W2AGN (w2agn) wrote, @ 2006-08-10 08:59:00

Current mood:

aggravated

The Whole Unbelievable QRP-ARCI Story!









W2AGN Exiled from QRP-ARCI ® (or "BANNED BY THE BRITS) I was a relatively long-time member and supporter of QRP-ARCI® (member #9328). Back when G4GXL was building the new Web Page, I responded to his call for help and spent many hours doing over 270 "QRP Links," which included checking them all out, adding a brief commentary, and adding them to the web page. After this, I formatted a couple of articles. Here is where I got the first hint of trouble, as I had a problem getting the format to fit, and I asked Steve a question. I got a very snotty answer which was basically, "If I have to take time to answer your questions I'll do it myself." Well, the web page went up. At first, it had a "Contest Calendar" which listed ALL QRP Contests. An contest organizer could enter his contest on a form, and it would be posted. A very nice feature. I noticed after a while that it was deleted, and made the comment of QRP-F that it was a nice thing that  should be kept.  ERROR #1: Disagreed with G4GXL. Several months ago, QRP-ARCI® had a Survey, about moving the QRP calling frequency to 7030. 80% of those responding agreed it was a good idea. The response of the "leadership" of QRP-ARCI® was a non-decision. "Wait until November and do another Survey." I was critical of this wishy-washy stance, again on QRP-F. For "unacceptable" (read, critical of QRP-ARCI®), I received a phone call from W4QO, requesting I stop making such posts. I told him then (almost 6 months ago) I would quit posting on QRP-F altogether.  Not long after this was the first time G4GXL banned me from accessing the QRP-ARCI® web site by "Forbidding" my IP Address. This lasted for a week. Move up to a few days ago(July 16, 2006). G4GXL announced changes to the web page, including the ability to translate into foreign languages by clicking on a "Flag" icon. I noted that English was indicated by a British Flag, as did others. After one individual commented on this, and received quite negative feedback, I posted the following: I'm sorry, but I must break my self-imposed silence on QRP-F. QRP-ARCI, while welcoming members in all countries, thereby being "International," was still founded in the good old USA. Therefore I find the use of the British flag for "English" inappropriate. I realize this opinion does not win the approval of the "politically correct" crowd, but when I see the G-QRP Club using the US Flag on their web page, then they might have an argument. (Since there are at least as many US members of G-QRP as there are British members of QRP-ARCI.) I am reminded that I also included the following "inflammatory" picture with that post... This was the beginning of the end. 1. First G4GXL banned me(my IP address) from even being able to read the QRP-F forum. 2. He REMOVED my registration so I could not log in on the web page. 3. When I attempted to register with another(club) call he then banned me from even reading the QRP-ARCI® web page, by banning my IP address again. I confirmed this by checking from another computer and ISP. Note he never even had the guts to contact me and say he was doing this. I sent a messsage to all the QRP-ARCI® Officers and BoD members advising them of this unwarranted personal vendetta. I advised the Secretary/Treasurer that since I was being denied access to QRP-ARCI®, and I was paid up until Spring 2007, I expected a refund. I finally received a response from G0BPS, the President of QRP-ARCI®. John, Please note that at all times Steve G4GXL the webmaster ofthe club has had the full support of the Board of Directors and both myself and the Vice President in the actions he has taken. I have instructed the club treasurer to send a full refund of your subscription as requested. You should receive this in the next few days. Have a nice day! --  Dick Pascoe G0BPS President: QRP-ARCI UNBELIEVABLE! Obviously, a defense of the US Flag is punishable by being kicked out of QRP-ARCI®!! Note: I checked from my Grandson's computer, and found that after all this, the American Flag has been added to the icons....as the very last flag. The British Flag still signifies "English." But that is not the point. The point is the sneaky and vindictive treatment by G4GXL (and G0BPS). UPDATE (August 7, 2006) I sent the following to the Officers and Board members of QRP-ARCI: My "membership" was summarily terminated by the "WEBMASTER" of QRP-ARCI. Such action consisted of his "banning" my access to either  read or post on QRP-F, AND, banning my IP address from even being able to READ the QRP-ARCI web page. This was done with no warning or discussion, apparently based on a single post I made to QRP-F questioning the use of the British flag instead of the American Flag for the English language. (This was the ONLY post I made to QRP-F in approximately 6 months).  I fail to see how Article II of the By-Laws was followed, to wit: ARTICLE II: Membership Status. (a.) Membership is for life, unless canceled by reason of voluntary resignation or official Club action. The Club will not rescind membership except for flagrant and repeated violations of QRP-ARCI rules with subsequent failure to satisfactorily answer official Club inquiries within a reasonable time. Although the Club President has indicated his support for this action, I still fail to see how the Webmaster of QRP-ARCI has this authority. The Webmaster's duties are, as noted in the By-laws: (l.) WEB MASTER: The web master will maintain the QRP ARCI web site. He or she will keep the site current with listings of the Officers and Officials; contests and awards; as well as other items of interest to the membership and the general amateur radio community. This will require that Club Officers and Officials maintain a running stream of information to the Web master to keep the Web Site current on all club activities and events. In no place do I see that he has the authority to ban a member from access. I have received a refund of my dues, but am still troubled that QRP-ARCI would commit such a blatant violation of its own by-laws. It brings doubt upon the credibility and honor of the entire organization, its Officers and Board of Directors, when they permit a vindictive individual to pursue his vendetta under the cloak of "authority." This is the unbelievably arrogant reply I received from G0BPS, the President of QRP-ARCI: Hi John, As I understand it you resigned from the club and thus terminated your membership. You have received your refund. I cannot discuss any matters regarding membership or the By-Laws of the club with a non member. --  Dick Pascoe G0BPS President: QRP-ARCI         www.qrparci.org It has come to my attention that apparently some persons are claiming that this is not the "whole story." Let me state 2 facts! 1. The ONLY message I posted to QRP-F in the past 6 months was as noted above. 2. At NO TIME did I send ANY private emails to G4GXL. Any claim that I "harassed" him in private email is a bald-faced LIE!  Again, I sent NO emails to G4GXL in the last 9 months. Prior to that I corresponded when I was assisting with the web page. (No good deed goes unpunished!). I am absolutely AMAZED at the scurrilous actions of the QRP-ARCI®.  I note that other than the nasty email above from G0BPS, NONE of the officers or BoD members of QRP-ARCI® have had the courage or integrity to respond. Further Update: Karl Larsen K5DI was also banned from accessing QRP-F and his registration removed from the Web Page. He also requested a refund, since he was denied membership by the Webmaster. I note that all his  info was purged from the QRP-ARCI® database. He had also dared to suggest the American flag was appropriate. It would appear that the Webmaster  of QRP-ARCI is being permitted, and even encouraged by the Officers and BoD to purge anyone who disagrees with him. Again, this is in complete disregard of QRP-ARCI's® own By-Laws.  WHO WILL BE NEXT?