September 2009 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:18132] Comments filed today in WRC-11 Preparation Proceeding
by Chris Imlay 25 Sep '09

25 Sep '09

Greetings. Attached are comments drafted by Brennan Price, edited minimally?by Mr. Sumner and myself, and reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee. I just filed them electronically. The sole issue is the support by the United States?at WRC-11 (actually, 12) of an allocation for the Amateur Service on a secondary basis?of 15 kHz in the vicinity of 500 kHz. The comments are self-explanatory. To give you an idea of what is in the pipeline for the short term, we have reply comments due in the BPL proceeding early in October. As well, we will have to file?comments in early October on the G.E. Healthcare docket dealing with the bands around 2300-2400 MHz. 73, Chris W3KD Christopher D. Imlay Booth, Freret, Imlay & Tepper. P.C. 14356 Cape May Road Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6011 (301) 384-5525 telephone (301) 384-6384 facsimile W3KD(a)ARRL.ORG

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[arrl-odv:18131] Thanks from Laura Smith
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 25 Sep '09

25 Sep '09

I shared the guidelines with Bill Cross and Laura Smith this morning and received the following note back from Laura. Dave From: Laura Smith [mailto:Laura.Smith@fcc.gov] Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 9:07 AM To: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ; William Cross Subject: RE: ARRL guidelines on the appropriate use of Amateur Radio Thank you Dave. We appreciate the League's willingness to research the issue and put together a wonderful informational tool for the amateur community. Please extend our thanks to both the Board and the ad hoc committee for all their hard work! Laura ________________________________ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 8:47 AM To: William Cross; Laura Smith Subject: ARRL guidelines on the appropriate use of Amateur Radio Bill and Laura, Later today we will be posting the following release along with the "guidelines" document that was developed by an ad hoc committee headed by Kay Craigie and vetted by the Executive Committee and the Board. We hope it will shed a little light and deflect some of the heat.

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[arrl-odv:18130] Re:RE: Pre-release of appropriate use guidelines
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 25 Sep '09

25 Sep '09

Brian, the version that will go to the public is PDF. Actually, it's already accessible but we won't post the release linking to it until noon tomorrow. Dave http://www.arrl.org/news/files/ARRL_AppropriateUseGuidelines.pdf ________________________________ From: Brian Mileshosky [mailto:n5zgt@swcp.com] Sent: Thu 9/24/2009 10:46 PM To: arrl-odv Cc: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:18129] Re: Pre-release of appropriate use guidelines Dave -- Random question. Why do we distribute documents such as these in a format (i.e. Word) that can potentially be modified by someone and then possibly redistributed? Is there any reason why things like this (or any documents generated and released to the public by ARRL for that matter) can't be put into a format like Adobe PDF? Granted, PDF isn't 100% immune to tampering, but from the outset it's intended to protect a document's integrity. Can the public version of the appropriate use guidelines, and similar releases in the future, be provided as a PDF document? Thanks and 73, Brian N5ZGT On Thu, 24 Sep 2009, Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ wrote: > While the voting by Directors is not yet complete, so far there are 11 > votes for adoption of the guidelines and recommendations. Since time is > of the essence and directors asked during the teleconference Tuesday > night that Section Managers be given a pre-release copy of the document, > we are sending the following to SMs this morning with public release > planned for tomorrow (Friday). > > Dave K1ZZ > > <<ARRL appropriate use guidelines.doc>> > > To: ARRL Section Managers > From: David Sumner, K1ZZ, Chief Executive Officer > > RE: Pre-release copy of ARRL guidelines on the appropriate use of > Amateur Radio > > The ARRL Directors are currently voting by email to adopt the guidelines > and recommendations contained in the attached document, > "Commercialization of Amateur Radio: The Rules, The Risks, The Issues." > Voting should be completed shortly and we anticipate the document will > be made public tomorrow. The Directors have requested that a copy be > distributed to Section Managers in advance. This is for your information > and not for public release at this time. > > Here is the text of the news release that will accompany the document. > > > > ARRL Board Adopts Guidelines and Recommendations on the Appropriate Use > of Amateur Radio > > (date) The ARRL Board of Directors today adopted guidelines on the > appropriate use of Amateur Radio on behalf of commercial, non-profit and > government entities as well as recommendations for additional steps to > be taken by the ARRL to educate radio amateurs and others on how to > prepare and train for public service and emergency communications while > complying with the current FCC Rules. > > At its meeting in July 2009 the ARRL Board created an ad-hoc committee > to study the issue and prepare suggested guidelines. The committee > submitted its report to the ARRL Executive Committee, which reviewed and > revised the document. After additional discussion among Board members by > electronic mail and teleconference the Executive Committee submitted the > document to the Board for formal adoption. > > Entitled "The Commercialization of Amateur Radio: The Rules, The Risks, > The Issues," the document offers guidelines to assist radio amateurs and > anyone wishing to utilize the capabilities of Amateur Radio in > understanding the FCC Rules that prohibit communications in which the > amateur has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of > an employer. While the FCC Rules in this regard have not changed in many > years, there has been increasing discussion of the issue as growing > numbers of employers and non-amateur organizations recognize the value > of Amateur Radio as an emergency communications resource and encourage > their employees to obtain amateur licenses. Also included are guidelines > for evaluating the appropriateness of Amateur Radio volunteers providing > communications services to commercial enterprises and other entities for > which other communications systems are available. > > "The guidelines are not intended to be the last word on the subject, and > surely will not be" observes Kay Craigie, N3KN, ARRL First Vice > President and chair of the ad-hoc committee. "The report includes > several recommendations for additional steps that the ARRL needs to take > to help amateurs and the organizations we serve to better understand the > Rules and to ensure that what we do to prepare to be of service in > emergencies is consistent with the current Rules." > > << File: ARRL appropriate use guidelines.doc >> > > ARRL Director, Rocky Mountain Division On the web at www.RockyMountainDivision.org

