May 2009 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:17790] Re:Thursday Night Topic - Commercial Exploitation of Amateur Radio
by n3llr＠earthlink.net 30 May '09

30 May '09

Excellent idea! - Bill N3LLR -----Original Message----- From: "Joel Harrison" <w5zn(a)arrl.org> Subj: Thursday Night Topic - Commercial Exploitation of Amateur Radio Date: Sat May 30, 2009 9:46 am Size: 10K To: "arrl-odv" <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> The subjectofthe exploitation of Amateur Radio for commercial purposesis increasing and even became a topic of discussion during the FCC forumat Dayton in response toa question from the floor.This isboth a legal and ethical issue and one that is causing concern among ourmember ranks. General Counsel Imlay is continually confronted with this issue as is Dan Henderson and Dennis Dura. It hascome to the point that we need theBoard to address how far Amateur Radio should go in areas such as, for example, business restoration communications. Dave's editorial on this subject recently was a good intro to the subject, but there is a recent significant increase in issuesasnoted below, but this is far from the only one. After consultation with the Vice President's we have agreed that our scheduled Thursday evening topic will address this matter and will includea presentation from General Counsel Imlay and Dan Henderson. Chris willalso be addressing this in his written report to the board. Theexploitation of Amateur Radio for commercial purposes is now essentially in the hands of Amateurs themselves to draw the lines,however the VP's and I believe thisdeservesconsideration by youfora policy determinationand such has been requested by at least oneactive VC in Georgia. 73 Joel W5ZN Note Yellow Highlighted Text http://www.push-to-talk.org/disaster.htm Home The PUSH TO TALK ORGANIZATION gets the message Disaster preparedness/ emergency planning is a multi-faceted beast to conquer: Wireless carriers are notorious for domino type failuresduring even slight emergencies. Reduced dependency on them makes your operation hardened against communications loss. The federal, state and local agencies can commandeer the wireless carriers during an emergency but NOT yours or ours. Small or large; you need to "OWN a piece of the network"©. With PTT Digital you can do that. One-size DOES fit all with digital communications sinceall departments can have the same type of radio (translation: economies of scale= low cost). All facilities in a multi-campus operation can use the same radio type. Have multiple radio channels at one ormore of your facilities? Pool the resources and in case one fails the rest take up the load automatically...ask us HOW! Facilities can inter-operate for self-preservation during a crisis by Radio Over IP (RoIP) communications on your own Local Area or Wide Area networks. Assistance from one facility can be rapidly brought to another. Common "hailing" or all-call channels can be maintained separate from others. Radio systems designed to be in the same frequency band next to amateur radio "HAM" operators can cross-function and reach even more assistance. Radios can do double-duty when called upon and operate BOTH bands requiring a simple HAM license to use both frequencies (see www.arrl.org for more). Not a licensed HAM operator? There are LOTS of them out there that can operate the interlinks for you and there is NEVER a charge for the service.

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Thursday Night Topic - Commercial Exploitation of Amateur Radio
by Joel Harrison 30 May '09

