IN-Newsletter
Vol. 28, No. 15
April 13, 2005
Development
The Education & Technology Fund campaign has raised more than $11,000 in
the first five days of responses with an average contribution of more
than $61. The follow up mailing is planned for the end of April to be
sent to four segments of the ARRL membership. One of those segments is
members who have received Member Loyalty certificates since last Fall --
a first measure of whether that effort will raise funds for ARRL
programs.
A grant application was sent to CNCS on April 12 requesting $891,550
over three yeasr to engage disabled citizens in Amateur Radio. The goal
of the grant is to license 2500 disabled hams and train them with the
Level 1 EmCOMM course, provide each one with a hand-held radio and set
up 71 community stations. Key objectives of the program include giving
disabled citizens the survival skills of Amateur Radio, employable
skills in electronics, a volunteer role as emergency communications
volunteers and the integration of disabled hams into clubs and ARES
groups. A decision on he grant is expected by fall.
The next Legacy Circle newsletter on planned giving is in production. I
should be mailed by the end of April.
The next campaign in the schedule is the spring Spectrum Defense
campaign.
Plans for Development's and the ARRL Foundation's presence at Dayton are
complete.
Media & Public Relations
In the past week press release regarding Mike English at Dayton, Kid's
Day and hams involved in PA floods was done. Media Hits was done using
the new expanded format. Several responses were made to BPL articles.
The recruitment for the PR booth at Dayton was continued and the text
for the 2004 annual report was 95% completed and sent out for comments.
Together with Ed Hare, I participated in the national Yankee Group
investment forum on BPL and effectively ended it with the introduction
of interference issues. The transition from Bacon's to Burrelles Luce
press service is completed and initial reports should be available soon.
Production/Editorial
The May/June 2005 issue of QEX has been released to the printer.
Rick Lindquist reports The ARRL Letter, Vol. 24, No. 14, distributed to
65,110 ARRL members on April 8. Rick prepared/edited stories on ARRL's
reply to oppositions filing, an ARISS school group contact with students
in Texas, three stories on Amateur Radio's participation in the TOPOFF3
federal exercise (and a visit to the ARES marshaling area for interviews
& photos), SKYWARN activity in MS and several briefs and announcements.
He also covered via teleconference an ARISS school group QSO in
California, and gathered information for future stories. Rick voiced,
edited and produced ARRL Audio News for April 8.
Sales and Marketing
Membership statistic reports for the end of March membership figures
were run and distributed. We had planned to be down by 378 from the end
of February membership figures. Instead, we were down by only 252.
New members recruited during the month of March totaled 738, an increase
of approximately 100 more than the past several months. We are finally
seeing some larger numbers of new licensees to recruit.
For the first quarter, we had anticipated a cumulative loss of 1,397
members through March. Our actual cumulative loss totaled 786. While
this positive news is modest, it most certainly is the kind of
membership news we have been hoping to be able to give this year.
The April membership mailing to 45,000-lapsed General, Advanced and
Extra Class Licensees will drop into the mail stream during the week of
April 11. Preparations for the 60,000-piece mailing to Technicians with
input from an outside consulting firm are also underway.
A mail solicitation seeking ads for the New Ham Express was sent to
current and potential advertisers on Friday. The 4-color promotional
piece included a sample copy of the current New Ham Express. We have
already received advertising commitments exceeding $11,000 toward our
goal of $49,000. The new edition of New Ham Express will debut in June.
Advertising staff is currently working on insertions for June QST. An
email solicitation was sent out during the week to present and potential
advertisers. The solicitation has already netted two brand new
advertisers, one a half-page insertion with a 4 month commitment.
The spring/summer edition of the ARRL Publications Catalog is being
wrapped up. It leaves for press this week.
Harold and Dennis attended the International Wireless Communications
Expo in Las Vegas, meeting with existing manufacturers who also do
business in commercial communications. Private meetings were held with
two manufacturers who are considering entering into totally unique
mutually beneficial revenue generating ventures with ARRL. They also
met with numerous other firms exhibiting at the conference who could
benefit from exposure in our periodicals and publications.
