August 2005 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:12843] State Legislative Report
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

The latest state legislative report from Chwat & Co. is available to ODV at http://www.arrl.org/members-only/ODV/docs/Legislative/2005/007_05.doc Dave K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:12842] Quarterly Investment Report
by James McCobb 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

I know you guys have been waiting for this with baited breath, so here it is. There are three pages attached---I have no bother sending the cover page. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know. 73, Jim W1LLU

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[arrl-odv:12841] Re: Fwd: NWS - Senate Bill 786
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

Just to review briefly, Tom originally suggested that we should let it be known that we do not support S.786. There were a couple of comments to the effect that we should oppose it (not quite the same thing but pointing in the same general direction). There is no existing policy that I can interpret as offering guidance on how we should respond to S.786. I don't think it's wise for us simply to say that we're against a particular piece of legislation. That puts us in the same category as the good folks who wrote to say they were opposed to the bandwidth petition without explaining their concerns; the only way to be sure of satisfying them is to do nothing, which isn't always an option. My message of last Friday was a proposal for a specific course of action and request for additional suggestions. Tom was the only one heard from. As Tom suggests, at this point I don't feel that I have sufficient guidance to go forward. Dave K1ZZ -----Original Message----- From: Frenaye, Tom (Dir, NE) Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 10:43 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:12840] Re: Fwd: NWS - Senate Bill 786 I sent my comments on S786 (Natl Wx Svc) directly to Dave yesterday but decided it'd be useful to post them here also. See below. Since I haven't seen any other comments in response to Dave's message last week, I'm assuming that either he had it correct or no one cares. But if I was in Dave's shoes, I'd sure be uneasy that there have been no comments at all (positive or negative). -- Tom >Generally I like your approach. I'd go a little further and suggest that it is directly appropriate for the NWS to disseminate information they have gathered (thru volunteers, satellites, etc), and that the private sector ought to be building improvements on what the NWS has to provide. > >S786 would like eliminate or severely curtail the efforts of thousands of volunteers, some who also are ham radio operators, to provide timely, on-the-spot severe weather information - a process that has grown extensively over the last ten years as the NWS has closed it's own reporting stations. > >More than that, many hams use (free) access to NWS information as a way to gauge their involvement in local emergency situations. > > -- Tom > > >At 04:44 PM 7/29/2005, you wrote: >>We're entirely free to take positions on pending legislation. What we can't do is to support candidates in any way. >> >>With regard to S. 786, what is it we're trying to accomplish? We wouldn't take a stand on every piece of bad legislation that's filed -- we'd have no time to do anything else. I can only think of two ways in which our specific interests overlap those of NWS: >> >>1) We have volunteers who gather severe weather information (principally hurricanes and tornadoes) and feed it to the authorities; and >> >>2) We are consumers, probably to a greater extent than the general public, of NWS weather broadcasts on 162.4 MHz etc. >> >>I note that the Weather Coalition http://www.weathercoalition.org/Santorum%20Bill%20Letter%206-05.pdf has written a letter to Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens commenting on the bill. Would it be appropriate for us to send a letter along similar lines, expressing concerns rather than flat-out opposition? >> >>What I have in mind is something like this. Suggestions for embellishments welcome -- this is pretty bare-bones. >> >>Dave >> >> >> >>Dear Mr. Chairman: >> >>On behalf of its 150,000 members, the ARRL welcomes the opportunity to offer brief comments on the National Weather Service Duties Act of 2005 (S. 786). Many ARRL members are active Amateur Radio volunteers who provide real-time severe weather observations to NWS through the SKYWARN program as well as to the National Hurricane Center in Miami through the Hurricane Watch Net. These activities are conducted in a spirit of public service without compensation of any kind. Radio amateurs also make extensive use of NOAA Weather Radio, US Coast Guard radio broadcasts, and weather satellite imagery. >> >>After reviewing the legislation, the ARRL is concerned that it could impede the dissemination of weather information that should be freely available to citizens. Volunteer observers might be placed in the peculiar position of being denied access to forecasts based in part on data that they themselves have provided. >> >>It is our view that restricting the NWS to the preparation and issuance of severe weather forecasts and warnings would poorly serve the public interest. >> >>As your committee considers S. 786 we ask that our concerns be kept in mind. >> >>Sincerely, >> >>DS/CEO >> ===== 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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[arrl-odv:12840] Re: Fwd: NWS - Senate Bill 786
by Tom Frenaye 04 Aug '05