30 May '09

The subject of the exploitation of Amateur Radio for commercial purposes is increasing and even became a topic of discussion during the FCC forum at Dayton in response to a question from the floor. This is both a legal and ethical issue and one that is causing concern among our member ranks. General Counsel Imlay is continually confronted with this issue as is Dan Henderson and Dennis Dura. It has come to the point that we need the Board to address how far Amateur Radio should go in areas such as, for example, business restoration communications. Dave's editorial on this subject recently was a good intro to the subject, but there is a recent significant increase in issues as noted below, but this is far from the only one. After consultation with the Vice President's we have agreed that our scheduled Thursday evening topic will address this matter and will include a presentation from General Counsel Imlay and Dan Henderson. Chris will also be addressing this in his written report to the board. The exploitation of Amateur Radio for commercial purposes is now essentially in the hands of Amateurs themselves to draw the lines, however the VP's and I believe this deserves consideration by you for a policy determination and such has been requested by at least one active VC in Georgia. 73 Joel W5ZN _____ Note Yellow Highlighted Text http://www.push-to-talk.org/disaster.htm http://www.push-to-talk.org/Logo2.jpg <http://www.push-to-talk.org/company.html> Home <http://www.push-to-talk.org/index.htm> http://www.push-to-talk.org/dis4.jpghttp://www.push-to-talk.org/Dis1.jpghttp ://www.push-to-talk.org/dis2.jpg The PUSH TO TALK ORGANIZATION gets the message Disaster preparedness/ emergency planning is a multi-faceted beast to conquer: * Wireless carriers are notorious for domino type failures during even slight emergencies. Reduced dependency on them makes your operation hardened against communications loss. * The federal, state and local agencies can commandeer the wireless carriers during an emergency but NOT yours or ours. * Small or large; you need to "OWN a piece of the network"C. With PTT Digital you can do that. * One-size DOES fit all with digital communications since all departments can have the same type of radio (translation: economies of scale = low cost). * All facilities in a multi-campus operation can use the same radio type. * Have multiple radio channels at one or more of your facilities? Pool the resources and in case one fails the rest take up the load automatically...ask us HOW! * Facilities can inter-operate for self-preservation during a crisis by Radio Over IP (RoIP) communications on your own Local Area or Wide Area networks. * Assistance from one facility can be rapidly brought to another. * Common "hailing" or all-call channels can be maintained separate from others. * Radio systems designed to be in the same frequency band next to amateur radio "HAM" operators can cross-function and reach even more assistance. * Radios can do double-duty when called upon and operate BOTH bands requiring a simple HAM license to use both frequencies (see <http://www.arrl.org/> www.arrl.org for more). * Not a licensed HAM operator? There are LOTS of them out there that can operate the interlinks for you and there is NEVER a charge for the service. * External-networks are available for backup, redundancy and contingency planning; the Push To Talk Organization can be YOUR backup plan using the same radio. * You simply rent airtime on the wide-area network and never maintain or license it...just switch the radio to the "Wide Area" channel and talk. * If the Internet goes down each site operates independently for failure-proof local operation. Push To Talk Digital Radio Systems have engineered-in failure hardening elements designed to overcome the issues outlined above. Local professional 2-way radio technicians will meet with you to evaluate, design, install and maintain it to suit your exact needs. Never pay for features you don't need and won't help you in emergency situations: * SMS Texting is a one-to-one messaging format; useless in a crisis. * Digital 2-way radio is One-To-Many for instant alerting and notification. * E-Mail is not a fast or secure way to alert people of an issue. * Private 2-way radio networks can be voice-logged for administrative review, wireless carriers can NOT be logged or monitored which means ABUSE. * You can talk over your own network all you want at NO COST, there is no per-minute charge on YOUR OWN system. * Communicate from a PC, handheld, base or mobile radio that you control 100%. PTT radios are programmable to cross-connect into the local Amateur Radio "HAM" operators community for emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, etc. Communicating on the Amateur Radio channels requires a simple FCC license. Click Here. 7_c.gif <http://www.arrl.org/> American Radio Relay League for assistance with licensing. Terms of Use <http://www.push-to-talk.org/terms.htm> Copyright (c) The Push To Talk Organization 2008-2009 All Rights Reserved _____ Pillsbury <http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221991112x1201443254/aol?redir=htt p:%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B215225804%3B37274680%3Bf%3Fhttp:%2F%2Frec ipes.pillsbury.com%2F%3FESRC%3D683> R - Sign Up Now and get tasty recipes, meal ideas, coupons and more.

