June 2008 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:16828] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 13 Jun '08

13 Jun '08

<<061108.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 31, No. 24 June 11, 2008 -- Covers the period June 1-7. Upcoming Meetings and Events Annual Board Meeting July 18-19, 2008 @ 9:00am in Windsor, CT Regulatory Information Reported by Dan Henderson, N1ND The FCC has notified us that they are working on an updated Public Notice to replace DA-99-2344 on CEPT operating. It will be several weeks before it is released but it is in the works. While we have not received the specific information, we have received a heads-up memo from Air Force Space Command that they have completed the latest round of testing at the Beale AFB PAVE PAWS site. The preliminary indications are that there are additional repeaters that will have to be addressed. Also of the already identified 180 repeaters needing mitigation, 140 have either mitigated or gone off the air. We will begin working with the FCC on the third list as soon as we receive it. The Field Day location added 214 new sites since being pinned to the top of the ARRL Web main-page last week, bringing the current total to over 1148 sites listed. But listing the sites is only half of the purpose of the location. The second half is it being used by individual between now and Field Day weekend - June 28-29 - in order to find locations to visit. The weekly email and phone queries for information centered around reciprocal operating, Echolink, and several PRB-1 queries asking for general information. We have provided information to an amateur in the Raleigh, NC area who is trying to determine if the CC&Rs on the property he is considering are still valid. There was also a query about California personalized license plates for a handicapped amateur. His family would like to have the plates put on the van they use to transport him, but apparently California motor vehicle codes states that amateur radio plates can only be put on a vehicle which is registered to the amateur. Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP Allen returned from a very pleasant trip to SeaPac in Oregon where the Technology Campaign was warmly received. The PR forum was full and there were many ideas shared about how to effectively promote Amateur Radio in the region. Audio PSAs from the campaign have now been requested by the WIA in Australia too. Meanwhile, although Field Day is weeks away, the media hits are already piling up including proclamations by Michigan and Ohio. A new press release was sent out containing information about the FD locator Web page and that opportunity has already brought positive results as news organizations are reported to be using it to locate places where they can film the hams this month. The ARRL main Web page article about the campaign brought a flurry of requests for PR materials which are being fulfilled as quickly as possible. Development Reported by Mary Hobart, K1MMH The first 75 returns from the BPL Thank You campaign have arrived and have yielded a total of more than $5,100. There is no follow up scheduled for this campaign. Campaign mailings to members for Education & Technology, Historic Preservation and a test mailing for the Lab Fund will take place over the summer. The W1AW Endowment campaign has topped $47,000 from 599 donors. The Diamond Club continues to run behind its goal for 2008, however, a new group of 50 bricks are in production for the Diamond Terrace. An additional $10,000 contribution has been received for the Education & Technology Program's Teachers Institute. Two new donors have been welcomed into the ARRL Maxim Society since Dayton Hamvention: Ti-Michelle Connelly, KJ6T and William Mueller, AA5WM. These new additions bring the total number of Maxim Society donors to 49. Steve Futernick, the grant writer who is working with Development , has identified 12 prospects for letters of interest/proposals to support our education program. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE One of our newer titles, ARRL'S VHF Digital Handbook, had another print run, as it sold out quickly. Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, said he hopes to get QEX out to the printer this week. Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed The ARRL Letter, Vol. 27, No. 22, for June 6, 2008. It went out to 69, 627 subscribers. She also voiced and produced ARRL Audio News for June 6. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R Product Sales Update May product sales were $340,028, exceeding the sales forecast of $271,596 by over $68k. With the exception of the Handbook introduction in October each year, this is the top sales month since before 2004. There were many "wins" this month: Sales at our exhibit in Dayton contributed $58k ($48k in 2007). The new edition of TravelPlus CD-ROM began shipping-contributing $35k. Dealer sales are up considerably over May 2007. And, a direct mailing featuring our newest publications yielded $24.5k this month. Membership Update The membership total for May ended with an increase of 377 members, bringing us to 153,714 (234 above our goal for the month). We had a higher retention this month due to the large number of renewals at Dayton. We had an increase in newly licensed hams as members, 213 - the highest number we've seen in quite some time. We also enjoyed brisk returns from a recent direct mail campaign. An additional order of Field Day shirts was placed (500 more!), delivered and then shipped within the last 5 days. The requests far exceeded all expectations this year. Let's hope it is an indication of how successful Field Day will be in 2008! July QST was mailed on schedule - June 3-10. A follow-up mailing to New Hams is scheduled to begin next week. We currently mail a 9x12 package to every new licensee via first class. The follow-up will mail approx. 