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[arrl-odv:18129] Re: Pre-release of appropriate use guidelines
by Brian Mileshosky 24 Sep '09

24 Sep '09

Dave -- Random question. Why do we distribute documents such as these in a format (i.e. Word) that can potentially be modified by someone and then possibly redistributed? Is there any reason why things like this (or any documents generated and released to the public by ARRL for that matter) can't be put into a format like Adobe PDF? Granted, PDF isn't 100% immune to tampering, but from the outset it's intended to protect a document's integrity. Can the public version of the appropriate use guidelines, and similar releases in the future, be provided as a PDF document? Thanks and 73, Brian N5ZGT On Thu, 24 Sep 2009, Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ wrote: > While the voting by Directors is not yet complete, so far there are 11 > votes for adoption of the guidelines and recommendations. Since time is > of the essence and directors asked during the teleconference Tuesday > night that Section Managers be given a pre-release copy of the document, > we are sending the following to SMs this morning with public release > planned for tomorrow (Friday). > > Dave K1ZZ > > <<ARRL appropriate use guidelines.doc>> > > To: ARRL Section Managers > From: David Sumner, K1ZZ, Chief Executive Officer > > RE: Pre-release copy of ARRL guidelines on the appropriate use of > Amateur Radio > > The ARRL Directors are currently voting by email to adopt the guidelines > and recommendations contained in the attached document, > "Commercialization of Amateur Radio: The Rules, The Risks, The Issues." > Voting should be completed shortly and we anticipate the document will > be made public tomorrow. The Directors have requested that a copy be > distributed to Section Managers in advance. This is for your information > and not for public release at this time. > > Here is the text of the news release that will accompany the document. > > > > ARRL Board Adopts Guidelines and Recommendations on the Appropriate Use > of Amateur Radio > > (date) The ARRL Board of Directors today adopted guidelines on the > appropriate use of Amateur Radio on behalf of commercial, non-profit and > government entities as well as recommendations for additional steps to > be taken by the ARRL to educate radio amateurs and others on how to > prepare and train for public service and emergency communications while > complying with the current FCC Rules. > > At its meeting in July 2009 the ARRL Board created an ad-hoc committee > to study the issue and prepare suggested guidelines. The committee > submitted its report to the ARRL Executive Committee, which reviewed and > revised the document. After additional discussion among Board members by > electronic mail and teleconference the Executive Committee submitted the > document to the Board for formal adoption. > > Entitled "The Commercialization of Amateur Radio: The Rules, The Risks, > The Issues," the document offers guidelines to assist radio amateurs and > anyone wishing to utilize the capabilities of Amateur Radio in > understanding the FCC Rules that prohibit communications in which the > amateur has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of > an employer. While the FCC Rules in this regard have not changed in many > years, there has been increasing discussion of the issue as growing > numbers of employers and non-amateur organizations recognize the value > of Amateur Radio as an emergency communications resource and encourage > their employees to obtain amateur licenses. Also included are guidelines > for evaluating the appropriateness of Amateur Radio volunteers providing > communications services to commercial enterprises and other entities for > which other communications systems are available. > > "The guidelines are not intended to be the last word on the subject, and > surely will not be" observes Kay Craigie, N3KN, ARRL First Vice > President and chair of the ad-hoc committee. "The report includes > several recommendations for additional steps that the ARRL needs to take > to help amateurs and the organizations we serve to better understand the > Rules and to ensure that what we do to prepare to be of service in > emergencies is consistent with the current Rules." > > << File: ARRL appropriate use guidelines.doc >> > > ARRL Director, Rocky Mountain Division On the web at www.RockyMountainDivision.org

