October 2010 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:19446] A substantial bequest
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 21 Oct '10

21 Oct '10

Normally I would be reluctant to steal Mary Hobart's thunder, but Mary will forgive me in this case. In June, Mary was notified that Iona Mathias, the wife of the late Dr. Charles Mathias, W8KGD, had passed away and that the assets of the Charles & Iona Mathias Joint Trust would be distributed equally among five charitable organizations. The ARRL was one of the five. Today we received the initial distribution from the Trust: a check for one million dollars. We understand that this represents the bulk of the bequest although there will be one or more additional distributions. The funds are being turned over to Treasurer McCobb and will be added to our endowment. Dave Sumner, K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:19445] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 21 Oct '10

21 Oct '10

<<102010.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 33, No. 42 October 20, 2010 -- Covers the period October 10-16. Upcoming Meetings and Events Executive Committee Meeting October 23 @ 9:00am in St. Louis, MO Programs & Services Committee: November 13 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ Ballot Counting for Director/Vice Director Elections November 19 in Newington, CT Administration &Finance Committee November 20 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP Without making any commitments, I am gathering about 7 technical writers and video production people into a task force group to develop a working outline for a possible 2011 short video showing the fun of Amateur Radio technology. The goal will be to make the very best, broadcast level video we can, a replacement for the aging Amateur Radio Today, with the resources we have available. The PRC has set the goal of complete revision of the PIO Handbook for 2011 and it is time for nominations for the Leonard Award for media professionals. Two nominations are in so far and more are expected. There have been some VERY good hits over the past year that deserve nominations. Meanwhile, the 75th anniversary of ARES continues to get some media hits, but members' enthusiasm for it seems to have trailed off already. Updates have been made to the PR sections of the ARRL website. Development Reported by Mary Hobart, K1MMH Development is receiving the first contributions generated by the second issue of the Spectrum Defense Matters newsletter. The Spectrum Defense Fund revenues stand at $132,605. The newsletter will be sent electronically to members who have opted in for information and special offers from ARRL. The final newsletter issue for 2010 is due to mail around Thanksgiving. Diamond Club revenues have reached $194,477 or 73% of the 2010 target of $263,000. A letter has been mailed to Diamond Club donors who are up for renewal and lapsed participants to encourage installment giving as an option. 2011 Calendars have been mailed to major donors. ARRL has been notified of an estate distribution of $1,000,000 which is expected before year end. In addition, two other estate gifts are pending totaling an additional $97,727. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE The December 2010 issue of QST was released to the printer October 19. The November/December issue of NCJ was also released to the printer. Joel Hallas gave a slide presentation on "A Comparative Assessment of Multiband Antennas" to the Greater Norwalk (CT) Amateur Radio Club the evening of October 13. It was well received by about 40 members and generated significant discussion and Q&A afterward. Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed The ARRL Letter and voiced and produced ARRL Audio News for October 14, 2010. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R Now Shipping: 50 Years of Amateur Radio Innovation supplementary CD-ROM. The CD includes over 800 images of beautifully photographed vintage gear, shot by Joe Veras, K9OCO. The CD is intended as a companion resource to the book 50 Years of Amateur Radio Innovation, published by ARRL in 2008 (sold separately). A special announcement and offer was mailed to previous purchasers of the book. A handful of graphics were produced for the image carousel featured on the ARRL Web home page: 2010 Auction, School Club Roundup, Education & Technology Fund, and Diamond Club. During the last week, the warehouse crew fulfilled 1,159 packages for publication and product orders, 671 membership premiums, and QST mailing supplements. Following a teleconference with the IEEE Communications Society in September, we're beginning to advance some collaborative marketing