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

[arrl-odv:17715] HR 2160 web staory......
by Frank Fallon 08 May '09

08 May '09

Hey, I didn't know we still had this committee?????????? "ARRL Grassroots Legislative Action Committee Solicits Member Support for HR 2160" according to the web lead on our site this morning. http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/05/08/10809/?nc=1 I must also note that I have not been cced anything from Henderson to the DLAC's and others. I am not at all clear as to what is being done or expected of the division. I wonder if other directors have been sent that info. I do not know if we have any targets in the division and what, if anything, has been sent to them. BUT..... what, if anything have we about establishing a relationship with Congressman Larson who represents Newington, CT. Has the "red herring" of our sacred 501 c 3 status finally died? For those unaware, Larson is the number four guy in the Democratic caucus. Many o9f our HQ staff are in his district. Years ago we should have invited him and his staff out to Newington and we have not. Even John Chwat has recommended that. Dave, do it, please, ASAP. There is no excuse. Nice quiet talks in your office over the last three years have all lead to nothing. Also, I think we should all be aware of the negative reaction that the sponsor of HR 2160 generates. My local political junkies here in the metro area and friends in Texas do not have good things to say about her. A NY ham who happens to be a BIG contributor to ARRL fund raising efforts sent me the following from Tower Talk this morning. I am almost certain the signer is NOT an ARRL member, but what this shows is that a lot of Texas folk do not have a warm and fuzzy feeling about the congresswoman, and it's probably not because she graduated from Jamaica High School in Queens, NY where I taught evening school for many years in my former life. Think, Larson, please. > 73 de Frank.....N2FF...... >

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[arrl-odv:17714] Emcomm in Dayton
by Kramer, Harold, WJ1B 07 May '09

07 May '09

Hi, Since I was asked about our EmComm exhibits at Dayton, here is some additional information from Bob Inderbitzen and me: ARRL EXPO will include a couple of new exhibits this year, intended to help "spotlight" some important program areas and relationships. These exhibits will carry the following banners: Ham Radio and Emergency Communication Ham Radio and Scouting Ham Radio and Boating The "Ham Radio and Emergency Communication" exhibit is sponsored by the South Carolina Healthcare Emergency Amateur Radio Team (SC HEART) system. Visitors to the booth will find out how Amateur Radio plays a successful role in community partnerships. The group was featured in March QST. ARRL Field Day Exhibit This year, ARRL will debut a new exhibit featuring ARRL Field Day. The attention is timely, since Field Day is held in June (next month). The exhibit will spotlight the many facets of Field Day as part emergency preparedness exercise, part public demonstration and part radio club social event. The exhibit is co-organized by Field Day Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND and Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP. The PR Committee and a handful of Section Managers have volunteered to help Dan and Allen support this exhibit in Dayton. The following talking points will be used (also printed as bullet points on the display and posters) ARRL Field Day is... * Building Relationship * Serving the Community * Learning New Skills * Sharing our message * ...Fun! The display will include: * A huge "Field Day" banner backdrop, based on this year's Field Day logo * A computer demonstration of the ARRL Field Day Locator * A video slideshow featuring clubs groups and their past Field Day operations * Field Day posters (give-aways) * Customized Field Day Press Releases (generated by computer, on the fly). Allen and the PR Committee will lead this effort. * Field Day frisbees (give-aways, while supplies last) 73, Harold

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[arrl-odv:17713] Re: RE: EmComm/Public Service at Dayton ARRL Exhibit?
by jfenster＠pacifier.com 07 May '09

