December 2003 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[ARRL-ODV:9828] Re: W5PDY SK
by w6rod＠ix.netcom.com 29 Dec '03

29 Dec '03

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[ARRL-ODV:9827] W5PDY SK
by Walton Stinson 29 Dec '03

29 Dec '03

Several Directors have inquired over the past few months about Joe Knight's condition. Jim Haynie has been informed by his XYL, Lois, that he passed away over the weekend. 73, Walt W0CP

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[ARRL-ODV:9826] BPL ARTICLE
by Dick Mondro 24 Dec '03

24 Dec '03

For those of you that have not yet seen it, there is a very informative article on BPL in the January 2004 issue of Popular Communications. The article was written by editor Harold Ort, N2RLL in his "Tuning in" column on page 4. He gives a lot of credit to President Haynie and ARRL while blasting FCC Commissioners for taking a stand on this important issue while it is in the NOI Stage. It seems this is a CQ Publication. http://www.popular-communications.com/ Happy Holidays to all. Dick Mondro, W8FQT http://greatlakes.arrl.org/ --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com) Version: 6.0.555 / Virus Database: 347 - Release Date: 12/23/2003

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[ARRL-ODV:9825] Year end Expense Reports
by Shelley, Barry, N1VXY 24 Dec '03

24 Dec '03

To insure that we have the most up-to-date information to complete the year-end financial reports for the Board meeting, we must receive any final expense reports for 2003 expenses at HQ by Friday, January 9th. As in the past, we will also accept any estimates you may have for administrative expenses where you won't have the appropriate back-up until after this date. We will include the estimate in the year-end financial reports and make any necessary adjustments before the audited numbers are released. We appreciate your help in getting us this information. In addition, your copy of the 2004-2005 Plan that will be considered at the upcoming Board meeting will be mailed from HQ today. Included in this package (for those of you who haven't received a copy yet) will be a copy of the results from the recently completed market study. We wish you a happy and safe holiday season. 73, Barry, N1VXY

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[ARRL-ODV:9824] American Samoa
by James Weaver 23 Dec '03

23 Dec '03

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have to agree that the American Samoa issue is not one that should go to the DXAC. The reason is that ARRL via President Haynie has clearly stated this organization cannot support the effort to change the status quo concerning this territory. I would have had not problem with forwarding the question to DXAC had this been done prior to Jim's letter (I have no fault with the letter or with Jim in writing it), but now is not the time to become totally democratic relative to this issue. My suggestion is that if we need a more authoritative position on Kan's effort to develop a new country, this should be done as Rick says at the Board level. If the President's position is to be overturned, this must be done by the Board. If it is not to be overturned, the Board ought to make this clear. As for me, I suggest we adopt a resolution confirming Jim's letter. 73, Jim, K8JE AMATEUR RADIO: The only fail-safe communications system in the world. ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio is! Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director, Great Lakes Division ARRL 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040-9660, Tel. 513-459-0142, E-mail k8je(a)arrl.org

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[ARRL-ODV:9823] Re: More on American Samoa
by w6rod＠ix.netcom.com 23 Dec '03

23 Dec '03

I agree with Coy that it is a Board matter and I also agree with Dave that the provision cited should be eliminated. Eliminating the provision at the January Board meeting would the time to do that prior to Dave and I going to the Region 3 Conference in February. 73, Rod W6ROD -----Original Message----- From: n5ok.ok(a)att.net Sent: Dec 23, 2003 8:22 AM To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> Subject: [ARRL-ODV:9819] Re: More on American Samoa With my MSC hat on, I concur with Dave that this isn't an issue for the DXAC but rather for the board. Coy -- ARRL West Gulf Division Director Coy Day, N5OK 20685 SW 29th St Union City, OK 73090-9726 n5ok(a)arrl.org 405-483-5632

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[ARRL-ODV:9822] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 23 Dec '03

