April 2002 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

Dayton Reception RSVP
by Hobart, Mary K1MMH 18 Apr '02

18 Apr '02

Good afternoon, For those who have responded to the invitation to the Donor Reception at Wright-Patterson AFB on Friday, April 17 from 6 - 8 pm, thank you. If you have not responded, please RSVP via email next week so we can being final preparations. If you are bringing a guest, please provide the name (if you call, please spell the last name if it is unusual.) As I have mentioned to some of you, base security requires a complete attendance list with all names one week prior to the event. For this reason we will not be abel to accommodate last minute guests. I will be sending out additional directions and guidelines to those who till be attenting with directions and security guidelines the first week in May. Thanks in advance for your response. Mary You're invited...to inspire the next generation to enjoy Amateur Radio. The power of Amateur Radio will be expanded into the classroom to dramatically improve education in math, science, geography, social studies, economics and more. Join this landmark effort by making the most generous contribution when you receive a letter this month. Thank you. Mary M. Hobart, K1MMH Chief Development Officer ARRL 225 Main Street Newington CT 06111 Tel: 860-594-0397 email:mhobart@arrl.org

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Updated Keystaff List
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 18 Apr '02

18 Apr '02

Any changes please advise. TNX Lisa <<KEYSTAFF.doc>>

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Industry Association
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 18 Apr '02

18 Apr '02

Despite a number of attempts over the past several decades, the US amateur radio industry has not been able to organize an effective trade association and maintain it for any length of time. Absent an organization through which they could focus their own efforts, many manufacturers and dealers have tended to look to the ARRL as the organization that ought to do the entire job of promoting amateur radio to the general public. Occasionally there has been a project on which we could work jointly with the major industry players; for example, in the 1980s each of the "big three" donated $20,000 toward the making of one of Dave Bell's films. However, that has been more the exception than the rule despite the fact that each new licensee generates a much larger revenue stream for manufacturers and dealers than for the ARRL. We have not discouraged the formation of an industry trade association. To the contrary, whenever I have been asked I have said that the ARRL represents the interests of the industry's customers and therefore we cannot also represent the interests of the industry itself except when the two happen to coincide -- and in that case it would be easier for us to work in coalition with a single industry group than to try and work with all of the individual industry players, whose interests and opinions will not always coincide. As a major publisher the ARRL is also a part of the amateur radio industry itself, so we should want to be a member of a responsible trade group. The latest attempt to form an industry trade association took shape at this year's pre-Superfest meeting hosted by AES in Milwaukee. One goal of our new Sales and Marketing Manager, Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, is to improve relations between the ARRL and the industry. Dennis was present at the meeting and, consistent with discussions we had had even before he was hired, encouraged the formation of an industry group that could work together with the ARRL to address the common objective of growth. The group had some difficulty coming up with a name that everyone could agree on. They name they have adopted, American Association of Radio Enthusiasts, has the disadvantage that it sounds more like a user group than an industry association. However, the membership requirements and dues are clearly oriented toward the latter. Ray Novak, KC7JPA, of ICOM was chosen as the first president. Ray is one of the more positive, action-oriented individuals in the industry. AARE hopes to have a broader range than just the amateur and amateur-satellite services, extending to market segments such as FRS. I believe the ARRL should join AARE with Dennis as our principal representative. However, before we do so I want to give Board members an opportunity to air any questions or concerns you may have. Here is an article about AARE that has been prepared for release. 73, Dave K1ZZ American Association of Radio Enthusiasts Formed NEWINGTON, CT, Apr 19, 2002--A new organization, the American Association of Radio Enthusiasts (AARE), has been formed to promote Amateur Radio and emergency communications outside traditional amateur circles. The nonprofit corporation also hopes to serve as a conduit for ham radio equipment dealers and manufacturers to exchange ideas and work together on projects. Its stated goal is to help ham radio grow and to double the number of hams in five years. "We look forward to encompassing all aspects of the Amateur Radio Industry--retail dealers, manufacturers and distributors," said ICOM's Ray Novak, KC7JPA, who was chosen to serve as AARE's first president. "This umbrella organization will provide an important focal point leading to a great future." Members of the Amateur Radio industry decided to create the trade group for dealers and manufacturers during an informal annual meeting of Amateur Radio manufacturers held April 5 in Milwaukee in conjunction with AES Superfest 2002. The organization says it hopes to serve as "the voice of the manufacturers and dealers in radio," much as ARRL speaks for Amateur Radio operators. AARE members will include the manufacturers and dealers of radio and emergency products. Companies who join in the first six months will be charter members of the group. In addition to Novak, an executive team representing many facets of the ham radio industry was chosen to lead AARE's debut year. Other officers include Vice President Rick Ruhl, W4PC, of Creative Services Software, and Secretary-Treasurer Evelyn Garrison, WS7A, who represents Alinco. Gordon West, WB6NOA, of Gordon West Radio School; Bob Heil, K9EID, of Heil Sound; and Randy Gawtry, K0CBH, of Timewave Technology will serve on the Board of Directors. The AARE Web site <http://www.aaregroup.org>, now under construction, will provide additional information. Dealers and manufacturers of radio products interested in joining AARE may contact Evelyn Garrison, evelyn(a)aaregroup.org, for details.

