November 2007 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:16104] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

<<103107.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 30, No. 44 October 31, 2007 -- Covers the period October 21-27. Upcoming Meetings and Events Ballot Counting for Director/Vice Director Elections November 16 in Newington, CT Administration &Finance Committee November 17 in Newington, CT Programs & Services Committee December 8 in Newington, CT Administration &Finance Committee January 17 in Houston, TX Programs & Services Committee January 17 in Houston, TX Annual Board Meeting January 18-19, 2008 in Houston, TX Regulatory Information Reported by Dan Henderson, N1ND After returning from Pacificon we caught up with approximately 150 queued emails and phone calls on a variety of topics. Numerous queries continue to come in relating to the new IARU Region 2 Band Plan as well as multiple requests for reciprocal operating information as the winter travels season approaches. The updated PAVE PAWS mitigation information for Cape Cod has been received and we began working through the new list which shows: 4 repeaters on original list never on the air - misidentified 5 repeaters have been mitigated sufficiently to meet DoD needs 6 repeaters from the original list still need action to meet DoD needs 7 new repeaters have been added to the Cape Cod list. These measurements were taken in July-August of this year. We are analyzing the 7 new repeaters to make sure they are accurately identified and then will begin notifying those owners and start the process towards meeting DoD needs. We are still waiting the results of new testing at the Beale AFB, CA site. Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP The past week has been busy with reports coming in from various ham factions in Southern California and being very careful that any information shared by HQ was accurate and unbiased. This has taken a lot of effort by many of the staff here at HQ. There is very little media interest in the hams' emcom role as normal communications are "strained but functional" and no emergency traffic seems to be passing. Meanwhile, Allen did the audio news for Khrystyne, completed the Nov issue of CONTACT! and has begun work on an article about BPL which should appear in Computing Unplugged magazine. Development Reported by Mary Hobart, K1MMH Development has received a commitment for $20,000 from the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA to fund an ARRL Teachers Institute in the Dayton (OH) region in 2008. Program Coordinator Mark Spencer, WA8SME is working on details with a liaison selected by DARA. Development has received a $5000 unrestricted contribution as a first time donation from an ARRL Member as part of the PPA program that allows charitable contributions from individual IRA's contributed directly to qualified organizations. The PPA program, approved in August 2006, expires on December 31, 2007. Returns from the 2008 Spectrum Defense campaign are increasing every day. So far, more than $32,000 has been received from more than 750 donors. A follow up letter was mailed last week to nearly 31,000 prior donors, and an additional follow up letter will be mailed to about 1700 major donors and major prospects. The goal of the campaign is to raise more than $300,000 to support ARRL's Spectrum Defense operations. Initial inquiries in search of a charitable gift annuity reinsurance partner have not been successful, but the effort continues. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE Joel Hallas has turned in much of the technical material for the January issue of QST. Larry Wolfgang attended the AMSAT Satellite Symposium in Pittsburgh last weekend. He reports that around 100 satellite enthusiasts were on hand. Khrystyne Keane and Joel Kleinman wrote and distributed The ARRL Letter, Vol. 26, No. 43, for Friday, October 26. It went out to 65,281 subscribers. Allen Pitts voiced and produced ARRL Audio News for October 26. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N Contest Branch The 10 Meter Contest certificates went out the door last week, sent out solicitations for the 2007 Sweepstakes plaques to last year's donors, and respond to several emails requesting lost or misplaced certificates. Also fielded requests for new plaques from previous years, received a few requests for Sweepstakes rules interpretation, and handled a couple emails that expressed unhappiness with the contesting community. Working with the Editorial team, Ward Silver and Sean are beginning to work on a new layout for the Contesting page, including new content and an easy-to-read calendar of events. We've been asked to produce contest "tidbits" that can be inserted in the Contest area of QST as filler. There has also been talk of doing something special to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first