I am a longtime AMer, an old timer at this point, since around 1966 (on the ham bands). I had played around with 1620 in the old days, but the FCC convinced me that wasn't a good idea. CB too.
I have generally been an ARRL member over the years. Although I considered them kind of parental, and despite their disinterest in, and general opposition to amateur AM, I had to acknowledge their contribution to the continued existence of ham radio. And I still do. When I moved to Virginia in 1996, I soon discovered the technical group known as AMRAD, and I joined. It turns out that the president of AMRAD is Paul Rinaldo, the ARRL Technical Relations Manager, formerly QST Editor and ARRL Technical Department Manager, and a fellow who is often reviled for his real or perceived pro-FCC/anti-AM stance over the years. Knowing Paul now, seeing him traveling all over the world literally all the time, in pursuit of the survival and possibly the expansion of ham radio, I don't hold any grudge. Many guys like Paul at the ARRL are fighting for the survival of ham radio every day. They are constantly parrying some commercial attack on amateur frequencies. They are trying to make ham radio interesting for newcomers, and trying to help them get started. They publish the ARRL Handbook, one of the most useful publications in the whole field of radio. The list goes on and on. Pretty much nobody else is doing anything. We know how clever they are. They are using those wits to defend ham radio. With AM, I think they thought they were doing the right thing. No, it wasn't good. But I'll tell you this: messing with AM is about the last thing on their minds these days. Ham radio is what they are about. Yes, they have to survive financially to do their work. We better hope they can continue. People have to realize that amateur radio is not a right guaranteed by scripture, or the Constitution, etc. It is a gift from the pioneers of radio, a gift that we need to protect and defend. There are conflicts between real-world political necessities and the "boistrous sea of liberty," as Irb W2VJZ might call it, but we should recognize, respect and support those who are defending and trying to stimulate our hobby. They are working hard. They are not just a bunch of fun-hating old cronies. You should meet them some time. I support the ARRL. That's why. Bacon, WA3WDR
