BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 The ARRL The American Radio Relay League is the principal representative of the Amateur Radio Service. It serves its members by protecting and enhancing spectrum access and providing a national resource to the public.

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 The ARRL The ARRL is the only official Amateur Radio Lobbyist. The ARRL is also a member society of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) and represents the interests of US Radio Amateurs internationally.

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 Ham Statistics US Hams –Approximately 700,000 –ARRL members: approximately 170,000 (24%)

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 ARRL Member Benefits QST, Your Monthly Membership Journal –The BEST source for news and information on any topic that's part of, or relates to, Amateur Radio. –Informative and hard-hitting Product Reviews of the newest radios and accessories from hand-held and mobile FM radios, to home-station transceivers, antennas and even shortwave radios.

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 QST Whether you're interested in contesting, DXing, or radios, accessories and antennas you can build at home, QST covers them all: –N–New trends and the latest technology, fiction, humor, news, club activities, rules and regulations, special events, packet radio, and much more.

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 QST (Cont.) Advertisements. –You'll find everything from full-color pages introducing new radios to a large classified ad section. Coming Conventions and Hamfest Calendar columns –Shows who's getting together every month at hamfests, conventions and swapmeets in your area.

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 QST (Cont.) Public Service column –Keeps you up to date on the public service efforts hams are providing around the country and shows you how you can join in this satisfying aspect of our hobby. Digital Dimension –Covers news in the Amateur Radio digital world and includes information on useful Web sites.

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 QST (Cont.) New Ham Companion section –Filled with features and how-to information just for beginning hams. There's no jargon- filled "tech talk"--just straightforward, easy-to- understand articles designed to get you on the air doing the things you like best.

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 Members Only Website The Members Only Web Site –The ARRLWeb Extra Web 'zine -- Exclusive features, photos, news, reviews and sounds from the world of Amateur Radio! –Product Review archive -- Get copies of any QST Product Review column from 1980 to the present in an Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file. –QST/QEX Search -- Search an index of all issues of QST and QEX.

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 Members Only Website (Cont.) The Members Only Web Site (Cont.) –Member Data Page -- Review and update your QST mailing address and select notification options. –ARRL Forwarding Service -- Sign up for this service, and sent to your ARRL address will be forwarded to the account you specify.

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 Members Only Website (Cont.) Ham Radio Equipment Insurance –As a League Member, you can take advantage of the ARRL All-Risk Equipment Insurance program at a substantial savings over other plans.

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 Technical Support Technical Information Service (TIS) –Q–Questions from Antennas to Zener diodes answered by expert ARRL Technical Coordinators and Technical Specialists in the field and at ARRL Headquarters. –A–ARRL Headquarters technical staff will help you over the phone, refer you to a volunteer ARRL Technical Specialist in your area, or send you the needed information from a growing collection of information packages. –F–For really difficult questions, an ARRL Laboratory Engineer will research our technical library and send you an answer by postal or electronic mail.

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 Other Services Outgoing QSL Service –Let us be your mail carrier and handle your overseas QSLing chores. The savings you accumulate through this service alone can pay your membership dues many times over. ARRL Field Organization –Be part of a League tradition and join a select group of ARRL Volunteers serving your fellow Radio Amateurs and the public. Free “Radios on-Line” ads –Members advertise equipment for free

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 Awards Operating Awards –The League sponsors the most popular operating awards. You can increase your operating proficiency while you find out about the history and culture of places you've only dreamed of visiting.

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 Additional Member Services ARRL Membership helps fund the services below. Take advantage of any or all. As an ARRL member, you help ensure their existence and continuation: –Representation of your Amateur Radio interests in Washington, DC –A Regulatory Information Branch that provides information on FCC and regulatory questions; problems with antenna, tower and zoning restrictions; and reciprocal licensing procedures

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 Additional Member Services (Cont.) –Volunteer Counsel Program –Volunteer Examiner Coordinator program –Amateur Radio Emergency Service –Registered Amateur Radio Instructor program –W1AW code practice, bulletins and code proficiency sessions –ARRL-sponsored contests –Preferred subscription rates for QEX, the ARRL Forum for Communications Experimenters –License renewal service

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 Additional Member Services (Cont.) Reciprocal Operating Permits CEPT –Most European countries IARP (International Amateur Radio Permit) –Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Peru, Uraguay, Venezuela Check out

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 Membership Fees 1 Year Membership –Regular: $39 –65 or Older: $36 2 Year Membership –Regular: $76 –65 or Older: $70 3 Year Membership –Regular: $111 –65 or Older: $103

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 Membership Fees (Cont.) Family Membership: $8/year (without QST) –Member of the immediate family –Lives at same address –Runs concurrently with League member’s membership Life Membership (Quarterly payments may be made over 2-1/2 years). –Regular:$975 –65 or Older: $850 Automatic Annual Renewal is available –MasterCard, VISA, DISCOVER, American Express

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 Membership Fees (Cont.) Cost Savings Opportunities through ARRL membership –Use the Outgoing QSL Bureau service –Use your ARRL Affiliated Club Discount $5 for new ARRL members $2 for renewals –WRITE ARTICLES FOR QST!!! $65/page

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 Conclusion Joining the ARRL helps protect your interests in Amateur Radio both domestically and internationally. –The ARRL represents the interests of its voting members. The additional benefits of QST-related information, TIS, the Incoming/Outgoing QSL Bureau, “Radios On-Line” ads, License Renewal Service, etc., more than compensate for the yearly membership rate.

BY Dan Vanevenhoven N9LVS Copyright 2005 Credit Contributors –Original by Phil Salas - AD5X –ARRL More Information –ARRL –Section Manager