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[arrl-odv:17788] Re: RE: RE: Automated Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site-
by Joel Harrison 30 May '09

30 May '09

We didn't consider it. We investigated it, because the board recommended we do so, and when we learned what the cost was we dropped it and gave it no consideration. Joel On Fri, May 29, 2009 at 9:22 PM, Bob Vallio <rbvallio(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Why on earth would we consider paying anybody that kind of money, when we > obviously have so many members with the talent and desire to *volunteer*their services to us??? > > Bob -- W6RGG > > > > On Fri, May 29, 2009 at 12:03 PM, Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ <dsumner(a)arrl.org>wrote: > >> The NCGA site http://capwiz.com/ncga/home/ uses the Capitol Advantage >> service, Capwiz. We looked into it a couple of years ago. It’s a nice >> product. Cost ranges upward from $8,000/year with an initial setup charge, >> plus staff training on how to use it. >> >> >> >> Dave >> >> >> >> *From:* Bruce Frahm [mailto:brucefrahmk0bj@gmail.com] >> *Sent:* Friday, May 29, 2009 10:13 AM >> *To:* arrl-odv >> *Cc:* arrl-odv >> *Subject:* [arrl-odv:17781] Re: RE: Automated >> Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site- >> >> >> >> The National Assn of Corn Growers recently had up a website for sending >> lobbying emails to Reps. re going to a 15% ethanol blend. The website gave >> you the header/address info to the Rep, your signature, and a blank screen >> in between. If you felt the urge or need, you could click one or more of >> many bullets into the text. It really was a neat way to encourage original >> writing. >> >> We're in the Rockies about to head thru Rocky Mtn Natl Park toward Brian >> and Dwayne's Div convention in Estes Park. If I can find the link for NCGA's >> project (the comment deadline has passed, i believe) this evening I'll >> forward it so you can see the structure. >> >> 73 Bruce K0BJ >> >> On Fri, May 29, 2009 at 7:50 AM, Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ <dsumner(a)arrl.org> >> wrote: >> >> That's pretty cool, Dick. Thanks to you and Trey. >> >> We need to continue to encourage personalization of letters. A stack of >> identical form letters is better than nothing but doesn't have the impact of >> letters that briefly tell constituents' own stories. >> >> >> >> >> > >

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[arrl-odv:17787] Re: RE: RE: Automated Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site-
by Bob Vallio 30 May '09

30 May '09

Why on earth would we consider paying anybody that kind of money, when we obviously have so many members with the talent and desire to *volunteer*their services to us??? Bob -- W6RGG On Fri, May 29, 2009 at 12:03 PM, Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ <dsumner(a)arrl.org>wrote: > The NCGA site http://capwiz.com/ncga/home/ uses the Capitol Advantage > service, Capwiz. We looked into it a couple of years ago. It’s a nice > product. Cost ranges upward from $8,000/year with an initial setup charge, > plus staff training on how to use it. > > > > Dave > > > > *From:* Bruce Frahm [mailto:brucefrahmk0bj@gmail.com] > *Sent:* Friday, May 29, 2009 10:13 AM > *To:* arrl-odv > *Cc:* arrl-odv > *Subject:* [arrl-odv:17781] Re: RE: Automated > Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site- > > > > The National Assn of Corn Growers recently had up a website for sending > lobbying emails to Reps. re going to a 15% ethanol blend. The website gave > you the header/address info to the Rep, your signature, and a blank screen > in between. If you felt the urge or need, you could click one or more of > many bullets into the text. It really was a neat way to encourage original > writing. > > We're in the Rockies about to head thru Rocky Mtn Natl Park toward Brian > and Dwayne's Div convention in Estes Park. If I can find the link for NCGA's > project (the comment deadline has passed, i believe) this evening I'll > forward it so you can see the structure. > > 73 Bruce K0BJ > > On Fri, May 29, 2009 at 7:50 AM, Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ <dsumner(a)arrl.org> > wrote: > > That's pretty cool, Dick. Thanks to you and Trey. > > We need to continue to encourage personalization of letters. A stack of > identical form letters is better than nothing but doesn't have the impact of > letters that briefly tell constituents' own stories. > > > > >

