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. NOTE:
I requested a refund AFTER being "banned" 
from QRP-ARCI® !
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: The President
refers to this as a "Subscription." I considered it
"membership dues." Therefore I emailed
the Secretary Treasurer and requested
my membership data be purged, since I had been
"banned" as a member already.
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?

UPDATE: August 13, 2006. Karl's membership data
has been returned. He still cannot access QRP-F or
Log-in on the web page, but at least he can view
the Web Page.

One of the BoD has contacted me, claiming my
statement that my membership was terminated
by the webmaster is false, referring to the By-laws
I noted above. I responded that by denying me
access to both the Forum and the Web Page, G4GXL
denied me my membership privileges and by his actions
terminated my membership.  I used the example of a
person joining a Health Club (Gym). He pays his
membership, and then is locked out of the door, and
denied communication with other members.  The BoD member
said membership in QRP-ARCI® is based  on
subscribing to QRP Quarterly. So to follow my example,
it's OK to lock the member out, as long as he gets
the Quarterly Newsletter.

Does that make sense?

 MORE! August  24, 2006

It would appear the Brits aren't satisfied with just

banning me from QRP-ARCI. It would appear that

they are intent on removing every trace I ever existed ;-)

1. The Webmaster removed the link to my Web page f

from the "Personal Web Page" links. (Not surprising).

2. He removed TWO articles I wrote, AT HIS REQUEST,

back when he was setting up the new Web Page.

One was on my MP+, the other on my R2T2

(40M rig using KK7B modules).

It is unbelievable that such a petty, vicious psychotic

is allowed to  pursue his personal vendetta, but as I

was told, the Officers and BoD support him.