30 days after the initial mailing. We anticipate a return equivalent to at least 50% of the first mailing. An email solicitation focusing on new books introduced throughout the spring is being sent out Friday afternoon. The solicitation will offer $5.99 Flat Rate Shipping valid thru 6/23. The email campaign is a follow-up to a previously successful mail campaign. Now Shipping: The ARRL Extra Class License Manual-9th ed and ARRL's Extra Q&A-2nd ed. The mailing data for June's issue of QST was pulled incorrectly from our membership database. As a result, it was discovered that approximately 4,000 members were not mailed this most recent issue. All of the missing mailing data has been identified--and those copies were mailed to members on June 10 and June 11. An apology and explanation was emailed to members affected by the mistake. Business Services Reported by Deb Jahnke, K1DAJ We will exceed our goal for the August issue of QST by a small margin. In addition, our solicitation to fill 5 advertising spots in the ARRL Contest Update E-Newsletter yielded very positive results and all ad spaces designated for paid advertisements have been sold. Proposals have been sent to several advertisers for either a 6 page or 8 page QST fold-out similar to the one feature in June QST. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N Contest Branch Sean, KX9X has been busy testing the Contest robot in preparation for the ARRL June VHF QSO Party this weekend. Of particular importance is to make sure Cabrillo headers will properly categorize the new Rover categories. The new Rover rules and categories were ratified less than a week before the 2008 ARRL January VHF Sweepstakes, so the June VHF QSO Party will be the first time the Robot will be able to automatically separate the three Rover categories that are now in play. Sean will activate W1HQ on a part-time basis in this weekend's June VHF QSO Party, marking the first time W1HQ has been used in an ARRL VHF Contest. Participation pins for the 2008 ARRL DX Contest have just arrived. We will begin sending out the pins ASAP. W1AW The kitchen area of W1AW is now painted. The entire lower level of W1AW is finished. For painting, next up will be the hall and stairway heading up to the conference room, with the room itself being painted afterwards. This work will commence probably in mid-August. Special thanks to US Power Squadron members John Graves, WA1JG, Carlton Lee, W2PTZ, Bob Schober, K2CRR, Vi Schober, Marjie Stark, N3HOZ, Don Stark, N3HOW and Ed Summers, KG4SZJ for their operating W1AW over the weekend as a special event station promoting Safe Boating for the National Safe Boating Council's campaign. They made 736 contacts, on 80, 40, 20, 17 and 6 meters (including one Satellite QSO) using primarily SSB and some PSK31. They beat their 2006 QSO count by 217 QSOs! A blog was maintained during the event and can be found at, http://www.arrl.org/blog/USPS%20at%20W1AW. Thanks also to Katie Breen, W1KRB for her support in this event. In addition to covering the station during the USPS event and painting of the kitchen area, Joe updated the web code practice files and their archives. He created the texts for the June W1AW Qualifying Runs and processed regular QSL card requests. Scott worked on slow and fast code practice files for the middle part of the month of June. Field Organization/Public Service Team The Chinese Fire Dragon music jammer returned to several frequencies on 20 meters this week including 14010 and 14070 MHz. Reports from many points in the US were forwarded to the FCC HFDFing station, and they are in the process of following up on it. Chuck Skolaut notes that several reports of Internet sites selling uncertificated "CB type" equipment were received. With the recent band openings on 10 meters, a number of reports of amateurs using phone in the CW portion were received. A caution message was posted on ARRL Web and OOs were alerted. Chuck Robertson, KX7ID, has been nominated to run for Idaho Section Manager. Ed Stuckey, AI7H, the other Idaho nominee, will also be on the ballot this summer. As reported earlier, Western New York will also have a Section Manager election this season. Incumbent Scott Bauer, W2LC, will run against Kevin Romer, KC2MLC. Leona Adams and Steve Ewald have been in touch with the candidates and will be making preparations for the elections. Ballots will be mailed from Headquarters no later than July 1. Web/Software Development Reported by Jon Bloom, KE3Z Jon Bloom worked with the Advertising Department to set up the first issue of an HTML newsletter (The ARRL Contest Update) that includes advertising. The initial issue contains only ARRL house ads, but succeeding issues will contain paid advertising. Hugh Brower added needed features to the recurring credit-card billing system and worked with Micah Murray to integrate the recurring billing into the membership application system for those members making multiple payments. Micah also handled a heavier-than-normal load of Web site updates, including some upcoming contest result stories. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Staff Absentee List All Staff 7/4 Holiday Kathy Allison 6/30-7/7 Vacation Jo-Ann Arel 7/7-7/14 Vacation Jon Bloom 6/13 Vacation Katie Breen 7/10-7/14 Rocky Mt. Division Convention, Bryce Canyon, UT Joe Carcia 6/20 Vacation `` 7/7-7/11 Vacation `` 7/18 Vacation `` 7/21 Vacation Jackie Cornell 6/19-6/23 Vacation `` 7/7-7/11 Vacation Dennis Dura 6/13-6/15 Delta Division Convention, Knoxville, TN `` 6/16-6/18 NPSTC Quarterly Meeting, Crystal City, VA `` 6/19 Meet w/ DHS/FEMA Citizen Corps, Washington, DC `` 6/23 Vacation `` 6/24-6/30 Friedrichshafen, Germany `` 7/1-7/8 Vacation Steve Ewald 6/19 Vacation Steve Ford 6/24 Vacation Scott Gee 6/30 Vacation `` 7/1-7/3 Vacation Dan Henderson 6/21-7/7 Friedrichshafen, Germany/Vacation `` 8/23-8/30 Vacation Bob Inderbitzen 6/24-7/1 Friedrichshafen, Germany Debra Johnson 6/27-7/6 Vacation Khrystyne Keane 7/24-7/28 Vacation Joel Kleinman 7/7 Vacation Harold Kramer 6/13 Vacation Lisa Kustosik 6/20-6/30 Vacation Zack Lau 6/19-6/20 Vacation Mary Hobart 6/13-6/14 HamCom, Dallas, TX `` 9/19-9/21 W9DXCC, Chicago, IL `` 10/3 Vacation Kim Mancuso 6/23-6/27 Vacation Micah Murray 6/23-6/27 Vacation Frankie Perez 6/19 Vacation Steve Sant Andrea 7/7-7/9 Vacation Dave Sumner 6/13-6/16 Vacation `` 6/23-7/1 IARU AC Meeting/Friedrichshafen, Germany Sharon Taratula 6/20 Vacation