07 May '09

When Dennis was in Seattle last month, I found out that he was not going to be at Dayton. I lobbied for him to attend but apparently the "powers" thought differently. EMCOMM is important in spite of the "theme". Jim K9JF > > If this is in fact true, that Dennis Dura, K2DCD is not going to represent > EMCOMM at Dayton, then we are indeed sending an inappropriate message. > How sad and disappointing. > Joyce KA2ANF > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Richard J. Norton [mailto:richardjnorton@gmail.com] > Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 8:51 PM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:17711] EmComm/Public Service at Dayton ARRL Exhibit? > > > Last year at Dayton, a nationally known ham made a comment to me that > the fact that we had 3 or 4 booths labeled DXCC, and only one booth > labeled something like EmComm or Public Service, sent an undesirable > message about the League's focus. I somewhat agreed with his > observation, and passed it along to staff. > > My suggestion was to have the EmComm booth next to the DXCC booths, > and at least have an EmComm banner above a few of the booths. The > common area could be used for DXCC as long as needed, and when free > would be a place that EmComm discussion could take place. > > When I saw the 2009 booth layout, it appeared that there was no EmComm > booth at all, but reading the detailed text shows that the booth in > the ARRL area labeled "SCHEARTS" is actually a South Carolina hospital > assistance group. > > I don't see Dennis Dura on the Dayton travel list, although IN-News > may not be complete. > > I predict that I'll be the recipient of the same comment on the > League's apparent lack of attention to EmComm or Public Service that I > heard last year. I'll likely have to agree with it. > > 73, > > Dick, N6AA > > >

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[arrl-odv:17712] RE: [arrl-odv:17711] EmComm/Public Service at Dayton ARRL Exhibit?
by Joyce Birmingham 07 May '09

07 May '09

If this is in fact true, that Dennis Dura, K2DCD is not going to represent EMCOMM at Dayton, then we are indeed sending an inappropriate message. How sad and disappointing. Joyce KA2ANF -----Original Message----- From: Richard J. Norton [mailto:richardjnorton@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 8:51 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17711] EmComm/Public Service at Dayton ARRL Exhibit? Last year at Dayton, a nationally known ham made a comment to me that the fact that we had 3 or 4 booths labeled DXCC, and only one booth labeled something like EmComm or Public Service, sent an undesirable message about the League's focus. I somewhat agreed with his observation, and passed it along to staff. My suggestion was to have the EmComm booth next to the DXCC booths, and at least have an EmComm banner above a few of the booths. The common area could be used for DXCC as long as needed, and when free would be a place that EmComm discussion could take place. When I saw the 2009 booth layout, it appeared that there was no EmComm booth at all, but reading the detailed text shows that the booth in the ARRL area labeled "SCHEARTS" is actually a South Carolina hospital assistance group. I don't see Dennis Dura on the Dayton travel list, although IN-News may not be complete. I predict that I'll be the recipient of the same comment on the League's apparent lack of attention to EmComm or Public Service that I heard last year. I'll likely have to agree with it. 73, Dick, N6AA

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[arrl-odv:17711] EmComm/Public Service at Dayton ARRL Exhibit?
by Richard J. Norton 07 May '09

07 May '09

Last year at Dayton, a nationally known ham made a comment to me that the fact that we had 3 or 4 booths labeled DXCC, and only one booth labeled something like EmComm or Public Service, sent an undesirable message about the League's focus. I somewhat agreed with his observation, and passed it along to staff. My suggestion was to have the EmComm booth next to the DXCC booths, and at least have an EmComm banner above a few of the booths. The common area could be used for DXCC as long as needed, and when free would be a place that EmComm discussion could take place. When I saw the 2009 booth layout, it appeared that there was no EmComm booth at all, but reading the detailed text shows that the booth in the ARRL area labeled "SCHEARTS" is actually a South Carolina hospital assistance group. I don't see Dennis Dura on the Dayton travel list, although IN-News may not be complete. I predict that I'll be the recipient of the same comment on the League's apparent lack of attention to EmComm or Public Service that I heard last year. I'll likely have to agree with it. 73, Dick, N6AA

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[arrl-odv:17710] Memorial services for Sandy Donahue, W4RU
by Greg Sarratt 06 May '09