04 Aug '05

I sent my comments on S786 (Natl Wx Svc) directly to Dave yesterday but decided it'd be useful to post them here also. See below. Since I haven't seen any other comments in response to Dave's message last week, I'm assuming that either he had it correct or no one cares. But if I was in Dave's shoes, I'd sure be uneasy that there have been no comments at all (positive or negative). -- Tom >Generally I like your approach. I'd go a little further and suggest that it is directly appropriate for the NWS to disseminate information they have gathered (thru volunteers, satellites, etc), and that the private sector ought to be building improvements on what the NWS has to provide. > >S786 would like eliminate or severely curtail the efforts of thousands of volunteers, some who also are ham radio operators, to provide timely, on-the-spot severe weather information - a process that has grown extensively over the last ten years as the NWS has closed it's own reporting stations. > >More than that, many hams use (free) access to NWS information as a way to gauge their involvement in local emergency situations. > > -- Tom > > >At 04:44 PM 7/29/2005, you wrote: >>We're entirely free to take positions on pending legislation. What we can't do is to support candidates in any way. >> >>With regard to S. 786, what is it we're trying to accomplish? We wouldn't take a stand on every piece of bad legislation that's filed -- we'd have no time to do anything else. I can only think of two ways in which our specific interests overlap those of NWS: >> >>1) We have volunteers who gather severe weather information (principally hurricanes and tornadoes) and feed it to the authorities; and >> >>2) We are consumers, probably to a greater extent than the general public, of NWS weather broadcasts on 162.4 MHz etc. >> >>I note that the Weather Coalition http://www.weathercoalition.org/Santorum%20Bill%20Letter%206-05.pdf has written a letter to Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens commenting on the bill. Would it be appropriate for us to send a letter along similar lines, expressing concerns rather than flat-out opposition? >> >>What I have in mind is something like this. Suggestions for embellishments welcome -- this is pretty bare-bones. >> >>Dave >> >> >> >>Dear Mr. Chairman: >> >>On behalf of its 150,000 members, the ARRL welcomes the opportunity to offer brief comments on the National Weather Service Duties Act of 2005 (S. 786). Many ARRL members are active Amateur Radio volunteers who provide real-time severe weather observations to NWS through the SKYWARN program as well as to the National Hurricane Center in Miami through the Hurricane Watch Net. These activities are conducted in a spirit of public service without compensation of any kind. Radio amateurs also make extensive use of NOAA Weather Radio, US Coast Guard radio broadcasts, and weather satellite imagery. >> >>After reviewing the legislation, the ARRL is concerned that it could impede the dissemination of weather information that should be freely available to citizens. Volunteer observers might be placed in the peculiar position of being denied access to forecasts based in part on data that they themselves have provided. >> >>It is our view that restricting the NWS to the preparation and issuance of severe weather forecasts and warnings would poorly serve the public interest. >> >>As your committee considers S. 786 we ask that our concerns be kept in mind. >> >>Sincerely, >> >>DS/CEO >> ===== 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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[arrl-odv:12839] IN-News rev. MMH addition
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 03 Aug '05