between our two organizations. A first effort involves an ad swap. We are producing an ad for December's issue of IEEE ComSoc magazine, and IEEE is producing an ad for December's issue of QST. The ARRL ad features an offer for membership bundled with a Technician class license manual. A large membership campaign is just beginning to reach mailboxes (mailed Oct 15). The mailing was sent to lapsed members, and features a new direct mail package highlighting the benefits of QST magazine (identified in recent surveys as ARRL's #1 benefit). An ad is being prepared for Trailer Life magazine, to appear in early 2011. The magazine is popular with RVers. The ad will tout Amateur Radio as a fun way to enhance their traveling experience (explore local hotspots, make new friends, keep in touch, etc.). The ad will direct readers to a special ARRL Web site resource page for RVers. A special ARRL membership handout is being prepared for distribution by VEs at testing sites. This is rather unassuming handout, requiring nothing more than distributing the membership offer to testing candidates as they leave a session. We have organized a volunteer appreciation "Thank You Week" for October 25-29, to help recognize the contribution of ARRL HQ volunteers. Many of them are tour guides...but there are others that volunteer throughout the building. We'd like to encourage all the departments to invite other HQ volunteers to enjoy the refreshments we'll setup in the lobby each day. Please pass along a 'word of thanks' to our volunteers as you see them. A 2011 Handbook mailing has left for the printer. The mailing list includes all domestic members that haven't yet ordered a copy. The mailing flyer will also be included as a ride-along with December QST mailed to international members. The member services team has completed a data entry project, keyboarding responses to a membership survey received by mail. A report of new Life Members was prepared for presentation to the Executive Committee. The Winter Publications Catalog will mail October 21 to a segment of members with recent order history. Additional copies will be received at the warehouse, to be included with outgoing orders and for other general distribution. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N Chuck compiled the monthly Official Observer Summary and sent it to all Official Observers, OOCs, and Section Managers. Also information for the monthly ARRL Monitoring System/Intruder Watch report was compiled and forwarded to the IARU Region 2 coordinator. Chuck took part in a teleconference call hosted by the ORG section OOC to discuss information dealing with OO activities there, Laura Smith from the FCC was a special participant. An unidentified carrier on 14151 was reported and OOs in several northeaster sections are investigating. Questions this week included operating overseas, VE testing, proper IDs and announcements on repeaters, rebroadcasting bulletins or messages, and filing a petition with the FCC. Steve Ewald, WV1X participated in the JOTA event at W1AW on October 16 along with Dewey Rykard, KI4RGD from our Education Department and Ron Cady, K1RKD, a local amateur radio club member. Six Cub Scouts along with their parents visited W1AW to learn more about Amateur Radio and to make contacts on the air. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Staff Absentee List All Staff 11/25-11/26 Holiday Hugh Brower 11/1-11/2 Vacation `` 11/22-11/24 Vacation Mike Corey 10/31-11/4 IAEM Conference, San Antonio, TX `` 11/17 NPSTC Meeting, Washington, DC Steve Ewald 10/18-10/22 Vacation Steve Ford 10/28-10/29 Vacation `` 12/23-12/31 Vacation Scott Gee 11/8 Jury Duty Dan Henderson 11/12-11/16 Indiana State Convention, Ft. Wayne, IN/Vacation Mary Hobart 11/4 Vacation `` 11/5-11/6 Georgia State Convention, Lawrenceville, GA Bob Inderbitzen 12/27-12/30 Vacation Khrystyne Keane 10/22 Vacation `` 10/29 Vacation Joel Kleinman 10/26 Vacation Diane Petrilli 10/25 Vacation `` 11/22-11/24 Vacation Brennan Price 11/1-11/24 SCRPM, SG5 & subsidiary Working Parties, Geneva Steve Sant Andrea 11/8-11/9 Vacation `` 11/29 Vacation Jon Siverling 11/3-11/5 FRACAP, San Salvador Dave Sumner 10/22pm-10/24 Executive Committee Meeting, St. Louis, MO Sharon Taratula 10/29-11/1 Vacation

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[arrl-odv:19444] Trip report - Pacific Division
by Kay Craigie 21 Oct '10

21 Oct '10

The attached document is the report on my trip to the Pacific Division Convention and the Beale AFB PAVE PAWS radar site this past weekend. 73 - Kay N3KN

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[arrl-odv:19443] EC meeting agenda
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 19 Oct '10