06 May '09

Memorial services for Sandy Donahue, W4RU On Saturday, May 9, 2009, graveside services for Sandy Donahue, W4RU, will be held at 4 PM at Sunset Memorial Park, 1700 Barrington Road, Midland City, Alabama. An additional service will be held in conjunction with the Atlanta Hamfest on June 6, 2009 at 1 PM. The Hamfest will be located at Jim Miller Park in Marietta, Georgia. For additional info & directions, contact Jeff Beals, WA4AW at 561-252-6707 or wa4aw(a)arrl.net 73, Greg Sarratt, W4OZK

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[arrl-odv:17709] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 06 May '09

06 May '09

<<050609.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 32, No. 18 May 6, 2009 -- Covers the period April 26-May 2. Upcoming Meetings and Events Second Board Meeting July 17-18, 2009 @ 9:00am in Windsor, CT Regulatory Information Reported by Dan Henderson, N1ND On Tuesday April 28 Ed Hare, Brennan Price and I traveled to Cape Cod Air Force Station and met with Lt. Col. Max Lantz, Commander of the PAVE PAWS radar installation, and Nick Wilson, lead civilian of the 85th EIS (which is responsible for the electromagnetic interference testing at both PAVE PAWS sites). The meeting was designed to assess the status of harmful interference mitigation to both the Cape Cod and Beale AFB (CA) sites. It also provided an opportunity for ARRL staff to learn more about the testing procedures used by the 85th EIS and to clarify several issues related to future EMI studies at the sites. A detailed report was prepared for the EVP and Executive Committee. A letter was received from an ARRL VC in California who has been asked to represent an ARRL-affiliated club in a potential dispute with the Northern Amateur Relay Council of California (NARCC). After a discussion with ARRL counsel, a letter was drafted and sent to the VC pointing out that such representation was outside of the scope and intent of the VC program. He can certainly represent the club privately but should not as an ARRL VC. With the introduction of HR2160 the "Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009" on Wednesday, the remainder of the week was spent preparing and sending information to the Grassroots program. A draft letter for ARRL members to send to the representatives was prepared, as was a draft letter for DLAC/LAC/LAAs to send to ARRL members in their divisions or districts requesting letters to be written to Congress. This will be an ongoing task for some time. There are now 530 sites listed on the Field Day site locator applet representing 49 states - only North Dakota is missing. There are also sites listed for five Canadian provinces/territories, as well as Puerto Rico. We also continued working on the ARRL Field Day forum as well as worked on the AV display for the Field Day booth for ARRL Expo at the ARRL National Convention at Dayton Hamvention. Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP There are now TWO computer videos available for use in promoting Field Day. Left Click here <http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/fd/2009/2009FieldDayPSA1.wmv > to see the main 2009 Field Day video announcement - OR - right click and choose "save as" to download and save on your own computer. But there is also a second video, created by Kevin Pauley, KB9WVI, which animated the Field Day logo! To get the ANIMATED 2009 logo video, left click here <http://www.arrl.org/pio/videos/2009FDanimated.wmv> - or right click and choose "save as." Walt Palmer, W4ALT, has donated 72 special PIO caps for presentation to volunteers at the PR area in Dayton and also forum attendees. A PowerPoint and other presentation materials have been created for the forum which will review the reasons for the creation of and unveil the PR-101 course. Approximately 460 copies of the PR-101 disks have been passed on to Marketing for sale. The May issue of CONTACT! was posted on May 1st. This issue focused on materials useful in promoting Field Day. The annual report is with Sue Fagan and remains ahead of normal schedule. Meanwhile, planning is being done on how to create an effective presentation of Amateur Radio to schools. Included in consideration is training of the presenters, means and targets of the presentation, follow-up to the initial contact and