National Convention planning update
Diane, Sue, and Bob worked together on a trade show display that will
serve as a new backdrop for our exhibit at Dayton. The items include a
10-foot "pop-up" display and four 7-foot banner stands. These items use
a combination of eye-catching graphics with concise messaging. They
will help stop members and prospective-members in their tracks!
We have new commitments from some of our business partners to
participate with us at Dayton. QST's printer, RR Donnelley, will support
a display at the ARRL exhibit that depicts the partnership we have with
one of the world's largest printers. Barker Specialty, the company that
manages ARRL logo merchandise (sportswear, apparel, and other
promotional merchandise) will setup shop within the ARRL sales and
membership exhibit area.
Most everyone at HQ traveling to Dayton attended a planning meeting
Thursday. Topics addressed included the short presentations being
prepared for the "ARRL stage," exhibit staffing, and a primer on using
the ARRL membership application (copies will be at every exhibit). This
year's membership application incorporates enrollment options for ARRL
Diamond Club.
Membership Services
Awards Branch
WAS Certs. (600 QSLs F/C) 12
WAS Certs. (500 QSLs ES/C) 10
5BWAS Plaques 4
WAC QSL Cards Checked 84
VUCC Initial Apps. 1
Grids 109
VUCC End. Apps. 1
Grids 10
Replacement Award 1
A-1 Op. Noms. 1
Awards Mailed 13
Also, worked on some LTMA projects (on-going), and compiled the VUCC
Award list for June QST.
Processing Status: Current or up to three weeks.
For the coming week-U.S. WAC, VUCC, and WAS in the 90th awards, Extra
Class certificates, plus mail out all this week's processed awards.
DXCC Branch
For the week of:
April 10, 2005
Beginning Credits 26,862
Credits Received 8,331
Credits Processed 15,147
Ending Credits 20,046
Applications Pending 206
Processing Time (Conventional) 2.4 Weeks
Processing Time (LoTW) 1 Working Day
DXCC is currently mailing applications received on March 24, 2005. DXCC
is currently entering credits received on March 24, 2005. A nomination
request letter has been received from Greece and an invitation for a
nomination has been sent to RAAG.
Logbook of the World
QSO records entered into the system 69,218,964
QSL records have resulted 3,032,680
Logs Processed 113,413
Active Certificates 14,105
Users registered in the system 9,464
Hybrids Pending Mail 41
QSL Bureau
Processing time is 9 days from receipt. This week 180 pounds of cards
were received from members. Cards mailed as of 04/10/05: 268,450. No
cards were mailed this week.
W1AW
W1AW received as a donation a Vibroplex "Lightning Bug" key, serial
number 221897. The donation was made by Dick Pooley, W7HUY. Dick was
inspired to make the donation after he and a few of his fellow club
members from Washington state operated W1AW. In particular, one of the
operators used (for the first time) the Vibroplex key already on hand at
the station.
Thanks to Steve Ford for his installing at W1AW the latest version of
UI-View32 (with Precision Mapping). UI-View32 is an APRS program that
is more diverse than what was in use, in this case, WinAPRS. Joe
installed a separate program to read the weather information from the
Peet Brothers Ultimeter 2000 weather system. This program in turns
creates a weather log file that is read by UI-View32 so the station's
weather information can be beaconed.
With the software loaded, Steve and Joe monitored APRS stations involved
in TOP-OFF. In addition to the APRS stations, repeater activity from
the affected area was also monitored. And in a similar vein, Joe
continued with SCAMP experimentation.
Scott worked on slow and fast code practice files for the month of
April. He also handled some evening phone sales calls in the daily 5 PM
to 8 PM time slots.
Field & Educational Services
Rosalie compiled information on Tony England for use in a news release
about his Dayton appearance. She was asked by the National Volunteer
Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) for ARRL participation on their
awards committee. She prepared notes on ARES's role in TopOff 3 for
NVOAD's records. She and Steve shared ideas on plans for the SM Dayton
Forum. ESA taxi astronaut Vittori was trained and is scheduled for two
future QSOs.