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[arrl-odv:17785] Re: Automated Letter Site
by Marty Woll 29 May '09

29 May '09

Hi, Jim. Yes, there's a tradeoff as usual, but no doubt a non-custom letter is better than no letter. I always personalize these things anyway, but I realize many don't have the time to do so or let the resolve fade before completing the task. One of the reasons I encourange at least a little editing comes frm having read the FCC comment summary on a proposed ruling a few years back. When they were "counting" the support letters and opposition letters, the form ones were lumped together and, despite their numbers, treated almost as one letter in that summary. Anything that distinguishes a position paper from similar ones improves its chance of being given more weight. Thanks for putting so much effort into this at Dayton and elsewhere. 73, Marty N6VI ----- Original Message ----- From: K8JE To: arrl-odv Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 12:47 PM Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:17776] Re: Automated Letter Site Marty, You, of course, are right on target regarding customizing letters to congressmen (and women). I suspect that those of us who use club meetings and such gatherings as avenues to encourage members to write their congressmen usually encourage them to customize the letter to the extent they feel comfortable. If only our Divisions budgets allowed us to have travelling offices with banks of computers . . . Until then, the compromise of sending cookie cutter letters at large gatherings may be the best trade-off between unmet promises to write after "I" get home. 73, Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org, Tel.: 513-459-1661 ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Marty Woll [mailto:n6vi@socal.rr.com] Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 2:14 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17776] Re: Automated Letter Site I applaud Trey's efforts, which should enable us to collect many more letters in support of this propsed legislation, and Dick's initiative in seeking his help. For those downloading on their own, another way to use it is to copy the text and paste it onto personal letterhead using Word or similar program. It then becomes easy to customize the letter a bit (preferable to even a well written form letter). I attach my own letter as an example of such customization. 73, Marty N6VI ----- Original Message ----- From: Richard J. Norton To: arrl-odv Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2009 10:14 PM Subject: [arrl-odv:17775] Re:Automated Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site- Additional note - It was pointed out to me that the letter printed from the web-site with a header containing the web-site name and also a footer. This is a function of the page setup in your web-browser. In Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft's Internet Explorer, you may need to go to File, Page Setup, Headers and footers, and simply make both the header and footer blank. Your computer should then be able to print copies of the letters without any headers or footers. The letters are ready for printing directly. Also remember that Jim Weaver sends the package of signed letters to Chwat for delivery. 73, Dick, N6AA On Thu, May 28, 2009 at 9:24 PM, Richard J. Norton <richardjnorton(a)gmail.com> wrote: > At Dayton I helped Jim Weaver, K8JE, and his team at the ARRL > Legislative Action booth. Noticed that they were manually editing > letters to congressional representatives requesting support of H.R. > 2160. The letters were expected to be eventually delivered to the > representatives by our lobbyist, Chwat and Company > > This appeared to be a task that could be automated and also a task > that a volunteer might implement. > > I approached my friend and long-time ARRL volunteer Trey Garlough, > N5KO, with the problem. Trey is the driving force behind eham.com and > contesting.com . He also assists the ARRL contest program with log > collection. > > After a day or so of effort Trey produced the automated routine at > > http://www.kkn.net/cgi-bin/rjnorton.pl > > Just enter a callsign and the site determines the correct > congressional representative and essentially instantaneously produces > a letter. You are welcome to use the capability to produce letters at > events you find appropriate. > > The routine is slightly fragile in that if any of the web-sites used > to find the information fail, or change the format in which they > present data, the routines may not work. This is not expected, but > possible. > > I suspect that we could have produced thousands of letters at Dayton > if we had the capability available. > > RELATED DAYTON OBSERVATIONS > > I'm not suggesting that this letter writing campaign strikes me as > insuring success of our legislative program. However, I noticed two > things at Dayton. > > 1) I could approach anybody that passed by the booth and ask if they > would sign a letter to their congressman. 100 percent of them agreed, > and all seemed favorably impressed. > > 2) Just by the members seeing this operation, a number of them now > view the ARRL in a slightly different light. Maybe the League isn't > only a subscription to QST. > > For reason 2 alone, I thought the activity to be beneficial. > > 73, > > Dick Norton, N6AA >