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RE: [arrl-odv:16823] Two ITU submissions
by Kay Craigie 13 Jun '08

13 Jun '08

Who at CBS do we have to thank -- discreetly of course -- for this very nice submission? Is there anything in it for the network to have made this submission? 73 - Kay N3KN

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[arrl-odv:16826] Re: Two ITU submissions
by w3kd＠aol.com 13 Jun '08

13 Jun '08

The CBS document is super sweet. I may frame all three pages, or better still, frame them and send them to Alan Stillwell at OET, FCC for his wall of shame. 73, Chris W3KD Christopher D. Imlay BOOTH, FRERET, IMLAY & TEPPER, P.C. 14356 Cape May Road Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6011 (301) 384-5525 telephone (301) 384-6384 facsimile W3KD(a)ARRL.ORG -----Original Message----- From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ <dsumner(a)arrl.org> To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> Sent: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 9:23 pm Subject: [arrl-odv:16823] Two ITU submissions Next week there are meetings being held in Geneva of the Working Parties of the ITU Radiocommunication Sector's Study Group 1. Among many issues on Working Party 1A's plate is a draft report on BPL (PLT) that includes, along other things, information on the protection from interference required by various radio services including the amateur service. ? Regardless of how you might feel about Katie Couric I think you will enjoy seeing the submission by CBS (Document 1A/43). ? The other attachment (Document 1A/57) was submitted on behalf of the IARU. It doesn't actually say anything new but it gives the IARU representative at the meeting, Peter Chadwick, G3RZP, an opportunity to take the microphone to introduce it and let people know we're there. (I represented the IARU at this meeting last June.) ? 73, Dave K1ZZ ? ?