23 Dec '03

IN-Newsletter Vol. 26, No. 51 December 24, 2003 Upcoming Meetings January 15th in Newington, CT at 8:30am A & F Committee January 15th in Newington, CT at 8:30am Volunteer Resources Committee January 15th in Newington, CT at 9:00am Membership Services Committee January 16-17, 2004 in Windsor, CT Board Meeting Production/Editorial The February 2004 issue of QST has been released to the printer. We reviewed printer's proofs of the January/February issue of NCJ, and we ordered a new printing of the ARRL Emergency Communications Course Level 2. Sales & Marketing The Warehouse has shipped out about 1,900 packages this past week. Last Wednesday's package count went over 500, close if not a new one-day record. My special thanks to the Warehouse staff that made that happen! The Holiday web special offering free shipping through December 16 brought in a tremendous number of orders in a short period. Fatima Lorusso, Danny Sayad, and Zoe Belliveau helped process over 1,400 orders last week. A typical week is about half that. This in addition to covering the busy holiday telephone lines! It was imperative these orders shipped in time for holiday delivery. Without their dedication and that of the warehouse staff shipping orders, customers would not receive orders in time for the holiday. Cathy Stepina, Janet Rocco, Lisa Tardette, and Kathy Capodicasa all pitched in to process orders as well. Beginning with the March 2004 issue of QST, ARRL will take advantage of a mailing service offered by our printer RR Donnelley. The service is called co-mailing. QST will be merged into the mailing stream with up to 13 other smaller publishers' periodicals. This combined mailing allows for about a million periodical copies to enter the postal stream at once. In essence, ARRL will enjoy the postal savings recognized by large publishers with over a million copies mailed per issue. We will simply pay our portion of the postage bill. QST will continue to be printed at the Glasgow, Kentucky Donnelley plant. Member copies will be trucked to the Donnelley co-mail plant in Danville, Kentucky. The Postal Service requires additional paperwork pending their approval for QST to enter the postal stream at the new location in Danville, Kentucky. Kathy Capodicasa completed this paperwork over the past several weeks. The Postal Service officially approved the additional entry point last week. Co-mailing will also allow ISD to run the monthly QST mailing labels later in the month than our usual deadline. Up to now, ARRL has needed to submit the member names and addresses to an outside company to prepare QST mailing labels in the required postal format. They then forward the names and address to RR Donnelley. This entire process adds about 7-10 days to label preparation. Now, the names and addresses will be formatted right in the Danville plant allowing us at least an additional week to process memberships and have them be included on that issues mailing labels. Kathy Capodicasa met with computer consultant Alan Cohen to work on further order entry issues in the Seibel computer system. Additional revisions to our department budgets were completed as we approach the end of 2004 planning. A final holiday-themed email solicitation was sent to members on Monday, sending some additional traffic to the e-store. One online order was received during this period for 85 copies of Now You're Talking! Bob Inderbitzen traveled to Barker Specialty Company on Tuesday to begin planning improvements to the popular ARRL sportswear and merchandise product line. Some older offerings will be discontinued to make way for new products, colors, and styles. Bob successfully negotiated pricing with a publisher of a popular non-ARRL book we stock, allowing us to continue carrying the title at current pricing for a few more months. Nineteen total membership applications have been received as a result of the recent ICOM/ARRL membership recruitment initiative. The program runs through January 31. Applications will be accepted through February 29. Membership Services Awards Branch WAS QSLs Checked 250 WAS End. (50 QSLs F/C) 1 WAS End. (50 QSLs ES/C) 1 WAC QSLs Checked 126 OTC Certs. 