Below is a letter from one of our supporters, the original PDF is here.
I am Steve Liggett, W3RX. As background, I graduated from Georgia Tech with a BS in Applied Physics with a specialty in RF. I subsequently went to medical school at the University of Miami School of Medicine to apply rigorous techniques for research in cell signal transduction. After receiving the MD degree, I spent 9 years as a post-doctoral fellow at Washington University School of Medicine and Duke University. I have developed many of the technologies for sequencing the human genome, I have published over 200 papers in scientific journals, and I hold 18 patents. I am currently Vice Dean at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. My main work involves developing the research agenda for the College. I hold an Extra class license, and have been a licensed amateur radio operator since I was 16 years old. I helped to build the first 2 repeaters in Pensacola during high school.
I provide the above information so that you are aware that a) I am knowledgeable and highly trained in electronics, communications, and cutting-edge technologies, and b) I have much experience with organizations, their infrastructure, operating policies, and commitment to policy rigor and service to constituents.
From my observations the FRC is behind the times. In today’s world actions such as coordinating repeaters must have concise, standardized, simplified applications that are acted upon rapidly. The information requested should be limited to what is really needed, rather than exhaustive which can ultimately dissuade amateur radio activities, service to the community, innovation, and experimentation. There should be total transparency as to the rules, bylaws, and voting. The FRC could be energized to make the application process easy and the decisions made quickly, thus acting as a proponent for the hobby rather than as it appears now, which is obstructionist.
So, I agree with Bryan Fields, W9CR, that radical changes must be made. This may bruise some egos, disappoint some board members, and have a disruptive feel to it. However, this is how change often comes about, and it is time for that to occur for the operators in the state of Florida.
Sincerely,
Stephen B. Liggett, M.D. W3RX
VICE DEAN FOR RESEARCH, MORSANI COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
University of South Florida