May 2004 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[ARRL-ODV:10647] BPL on MSN
by Art Goddard 26 May '04

26 May '04

Another article on BPL - this one does mention the interference aspect. http://equipped.msn.com/article.aspx?aid=4

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[ARRL-ODV:10646] Another BPL Alternative
by JBellows 26 May '04

26 May '04

The May 24, 2004 issue of Business Week has an interesting article on Craig McCaw, the first person to assemble a nationwide cellular network. McCaw sold the network to AT&T for 11.5 billion in 1994. After a couple of unsuccessful follow-up ventures McCaw is acquiring spectrum licenses around the country and hardware manufacturers in an effort to establish a nationwide wireless broadband network. The most interesting part is he is using available but unused spectrum. If your interested the article is available at ---- http://www.businessweek.com/@@hzgLSIQQqFpOdBYA/magazine/content/04_21/b3 884110_mz063.htm Jay, KØQB

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[ARRL-ODV:10645] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 26 May '04

26 May '04

IN-Newsletter Vol. 27, No.21 May 26, 2004 Upcoming Meetings July 15th in Newington, CT at 8:30am Programs & Services Committee July 15th in Newington, CT at 8:30am A & F Committee July 16-17, 2004 in Windsor, CT Board Meeting CEO The office will be closed Monday, May 31st in observance of Memorial Day. Have a safe Holiday weekend! Development Mike Zak, W1MU, Diamond Club donor, visited HQ for the first time on Monday to talk about his ideas on strengthening Amateur Radio. The 2004 Defense campaign has topped $139,999 from more than 2500 donors. The follow up campaign was mailed last week. Ads promoting the Diamond Club and the Education & Technology Program have been prepared for July QST. The Education & Technology Program solicitation is schedule to mail in June to 55,000 members. Media Relations The 2003 Annual Report proofs have been reviewed. The final product is due at HQ on June 3, on time as scheduled. On the BPL front, Jennifer was interviewed for articles in Phone + magazine, and Technology Daily, a newsletter published by The National Journal in Washington DC. Paul Rinaldo and Dave Sumner were interviewed by a telecommunications correspondent with National Public Radio. Jen submitted a write up on the Dayton Hamvention PR forum for Joel Hallas' QST article. A photo showing panelists in action will be saved for the Web story. ARRL's Emergency Communications backgrounder was updated, and a recent list of emergencies and disasters was sent to our legislative team in Washington to help ongoing efforts on the Hill. Production/Editorial The July 2004 issue of QST is scheduled to be released to the printer Wednesday. Joel Hallas prepared the upcoming QST feature article on the Dayton Hamvention and wrapped up the July Product Review column. Joel is also working on the July/August issue of QEX. Rick Lindquist reports The ARRL Letter (Vol 23, No 21) distributed to 66,948 members on May 21. Rick submitted "Happenings" for the July issue of QST. He also wrote/edited news items on Pres Haynie's comments at Dayton ARRL Forum, ARRL delegation visits White House, W3IZ joins ARRL staff, BPL industry official disputes NTIA study, Ham-radio carrying civilian rocket reaches space, SM election results, W1RFI to represent ARRL at BPL session, number of amateur enforcement cases declining, plus a couple of W1AW bulletins, the FCC Amateur Radio Enforcement Letters for May 15 and some ARRL course announcements. With voiceover assistance from Jennifer Hagy, Rick voiced, edited and produced ARRL Audio News for May 21. Stu Cohen is preparing technical material for the August issue of QST. Sales & Marketing The remainder of the consignment sent for the ARRL exhibit at Dayton has been safely returned. The exhibit contributed the following sales: membership $24,591; publication and merchandise sales (including sales to dealers at the show) $49,480; QEX subscriptions $247; NCJ subscriptions $200. There were three receipts toward new life memberships taken at the show (one each full, family and international). The e-store enjoyed some healthy activity over this last weekend, stimulated by the start of a "Memorial Day" holiday promotion. An email solicitation was sent on Friday afternoon. By Monday morning, online sales topped $13,000 with an average order amount just over $51. A direct mail piece was produced for the new edition of TravelPlus for Repeaters CD-ROM. The mailing offers a special upgrade price for owners of previous versions. 