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FW: Watch your e-mail -- Commercialization of Amateur Radio Background Document
by K8JE 24 Sep '09

24 Sep '09

All, So far, the Commercialization background statement is a huge success here -- 1 of 1 votes! MI SM Williams, WA8EFK, says, "I think this document is very well done. I had feared there might be a gloss-over of the actual issues but instead, I am quite pleased with the content. "Interestingly, it is timely from a local perspective as this very issue arose here earlier in the week. The question is answered in the League's discussion and a thorough background supports the response. "My compliments to both the Committee and the BoD for their excellent effort and comprehensive response to this controversial issue." Very seriously, though, I again commend VP Craigie and her committee for providing a very elegant, targeted and understandable statement. 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: Dale Williams [mailto:dale.wms1@verizon.net] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 1:34 PM To: K8JE Cc: Dale WA8EFK Williams; Frank Piper; Jim KY4Z Brooks; 'Gary Johnston KI4LA' Subject: Re: Watch your e-mail -- Commercialization of Amateur Radio Background Document Jim, I think this document is very well done. I had feared there might be a gloss-over of the actual issues but instead, I am quite pleased with the content. Interestingly, it is timely from a local perspective as this very issue arose here earlier in the week. The question is answered in the League's discussion and a thorough background supports the response. My compliments to both the Committee and the BoD for their excellent effort and comprehensive response to this controversial issue. 73, Dale Williams WA8EFK SM - Michigan K8JE wrote: Gentlemen, At this moment, the Board is voting to approve or withhold approval of the Commercialization of Amateur Radio background statement that has been drafted at the Board's instruction. If approved by the Board, the document will be sent to each SM to give you (all) time to review it before it is released to the membership and public. Acting on the assumption it will be approved, I ask you to review it as soon as practical. If you have questions about it, please let me know. If you would like, it is possible we could sneak a short teleconference in to review it among ourselves. The path this document has followed is: The Board instructed the EC to develop the document. President Harrison appointed a committee headed by V.P. Kay Craigie, N3KN to draft the document. The draft was distributed to the Officers & Directors for review and subsequent teleconference discussion. The draft was distributed to the Vice Directors for review and comment via their respective Directors at my suggestion. The draft was discussed via teleconference last night among Directors and Officers. It is being circulated at this moment for vote by the Directors. FYI, 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

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[arrl-odv:18127] RE: [arrl-odv:18126] FW: ARRL guidelines on the appropriate use of Amateur Radio
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 24 Sep '09