03 Aug '05

IN-Newsletter Vol. 28, No. 31 August 3, 2005 CEO IARU President Larry Price, W4RA, IARU Vice President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, and Chief Technology Officer Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, spent the first part of this week with Dave Sumner preparing for upcoming ITU/IARU meetings and projects. John Hennessee answered a broad range of regulatory questions including questions on the ARRL draft bandwidth petition and the FCC restructuring NPRM. He assisted the non-amateur ZBA head in Bethlehem, PA with local government zoning ordinance questions about Amateur Radio. John also gave a layman's review of the Dripping Springs, TX proposed ordinance to KB3R. He also assisted an amateur in Saw Creek, PA (KB2QEI) with questions about covenants (after he had just signed a purchase agreement in a "gated community," the realtor said it was "no problem" (it was). Development The summer Spectrum Defense Fund has topped $88,000 from more than 1950 donors. With a goal of $230,000 this campaign has a long way to go. A follow up solicitation was mailed at the end of July and a third letter will be mailed to selected prior donors in an effort to reach the goal and learn what areas of Spectrum Defense matter most to our key donors. The special letter from Life Member Gene McPherson is attracting new Diamond Club members from the Life Member group. More details will be available next week. A progress report has been submitted to United Technologies on Emcomm training activity for the first have of the year. The grant ends December 31, 2005. ARRL is on track to reach the goal of training 3000 hams under this grant. The total certified to date is more than 2800. A new Legacy Circle commitment was received on August 3. Media & Public Relations CONTACT! was posted on the PIO website, the Fred Friendly/Preparedness information was sent out on the PR list. Interviews were done with Network World and NPR regarding BPL, Boston Globe about the use of electronic kits, Times Union about CW and the Hartford Courant about the Teachers' Institute. I observed Bill Barrett's presentation on Emergency Communications. While the "Swiss Army Knife '05" continues to be requested, we received an unusual donation of $150 from the New England Division Cabinet for its continued production and promotion. (Thank you!!) Video clips to be used in the Hello Campaign PSA have started to be filmed and collected from many locations around the USA and world. Production/Editorial After nearly three years on the HQ staff, QST Technical Editor Stu Cohen, N1SC, will be leaving August 19 to return to Oregon. Congratulations to Joel Hallas, W1ZR, who will take-over Stu's position effective August 22. Rick Lindquist reports The ARRL Letter, Vol. 24, No. 29, distributed to 65,266 ARRL members on July 29. Rick prepared/edited stories on the NCVEC meeting in Gettysburg (thanks, Perry, WY1O), Canada's decision to drop the Morse requirement, use of VoIP modes at WX4NHC at the Nat'l Hurricane Center, Ham-volunteers help in ValuJet 592 memorial cleanup, Oklahoma hams take part in bioterrorism exercise, WG4Y wins Young Ham of the Year Award, plus news briefs and announcements. Rick voiced, edited and produced ARRL Audio News for July 29. The list of repeaters and stations indicating they use all or part of ARRL Audio News now exceeds 200! Lab BPL Ed Hare and Dave Sumner met with Joe Ballantine from United Illuminating. They met together at UI's BPL site in Shelton, CT. After a brief discussion about BPL in general, Ed and Dave started Joe on a tour of the BPL area, demonstrating the interference. Unfortunately, just as Joe was starting to "get it," his alarm beeper went off, calling him away for a critical power emergency. Ed and Dave will follow up with Joe at the earliest opportunity. TIS Zack Lau recruited a volunteer to maintain the TIS Satellite page on the ARRL web site -- Emily Clarke, W0EEC. She provides content to the AMSAT-NA web page, and pointed out that our web page referred to many outdated AMSAT web pages. Fourteen hours of membership contact, including a dozen phone calls and 43 email requests. QST Mike Tracy unpacked a very large homebrew receiver for lab evaluation-the latest trend seems to be "bigger is better." RFI Mike Gruber visited Ken Klimasewski, N1KK, at EMC Labs, a testing facility for both conducted and radiated emissions. Mike got a tour of the facilities. W1AW Mike Tracy and Mike Gruber helped Joe Carcia find a nearby power-line noise source hidden in a tree. Sales and Marketing Advertising for September/October NCJ and QEX has been completed, exceeding dollar targets on each publication by a small amount. The advertising staff is currently wrapping up the advertising section of the 2006 ARRL Handbook. Dollar target has been exceeded by $7,500. The Dealer Newsline featuring Amateur Radio on the Move and the 2006 Handbook was mailed early in the week. Pre-orders from dealers are already coming in. The fulfillment and warehouse teams enjoyed a busy week, processing over 600 orders resulting from the weeklong publications summer sale. The promotion helped narrow an expected gap in July's sales vs forecast, largely attributed to the early stock-out of the 2005 Handbook and to a handful of new titles that didn't make publication as planned. The group is gearing-up for the arrival of the 2006 ARRL Handbook in October. Our top publication dealers have already placed substantial pre-orders--and all have included the "1926 Handbook" reproduction in their orders. We have partnered with ItsURCall.com in a simple joint marketing agreement, permitting the company to use ARRL logos on its brass belt buckle designs, and in exchange for some cross promotion through our various marketing channels. ARRL will receive a commission for every ARRL-themed product the company sells. Dennis was the League representative over the weekend at the Rocky Mountain Division Convention at their wonderful Bryce Canyon venue. The weekend turned into quite an unusual action packed time for all...far more than anyone would ask for. More details will appear on the ARRL website! Online Courses Course administrator Jean Wolfgang spoke with CTDLC, beginning discussions to find ways to revitalize and update the courses, find accreditation (CEUs, etc.) by various organizations, and for ideas for adding more multimedia features to the courses. ON-LINE COURSES Registrations During this week Graduations Antenna Modeling (EC-004) 0 1 HF Digital (EC-005) 2 0 RFI (EC-006) 0 0 VHF/UHF (EC-008) 1 0 Ant. Design and Construction (EC-009) 1 0 Technician Licensing (EC-010) 1 1 Propagation (EC-011) 1 0 Analog Electronics (EC-012) 4 0 Digital Electronics (EC-013) 3 0 Emergency Comm. Level 1 (EC-001) Not open 5 by US mail 27 Emergency Comm. Level 2 (EC-002) Not open 1 by US mail 28 Emergency Comm. Level 3 (EC-003) Not open by US mail 12 Membership Services Awards Branch WAC Certs. (48 QSLs F/C) 8 5BWAC Cert. (30 QSLs F/C) 1 Extra Class Certs. 