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RE: [arrl-odv:17782] Re:RE: RE: Automated Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site-
by K8JE 29 May '09

29 May '09

Dave, I recall you having mentioned the Capwiz service previously. Given the emphasis we are now placing on promoting the ARRL legislative agenda, recalling it raises two questions to me. These are: - Wouldn't we use the service enough to warrant the expense? - Obviously, even $8k does not grow on trees. Are there one or more programs we provide that could be jettisoned without causing damage; thereby, freeing the money for use in our advocacy effort? Conversely, are their any projects that promise to save money that could be spurred on (e.g. QSL direct entry by field checkers into Logbook) to make the funds available? My own answer to the first question would be that it would be worth the expense if it simply helped get HR 2160 passed in this session. I don't pretend to speak for others. The $8k pales in comparison with the money spent to take the FCC to court. I think we all consider the cost of the court battle was a good use of funds. In today's USA, I suggest that CC&Rs fall only slightly behind potential QRM from Part 15 devices as menaces to Amateur Radio. I realize the second question is one no one relishes considering. It never is, regardless of the organization - non-profit or commercial. 73, Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org, Tel.: 513-459-1661 ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio _____ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 3:03 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17782] Re:RE: RE: Automated Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site- The NCGA site http://capwiz.com/ncga/home/ uses the Capitol Advantage service, Capwiz. We looked into it a couple of years ago. It's a nice product. Cost ranges upward from $8,000/year with an initial setup charge, plus staff training on how to use it. Dave From: Bruce Frahm [mailto:brucefrahmk0bj@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 10:13 AM To: arrl-odv Cc: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17781] Re: RE: Automated Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site- The National Assn of Corn Growers recently had up a website for sending lobbying emails to Reps. re going to a 15% ethanol blend. The website gave you the header/address info to the Rep, your signature, and a blank screen in between. If you felt the urge or need, you could click one or more of many bullets into the text. It really was a neat way to encourage original writing. We're in the Rockies about to head thru Rocky Mtn Natl Park toward Brian and Dwayne's Div convention in Estes Park. If I can find the link for NCGA's project (the comment deadline has passed, i believe) this evening I'll forward it so you can see the structure. 73 Bruce K0BJ On Fri, May 29, 2009 at 7:50 AM, Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ <dsumner(a)arrl.org> wrote: That's pretty cool, Dick. Thanks to you and Trey. We need to continue to encourage personalization of letters. A stack of identical form letters is better than nothing but doesn't have the impact of letters that briefly tell constituents' own stories.

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RE: [arrl-odv:17776] Re: Automated Letter Site
by K8JE 29 May '09