ARRL DX Contest coming up in February, but nothing solid has come of that discussion yet. This weekend is CW Sweepstakes. The Contest robot has been checked to ensure there shouldn't be any problems when people send us their logs. We still have a minor issue, but that has been passed along to Trey, the "Keeper Of The Robot" and shouldn't adversely affect the log submissions process. QSL Branch There is no delay in opening mail and a 1day delay in slotting of cards. This week, 111 pounds of cards were received from members. W1AW On Thursday October 25, Joe attended an IEEE Awards Dinner that was held at the Hawthorne Inn in Berlin. On behalf of the ARRL, he accepted an award presented by the IEEE to the ARRL (and W1AW) in appreciation for our continued support of the CT Chapter. Joe updated the web code practice files and their archives. He and Ward Silver, NØAX also experimented with a web site (created by Bruce Horn, WA7BNM) that will be used for the 2007 W1AW FMT entrants data input. Scott worked on fast and slow code practice files for the first part of the month November. Field Organization/Public Service Team Western Pennsylvania Section Manager Larry O'Toole, K3LBP, decided to step down due to his health. Dave Patton in consultation with Director Edgar, appointed John Rodgers, N3MSE, to fulfill the rest of Larry's term of office through the end of 2008. John previously served as WPA SM from 2000 to 2003. Leona Adams received several Official Observer recommendations this past week all at once, and she received nice compliments from the OOC who made those recommendations for her service and assistance. Chuck Skolaut learned that the FCC's direction finding station is assisting in the identification of the short wave station on 17 meters. Official Observers were asked to help identify the stations interfering with a long-standing 20 meter net. Several cases of repeater interference are under investigation in Massachusetts and New York while more cases are cases involving 20 and 75 meters are underway. Steve Ewald hosted a teleconference with the Section Managers of the Roanoke and Southeastern Divisions. He was joined by fellow staff members Dennis Dura, Katie Breen and Chuck Skolaut. Dennis and Steve also heard from Section Leaders and others in southern California with regard to the role of Amateur Radio operators during the wildfires. Education Services Reported by Debra Johnson, K1DMJ Check out reports and photos from the 50th Annual Jamboree on the Air on our new JOTA story board page at http://www.arrl.org/scouts/jota/Stories/. Education & Technology Program Mark Spencer traveled to Richland, WA for a presentation at a Gifted and Talented Teachers conference. We have received a few more equipment grant applications in the past few weeks so there are a healthy number of grant applications for the upcoming round. Mark initiated discussions with the local point of contact for a Teachers Institute to be hosted by DARA in Dayton next year. He also constructed a basic radio telescope to add to the Teachers Institute curriculum, a project that can be easily duplicated by schools for under $100. Mark reports an up-tick in the number of requests for information from schools, mostly for information on space- related activities. Last week we mailed letters of invitation to membership to those teachers who are not already ARRL members and who have received grants from the Education & Technology Program or who have participated in the Teachers Institute. A little more than one third of past recipients have already joined ARRL as members. ARISS Rosalie White reports that a successful ARISS QSO with a school in Quebec was the 39th QSO made by Expedition 15 crew members, surpassing the record set by the Expedition 12 crew for the most QSOs made during an ISS expedition. A local paper carried a great story about an ARISS QSO at the Prairielands Scout Jamboree in Illinois at which 100 Scouts earned their Radio Merit Badge and were on-the-air on 2 and 20 meters, plus 440 and Echolink. ISS Malaysian crew member Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor made QSOs with individual hams after handling school QSOs. An ARISS volunteer in New York coordinated a special event station, K2S, in honor of last week's shuttle launch, which made 400 plus QSOs. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Staff Absentee List All Staff 11/22-11/23 Holiday Steve Capodicasa 11/9 Vacation `` 11/19-11/21 Vacation Steve Ford 11/5-11/6 Vacation `` 11/11-11/12 MDC/FAR Digital Conference, Washington, DC Scott Gee 11/12-11/13 Vacation `` 11/29-11/30 Vacation `` 12/10-12/12 Vacation `` 12/26 Vacation Ed Hare 11/8-11/10 IEEE EMC Society SDCom meeting Ft Lauderdale, FL Dan Henderson 11/19-11/21 Vacation `` 12/20-1/4 Vacation Debra Johnson 11/21 Vacation `` 12/7-12/10 Vacation Lisa Kustosik 11/30-12/4 Vacation Dave Sumner 10/23-11/7 Washington/Geneva

