Jim, I don't see a problem here. No one is forcing ARES participants to make a purchase of this item. Obviously these two SM are probably not going to pass the word on in their section. But at this point no one is forcing them to. But it's a bit like the ARRL credit card. Or it's very much like offering clothing itmes, which we have been doing for years. I am sure we may ahve had some complaints to staff about that too at some point. If some of our members are inclined to make a purchase we get a percentage. It 's simply good old American business in action. Many hams, and in this case your two SMs, have a problem with their being any business aspect of ham radio or ARRL. I don't see that any line has to be redrawn here. But then I'm not a big belt buckle guy. Frank...N2FF..... Jim Weaver, K8JE wrote:
I’ve already heard from two of my SMs who think the following message is way out of line. The product being advertised and promoted in a manner supposedly fully compliant with League policy may be nice and represent good value and all this, but . . .
Isn’t this going a bit far to ask our SMs to become proponents of goods? Would we approve of this advertising strategy if it was any number of other non-essential-but-nice items related to Amateur Radio? Would we approve of this strategy if it was in support of a new Ten Tec or Icon or Vertex or whatever rig?
I have my opinions, but I really am asking where the heck everyone thinks the line ought to be drawn. We need revenue, but I wouldn’t set up a brothel to get it.
Greetings ARRL Section Manager,
We have entered into a business agreement with ARRL and we request your help and support.