June 2009 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:17891] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 30 Jun '09

30 Jun '09

<<070109.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 32, No. 26 July 1, 2009 -- Covers the period June 21-27. Upcoming Meetings and Events Administration &Finance Committee July 16 @ 8:30am in Newington, CT Programs & Services Committee July 16 @ 8:30am in Newington, CT Second Board Meeting July 17-18, 2009 @ 9:00am in Windsor, CT CEO Office The office will be closed Friday in observance of the Fourth of July. Have a safe Holiday weekend! Regulatory Information Reported by Dan Henderson, N1ND As of June 26, Chwat & Co had received 786 letters to 278 different members of Congress (267 House, 11 Senate) supporting HR 2160. This does not include any letters sent directly to members of Congress instead of to Chwat & Co. After receiving a copy of the ARRL petition for a writ of mandamus filed with the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, we wrote an article on the petition for the ARRL Web. Field Day week meant an almost non-stop flurry of FD related emails and phone calls. The Field Day site locator was again a big hit, with 1602 groups listed shortly after Field Day began on Saturday - that is 98 more than were listed in 2008. We are aware of at least one contact with the ISS as well as several site visits by members of Congress and local officials. We prepared a series of PowerPoint slides for General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, and myself to use in a presentation to the ARRL Board in July. Member queries included (among other topics) questions about traveling with a HT on board a plane and a cruise ship, questions about IDing during a state-wide earthquake drill in NC, an inquiry about a club receiving funds for each member participating in a public service event from the event's sponsor, and about obtaining a deceased parent's callsign. We also worked with Vice-Director David Norris, K5UZ, and his Volunteer Counsel regarding a lawsuit over long-installed towers on his property. Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP The 2008 Annual Report has come back from the printer and is available as well as posted to the Web. There are more localized media hits than I can recall in past Field Days, and they are still coming in. I am also spotting heavy use of our wire release in whole or in part by outlets. We were able to maximize the impact of the wire release with the posting of the Field Day logo and caption on the Reuters news billboard in Times Square and Las Vegas. The story about this is at http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/06/23/10904/?nc=1 . Development Reported by Mary Hobart, K1MMH The campaign for the Education & Technology Fund has produced more than $43,207 in revenue from 641 donors with a $67 average gift. The goal for this campaign is $50,000. Contributions for the Teachers Institute program now total $100,000 with $55,000 expected by year end. The Diamond Club gross revenues now exceed $110,000. ARRL 2008 Annual Reports will be mailed to major donors and Legacy Circle members listed in the Report, on the web and in QST. Development has submitted a reforecast for revenues and expenses based on results through May 2009. Reports are being prepared for the Second Board meeting on July 17-18, 2009. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R Diane rewrote (updated) the R3 and R4 renewal notices and continues to work on a mailing to new hams. The next 50,000 piece membership mailing scheduled to be sent the first week in August is in the early stages. Also in the early stages is a mailing to those who were worked in LOTW, expected to go out sometime in July. Publication and membership house ads have been updated for the 411 Ham Express. A follow-up email to last weeks summer-themed email solicitation was sent on Thursday morning, encouraging last chance orders. A Fourth of July email solicitation is being prepared for the holiday weekend. Certificates of Appreciation are being prepared for staff and volunteers who participated in ARRL EXPO at the 2009 ARRL National Convention in Dayton, Ohio. The warehouse crew fulfilled 908 packages for publication and product orders. 388 Membership premiums were shipped along with a sizeable July supplement (2,579 issues). On hand unprocessed are 1,135 free books, 58 publication and product orders, and 3 July supplements. ARRL Conventions Date Name Division City State ARRL HQ Representative Jul 4 E. Pennsylvania Section AT Bressler PA Jul 17-18 Arizona State SW Williams AZ Bob Allison 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 Oklahoma Section WG Oklahoma City OK Chuck Skolaut Aug 7-8 Texas State WG Austin TX Aug 7-9 Pacific Northwest DX NW Spokane WA Sean Kutzko Aug 14-15 New Mexico State RM Albuquerque NM Allen Pitts Aug 15-16 Alabama Section SE Huntsville AL Aug 15 Southwestern Division SW Santa Barbara CA Aug 16 Kansas State MW Salina KS Aug 22-23 West Virginia State RK Weston WV Aug 23 W. Pennsylvania Section AT New Kensington PA Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N Field Day has come and gone. But, a lot of fun was had at W1AW. Thanks to Bob Allison, WB1GCM, Hugh Brower, KB1NFI, Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, Kim Dotolo and her daughter Kara, Penny Harts N1NAG, Tyrique Harts, N1TJH, Dan Henderson, N1ND, Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, Joel Kleinman, N1BKE, Harold Kramer, WJ1B, Sean Kutzko, KX9X, Jodi Morin, KA1JPA, Allen