First, I want to apologize to the two gentlemen that are at the center of
this "Flame War" that occupies so much time on this reflector.
I and the individuals involved, have the only first hand knowledge of
the facts. It was my decisions that created the situations that I will
explain below. I would like for it to be understood that in my defense,
when I took on this job, I knew nothing. Everything was "On The Job
Training" and I had only 60 days to put it together. I knew that mistakes
would be made in some of my decisions and I would receive some flack for
making them. So, to settle the matter, here are the facts about the two
incidents in which I was involved.
*As this controversy applies to Scott Royall:*
After the Field Day Committee had been formed, discussions about what
modes we would operate were held. It was decided that we would have two
RTTY stations, three CW and three Phone. The subject of using PSK was
strongly advised against since prior experience told of interference to
other stations on the field.
Scott contacted me via email about bringing his station. He explained in
great detail about how difficult it would be for him to do this without a
person to dismantle and reassemble his station. Also the disruption of his
caregivers lives. I knew that Scott wanted to use PSK, but we were not
going to have that mode this year and I knew that this would be a great
disappointment to Scott.
I replied to Scott in an email. I told him how much I respected his
abilities in spite of his physical limitations (I really do). I told him I
knew that this decision would be a disappointment to him, but to not let it
get him down. I suggested to him to operate from home on Field Day and I
understand that's exactly what he did.
Unfortunately, Scott continues to complain by using using this reflector
to reveal, what I perceive as a childish attempt at retribution against me
and BVARC.
Scott, directly to you. I am truly sorry for the actions taken by me that
caused you so much hurt. You should hold me responsible and not the club.
It was my decision. I made it and I have to stand behind it.
*As this controversy applies to Travis Burgess:*
Travis, this was a terrible screw-up that I made. I want you to
understand how sorry I am and would give anything if it hadn't happened.
Some background:
As we were trying to gather radios and equipment, Travis volunteered two
radios. He later changed his mind and offered one. He then decided he would
provide a stand alone station. All the emails sent to me by Travis, I
*Replied* to. As FD got closer, I sent several emails to Travis and he did
not reply.
There was also communication between Travis and Mike Davidson
(Operations) so I didn't worry about a no reply from Travis. About a week
before Field Day, I sent Travis an email explaining we would not need his
station after all and not to bring it. I got no reply but thought nothing
of it since he seemed to never reply to me anyway. I went about my business
and forgot about the no reply from Travis.
Friday afternoon, I delivered to the field some antenna poles that
belonged to Travis that I had stored at my home since last year. I went
home from the field late Friday and something triggered my brain to make
sure Travis understood about his station. I sent off an email to him and
went to bed.
Saturday morning, I was shocked to find a rejected notice in my inbox
stating there was no mailbox for the email sent to Travis. I checked my
address book and sure enough, I had his address *wrong. * Why didn't his
ISP reject my other emails? Too late to do anything now so I went to the
field.
Shortly after I arrived at the field, Travis came in with a smile and
raring to go. I was the one that had to give him the news about his station.
Travis just looked at me with no expression on his face and said "I'm
going home". If you know Travis like I do, you know he hides his true
feelings behind a mask of no expression. This makes it hard to know if he
is serious or not. Anyway, I found out later that he, in fact, had gone
home.
In case you don't know, Travis is an excellent photographer and the clubs
official one. Fortunately, other cameras were available but we did miss
Travis. I was disappointed he had abandoned his post.
So there you have it. My firsthand accounting of the events that set this
fire storm in motion.
I want to once again apologise to both of you and to the members of BVARC.
As to who is right and who is wrong, I leave it up to the reader. As the
Chairman of the Field Day Committee, I had to make some hard decisions. I
stand by my actions.
Please give some thought to what I just said and let's put this matter to
bed.
Respectfully,
73 -- Roy Storey W5TKZ
Chairman, 2014 Field Day Committee
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