The e-mail about wideband digital modes has been interesting in the last couple of weeks. I see the Winlink "managers" have called out the troops. I assume you've all seen at least a couple of them. The thing that strikes me most about the messages I've received is just how little they appear to know about ARRL and what is being considered, even though they were prompted with detailed info on what to comment on. A large majority are not ARRL members. Why not? Ham radio seems to be an important thing in their life. Getting licensed, then investing in the hardware and setting up and using an HF radio with Winlink isn't exactly plug and play. We've always thought that getting people on the air was an important step in getting people to a lifetime of ham radio - and that leads to ARRL memberships. Is it just that they can't easily get delivery of QST while "on the road"? What aren't they members? (Why don't they understand that membership gives them a real voice?) -- Tom ===== e-mail: k1ki@arrl.org ARRL New England Division Director http://www.arrl.org/ Tom Frenaye, K1KI, P O Box J, West Suffield CT 06093 Phone: 860-668-5444