Field Education Team
Norm Fusaro networked with a Virginia club trying to revitalize itself
by using a Field Day event as the springboard to generate member
activity. He worked with Steve and Rosalie on recruiting a club to help
with Emergency Preparedness Month (Sept). Norm received follow-up
e-mail from a youngster who had expressed interest in ham radio -- the
boy set April 21 for his license exam, but wrote to say he already
passed El 2 and just missed his 5 wpm CW (and will re-try soon). The Mt
Baker ARC in WWA expressed appreciation for ARRL's recognition of their
booklet for new hams -- Tom Hogerty posted a version of it to the Web
for other clubs to use. Mt Baker ARC had no idea the work would have
such an impact, and is pleased.
Margie Bourgoin and Norm began developing a checklist for hams starting
a new club. Margie updated 40 club records, reactivated 2 clubs, and
processed 3 Special Service Club renewals. She also registered one new
Volunteer Instructor and 1 new schoolteacher. Margie also assisted Jean
by setting up two new Sections for CCE classes and registering the
students. She process the graduation of some CCE students.
Jean Wolfgang processed 82 mentor recognition checks for March and
handled processing of 16 field test students. Jean also worked with
CTDLC, our Web host, to solve an ongoing registration problem that she
pointed out to them again. She registered 3 new hybrid sections of the
Emcomm course. Since the CNCS grant will end in a few months, she is
looking at ways to make the transition from the member-only,
grant-sponsored courses to the possibility of sections that would be
available to non-members. Our next new online course, Digital
Electronics, may be available by late May. Jean assisted Rosalie and
Mary in reviewing the Technician license course in its availability to
disabled folks.
Gail Iannone prepared and sent packets containing 8 convention
applications and 11 club applications to the Executive Committee for
their meeting. She sent 5 hamfest approval letters to the sponsoring
committees confirming the Director's approval of their events as
ARRL-sanctioned, and 2 convention approval letters to the sponsoring
committees confirming the EC's approval of their events as
ARRL-sanctioned. She processed 5 handout and door prize orders and 1
label request for upcoming events. She sent Wouff Hong materials for
the North Carolina Section Convention, April 17. She sent 3 Charter of
Affiliation certificates to newly-affiliated clubs. She arranged for
Norm Fusaro to do a talk about ARRL at a French Businessman's
Organization in Newington.
Regulatory Information
John Hennessee is in the beginning stages of locating chapter reviewers
for the next edition of the ARRL FCC Rule Book, which will most likely
be our "Restructuring edition," making the book a big deal to update.
There could also be a new printing or edition before that time,
depending on whether the FCC gives us any surprises -- the Omnibus
rulemaking could be brought to the table. John also assisted an amateur
with a local government zoning problem in Concord, CA (ND6H) and with a
covenant problem in Auburn, CA (K7VP).
Amateur Radio Education & Technology Project
Mark Spencer displayed ARISS and Amateur Radio at the National Science
Teachers Association national conference; about 14,000 teachers
attended. He has heard back from teachers he talked to about our
teacher's institute. A few inquiries about the institute came from Rick
Lindquist's web spot. Mark tested the circuit board he designed on
transistor amplifier exploration, and has the construction manual in
draft form. Mark completed the fox hunt activity project, and started
the draft announcement on it. These two projects are the final new
additions for this year's institute.
Community Education Program
Bill Barrett went to El Paso to give his presentation to the area
Citizen Corps Council. The number of attendees was small, but they were
enthusiastic. And all were already hams! They wore multiple hats -- in
most cases 3 to 5, including volunteer fire fighters and EMTs -- and
reported that most area volunteers are hams. They said more people
would have come to the meeting, but volunteers are being asked to do too
much training and too many meetings since 9/11. They like the idea of
learning more, but they are just plain tired.
Field Organization/Public Service Team
We congratulate Connecticut Section Leaders and ARES members and all
hams who planned for and supported Amateur Radio's involvement in
TopOff3. News stories recounting the activities are on the ARRL Web's
New Page. Steve Ewald was in touch with ARES groups and Section Leaders
to help gather news and reports about ARES/RACES activation for the
flooding in the mid-Atlantic states. He planned for the Section
Manager's forum at the National Convention in Dayton.
