January 2009 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:17493] FCC Chairman to be named
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 13 Jan '09

13 Jan '09

This news is being widely reported this morning - here is the Washington Post (copyright 2009) version. Genachowski's background suggests that spectrum management issues will not be a major focus in his office except as they relate to universal broadband access. We can only hope that under the new chairman, the FCC bureaus and offices that deal with spectrum issues will be empowered to do their jobs without clearing every detail with the chairman's office. Dave K1ZZ Obama's Tech Adviser To Be Tapped for FCC By Cecilia Kang Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, January 13, 2009; D01 President-elect Barack Obama <http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Barack+Obama?tid=inform line> will name Julius Genachowski <http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Julius+Genachowski?tid= informline> , a high-tech policy veteran and venture capitalist, to head the Federal Communications Commission <http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/U.S.+Federal+Communicat ions+Commission?tid=informline> , according to sources close to the transition team and key lawmakers. A spokesperson yesterday for the transition team declined to confirm Genachowski's nomination. But one source close to the transition said an announcement will probably be officially made in the next few days. Two sources close to the staff of key members of the House of Representatives <http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/U.S.+House+of+Represent atives?tid=informline> said Obama's transition team called Democratic lawmakers and their aides yesterday to tell them of the nomination. Genachowski, 46, served as chief counsel for Reed Hundt <http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Reed+Hundt?tid=informli ne> , then FCC chairman, during the Clinton administration. He also has business experience as an executive at the Internet firm IAC/InterActive and currently as a venture capitalist at Rock Creek Ventures in the District. Obama's pick for the nation's head telecommunications regulator has served as the president-elect's top technology adviser and was a classmate of Obama's at Harvard Law School <http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Harvard+Law+School?tid= informline> . Genachowski is credited for spearheading Obama's online campaign strategy, which used social networking and other tools to spread the candidate's campaign message and raise record contributions. Sources close to the transition team said last month that Obama was prepared to give Genachowski either the job of FCC chairman or chief technology officer, a new position that has not yet been clearly defined. When it became clear to Genachowski that the chief technology officer job would not include policy-making authorities, sources said yesterday, he agreed to take the FCC position. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been officially announced. "If Julius is indeed the selection for FCC chair, he has the right mix of experience in government and business to give him a unique perspective on the job," said Ben Scott, policy director for the public interest group Free Press. "He has been very influential in the Obama campaign in linking their innovative uses of technology in the electoral politics and organizing with a very forward-looking tech-policy agenda." Genachowski would take over the FCC at time when decisions made at the agency have greatly expanded its original role as a regulator of broadcast licenses. Today, the FCC oversees areas including Internet policy, the transition from analog to digital television scheduled for next month, and radio and TV indecency complaints. Multibillion-dollar mergers and wireless policies have brought Microsoft <http://financial.washingtonpost.com/custom/wpost/html-qcn.asp?dispnav=b usiness&mwpage=qcn&symb=MSFT&nav=el> co-founder Bill Gates <http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Bill+Gates?tid=informli ne> , Google <http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Google+Inc.?tid=informl ine> 's founders and media tycoon Rupert Murdoch <http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Rupert+Murdoch?tid=info rmline> to lobby the FCC for their business interests. Obama has made the deployment of high-speed Internet networks as a central part of his plan to create jobs and better compete with global economies offering much faster broadband Internet speeds, often at lower prices.