24 Sep '09

Sorry, I typo'ed Gary's name the first time. Dave Louisiana SM Gary Stratton, K5GLS gave me permission to share his thoughts on the guidelines, and I'm pleased to do so. Dave K1ZZ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 12:15 PM To: 'Gary Stratton K5GLS' Subject: RE: ARRL guidelines on the appropriate use of Amateur Radio Thanks, Gary. I'm sure there will be some negative comments, particularly from people who either don't like the existing rules or who want greater certainty than the ARRL (not being the regulatory agency) can offer. I know the ad hoc committee members and the Board will appreciate your comments and I will be happy to share them. 73, Dave K1ZZ From: Gary Stratton K5GLS [mailto:garystratton@cmaaccess.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 12:04 PM To: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ Subject: ARRL guidelines on the appropriate use of Amateur Radio Dave K1ZZ: Though I know that you and the committee will receive remarks to the contrary, this is a good piece of work. It gives us the necessary guidelines to answer questions from the Field Organization, members and non-members concerning operation of some of the Amateur emergency response systems already in place and those in the planning stages (as unpopular as some of the answers may be). It also gives justification for the relationships that should be fostered between Emergency Management, relief organizations and ARES/RACES/independent groups. The organizations that I feared most for inappropriate use of Amateur Radio were those governmental entities that tend to commandeer resources under imagined or manufactured governmental power. My thanks to the committee for saying the things that needed to be said and my apologies for the remarks from my peers who just don't seem to get it. In my humble opinion, the rules should stand as written. Further FCC requests for interpretation would be inappropriate. Feel free to use this email as you see fit. 73 Gary Stratton K5GLS Louisiana SM

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[arrl-odv:18126] FW: ARRL guidelines on the appropriate use of Amateur Radio
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 24 Sep '09

24 Sep '09

Louisiana SM Gray Stratton, K5GLS gave me permission to share his thoughts on the guidelines, and I'm pleased to do so. Dave K1ZZ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 12:15 PM To: 'Gary Stratton K5GLS' Subject: RE: ARRL guidelines on the appropriate use of Amateur Radio Thanks, Gary. I'm sure there will be some negative comments, particularly from people who either don't like the existing rules or who want greater certainty than the ARRL (not being the regulatory agency) can offer. I know the ad hoc committee members and the Board will appreciate your comments and I will be happy to share them. 73, Dave K1ZZ From: Gary Stratton K5GLS [mailto:garystratton@cmaaccess.com] Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 12:04 PM To: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ Subject: ARRL guidelines on the appropriate use of Amateur Radio Dave K1ZZ: Though I know that you and the committee will receive remarks to the contrary, this is a good piece of work. It gives us the necessary guidelines to answer questions from the Field Organization, members and non-members concerning operation of some of the Amateur emergency response systems already in place and those in the planning stages (as unpopular as some of the answers may be). It also gives justification for the relationships that should be fostered between Emergency Management, relief organizations and ARES/RACES/independent groups. The organizations that I feared most for inappropriate use of Amateur Radio were those governmental entities that tend to commandeer resources under imagined or manufactured governmental power. My thanks to the committee for saying the things that needed to be said and my apologies for the remarks from my peers who just don't seem to get it. In my humble opinion, the rules should stand as written. Further FCC requests for interpretation would be inappropriate. Feel free to use this email as you see fit. 73 Gary Stratton K5GLS Louisiana SM

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[arrl-odv:18125] Pre-release of appropriate use guidelines
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 24 Sep '09

