I agree with Dick.

I personally do maintain friendships with those in the industry, including a couple of (married) hams who run a small DMR specialized radio shop in my division and import and sell DMR radios. I also have a good relationship with the CTO and CEO of a US radio manufacturer and I know that I can call him up anytime and pick his brain. It's these sorts of connections that we can leverage to better understand the landscape. 

The other thing we have to watch out for is those who may accuse the league of being in cahoots with radio manufacturers and our policy actions as being designed to sell radios rather than faithfully serve our members. An official motion could add fuel to that fire.

However, Fred is well intentioned and we should be able to do what he is proposing without a formal motion. 

73
Ria, N2RJ

On Tue, 9 Jul 2019 at 22:11, Richard J. Norton <richardjnorton@gmail.com> wrote:
Although I am supportive of directors meeting with vendors and manufacturers, I believe having a motion like this appear in the minutes will only give the Amateur Radio community the idea that it is not done now.

I talk with members of that group from time to time and other Directors do so as well

None of you need my permission or a Board motion to talk with vendors. It is a routine part of being an ARRL Director.

Please talk with them wherever you encounter them, be it Dayton, Orlando, Boxboro, Pacificon, one of their stores, or wherever you encounter them. 

Just do it.

73,

Dick, N6AA




On Tue, Jul 9, 2019 at 2:00 PM Fred Hopengarten <hopengarten@post.harvard.edu> wrote:

Colleagues,

 

I feel strongly that ARRL should be inquiring of vendors to the Amateur Radio Community as to what they see is in our future, and “around the bend.”

 

The purpose of the meetings proposed by the attached motion is NOT to displace any meetings that the ARRL advertising manager may have with advertisers in Dayton, but rather to inform the Board of what vendors are thinking about. I believe we may have something to learn from vendors (our manufacturers and retailers).

 

Suggestions on wording this motion are, of course, welcome.

 

 


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