Pitts, W1AGP and Steve Saint Andrea, AG1YK, for visiting and operating W1AW both before and during Field Day. In addition, Susie (Wolfe) Blank, WX2L and Alan Wolfe, WB4L spent all weekend operating here as well. Hugh and Bob also ran GOTA station W1HQ. All total, W1AW made more than 2,300 QSOs using CW, SSB and RTTY on 160 to 2 meters. A 2009 Field Day blog was also kept and can be seen at, http://www.arrl.org/blog/2009%20Field%20Day. The late Friday afternoon severe weather affected everyone, including W1AW. The station lost regular power around 5:00 PM and ran on its generator for the entire night. In addition, the effect of whatever took out power (lightning strike, power-line down, etc.) also took out a visitor operator PC and the display on the 2-meter broadcast transmitter. Special thanks to Bob Allison and Greg Kwasowski for their assistance in installing the 8 wire-radials around the 120' tower. While Greg made the 4-inch deep cuts in the lawn, Joe and Bob ran 8 - 1/4 wave sections of #14 wire. This was done after the two installed a large copper "ring" around the 120' tower. (Each radial was also soldered to the ring.) Once the radial installation was done, work turned to running cable out to the tower for a vertical antenna (which the radial system was primarily installed for). Joe spent a few days working on the radial project. In addition to the wire radial install, he and Bob also pulled coax through to the 120' tower antenna box. Joe also constructed a simple insulator/lightning arrestor box for wire vertical installations running alongside the 120' tower. He installed a high-power automatic tuner in the cellar. This tuner will be used for the vertical antennas. Joe also ran up the 120' tower a wire vertical for 160 meters. He repaired and reseeded a small area near the 120' tower antenna box. This area (of lawn) was disturbed as part of the radial system installation. Joe also readied the station for the weekend Field Day operations. This included putting together another PC to replace the unit that failed. And, he also installed a backup 2-meter transmitter to replace the unit obviously damaged during the severe weather. Joe (with Sean and Dan) also maintained the W1AW Field Day blog. During Field Day, the 160-meter wire vertical was checked out when W1AW made a QSO with WB1GCM! Scott worked on fast and slow code practice files for the latter part of the month of June and early July. Field Organization/Public Service Team Thanks to the Mailroom Staff, Section Manager Election ballots and candidate statements for both the South Texas and Los Angeles elections were mailed to members of those sections ahead of schedule. ARRL members have until August 14 to return filled-in ballots. During the week before Field Day, many Section Managers and Section Leaders reported their plans to travel around their respective sections to visit Field Day camps. This past week was also prime time to promote state proclamations of "Amateur Radio Week." Complaints continue to be received at Headquarters regarding a well known 75 meter frequency. Chuck Skolaut has forwarded these onto the FCC. A number of monthly Intruder Watch monitoring reports were received from IARU Region 3. A report of 5-letter coded groups heard on 10.125 MHz was received and forwarded to the FCC direction finding station. Official Observers have been busy, too. For example, an unlicensed individual checked into a local SKYWARN net, and a local OOs followed up on it. The situation was quickly resolved. A stuck key on 7016.5 kHz was reported by OOs in Eastern Pennsylvania, but it ceased before source information could be obtained. Also, a "buzz" type signal on 440 MHz has been heard in the Rochester, New York, area and OOs in the region are checking on it. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Staff Absentee List All Staff 7/3 Holiday Leona Adams 6/29-7/2 Vacation `` 7/31 Vacation Kathy Allison 7/6-7/10 Vacation `` 7/16-7/21 Vacation `` 9/25-9/28 Vacation Bob Allison 7/6-7/10 Vacation `` 7/16-7/21 ARCA/William AZ Hamfest `` 9/25-9/29 Vacation Shelly Bloom 6/29-7/6 Vacation Joe Carcia 7/6-7/10 Vacation `` 7/17 Vacation `` 7/24 Vacation `` 7/31 Vacation `` 8/7 Vacation `` 8/14 Vacation `` 8/21 Vacation Jackie Cornell 7/6 Vacation `` 8/6-8/10 Vacation Kim Dotolo 7/15-7/17 Vacation Dennis Dura 7/1-7/7 Vacation Steve Ewald 6/25 Vacation Ann Figat 7/1-7/2 Vacation Steve Ford 6/27-7/5 Vacation Scott Gee 7/2 Vacation `` 7/30 Vacation Mike Gruber 6/22-6/26 Vacation `` 8/24-8/28 Vacation Dan Henderson 7/2-7/7 Vacation `` 7/22-7/25 NCVEC Conference, Gettysburg, PA `` 7/27-8/10 Vacation Mary Hobart 7/16-7/18 Committee Meeting/Board Meeting `` t 8/12-8/14 Vacation Berta Hould 7/13-7/24 Vacation Gail Iannone 7/20-7/31 Vacation Bob Inderbitzen 6/23-6/28 Ham Radio 2009, Friedrichshafen, Germany `` 6/28-7/2 Vacation `` 7/27-7/31 Vacation Debra Johnson 7/27-7/31 Vacation Joel Kleinman 7/6-7/7 Vacation Harold Kramer 7/16-7/18 Committee Meeting/Board Meeting Lisa Kustosik 7/8-7/10 Vacation `` 7/16-7/18 Board Meeting Zack Lau 6/26-6/30 Vacation Dave Patton 6/23-6/30 Ham Radio 2009, Friedrichshafen, Germany `` 7/16-7/18 Committee Meeting/Board Meeting AnnMarie Pinto 6/29-7/2 Vacation Brennan Price 6/26 Vacation `` 7/16-7/18 Board Meeting `` 7/20-7/24 Vacation `` 7/27-7/29 Vacation Ashley Rakus 7/2 Vacation Steve Sant Andrea 7/6-7/7 Vacation Barry Shelley 7/16-7/18 Committee Meeting/Board Meeting Dave Sumner 7/16-7/18 Committee Meeting/Board Meeting Sharon Taratula 6/26 Vacation Maty Weinberg 7/6-7/17 Vacation

