This is a follow-on to the May 17 message discussing Mr. Minster's apparently emotional outbursts. This addresses number 3), Mr. Minster's interaction with Dave Bernstein, AA6YQ. Mr. Minster's Characterization of Mr. Bernstein In a message to ODV, Mr. Minster characterized Mr. Bernstein as follows: "Dave is a retired programmer with generation++ old programming skills who writes single user software that he gives away. I cannot imagine how his ego would survive finding that no one would actually pay for it." Retired Programmer or Software Executive? Actually, Dave Bernstein would be better described as a retired software executive. He retired as a Senior Vice President and General Manager of a 1200-person division of Rational Software, with $615M annual division revenue. He ran a division with sixteen times the number of employees and forty-one times the annual revenue of the ARRL. He was the designer of several commercially successful Data General minicomputer systems and an early 16-bit microprocessor, the holder of twenty-one patents in computer architecture and design, and the founding Vice President of Engineering at Rational Software, where he led the development of its programming environment for the Ada language, its suite of software development tools for Windows, and its risk-driven iterative software development process. When the company was sold to AT&T, Mr. Bernstein received millions of dollars, a sum that allows him to no longer work for a living. He now spends substantial time working on his DXLab software and assisting its users. No One Would Actually Pay for DXLab? DXLab, see https://www.dxlabsuite.com/, is a suite of free programs for DXers that keeps track of stations worked, which particular logged contacts qualify for desired awards, and what stations are needed to complete awards, and filters DX spots to present those needed stations. It also organizes lists of QSOs that can be confirmed by payment to LOTW and provides an easy method to do so. It actually drives paying business to the ARRL's LOTW. I spent time talking to DXLab users at Visalia, Dayton, and elsewhere. I do not personally use it as I do not work stations "spotted" by others nor do I chase awards. All DXLab users spoken to lauded the program and Dave Bernstein's user support. There were NONE, repeat NONE, that would not pay for it. The Northern California DX Foundation had a need for software to keep track of dollar contributions to QSL Managers, a need which was mentioned to Dave. He then, on his own, proceeded to produce software that totally satisfied NCDXF's needs, and later added it to the DXLog suite, making it available to all. Bernstein Has a History of Helping LOTW He was the recipient of the ARRL 2008 Technical Innovation Award--"one of the earliest logging-program authors to integrate functions for ARRL's Logbook of the World." https://ema.arrl.org/2008/08/02/aa6yq-wins-arrl-technical-innovation-award/ He was the author of "Using Logbook of the World." https://lotw.arrl.org/lotw-help/ He was the recipient of the ARRL 2020 President's Award--"in recognition of "exemplary, outstanding, and continuing service" to ARRL and its members as part of the ARRL Logbook of The World team." http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-board-grants-awards-and-recognitions Recently Bernstein Has Made Three Significant LOTW Recommendations 1) Bernstein has suggested that LOTW software be instrumented to provide data that can show causes of LOTW slowdowns. This has not been done. 2) Bernstein has suggested LOTW use of a protective mechanism ("Client Keys") that would immediately identify any outside application responsible for excessive interaction. This is something currently implemented in ClubLog. 3) Bernstein has suggested incremental improvement of LOTW, rather than developing a new replacement from scratch. All three of these suggestions make solid technical sense. Rather Than Even Listen to Suggestions, Mr. Minster Has Unleashed a Torrent of Invective As sent to ODV by Minster - "Dave’s arrogant, angry, confrontational, and “know it all” approach – as demonstrated yet again by his message below – shows that he thinks he knows everything that is going on and knows how LoTW needs to be dealt with now and in the future.... That Dave chooses to attack the facts that don’t fit into his narrative is yet another indication that he has problems – and that he is wrong.... His message, again largely based on opinion and not fact, is the kind of garbage he puts out on our LoTW groups.io forum that causes people to unsubscribe and move on...." Potential Asset Mr. Bernstein appears to have knowledge of LOTW, interest in LOTW, very high-level software development knowledge, personal programming skills, and connections to others that could possibly have been used by the League to its advantage. LOTW could have been given over to Mr. Bernstein, with instructions, "Make it better, and send us the bill." LOTW would have improved, and the bill