2,700 copies of the solicitation mailed on May 20. 25,000 publication catalogs mailed to our customer lists last week. A direct mail piece was produced to solicit sales for Experimental Methods in RF Design, The ARRL Handbook and Handbook CD, and The ARRL Antenna Book. A similar mailing was conducted early in 2003, helping introduce EMRFD and contributing to its running start. A list of 30,000 prospects was compiled. An outside mailing house managed the printing and mailing last week. Janet and Bob are surveying 500 members for feedback on some of the recent specialty advertising that has appeared in QST. The survey sample was selected from current ARRL members and stratified by license class. Completed surveys have already been received back from over 10% of the mailing list. Another new item is being added to our successful merchandise offerings for public service volunteers, largely due to their constructive feedback. An eye-catching, flexible magnetic sign has been produced to affix to the sides of an automobile or other vehicle used for radio communications support. The sign (8 x 18-inches) is white with red and blue imprinting, the ARES logo, and the words "RADIO COMMUNICATIONS." We will take stock of them in late-May or early-June. It is available for ordering online at http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9413. Section Managers are being reminded that they may request copies of The ARRL Repeater Directory to use as incentives for membership sign-ups. Supplies of the new 2004/2005 edition are now available. The free book offer applies to brand new memberships, renewals, or lapsed-renewals at the regular and senior dues amounts. SMs can locate membership applications, tips for recruiting, and a handy sign-up poster on the Section Managers Area of the ARRL web. Printed forms are also available from the Sales & Marketing Department. Now Shipping: The ARRL General Class License Manual, 5th edition, for exams given on or after July 1, 2004, http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9205. Practical Digital Signal Processing, published by Newnes, http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9331 Membership Services Awards Branch WAS QSL Cards Checked 500 WAS Certs. (250 QSLs F/C) 5 WAS Certs. (100 QSLs ES/C) 2 5BWAS Plaques 3 A-1 Op. Noms. 3 LTMA Inquiries 7 VUCC Initial Apps. 3 Grids 313 VUCC End. Apps. 4 Grids 185 Awards Mailed 13 Processing Status: Current or up to three weeks. For the coming week-WAC QSL card checking, WAS Endorsements, foreign WAC awards, VUCC processing/mailing, mail out the awards processed this week, and complete the LTMA filing chores. DXCC Branch For the week of: May 23, 2004 Beginning Cards 51,175 Cards Received 25,650 Cards Processed 12,412 Ending Cards 64,413 Applications Pending 525 Processing Time 2.4 Weeks Year-to-date (2004) Cards Received 193,856 Cards Returned 251,992 DXCC is currently mailing applications received on May 6, 2004. DXCC is currently entering cards received on May 17, 2004. DXCC began entering QSO's into DXCC records from LoTW this week. Contest Branch 2003 RTTY Roundup and the 2003 Ten Meter Contest articles for the web were prepared and sent to production. The Web results for those events were finalized and opened on the web. The 2004 January VHF SS data was received from the log checker and was imported into the master database. Gavels were shipped. Data entry for the 2004 Phone DX Contest was finished and the combined list of Logs Received were posted to the web. QSL Bureau There is a delay of 3 days. This week 144 pounds of cards were received from members. Approximately 75 pounds of cards are waiting to be processed. Cards mailed as of 05/23/04: 523,775. Cards mailed on 05/21/04: 78,050. W1AW Joe processed a few Qualifying Run endorsements. He uploaded W1AW/90 logs to LoTW, and made a quick repair to the bulletin transmitter PC. Scott worked on fast and slow code practice files for the latter part of the month of May. He also handled some evening phone sales calls in the daily 5 PM to 8 PM time slot. Field & Educational Services Rosalie took part in an ARISS-international telecon. She worked with Gail, who will now handle clubs that apply to become Special Service Clubs. Rosalie participated in a Programs & Services Committee telecon and took minutes. Thanks to Leona, Gail, Chuck, Jean and Steve for lending a hand when the Mailroom got overwhelmed with reimbursement checks for emcomm grant grads and mentors. Thanks to Linda for assisting with Special Service Club work. Gail Iannone sent 10 hamfest and 3 convention approval