2 Replacement Awards 1 A-1 Op. Noms. 4 A-1 Op. Certs 4 VUCC Certs. Processed 5 VUCC Initial Apps. 5 Grids 322 VUCC End. Apps. 5 Grids 273 Awards Mailed 34 Processing Status: Current or up to three weeks. For the coming week-WAS and WAC QSL card checking, Basic WAS awards for July, VUCC awards, plus mail out the processed awards. Contest Branch Data entry for 2005 Field Day continued. New email submissions in the Field Day queue were each reviewed daily to verify if they were already submitted via the web applet. If they were not, the summary sheet was printed for manual data entry. The ARRL International EME Competition rules change implementing Single Operator Assisted categories was finalized, announced and posted. In addition the PDF summary sheet to include the new categories was created. Certificates for the 2005 January VHF Sweepstakes contest were printed and will begin mailing the week of August 1. DXCC Branch For the week of: July 31, 2005 Beginning Credits 104,937 Credits Received 1,990 Credits Processed 15,384 Ending Credits 91,543 Applications Pending 808 Processing Time (Conventional) 9.4 Weeks Year-to-date (2005) Credits Received 387,225 Credits Returned 366,656 DXCC is currently mailing applications received on May 26, 2005. DXCC is currently entering credits received on June 7, 2005. Logbook of the World QSO records entered into the system 76,160,093 QSL records have resulted 3,560,790 Logs Processed 134,760 Active Certificates 15,247 Users registered in the system 10,095 Hybrids Pending Mail 50 QSL Bureau There is a 6 day processing time delay. This week, 167 pounds of cards were received from members. No cards were mailed this week. Field & Educational Services Rosalie received a number of phone calls regarding the successful space shuttle launch, and she handled a few items for Norm while he was on vacation. She touched base with Chris Imlay on a NPSTC issue. She was invited to take part in a telecon next week to meet the new point of contact for ARISS at Johnson Space Center. She sat in on a few portions of Teachers Institute; this group of teachers was lively! Amateur Radio Education & Technology Program throughout the week, Mark Spencer hosted and taught the Teachers' Institute here at Headquarters. Field Education Team Gail Iannone sent six hamfest approval letters and one convention approval letter to the sponsoring committees confirming the Division Directors' approval of their events as "ARRL-sanctioned," processed 18 handout and door prize orders and three label requests for upcoming events. She also sent a Wouff Hong supply package for the ceremony to be performed at the Dakota Division Convention being held September 9th-11th in Fargo, ND. She sent four new Special Service Club applications to the Division Directors, SMs, and ACCs for their approval and Charter of Affiliation certificates to two newly-affiliated clubs. Field Organization/Public Service Team Leona Adams received and processed Section Manager and section-related expenses. Many of these expenses have resulted from the busy hamfest and convention season and related travel. SMs have appointed several new ECs, DECs, Net Managers, and Public Information Officers, along with current appointment data updates. With help from Allen Pitts, Steve Ewald has been spreading the word about ARRL's Amateur Radio Awareness Day (September 17) and National Preparedness Month (September). SMs have been asked to help relay the news to section members and clubs about these upcoming public events. Since National Preparedness Month is co-sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and the organizations associated with Citizen Corps (like ARRL), Awareness Day participants are encouraged to invite local Citizen Corps representatives to their venues. Chuck Skolaut received and reviewed Official Observer documentation from two separate sources on a 2-meter repeater case in California. It has been forwarded to the FCC. In a different case, an OOC from California has thanked the FCC for its actions in resolving an issue created by unlicensed 2-meter operators. ARRL volunteers acting as part of the Monitoring Program are keeping ears tuned to an unidentified signal on 20 meters and a "woodpecker" -type signal on 40 meters. During a recent lunch break, Chuck listened for and contacted K2BSA, the Boy Scouts of America Amateur Radio Station that has been operating from the National Boy Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. Jean, WB3IOS, also made contact during that same lunch break. Although he was not operating the radio at the time of those QSOs, Larry, WR1B, is at the National Scout Jamboree. Sincerely, Dave Patton, NN1N Special Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer DCP:lk Staff Absentee List Joel Kleinman 8/10 Vacation Harold Kramer 8/19-8/21 Southeast Division Convention, Huntsville, AL John Hennessee 8/1-8/12 Vacation Barry Shelley 8/4-8/5 Vacation `` 8/15-8/19 Vacation Monique Levesque 8/1-8/5 Vacation Joe Carcia 7/29-8/5 Vacation `` 8/12 Vacation `` 8/19 Vacation `` 8/26 Vacation Karen Isakson 8/6-8/15 Vacation Perry Williams 7/7-9/6 Vacation Dave Patton 8/10 Vacation 9/16-9/18 W9DXCC Pam Dzamba 8/1-8/5 Vacation Mark Dzamba 8/1-8/5 Vacation Janet Rocco 8/1-8/5 Vacation Allen Pitts 8/4-8/8 Texas State Convention Joel Hallas 8/12-8/26 Vacation Kathy Capodicasa 8/8-8/9 Vacation Steve Capodicasa 8/8-8/9 Vacation `` 9/5-9/12 Vacation Steve Capodicasa 9/5-9/12 Vacation Dan Henderson 8/1-8/5 Vacation Wayne Mills 8/5-8/7 Pacific Northwest Convention 8/8-8/12 Vacation Ed Hare 8/8-8/12 IEEE EMC Symposium, Chicago, IL `` 8/15-8/17 Vacation `` 8/25-9/2 Vacation `` 9/8-9/9 Club talk in Rochester, NY Steve Ford 8/30-9/5 Vacation Dan Miller 8/18-8/21 Southeast Division Convention, Huntsville, AL `` 8/21-8/25 APCO Conference, Denver, CO Joe Bottiglieri 8/26-9/6 Vacation Dave Sumner 8/22-9/8 Vacation 9/9-9/19 IARU R1 and AC meetings, Davos and Zurich 9/30 Vacation 10/3-10/9 IARU R3 Directors meeting and SEANET meeting, Bangalore Ann Marie Pinto 8/15-8/26 Vacation Bill Moore 8/16 Vacation Chuck Skolaut 8/5-8/9 WNY Section Convention & Vacation Stu Cohen 8/1-8/4 Vacation Steve Coffey 8/22-9/2 Vacation Bob Schetgen 8/8-8/19 Vacation Debra Johnson 8/8-8/12 Vacation Mary Hobart 8/9-8/10 Vacation `` 8/18-8/21 Huntsville & MFJ visit `` 9/8-9/11 SW Division -Riverside `` 9/15-9/16 Vacation `` 9/22-9/23 Vacation

