For over a century, the American Radio Relay League® (ARRL) has stood as the premier voice of amateur radio in the United States. From legislative advocacy to technical publications, licensing support, and emergency communications, the ARRL has been deeply intertwined with the growth and stewardship of our hobby.
But as I sit and write this in 2025, I find myself asking a question I never thought I would:
Is the ARRL still worth supporting?
I’ve been a licensed amateur radio operator since 2010. Like many of you, I joined the ARRL early on, not just out of obligation, but out of pride. Supporting the League felt like supporting the hobby itself. It was our national organization — the force that stood up for us when the government didn’t understand us, that published the handbooks we learned from, that gave legitimacy to what many see as an outdated curiosity.
Today, it doesn’t feel that way anymore.
I am currently an ARRL member. But I can say, without hesitation or bitterness, that I will not be renewing in 2026. And I want to take this opportunity to explain why — not out of anger, but out of a deep concern for the future of amateur radio in America.
Leadership in Decline
Let’s start at the top: David Minster, the current CEO of the ARRL. He came in with bold language and promises of transparency and modernization. What we’ve seen instead is confusion, mismanagement, and a growing disconnect between the League and its members.
It’s hard to ignore the ARRL’s VEC system meltdown — the result of what the League described only as a “cyber incident.” Hundreds of new licensees were caught in limbo for weeks, unable to legally get on the air, with minimal public communication or explanation. The League eventually acknowledged the situation, but only after pressure mounted from volunteers, VEs, and local clubs who were left to explain a mess they didn’t create.
This wasn’t just a technical failure. It was a leadership failure. An organization of this size and legacy should have had contingency plans, communication protocols, and the professional competence to manage its public-facing services better than this.
Where Are the Benefits?
Ask yourself honestly: what does your ARRL membership get you today?
We used to justify it with the print edition of QST Magazine, advocacy at the federal level, the Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) services, technical resources, and a sense of community support.
But now:
- The print edition of QST — gone.
- VEC services — unreliable.
- Technical content — watered down.
- Advocacy — quiet, confusing, and far less transparent than it should be.
Sure, there’s still a digital QST, some online tools, and a few training materials, but the tangible benefits of membership have been whittled down to almost nothing. The ARRL has become, in the eyes of many, a brand that leans heavily on its century-old reputation while offering little value to the average ham.
A Disconnect from the Community
One of the most concerning trends is the ARRL’s growing disconnect from its own grassroots base. This is not just a top-down management issue; it’s a cultural one.
Across the country, local clubs are struggling. Membership is aging, youth engagement is minimal, and many volunteers feel unsupported by the national organization. There is little evidence that ARRL leadership is actively listening to or meaningfully engaging with these issues.
Instead, the ARRL seems to be retreating into a bureaucratic shell — more concerned with internal structure, maintaining appearances, and issuing press releases than actually getting its hands dirty to help grow the hobby.
When was the last time you saw ARRL officers actively engaged with emerging areas like digital voice, Meshtastic, or FT8 in an authentic way? When have they partnered with the YouTube creators who are doing more to grow the hobby than any official publication has in years?
They’re missing from the conversation. And that’s a shame.
What About the Board?
Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: the ARRL Board of Directors needs a complete overhaul.
The current structure is outdated and seems more concerned with internal politics than with bold vision or accountability. There have been repeated incidents of board infighting, votes of no confidence, and decisions that suggest a profound detachment from the average member’s needs.
The amateur radio community deserves leadership that is not only transparent and accountable but also connected to the modern realities of the hobby. That includes understanding online culture, embracing new technologies, and recognizing that the next generation of hams will not come from dusty newsletters — they’ll come from YouTube, TikTok, Discord, and real community outreach.
The current board isn’t equipped for that. And they’ve shown little interest in adapting.
A National Organization Should Inspire
Here’s what hurts the most: I want the ARRL to succeed.
I want to be proud of my membership card. I want to encourage new hams to join. I want to believe that there is still a place for a national organization that protects, educates, and advocates for all of us.
But that belief is fading fast.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Imagine an ARRL that actually embraced the content creators, podcasters, and streamers who are engaging new audiences daily. Imagine an ARRL that led the charge on modern licensing reform, helped clubs grow through smart marketing and tools, and maintained bulletproof technical infrastructure to support VE teams across the country.
Imagine an ARRL that actually felt like it had your back.
That organization could exist. But it’s not the one we have now.
Where Do We Go From Here?
I know I’m not alone in this. I’ve spoken with dozens of operators — from Extra-class Elmers to brand-new Technicians — who feel exactly the same way. They see the cracks. They feel abandoned. They’re tired of paying dues to an organization that doesn’t seem to care about their experience or their voice.
The ARRL is not beyond saving. But saving it requires real change:
- David Minster should step down. It’s time for new leadership with modern competence and the humility to engage with the community.
- The Board needs reform. Term limits, transparency, and a focus on practical service should replace politics and complacency.
- Membership needs to mean something again. Bring back real benefits — printed magazines, member discounts, club grants, gear giveaways, modern tools — things that matter.
- Reconnect with the grassroots. Meet hams where they are — in their shacks, online, at hamfests — and actually listen.
If the ARRL doesn’t change, it will become irrelevant. The decline will accelerate. And the future of organized amateur radio in the United States will belong to the creators, clubs, and innovators who never waited for permission in the first place.
Final Thoughts
Some may see this post as harsh. I see it as honest. My goal isn’t to destroy the ARRL — it’s to wake it up. We are at a crossroads. The future of ham radio is being shaped right now, and we need strong leadership — not just a legacy brand.
To the ARRL: If you’re listening — we want you to succeed. But that starts with owning your mistakes, stepping aside where necessary, and getting back to the core mission of serving amateur radio operators.
Until then, I’ll continue to support ham radio. I’ll promote it, teach it, advocate for it. But I will not renew my ARRL membership in 2026.
And I suspect I won’t be the only one.