent in Hudson Valley.
I was curious, so I looked up my own QRZ info and was floored when I saw that I have almost 1500 lookups and I became a General just a few years ago. I do not contest and keep the majority of my contacts on a steno pad or log book. Edit: I wonder, what is his salary? His heart is not in the right place if he draws much more than a generous stipend. Also, doing business with an enemy of the "free" world is akin to treason. I don`t pay much attention to global politics or ARRL doings but, I can see who MY enemies are. Nudge nudge! Wink, wink!
from u.k.
yes a hobby!! always someone thinks I want to be boss of Hobby!!
substitute any Hobby that isn't a job (like Golfists!)
from butterflies to astronomy .
definition of a Club is a group of like minded people
prob with these self appointees they take over unless we say no!!!
say no more but 1938 uk or 1941 usa !!
LOL. jeezus, what's next, "But his emails?" How about more ham radio, less conspiracy drama.
Exactly, I want to see more ham radio operating. At this time, there is none to be found for the new CEO. You might disagree with me but I think it is critical that the CEO be a ham radio operator. Emphasis on 'operator'. Someone who is operating. It does not look like we have that now. Thanks, Jim W6LG
For an organization the size and scope of the ARRL to be successful, it needs leadership with business leadership experience. If having thousands of contacts in the log was the only qualification to grow and run a HAM related organization, all the local clubs would be flush with membership and money.
The guy's already been hired, by the way. How about waiting a few months to see how he operates a business and judge him on the merits of his successes or deride him on the embarrassments of his failures in his capacity to do the job he was hired to do, instead of worrying that he doesn't participate in the leisure side of things enough.
Looking for things to be outraged about and inventing controversy where there really is none is hardly activity that will help the League or HAMs.
All I can say is...WOW
I spent most of the day researching that call and all I find are "No nonsense" speaking engagements and podcasts. Very odd.
I found even less than that Mark. I am now questioning everything about him. I'd like to see his CV and application. 73, Jim
@@ham-radio
There is no doubt the man was not an active ham when he was hired. I believe the CEO should be an active amateur, but his first responsibility as CEO is the management of the ARRL staff and managing its financial resources.
I never understood the need to amass what is now about $15 million in investments. I recall the LoTW computers were old and outdated. Money should've been spent on maintaining state of the art equipment which benefits the members rather than amassing a financial war chest.
i rather have a non ham ceo that not lies about it than what the frek this guy is. (dutchy here but the arrl is guiding the world kinda)