The ARRL's "Clean Signal Initiative" -- Does the ARRL Now ASSUME all Transmitters are Manufactured?

 

Will, KI4POV alerted us to this -- we've been reading about it for some time.  I have always found it worrisome.   Here is why:   ARRL -- an organization that has its roots in HOMEBREW radio -- seems to be adopting standards that will discourage radio homebrewing. They seem to be pushing for transmitter cleanliness standards that can only be met by advanced,  SDR-based, manufactured radios. 

I realize that the number of hams who actually build their own SSB gear is shockingly small.  Many of us eschew SDR architecture because of its complexity, and because much of it is based on CPU, ADC, and FPGA chips that, well, are manufactured by some distant company, and are NOT homebrewed by us. 

I am sure the Iphone in my pocket will meet or exceed the ARRL's Clean Signal Initiative standards. But should this be the model that radio amateurs follow?   Is the ARRL -- with its badges! -- moving us closer to FCC standards that will -- in effect -- outlaw things like non-SDR architecture, LC oscillators, and homebrew crystal filters?  What about older boatanchor gear?  Will the new standards be applied to my Hallicrafters HT-37?  Or my DX-100?  And what about the homebrew CW gear that is sometimes (all too rarely) heard on the ham bands?  These "rigs" (they deserve that title) often use (GASP!) tubes.  It seems that under the ARRL's CSI, all of these kinds of rigs will have to go.  They will all have to be replaced by properly-badged SDR mystery boxes from overseas manufacturers. Get out your credit cards guys, and put away the soldering irons! A new day has dawned, brought to you by the ARRL CSI!    

I can hear the howls of complaint already:  Bill is such a trolodyte.   He is opppsed to progress.  He is in favor of dirty signals.   He would have been with those defiantly proclaiming "SPARK FOREVER!"  He refuses to embrace progress and get with the CSI program.  

Well, if the new program does -- in effect -- lead to the prohibition of simple, homebrew circuitry by radio AMATEURS --  if it does move us ever closer to the day when the only way to meet purity standards is via a manufactured SDR mystery box, I am opposed to that.  I prefer homebrew rigs.