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[arrl-odv:12838] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 03 Aug '05

03 Aug '05

IN-Newsletter Vol. 28, No. 31 August 3, 2005 CEO IARU President Larry Price, W4RA, IARU Vice President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, and Chief Technology Officer Paul Rinaldo, W4RI, spent the first part of this week with Dave Sumner preparing for upcoming ITU/IARU meetings and projects. John Hennessee answered a broad range of regulatory questions including questions on the ARRL draft bandwidth petition and the FCC restructuring NPRM. He assisted the non-amateur ZBA head in Bethlehem, PA with local government zoning ordinance questions about Amateur Radio. John also gave a layman's review of the Dripping Springs, TX proposed ordinance to KB3R. He also assisted an amateur in Saw Creek, PA (KB2QEI) with questions about covenants (after he had just signed a purchase agreement in a "gated community," the realtor said it was "no problem" (it was). Media & Public Relations CONTACT! was posted on the PIO website, the Fred Friendly/Preparedness information was sent out on the PR list. Interviews were done with Network World and NPR regarding BPL, Boston Globe about the use of electronic kits, Times Union about CW and the Hartford Courant about the Teachers' Institute. I observed Bill Barrett's presentation on Emergency Communications. While the "Swiss Army Knife '05" continues to be requested, we received an unusual donation of $150 from the New England Division Cabinet for its continued production and promotion. (Thank you!!) Video clips to be used in the Hello Campaign PSA have started to be filmed and collected from many locations around the USA and world. Production/Editorial After nearly three years on the HQ staff, QST Technical Editor Stu Cohen, N1SC, will be leaving August 19 to return to Oregon. Congratulations to Joel Hallas, W1ZR, who will take-over Stu's position effective August 22. Rick Lindquist reports The ARRL Letter, Vol. 24, No. 29, distributed to 65,266 ARRL members on July 29. Rick prepared/edited stories on the NCVEC meeting in Gettysburg (thanks, Perry, WY1O), Canada's decision to drop the Morse requirement, use of VoIP modes at WX4NHC at the Nat'l Hurricane Center, Ham-volunteers help in ValuJet 592 memorial cleanup, Oklahoma hams take part in bioterrorism exercise, WG4Y wins Young Ham of the Year Award, plus news briefs and announcements. Rick voiced, edited and produced ARRL Audio News for July 29. The list of repeaters and stations indicating they use all or part of ARRL Audio News now exceeds 200! Lab BPL Ed Hare and Dave Sumner met with Joe Ballantine from United Illuminating. They met together at UI's BPL site in Shelton, CT. After a brief discussion about BPL in general, Ed and Dave started Joe on a tour of the BPL area, demonstrating the interference. Unfortunately, just as Joe was starting to "get it," his alarm beeper went off, calling him away for a critical power emergency. Ed and Dave will follow up with Joe at the earliest opportunity. TIS Zack Lau recruited a volunteer to maintain the TIS Satellite page on the ARRL web site -- Emily Clarke, W0EEC. She provides content to the AMSAT-NA web page, and pointed out that our web page referred to many outdated AMSAT web pages. Fourteen hours of membership contact, including a dozen phone calls and 43 email requests. QST Mike Tracy unpacked a very large homebrew receiver for lab evaluation-the latest trend seems to be "bigger is better." RFI Mike Gruber visited Ken Klimasewski, N1KK, at EMC Labs, a testing facility for both conducted and radiated emissions. Mike got a tour of the facilities. W1AW Mike Tracy and Mike Gruber helped Joe Carcia find a nearby power-line noise source hidden in a tree. Sales and Marketing Advertising for September/October NCJ and QEX has been completed, exceeding dollar targets on each publication by a small amount. The advertising staff is currently wrapping up the advertising section of the 2006 ARRL Handbook. Dollar target has been exceeded by $7,500. The Dealer Newsline featuring Amateur Radio on the Move and the 2006 Handbook was mailed early in the week. Pre-orders from dealers are already coming in. The fulfillment and warehouse teams enjoyed a busy week, processing over 600 orders resulting from the weeklong publications summer sale. The promotion helped narrow an expected gap in July's sales vs forecast, largely attributed to the early stock-out of the 2005 Handbook and to a handful of new titles that didn't make publication as planned. The group is gearing-up for the arrival of the 2006 ARRL Handbook in October. Our top publication dealers have already placed substantial pre-orders--and all have included the "1926 Handbook" reproduction in their orders. We have partnered with ItsURCall.com in a simple joint marketing agreement, permitting the company to use ARRL logos on its brass belt buckle designs, and in exchange for some cross promotion through our various marketing channels. ARRL will receive a commission for every ARRL-themed product the company sells. Dennis was the League representative over the weekend at the Rocky Mountain Division Convention at their wonderful Bryce Canyon venue. The weekend turned into quite an unusual action packed time for all...far more than anyone would ask for. More details will appear on the ARRL website! Online Courses Course administrator Jean Wolfgang spoke with CTDLC, beginning discussions to find ways to revitalize and update the courses, find accreditation (CEUs, etc.) by various organizations, and for ideas for adding more multimedia features to the courses. ON-LINE COURSES Registrations During this week Graduations Antenna Modeling (EC-004) 0 1 HF Digital (EC-005) 2 0 RFI (EC-006) 0 0 VHF/UHF (EC-008) 1 0 Ant. Design and Construction (EC-009) 1 0 Technician Licensing (EC-010) 1 1 Propagation (EC-011) 1 0 Analog Electronics (EC-012) 4 0 Digital Electronics (EC-013) 3 0 Emergency Comm. Level 1 (EC-001) Not open 5 by US mail 27 Emergency Comm. Level 2 (EC-002) Not open 1 by US mail 28 Emergency Comm. Level 3 (EC-003) Not open by US mail 12 Membership Services Awards Branch WAC Certs. (48 QSLs F/C) 8 5BWAC Cert. (30 QSLs F/C) 1 Extra Class Certs. 