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Interesting article from Wireless World
by sysop＠bfdin.com 18 Apr '02

18 Apr '02

======================================================== EPHRAIM SCHWARTZ "Wireless World" InfoWorld.com ======================================================== Thursday, April 18, 2002 Mobile computing commentary by Ephraim Schwartz - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FROM POINT B TO POINT A Posted April 12, 2002 01:01 PM Pacific Time SOMETIMES HIGH-TECH can even make paint drying exciting to watch. Let me explain. The equipment for the ultraviolet curing of paint in the automotive industry uses the 2.4GHz spectrum. You remember 2.4, don't you? It's the Wi-Fi spectrum. OK, arguably there aren't many companies outside of the automotive OEMs that will have to restrict deployment of Wi-Fi because they are curing paint. But there is a bigger issue here, and the examples that follow will illuminate the problem. Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, and the exterior of the Department of Energy building are all lit with Fusion Lighting, a technology from a company of the same name based in Rockville, Md. Fusion Lighting uses a standard magnetron, the kind used in millions of microwave ovens, to focus energy on a quartz sphere the size of a golf ball filled with inert krypton or argon gas and sulfur. The microwave energy focused on the bulb excites the gas and transforms it into plasma to create extremely efficient light. The light is full-spectrum, nearly identical to sunlight. And it costs about 75 percent less than running fluorescent lighting, according to Sal Spada, an independent analyst and director of discrete automation research at ARC Advisory Group in Dedham, Mass. "You can create virtual indoor sunlight with it," says Kent Kipling, senior vice president of business development at Fusion Lighting, noting that of the thousands of beta installations around the world, Fusion's biggest customers are in Scandinavia. By now, you've probably guessed the problem. The magnetron that generates the microwave energy uses the 2.4GHz spectrum, which is unlicensed. And with magnetrons being mass produced for microwave ovens, they're a low-cost solution for creating this light. Pope Air Force Base officials liked fusion lighting so much, they chose it over their IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN, which was co-located with the lighting at the base. "I was told the two conflict and 802.11 was turned off," Kipling says. The bigger problem, Spada says, is that there is too much traffic on the 2.4GHz spectrum, generated by everything from paint drying and microwave ovens, to satellite radio and Bluetooth (see " http://www.infoworld.com/articles/op/xml/02/04/01/020401opwireless.xml "). For example, Spada says, sure, you can put Bluetooth and Wi-Fi together, but the resulting data degradation will give a user the performance of a 9600 baud modem. The truth is the 2.4GHz spectrum, by international treaty, was designed as an ISM (Industry Scientific and Medical) band and not meant for communications, Kipling says. Of course, 802.11a, which uses the 5.5MHz spectrum, is also an ISM band, but it's far, far less congested. Here's what ARC's Spada advises: "A lot of issues with wireless [LANs] haven't unfolded yet. We are recommending that companies wait for 802.11a products to come out." If you've had noise problems with 802.11b deployments send an e-mail to ephraim_schwartz(a)infoworld.com. I will publish the most harrowing examples.