29 May '09

Marty, You, of course, are right on target regarding customizing letters to congressmen (and women). I suspect that those of us who use club meetings and such gatherings as avenues to encourage members to write their congressmen usually encourage them to customize the letter to the extent they feel comfortable. If only our Divisions budgets allowed us to have travelling offices with banks of computers . . . Until then, the compromise of sending cookie cutter letters at large gatherings may be the best trade-off between unmet promises to write after "I" get home. 73, Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: k8je(a)arrl.org, Tel.: 513-459-1661 ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio _____ From: Marty Woll [mailto:n6vi@socal.rr.com] Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 2:14 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17776] Re: Automated Letter Site I applaud Trey's efforts, which should enable us to collect many more letters in support of this propsed legislation, and Dick's initiative in seeking his help. For those downloading on their own, another way to use it is to copy the text and paste it onto personal letterhead using Word or similar program. It then becomes easy to customize the letter a bit (preferable to even a well written form letter). I attach my own letter as an example of such customization. 73, Marty N6VI ----- Original Message ----- From: Richard <mailto:richardjnorton@gmail.com> J. Norton To: arrl-odv <mailto:arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2009 10:14 PM Subject: [arrl-odv:17775] Re:Automated Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site- Additional note - It was pointed out to me that the letter printed from the web-site with a header containing the web-site name and also a footer. This is a function of the page setup in your web-browser. In Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft's Internet Explorer, you may need to go to File, Page Setup, Headers and footers, and simply make both the header and footer blank. Your computer should then be able to print copies of the letters without any headers or footers. The letters are ready for printing directly. Also remember that Jim Weaver sends the package of signed letters to Chwat for delivery. 73, Dick, N6AA On Thu, May 28, 2009 at 9:24 PM, Richard J. Norton <richardjnorton(a)gmail.com> wrote: > At Dayton I helped Jim Weaver, K8JE, and his team at the ARRL > Legislative Action booth. Noticed that they were manually editing > letters to congressional representatives requesting support of H.R. > 2160. The letters were expected to be eventually delivered to the > representatives by our lobbyist, Chwat and Company > > This appeared to be a task that could be automated and also a task > that a volunteer might implement. > > I approached my friend and long-time ARRL volunteer Trey Garlough, > N5KO, with the problem. Trey is the driving force behind eham.com and > contesting.com . He also assists the ARRL contest program with log > collection. > > After a day or so of effort Trey produced the automated routine at > > http://www.kkn.net/cgi-bin/rjnorton.pl > > Just enter a callsign and the site determines the correct > congressional representative and essentially instantaneously produces > a letter. You are welcome to use the capability to produce letters at > events you find appropriate. > > The routine is slightly fragile in that if any of the web-sites used > to find the information fail, or change the format in which they > present data, the routines may not work. This is not expected, but > possible. > > I suspect that we could have produced thousands of letters at Dayton > if we had the capability available. > > RELATED DAYTON OBSERVATIONS > > I'm not suggesting that this letter writing campaign strikes me as > insuring success of our legislative program. However, I noticed two > things at Dayton. > > 1) I could approach anybody that passed by the booth and ask if they > would sign a letter to their congressman. 100 percent of them agreed, > and all seemed favorably impressed. > > 2) Just by the members seeing this operation, a number of them now > view the ARRL in a slightly different light. Maybe the League isn't > only a subscription to QST. > > For reason 2 alone, I thought the activity to be beneficial. > > 73, > > Dick Norton, N6AA >

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[arrl-odv:17782] Re:RE: RE: Automated Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site-
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 29 May '09

29 May '09

The NCGA site http://capwiz.com/ncga/home/ uses the Capitol Advantage service, Capwiz. We looked into it a couple of years ago. It's a nice product. Cost ranges upward from $8,000/year with an initial setup charge, plus staff training on how to use it. Dave From: Bruce Frahm [mailto:brucefrahmk0bj@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 10:13 AM To: arrl-odv Cc: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17781] Re: RE: Automated Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site- The National Assn of Corn Growers recently had up a website for sending lobbying emails to Reps. re going to a 15% ethanol blend. The website gave you the header/address info to the Rep, your signature, and a blank screen in between. If you felt the urge or need, you could click one or more of many bullets into the text. It really was a neat way to encourage original writing. We're in the Rockies about to head thru Rocky Mtn Natl Park toward Brian and Dwayne's Div convention in Estes Park. If I can find the link for NCGA's project (the comment deadline has passed, i believe) this evening I'll forward it so you can see the structure. 73 Bruce K0BJ On Fri, May 29, 2009 at 7:50 AM, Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ <dsumner(a)arrl.org> wrote: That's pretty cool, Dick. Thanks to you and Trey. We need to continue to encourage personalization of letters. A stack of identical form letters is better than nothing but doesn't have the impact of letters that briefly tell constituents' own stories.