32 LTMA Inquiries 2 50-Year Member Award 1 Awards Mailed 40 VUCC Initial Apps. 4 Grids 315 VUCC End. Apps. 3 Grids 67 VHF Awards Manager Appt.: Bill Barr, N4NX, Atlanta, GA. Processing Status: Current or up to four weeks. For the coming week-U.S. WAC, Code Proficiency, and VUCC awards, mail out all awards processed this week, and complete filing chores of LTMAs issued earlier this year. DXCC Branch For the week of: December 21, 2003 Beginning Cards 120,887 Cards Received 3,222 Cards Processed 10,350 Ending Cards 113,749 Applications Pending 936 Processing Time 11.7 Weeks Year-to-date (2003) Cards Received 607,999 Cards Returned 708,103 DXCC is currently mailing applications received on September 30, 2003. DXCC is currently entering cards received on September 30, 2003. Two card checkers were appointed this week bringing to 161 the total number of card checkers in the program. QSL Bureau QSL Service Status: There is a delay of approximately 1 week. Cards mailed as of 12/21/03: 1,273,775. No cards were mailed this week. W1AW Scott worked on slow and fast code practice files for the latter part of the month of December. He worked the late afternoon shift on Friday for a vacationing Joe Carcia. He also handled some evening phone sales calls in the 5 PM to 8 PM time slot. Joe continued with the final processing of Frequency Measuring Test submissions. (To date, there are 198 submissions.) The post date for FMT submissions was December 19, 2003. Joe also processed regular W1AW and U.S. W1AW/3 (2003 IARU) QSL card requests. He also updated the web code practice files. W1AW Telephone Sales year to date (2003): $36,225. Field & Educational Services Rosalie worked with NASA to revise the ARISS evaluation form to match other NASA forms. The ISS crew used the new Kenwood radio to do Qs over the US, Europe and Australia, and one with Monroe (CA) El School. Rosalie monitored an ARISS ops telecon. She gave data to Citizen Corps about major conventions, as requested. She and Steve crafted notes for all the SMs on what makes a good SGL. She prepared notes about progress and future plans toward meeting recommendations for the Field Organization that were made by the VRC. Regulatory Information John Hennessee assisted an amateur radio op with a local government zoning problem in Marco Island, FL (K5MIF), and assisted amateurs with covenant problems in Lodi, WI (N9IPP) and Dunnellon, FL (KG4GST). He also discussed with an amateur, NM7H, a possible reciprocal agreement with Qatar; John consulted with the Technical Relations office. Field & Education Support Team Mary Lau worked with Linda Mullally, Steve Ewald and Leona Adams on a small research project about use of new ham labels. Mary contacted multimedia producers to let them know the status of their submissions and obtain releases for their productions. Jean Wolfgang compiled numbers and updated information pertaining to the youth page, awards, SCR, JOTA and Kid's Day for our department Board report. Jean assisted a Newington Girl Scout troop in preparing to participate in GOTA on Feb. 22. Linda Mullally updated 38 club records with 3 reactivations. She registered 9 Instructors and 1 Teacher. She also worked on club new ham labels and checked