1 0

[arrl-odv:17890] FD fatality
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 30 Jun '09

30 Jun '09

We have learned that Larry M. Prelog, KE4PM, age 57, of Niles, Michigan died in a tower accident at the Field Day site of the Blossomland ARA, W8MAI, in Watervliet. Dave K1ZZ

1 0

[arrl-odv:17889] Sunday, July 19th
by Tom Frenaye 30 Jun '09

30 Jun '09

Ola! Kacy and I are planning to have the usual grilled chicken and fresh local corn for lunch on the Sunday after the upcoming Board meeting. Somehow the meal seems to end with ice cream also. If anyone is still in town at lunchtime on Sunday - you're invited! We can probably arrange for transportation from the hotel and back, or to the airport. Let us know if you can make it! 11am-3pm -- Tom PS: It's also the CQ VHF Contest weekend if you want to do some 6m operating. 800w and 7L @90' ===== e-mail: k1ki(a)arrl.org ARRL New England Division Director http://www.arrl.org/ Tom Frenaye, K1KI, P O Box J, West Suffield CT 06093 Phone: 860-668-5444

1 0

[arrl-odv:17888] GE Healthcare NPRM Released -- Threat to 2300-2305 MHz, etc.
by Chris Imlay 29 Jun '09

29 Jun '09

Greetings. ARRL has been involved for some time in Docket 08-59 and its predecessors. GE Healthcare has been wanting to get an allocation for medical body worn patient monitoring networks (this is NOT, repeat NOT the neural stimulator item that is a separate rulemaking affecting the 420-450 MHz band). GE Healthcare proposed the 2360-2400 MHz band for these short range networks. Our interest?was, until now,?in protecting our apparently little-used 2390-2400 MHz band from a service that would make sharing very difficult and?which would create liability for radio amateurs in case of interference to patients. ? The Notice of Proposed Rule Making was released today. FCC had it on the open meeting agenda for Thursday, but cancelled that item (as well as several others) and adopted the NPRM on circulation and released it. It is something of?a disaster. AFTRCC, the Aeronautical Flight Test Radio Communications Council, which coordinates flight testing with Boeing at 2360-2395 MHz (yes, they overlap with us at 2390-2395 MHz) in a self-preservation effort, has counterproposed 2300-2305 MHz for the GE medical body worn devices, and as well 2395-2400 MHz (among other bands). I have informed Ken Keane, their attorney, how disappointing AFTRCC's?counterproposal is, and that we will have to vigorously oppose their alternative spectrum suggestions. But worse, FCC seems very much dedicated to proceeding with the GE Healthcare proposal. I have monitored this proceeding fairly closely, and we are going to have a difficult time protecting 2390-2400 MHz, but this is now a very important battle in terms of protecting 2300-2305 MHz, which is quite significantly used throughout the United States. The good news is that the NPRM does want alternative bands for GE Healthcare aired out. That should probably be the thrust of our effort here. There is virtually no chance to stop FCC from putting the networks somewhere. Fortunately the comment date is quite long. I will have more on this in my Board report, coming up shortly. 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

