Despite a number of attempts over the past several decades, the US amateur radio industry has not been able to organize an effective trade association and maintain it for any length of time. Absent an organization through which they could focus their own efforts, many manufacturers and dealers have tended to look to the ARRL as the organization that ought to do the entire job of promoting amateur radio to the general public. Occasionally there has been a project on which we could work jointly with the major industry players; for example, in the 1980s each of the "big three" donated $20,000 toward the making of one of Dave Bell's films. However, that has been more the exception than the rule despite the fact that each new licensee generates a much larger revenue stream for manufacturers and dealers than for the ARRL. We have not discouraged the formation of an industry trade association. To the contrary, whenever I have been asked I have said that the ARRL represents the interests of the industry's customers and therefore we cannot also represent the interests of the industry itself except when the two happen to coincide -- and in that case it would be easier for us to work in coalition with a single industry group than to try and work with all of the individual industry players, whose interests and opinions will not always coincide. As a major publisher the ARRL is also a part of the amateur radio industry itself, so we should want to be a member of a responsible trade group. The latest attempt to form an industry trade association took shape at this year's pre-Superfest meeting hosted by AES in Milwaukee. One goal of our new Sales and Marketing Manager, Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, is to improve relations between the ARRL and the industry. Dennis was present at the meeting and, consistent with discussions we had had even before he was hired, encouraged the formation of an industry group that could work together with the ARRL to address the common objective of growth. The group had some difficulty coming up with a name that everyone could agree on. They name they have adopted, American Association of Radio Enthusiasts, has the disadvantage that it sounds more like a user group than an industry association. However, the membership requirements and dues are clearly oriented toward the latter. Ray Novak, KC7JPA, of ICOM was chosen as the first president. Ray is one of the more positive, action-oriented individuals in the industry. AARE hopes to have a broader range than just the amateur and amateur-satellite services, extending to market segments such as FRS. I believe the ARRL should join AARE with Dennis as our principal representative. However, before we do so I want to give Board members an opportunity to air any questions or concerns you may have. Here is an article about AARE that has been prepared for release. 73, Dave K1ZZ American Association of Radio Enthusiasts Formed NEWINGTON, CT, Apr 19, 2002--A new organization, the American Association of Radio Enthusiasts (AARE), has been formed to promote Amateur Radio and emergency communications outside traditional amateur circles. The nonprofit corporation also hopes to serve as a conduit for ham radio equipment dealers and manufacturers to exchange ideas and work together on projects. Its stated goal is to help ham radio grow and to double the number of hams in five years. "We look forward to encompassing all aspects of the Amateur Radio Industry--retail dealers, manufacturers and distributors," said ICOM's Ray Novak, KC7JPA, who was chosen to serve as AARE's first president. "This umbrella organization will provide an important focal point leading to a great future." Members of the Amateur Radio industry decided to create the trade group for dealers and manufacturers during an informal annual meeting of Amateur Radio manufacturers held April 5 in Milwaukee in conjunction with AES Superfest 2002. The organization says it hopes to serve as "the voice of the manufacturers and dealers in radio," much as ARRL speaks for Amateur Radio operators. AARE members will include the manufacturers and dealers of radio and emergency products. Companies who join in the first six months will be charter members of the group. In addition to Novak, an executive team representing many facets of the ham radio industry was chosen to lead AARE's debut year. Other officers include Vice President Rick Ruhl, W4PC, of Creative Services Software, and Secretary-Treasurer Evelyn Garrison, WS7A, who represents Alinco. Gordon West, WB6NOA, of Gordon West Radio School; Bob Heil, K9EID, of Heil Sound; and Randy Gawtry, K0CBH, of Timewave Technology will serve on the Board of Directors. The AARE Web site <http://www.aaregroup.org>, now under construction, will provide additional information. Dealers and manufacturers of radio products interested in joining AARE may contact Evelyn Garrison, evelyn@aaregroup.org, for details.