W2AGN's Blurty

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?



	2007.09.28 15.54 Another Attack from a Brit! > formmail.to: W2AGN > > > > From_Email: terry.poole@ntlworld.com > > > > From_Name: Terence Poole > > > > Subject: Disgracing Amateur Radio. > > > > Message: Your comments on the BITX are totally out of order. > > > > How can you accuse someone of lying and attempting to evade tax when nothing is actually being sold, but given away? > > > > Sour grapes spring to mind. > > > > You obviously have nothing better to do in your old age than jump on a personal bandwagon. > > This is exemplified by your attempts to put the clocks back regarding licensing > > changes and the removal of CW requirements not to mention your run-in with the > > QRP fraternity. > > Your adoption of a dead mans callsign just about sums up your lack of self esteem. > > > May I suggest you sign up for the rest-home and leave the true amateurs to persue what is left of a tainted hobby due to > > the likes of yourself. > > > > Get a life. > > > > By the way, I am no newcomer as I have held a FULL license since 1965. > > > > Terry Poole > > Note that this was in response to a message I posted suggesting it was inappropriate to solicit falsehoods from one who is shipping a package overseas. The individual REQUESTED on a public forum, that the sender lie about the value and contents! I especially appreciated the comment from this lowlife about the "dead man's callsign." I did find out that Mr. Pole's callsign was G3VMT. Mood: crappy



	2007.01.06 09.26 New QRP-L List Well, there is a NEW QRP-L list, qrp-l at qrp-l.org. I was actually invited, but hesitated, as I noted one extremely unsavory character was a "charter member." I did, however, go ahead and join. I posted one innocuous message, and immediately received a message from one of the "moderating committee" that my "signature" was unacceptable because it made a "political attack." See below: _ _ _ _ _ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ John L. Sielke ( W )( 2 )( A )( G )( N ) http://w2agn.net \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ http://www.blurty.com/users/w2agn See the underhanded actions of QRP-ARCI. http://w2agn.net/qrparci.html (UPDATED November 16, 2006!!!) So once again, QRP-ARCI has their fingers in the pie, controlling yet another group. (Yes, the President and the Webmaster are both members of the "new" QRP-L.) The truth about their sleazy actions and un-American attitude is to be censored wherever possible! Mood: annoyed



	2006.08.26 10.00 More QRP-ARCI Vendetta Had an opportunity to look at the web page from another computer. (I am, of course, still blocked). Found a couple interesting things the petty pissant, aka Webmaster, has done. 1. Removed my Web Page from the "Personal Web Pages" links. (Not surprising). 2. Removed 2 Articles I had posted, one on the MP+, and one on the R2T2 I had built. Both were articles he had requested, and I had formatted and posted back when the web page was being built. What a childish, vindictive asshole this guy is!



	2006.08.02 13.45 "Have a Nice Day...." Received a personal check from the QRP-ARCI Sec/Treas for my $18.00 refund. What was really interesting is that he felt the need to spend $4.79 in postage to send it Certified Mail/Return Receipt. Also noted he wrote "Have a Nice Day" in the "Memo" field. Exactly the same words the President, G0BPS used in his email to me. "John, Please note that at all times Steve G4GXL the webmaster of the 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! " Must be the new catchword for QRP-ARCI, replacing "72." Mood: cranky



	2006.07.23 15.38 BANNED on QRP-ARCI First I made my first post to QRP-F in six months. It was simply my opinion that since QRP-ARCI is based in the USA, it would be appropriate to us a US flag fior "English Language" rather than the British Flag. For this: 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. I was told this was done by him with the blessing of the QRP-ARCI BoD. Since I have been denied the rights and privileges of a member, I must request that my remaining dues be refunded. I am paid through Spring 2007. Mood: PISSED OFF!



	2006.06.04 16.28 AmQRP Belly Up! We knew it would happen. AmQRP has gone belly up. Now they are "promising" refund checks. Right! After the way the Homebrewer was handled, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a check! Mood: amused



	2006.05.21 19.12 QRP ARCI Hall of Shame? I was very sad to lean that at this years Dayton Hamfest and FDIM the Grand Poobahs of the QRP-ARCI (also known as the colonial branch of the G-QRP Club) inducted NO ONE into the QRP Hall of Fame. I had personally nominated Oleg, RV3GM, who has practically single handedly promoted QRP in Russia, founded the Russian QRP Club, has provided numerous kits for fellow Russian Hams (and others) and writes a column for the QRP ARCI's own QRP Quarterly. Could the folks at QRP ARCI be so small and petty that he was not selected because he was nominated by one who is on their sht list? In addition, John Shannon K3WWP, who has been a voice for QRP CW with simple antennas for YEARS, writes a column in WORLDRADIO, etc., was also nominated...and rejected. Finally Chuck W5USJ was nominated. He has pushed the milliwatt operation side of QRP, and has been an Elmer to many. Again, rejected by QRP-ARCI! This is throughly disgusting! QRP-ARCI has descended to a new low. Mood: disgusted!*



	2006.04.05 12.13 QRP ARCI WEB Site Well, I guess the QRP ARCI Webmaster gets the last laugh. I have been banned from even LOOKING at the web site. For the past 4 days, I receive the following: Forbidden You don't have permission to access / on this server. Additionally, a 403 Forbidden error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request. Apache/1.3.33 Server at www.qrparci.org Port 80 Mood: aggravated



	2006.04.03 14.17 First OLIVIA QSO Just made my first QSO on OLIVIA using the SDR-1000 and MixW. Worked Vlad, UA6CE. Solid print on 500/16 OLIVIA.



