September 2005 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:12954] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting
by Joel Harrison 04 Sep '05

04 Sep '05

Jim, Your point has been made clear. 73 Joel W5ZN -----Original Message----- From: Jim K8JE [mailto:K8JE@arrl.org] Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2005 12:52 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:12939] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting Joel, To make my point utterly (or out in Arkansas, is it udderly?) clear, even if we think FCC will summarily ignore and reject effort by us to keep Morse requirements for Extra licensees, I firmly request we go through the drill and try to get them to change their position and keep 5 wpm for Extra. My correspondence from members clearly demonstrates that many, many non-FISTS people would feel we are abandoning them if we don't fight to maintain code. I think that ignoring the opportunity to submit strong reply comments would represent a member-relations disaster. We don't need any more of these. 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: Joel Harrison [mailto:w5zn@arrl.org] Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2005 8:40 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:12939] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting QSL Wade...tnx info. I still feel strongly that we should pursue our original petition regarding an entry level license. The only thing I'm convinced FCC will refuse to change is the elimination of the Morse requirement. More later. I have another report coming to everyone within the next few days outlining Options 2 & 3 in much greater detail. Thanks again for the input. 73 Joel W5ZN -----Original Message----- From: walstrom(a)mchsi.com [mailto:walstrom@mchsi.com] Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2005 5:47 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:12935] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting I do not like Option 1 at all. I don't think it will send the message you suggest, but would be another indication of us becoming irrelevant. These clowns are too enamored with themselves to figure out a no-response means we think they are so far off base to elicit a response. I favor something between 2 and 3 and the closer to 3 the better. 73, Wade W0EJ > > The attached report is an ARRL Board Confidential matter. It is not to be > distributed to anyone other than ARRL Officers, Directors, and Vice > Directors. > > As previously communicated to you, Chris Imlay and I met with Mike Wilhelm > at FCC on Monday, August 29 to discuss NPRM 05-235. > > My report is attached in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. If you cannot open this > document, please let me know. > > 73 Joel W5ZN

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[arrl-odv:12952] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting
by Jim K8JE 04 Sep '05

04 Sep '05

Mike, How could n otherwise highly intelligent person such as you disagree with me?! Hi! I understand very clearly what you and Coy and probably others by now have said. Being the member-oriented person I am, my concern is not over what we may do with the FCC (I don't think it would make a tinker' dam to them), but is rather over the continual degradation in the perception many, many of our members would have if we were simply to row way from the sinking CW ship. What would ARRL lose by waging a losing battle with FCC to save CW requirements? I don't believe anything at all. On the other hand, I believe we would strengthen our support among members. Like it or not, it is our members who support the League. Having said the above, I would not at all back away from the effort to modify the entry level license. This is where I'd think the bulk of our effort should go. It cannot take too much effort for too long to continue to support 5 WPM for Extras. The remainder of the effort could support a new entry level license. ?? 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: Mike Raisbeck [mailto:k1twf@arrl.net] Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2005 1:11 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:12945] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting Re Jim's comments: >> Full-blown action toward maintaining Morse for Extra (only) should be a safe position to >> adopt. The No-Coders won't be churned up over this effort and the Know-Coders will love us >> for it. It may be a safe position, but is it the right position? I think not. Morse is a dead issue as far as the FCC is concerned, as far as the public is concerned, and as far as a great number of hams are concerned. Most of those who do think that there should be any code requirement will be drooling in their oatmeal in another 20 years. It's time to dump this issue. By clinging to it at all, we're fostering the image that we're a bunch of old fools who are stuck "back in the days of vacuum tubes." While this may be true, it isn't an image we want to perpetuate ;-)) Let's concentrate on the entry class license and leave the Morse debates behind once and for all. 73, Mike K1TWF

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RE: [arrl-odv:12943] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting
by Jim K8JE 04 Sep '05