club rosters for 4 clubs. Gail Iannone sent 17 hamfest approval letters and 1 convention approval letter to the sponsoring committees confirming the Division Director's approval of the events as ARRL-sanctioned. She also processed 16 door prize orders, 1 label request, and sent 18 handout packages for upcoming events. Tom Cote processed 3 new club affiliations, followed-up on 2 new SSC applications, plus re-did the SSC certificate so it can be generated on the desktop. Tom processed 3 new SSCs, and updated 2 vanity email forwarding requests. Field Organization/Public Service Team Leona Adams has prepared ballots and candidate statements for the San Diego SM election. The two candidates are: Steve Early, AD6VI, and Pat Bunsold, WA6MHZ. The ballots are scheduled to be mailed by January 2. Leona handled 15 Field Organization appointments and initial supply packages, and is receiving many SM expense reports. Chuck Skolaut worked on ARRL's monthly IARU Monitoring Report. OO observations of illegal 10-meter interference were prevalent, and included many reports from Michigan, and on a group of high-powered Citizen Band operators in New Jersey. Per a monitoring request from the FCC, Chuck is forwarding documentation that OOs gathered concerning a California repeater. Steve Ewald continues to be in touch with ARRL SMs and SECs who have not yet submitted a Section Emergency Plan. He has been sharing related information and ideas with those sections whose Field Organization needed some assistance in preparing a plan. Steve's name will be listed on the Citizen Corps Web site as the point of contact for ARRL. CCE Jerry Ellis is catching up on some backlogged work, plus handling students whose email bounced after informing them of their class enrollment. He worked with the Mailroom, who is handling some of our shipment of reimbursement checks, certificates and ID cards. Emcomm Grants Dan Miller reports that December class enrollments did not reflect the usual holiday slowdown. The Level I class filled up in less than 2 days, Level II and Level III in less than 10 hours each. Dan is making final adjustments to his upcoming 2-hour forum presentation at "Ham Radio University 2004" (ARRL NLI Section Convention), Jan. 18 in Oyster Bay, Long Island. 73, Sincerely, Mark Wilson, K1RO Chief Operating Officer MW:lk Staff Absentee List All Staff 12/25-12/26 Holiday All Staff 1/1 Holiday Dave Sumner 1/29-2/5 Vacation Mark Wilson 12/24-1/2 Vacation Jennifer Hagy 12/24 & 1/2 Vacation Lisa Kustosik 12/29-1/2 Vacation Mary Hobart 12/23-12/24 Vacation Steve Ford 12/24-1/5 Vacation Rick Lindquist 12/22-12/24 Vacation Zoe Belliveau 12/29-12/31 Vacation Lisa Tardette 12/24pm-1/2 Vacation Cathy Stepina 12/23-12/24 Vacation Scott Gee 12/29 Vacation Deb Jahnke 12/24-1/2 Vacation John Hennessee 12/19-12/29 Vacation Perry Williams 12/23-12/29 Vacation Wayne Mills 12/19-12/31 Vacation Dan Henderson 12/22-12/29 Vacation Martin Cook 12/29-12/30 Vacation 12/31pm-1/6 Vacation Sandy Lund 12/29-12/31 Vacation Kathy Allison 12/29-1/2 Vacation Mike Tracy 12/29-12/31 Vacation Monique Levesque 12/24pm-1/2 Vacation Fatima Lorusso 1/2 Vacation Dave Hassler 12/29-12/31 Vacation Bob Schetgen 12/22-1/5 Vacation Steve Capodicasa 12/22-12/24 Vacation Mark Spencer 12/15-12/24 Vacation Gail Iannone 12/22-1/2 Vacation Dan Miller 12/22-1/2 Vacation Leona Adams 12/23-12/24 Vacation Rosalie White 12/29-1/2 Vacation Sharon Taratula 12/24 Vacation `` 1/2 Vacation Diane Szlachetka 12/29-12/31 Vacation Mary Lau 12/24 Vacation Maty Weinberg 12/24 & 12/31 Vacation Shelly Bloom 12/24 & 12/31 Vacation Jodi Morin 12/29 Vacation Sue Fagan 12/29-12/31 Vacation Joe Carcia 1/2 Vacation Dennis Motschenbacher 12/24 Vacation