	2006.04.02 09.31 Finally... Finally, after repeated requests, the http://www.vizkey.com link has been added to the "Keys and Paddles" section of the QRP ARCI QRP links.



	2006.03.27 09.03 SPAM on QRP-F Well, W4QO, the QRP-F Moderator was so busy moderating my posts he felt the need to call me, but I see 4 SPAM posts for various pharmaceuticals have remained on the QRP-F list for more than 24 hours. I guess SPAM is more welcome than W2AGN's comments.



	2006.03.17 15.39 Getting Harder to Help Folks... It really is. For example, some clown posted a question on the Elecraft list. I, and some others, tried to answer his question, and what happens? I get one of those messages that he has a spam filter, and if I want to send him email, I have to go to such-and-such a web page and register. Yeah, right! Screw him. If he wants an answer, he can get rid of his stupid spam filter. Then, I answer a question on Chuck Adam's QRP-TECH list. Now I know Chuck rules with an iron hand, ever since he was so heavy-handed on QRP-L that folks finally drove him off. But hey, he has to massage his ego somehow, so he "founded" another list. Of course, he "moderates" EVERY message. Well, when I answered, I quoted the question, also. My answer was rejected due to "excessive quoting." Now, if you want to run a list where people can ask questions, you don't want to be rejecting answers, but so he does. So, is the list for "qrp-tech" or for "K7QO ego trip?"



	2006.03.16 09.20 Ozark 17 Finished my Ozark 17 kit. Works fine, about 2 watts out with 13.4 volts.



	2006.03.08 19.14 K40 RTTY Just finished the RTTY board for my K1EL K40 keyer. This little thing is amazing. I still have an old Model 19 RTTY machine out in the garage, that I used to use with a HB ST-6 Demodulator. This little box, smaller than a paperback book, does all that that machine and the ST-6 did, even has an LCD readout. It works better on weak signals than the old setup did, with its painstakingly tuned filters made with 88mh toroids. With this, and a little rollup mini keyboard, along with a little QRP rig like my RDX-109, and I am portable RTTY, with battery power. (It will work with a CW QRP rig, if you modify it for FSK, which I haven't gotten to yet). Some things new are kinda neat....



	2006.03.28 09.20 More Monkeyshines from QRPARCI Back when they were setting up the Web Page, I volunteered to help, and did all the "QRP Links" listed. Since then, of course, I have fallen out of favor and my privileges for updating them were removed by Steve. I found another link, http://www.vizkey.com that I felt should be added under "Keys and Paddles." The guy makes a nice little QRP paddle, as well as some VERY neat bugs. I sent a polite message to Steve, asking him to add it. No response. I then sent a message to Jim, W4QO, still no response. I note that the link has not been added, either. Since I apparently am in the QRP-ARCI Staff "SPAM FILTER," my decision to no longer consider myself a member seems to be justified.



	2006.02.28 18.31 NC2030 Deluxe Finished my NC2030 Deluxe, with built in Digital Readout and Zmatch. Yep, that is an old National ACN Vernier. I used capacitor tuning, and a coil of 55 turns on a T50-6 worked just right.



	2006.02.27 08.52 QRP-F Well, I guess I have finally reached the crowning point of my career as a a pain in the ass. I got a phone call from W4QO last night, lamenting how busy all the QRP ARCI volunteers were, including himself, and how much work I caused, since he had to go through all my posts on QRP-F and delete the offensive ones. I told him I was sorry they found the truth offensive. I was told that posts to the QRP-F must be completely neutral, with nothing that could offend anyone. My posts critical of the handling of the frequency poll, and of the contest listings were unsuitable. I told him no problem, I would not post again, and would no longer be a member of QRPARCI. My subscription goes until 2007, but I will be sending "5W" in the contests rather than "9328."



	2006.02.14 09.27 A 'Non-decision" Well, I see the Prez and VP of QRP-ARCI commented on the poll. Although 87% were in favor of moving to 7030, rather than make a decision, and say "OK, 7030 is now the QRP calling frequency," they have risked all in deciding to...use both frequencies for a year, and then get comments again next November. What does it take to make a mandate? Or, maybe, what does it take to get a decision? Unbelievable "wimpiness!"



	2006.02.12 14.43 QRP ARCI Poll QRP-ARCI recently conducted a poll about moving the USA 40M QRP frequency from 7040 to 7030, in line with the rest of the world. Out of 800+ votes, 89% were in favor of the change. BUT, altghough they promised results on February 11th, the only thing they did was delete all refernce to the poll and the question of the change from the web page. Another example, like the ARRL, of "responding to the wishes of the membership?"



	2006.02.12 09.13 Has anybody noticed how so-called "List Moderators" suddenly become monsters after the list reaches a certain size. Kind of like dictators in some African countries, who previously are doctors, known for kindness, etc., then when they become President they become tyrants, murdering all who oppose them. Similar thing on many QRP lists, and even on QRP-ARCI. A little power, and these petty egotists seem to start throwing their weight around, telling others what to say and how to think.



	2005.05.21 17.47 Shack Pictures Added some new shack pictures to my webpage. Tried out a "Fisheye" lens. SHACK PICTURES



	2005.05.16 15.04 First Fishing Trip Only picked up a couple Blues, but nice to get out on the water, with 70 deg temps and sunshine.



	2005.05.12 15.08 Boat Launched Boat launched for another season of fishing, hopefully some Marine Mobile Ham operation, also. Mood: cheerful