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[arrl-odv:16103] Re: Link to FCC report on High-Speed Services for Internet Access
by Henry R. Leggette 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

Cliff, Thanks! That works fine! 73, Henry - WD4Q ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cliff Ahrens" <cahrens(a)mywdo.com> To: "arrl-odv" <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 9:33 AM Subject: [arrl-odv:16101] Link to FCC report on High-Speed Services for Internet Access > Try this link: > http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-277784A1.pdf > > Cliff, K0CA > >

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[arrl-odv:16102] RE: [arrl-odv:16101] Link to FCC report on High-Speed Services for Internet Access
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

Cliff is right -- sorry. Dave ________________________________ From: Cliff Ahrens [mailto:cahrens@mywdo.com] Sent: Fri 11/2/2007 2:33 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:16101] Link to FCC report on High-Speed Services for Internet Access Try this link: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-277784A1.pdf Cliff, K0CA

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[arrl-odv:16101] Link to FCC report on High-Speed Services for Internet Access
by Cliff Ahrens 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

Try this link: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-277784A1.pdf Cliff, K0CA

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[arrl-odv:16100] Re: FCC Finally Releases Yearend Broadband Data
by Henry R. Leggette 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

Dave , Maybe, I am the only one having trouble connecting the link to download the FCC report. 73, Henry - WD4Q ----- Original Message ----- From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ To: arrl-odv Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 5:00 PM Subject: [arrl-odv:16097] FCC Finally Releases Yearend Broadband Data The FCC has released its latest data on the status of "High-Speed Services for Internet Access" and it is "the latest" in both senses of the word: it is the most recent data available and it has been released later than any previous report, some 10 months after the date as of which the reports were made from which it was compiled (December 31, 2006). The report is available for download at http://www.fcc.gov/103107.pdf. I look at these semiannual reports mainly to see what they say about BPL market penetration. The new report shows a DECLINE in the number of "Power line and other" lines, from 5,208 to 4,776, between June 30 and December 31, 2006. This is a decline of more than 8%, although it is not possible to tell how much was "power line" and how much was "other." Not only is 4,776 the smallest number by far in the entire table, but it is the only one that declined. Wherever he is, I'm sure Michael Powell must be proud of the success of his "third wire." Dave Sumner, K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:16099] Re:RE: FCC Finally Releases Yearend Broadband Data
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

I haven't calculated the percentage of market penetration but of course it has declined even more. As for the timing, I find that it's seldom accurate to ascribe to conspiracy that which can be explained by simple incompetence. Dave ________________________________ From: Frank Fallon [mailto:n2ff@optonline.net] Sent: Fri 11/2/2007 12:57 AM To: arrl-odv Cc: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:16098] Re: FCC Finally Releases Yearend Broadband Data As a famous Washington lawyer has said many times, "The FCC has a lot of slugs," and they move very slowly. Interesting that they waiting until AFTER October 23rd to release this vital data. So much for market penetration! Frank.......N2FF..... Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ wrote: > The FCC has released its latest data on the status of "High-Speed > Services for Internet Access" and it is "the latest" in both senses of > the word: it is the most recent data available and it has been > released later than any previous report, some 10 months after the date > as of which the reports were made from which it was compiled (December > 31, 2006). The report is available for download at > http://www.fcc.gov/103107.pdf. > > I look at these semiannual reports mainly to see what they say about > BPL market penetration. The new report shows a DECLINE in the number > of "Power line and other" lines, from 5,208 to 4,776, between June 30 > and December 31, 2006. This is a decline of more than 8%, although it > is not possible to tell how much was "power line" and how much was > "other." Not only is 4,776 the smallest number by far in the entire > table, but it is the only one that declined. > > Wherever he is, I'm sure Michael Powell must be proud of the success > of his "third wire." > > Dave Sumner, K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:16098] Re: FCC Finally Releases Yearend Broadband Data
by Frank Fallon 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