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Amateur Radio Still Going Strong
by Brian Mileshosky 13 Jun '08

13 Jun '08

All -- A good article about ham radio that was forwarded to me. See the link below. 73, Brian N5ZGT -----Original Message----- From: w5vsi Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 2:48 PM To: n5zgt Subject: Amateur Radio Still Going Strong Hi guys, Thought you'd be interested in this piece in one of the RF trade journals. 73 de Mike W5VSI ---------- Amateur Radio Still Going Strong http://www.wsdmag.com/Articles/ArticleID/19150/19150.html

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[arrl-odv:16824] SM online survey results
by Bruce Frahm K0BJ 13 Jun '08

13 Jun '08

PSC's online survey to SMs, minus answers to essay questions, has been available to SMs for a week at http://www.arrl.org/members-only/SM/SMsurveySpring2008.pdf and is attached herewith. Please take note that in Question 4, apparently only the number of SMs who answered yes to at least one of the possible answers (21) were counted as the pool of respondents in calculating percentages. Thus the percentages, based on 59 respondents, saying appointments should be moved from Field Org. are: SEC 2% ACC 3% OOC-OO 14% SGL 17% TC-TS 3% PIC 10% STM 5% Bruce Frahm K0BJ PSC Chair Colby KS

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[arrl-odv:16823] Two ITU submissions
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 13 Jun '08

13 Jun '08

Next week there are meetings being held in Geneva of the Working Parties of the ITU Radiocommunication Sector's Study Group 1. Among many issues on Working Party 1A's plate is a draft report on BPL (PLT) that includes, along other things, information on the protection from interference required by various radio services including the amateur service. Regardless of how you might feel about Katie Couric I think you will enjoy seeing the submission by CBS (Document 1A/43). The other attachment (Document 1A/57) was submitted on behalf of the IARU. It doesn't actually say anything new but it gives the IARU representative at the meeting, Peter Chadwick, G3RZP, an opportunity to take the microphone to introduce it and let people know we're there. (I represented the IARU at this meeting last June.) 73, Dave K1ZZ

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RE: [arrl-odv:16820] Re:RE: QST Delivery Problems
by Joel Harrison 11 Jun '08

11 Jun '08

I'm very glad to see we had the capability to identify a problem of this nature, that we did in fact identify the problem ourselves and took immediate action to not only correct and resolve it but put procedures in place to prevent its recurrence and advised the board in a timely manner. Joel _____ From: Shelley, Barry, N1VXY [mailto:bshelley@arrl.org] Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 9:44 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:16820] Re:RE: QST Delivery Problems Bob, et al: I apologize if the answer is a bit long-winded but it is important to understand something of the computer configuration to understand the answer. The process of creating what is referred to as the "main run" (the monthly list of addresses to which QST is sent) uses one of the several servers in the Siebel system configuration called the "report server". This particular server contains a copy of the database as of the close of business the prior day. It is this server which is used for almost all our reports as the process of culling through all the information for certain queries (i.e. reports) on the production server would slow in-day response times and processing significantly. The main run process is run against the report server and during this a work file is created which is accessed automatically and sent to the printer for use in creating the mailing labels. Through an operator error, the main run process for the June issue was run against the live server, creating the appropriate work file, but on the production server. The automated process then drew the work file from the report server, as usual, but, since that file had not been updated, it was the prior month's file and hence the error. The error was discovered when they were processing the main run for the July issue. Since the error was discovered, we have modified the main run processing code to include steps whereby the computer operator must verify and confirm that the correct information is being used to create the file on the proper server or the program will not continue. In addition, we are creating checklists to be used which identify the critical steps in the workflow. The configuration noted above has been in place since the installation of the Seibel system and is part of the appropriate back-up procedures currently established. I'm sure everyone understands that keeping the entire database on only one server would be completely inappropriate. In addition, limiting access to the production server is a necessary security precaution. The direct cost of this situation is around $4,000 in postage. There was some additional time spent by staff to identify and resolve the situation. We have not quantified it at the present time but I would estimate that it involved about 15-20 hours of time in total. 73, Barry J. Shelley, N1VXY Chief Financial Officer ARRL, Inc.--The National Association for Amateur Radio 225 Main St. Newington, CT 06111 Telephone: (860) 594-0212 E-mail: <mailto:bshelley@arrl.org> bshelley(a)arrl.org <http://mymail.arrl.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.arrl.org> www.arrl.org _____ From: Bob Vallio [mailto:rbvallio@gmail.com] Sent: Mon 6/9/2008 7:37 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:16819] Re: QST Delivery Problems "standard monthly process failed when the wrong server was accessed for the run and that the possibility of this problem re-occurring has now been removed." The question for me, that begs an answer, is how did this "possibility" occur? The damage to our value in our member's eyes is very difficult to measure. I'm certain that there will be some number of members who are very displeased at this outcome. Additionally, what did this "possibility" cost us in materials, man-hours, and postage? I'll be the first to say that my IT knowledge is not great, but why would files reside on more than one server; and, those servers be independently accessible for files used for as important a purpose as assuring that our members receive our flagship publication? Bob Vallio -- W6RGG