2 Replacement Awards 1 A-1 Op. Noms. 4 A-1 Op. Certs 4 VUCC Certs. Processed 5 VUCC Initial Apps. 5 Grids 322 VUCC End. Apps. 5 Grids 273 Awards Mailed 34 Processing Status: Current or up to three weeks. For the coming week-WAS and WAC QSL card checking, Basic WAS awards for July, VUCC awards, plus mail out the processed awards. Contest Branch Data entry for 2005 Field Day continued. New email submissions in the Field Day queue were each reviewed daily to verify if they were already submitted via the web applet. If they were not, the summary sheet was printed for manual data entry. The ARRL International EME Competition rules change implementing Single Operator Assisted categories was finalized, announced and posted. In addition the PDF summary sheet to include the new categories was created. Certificates for the 2005 January VHF Sweepstakes contest were printed and will begin mailing the week of August 1. DXCC Branch For the week of: July 31, 2005 Beginning Credits 104,937 Credits Received 1,990 Credits Processed 15,384 Ending Credits 91,543 Applications Pending 808 Processing Time (Conventional) 9.4 Weeks Year-to-date (2005) Credits Received 387,225 Credits Returned 366,656 DXCC is currently mailing applications received on May 26, 2005. DXCC is currently entering credits received on June 7, 2005. Logbook of the World QSO records entered into the system 76,160,093 QSL records have resulted 3,560,790 Logs Processed 134,760 Active Certificates 15,247 Users registered in the system 10,095 Hybrids Pending Mail 50 QSL Bureau There is a 6 day processing time delay. This week, 167 pounds of cards were received from members. No cards were mailed this week. Field & Educational Services Rosalie received a number of phone calls regarding the successful space shuttle launch, and she handled a few items for Norm while he was on vacation. She touched base with Chris Imlay on a NPSTC issue. She was invited to take part in a telecon next week to meet the new point of contact for ARISS at Johnson Space Center. She sat in on a few portions of Teachers Institute; this group of teachers was lively! Amateur Radio Education & Technology Program throughout the week, Mark Spencer hosted and taught the Teachers' Institute here at Headquarters. Field Education Team Gail Iannone sent six hamfest approval letters and one convention approval letter to the sponsoring committees confirming the Division Directors' approval of their events as "ARRL-sanctioned," processed 18 handout and door prize orders and three label requests for upcoming events. She also sent a Wouff Hong supply package for the ceremony to be performed at the Dakota Division Convention being held September 9th-11th in Fargo, ND. She sent four new Special Service Club applications to the Division Directors, SMs, and ACCs for their approval and Charter of Affiliation certificates to two newly-affiliated clubs. Field Organization/Public Service Team Leona Adams received and processed Section Manager and section-related expenses. Many of these expenses have resulted from the busy hamfest and convention season and related travel. SMs have appointed several new ECs, DECs, Net Managers, and Public Information Officers, along with current appointment data updates. With help from Allen Pitts, Steve Ewald has been spreading the word about ARRL's Amateur Radio Awareness Day (September 17) and National Preparedness Month (September). SMs have been asked to help relay the news to section members and clubs about these upcoming public events. Since National Preparedness Month is co-sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and the organizations associated with Citizen Corps (like ARRL), Awareness Day participants are encouraged to invite local Citizen Corps representatives to their venues. Chuck Skolaut received and reviewed Official Observer documentation from two separate sources on a 2-meter repeater case in California. It has been forwarded to the FCC. In a different case, an OOC from California has thanked the FCC for its actions in resolving an issue created by unlicensed 2-meter operators. ARRL volunteers acting as part of the Monitoring Program are keeping ears tuned to an unidentified signal on 20 meters and a "woodpecker" -type signal on 40 meters. During a recent lunch break, Chuck listened for and contacted K2BSA, the Boy Scouts of America Amateur Radio Station that has been operating from the National Boy Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. Jean, WB3IOS, also made contact during that same lunch break. Although he was not operating the radio at the time of those QSOs, Larry, WR1B, is at the National Scout Jamboree. Sincerely, Dave Patton, NN1N Special Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer DCP:lk Staff Absentee List Joel Kleinman 8/10 Vacation Harold Kramer 8/19-8/21 Southeast Division Convention, Huntsville, AL John Hennessee 8/1-8/12 Vacation Barry Shelley 8/4-8/5 Vacation `` 8/15-8/19 Vacation Monique Levesque 8/1-8/5 Vacation Joe Carcia 7/29-8/5 Vacation `` 8/12 Vacation `` 8/19 Vacation `` 8/26 Vacation Karen Isakson 8/6-8/15 Vacation Perry Williams 7/7-9/6 Vacation Dave Patton 8/10 Vacation 9/16-9/18 W9DXCC Pam Dzamba 8/1-8/5 Vacation Mark Dzamba 8/1-8/5 Vacation Janet Rocco 8/1-8/5 Vacation Allen Pitts 8/4-8/8 Texas State Convention Joel Hallas 8/12-8/26 Vacation Kathy Capodicasa 8/8-8/9 Vacation Steve Capodicasa 8/8-8/9 Vacation `` 9/5-9/12 Vacation Steve Capodicasa 9/5-9/12 Vacation Dan Henderson 8/1-8/5 Vacation Wayne Mills 8/5-8/7 Pacific Northwest Convention 8/8-8/12 Vacation Ed Hare 8/8-8/12 IEEE EMC Symposium, Chicago, IL `` 8/15-8/17 Vacation `` 8/25-9/2 Vacation `` 9/8-9/9 Club talk in Rochester, NY Steve Ford 8/30-9/5 Vacation Dan Miller 8/18-8/21 Southeast Division Convention, Huntsville, AL `` 8/21-8/25 APCO Conference, Denver, CO Joe Bottiglieri 8/26-9/6 Vacation Dave Sumner 8/22-9/8 Vacation 9/9-9/19 IARU R1 and AC meetings, Davos and Zurich 9/30 Vacation 10/3-10/9 IARU R3 Directors meeting and SEANET meeting, Bangalore Ann Marie Pinto 8/15-8/26 Vacation Bill Moore 8/16 Vacation Chuck Skolaut 8/5-8/9 WNY Section Convention & Vacation Stu Cohen 8/1-8/4 Vacation Steve Coffey 8/22-9/2 Vacation Bob Schetgen 8/8-8/19 Vacation