1 0

[arrl-odv:17887] RE: [arrl-odv:17886] ARRL accom. forms
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 29 Jun '09

29 Jun '09

Lisa meant, do NOT respond to ODV. Dave From: Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ [mailto:lkustosik@arrl.org] Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 10:20 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17886] ARRL accom. forms Good Morning Reminder: The attached accommodation form is due by this Thursday. Please send me an email, do respond to ODV. <<accommodation form.doc>> 73, Lisa

1 0

[arrl-odv:17886] ARRL accom. forms
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 29 Jun '09

29 Jun '09

Good Morning Reminder: The attached accommodation form is due by this Thursday. Please send me an email, do respond to ODV. <<accommodation form.doc>> 73, Lisa

1 0

[arrl-odv:17885] re: [arrl-odv:17817] D-STAR Meeting Report
by Greg Sarratt 29 Jun '09

29 Jun '09

This could be a landmine for ARRL. Jim McCellan attempted to start a D-STAR International Coordination Council last fall and it appeared not to gain any support. I see this as another (now closed) attempt to form a group and using JARL and ARRL as large organizations to give this group creditability and visibility. This could be to combat K5TIT opponents, give them and Icom more control and visibility. It appears they want ARRL as a paying member but with no vote? Icom buys many ads with ARRL, so this could be one of the potential landmines. I think ARRL should proceed cautiously, not give this any press or visibility and keep confidential until Dan figures out what is really going on. 73, Greg, W4OZK From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 9:10 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17817] D-STAR Meeting Report On rather short notice, President Harrison received a request from JARL President Shozo Hara, JA1AN, for the ARRL to participate in an organizational meeting of the D-STAR International Coordination Council on June 14 in the Dallas area. While ICOM is most closely associated with the marketing of D-STAR, JARL was the principal developer and maintains a strong interest in D-STAR’s promotion and further development. After consultation, Joel and I decided that we needed to honor Mr. Hara’s request and that Dan Henderson, N1ND would be the best person to represent the ARRL because the group had concerns about regulatory issues with which Dan was familiar. (I was in the area the previous day for the West Gulf Division Convention, but could not stay for the Sunday meeting.) Dan’s report is attached. He has been candid, so please keep the report confidential. 73, Dave Sumner, K1ZZ <<090614 D-STAR Henderson.doc>>

1 0

[arrl-odv:17884] Re: Baker FCC nomination
by Bob Vallio 27 Jun '09

27 Jun '09

A very interesting discussion. Thanks to all for raising the questions, and for then answering them. I hope that the outcome is as favorable as is hoped for. Bob -- W6RGG On Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 6:20 AM, Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ <dsumner(a)arrl.org>wrote: > With the announcement of President Obama’s intent to nominate Meredith > Attwell Baker to the FCC we may have some leverage to address the > seriously flawed NTIA report that was issued on her watch as Acting > Administrator of the NTIA, and that has never been corrected. > > After consulting with President Harrison I have drafted the following > statement and am accompanying it with the supporting documentation. > > Dave K1ZZ > > **** > > **** > > We have serious concerns regarding the nomination of Meredith Attwell Baker > as an FCC Commissioner. > > While Ms. Baker was Acting Administrator of the National Telecommunications > and Information (NTIA), the NTIA released a deeply flawed report entitled* Networked > Nation: Broadband in America 2007*. The report seriously and inexcusably > overstated the extent of deployment of Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) as a > means of delivering broadband services to consumers. Documented FCC figures > showed there to be about 5,000 BPL customers nationwide, yet the NTIA > dismissed this number out of hand and went on a fishing expedition for > higher figures that it could quote in the range of 200,000 to 400,000 – > utterly specious numbers without a shred of factual foundation. > > The ARRL* proved* that these figures were taken out of thin air and twice > called upon Acting Administrator Baker to issue a correction. Not only has > the NTIA failed to do so* to this day*, our well documented complaints > were not even acknowledged. > > If her FCC nomination is to go forward, we believe that Ms. Baker first > must acknowledge and correct this egregious error that occurred while she > was in charge at NTIA. > > David Sumner, K1ZZ > > Chief Executive Officer, ARRL > > <<Baker NTIA.doc>> <<Networked Nation critique Rev 1.doc>> <<Baker > NTIA1.doc>> <<NTIA Source Disavows Figure.doc>> <<qs0804.pdf>> >

