[Moon] "Religious" Tolerance

[Joe Taylor]

When I received my amateur Novice license some 54 years ago, one of the 
first things I learned about ham radio etiquette is that it's generally 
not a good idea to discuss politics or religion over the air.  The same 
reasoning applies to a topic-oriented public discussion forum like this 
reflector.  Many years ago the Anglo-Irish writer and cleric Jonathan 
Swift noted that "We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not 
enough to make us love one another."  Sadly, I find his sentiment very 
applicable to the diverse "religions" that have grown up around the many 
ways people find to enjoy EME.

I have nothing to say about any "religious EME dogmas" here.  I write 
only to alert readers of this list who are willing to tolerate views not 
exactly identical to their own -- the vast majority of the list's 
readers, I believe -- to some of the misinformation/disinformation being 
spread repeatedly here and elsewhere, by a few.

Organizers of ham radio activities, including contests, do so to 
stimulate activity and to satisfy the perceived wishes of a target group 
of operators.  The ARRL's target group for its EME contest is all EME 
operators.  I have the honor to represent the ARRL's Atlantic Division 
on its VHF/UHF Advisory Committee (VUAC), the committee that advises the 
League concerning its VHF/UHF/Microwave contests.  The ARRL has 15 
regional Divisions, and a representative from the Canadian RAC also 
serves; each of the 16 representatives gets one vote.  The VUAC is 
advisory to the ARRL's elected Board, and the Board makes final decisions.

Every member of the VUAC is a well known, well liked, highly 
responsible, long-time member of the VHF/UHF/Microwave community in his 
Division.  Every one of these hard-working volunteers does his best to 
represent views in his Division, and every one brings his own unique set 
of experiences to the table.  Every committee member wants what he is 
persuaded will be best for amateur radio.

For anyone on this reflector who has been paying attention, it is public 
knowledge that when the VUAC was asked for recommendations on rules for 
the ARRL International EME Competition, I argued for and strongly 
supported doing away with an "Assisted" operating category.  I believe 
such a category is no longer needed (if it ever was needed) on the "big 
three" of our EME bands, 144, 432, and 1296 MHz.

It turned out that after much discussion, my view was not the VUAC's 
majority view.  The majority felt that as long as purely "Unassisted" 
categories are provided, there should be no harm in allowing "Assisted" 
operation as a separate entry category.  As stated in the adopted rules, 
the Assisted category "is intended to encourage smaller stations and 
operators who may be new to EME".  Time will tell us whether or not that 
is the way the category is actually used.

As well as being factually incorrect, it is highly irresponsible for 
anyone to suggest that one or a few individuals have somehow "hijacked" 
the ARRL EME contest and turned it to their own purposes.  The 
deliberative process leading to the most recent recommendations on EME 
contest Rules was conducted by honorable people who all wanted the best 
for this small segment of amateur radio -- and who, although they did 
not agree on all points, were able to understand and tolerate the 
rationales behind views different from their own.

I have not yet seen the results of the 2007 ARRL EME Contest.  I will 
not see them until everyone else on this list sees them, probably in 
April or thereabouts.  I know that for me it was a highly enjoyable 
event, and I was perfectly happy with my decision to use no operating 
"Assistance" of any kind.  I do not presume to give "faith-based" 
arguments about how others should enjoy their hobby, but I do hope that 
in the future an overwhelming majority of the EME community will 
continue to enjoy this contest, each in his/her own way.

With best wishes to all in the EME Community,

	-- 73, Joe, K1JT