As a famous Washington lawyer has said many times, "The FCC has a lot of slugs," and they move very slowly. Interesting that they waiting until AFTER October 23rd to release this vital data. So much for market penetration! Frank.......N2FF..... Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ wrote: > The FCC has released its latest data on the status of "High-Speed > Services for Internet Access" and it is "the latest" in both senses of > the word: it is the most recent data available and it has been > released later than any previous report, some 10 months after the date > as of which the reports were made from which it was compiled (December > 31, 2006). The report is available for download at > http://www.fcc.gov/103107.pdf. > > I look at these semiannual reports mainly to see what they say about > BPL market penetration. The new report shows a DECLINE in the number > of "Power line and other" lines, from 5,208 to 4,776, between June 30 > and December 31, 2006. This is a decline of more than 8%, although it > is not possible to tell how much was "power line" and how much was > "other." Not only is 4,776 the smallest number by far in the entire > table, but it is the only one that declined. > > Wherever he is, I'm sure Michael Powell must be proud of the success > of his "third wire." > > Dave Sumner, K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:16097] FCC Finally Releases Yearend Broadband Data
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

The FCC has released its latest data on the status of "High-Speed Services for Internet Access" and it is "the latest" in both senses of the word: it is the most recent data available and it has been released later than any previous report, some 10 months after the date as of which the reports were made from which it was compiled (December 31, 2006). The report is available for download at http://www.fcc.gov/103107.pdf. I look at these semiannual reports mainly to see what they say about BPL market penetration. The new report shows a DECLINE in the number of "Power line and other" lines, from 5,208 to 4,776, between June 30 and December 31, 2006. This is a decline of more than 8%, although it is not possible to tell how much was "power line" and how much was "other." Not only is 4,776 the smallest number by far in the entire table, but it is the only one that declined. Wherever he is, I'm sure Michael Powell must be proud of the success of his "third wire." Dave Sumner, K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:16096] FW: Sales and Marketing Dept - staff change
by Kramer, Harold, WJ1B 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

>From Bob and congratulations again to Jackie. Harold Kramer, WJ1B Chief Operating Officer ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio 860 594 0220 hkramer(a)arrl.org http://www.arrl.org/ _____________________________________________ From: Inderbitzen, Bob, NQ1R Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 3:28 PM To: HQ Staff Subject: Sales and Marketing Dept - staff change I am pleased to announce Jackie Cornell's promotion to Product Marketing Specialist in the Sales and Marketing Department. Jackie regularly demonstrates a high degree of professionalism and skill in managing her responsibilities. This promotion advances her role in marketing ARRL products and publications. Please join me in congratulating her. Bob

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[arrl-odv:16095] WRC-07 so far
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