letters to the sponsoring committees confirming the Division Director's approval of the events as ARRL-sanctioned, processed 4 hamfest material orders and 2 label request for upcoming events, and sent 4 new SSC letters and certificates to the club presidents. She also co-ordinated travel for Dennis Motschenbacher to be the HQ rep at the New Mexico State Convention on August 20-21 in Albuquerque, and she helped count ballots for the Oregon SM election. Norm Fusaro drafted some commentaries on mentoring as well as starting to develop an outline for the new mentoring program. He's already answered, during his first few days, correspondence and calls from members with comments and questions about mentoring. Norm has solicited input from folks he's found out are doing well working with new hams. Jean Wolfgang processed student registrations, assigned mentors and sent four sections to our Web host, CTDLC, for classes (135 students and 32 mentors) that will open on Tuesday, May 25. These classes include 24 students for Antenna Modeling -- a significant increase over the past few months of registration for this class. Jean sent email to more than 1000 Certification Examiners and Certification Instructors pertaining to field tests and ensuring their test materials are current and stocked. She is working on updating the database of CEs and CIs since her message generated many bounced emails. Regulatory Information John Hennessee received messages from amateurs who had questions about the Part 97 rules, effective June 1. He has also heard that PRB-1 legislation has been introduced in Michigan. Thus far, 20 states have enacted such legislation. Field Organization/Public Service Team Oregon SM Randy Stimson, KZ7T, was re-elected to a new term of office by winning the election versus Kevin Hunt, WA7VTD. Leona Adams headed up the ballot-counting crew in F & ES. Thanks to Chuck Skolaut and Gail Iannone for assisting. Seven incumbent ARRL SMs faced no opposition this election cycle and begin new terms July 1. They are Sharon Harlan, IL; Jim Sellers, IN; Bill Woodhead, ME; Rudy Hubbard, NFL; Glenn Thomas, SCV; Paul Gayet, VT; and Don Michalski, WI. Chuck Skolaut prepared and sent the monthly ARRL Monitoring System report to Martin Potter, VE3OAT, who leads the IARU Region 2 Monitoring Team. Chuck is gathering additional information at the FCC's request about a commercial business in Maine whose 2-way radios are interfering with a repeater. One OO from Maryland provided HQ a report on unlicensed operations on 10 meters, and this was forwarded to Riley Hollingsworth. Steve Ewald participated in the Citizen Corps Affiliate Programs and Organizations monthly teleconference. He will attend the National Citizen Corps Conference in late July in Denver, with representatives from the Citizen Corps affiliates. Steve moderated a telecon of the Ad-Hoc Committee on ARES Communications with some Field Organization Leaders to discuss their concerns and questions about the committee's working proposal. Amateur Radio Education and Technology Program Mark Spencer proposed an operating award to BSA HQ for the 100th anniversary of scouting (in 2007); they will take it under advisement. Two schools (Napa, CA and Plainville, CT) recently selected for a Project grant, said due to budget constraints, personnel change, and/or lack of student interest they won't be accepting our grant. It's better to know now than later; programs don't work unless there is local buy-in/support. A second call to SMs about ASMs for education and/or youth was sent, with the first call returning 9 responses. 73, Sincerely, Mark Wilson, K1RO Chief Operating Officer MW:lk Staff Absentee List All Staff 5/31 Holiday `` 7/5 Holiday Dave Sumner 5/26pm-6/2 Vacation `` 6/18-6/21 NW Division Convention, Seaside, OR Jennifer Hagy 5/28-6/1 Vacation Dennis Motschenbacher 6/4-6/5 Georgia Section Convention `` 6/19-6/20 HamCom - Dallas, TX `` 7/23-7/25 Central States VHF, Toronto, Canada `` 8/20-8/21 NM Division Convention, Albuquerque, NM `` 8/27-8/29 SW Division Convention, Phoenix, AZ Kathy Capodicasa 5/24-5/28 Vacation Rick Lindquist 7/2-7/9 Vacation Dan Miller 5/24-5/28 Vacation Judy Miller 5/21-5/28 Vacation Robert Inderbitzen 7/19-7/30 Vacation Fatima Lorusso 6/14 Vacation `` 7/6-7/9 Vacation Janet Rocco 6/29 Jury duty `` 7/26-7/30 Vacation Cathy Stepina 6/3-6/13 Vacation Zoe Belliveau 6/21-6/25 Vacation Joe Carcia 5/28pm-6/4 Vacation Steve Ewald 5/28-6/4 Vacation Jon Bloom 6/14-7/2 Vacation Dan Wolfgang 5/24-5/28 Vacation Helen Dalton 5/24-6/1 Vacation Jean Wolfgang 5/27-5/28 Access class `` 6/4-6/7 Vacation

