Bob, Although I'm much, much, much too young to remember this, I'm told the change from spark to CW was viewed by many hams of the day as be far beneath the level of being called Amateur Radio. The big shift to SSB from AM came during my very early days as an amateur and many of the brethren carped against this as being "un-ham-like." The bottom line, regardless of who favors or opposes anything new, hams are a bunch "if-it-wasn't-here-when-I-got-my-license-it ain't-real-ham radio" people. Disclaimer: If anyone likes what I just said, I wrote it. If anyone does not like it, I'll assist in the search for the illusive dastardly author. Jim Weaver, K8JE Director, Great Lakes Division ARRL; http://www.arrl.org/ 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 Tel.: 513-459-0142; E-mail: k8je@arrl.org ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio Is! MEMBERS: The reason ARRL Is! -----Original Message----- From: k5ur@aol.com [mailto:k5ur@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 5:55 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:11965] Re: IRLP Contest Bob: Yes, I have gotten a complaint. Also, I am going to club meeting Saturday where I'm told that I'll be asked to explain "How the ARRL can sponsor such a contest, and what's next? Will such contacts be good for DXCC?" 73, K5UR -----Original Message----- From: R. B. Vallio <w6rgg@sbcglobal.net> To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> Sent: Wed, 16 Mar 2005 14:08:31 -0800 Subject: [arrl-odv:11963] IRLP Contest I haven' seen anyone address this on ODV, so I will bring to everyone's attention. Please take a look at: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/03/14/3/?nc=1 before you read further. This is an announcement of an IRLP contest, on our WebPages, with no indication of any sort that sponsorship is not by the ARRL. The CQ Contest reflector was filled with comments on March 14, the first day the announcement appeared, and although the number is down, there are still comments being made. The thought of the ARRL sponsoring a contest where entrants need not have a radio or a license to participate, has certainly sparked some comments from Pacific Division members. I believe that there is no harm in mentioning it, but that a disclaimer of ARRL sponsorship should have been included. Have any of you folks received any mail on the subject? Thanks. Bob -- W6RGG