packaging of the materials so that they can be widely and easily used. Development Reported by Mary Hobart, K1MMH The annual Donor Reception in Dayton will host more than 95 donors and Board members on Thursday evening, May 14 in Dayton. The ARRL Diamond Club had a solid first quarter with revenues a bit above target and a high average contribution of $161.46. While the total number of contributions is down, the number of new donors is on par with the same period of 2008. The initial solicitation for the Education & Technology campaign was mailed on May 1 to four mail segments - major donors, major prospects, prior Education donors and a segment of membership based on analysis of prior campaigns. Development has received notification of an additional distribution from the estate of Walter Coss of more than $40,000. Letters have been mailed to donors, whose lifetime giving exceeds $5000, encouraging them to consider additional contributions to qualify for the Maxim Society. Thanks to Sue Fagan for preparation of a large poster for Dayton listing the 2008 major donors. This information will also be included in July QST and on the ARRL website. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE A new fifth printing of the Ham Radio License Manual has been released to the printer. Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed The ARRL Letter, Vol. 28, No. 17, for May 1, 2009. She also compiled and produced ARRL Audio News for May 1. ARRL Letter distribution has passed the 77,000 mark for the first time. Steve Sant Andrea's squirrely "April Fool's" Hint & Kink item brought a good response. He's received 15 e-mails from people who enjoyed it, one who managed to get him with a similar hint, and one irate individual who thought he should be drawn, quartered and boiled in oil for abusing the poor creatures. Lab Reported by Ed Hare, W1RFI RFI Mike Gruber completed an action item list involving all open FCC cases. This list is an extension of the one that Riley and Mike used to track and work on power line noise cases. Laura Smith and Mike Gruber have been having weekly telephone meetings to keep everything on track. Mike Gruber forwarded one new power line noise case involving CenterPoint Energy to the FCC. Mike Gruber reviewed the new EMC chapter for the upcoming ARRL Handbook. The new chapter is only slightly revised from the last one. Most of the changes involve the transition to DTV. Both Bob Allison and Ron Hranac contributed to the new material. Lab Maintenance Bob Allison discovered one of our attenuators has gone bad-it will be repaired or replaced. Dayton Hamvention All material for the Dayton Convention was inventoried, packed and placed in shipping. I included rubbing alcohol and cotton balls, which will be used for wiping down the soldering stations and safety glasses between classes to reduce the spread of sickness. W1AW Bob Allision donated two glass strain insulators to W1AW for a future antenna project. Glass insulators look nice in the sunlight--Bob will gladly supply W1AW with glass insulators from his collection any time there is an antenna project. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R There were 155,383 members by April month end; 333 members under the goal of 155,716, and a net loss of 470 members over March. Even with this backward slide, YTD membership gains total 756 members. Last year, the same 4-month period had a net loss of 198 members. Interestingly, March expirees are the largest expiree group. This month's loss is not nearly as deep as we experienced in 2008-when we lost 749 members between March and April. We have a positive outlook for May-which includes a large mailing campaign and Dayton among our major planning. A trial effort to solicit membership from among members of the IEEE is being assembled. Plans include mailing a special invitation to a select list of 20,000 IEEE members. April product sales totaled $269,295, exceeding the sales forecast of $247,640. Direct sales were $126,479; dealer sales were $142,816. YTD, sales are ahead of forecast by over $39,000. The Warehouse crew fulfilled 723 packages for publication and product orders, and shipped 472 free book membership premiums and QST mailing supplements. The finishing touches for the big Dayton shipment are being completed. New software was