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UTC Grant Funds Emergency Communications Training in Connecticut
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 18 Apr '02

18 Apr '02

I am pleased to announce the award of a $33,000 grant to the ARRL from United Technologies Corporation (UTC) to fund the expansion of ARRL's Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course (ARECC) program in support of homeland security and emergency communications in Connecticut. The grant provides funding to review and revise our ARECC curriculum, to select and train 20 ARECC trainers/mentors and to certify 250 Connecticut hams through the Level I course by the end of 2002. Connecticut was selected by UTC for this grant since the international corporate headquarters of UTC are in Connecticut. Based on a successful program in the state, UTC and ARRL intend to create a model for a national ARECC expansion program, and UTC will consider a proposal to fund that national program in 2003. This grant is unique in UTC's pattern of giving, and creates a strong public/private partnership between one of the nation's largest defense contractors and one of the largest public service volunteer organizations. UTC is the parent company of Pratt & Whitney, Otis Elevator, Sikorsky Aircraft, Hamilton Sundstrand, Carrier and UTC Fuel Cells. Please treat this as advance notification for the information of the ARRL Board. Arrangements are being made for an appropriate joint public announcement by the ARRL and UTC. David Sumner, K1ZZ Chief Executive Officer

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Online Sweepstakes CW results
by Wilson, Mark K1RO 17 Apr '02

17 Apr '02

We're putting the finishing touches on the online version of the 2001 Sweepstakes CW results. Please take a look at http://www.arrl.org/members-only/contests/results/2001/SS-CW/ We're planning to unveil the results to the membership on Friday, with a kickoff in the Web news crawl, ARRL Letter and other outlets. 73, Mark K1RO

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Board Confidential -- Steve Mansfield
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 15 Apr '02

15 Apr '02

Ordinarily an employee's medical situation is private. However, because he has mentioned it himself in his reports, I believe most of you are aware that Steve Mansfield underwent surgery in late November 2000 to remove a brain tumor and that he has been receiving medical treatment since then. Unfortunately, the problem has recurred. A couple of weeks ago Steve and I reviewed the situation and mutually decided that he could no longer travel to Washington. By the middle of last week his functionality had become further impaired to the point that despite his strong desire to continue to come to work and do what he can, it was no longer possible for him to do so. This week Steve is scheduled to go to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston for more advanced chemotherapy than he can receive here in Hartford. After that he will probably be on disability leave. We remain hopeful, but we also have to make sure that our legislative and public affairs bases are covered. President Haynie and I have discussed contingencies. In the meantime, Chris Imlay, Derek Riker, and John Chwat are making sure that our CC&R legislative initiative continues to move forward. I know you will keep Steve in your thoughts and prayers in the days ahead. Dave Sumner, K1ZZ

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Advertising Manager
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 15 Apr '02

15 Apr '02

Board Confidential: Advertising Manager John Bartscherer, "John Bee," N1GNV, has left the staff. For the immediate future, advertising matters should be referred to Sales and Marketing Manager Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV. David Sumner, K1ZZ Chief Executive Officer

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In-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 09 Apr '02