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[ARRL-ODV:10644] NPR story on "FCC Looks to Unclog Radio Spectrum"
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 26 May '04

26 May '04

This ran on "Morning Edition" this morning. It includes a clip of me saying that licensed services clearly have priority over BPL. Dave K1ZZ http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1909971

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[ARRL-ODV:10643] One more trip...
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 25 May '04

25 May '04

Last week's IN Newsletter showed me as being on vacation beginning tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon and continuing through the following Wednesday. Some of you know that I will be in Dubai for the CQ WPX CW Contest this weekend, operating A61AJ as part of a multi-multi team that includes K3EST, W6OAT, W6OSP, G3SXW, S50A, S53R, JE1CKA, PY5EG, SM7PKK, ON5NT, and ON6TT. I understand there is Internet access from the shack and I hope to be able to check email once in a while (but not during the contest). This is my first trip to the UAE. While it's strictly vacation, I hope to learn something that will be helpful in planning for WRC-07 (lack of support from the Arab States was our biggest stumbling block at WRC-03). 73, Dave K1ZZ

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[ARRL-ODV:10642] Know Our BPL Enemies
by dick＠pobox.com 25 May '04

25 May '04

25 MAY, 2004 - 1540 CDT Many of you may have already visited this very pro BPL website. But if you have not yet done so, I urge you to browse the United Power Line Council (UPLC) at: http://www.uplc.org 73 - Dick, W9GIG

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[ARRL-ODV:10641] Re: Lists of new licensees, upgrades and members
by Wilson, Mark K1RO 25 May '04

25 May '04

Thanks Kay. ODV and SMs now see a fourth choice: Lapsed members. Also, whenever the new or lapsed member has given us an email address, it's included in the tab or comma separated data files. Typically, new data will be added between the 6th and 10th of the month. 73, Mark K1RO http://www.arrl.org/members-only/NEAM/index.html > -----Original Message----- > From: Craigie, Kay (2nd Vice President) > Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2004 10:02 AM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [ARRL-ODV:10636] Re: Lists of new licensees, upgrades and > members > > > This is a useful service for clubs that want to show some > initiative on > outreach to new licensees. As the one in my home club who does the > outreach, thanks for making it easier. 73 - Kay N3KN > > > > >

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[ARRL-ODV:10640] Re: Fwd: Suggested ARRL Name Change
by Bernard Fuller 25 May '04

25 May '04

Wade, I'm with you 100% on this issue. Good comments. 73, Bernie-N3EFN -----Original Message----- From: Wade Walstrom [mailto:walstrom@mchsi.com] Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 8:57 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [ARRL-ODV:10639] Re: Fwd: Suggested ARRL Name Change This identity crisis issue comes up at least once every 6 months or so in the Midwest Division. My answer goes like this: 1. Part 97 of the FCC regulations deals with the "Amateur Radio Service" not the American radio service. When this changes, come back. We will talk about it then. 2. How we are viewed by our served agencies is based on how we do the tasks expected of us, not by the name of the service we participate in. If people carry out their assigned tasks in what could be described as a professional manner, and there are already many who do, the name "Amateur Radio Service" is of little consequence. The intelligent people we serve have already figured this out. 73, Wade W0EJ dick(a)pobox.com wrote: > 24 MAY, 2004 - 1420 CDT > > To All ARRL Directors & Officers: > > The Wisconsin Section of the ARRL Central Division has one of the most > effective, integrated ARES/RACES organizations. > > I'm forwarding the letter appended below without comment, at this time, > other than to say that perhaps it should be seriously considered? > > 73 - Dick, W9GIG > ======================================================================== > May 24, 2004 > > Don Michalski, W9IXG > ARRL Wisconsin Section Manager > 4214 Mohawk Drive > Madison, WI 53711 > > Dear Don, > > As we discussed in late 2003, it is time for ham radio to take a fresh > approach, and a new name, especially as it relates to emergency communications. > > The name, Amateur Radio, conveys we are amateurs. While technically true, > this is not the image ARES leadership and members want to convey to local, > state and federal government and private disaster assistance agencies. > With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the Citizens' > Corps, now is the time to change and modernize Amateur Radio. > > I propose we change our name from Amateur Radio to the American Radio. > This name better conveys who we are and what we do. > > What would this mean to ARES? This new organization would be called the > American Radio Emergency Service or ARES. If a change is in order, now is > the time. The Department of Homeland Security is still developing, the > ARRL and the Citizens' Corps recently signed a memorandum of understanding and > the FCC Field Organization is presently undergoing change and > modernization. Now is the time of opportunity for the ARRL. > > I believe this proposal would greatly benefit ham radio, and especially its > service. There are two aspects of ham radio, hobby and service. We need > to better leverage the service aspect, and being able to change ARES to the > American Radio Emergency Service would spearhead improved service to our > communities and the nation., If you, or members of ARRL Headquarters, would > like to discuss this proposal in greater detail, please let me know. > > Thank you for your consideration. > > Best regards, Bill > > William M. Niemuth, KB9ENO > ARRL/ARES Section Emergency Coordinator, Wisconsin > RACES Chief Radio Officer, Wisconsin > W8088 Hillcrest Court > Hortonville, WI 54944 > > 920-779-0611 > 920-475-4819 (mobile) > bniemuth(a)new.rr.com --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com) Version: 6.0.690 / Virus Database: 451 - Release Date: 5/22/04 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com) Version: 6.0.690 / Virus Database: 451 - Release Date: 5/22/04