installed to process all US Postal Service shipments via our multi-carrier shipping software technology, rather than operating a stand-along meter. The new process will help us take advantage of automation discounts, improve reliability (data is exchanged with our CRM system), and introduces a level of package tracking for all USPS shipments. This work was completed in time to coincide with new published shipping & handling rates that took effect on May 1. A summary is posted at http://www.arrl.org/catalog/shipping.html. 2009 ARRL National Convention Planning * All posters and display items have been delivered. Exhibit materials ship to Dayton, May 6 (approximately 10 pallets). * Shirts and badges shipped to all volunteers, May 4. * A list of ARRL-sponsored "Hamvention Forums" is posted at www.arrl.org/expo. * A convention blog has been established, www.arrl.org/blog, with postings by Steve Ford, WB8IMY and ARRL Youth Editor Duncan MacLachlan, KU0DM. You can also "follow" Duncan on the social networking site Twitter at twitter.com/arrlyouth. * Rosalie White has finalized the itinerary for special guest Richard Garriott, W5KWQ. A poster with a schedule of his appearances has been produced. * Convention news and information is regularly posted at www.arrl.org/expo. ARRL Conventions Date Name Division City State ARRL HQ Rep. May 15-17 ARRL National GL Dayton OH May 22-24 WY State RM Casper WY Ed Hare May 29-31 RM Division RM Estes Park CO H. Kramer/M. Gruber May 30 AT Division AT Rochester NY Dan Henderson Jun 5-7 NW Division (SeaPac) NW Seaside OR Dave Sumner Jun 6 GA State SE Marietta GA Jun 12-13 WG Division (Ham-Com) WG Plano TX Dave Sumner Jun 13 TN State DL Knoxville TN Steve Ewald Jun 26-28 HAM RADIO 2009 Int'l Friedrichshafen Germany B. Inderbitzen/D. Patton Jul 4 E. Pennsylvania Section AT Bressler PA Jul 17-18 Arizona State SW Williams AZ Jul 17-19 Montana State NW Essex MT Jul 18 W0 DXCC/Contest Central DK Rochester MN Jul 23-25 Central States VHF CL Elk Grove Village IL Jul 24-25 OK Section WG Oklahoma City OK Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N Contest Branch 2008 June VHF QSO Party Plaques have been shipped to the winners. The HF Contest rules have been modified to include the new ruling on multi-channel decoders, such as CW Skimmer. The General Rules for All ARRL Contests under 30 MHz now includes the following wording: "2.1. Single Operator: One person performs all transmitting, receiving, and logging functions as well as equipment and antenna adjustments. 2.1.1. Use of spotting assistance or nets (operating arrangements involving other individuals, DX-alerting nets, packet, Internet, multi-channel decoders such as CW Skimmer, etc) is not permitted. 2.2. Single Operator Assisted: One person performs all transmitting, receiving, and logging functions as well as equipment and antenna adjustments. (Note: See rule 2.3.1.1) 2.2.1. Use of spotting assistance or nets (operating arrangements involving other individuals, DX-alerting nets, packet, multi-channel decoders such as CW Skimmer, etc) not physically located at the station is permitted." The new policy for multi-channel decoders is in place for all ARRL Contests, beginning with the 2009 IARU HF World Championships. Plans are in the works to present the 75th Anniversary Sweepstakes Club Competition gavels at the Contest Forum at Dayton this year. Lastly, congratulations to Mary Hobart, K1MMH, who made 137 QSOs in this weekend's New England QSO Party. This was her first solo contest effort, from her house, using her own station. Well done, Mary! DXCC Branch Credits Applications 2008 Carryover 101,994 919 2009 Received 209,350 1,727 Cumulative Total 311,344 2,646 2009 Processed 244,907 2,093 Remaining 66,437 553 Processing Time 6 weeks Category Apr 2009 Year-to-Date Triple Play WAS 23 281 WAS Certificates (Manual) 67 117 WAS Certificates (LoTW) 36 137 A-1 Op Nominations 21 57 A-1 Op Certificates 14 71 Extra Class Certificates 3 39 WAC Certificates 35 71 VUCC New / Grids 10/781 46 / 3,314 VUCC Endorsement/Grids 9/414 41 / 2,281 Processing Time Current Logbook of the World Category Apr 2009 % Change Jan - Apr 09 QSO Records Entered In System 221,156,010 1.8 % QSL Record Matches 20,629,390 2.8 % Logs Processed 941,491 2.8 % Active Certificates 40,416 2.0 % Registered Users in System 