09 Apr '02

In-Newsletter Vol. 25, No. 14 April 8, 2002 Upcoming Meetings April 20th in Ft. Worth, TX at 8:00am A&F Committee Development Development was represented at the Maryland Convention in Timonium last weekend. The visit resulted in good contacts that may benefit our Education and Homeland Defense fund raising efforts. Thanks to Kay Craigie, Bernie Fuller and the Atlantic Division for their hospitality. Responses to our first quarterly planned giving mailing have resulted in two new commitments and 20 requests for more information. RSVPs to the Dayton Reception are light so far due, in part, to concurrent activities on Friday, May 17. Invitees have until April 30 to respond. The Education and Technology Program campaign has produced $3000 so far. To date we've received one $1000 contribution and one $500 to the program. Follow up letters will be mailed at the end of April. Publications The following have been released to the printer: A new book, Simple and Fun Antennas for Hams; The May/June issue of QEX; New printings of the General Class License Manual, the Handbook CD and Your Introduction to Morse Code; The Southeastern VHF Conference Proceedings Membership Services Awards Branch WAS QSLs 450 WAS Certificates 44 WAS Endorsements 33 WAC QSL Cards Checked 114 WAC Certificates 41 WAC Endorsements 15 5 BWAC Certificates 2 A-1 Operator Nominations 3 A-1 Operator Certificates 2 Long Term Member Inquiries 2 VUCC Initial Awards 2 VUCC Grids (Data Entry) 337 VUCC Endorsements 1 VUCC Grids (Data Entry) 100 VUCC Awards Mailed 7 VHF Awards Manager Appt.: Brian E. Bayus, N1KC, Reston, VA. For the coming week-U.S. WAC, RCC, OTC, Friendship awards, Extra Class certificates, and Code Proficiency awards. DXCC Branch Weekly Report April 7, 2002 Beginning Cards 53,930 Cards Received 2,290 Cards Processed 10,665 Ending Cards 45,555 Applications Pending 378 Backlog Time 1 Week Year-to-date Cards Received 146,154 Cards Returned 220,005 QRP Issued this week 7 QRP YTD 184 Card Return: DXCC is currently mailing applications received on March 22, 2002. Card Processing: We are entering cards received on March 27, 2002. Kathy Kostek gave her notice that she will be leaving. Contest Branch We had a flurry of activity relating to the phone and CW Sweepstakes results. Sweepstakes is the first contest that will be published in expanded form on the Web site, in addition to QST. Much of the effort this week involved updating and proofing the score databases, preparing the various SS CW boxes and scores, and editing the writeup prepared by K5ZD. The draft versions of the SS Phone boxes were prepared and forward to VE4XT, who is doing the SS Phone write-up. For other events... Entry of paper logs for 2002 January VHF SS was completed and work on the electronic logs has begun by log checking team. Data entry for 2002 ARRL DX CW paper logs has begun. The electronic lists of logs received lists for the 2001 160 Meter and 2001 10 Meter contests were received from the log checking team. The master logs-received list for those contests were prepared and posted to the web. The plaque order for the 2001 June VHF QSO party was prepared and sent to purchasing. Shipment of various plaques that arrived during my absence was done, and follow-up was made on several back-ordered plaques. I would like to commend Contest Branch Assistant Kathy Allison, KA1RWY and Membership Services Assistant Sharon Taratula for their outstanding work on keeping things on track and going during my sick leave. QSL Branch QSL Service status: Current. Cards mailed year to date as of 04/07/2002 - 650,700. Cards mailed on 04/05/2002 - 120,225. Janet Rocco spent 4 hours conducting tours around HQ. W1AW Scott Gee worked on slow and fast code practice runs for the month of April. He handled evening phone sales calls in the 5 PM to 8 PM time slot. Due to a "severe failure," Joe Carcia had to make a repair to the power line feeding the 20-meter amplifier. He answered regular W1AW QSL card requests. He is also experimenting with running a single PC (old Compaq server) locally for "networking" the contest program "CT" for various contests operated from W1AW. W1AW telephone sales year to date: $3,176. Field & Educational Services Rosalie gave two of the 27 talks (on hardware and administrative issues) presented at the ARISS International Meeting at the Canadian Space Agency. Hams (24) from Japan, Russia, Canada, Europe and the USA attended, plus staff from Johnson Space Center, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and NASA Hq. Ken Pulfer, VE3PU, and Mark Steiner, K3MS (of GSFC) got an audience with the head of the Canadian Space Agency, who gave nice remarks about ARISS. Rosalie retained the jobs of ARISS International