24 Sep '09

While the voting by Directors is not yet complete, so far there are 11 votes for adoption of the guidelines and recommendations. Since time is of the essence and directors asked during the teleconference Tuesday night that Section Managers be given a pre-release copy of the document, we are sending the following to SMs this morning with public release planned for tomorrow (Friday). Dave K1ZZ <<ARRL appropriate use guidelines.doc>> To: ARRL Section Managers From: David Sumner, K1ZZ, Chief Executive Officer RE: Pre-release copy of ARRL guidelines on the appropriate use of Amateur Radio The ARRL Directors are currently voting by email to adopt the guidelines and recommendations contained in the attached document, "Commercialization of Amateur Radio: The Rules, The Risks, The Issues." Voting should be completed shortly and we anticipate the document will be made public tomorrow. The Directors have requested that a copy be distributed to Section Managers in advance. This is for your information and not for public release at this time. Here is the text of the news release that will accompany the document. ARRL Board Adopts Guidelines and Recommendations on the Appropriate Use of Amateur Radio (date) The ARRL Board of Directors today adopted guidelines on the appropriate use of Amateur Radio on behalf of commercial, non-profit and government entities as well as recommendations for additional steps to be taken by the ARRL to educate radio amateurs and others on how to prepare and train for public service and emergency communications while complying with the current FCC Rules. At its meeting in July 2009 the ARRL Board created an ad-hoc committee to study the issue and prepare suggested guidelines. The committee submitted its report to the ARRL Executive Committee, which reviewed and revised the document. After additional discussion among Board members by electronic mail and teleconference the Executive Committee submitted the document to the Board for formal adoption. Entitled "The Commercialization of Amateur Radio: The Rules, The Risks, The Issues," the document offers guidelines to assist radio amateurs and anyone wishing to utilize the capabilities of Amateur Radio in understanding the FCC Rules that prohibit communications in which the amateur has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer. While the FCC Rules in this regard have not changed in many years, there has been increasing discussion of the issue as growing numbers of employers and non-amateur organizations recognize the value of Amateur Radio as an emergency communications resource and encourage their employees to obtain amateur licenses. Also included are guidelines for evaluating the appropriateness of Amateur Radio volunteers providing communications services to commercial enterprises and other entities for which other communications systems are available. "The guidelines are not intended to be the last word on the subject, and surely will not be" observes Kay Craigie, N3KN, ARRL First Vice President and chair of the ad-hoc committee. "The report includes several recommendations for additional steps that the ARRL needs to take to help amateurs and the organizations we serve to better understand the Rules and to ensure that what we do to prepare to be of service in emergencies is consistent with the current Rules." << File: ARRL appropriate use guidelines.doc >>

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FCC Meetings
by Joel Harrison 23 Sep '09

23 Sep '09

Since the FCC geared up once again with a full slate of Commissioner's a few weeks ago it is a good idea for us to set up meetings with them, get in the door and discuss amateur radio, especially now that BPL is back on the table. Chris has been working to arrange meetings, however the response has been a bit cold. I don't read anything into that, as the new folks have barely had time to locate the correct rest room to use and get up to speed on the flurry of things going on at FCC, but nonetheless we're not going to sit back and just watch time fly by. I just wanted to let you know that we're in the process of lining up some meetings and as soon as we have something booked you will know about it. 73 Joel W5ZN

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[arrl-odv:18123] RE: [arrl-odv:18113] DAR Youth Licensing Program
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 23 Sep '09

23 Sep '09

Here's an item from last week's Michigan section news: It was just announced Tuesday that the K8DAR ham radio program in Menominee received an "Outstanding Program" award from the State of Michigan, matched with a similar one from the State of Wisconsin. All this happened within the space of just a few months. The DAR Boys and Girls Club of Marinette and Menominee sponsors an stellar program for amateur radio. This is just another of their continued success stories, demonstrating how youth in our communities can be introduced to this hobby. You can check the DAR club out at http://community-2.webtv.net/dx2100/16thAve/ Our congratulations to everyone and to Ed KG8CX who coordinates the effort. KG8CX is an Assistant Section Manager in Wisconsin. Dave K1ZZ From: Bob Vallio [mailto:rbvallio@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 12:45 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:18113] DAR Youth Licensing Program This was sent to me by a fellow in England! There is an included reference to ARRL publications. Is there a lesson to be learned, here? http://community-2.webtv.net/dx2100/16thAve/index.html Bob --W6RGG

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