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[arrl-odv:12837] Re: Guess what
by Jim K8JE 01 Aug '05

01 Aug '05

Gee, Andy, Old dogs can indeed learn new tricks. Tnx for you info. Jim Weaver, K8JE Director, Great Lakes Division ARRL; http://www.arrl.org/ 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 Tel.: 513-459-0142; E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio Is! MEMBERS: The reason ARRL Is! -----Original Message----- From: Andy Oppel [mailto:andy_oppel@earthlink.net] Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 9:35 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:12835] Re: Guess what The behavior the Dr. Weaver experienced is indeed the default behavior of most search engines. If you include multiple terms, it finds all documents where those terms appear somewhere in the document. However, if you place serveral terms in double quotes, it does an exact match on those terms. When I put the terms 2006, 2008, division, and elections into the search, I got the same results Dr. Weaver reported. However, when I put double-quotes around the entire string, it became one search term and the result was no documents: Sorry, your search for "2005 division election" did not find any results. No documents were found containing ""2005 division election"". I removed 2005, searching only on "division election" (as a single term) and got this result: 1. ARRLWeb: W1AW <http://www.arrl.org/htdig/w1aw/2000-index.html> General Bulletins for 2000 [5.815%] ... SK 06-Dec-2000 ARLB046 Former ARRL NW Division Vice Director Gib Gibson, W7JIE, SK ... Elected 17-Nov-2000 ARLB044 ARRL Division Election Results 16-Nov-2000 ARLS021 ... http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/2000-index.html - 14020 bytes [text/html] - Sun, 19 Mar 2000, 11:57:22 EST 2. ARRLWeb: W1AW Bulletin <http://www.arrl.org/htdig/w1aw/2000-arlb044.html> ARLB044 (2000) [2.701%] ... Keplerian . Propagation ARLB044: ARRL Division Election Results SB QST @ ARL $ARLB044 ARLB044 ARRL Division Election Results ZCZC AG44 QST de ... SB QST ARL ARLB044 ARLB044 ARRL Division Election Results The ARRL Central ... http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/2000-arlb044.ht... <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/2000-arlb044.html> - 8542 bytes [text/html] - Fri, 17 Nov 2000, 17:13:06 EST The only problem here is the lack of results for any division election after 2000. I don't believe the search engine itself is to blame, but rather the indexing of documents. Indexing is the process that scans documents, pulling keywords into an index that is used by the search engine to find related documents (much like a human would do with the index in the back of a book). In fact, when you write a book, the publisher typically hires an "indexer" who reads the manuscript (or more likely uses some automated tool) and assembles an index (I know this from the book I have in print - the indexer even has a credit in the book). It's clear to me that the ARRL web site isn't properly indexed for the search engine. I don't know what process is being used, but the best is a fully automated solution using an indexing tool that works 100% of the time. The Google tool that someone suggested at the board meeting (my apologies on not remembering who it was) is an appliance (combined hardware and software) that plugs into the web server and automatically indexes every document added to the server. The appliance also has the now famous Google search engine in it. I don't know what it costs, but my guess is that it's not cheap. And it's certainly not the only solution out there, so please don't take my comments on it as a specific recommendation. The point should be that what we have now is broken and needs to be fixed -- the "fix" requires a bit of study and a proper analysis of workable alternative solutions. -- Andy Oppel, N6AJO Vice Director, Pacific Division (and in my work life: Principal Data Architect, Ceridian) At 01:58 PM 7/29/2005, you wrote: You got your initial result because there was one document on the Web site in which the terms "2006," "2008," "division" and "elections" appeared (I believe our search engine, and most others, ignores hyphens). That happened to be the 2000 10-Meter Contest Results. All four terms are there -- take a look. If the search engine was a sentient being it probably would have wondered why on earth you wanted this document, but it found what you asked for and told you that you probably weren't interested in it (that's what the low percentage figure means). It didn't find what you were looking for because that document is not on the Web site. It isn't on the Web site because Bylaw 18 stipulates where it should appear, and that's in QST. The way to change that is to amend the Bylaws, not the search engine. Dave K1ZZ -----Original Message----- From: Weaver, Jim K8JE (DIR, GL) Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 4:26 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:12830] Re: Guess what Dave, I'm just expressing frustration over the recalcitrant nature I happen to continue to see in our system. The greater the degree to which an information search system must be fed information before it retrieves useful output, the less the practical value of the system. For example, providing information on the 2001 ARRL 10 M contest when I had requested "election" information during "2005" seems to indicate the system is about as still as useless as mammary glands on a boar. At best it suggests the system is as user-friendly as was Attila the Hun to his captives. (Pardon my intended hyperbolism.) When are we going to have a system that operates in a manner that will reflect positively on our technologically-progressive organization? Conversely, should the question be, "Will we ever . . .?" Jim Weaver, K8JE Director, Great Lakes Division ARRL; http://www.arrl.org/ 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 Tel.: 513-459-0142; E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio Is! MEMBERS: The reason ARRL Is! -----Original Message----- From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [ mailto:dsumner@arrl.org <mailto:dsumner@arrl.org> ] Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 3:27 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:12830] Re: Guess what Jim, I'm not sure what point you're making. If it is to propose that Bylaw 18 be amended, it is certainly possible to formulate an amendment for January. 73, Dave K1ZZ -----Original Message----- From: Weaver, Jim K8JE (DIR, GL) Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 3:19 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:12829] Guess what Desiring a respite from the important things in ham life and wishing to be reminded of everything that has been published in QST or on our web site, I decided to do a search of arrl.org for "2006-2008 division elections." Sure enough, within a couple of seconds the search results appeared. One item was found. It was; 1. 