Secretary-Treasurer and chair of the ARISS International School Group. Field and Educational Support Team Linda Mullally updated 58 clubs, including 2 club reactivations and 1 club deactivation. She registered 6 Instructors and 3 Teachers. Linda noticed an increase in Exhibit Kits this week with 15 kits requested. She updated 49 CCE students as passed, and sent out graduation letters. A representative for the Girl Scout National Council Convention contacted Jean Wolfgang about support from ARRL at their National Convention that will take place during October in Long Beach, CA. ARRL has supported this event in past years, and will study the best ways to do so again this year. Gail Iannone sent 8 application packets, 11 approval letters, and processed 12 door prize orders and 2 label requests. She sent the deposit check for the Dayton Marriott Hotel and reviewed quantities of handouts for distribution at the Dayton Hamvention. She coordinated travel for HQ staff for the following conventions: Bill Moore, NC1L, Alabama State on May 4th-5th in Birmingham; and Wayne Mills, N7NG, West Gulf Division to be held June 7th-8th in Arlington, TX. Margie Bourgoin thanks Jon Bloom who made changes to the ARRLWeb page for individual club information, so that club contact addresses now appear with the rest of displayed info, plus, can be changed by persons making club update changes in the appropriate ARRLWeb change screen. Margie also reports that an email message sent to ACCs and SMs regarding Special Service Clubs seems to have a big impact as she has received 9 renewals and 2 new applications this week. Mary Lau worked with Margie Bourgoin to draft text for an Registered Instructor survey in advance of a planned database purge of inactive instructors. She also sent a request to Jon Bloom for automating the ARECC (CCE) Mentor Stipend process. Field Organization and Public Service Team Leona contacted all 71 Section Managers via e-mail with a quarterly report of their section budgets and she also sent out labels for new hams to the SMs. SM Workbooks were prepared and shipped to the new SMs starting this month, and Leona handled 35 cancellation, 21 appointment and 10 changed entries into our database. Steve Ewald attended and spoke at the Amateur Radio Session of the National Hurricane Conference in Orlando. Among those in attendance were Section Managers Rudy Hubbard, WA4PUP (NFL), Dave Armbrust, AE4MR (WCF), and Section Emergency Coordinators Paul Toth, NA4AR (WCF), Jim Goldsberry, KD4GR (SFL). John Fleming, of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, was also one of eight main speakers. Steve is preparing a trip report and a potential news article with pictures. Regulatory John Hennessee updated VC referral records and other general maintenance on the RIB Web page and assisted amateurs with covenant restrictions in Montgomery County, OH (N8XCR) and St. Johns County, FL (W4JWM). He assisted amateurs with local government zoning restrictions in Culpepper County, VA (NC4JD), Aurora, CO (W0JRF) and Orange Township, OH (K8MP). Brennan Price graded one successful OO exam; the queue is empty. He initiated the process of getting contributors to the 2002-2003 ARRL Repeater Directory paid, giving coordinators one last chance to return releases. He established contact with a Part 5 Experimental licensee using 448 MHz in Guam for command-destruct operations for space launches from Japan. The convention is for experimental licensees to clear usage with the frequency coordinator for the area but there is no frequency coordinator for Guam or any other Pacific insular territory. CCE Steve Blair reports being busy his first week back from Easter break. He updated classroom and exam session results, updated Drop-Out Survey results on an Excel database sheet, and gathered HF Digital course comments. He also formatted Level I revision lessons and began compiling the revised Level I coursebook. Dan Miller reports 49 CCE graduates this week: 25 Level I, 15 Level II, and 9 Level III. All courses are doing well. The Big Project Jerry Hill reports that he learned a tremendous amount while attending the National Science Teacher Association conference and will apply this knowledge to the National Council on Teachers of Mathematics upcoming conference. 73, Sincerely, Mark Wilson, K1RO Chief Operating Officer MW:lk Staff Absentee List Name Date(s) Reason Dave Patton 4/5-4/11 Vacation Carol Patton 4/5-4/11 Vacation Steve Ford 4/9-4/19 Jury Duty Steve Ford 4/25-4/26 Vacation Diana Lamson-Lucas 4/12 Vacation Leona Adams 4/15-4/17 Vacation Joel Kleinman 4/10-4/12 Vacation Eileen Sapko 4/11-4/12 Vacation Joe Carcia 4/12 Vacation Mary Lau 4/18-4/19 Vacation Zack Lau 4/18-4/19 Mt. Airy VHF ARRL Night

