Subj : From one of the "ARRL 50" IN PR
To   : All
From : KK4QBN
Date : Thu Oct 19 2017 01:39 am

Comments from Ham radio operator NS0S on his experiences in Puerto Rico. The
main reason I dont support Red Cross disaster services or the ARRL ham radio
organization anymore. The Salvation Army is a better way to go.

I have had a very rewarding time in Puerto Rico. But there was tons of chaos. I
honestly could only control what happened in my circle and in my area. We had
lots and lots of issues because of the ARRL leadership here and certain members
that came.
We were chosen to come to support the Red Cross. The Red Cross made 22 of us
volunteers. ARRL gave them a list of names of qualified people who asked to
come. After two weeks the Red Cross basically said they were done with the ARRL
group and said they would not extend the need of our support anymore. The Red
Cross is staying. They just don't want the bullshit out group caused anymore.
We had tons of freelancers. We only had 22 members go, it was never ever a
force of 50. At least 5 of those members decided they would rather be famous
than help people. Three of the members completely abandoned the Red Cross and
tried to go to FEMA as "liaisons" leaving us with less resources. FEMA already
had tons of resources for communication. But, some members from the ARRL group
were more concerned about making a name for themself than doing any work. We
were promised we would not be sent out alone. Then, they pulled us all back to
San Juan to send us out across the island and other islands alone with zero
support. There was not even a regular red cross volunteer where I was at.
Net control would abandon the station at times. I was told they were turning
off the volume at times. They were supposed to be there 24 hours a day for
emergencies. They started closing at 7pm without notifying anyone of changes. I
would call for help and my calls went unanswered. They would not respond to
emails for support. They would skip the Red Cross and forward messages directly
to FEMA. The Red Cross would be often unaware of issues we faced. The Red Cross
weren't informed of request for service from the communities we were in.
They expected me to pull down my antenna in a thunderstorm off a metal roof.
When I was four hours late they emailed me and lied to say they needed me back
in San Juan to do a news interview. I had made the Red Cross completely aware
of what was going on but the ARRL was acting independently of the Red Cross. I
would of never left the island I was on with such haste. The community is still
in dire need. The mayor was excited that they might get some exposure to get
assistance. This was all a complete lie.
I had to find a stranger on the ferry and get them to take me. I was basically
hitchhiking at 10pm at night because they were acting like immature two year
olds. They honestly said they thought they would have to send the MPs to get
me. They were in some fantasy world. I am a volunteer and I am in the United
States. They thought they could get the military to get me if I quit. These are
the same morons trying to make decisions for us.
I guess they never got the memo that we are in a free country and I am just a
volunteer. They were complete amateurs. I know some of the people here on
reddit do not know me. I will fill you in on some things. I am a veteran. I was
in the 101st Airborne. I was a medic in the Navy Reserves after I got out of
the army. I have been a firefighter in the inner city of Kansas City for 13
years. I am very active in Boy Scouts. I volunteer at our Boy Scout camp every
year as a medic. I just try to be a nice guy.
I have zero tolerance for liars or people of poor character. I do not like
people with no integrity.
When I got back to San Juan another member of our group said that the ARRL
leaders were upset that I got so much accomplished and they wanted to stop it.
I don't even comprehend this logic. I guess they thought I was stealing the
limelight. I don't think this is a ARRL problem across the board. I think this
is more of an issue with the ARRL members they sent down.
Some of this might stem from me taking a phone call from Marco Rubio's office
to get supplies for the hospital. I am sure the ARRL people were like the red
headed step children at the Fema headquarters. I guess they were jealous. I was
just trying to be helpful. Fame doesn't really do much for me. We are all just
people.
Another issue we faced was ZERO members from the actual ARRL leadership came
down. They were trying to dictate what we did when they had no idea what we
were even doing. They weren't there. I guess the stolen valor person who
finally came down late might of been from ARRL but I dont know. You can tell
they were complete morons in emergency situations.
One of the ARRL members that was "concerned" that they couldn't get in touch
with me said they had tried repeatedly. This was not true. I literally have
zero emails from anyone on winlink other than one email saying they wanted me
to be at a dock at 1230. There was no repeated attempts. No messages to my
personal email. No text. No nothing. Maybe someone here knows someone from
winlink to verify my story. I don't lie.
The last conversation I had with the ARRL members said they didn't want me to
tell the Red Cross what had happened because they didnt want to get embarrassed
by their behavior.
The truth is the ARRL jeopardized missions in Puerto Rico. The honestly put
lives at risk. There was good things that were done but it was my the average
people that wanted to go down to Puerto Rico to help. Not the ARRL leadership
that wanted to act like they were some superior group that had saved the whole
government from chaos. They really just added to the chaos. I am ashamed to be
associated with that group.
Members of our group could not work as a team. Two members were kicked off
their teams because of fights they caused with regular volunteers. One member
was almost sent home because of fighting.
I am not going to publically name anyone. But, I think the ARRL needs to stay
away from this in the future. The Red Cross could use Hams again. But, hams
need to remember we are their to support the mission. We are just one part of a
huge picture. We are not their to make our own missions and go rogue. We pass
traffic. We don't coordinate efforts.
We actually had a member of our group that we found out had paid a VE friend to
give him a license. He didn't even know how to use the radio. I honestly don't
know how he did it. It pisses me off.
If there is any question about the hard work I did down there just Google my
call sign. It really hurts me to expose them in such a public way but what they
did was terrible. It is horrendous.
My wife has already talked to a local reporter here in Kansas City. They want
to talk about this on the news tomorrow. I am debating how far I want to push
this.
Another point is a walked away from those people 24 hours ago after I turned in
my equipment. My mission was done. The same people who lied and said they
thought I was going rogue or some shit. They said they had a broken arrow. It
makes me laugh just to think of them saying this silly stuff. Anyways, still no
concerned email. No email asking where in Puerto Rico I am. They have a missing
member they don't care about. It pretty much shows they were just upset I was
taking the limelight away.
NS0S
I will be completely upfront and honest if anyone has any questions. So, ask
away. I also really don't care if this is downvoted. I want the people here I
consider my friends to be completely aware of what happened down here. Certain
ARRL members really embarrassed hams.
-- 
 
Tim Smith (KK4QBN) 
KK4QBN BBS

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