ARA Recruitment Drive for Radio Officers

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David J. J. Ring, Jr.

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Aug 13, 2017, 1:11:07 AM8/13/17
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American Radio Association Launches Recruitment Drive
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The American Radio Association, also known as The ARA, has announced an
effort to broaden their base of sea going Radio Electronics Officers and
Electro-Technical Officers.

Radio and Electronics Officers are at the forefront of maintenance and
repair of modern communications, navigation, and automation electronics
aboard the newest U.S. flag ships, all over the world.

(PRWEB) MAY 09, 2017

The American Radio Association, also known as The ARA, has announced an
effort to broaden their base of sea-going Radio Electronics Officers and
Electro-Technical Officers.

The ARA is a labor union representing skilled shipboard communications and
electronics officers for both commercial shipping companies and government
contractors who own or operate U.S. flag ocean going vessels. Kelly
Anderson, the president of The ARA, indicates that the industry has seen
incredible changes in recent times. “Ship board communications personnel
have always been vital to businesses and government agencies operating on
the world’s oceans,” says Mr. Anderson. “In the early days, the industry
only needed radio operators skilled in morse code who could get messages to
and from the mainland. It’s quite different today. Now, Radio and
Electronics Officers are at the forefront of maintenance and repair of
modern communications, navigation, and automation electronics aboard the
newest U.S. flag ships, all over the world.”

The need for skilled electronics technicians and engineers aboard ships has
been growing over the decades, and Mr. Anderson says The ARA is facing a
shortage of technical personnel – “possibly due to a lack of awareness of
this interesting career path,” he notes.

The ARA is now actively recruiting. Candidates must possess the ability and
flexibility to learn new systems, read and interpret technical manuals and
schematics, troubleshoot and repair equipment, have good communications
skills and, importantly, must have a desire to work on board ships in any
part of the world for up to six months each year.

In addition to maintaining shipboard electronics, Radio Electronics
Officers have jurisdiction of computer systems, entertainment systems, and
even cryptographic systems on some vessels.

Mr. Anderson says that The ARA, a member of the AFL/CIO, “is in the very
unique position of providing the sorts of wages, benefits and worker
protections that only a labor union can provide.” The organization is also
an affiliate of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).

To contact the American Radio Association, please visit the following
website: http://www.araunion.org or email araship(at)mail.com.

73

DR
N1EA

Michael Zbrozek

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Aug 13, 2017, 3:25:07 AM8/13/17
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Dear Group -

I just read the ARA paper regarding recruitment. Good luck on finding people for that profession.
When I sailed 1980-1996 I was always busy fixing gear. The problem was lack of boards, parts, etc.
I hope the more modern REO has more parts to work with. It was always frustrating trying to repair gear.
With robot ships taking over someday I hope C3PO will have enuff spares to fix the problems.
Maybe ask R2D2 for help....

73
Mike K8XF





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D.J.J. Ring, Jr.

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Aug 13, 2017, 10:21:37 AM8/13/17
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I received this message from a friend who like Mike who just posted used to work for the FCC (he in Boston, Mike, elsewhere. ) 

——
Two thoughts:

GPS spoofing - we will see autonomous ships disappearing for looting.  It's safer than piracy.

Seagoing electronics officer - they expect a helluva lot.  You're expected to know everything about everything, including computers.  All that and at sea for six months, and the money isn't much.  I couldn't do it.  Well, changing boards would make it easier, but no cinch.
——

73

DR

Michael Zbrozek

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Aug 13, 2017, 11:46:14 AM8/13/17
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Hello Group -

 I have heard from a REO or two that sails for Matson that the Elect Officer is required to be on the ship while
the vessel is in port. That stinks. I dont care how much money they pay a guy I wont be a prisoner.
I dont think ARA has other shipping companies left anymore under contract. Since the US
Merchant Marine has melted away its a mystery why the ARA still is aboard Matson ships. I bet
its because the ARA is affliated with the Long Shoremans Union.

73
Mike K8XF





-----Original Message-----
From: D.J.J. Ring, Jr. <n1...@arrl.net>
To: Radio Officers Google Group <radio-o...@googlegroups.com>
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Eric Weber

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Aug 13, 2017, 12:04:01 PM8/13/17
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The spare parts situation has gotten worse, with higher reliability even ports don't stock parts.   The only way to avoid delays is for the R/O to determine the bad boards or part and have it delivered prior to the ships arrival...  If shore techs are relied on exclusively delays awaiting parts can be expected.   Many ships have triplication of equipment, which strangely is frequently cheaper than a full set of spares.

Rgds
Eric 

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Michael Zbrozek

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Aug 13, 2017, 12:54:43 PM8/13/17
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HewlloGroup -

I have seen plenty of damage to bridge gear caused by Mates spilling coffee into the top of gear.
If the spare parts have become such an issue I think the REO would  be reduced to a computer maint guy and
engine room flunky. Thats not a great way to earn a living...

73
Mike K8XF





-----Original Message-----
From: 'Eric Weber' via Radio Officers <radio-o...@googlegroups.com>
To: radio-officers <radio-o...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Aug 13, 2017 12:05 pm
Subject: Re: [Radio Officers, &c] ARA Recruitment Drive for Radio Officers

Don Gagne

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Aug 13, 2017, 3:39:53 PM8/13/17
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DAVE: Inadequate parts, non-existent manuals, pressure to get underway, low wages -  where is the pleasure of  listening  on 500  in the late hours 

No thanks

Don

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D.J.J. Ring, Jr.

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Aug 13, 2017, 4:29:51 PM8/13/17
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At least if you sailed around San Francisco you'd hear KPH on Saturday mornings and afternoons on 500 and 426 kHz.

I remember smiling when I approached SFO that I'd hear "The Power House of the Pacific", KPH sending sweet Morse there.

I don't know what year they lost their big MF antenna and 30 kW output power but they still had quite a big signal even as they closed as WCC WNU KPH KFS, the real big super station with transmitters on all our coasts!  Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific.

73
DR


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Michael Zbrozek

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Aug 27, 2017, 1:23:21 PM8/27/17
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Hello Rich and the Group-

I agree with you completely. I bet ARA will have trouble finding people due to the nature of this position.
All the USCG requirements that go with getting this kind of job would discourage any person......

When I sailed for my 6 months in 80-81, the fellow that a sailed with was a crusty nasty rotten type of guy. I felt
like giving up after 2 months but found the inner fortitude to stay and complete my 6 months svc endorsement.
He also advised that I leave sailing sooner than later....he was right. He should have taken his own advice.

Just look at the Marad current US Flag Flt list for 2017 and there are less and less US ships left. Except for MSC
all the other companies I have worked for are gone, or sold off their ships.


73
Mike K8XF





-----Original Message-----
From: Rich <1952r...@gmail.com>
To: Radio Officers <radio-o...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Aug 27, 2017 12:59 pm
Subject: [Radio Officers, &c] Re: ARA Recruitment Drive for Radio Officers

CQ

Count me OUT.  Even for $20,000.00 a month which is what a man who can really do that job deserves.

Do you realize how qualified a man has to be to do that job?  You're talking about a middle-aged man, because it takes that long to get to the point where you know all these systems and can effective REPAIR them.  Very few people can really do well at that job.  To the men who can; I congratulate you and respect your knowledge and skill.

Not to mention life at sea!  I remember when I did my apprenticeship in the CW era.  My Chief R/O had been to sea for decades at that point.  I was 23 years old or so at the time.  He told me to get off ships and never come back.  In spite of all the good operating I did and the places I've seen, I believe now that I should have taken his advice. 

73,
RM
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