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[arrl-odv:17492] RE: [arrl-odv:17490] FCC AWARDS CONTRACTS TO HELP CONSUMERS WITH THE DTV TRANSITION
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 13 Jan '09

13 Jan '09

We didn't apply. We do not have particular access to the target groups of concern to the FCC. Dave K1ZZ From: Bob Vallio [mailto:rbvallio@gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:18 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17490] FCC AWARDS CONTRACTS TO HELP CONSUMERS WITH THE DTV TRANSITION FCC AWARDS CONTRACTS TO HELP CONSUMERS WITH THE DTV TRANSITION The FCC has selected 12 "grassroots organizations and local agencies" (e.g. AARP and Communication Service for the Deaf) to help over-the-air viewers prepare for the DTV transition. The selections are worth up to $8.4 million and are said to be the culmination of a full and open procurement process. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-287750A1.doc So, where's our piece of the $8.4 million? Bob -- W6RGG

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[arrl-odv:17491] Midwest Division report
by Bruce Frahm K0BJ 13 Jan '09

13 Jan '09

Inspired by Henry, I DID file a division report while at the meeting a year ago (or maybe two years ago) which was distributed to the 'cubbyholes'. I'm glad Joel is pressing for their return. They used to appear in the annual report, I believe. Will that again be the case? CU all soon. Bruce Frahm K0BJ ARRL Midwest Div Director Colby KS

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[arrl-odv:17490] FCC AWARDS CONTRACTS TO HELP CONSUMERS WITH THE DTV TRANSITION
by Bob Vallio 13 Jan '09

13 Jan '09

FCC AWARDS CONTRACTS TO HELP CONSUMERS WITH THE DTV TRANSITION The FCC has selected 12 "grassroots organizations and local agencies" (e.g. AARP and Communication Service for the Deaf) to help over-the-air viewers prepare for the DTV transition. The selections are worth up to $8.4 million and are said to be the culmination of a full and open procurement process. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-287750A1.doc So, where's our piece of the $8.4 million? Bob -- W6RGG

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[arrl-odv:17489] A&F Committee Report - Document 16
by jfenster＠pacifier.com 13 Jan '09

13 Jan '09

Attached is the A&F Committee Report to the upcoming ARRL Board Meeting. See you all in a few days. Jim Fenstermaker K9JF A&F Chair

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[arrl-odv:17488] W9GIG do you have a spare bed?
by cahrens＠mywdo.com 13 Jan '09

13 Jan '09

Hey Dick, do you have a spare bed? Since I've got court tomorrow, I couldn't make the one nonstop flight from STL to BDL, so have reservations connecting through Chicago O'Hare tomorrow evening. The weather forecast looks bad for Chicago, with 2-5 more inches of snow tonight and tomorrow and blustery winds, with a blizzard watch. I called AA to try to change my connection via Miami or DFW, but they haven't put the storm policy in effect yet for Chicago. I'll keep checking, and may also be able to change it tomorrow morning for $50 under the 12-hour plan. Otherwise it's an extra $299 to change it today! Ouch! It's 21 degrees in St. Louis this morning, with flurries. Welcome to winter in the midwest! Hope to see everyone sometime this week in CT! Cliff, K0CA On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:19:56 -0600 dick(a)pobox.com wrote: > 12 JAN 2009 - 2315 CST > > If the wind and temperatures forecast for the Chicago >area the next > 72 hours travel east to include northern Connecticut a >day later, > both areas will be having a taste of Wyoming winter WX. > > I'm planning on bringing my usual coat for our January >meeting in > Connecticut; a down-lined arctic parka and fur-lined >gloves. > > I hope I will get to fly out of Chicago on Wednesday >before the second > blizzard of this week arrives. > > - Dick, W9GIG > >

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RE: Double Emails
by Joel Harrison 13 Jan '09

13 Jan '09

Yes! We want to make sure you pay attention and read the material! :-))) _____ From: Dwayne Allen [mailto:dwayne@wy7fd.com] Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 12:23 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: Double Emails Am I the only that is receiving each email sent to the ODV twice? WY7FD

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RE: [arrl-odv:17466] 24 THINGS ABOUT TO BECOME EXTINCT IN AMERICA
by Joel Harrison 13 Jan '09