04 Sep '05

Coy, I agree there is the probability of the proverbial snow ball's chance in hell of success on the code issue, but I think we have no real choice but to try. I think we must make a viable attempt to preserve code because of he reasons I mentioned previously On the other hand, I agree that the hottest part of the situation as regards the future of Amateur Radio is modifying he entry level license. I personally would not care if this is done by achieving changes under current regulation (without changing regulation) or by convincing FCC to toss out the existing scheme and implement a new one (this latter via NPRM). I'd be interested to learn Chris' and others' assessment of the degree of latitude we might theoretically have to effect functional change in the licensing structure through NCVEC and such inroads we've made to date. 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: n5ok(a)arrl.org [mailto:n5ok.ok@att.net] Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2005 10:11 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:12943] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting Joel, I'm looking forward to your expanded versions of options 2 and 3. I personally don't see any need to persue the Morse testing issue further. I think we need to put all our eggs in the entry level license basket. Coy -- ARRL West Gulf Division Director Coy Day, N5OK 20685 SW 29th St Union City, OK 73090 n5ok(a)arrl.org 405-483-5632

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RE: [arrl-odv:12939] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting
by Jim K8JE 04 Sep '05

04 Sep '05

Joel, To make my point utterly (or out in Arkansas, is it udderly?) clear, even if we think FCC will summarily ignore and reject effort by us to keep Morse requirements for Extra licensees, I firmly request we go through the drill and try to get them to change their position and keep 5 wpm for Extra. My correspondence from members clearly demonstrates that many, many non-FISTS people would feel we are abandoning them if we don't fight to maintain code. I think that ignoring the opportunity to submit strong reply comments would represent a member-relations disaster. We don't need any more of these. 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: Joel Harrison [mailto:w5zn@arrl.org] Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2005 8:40 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:12939] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting QSL Wade...tnx info. I still feel strongly that we should pursue our original petition regarding an entry level license. The only thing I'm convinced FCC will refuse to change is the elimination of the Morse requirement. More later. I have another report coming to everyone within the next few days outlining Options 2 & 3 in much greater detail. Thanks again for the input. 73 Joel W5ZN -----Original Message----- From: walstrom(a)mchsi.com [mailto:walstrom@mchsi.com] Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2005 5:47 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:12935] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting I do not like Option 1 at all. I don't think it will send the message you suggest, but would be another indication of us becoming irrelevant. These clowns are too enamored with themselves to figure out a no-response means we think they are so far off base to elicit a response. I favor something between 2 and 3 and the closer to 3 the better. 73, Wade W0EJ > > The attached report is an ARRL Board Confidential matter. It is not to be > distributed to anyone other than ARRL Officers, Directors, and Vice > Directors. > > As previously communicated to you, Chris Imlay and I met with Mike Wilhelm > at FCC on Monday, August 29 to discuss NPRM 05-235. > > My report is attached in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. If you cannot open this > document, please let me know. > > 73 Joel W5ZN

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[arrl-odv:12949] Re: Katrina Update Sunday Sept 4
by K5ur＠aol.com 04 Sep '05

04 Sep '05

Thanks, Harold, and to all of the others on the Headquarters Team. 73, Rick - K5UR In a message dated 9/4/2005 12:33:25 PM Central Standard Time, wj1b(a)arrl.org writes: As we all know, Hurricane Katrina has been a national disaster. Here at HQ we have been working all weekend trying to keep up with the demands placed on the Amateur Radio Service. We are meeting and working every day through the holiday and trying to do everything that we can as the National Association for Amateur Radio. Here are some bullets on what is happening:

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[arrl-odv:12948] Katrina Update Sunday Sept 4
by Kramer, Harold, WJ1B 04 Sep '05