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[ARRL-ODV:10639] Re: Fwd: Suggested ARRL Name Change
by Wade Walstrom 25 May '04

25 May '04

This identity crisis issue comes up at least once every 6 months or so in the Midwest Division. My answer goes like this: 1. Part 97 of the FCC regulations deals with the "Amateur Radio Service" not the American radio service. When this changes, come back. We will talk about it then. 2. How we are viewed by our served agencies is based on how we do the tasks expected of us, not by the name of the service we participate in. If people carry out their assigned tasks in what could be described as a professional manner, and there are already many who do, the name "Amateur Radio Service" is of little consequence. The intelligent people we serve have already figured this out. 73, Wade W0EJ dick(a)pobox.com wrote: > 24 MAY, 2004 - 1420 CDT > > To All ARRL Directors & Officers: > > The Wisconsin Section of the ARRL Central Division has one of the most > effective, integrated ARES/RACES organizations. > > I'm forwarding the letter appended below without comment, at this time, > other than to say that perhaps it should be seriously considered? > > 73 - Dick, W9GIG > ======================================================================== > May 24, 2004 > > Don Michalski, W9IXG > ARRL Wisconsin Section Manager > 4214 Mohawk Drive > Madison, WI 53711 > > Dear Don, > > As we discussed in late 2003, it is time for ham radio to take a fresh > approach, and a new name, especially as it relates to emergency communications. > > The name, Amateur Radio, conveys we are amateurs. While technically true, > this is not the image ARES leadership and members want to convey to local, > state and federal government and private disaster assistance agencies. > With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the Citizens' > Corps, now is the time to change and modernize Amateur Radio. > > I propose we change our name from Amateur Radio to the American Radio. > This name better conveys who we are and what we do. > > What would this mean to ARES? This new organization would be called the > American Radio Emergency Service or ARES. If a change is in order, now is > the time. The Department of Homeland Security is still developing, the > ARRL and the Citizens' Corps recently signed a memorandum of understanding and > the FCC Field Organization is presently undergoing change and > modernization. Now is the time of opportunity for the ARRL. > > I believe this proposal would greatly benefit ham radio, and especially its > service. There are two aspects of ham radio, hobby and service. We need > to better leverage the service aspect, and being able to change ARES to the > American Radio Emergency Service would spearhead improved service to our > communities and the nation., If you, or members of ARRL Headquarters, would > like to discuss this proposal in greater detail, please let me know. > > Thank you for your consideration. > > Best regards, Bill > > William M. Niemuth, KB9ENO > ARRL/ARES Section Emergency Coordinator, Wisconsin > RACES Chief Radio Officer, Wisconsin > W8088 Hillcrest Court > Hortonville, WI 54944 > > 920-779-0611 > 920-475-4819 (mobile) > bniemuth(a)new.rr.com

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[ARRL-ODV:10638] Re: Fwd: Suggested ARRL Name Change
by Kay Craigie 25 May '04

25 May '04

With all due respect to the good intentions and sentiments of those who made this suggestion, I can't help thinking that if people can sell a food product with an icky name like "Smuckers," then we should be able to do a decent job with a "product" called "Amateur Radio." What the League chooses to call our ARES organization is up to us, though we'd want to be certain that the financial costs of making any change would have a real payoff, not an imaginary one. I don't think it's realistic to consider changing the name of Amateur Radio Service to American Radio Service. I just don't believe that would go over too well at the next IARU meeting, let alone before the ITU. 73 - Kay N3KN

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