WRC-07 So Far (November 1) Following up on Joel's message of about five minutes ago, I have prepared this report for the private information of the ARRL Board. I will generate a somewhat abridged version for wider dissemination. The end of the second week of the four-week 2007 World Radiocommunication Conference is drawing near, but - at least as far as the amateur services are concerned - there is not much to report in the way of firm conclusions. An unexpected highlight of the opening plenary was the announcement by Secretary-General Hamadoun Touré, at the end of his prepared remarks, that he had earned his amateur license. We seldom, if ever, have received such prominence during the opening ceremonies of a conference. Dr. Touré's call sign is HB9EHT. He left for the Connect Africa Summit in Kigali immediately after the conference opening but is expected to be back in Geneva next week. The amateur services have been quite visible at the conference in other ways: * The special WRC-07 issue of ITU News includes an article under Larry Price's byline setting out amateur radio's aspirations for the conference. * An amateur radio emergency communications trailer brought from Germany was on display during the first ten days of the conference, parked strategically on the walkway between the conference center and the adjacent ITU building. A full-color explanation of amateur radio's emergency communications capabilities and an invitation to visit the trailer was distributed in the delegates' pigeonholes, and there was a steady stream of visitors. * The IARU WRC-07 pin is a popular collectible and is being displayed on many lapels and lanyards around the conference center. * The IARU hosted a very successful reception for 200 key delegates on the evening of 31 October in the ITU cafeteria. * The International Amateur Radio Club (IARC) station, 4U1ITU, is operating under the special call sign 4U1WRC. The station is sporting new antennas that were erected especially for the conference; afterwards they have to be removed temporarily to make way for repairs to the roof of the building. One of the most enthusiastic and efficient operators of 4U1WRC is Brennen Ernst, KI4PRK, the 13-year-old son of one of the US delegates. * The IARC has invited delegates to take part, on the last Sunday of the conference, in an excursion to the Swiss National Museum of Sound and Image in Montreux. Progress on the agenda items of interest to the amateur services has been slow. The 4-10 MHz issue is bogged down, with opponents of HF broadcasting expansion holding fast to a position of "no change." HF BC proponents are not nearly as numerous as in 2003 and are mainly in Europe; they have backed off from an initial position of 350 kHz of expansion down to 200 kHz, but there has not yet been any movement from the other side. In the meantime work on the other 4-10 MHz issues, including the possibility of a 5-MHz secondary amateur allocation (which so far is supported by the European BC proponents), cannot progress. Even if the HF BC allocation could be settled quickly, which seems unlikely at this point, time is running out to complete work on the rest of these issues. Early this week it appeared that the issue of a 135.7-137.8 kHz secondary allocation to the amateur service had been settled favorably. However, it turned out that the concerns of some Arab administrations had not been fully satisfied and more work needed to be done. We're hopeful that this has now been taken care of, but we won't know for certain until sometime next week. The process of identifying possible frequency bands for future international mobile telecommunications (cell phones and beyond) is very contentious. One frequency range being examined is 2.3-2.4 GHz, which of course is of concern to us although there is no immediate cause for alarm. Prior to every WRC we look for opportunities to clean up so-called "country footnotes" that allow individual administrations to depart from the regional or international allocations that are in the body of the Table of Frequency Allocations. It is gratifying that several countries have agreed to remove themselves from footnotes that apply to parts of 160 and 80 meters, 6 meters, and (in some European countries) parts of 70 cm. With regard to agenda items for future WRCs, discussions will begin in earnest on Saturday (yes, there are weekend meetings). Proposals have been offered for agenda items dealing with possible amateur allocations around 500 kHz, 5 MHz, and (in Region 1) 50 MHz; of course, 50 MHz is already allocated to the amateur service in Regions 2 and 3. There are more than 40 proposals for future agenda items, which it at least twice as many as are likely to be approved, so the fate of "our" future agenda items remains to be determined. We are following other proposed agenda items closely to determine (and minimize, to the extent we are able) their potential impact on the amateur services. As you know, I arrived in Geneva last Wednesday and was not present at the start in order to be able to attend the oral argument in our BPL lawsuit. The initial core IARU team consisted of Larry Price, W4RA, Ken Pulfer, VE3PU, Reinaldo Leandro, YV5AMH, and Paul Rinaldo, W4RI. Hans Zimmermann, HB9AQS was here to help out with the German trailer. Tim Ellam, VE6SH arrived on October 30 and will stay for a few more days. As you know, Larry Price's hospitalization has kept him from participating this week. Reinaldo Leandro must return to Caracas to deal with some family medical issues and is expected to leave sometime this weekend. I am still planning to return home on November 7, but may remain here a while longer depending on what happens over the weekend and whether it looks as if it would do any good to stay. Walt Ireland, WB7CSL and Jon Siverling, WB3ERA are hard at work on the US delegation. We also have considerable help from amateur representatives on other national delegations and from Region 1 Vice President Tafa Diop, 6W1KI, who is here for the first half of the conference representing the African Telecommunications Union. 73, David Sumner, K1ZZ

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