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[arrl-odv:16822] CDF Timber Mountain Lookout
by William Sawders 10 Jun '08

10 Jun '08

I'll be taking off tomorrow morning to start work at the California Department of Forestry Timber Mountain fire lookout in (the very rare) Modoc County, California. I'll be with HF gear and on both 6 and 2 meters, as well as have access to email. This is a "summer" job I have always looked forward to doing. I call it "The ultimate vacation" ! I Hope to work some of you on Field Day as K7ZZZ. Oh, yes, I will take a break from my work to attend the ARRL July Board meeting ! Have a great summer, everyone! Bill Sawders, K7ZM VD NW Div. ARRL

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[arrl-odv:16820] Re:RE: QST Delivery Problems
by Shelley, Barry, N1VXY 10 Jun '08

10 Jun '08

Bob, et al: I apologize if the answer is a bit long-winded but it is important to understand something of the computer configuration to understand the answer. The process of creating what is referred to as the "main run" (the monthly list of addresses to which QST is sent) uses one of the several servers in the Siebel system configuration called the "report server". This particular server contains a copy of the database as of the close of business the prior day. It is this server which is used for almost all our reports as the process of culling through all the information for certain queries (i.e. reports) on the production server would slow in-day response times and processing significantly. The main run process is run against the report server and during this a work file is created which is accessed automatically and sent to the printer for use in creating the mailing labels. Through an operator error, the main run process for the June issue was run against the live server, creating the appropriate work file, but on the production server. The automated process then drew the work file from the report server, as usual, but, since that file had not been updated, it was the prior month's file and hence the error. The error was discovered when they were processing the main run for the July issue. Since the error was discovered, we have modified the main run processing code to include steps whereby the computer operator must verify and confirm that the correct information is being used to create the file on the proper server or the program will not continue. In addition, we are creating checklists to be used which identify the critical steps in the workflow. The configuration noted above has been in place since the installation of the Seibel system and is part of the appropriate back-up procedures currently established. I'm sure everyone understands that keeping the entire database on only one server would be completely inappropriate. In addition, limiting access to the production server is a necessary security precaution. The direct cost of this situation is around $4,000 in postage. There was some additional time spent by staff to identify and resolve the situation. We have not quantified it at the present time but I would estimate that it involved about 15-20 hours of time in total. 73, Barry J. Shelley, N1VXY Chief Financial Officer ARRL, Inc.--The National Association for Amateur Radio 225 Main St. Newington, CT 06111 Telephone: (860) 594-0212 E-mail: bshelley(a)arrl.org <mailto:bshelley@arrl.org> www.arrl.org <http://mymail.arrl.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.arrl.org> ________________________________ From: Bob Vallio [mailto:rbvallio@gmail.com] Sent: Mon 6/9/2008 7:37 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:16819] Re: QST Delivery Problems "standard monthly process failed when the wrong server was accessed for the run and that the possibility of this problem re-occurring has now been removed." The question for me, that begs an answer, is how did this "possibility" occur? The damage to our value in our member's eyes is very difficult to measure. I'm certain that there will be some number of members who are very displeased at this outcome. Additionally, what did this "possibility" cost us in materials, man-hours, and postage? I'll be the first to say that my IT knowledge is not great, but why would files reside on more than one server; and, those servers be independently accessible for files used for as important a purpose as assuring that our members receive our flagship publication? Bob Vallio -- W6RGG

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[arrl-odv:16819] Re: QST Delivery Problems
by Bob Vallio 09 Jun '08

09 Jun '08

*"standard monthly process failed when the wrong server was accessed for the run and that the possibility of this problem re-occurring has now been removed." *The question for me, that begs an answer, is how did this "possibility" occur? The damage to our value in our member's eyes is very difficult to measure. I'm certain that there will be some number of members who are very displeased at this outcome. Additionally, what did this "possibility" cost us in materials, man-hours, and postage? I'll be the first to say that my IT knowledge is not great, but why would files reside on more than one server; and, those servers be independently accessible for files used for as important a purpose as assuring that our members receive our flagship publication? Bob Vallio -- W6RGG

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