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[ARRL-ODV:9821] Another Manassas article
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 23 Dec '03

23 Dec '03

Technical problems are preventing the posting of the following article, which appeared December 18, on the Potomac News Web site. Sari tells me that the plan is for BPL service to be inaugurated in Manassas in January to four subdivisions with 2,100 residences. I cited that in the February QST editorial, which is aBPL update that I will forward separately for your information. Dave K1ZZ By SARI KRIEGER skrieger(a)potomacnews.com Manassas will be first in the country to provide an innovative Internet service city-wide, beginning in January. But the Federal Emergency Management Agency released a statement to the Federal Communications Commission earlier this month opposing this Broadband over Power Line service. "FEMA has grave concerns regarding the interference that likely would be caused to Government communications by unlicensed BPL systems," the FEMA report said. It could interfere with licensed shortwave radio uses, including FEMA's national emergency communications systems, FNARS, as well as military and civilian volunteer emergency services, according to the report. "The federal government relies on FNARS for communications, both for natural and man-made disasters," the report said. "The safety, health and welfare of our citizenry are directly tied to the successful execution of our communications programs." The FCC has solicited comments on the technology from any interested party. "I think the fact that FEMA is part of (the Department of) Homeland Security ought to swing a lot of weight with the FCC," said John Heartney, Vice President of the Old Virginia Hams, an amateur radio club. BPL subscribers can gain internet access by plugging a computer into any city outlet. The City Council granted a franchise to Prospect Street Broadband LLC to manage the network and market the service. A company called Main.net will provide the equipment, with the city offering use of crews and existing power lines. BPL will be permitted under the Federal Communications Commissions Part 15 rules that govern unlicensed technologies and state that no interference with other forms of licensed communication may be caused. The FCC gave the green light for the service, and said it is no more disturbing than microwaves, refrigerators or cell phones, according to Manassas Councilman Ulysses X. White. "Nobody has proven its a problem," White said. "If it is a problem, then we reevaluate it. There's no reason not go forward with it." But amateur radio and other shortwave radio users say BPL will cause extremely disturbing static on the frequencies they use. Amateur radio allows users to communicate casually or relay important messages, such as during Hurricane Isabel and on Sept. 11, 2001, to others across town, the state, the country or the world. Other shortwave radio uses include broadcasts of foreign stations and Citizen's Band radios. Amateur or "ham" radio users have been advocating for months against BPL, which has been banned in Japan because of interference, according to the August 2002 issue of the Japan Amateur Radio League News. "The concerns are mounting as the evidence mounts that you simply can't implement a Main.net system," said David Sumner, chief executive officer of the Amateur Radio Relay League. A British Broadcasting Corporation study in Scotland of a Main.net system confirmed the interference with shortwave radio, and Sumner suggests other BPL systems used in pilot programs around the country may be less damaging. But this is the only commercially available system, according to Manassas Utilities Director Allen Todd, who is also a ham radio user. "Somebody has to be the first," Todd said. "We have looked at this technology and we did an 18-month pilot program. We think it has a very unique application and a lot of benefits." Once installed, the system will be monitored and any problems will be rectified, Todd said, although no field testing for radio interference was done during the pilot program. Manassas may have rushed into this venture, according to Director of the Old Virginia Hams, Don Blasdell. "The overhead (power line) wiring is just going to radiate everywhere," Blasdell said. "Even in their test stage it was causing interference, and they said it didn't." BPL will not harm other radio uses and industry representatives are available to meet with FEMA officials, or any other concerned party, according to Jeff Norman, Main.net vice president of sales. "As an industry we don't cause interference," Norman said. "But in the case that interference would happen, we would make it right for the licensed operators." The technology will also allow the city to pinpoint power outages at individual homes, and it will be comparable in speed to DSL and cable, Todd said. It will cost $26.95 per month for Manassas residents, compared to other services ranging approximately from $40 to $50, and will create positive business competition, White said. "When citizens enjoy prosperity, they spend more money and we get more taxes, and then we can provide more for the citizens," White said. "That's why this country is so prosperous and everyone wants to come here." But proponents of this project have not looked at the whole picture, including the value of shortwave radio and ham operators, Blasdell said. BPL is not worth the risk of damaging some worldwide and emergency communications, according to Sumner. "To disrupt that in the interest of providing a very short-range broadband capability that can be provided in other ways seems to be very shortsighted," Sumner said. "And as FEMA pointed out, it has national security implications as well." Staff writer Sari Krieger can be reached at (703) 369-6751.

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[ARRL-ODV:9820] Re: More on American Samoa
by Art Goddard 23 Dec '03