Chuck Skolaut received documentation on an Ohio repeater that is having
technical problems, and this has been forwarded to the FCC. The FCC
issued another monitoring request that covers a situation on 75 meters
for Official Observers to watch for. Good teamwork by Nebraska OOs
resulted in a resolution concerning local repeater interference. Chuck
participated in a BPL and local interference committee teleconference
call with a group in Ohio.
Leona Adams received an SM nomination petition from incumbent Western
Washington SM Ed Bruette, N7NVP. Over 30 new appointments plus changes
and appointment cancellations were registered in the Field Appointment
database. Forty supply packages were sent to new appointees, and Leona
processed expense reports for SMs. SM election ballots from West Texas
and New Hampshire are arriving; May 20 is the deadline to return
ballots.
EmComm Grants
Dan Miller attended the National Hurricane Conference and said it was a
great success. Attendance at the ham radio presentations was better
than in the past two years. The goal of providing topics and speakers
geared to non-hams worked extremely well. The conference was very well
attended, and good data was gathered from the 51 surveys received. The
Communications Academy in Washington state was successful in its good
attendance, both overall, and for the emcomm presentation. Dan began
preparing an exhibit for the Ohio Homeland Security Symposium, and forum
talk for the National Capital Area ARES Conference.
Sincerely,
Dave Patton, NN1N
Special Assistant to the
Chief Executive Officer
DCP: lk
Staff Absentee List
Dave Sumner 4/13-4/18 IARU Reg. 1 Conference
Preparatory Meeting, Croatia
`` 5/19-5/22 Dayton Hamvention
Mary Hobart 4/13-4/18 International DX Convention,
Visalia, CA
`` 5/18-5/23 Dayton Hamvention
Debra Johnson 5/19-5/23 Dayton Hamvention
`` 5/24 Vacation
Dennis Motschenbacher 5/19-5/23 Dayton Hamvention
Bob Inderbitzen 4/13 Vendor visit-Barker Specialty,
Cheshire, CT
`` 5/18-5/23 Dayton Hamvention
Kathy Capodicasa 4/14-4/18 Vacation
`` 5/9-5/13 Vacation
`` 5/18-5/23 Dayton Hamvention
Zoe Belliveau 5/19-5/22 Dayton Hamvention
Joe Bottiglieri 5/19-5/23 Dayton Hamvention
Cathy Stepina 4/4-4/15 Vacation
Ed Hare 4/18-4/20 IEEE Chapter Meeting, Chicago,
IL
`` 4/21-4/22 Vacation
`` 4/25-4/29 ANSI Committee Meeting,
Piscataway, NJ
`` 5/18-5/22 Vacation
Mike Tracy 5/18-5/23 Dayton Hamvention
Wayne Mills 4/14-4/29 International DX Convention,
Visalia, CA & Vacation
`` 5/19-5/20 Dayton Hamvention
`` 6/22-6/27 Friedrichshafen
Bill Moore 4/16-4/18 Section Convention, Raleigh, NC
`` 4/28-5/1 State Convention,
Birmingham, AL & Vacation
`` 5/19-5/20 Dayton Hamvention
Dave Patton 5/18-5/23 Dayton Hamvention
`` 5/23-5/27 Vacation
`` 6/21-6/27 Friedrichshafen
Janet Rocco 4/13 Vendor visit-Barker Specialty,
Cheshire, CT
Rosalie White 4/15-4/17 South Dakota Section Convention
Dan Miller 4/18-4/21 OH Homeland Security Symposium,
Columbus, OH
`` 4/22-4/23 National Capitol ARES
Council, Baltimore, MD
`` 4/29-5/4 National
Disaster Medical System Conference, Orlando FL
LouAnn Campanello 4/18-4/22 Vacation
Steve Ford 4/18-4/19 Vacation
Joe Carcia 4/21-4/22 Vacation
`` 5/27 Vacation
Scott Gee 5/2 Vacation
`` 5/19-5/20 Vacation
Joel Kleinman 5/13 Vacation
Rick Lindquist 5/19-5/22 Dayton Hamvention
`` 5/23 Vacation
Joel Hallas 5/19-5/22 Dayton Hamvention
`` 5/23 Vacation