26,560 2.2 % Logbook (Email Only) Inquiries Apr 2009 Triple Play WAS Inquiries 222 Initial Setup Inquiries 226 Customer Usage Issues 78 Maintenance 203 Award Related Concerns 82 Total 811 W1AW Thanks to members of the Candlewood Amateur Radio Association for their operating W1AW in the New England QSO Party on Sunday. They made 550 contacts, with 47 sections, for an initial claimed score of 25,850. Joe finished with the assembly of the new Yaesu G-5500B Azimuth/Elevation rotators and their cables. He also readied additional materials for the scheduled spring antenna visit. Scott worked on slow and fast code practice files for the first part of the month of May. He also continues training to assist the DXCC department with data entry. Field Organization/Public Service Team Leona reports that she has been working with Tom Brehmer, N0LOH, SM to Iowa who is in the process of updating his appointee list with new appointments, changes and cancellations for the Iowa. She has also been communicating with SM's and OOC's in regard to OO recommendees and sent out five OO test packages to recommendees this week. She reports that there will be an upcoming Utah SM election and all ballots are due here at ARRL HQ by Friday, May 15, 2009 and ballots will be counted the following Tuesday, May 19th. One amateur from North Texas was added to the Official Observer roster after completing his certification this week. Questions handled this week included ones regarding the OO program, monitoring Airmail, and operating overseas. A report of an AM shortwave broadcast station heard on 7020 was received and our monitors were advised and asked to gather information. Several complaints were received about language on a 75 meter frequency which we had received documentation on earlier which was forwarded to the FCC. An Illinois OO reported normal operation on a repeater that had been the subject of a complaint. Chuck prepared for the Spartanburg, SC hamfest. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Staff Absentee List All Staff 5/25 Holiday Kathy Allison 5/14-5/15 Vacation `` 7/6-7/10 Vacation Bob Allison 5/13-5/17 Dayton Hamvention Steve Capodicasa 5/11-5/15 Vacation Joe Carcia 5/8 Vacation `` 5/13-5/17 Dayton Hamvention `` 5/22pm Vacation `` 6/19 Vacation `` 7/10 Vacation Jackie Cornell 5/13-5/17 Dayton Hamvention Steve Ford 5/14-5/20 Dayton Hamvention/Vacation `` 6/3-6/5 Publishers Conference, Washington, DC `` 6/27-7/5 Vacation Scott Gee 5/14-5/15 Vacation `` 5/28-5/29 Vacation `` 7/2 Vacation Amanda Grimaldi 5/13-5/17 Dayton Hamvention Mike Gruber 5/29-5/31 Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Estes Park, CO Joel Hallas 5/12-5/18 Dayton Hamvention/Vacation Nancy Hallas 5/12-5/18 Dayton Hamvention/Vacation Ed Hare 5/13-5/18 Vacation `` 5/19-5/20 IEEE SDCom EMC committee, Philadelphia, PA `` 5/21-5/24 Wyoming State Convention Dan Henderson 5/14-5/17 Dayton Hamvention `` 5/29-5/31 Atlantic Division Convention, Rochester, NY Mary Hobart 5/13-5/17 Dayton Hamvention `` 6/12-6/16 Vacation Amy Hurtado 5/13-5/17 Dayton Hamvention Bob Inderbitzen 5/13-5/17 Dayton Hamvention `` 5/28-6/1 Maker Faire, San Mateo, CA `` 6/23-6/28 Ham Radio 2009, Friedrichshafen, Germany `` 6/28-7/2 Vacation Karen Isakson 5/12-5/17 Dayton Hamvention/Vacation Deb Jahnke 5/13-5/17 Dayton Hamvention Khrystyne Keane 5/13-5/17 Dayton Hamvention Joel Kleinman 5/22 Vacation `` 6/4 Association Publishing Conference, Washington, DC Harold Kramer 5/14-5/17 Dayton Hamvention `` 5/28-6/4 Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Estes Park, CO/Vacation `` 6/12-6/16 Vacation Lisa Kustosik 5/13-5/15 Vacation Sean Kutzko 5/14-5/17 Dayton Hamvention Zack Lau 6/11-6/12 Vacation `` 6/18-6/22 Vacation Rose-Anne Lawrence 5/22-5/26 Vacation Maryann Macdonald 5/14-5/17 Dayton Hamvention Kim Mancuso 5/4-5/8 Vacation Bill Moore 5/13-5/17 Dayton Hamvention Dave Patton 5/13-5/17 Dayton Hamvention `` 6/24-6/28 Ham Radio 2009, Friedrichshafen, Germany Diane Petrilli 5/13-5/17 Dayton Hamvention Allen Pitts 5/14-5/17 Dayton Hamvention `` 5/28-6/2 Vacation Brennan Price 5/13-5/17 Dayton Hamvention Maria Somma 5/13-5/17 Dayton Hamvention Dave Sumner 5/7-5/8 Vacation `` 5/13-5/17 Dayton Hamvention Sharon Taratula 5/7 Vacation Larry Wolfgang 5/14-5/17 Dayton Hamvention `` 6/5 Vacation `` 6/17-6/19 Vacation

