The reason I resigned from the CAC.  Many years of promised changes and nothing.  Many years of the same Stuff different day.   New directors fell right into the same trap or they were not honest with the membership to get elected.

The ARRL rules like the Gov't.  They know what is best and how dare you question them.

If I was not a life member I would not be a member because the ARRL stopped servicing the needs of them members years and years ago. 

Resistant to change is a huge understatement.

The ARRL does not poll the membership because they simply do not want our feedback.

W0MU

On 5/26/2021 10:07 AM, K8TS wrote:

Ria,

To mention that there was a pre-release model, suggests that there was thought put into it. Why was the membership not asked their opinion? If they were, when and where? I’m sorry, this is a very sore subject with many. Many did it the hard way (myself included). No beams, no towers, no 4-squares, no amps. Just ground mounted verticals and wires. And then to find out that the beloved plaque no longer existed, only a resemblance of the certificate on plexiglass was a slap in the face of many who worked hard for it. I don’t know how many others did/do feel, but I personally resented it.

 

If it had to be changed, for some unknown reasons, why was it not made distinguishable from the certificate, instead of a copy-cat version wrapped in plexiglass?

 

On this issue, the lack of transparency is pretty foggy. It has cheapened an outstanding award. The opinion is again of the tail wagging the dog, with little or no input from the membership. The cost has probably been reduced for the Awards Department, but I didn’t notice any significate decrease to the membership who spent years and hundreds of dollars achieving it.

 

Like Dick said, why pay outrageous fees and shipping when the frame can be purchased from Walmart, and the trip to the trophy shop for a minute amount compared to the ARRL fees?

 

I’m not quitting ARRL over this, but it sure does not tilt the scales in their direction. ARRL is back to their old ways. Membership organization? HA.

73,

Dale K8TS

 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

 

From: Dick
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 12:59 AM
To: ARRL-Awards@...
Subject: Re: [ARRL-Awards] 5B DXCC and WAS Medallions

 

When I needed to add another Band to my 5BDXCC Plaque,

I took it to a local Trophy store.

 

$7 later ...

 

73, Dick, W1KSZ

From: ARRL-Awards@... <ARRL-Awards@...> on behalf of w2ttt <w2ttt@...>
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2021 8:39 PM
To: ARRL-Awards@... <ARRL-Awards@...>
Subject: Re: [ARRL-Awards] 5B DXCC and WAS Medallions

 

Ria,

I realize that these medallions are being updated for cost and flexibility, but how odd do they look with old and new styles on the same plaque?

I don't have a dog in this fight, but it seems like a logical concern.

73,

Gordon Beattie, W2TTT

201.314.6964

Get Outlook for Android

 

From: ARRL-Awards@... <ARRL-Awards@...> on behalf of Ria, N2RJ <rjairam@...>
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2021 6:11:35 PM
To: ARRL-Awards@... <ARRL-Awards@...>
Subject: Re: [ARRL-Awards] 5B DXCC and WAS Medallions

 

Hi Dale,

Yes, I had seen these (the new style plastic ones) pre-release at HQ
before anyone had gotten them. I know about them. I wasn't aware that
they had revised the medallions further.

73
Ria, N2RJ

On Tue, May 25, 2021 at 6:05 PM K8TS <dalecole3502@...> wrote:
>
> Ria,
>
> They did away with the nice wooden ones that were envisioned on the wall for years and years. Something about the vendor.  There are 100’s of plaque makers that would take that business in a heartbeat.  When I found out that my 5-band would be a piece of plastic that looked identical to the certificate for the same price as the wood one I went ballistic.  I can buy the same frame at Walmart, stick the $12.00 fancy “new” certificate in it and be ahead $40.00. It is a shame. It is sad. I wanted the wooden one. I had dreamed of it. Was not to be. I will not buy that cheap piece which is no different from the paper. The awards people think that 2¢ saved on an award will please the membership because it goes to the bottom line. I don’t remember the membership being asked if they wanted something different. Some things don’t change.  The prestige of earning 5 band DXCC does not. The whim of the awards department does.
>
> I’m not aiming this directly at you, but it’s crap. That’s the way I feel, and I have already had a talk with my director about it.  Awards said they would look into the matter. That was over a year ago. Now I see many other hard to complete awards going the same way. Now it sounds like they are changing boats again. It’s BS. The awards program is being compromised and cheapened.
>
> Dale Cole K8TS
>
>
>
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>
>
>
> From: Ria, N2RJ
> Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2021 4:22 PM
> To: ARRL-Awards@...
> Subject: Re: [ARRL-Awards] 5B DXCC and WAS Medallions
>
>
>
> Medallions? Is this a revision to the plexiglass plaque? I have the
>
> wooden one and I got plates on mine that listed the band. They don't
>
> say 5 Band DXCC award on them.
>
>
>
> Ria
>
> N2RJ
>
>
>
> On Tue, May 25, 2021 at 4:14 PM Scott Stembaugh <radio.n9ljx@...> wrote:
>
> >
>
> > 5BDXCC and 5BWAS take considerable effort, time, and money to achieve.  Some are proud enough of their achievement to spend the money for the Plaque.  Then as they continue to operate they work towards endorsements for the other bands.  The amount of time and money spent on chasing these awards can be considerable.
>
> >
>
> > I have the 5BDXCC plaque.  I also had the credits to get the 17m and 30m endorsement medallions when I ordered it.  Very nice medallions that say '5 BAND DXCC AWARD' around the circumference.
>
> >
>
> > A couple of months ago I achieved DXCC on 12m and promptly ordered the 12m Medallion for the plaque.  After one 'got lost in the mail', the medallion arrived this week.  After putting in on the plaque I noticed it didn't match the 17m and 30m medallions.  Instead of '5 BAND DXCC AWARD' it says '5 BAND AWARD'.  And explanation for the Awards Desk was that this was changed to save money so all the 5 Band awards would use the same medallion.
>
> >
>
> > IMHO, an endorsement medallion that goes on plaque that that takes many many years to achieve should remain consistent for the recipient.  The mix of medallion styles is not nearly as aesthetically pleasing as when they all match.  Is the change really saving the ARRL that much money compared to the cost of award to the recipient?  Aside from the QSLing and Card/LoTW applications the basic plaque is $60 + $10.50 for each endorsement medallion bring the lifetime costs, if you succeed getting all the bands, to $123.  Is the ARRL losing money on these awards?
>
> >
>
> > Please stop mucking with the designs.
>
> > --scott N9LJX
>
> >
>
> > PS - FWIW I did NOT get the plaque for 5BWAS opting for just the certificate.  Hopefully when I achieve the endorsement stickers for 6m and 160m they will match my 12/17/30 stickers.
>
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>