04 Sep '05

As we all know, Hurricane Katrina has been a national disaster. Here at HQ we have been working all weekend trying to keep up with the demands placed on the Amateur Radio Service. We are meeting and working every day through the holiday and trying to do everything that we can as the National Association for Amateur Radio. Here are some bullets on what is happening: 1. W1AW is being staffed from 7 x24 every day. W1AW has been handling relays, clearing frequencies from inadvertent interference and acting, on occasion, as net control for the emergency nets. Bill Moore was here all Friday night until the early hours acting as net control for SATERN and the Gulf Coast Net. Thanks to Joe Carcia and many others for their help. 2. The Katrina(a)arrl.org mailbox has been busy. We are receiving hundreds, if not thousands of emails, requesting help and assistance from all quarters including individuals, health and welfare, and emergency messages. We are also receiving emails from non-profits and many companies asking how they can help. Many have not received responses from FEMA and other governmental or relief agencies and so they have contacted us. We appear to be acting, in a limited way, as a National information clearinghouse. Dave Patton has taken on the responsibility of handling these emails. 3. We have worked out an information sharing arrangement with AB2M to share information about volunteer availability. While it is not perfect yet, we are consolidating both volunteer lists and determining operator availabilities. AB2M's data base is connected to the Gulf Coast SM's directly. This seems to be another new role for us here at HQ, acting as a central coordinator for volunteers who cannot get through the normal Field Organization channels. 4. Along with most major manufacturers, many hams are asking us how/where they can send radio gear. Some gear is new and some gear is used but they all want to help. We have no real mechanism to do this yet. Mary is working on setting up a process for dispersing the donated new equipment that will arrive Tuesday. 5. We are receiving many accounts of how amateur radio is working in the field and saving lives. More and more ops are being deployed in the field. The SM's are working hard to keep up with their field responsibilities. 6. We are receiving may inquires about Emergency training from existing ops. Where have they all been the past few years? We are also receiving inquiries about becoming a ham. Let's pay attention to these when this settles down. 7. Allen and the PR team are still receiving many, many inquiries from the press. There should be a piece about us in The New York Times on Tuesday. 8. The special edition EmComm newsletter went out. We may do another this week. Thanks, Rick Palm, the EmComm newsletter editor. 9. For the record, so far weekend support staff (telephone and at HQ) has included: Mary Hobart, Dave Patton, Joe Carica, Dan Henderson, Jon Bloom, Chuck Skolaut, Norm Fusaro, Allen Pitts, Bill Moore, Dennis Motschenbacher , Rick Lindquist, Greg Kwasowski, Jodi Morin, Maty Weinberg, Rosalie White, Steve Ewald, Scott Gee and John Hennessee. Harold Kramer, WJ1B Chief Operating Officer ARRL - The National Association for Amateur Radio 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 860 594 0220 www.arrl.org/

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[arrl-odv:12947] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting
by Joel Harrison 04 Sep '05

04 Sep '05

QSL Coy...tnx input. Joel -----Original Message----- From: n5ok(a)arrl.org [mailto:n5ok.ok@att.net] Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2005 9:11 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:12943] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting Joel, I'm looking forward to your expanded versions of options 2 and 3. I personally don't see any need to persue the Morse testing issue further. I think we need to put all our eggs in the entry level license basket. Coy -- ARRL West Gulf Division Director Coy Day, N5OK 20685 SW 29th St Union City, OK 73090 n5ok(a)arrl.org 405-483-5632

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[arrl-odv:12946] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting
by Joel Harrison 04 Sep '05

04 Sep '05

QSL Rick...tnx input. Joel -----Original Message----- From: K5ur(a)aol.com [mailto:K5ur@aol.com] Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2005 9:03 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:12942] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting Joel: Good job. You and Chris were prepared. Thank you. 1.) Page 1, 5th paragraph - FCC's reference to 200k hams. That reply was typical FCC pooey. A good indication of their motivation, perhaps, .... numbers. Like you said, that does not equate to better efficiency of spectrum. 2.) Page 2, 2nd paragraph - FCC's comment about 300k Techs to upgrade. No way. I'm not sure it will even be the 100k you mentioned. 3.) Page 2, 2nd paragraph - FCC was not thinking long term. I agree. Obvious they weren't, given their responses. 4.) Page 2, 3rd paragraph - Good counterpoint ya'll made. 5.) Page 3, 1st and 2nd full paragraphs - Another good point, but doesn't it make you scratch your head wondering why they don't get it. Did I ever tell you what I think of the FCC? 6.) Page 3, 4th full paragraph - Regarding thanking Cross about 40 mtrs, oh, I'll bet you hated doing that. (hi) 7.) Page 4 - I prefer Option 3. Not option 1. Not option 2. No blend between options 2 and 3. Our proposal was a good proposal. It was the right proposal. This is important. We should do a full court press. Again, thanks to you and Chris for taking the time to prepare and meet with the FCC. Good job. 73, Rick - K5UR In a message dated 9/3/2005 9:31:18 AM Central Standard Time, w5zn(a)arrl.org writes: The attached report is an ARRL Board Confidential matter. It is not to be distributed to anyone other than ARRL Officers, Directors, and Vice Directors. As previously communicated to you, Chris Imlay and I met with Mike Wilhelm at FCC on Monday, August 29 to discuss NPRM 05-235. My report is attached in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. If you cannot open this document, please let me know. 73 Joel W5ZN