1 0

[arrl-odv:17781] Re: RE: Automated Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site-
by Bruce Frahm 29 May '09

29 May '09

The National Assn of Corn Growers recently had up a website for sending lobbying emails to Reps. re going to a 15% ethanol blend. The website gave you the header/address info to the Rep, your signature, and a blank screen in between. If you felt the urge or need, you could click one or more of many bullets into the text. It really was a neat way to encourage original writing. We're in the Rockies about to head thru Rocky Mtn Natl Park toward Brian and Dwayne's Div convention in Estes Park. If I can find the link for NCGA's project (the comment deadline has passed, i believe) this evening I'll forward it so you can see the structure. 73 Bruce K0BJ On Fri, May 29, 2009 at 7:50 AM, Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ <dsumner(a)arrl.org>wrote: > That's pretty cool, Dick. Thanks to you and Trey. > > We need to continue to encourage personalization of letters. A stack of > identical form letters is better than nothing but doesn't have the impact of > letters that briefly tell constituents' own stories. > > >

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[arrl-odv:17780] Re:RE: Automated Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site-
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 29 May '09

29 May '09

That's pretty cool, Dick. Thanks to you and Trey. We need to continue to encourage personalization of letters. A stack of identical form letters is better than nothing but doesn't have the impact of letters that briefly tell constituents' own stories. John Chwat has received the packet of Dayton letters from Jim. Future letters don't have to go through Jim or through Newington; they should go directly to Chwat & Co. Dave K1ZZ -----Original Message----- From: Richard J. Norton [mailto:richardjnorton@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 1:14 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17775] Re:Automated Letter-to-Congressional-Representative Site- Additional note - It was pointed out to me that the letter printed from the web-site with a header containing the web-site name and also a footer. This is a function of the page setup in your web-browser. In Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft's Internet Explorer, you may need to go to File, Page Setup, Headers and footers, and simply make both the header and footer blank. Your computer should then be able to print copies of the letters without any headers or footers. The letters are ready for printing directly. Also remember that Jim Weaver sends the package of signed letters to Chwat for delivery. 73, Dick, N6AA On Thu, May 28, 2009 at 9:24 PM, Richard J. Norton <richardjnorton(a)gmail.com> wrote: > At Dayton I helped Jim Weaver, K8JE, and his team at the ARRL > Legislative Action booth. Noticed that they were manually editing > letters to congressional representatives requesting support of H.R. > 2160. The letters were expected to be eventually delivered to the > representatives by our lobbyist, Chwat and Company > > This appeared to be a task that could be automated and also a task > that a volunteer might implement. > > I approached my friend and long-time ARRL volunteer Trey Garlough, > N5KO, with the problem. Trey is the driving force behind eham.com and > contesting.com . He also assists the ARRL contest program with log > collection. > > After a day or so of effort Trey produced the automated routine at > > http://www.kkn.net/cgi-bin/rjnorton.pl > > Just enter a callsign and the site determines the correct > congressional representative and essentially instantaneously produces > a letter. You are welcome to use the capability to produce letters at > events you find appropriate. > > The routine is slightly fragile in that if any of the web-sites used > to find the information fail, or change the format in which they > present data, the routines may not work. This is not expected, but > possible. > > I suspect that we could have produced thousands of letters at Dayton > if we had the capability available. > > RELATED DAYTON OBSERVATIONS > > I'm not suggesting that this letter writing campaign strikes me as > insuring success of our legislative program. However, I noticed two > things at Dayton. > > 1) I could approach anybody that passed by the booth and ask if they > would sign a letter to their congressman. 100 percent of them agreed, > and all seemed favorably impressed. > > 2) Just by the members seeing this operation, a number of them now > view the ARRL in a slightly different light. Maybe the League isn't > only a subscription to QST. > > For reason 2 alone, I thought the activity to be beneficial. > > 73, > > Dick Norton, N6AA >

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