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[arrl-odv:17708] RE: [arrl-odv:17704] Sandy Donahue, W4RU SK
by Brian Mileshosky 05 May '09

05 May '09

I met Sandy for the first time in 1997 when I received the Newsline Young Ham of the Year award at the Huntsville hamfest. From the moment my parents and I arrived at the Hamfest he was there to show us around, introduce us to various people, and entertain us -- as Greg remarks below -- with his unique humor. I often mistook him as someone from Newsline. ARRL didn't sponsor the award, but his presence despite that gave me a greater respect for the League. After my stay at Space Camp (one of the activities funded by the YHOTY award), I stopped briefly in Atlanta before catching the second leg of my flight home to Albuquerque. Upon deplaning in Atlanta he was at the gate to offer a meal during the layover (his idea; he called my parents for flight information), wearing his ARRL badge. When I lived in Atlanta from 2004-2005 to complete my Masters degree at Georgia Tech we met up again for the first time since 1997. I worked ARRL booths with Sandy, Frank Butler, and SM Susan Swiderski at many local Georgia hamfests. Everyone he spoke to enjoyed his unique humor and stories. I enjoyed sitting in the 'back row' with him when I was a Vice-Director, always trying to plant convervative items on or near him when Rick Lindquist or others were in the Board room taking pictures. One of those pictures (after having covertly placing my issue of American Rifleman in front of him) made it into QST. He called me up one evening to inform me that he received an inquiry from one of his ARRL friends who asked if he had finally departed from the "dark side". He vowed, though never succeeded, to reciprocate with ACLU propaganda or the like. Sandy was...let's say, unique...in some of his ways, but he was a great representative of ham radio and ARRL back in his Division based on what I saw of him at various hamfests and club meetings. He enjoyed interacting with his Division's members and non-members alike, and they enjoyed his company as well. He will definitely be missed. 73, Brian N5ZGT ARRL Director, Rocky Mountain Division On the web at www.RockyMountainDivision.org On Mon, 4 May 2009, Greg Sarratt wrote: > I am happy to say that I spent this past weekend with Sandy where he spent > the last day of his life doing what he loved, volunteering at the > Birmingham, Alabama Hamfest in the ARRL booth representing the ARRL and > catching up with old friends. > > > > Sandy was, as usual, in rare form all weekend, joking and having a good > time. His gregarious nature and offbeat sense of humor often left others > with mixed feelings, but always tendered with the respect that should be > paid to someone with his experience and dedication to our much loved hobby > of amateur radio. Sandy could relate to all Hams, both old and young, and > he, and his sense of humor, will be sorely missed. > > > > Breakfast began Sunday morning with Sandy surrounded by a group of friends, > where he, as usual, did his dead level best to get the best of me with a > joke. On this occasion, he managed to succeed, and, in fact, he continued to > enjoy this until we parted ways at the conclusion of the Hamfest. > > > > 73, > > Greg Sarratt, W4OZK > > ARRL Southeastern Division Director > > > > > > _____ > > From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] > Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 1:18 PM > To: arrl-odv > Subject: [arrl-odv:17704] Sandy Donahue, W4RU SK > > > > I'm deeply saddened to report that Southeastern Division Vice Director Sandy > Donahue, W4RU died in his sleep last night. Jeff Beals, WA4AW called with > the news a few minutes ago. > > Sandy was 63. > > Dave Sumner, K1ZZ > >