2000 <http://www.arrl.org/contests/results/2000/2000-10-meter-results.pdf> ARRL 10-Meter Contest Results [0.020%] [pdf] ... were also a total of 39 new ARRL/RAC division records set during the event. Phone ... Operator stations that set new ARRL Division records in their categories: Mixed QRP ... http://www.arrl.org/contests/results/200... <http://www.arrl.org/contests/results/2000/2000-10-meter-results.pdf> - 162789 bytes [application/pdf] - Fri, 27 Jul 2001, 11:12:16 EDT Reasoning that the search engine must want me to ask for 2005 elections I revised the search to "2005 division elections." Sure enough, I promptly saw: 1. ARRLWeb: <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/01/1116/> The ARRL Letter [4.878%] ... in three ARRL divisions for the 2002- 2005 term. The Committee of Tellers has ... the results of these contested elections. In the Pacific Division incumbent ... completing his second year as Pacific Division Vice Director. In the Southeastern ... http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/01/1116/ - 33643 bytes [text/html] - Fri, 16 Nov 2001, 19:03:36 EST 2. ARRLWeb: <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/2001-arlb049.html> W1AW Bulletin ARLB049 (2001) [4.878%] 2005 bulletins: General . DX . ... in three ARRL divisions for the 2002-2005 term. The Committee of Tellers has ... the results of these contested elections. In the Pacific Division incumbent ... http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/2001-arlb049.ht... <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/2001-arlb049.html> - 7803 bytes [text/html] - Fri, 16 Nov 2001, 16:57:09 EST 3. ARRLWeb: <http://www.arrl.org/sections/index.html?sect=VT&monthly=1> ARRL VT Section [2.922%] ... Clubs Other sections New England Division Back to Section Page Monthly Section News Summaries May 2005 April 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 October 2004 September ... http://www.arrl.org/sections/index.html?... <http://www.arrl.org/sections/index.html?sect=VT&monthly=1> - 9601 bytes [text/html] - Fri, 17 Jun 2005, 22:59:38 EDT 4. ARRLWeb: <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/1998-arlb100.html> W1AW Bulletin ARLB100 (1998) [0.865%] 2005 bulletins: General . DX . ... Keplerian . Propagation ARLB100: ARRL elections SB QST @ ARL $ARLB100 ARLB100 ARRL elections ZCZC AG01 QST de W1AW ARRL Bulletin ... http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/1998-arlb100.ht... <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/1998-arlb100.html> - 6617 bytes [text/html] - Thu, 31 Dec 1998, 13:49:55 EST 5. ARRLWeb: ARRL In <http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/06/30/1/?nc=1> Action: What Have We Been Up To Lately? [0.860%] ... Editor jkleinman(a)arrl.org June 30, 2005 This feature--including convenient Web ... Radio Spectrum Protection Act of 2005 into the Senate. ARRL President Jim ... Communications Conference (GAREC 2005) in his capacity as Region 2 President ... http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/0... <http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/06/30/1/?nc=1> - 8632 bytes [text/html] - Wed, 31 Dec 1969, 19:00:00 EST http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/0... <http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/06/30/1/> - 8632 bytes - Wed, 31 Dec 1969, 19:00:00 EST 6. ARRLWeb: <http://www.arrl.org/announce/board-0501/> Minutes of the 2005 Annual Meeting ARRL Board of <http://www.arrl.org/announce/board-0501/> Directors [0.831%] ... Minutes of the 2005 Annual Meeting ARRL Board of Directors January 21-22, 2005 Summary Agenda 1. Roll Call 2. Moment ... Articles of Association and Bylaws 7. Elections 8. Consideration of recommendations of ... http://www.arrl.org/announce/board-0501/ - 35778 bytes [text/html] - Fri, 28 Jan 2005, 15:52:24 EST 7. ARRLWeb: Minutes of the <http://www.arrl.org/announce/ec_minutes_476.html> Executive Committee, Number 475 [0.816%] ... COMMITTEE Denver Colorado -- April 9, 2005 Pursuant to due notice, the Executive ... met at 8:40 AM MDT, Saturday, April 9, 2005 , at the Denver Airport Marriott at ... D. Imlay, W3KD, and Midwest Division Vice Director Bruce Frahm, K0BJ, at ... http://www.arrl.org/announce/ec_minutes_... <http://www.arrl.org/announce/ec_minutes_476.html> - 28079 bytes [text/html] - Tue, 26 Apr 2005, 10:07:19 EDT 8. ARRLWeb: <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/1998-index.html> W1AW General Bulletins for 1998 [0.677%] 2005 bulletins: General . DX . ... QRT 04-Dec-1998 ARLB104 Northwestern Division Director Mary Lou Brown, NM7N, SK ... results 20-Nov-1998 ARLB100 ARRL elections 16-Nov-1998 ARLB099 FCC call sign ... http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/1998-index.html - 17004 bytes [text/html] - Thu, 31 Dec 1998, 09:45:52 EST 9. ARRLWeb: <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/2000-arlb006.html> W1AW Bulletin ARLB006 (2000) [0.640%] 2005 bulletins: General . DX . ... . Propagation ARLB006: ARRL Officer Elections Set Musical Chairs in Motion SB QST @ ARL $ARLB006 ARLB006 ARRL Officer Elections Set Musical Chairs in Motion ZCZC AG06 ... http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/2000-arlb006.ht... <http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/2000-arlb006.html> - 7047 bytes [text/html] - Sun, 19 Mar 2000, 11:58:03 EST 10. ARRLWeb: ARRL In Action: <http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/06/01/2/> What Have We Been Up To Lately? [0.603%] ... Editor jkleinman(a)arrl.org June 1, 2005 This feature--including convenient Web ... HQ for two contested Section Manager elections. Six incumbent SMs did not face ... its slate of scholarship winners for 2005. The 2005 Goldfarb Scholarship was ... http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/0... <http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/06/01/2/> - 6402 bytes [text/html] - Wed, 31 Dec 1969, 19:00:00 EST http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/0... <http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2005/06/01/2/?nc=1> - 6402 bytes - Wed, 31 Dec 1969, 19:00:00 EST Searching for "2005-8 division election announcements" I found a variety of reports on BoD meetings, l primarily. After this, I "turned the computer off" and went looking for my QSTs while thanking HPM for making this great new IT system available to us and our members. Geez! Jim Weaver, K8JE Director, Great Lakes Division ARRL; http://www.arrl.org/ 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 Tel.: 513-459-0142; E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio Is! MEMBERS: The reason ARRL Is!

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