23 Dec '03

Dave, "vindictive act" might be a better descriptor than hostile act. There could be a e-mail vote of the Board if time is of the essence. 73, Art ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ" <dsumner(a)arrl.org> To: "arrl-odv" <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2003 7:11 AM Subject: [ARRL-ODV:9818] More on American Samoa Yesterday Jim Haynie sent the attached letter to Larry Gandy, AH8LG, in American Samoa. It was in response to a letter dated November 4 that simply said: "Dear Jim, "Following Kan Mizoguchi, JA1BK (Founding Director of IARU Reg. III) approach regarding American Samoa Amateur Radio Association to become an IARU member. As you did not seem to have any problems with this suggestion, we request the ARRL to support our membership application to the IARU Region 3. "Due to transport difficulties from and to American Samoa, we would appreciate if the ARRL would continue to represent American Samoa Amateur Radio Association at IARU conferences. "Many thanks in advance for your support. "Best regards Lawrence A. Gandy AH8LG President American Samoa Amateur Radio Association." The first time that this letter was received directly from Larry Gandy was yesterday, by FAX to HQ. Other copies of the letter were in circulation and had been forwarded to us, but we did not think it appropriate to respond until the letter was received directly from someone in American Samoa. The main reason for that was that the letter obviously was not written by someone whose native language is English. Also, it bore a remarkable resemblance to a letter sent on March 11, 2001, to then-president of the RSGB, Don Beattie, on behalf of the Pitcairn Island Amateur Radio Association: "Dear Don, "Following Jim Smith, VK9NS approach regarding Pitcairn Island Amateur Radio Association to become an IARU member. As you did not seem to have any problems with this suggestion, we request the RSGB to support our membership application to the IARU Region 3. "Due to transport difficulties from and to Pitcairn, we would appreciate if the RSGB would continue to represent Pitcairn Island Amateur Radio Association at IARU conferences. "Many thanks in advance for your support. "Best regards Tom Christian VP6TC President Pitcairn Island Amateur Radio Association." In the case of PIARA, RSGB did give its blessing and PIARA was voted into IARU membership with one vote to spare. As Jim states in his letter to Larry Gandy, despite the letter's statement that "you did not seem to have any problems with this suggestion" no one had apprached him prior to the letter being written -- and clearly we do have very big problems with it. The common thread between Pitcairn Island and American Samoa is Kan Mizoguchi, JA1BK, who is the IARU liaison for PIARA. As I said before, his interest is in creating DXCC entities. The admission of PIARA created Ducie Island as a separate entity. The admission of American Samoa would create Swain's Island as a separate entity. However, having American Samoa separately represented in the IARU would mean that the ARRL would no longer have the right to represent the interests of amateurs in American Samoa to the U.S. government, which is not acceptable for obvious reasons. Applying the same reasoning, Guam, the Northern Marianas, and other U.S. territories in Region 3 would be able to "secede." Now Kan, in the guise of the PIARA, is proposing an amendment to the IARU Region 3 Constitution to disqualify ARRL from Region 3 membership. That proposal is also attached, and is something that Rod Stafford and I will have to deal with when we go to Taipei in February for the Region 3 Conference. There is no way to interpret this as other than a hostile act. Clearly things are getting out of hand, and all because of a DXCC rule that provides "parent" status to an entity that is separately represented in the IARU. This is a self-inflicted wound on our part; it's our rule. We need to eliminate this provision. While DXCC rules changes normally go through the DXAC, in this case the need for the change is not driven by DX considerations but rather by more fundamental ARRL interests. It would be extremely beneficial for this change to be made prior to the Region 3 Conference, February 16-20. So Jim and I request that at the January meeting, the Board adopt a change in the DXCC rules to eliminate this provision. Specifically, it is 1.c. in the list of "DXCC List Criteria." The provision was needed originally in order to provide a basis for Taiwan being a separate DXCC entity. Eliminating it will not affect entities that are already on the DXCC list but will prevent future outside pressure to create IARU member-societies in places where there is no reason for them to exist. 73, David Sumner, K1ZZ Chief Executive Officer <<PIARA proposal #2 Suppl #2.JPG>> <<PIARA proposal #2 Supple #1.doc>> <<PIARA proposal #2.doc>> <<ah8lg.doc>>

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[ARRL-ODV:9819] Re: More on American Samoa
by n5ok.ok＠att.net 23 Dec '03

23 Dec '03

With my MSC hat on, I concur with Dave that this isn't an issue for the DXAC but rather for the board. Coy -- ARRL West Gulf Division Director Coy Day, N5OK 20685 SW 29th St Union City, OK 73090-9726 n5ok(a)arrl.org 405-483-5632

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