--Around The Globe
It appears that AA5AU and K3MM are the big winners in the Roundup. 'twas a good contest. See the Contest section for more details.
Heard Island still on track. After operating TO0R, they should now be enroute through stormy seas for VK0. If anybody can arrive at and then get ashore safely it is no doubt this crew. Talk about planning. See the Heard website for details, details, details.
Some propose forming a world-wide web of policemen to nab the DX jammers. Lots of comment on the Internet. Some are against the idea, including the Editor. See commentary for the N2HOS view. How do you feel?
Word from Sweden indicates confirms that digital magazines are suffering everywhere. This was received today--"The famous SARTG NEWS is about to die. After retirement of Lennart SM6AEN - the editor in chief - there seems to be nobody continuing the job." Low rate of membership and lack of advertising revenue are to blame.
Those few of you who recently renewed your subscription in response to our appeal will be entitled to a refund. It may or may not be a full refund for it can only be paid after all other IDRA obligations are settled. You do not need to apply, but please do not expect a check before the end of February. No other refunds are anticipated at this time.
The phone and fax numbers at IDRA headquarters will no longer be in service. Please address all correspondence to the IDRA at PO Box 2550, Goldenrod, FL 32733. We will try to respond in a reasonable time, but please be patient.
There are no sad songs sufficient to the occasion. When newspapers shut down, the staff retires to the local bar in order to mourn in proper fashion. Since we who contributed time and talent to this fine journal are scattered all over the world, we must mourn alone. It won't be easy.
73 sk
This surprising development came only weeks after the Journal announced a new bimonthly schedule, a step mandated by the disappearance of many primary advertisers who had supported the magazine over many years. The lack of advertising revenue was matched, unfortunately, by a decline in the number of members willing to pay for hard copy of what they felt was available for no cost on the Internet. Signs of the times?
The Digital Journal has been published for 45 years and, though it had seen difficult times before, there has never been, as the farmer might say, "a drouth this bad!" Ironically, the difficulties increased in direct proportion to the quality of the publication. Be that as it may, there is no need for a publication if its readers refuse to pay the cost of the journal in question. Thousands of magazines and newspapers have learned this bitter lesson over the years . . . and the parade is by no means at an end. In a world driven by electronic media, the printed, hard copy, hold-it-in-your-hands kind of medium is at risk. Count on it. The Journal faced it resolutely but could not surmount the obstacles. Sadly, the DJ is now a silent key.
Related news on the Editor's Page.