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[arrl-odv:17707] RE: [arrl-odv:17704] Sandy Donahue, W4RU SK
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 05 May '09

05 May '09

Greg, thank you for that beautifully appropriate tribute to Sandy. The ARRL was Sandy's family. He left us too soon, but at least he left with memories of his family fresh in his mind. Dave K1ZZ ________________________________ From: Greg Sarratt [mailto:w4ozk@arrl.org] Sent: Tue 5/5/2009 2:23 AM To: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ; arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:17704] Sandy Donahue, W4RU SK I am happy to say that I spent this past weekend with Sandy where he spent the last day of his life doing what he loved, volunteering at the Birmingham, Alabama Hamfest in the ARRL booth representing the ARRL and catching up with old friends. Sandy was, as usual, in rare form all weekend, joking and having a good time. His gregarious nature and offbeat sense of humor often left others with mixed feelings, but always tendered with the respect that should be paid to someone with his experience and dedication to our much loved hobby of amateur radio. Sandy could relate to all Hams, both old and young, and he, and his sense of humor, will be sorely missed. Breakfast began Sunday morning with Sandy surrounded by a group of friends, where he, as usual, did his dead level best to get the best of me with a joke. On this occasion, he managed to succeed, and, in fact, he continued to enjoy this until we parted ways at the conclusion of the Hamfest. 73, Greg Sarratt, W4OZK ARRL Southeastern Division Director ________________________________ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 1:18 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17704] Sandy Donahue, W4RU SK I'm deeply saddened to report that Southeastern Division Vice Director Sandy Donahue, W4RU died in his sleep last night. Jeff Beals, WA4AW called with the news a few minutes ago. Sandy was 63. Dave Sumner, K1ZZ

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RE: [arrl-odv:17704] Sandy Donahue, W4RU SK
by Greg Sarratt 05 May '09

05 May '09

I am happy to say that I spent this past weekend with Sandy where he spent the last day of his life doing what he loved, volunteering at the Birmingham, Alabama Hamfest in the ARRL booth representing the ARRL and catching up with old friends. Sandy was, as usual, in rare form all weekend, joking and having a good time. His gregarious nature and offbeat sense of humor often left others with mixed feelings, but always tendered with the respect that should be paid to someone with his experience and dedication to our much loved hobby of amateur radio. Sandy could relate to all Hams, both old and young, and he, and his sense of humor, will be sorely missed. Breakfast began Sunday morning with Sandy surrounded by a group of friends, where he, as usual, did his dead level best to get the best of me with a joke. On this occasion, he managed to succeed, and, in fact, he continued to enjoy this until we parted ways at the conclusion of the Hamfest. 73, Greg Sarratt, W4OZK ARRL Southeastern Division Director _____ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 1:18 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17704] Sandy Donahue, W4RU SK I'm deeply saddened to report that Southeastern Division Vice Director Sandy Donahue, W4RU died in his sleep last night. Jeff Beals, WA4AW called with the news a few minutes ago. Sandy was 63. Dave Sumner, K1ZZ

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