would likely be close to, if not zero. Possible Million Dollar Impact on ARRL Finances Mr. Minster has not been able to work with Bernstein at all. In fact, Minster has bizarrely banned Bernstein from even participating in the ARRL's LOTW Internet Forum, something that Bernstein actually brought to the League. All those I have talked with about DXLab praise Dave Bernstein. As mentioned, another ham radio non-profit, the Northern California DX Foundation, worked with Dave and benefitted from his skills and interest. The League has had a terrible record contracting out software development. I shudder at the thought of the League contracting out a replacement for LOTW. I do not find it acceptable that the League has not utilized Mr. Bernstein. That one of Minster's not-infrequent emotional reactions wasted an opportunity to possibly use such talent on an important project like LOTW is not something that the League should be proud of. Unfortunately, as Mr. Minster said, "I reiterate: it is not in our best interest to engage with Dave. He is uninformed. He is opinionated. He is a know it all. He will not collaborate with anyone. We’ve turned the page on Dave, and do not intend to engage with him." Almost everything Mr. Minster has said about Mr. Bernstein is false. The ARRL loses again. I can not think of another League employee, no less a "CEO," who has ever engaged in this kind of conflict with anyone, no less a member. Sadly, there are a few more of these situations to document for Board consideration. Stay tuned. See attachments at end. 73, Dick Norton, N6AA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Richard Norton <richardjnorton@yahoo.com> To: Arrl-odv <arrl-odv@arrl.org> Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 07:38:31 AM PDT Subject: Unacceptable CEO Reaction and Use of ARRL Assets Regarding ARRL Member Criticism and Complaints There have been a number of instances where Mr. Minster's emotions seem to have driven actions that are not only inappropriate for the ARRL CEO, but inappropriate and almost unheard of coming from a public face of any organization, especially a CEO. Mr. Minster has reacted to criticism of either his or ARRL's actions by conducting ad hominem aggression on the critics. He has used ARRL finances and assets to fund and carry out some of his attacks. This behavior has resulted in the squandering of high tens of thousands of dollars of League funds, bizarre name-calling correspondence which has alienated League supporters, and even attempts to somehow disallow highly skilled volunteers from providing service to the Amateur Radio community. There can be no denying the existence of this type of behavior. It was witnessed by the entire Board at the July 2022 Board meeting where Mr. Minster verbally attacked Hudson Division Director Jairam. After the meeting concluded, Mr. Minster not only admitted to the inappropriateness of his emotional remarks but apologized. A significant portion of the entire room gave him a standing ovation. Information will follow documenting several more of these incidents. They are serious enough to warrant corrective action. They include: 1) Spending somewhere between $50K and $100K on outside legal and PR firms attacking former Hudson Division Director Jairam. 2) Attempting to "fire" Atlantic Division Director Famiglio from providing his unpaid patent and trademark assistance to the League. 3) Banning ARRL member and retired software executive Dave Bernstein from participation in the ARRL's LOTW discussion group, something that he formed. 4) Now attempting to "fire" the person viewed by most as the most knowledgeable in remote station operation, Gerry Hull, from his unpaid authoring of an NCJ column. The latest of these Minster actions have been his reactions to members expecting more from the League than its present staff under Mr. Minster's leadership is able to provide. They have, as they have a right to do, criticized aspects of the League's performance or lack of it. Anyone in any position making decisions is subject to criticism. Any executive should be capable of responding to criticism in a rational, professional way. The CEO of the ARRL should be able to rationally respond to criticism. All prior ARRL CEOs received it, and none of them responded in the emotional, destructive manner of Mr. Minster. The CEO of the ARRL should be able to capitalize on the capabilities of all potential volunteers, particularly in specialized areas, where support is difficult to find or expensive if paid for commercially. All CEOs are expected to present a professional image of their company. This does not include whining and insulting critics in magazine editorials. Future memos will contain details of each of the above actions. None have benefited the League in any way. They have inflamed members and likely impacted financial support. I hope the Board will take action to stop this behavior or find someone capable of restoring the League's reputation in Amateur Radio.