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[arrl-odv:12945] Re: CONFIDENTIAL - Harrison/Imlay FCC Meeting
by Mike Raisbeck 04 Sep '05

04 Sep '05

Re Jim's comments: >> Full-blown action toward maintaining Morse for Extra (only) should be a safe position to >> adopt. The No-Coders won't be churned up over this effort and the Know-Coders will love us >> for it. It may be a safe position, but is it the right position? I think not. Morse is a dead issue as far as the FCC is concerned, as far as the public is concerned, and as far as a great number of hams are concerned. Most of those who do think that there should be any code requirement will be drooling in their oatmeal in another 20 years. It's time to dump this issue. By clinging to it at all, we're fostering the image that we're a bunch of old fools who are stuck "back in the days of vacuum tubes." While this may be true, it isn't an image we want to perpetuate ;-)) Let's concentrate on the entry class license and leave the Morse debates behind once and for all. 73, Mike K1TWF

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[arrl-odv:12944] CNCS Ham Aid grant
by Hobart, Mary K1MMH 04 Sep '05

04 Sep '05

This press release was issued by CNCS. Details on the reimbursement will be shared with ODV on Tuesday following a meeting with Barry and Harold. 73, Mary K1MMH Volunteer Ham Radio Operators to Receive Grant To Enhance Emergency Communications in Hurricane Region WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Corporation for National and Community Service today announced a supplemental grant of $100,000 to the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) to support volunteer emergency communication operators who are helping out in Gulf Coast states affected by Hurricane Katrina. "With the breakdown of regular communication channels caused by the storm, the services provided by volunteer ham radio operators is vitally important, both to organizations and to individuals seeking to connect with loved ones," said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation. "We're pleased to be able to provide this extra assistance at this critical time." The grant will support AARL's "Ham Aid" program, which was established with a grant from the Corporation in 2002 to increase emergency certification training for ham radio operators. Corporation funds may also be used to help rebuild the emergency communications capabilities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Since the storm hit, amateur radio operators with ARRL have been working side by side with volunteers from the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and other relief organizations to help coordinate those groups' emergency communications activities. In the run-up to the Katrina's hitting the U.S. mainland, volunteer amateur radio operators also worked with the National Hurricane Center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to monitor the storm and to help prepare the Gulf Coast for its arrival. Approximately 500 ham operators currently are deployed in the Gulf area, and hundreds more are expected to arrive in teams over the next several weeks. Many currently are awaiting permission to enter the disaster areas to set up communications systems to transmit and receive messages both for relief organizations and for individuals wishing to get messages out to concerned families. While in the region, the radio operators will also be developing new relationships with local community groups, including faith-based organizations, food banks, and shelters. The Ham Aid program was developed by ARRL, based in Newington, Conn., under a 2002 training grant from the Corporation. The three-year grant was one of 18 Special Volunteer Program Homeland Security Grants awarded by the agency in the wake of the September 11 terror attacks to engage volunteers in public safety, public health, and disaster preparedness and response activities. Thus far, the grant has enabled AARL to provide certification in emergency communications protocols to more than 5,400 volunteer amateur radio operators. The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through three programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Together with USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to foster a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility in America. For more information, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov <http://www.nationalservice.gov/> . ###

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