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RE: [ARRL-ODV:7106] Re: Sci Am
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 09 Apr '02

09 Apr '02

Hi All, I am back in the office for a while after back-to-back trips to Geneva and to LA to see my daughter Deryn. The Scientific American article was on my desk when I arrived this morning. If you get past the headline, the article highlights one of the problems we have had for many years with QST content. The two largest groups of members/readers are those who have been members for more than 25 years and those who have been members for just a few years. While the correlation between length of time as a member (i.e., as an active ham) and desire for technically advanced articles is not exact, it is strong enough to illustrate that we are pulled in the same two, mutually exclusive directions that are mentioned in the article: increasingly specialized "advanced" amateurs and dilettantes. Since we can't possibly satisfy all of the advanced specialties in QST we have to find other ways to do it. It's not surprising, and somewhat reassuring, that Scientific American has a similar problem. My "radio amateurs as amateur scientists" vision involves quality more than quantity, much like the amateur astronomers mentioned in the article. In short, I think it's a good, thought-provoking article although it tends to focus on hardware and to give software somewhat short shrift. 73, Dave K1ZZ -----Original Message----- From: Art Goddard [mailto:w6xd@attbi.com] Sent: Sunday, April 07, 2002 4:32 PM To: arrl-odv(a)listserv.arrl.org Subject: [ARRL-ODV:7106] Re: Sci Am I know Dave Sumner will be interested in the RIP article. As I recall, his (our) vision for the next 20 years included Amateur Radio as a leader in amateur science. 73, Art ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Frenaye" <frenaye(a)pcnet.com> To: <arrl-odv(a)arrl.org> Sent: Sunday, April 07, 2002 6:24 AM Subject: [ARRL-ODV:7105] Sci Am > > The May issue of Scientific American has two articles of interest: > > p.26 > R.I.P. for D.I.Y. > Science Tinkerers continue to take it on the chin > by George Musser, KF6LOJ > > One page article lamenting the decline in home-brewing and amateur experimentation in general, using ham radio as one example. "... the number of amateur radio enthusiasts is starting to drop." and a section saying "Electronics tinkerers, software hackers and radio hams have long played crucial roles in the development of modern technology. Will the continue to?" Steve Ciarcia of Circuit Cellar magazine says "In the near term, the answer is clearly yes." Gordon West is quoted, "We're getting more kids than 10 years ago, but I don't think that ham radio will pull kids into the field [technical innovation] like it used to." No mention of ARRL... > > p.64-69 > Wireless Data Blaster > by David Leeper (chief technologist for Intel's New Business Investments Group) > > Extensive article on UWB and its potential. > > -- Tom > > > ===== > e-mail: k1ki(a)arrl.org ARRL New England Division Director http://www.arrl.org/ > Tom Frenaye, K1KI, P O Box J, West Suffield CT 06093 Phone: 860-668-5444

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