13 Jan '09

I have a few individuals that I'm waiting to see appear on this list.....the sooner the better! W5ZN/1 Boston _____ From: Bill Edgar [mailto:n3llr@earthlink.net] Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 12:18 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:17466] 24 THINGS ABOUT TO BECOME EXTINCT IN AMERICA This list didn't have the most important item and that may be because it's extinct - and that is common sense! See you in a couple of days and safe journey! - Bill N3LLR > -----Original Message----- > From: Coy Day [mailto:n5ok@arrl.org] > Sent: Monday, January 12, 2009 12:52 PM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:17466] 24 THINGS ABOUT TO BECOME EXTINCT IN AMERICA > > Just received this e-mail from a non-ham friend. Note item 16. and you > will see why I think this is timely. > > Coy > > > 24 THINGS ABOUT TO BECOME EXTINCT IN AMERICA > > > > > > > > 24. Yellow Pages > > This year will be pivotal for the global Yellow Pages industry. > > Much like newspapers, print Yellow Pages will continue to bleed > > dollars to their various digital counterparts, from Internet > > Yellow Pages (IYPs), to local search engines and combination > > search/listing services like Reach Local and Yodel Factors like an > > acceleration of the print 'fade rate' and the looming recession > > will contribute to the onslaught. One research firm predicts the > > falloff in usage of newspapers and print Yellow Pages could even > > reach 10% this year -- much higher than the 2%-3% fade rate seen > > in past years. > > > > 23. Classified Ads > > The Internet has made so many things obsolete that newspaper > > classified ads might sound like just another trivial item on a > > long list. But this is one of those harbingers of the future that > > could signal the end of civilization as we know it. The argument > > is that if newspaper classifieds are replaced by free online > > listings at sites like Craigslist.org <http://craigslist.org/> and > > Google Base, then > > newspapers are not far behind them. > > > > 22. Movie Rental Stores > > While Netflix is looking up at the moment, Blockbuster keeps > > closing store locations by the hundreds. It still has about 6,000 > > left across the world, but those keep dwindling and the stock is > > down considerably in 2008, especially since the company gave up a > > quest of Circuit City. Movie Gallery, which owned the Hollywood > > Video brand, closed up shop earlier this year. Countless small > > video chains and mom-and-pop stores have given up the ghost > > already. > > > > 21. Dial-up Internet Access > > Dial-up connections have fallen from 40% in 2001 to 10% in 2008. > > The combination of an infrastructure to accommodate affordable > > high speed Internet connections and the disappearing home phone > > have all but pounded the final nail in the coffin of dial-up > > Internet access. > > > > 20. Phone Landlines > > According to a survey from the National Center for Health > > Statistics, at the end of 2007, nearly one in six homes was > > cell-only and, of those homes that had landlines, one in eight > > only received calls on their cells. > > > > 19. Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs > > Maryland's icon, the blue crab, has been fading away in Chesapeake > > Bay. Last year Maryland saw the lowest harvest (22 million pounds) > > since 1945. Just four decades ago the bay produced 96 million > > pounds. The population is down 70% since 1990, when they first did > > a formal count. There are only about 120 million crabs in the bay > > and they think they need 200 million for a sustainable population. > > Over-fishing, pollution, invasive species and global warming get > > the blame. > > > > 18. VCRs > > For the better part of three decades, the VCR was a best-seller > > and staple in every American household until being completely > > decimated by the DVD, and now the Digital Video Recorder (DVR). In > > fact, the only remnants of the VHS age at your local Wal-Mart or > > Radio Shack are blank VHS tapes these days. Pre-recorded VHS tapes > > are largely gone and VHS decks are practically nowhere to be > > found. They served us so well. > > > > 17. Ash Trees > > In the late 1990s, a pretty, iridescent green species of beetle, > > now known as the emerald ash borer, hitched a ride to North > > America with ash wood products imported from eastern Asia. In less > > than a decade, its larvae have killed millions of trees in the > > Midwest, and continue