1 0

[arrl-odv:17883] Re:No weekend/evening release of Division e-letters
by dick＠pobox.com 26 Jun '09

26 Jun '09

26 JUN 2009 - 1449 CDT Hello Dave... If I understand correctly, there is nobody else besides Jon Bloom - other than you - who can provide weekend/evening release of Division e-letters? I can understand the web security rationale for such a release mechanism. Does this also apply to Section e-letters? However, I think there should be a second staff (IT?) person with this after hours release authority. While we are on this topic, who vets these messages during the Section and Division election cycles? Or is this handled on a member complaint basis? - Dick, W9GIG

1 0

[arrl-odv:17882] Re: RE: RE: Baker FCC nomination
by n3llr＠earthlink.net 26 Jun '09

26 Jun '09

Excellent. Do we have a friendly senator? Or know people on the confirmation panel? - Bill N3LLR -----Original Message----- From: "Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ" <dsumner(a)arrl.org> Subj: [arrl-odv:17881] Re:RE: RE: Baker FCC nomination Date: Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:33 pm Size: 16K To: "arrl-odv" <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> Ive sought some expert advice on the question of how to proceed: take it to the White House, find a friendly Senator on the confirmation hearing panel, or both. Dave From: Chris Imlay [mailto:w3kd@aol.com] Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 2:30 PM To: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ; arrl-odv Subject: Re: [arrl-odv:17877] Re:RE: Baker FCC nomination Another point is that the nomination has just been made.TheSenatehas to confirm the nomination.We have in the past planted questions in confirmation hearings forFCC nominees to enable issues to be aired out. It normally makes a nominee somewhat careful in the future.... 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: Fri, Jun 26, 2009 11:47 am Subject: [arrl-odv:17877] Re:RE: Baker FCC nomination Marty, having 200,000 to 400,000 BPL customers in 2007 as a citable statistic in a federal report is not a moot issue. We raised it when the report was issued, but that was the previous administration and there wasnt much chance of getting them to admit error. Now we have another shot. The interesting thing is that the NTIA didnt accept the FCCs well documented figure. In other words, the FCC was right and NTIA was wrong. But now, having been in charge at NTIA when NTIA was wrong, shes been nominated to the FCC by the new administration. Is sh e going to bring the practices of the previous administration with her to the FCC? Its a legitimate question to raise. I dont think any interest group would pass up the opportunity to raise it. Dave From: Marty Woll [mailto:n6vi@socal.rr.com] Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 10:19 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17876] Re: Baker FCC nomination Since "bad" BPL seems to be fizzling out of its own a ccord, would this be a case of winning the battle but losing the war?Is trying to extract an admission of wrongdoing on what may now be a moot issue worth the cost of "doing business" going forward before a commissioner whose personal ethics you have publicly challenged? Ifwe thinkwe have a basis for preventing her appointment and a reasonable chance to do so, that's another matter, but that's not what I was hearing. 73, Marty N6VI ----- Original Message ----- From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ To: arrl-odv Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 6:20 AM Subject: [arrl-odv:17873] Baker FCC nomination With the announcement of President Obamas intent to nominate Meredith Attwell Baker to the FCC we may have some leverage to address the seriously flawed NTIA report that was issued on her watch as Acting Administrator of the NTIA, and that has never been corrected. After consulting with President Harrison I have drafted the following statement and am accompanying it with the supporting documentation. Dave K1ZZ We have serious concerns regarding the nomination of Meredith Attwell Baker as an FCC Commissioner. While Ms. Baker was Acting Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information (NTIA), the NTIA released a deeply flawed report entitled Networked Nation: Broadband in America 2007. The report seriously and inexcusably overstated the extent of deployment of Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) as a means of delivering broadband services to consumers. Documented FCC figures showed there to be about 5,000 BPL customers nationwide, yet the NTIA dismissed this number out of hand and went on a fishing expedition for higher figures that it could quote in the range of 200,000 to 400,000 utterly specious numbers without a shred of factual foundation. The ARRL proved that these figures were taken out of thin air and twice called upon Acting Administrator Baker to issue a correction. Not only has the NTIA failed to do so to this day, our well documented complaints were not even acknowledged. If her FCC nomination is to go forward, we believe that Ms. Baker first must acknowledge and correct this egregious error that occurred while she was in char ge at NTIA. David Sumner, K1ZZ Chief Executive Officer, ARRL <<Baker NTIA.doc>> <<Networked Nation critique Rev 1.doc>> <<Baker NTIA1.doc>> <<NTIA Source Disavows Figure.doc>> <<qs0804.pdf>> Save energy, paper and money -- get the Green Toolbar. dy --- message truncated ---

1 0