to spread. They've killed more than 30 > > million ash trees in southeastern Michigan alone, with tens of > > millions more lost in Ohio and Indiana. More than 7.5 billion ash > > trees are currently at risk. > > > > 16. Ham Radio > > Amateur radio operators enjoy personal (and often worldwide) > > wireless communications with each other and are able to support > > their communities with emergency and disaster communications if > > necessary, while increasing their personal knowledge of > > electronics and radio theory. However, proliferation of the > > Internet and its popularity among youth has caused the decline of > > amateur radio. In the past five years alone, the number of people > > holding active ham radio licenses has dropped by 50,000, even > > though Morse Code is no longer a requirement. > > > > 15. The Swimming Hole > > Thanks to our litigious society, swimming holes are becoming a > > thing of the past. '20/20' reports that swimming hole owners, like > > Robert Every in High Falls, NY, are shutting them down out of > > worry that if someone gets hurt they'll sue. And that's exactly > > what happened in Seattle. The city of Bellingham was sued by Katie > > Hofstetter who was paralyzed in a fall at a popular swimming hole > > in Whatcom Falls Park. As injuries occur and lawsuits follow, > > expect more swimming holes to post 'Keep out!' signs. > > > > 14. Answering Machines > > The increasing disappearance of answering machines is directly > > tied to No 20 our list -- the decline of landlines. According to > > USA Today, the number of homes that only use cell phones jumped > > 159% between 2004 and 2007. It has been particularly bad in New > > York; since 2000, landline usage has dropped 55%. It's logical > > that as cell phones rise, many of them replacing traditional > > landlines, that there will be fewer answering machines. > > > > 13. Cameras That Use Film > > It doesn't require a statistician to prove the rapid disappearance > > of the film camera in America. Just look to companies like Nikon, > > the professional's choice for quality camera equipment. In 2006, > > it announced that it would stop making film cameras, pointing to > > the shrinking market -- only 3% of its sales in 2005, compared to > > 75% of sales from digital cameras and equipment. > > > > 12. Incandescent Bulbs > > Before a few years ago, the standard 60-watt (or, yikes, 100-watt) > > bulb was the mainstay of every U.S. home. With the green movement > > and all-things-sustainable-energy crowd, the Compact Fluorescent > > Lightbulb (CFL) is largely replacing the older, Edison-era > > incandescent bulb. The EPA reports that 2007 sales for Energy Star > > CFLs nearly doubled from 2006, and these sales accounted for > > approximately 20 percent of the U.S. light bulb market. And > > according to USA Today, a new energy bill plans to phase out > > incandescent bulbs in the next four to 12 years. > > > > 11. Stand-Alone Bowling Alleys > > BowlingBalls. US claims there are still 60 million Americans who > > bowl at least once a year, but many are not bowling in stand-alone > > bowling alleys. Today most new bowling alleys are part of > > facilities for all types or recreation including laser tag, > > go-karts, bumper cars, video game arcades, climbing walls and glow > > miniature golf. Bowling lanes also have been added to many > > non-traditional venues such as adult communities, hotels and > > resorts, and gambling casinos. > > > > 10. The Milkman > > According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 1950, over > > half of the milk delivered was to the home in quart bottles, by > > 1963, it was about a third and by 2001, it represented only 0.4% > > percent. Nowadays most milk is sold through supermarkets in gallon > > jugs. The steady decline in home-delivered milk is blamed, of > > course, on the rise of the supermarket, better home refrigeration > > and longer-lasting milk. Although some milkmen still make the > > rounds in pockets of the U.S., they are certainly a dying breed. > > > > 9. Hand-Written Letters > > In 2006, the Radicati Group estimated that, worldwide, 183 billion > > e-mails were sent each day. Two million each second. By November > > of 2007, an estimated 3.3 billion Earthlings owned cell phones, > > and 80% of the world's population had access to cell phone > > coverage. In 2004, half-a-trillion text messages were sent, and > > the number has no doubt increased exponentially since then. So > > where amongst this gorge of gabble is there room for the elegant, > > polite hand-written letter? > > > > 8. Wild Horses > > It is estimated that 100 years ago, as many as two million horses > > were roaming free within the United States. In 2001, National > > Geographic News estimated that the wild horse population had > > decreased to about 50,000 head. Currently, the National Wild Horse > > and Burro Advisory board states that there are 32,000 free roaming > > horses in ten Western states, with half of them residing in > > Nevada. The Bureau of Land Management is seeking to reduce the > > total number of free range horses to 27,000, possibly by selective > > euthanasia. > > > > 7. Personal Checks > > According to an American Bankers Assoc. report, a net 23% of > > consumers plan to decrease their use of checks over the next two > > years, while a net 14% plan to increase their use of PIN debit. > > Bill payment remains the last stronghold of paper-based > > payments -- for the time being. Checks continue to be the most > > commonly used bill payment method, with 71% of consumers paying at > > least one recurring bill per month by writing a check. However, on > > a bill-by-bill basis, checks account for only 49% of consumers' > > recurring bill payments (down from 72% in 2001 and 60% in 2003). > > > > 6. Drive-in Theaters > > During the peak in 1958, there were more than 4,000 drive-in > > theaters in this country, but in 2007 only 405 drive-ins were > > still operating. Exactly zero new drive-ins have been built since > > 2005. Only one reopened in 2005 and five reopened in 2006, so > > there isn't much of a movement toward reviving the closed ones. > > > > 5. Mumps & Measles > > Despite what's been in the news lately, the measles and mumps > > actually, truly are disappearing from the United States. In 1964, > > 212,000 cases of mumps were reported in the U.S. By 1983, this > > figure had dropped to 3,000, thanks to a vigorous vaccination > > program. Prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine, > > approximately half a million cases of measles were reported in the > > U.S. annually, resulting in 450 deaths. In 2005, only 66 cases > > were recorded. > > > > 4. Honey Bees > > Perhaps nothing on our list of disappearing America is so dire; > > plummeting so enormously; and so necessary to the survival of our > > food supply as the honey bee. Very scary. 'Colony Collapse > > Disorder,' or CCD, has spread throughout the U.S. and Europe over > > the past few years, wiping out 50% to 90% of the colonies of many > > beekeepers -- and along with it, their livelihood. > > > > 3. News Magazines and TV News > > While the TV evening newscasts haven't gone anywhere over the last > > several decades, their audiences have. In 1984, in a story about > > the diminishing returns of the evening news, the New York Times > > reported that all three network evening-news programs combined had > > only 40.9 million viewers. Fast forward to 2008, and what they > > have today is half that. > > > > 2. Analog TV > > According to the Consumer Electronics Association, 85% of homes in > > the U.S. get their television programming through cable or > > satellite providers. For the remaining 15% -- or 13 million > > individuals -- who are using rabbit ears or a large outdoor > > antenna to get their local stations, change is in the air. If you > > are one of these people you'll need to get a new TV or a converter > > box in order to get the new stations which will only be broadcast > > in digital. > > > > 1. The Family Farm > > Since the 1930s, the number of family farms has been declining > > rapidly. According to the USDA, 5.3 million farms dotted the > > nation in 1950, but this number had declined to 2.1 million by the > > 2003 farm census (data from the 2007 census hasn't yet been > > published). Ninety-one percent of the U.S. FARMS are small Family > > Farms. > > > > Both interesting and saddening, isn't it?

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[arrl-odv:17485] Executive Committee Report
by Joel Harrison 13 Jan '09

13 Jan '09

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Rocky Mountain Division report
by Brian Mileshosky 13 Jan '09

13 Jan '09

All - Please find attached Rocky Mountain Division's report to the Board for your review. Thanks and 73, Brian N5ZGT ARRL Director, Rocky Mountain Division www.RockyMountainDivision.org <http://www.rockymountaindivision.org/>

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