19 Oct '10

Here is the agenda for Saturday's Executive Committee meeting. In accordance with Minute 57 of the January 2010 Board meeting this will be posted on the Web prior to the meeting. David Sumner, K1ZZ Secretary <<agnda493.doc>>

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[arrl-odv:19442] ReconRobotics Equipment Authorization.
by Chris Imlay 19 Oct '10

19 Oct '10

Greetings. After review and approval by the Executive Committee, and as introduced in a memo to you about a week or so ago on this subject, we have today filed a letter with the FCC Laboratory, a copy of which is attached. This letter is in response to a strident opposition that ReconRobotics filed on October 8 to our October 4 letter asking FCC to revoke or withdraw the grant of equipment authorization for the ReconRobotics 70 cm robot video transmitter. I believe that this completes the pleading cycle on this matter. However, further strategies and tactics on this issue are an agenda item for the Executive Committee at this weekend's meeting in St. Louis. Also, there was yesterday a Wall Street Journal article about this device, which of course mentioned nothing about the regulatory problems it has raised. The article indicates that there are about 1200 of these devices sold. Contrast that with the 85 applications now on file for this device and you can see that we have a major problem on our hands. Let me know any questions you have about this. Thanks again to Ed Hare for his very valuable contributions to this, and to the Executive Committee for really short fuse review and comments. 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:19441] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 19 Oct '10

19 Oct '10

<<101310.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 33, No. 41 October 13, 2010 -- Covers the period October 3-9. Upcoming Meetings and Events Executive Committee Meeting October 23 @ 9:00am in St. Louis, MO Programs & Services Committee: November 13 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ Ballot Counting for Director/Vice Director Elections November 19 in Newington, CT Administration &Finance Committee November 20 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ Technical Relations Reported by Brennan Price, N4QX Brennan Price attended the AMSAT Symposium and Annual Meeting in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Development of ARISSat-1 was extensively discussed, as well as AMSAT-NA's efforts to continue international collaboration despite the restrictions imposed by ITAR regulations. Brennan had a long conversation with Bob McGwier, N4HY, the chair of the Advanced Digital Technologies Working Group, and obtained an indication that his work will continue. Jon Siverling is on the United States delegation to the ITU plenipotentiary Conference. ITU Secretary General Hamadoun Toure, HB9EHT, was reelected without opposition. Francois Rancy of France has been elected the Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau for a four year term. Two radio amateurs will fill the two seats of the Americas on the Radio Regulations Board: Julie Napier Zoller, KJ4EMJ, and Ricardo Teran, LU4FDV. Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP The VE testing of candidates in Antarctica provided a good story to use as a test of the interest in video reports on the ARRL website. Maria Somma's enthusiasm is delightful as she gives a brief description of the event, and it shows the potential for even more uses of video reports and stories in the future. A radio interview was done with Jason Hartman of California (JasonHartman.com) His shows are broadcast by many stations on the West Coast and also published as a podcast. Ducking the questions of why people do not trust the government to aid them in a crisis, I answered his other questions on licensing and the increasing capabilities of each license class. A previously unknown (at least to me) DVD was received showing past tours of ARRL HQ. This is being edited and digitized and will be "premiered" at a staff brown bag luncheon on Oct. 28. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE The November/December 2010 issue of QEX has been released to the printer. Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed The ARRL Letter and voiced and produced ARRL Audio News for October 7, 2010. Lab Reported by Ed Hare, W1RFI RFI Mike Gruber worked with Jerry Ramie to develop a new "Smart Meter FAQ Page," as there has been an increase in questions about smart meters. Mike also discussed several PG&E cases with Jerry. A longstanding power line noise case in Lakeland, Florida continues. During a recent visit to Gettysburg, Laura Smith indicated that she will be looking in to the matter. In addition, Lakeland Electric has sent their RFI investigator to a Mike Martin training workshop. Due to an increasing number of grow-light complaints in California and now Colorado, Mike Gruber ordered a light and associated equipment to test ballast. The ballast was causing interference to an Amateur in California, and sent to us by Jerry Ramie. This equipment, when it arrives, will be tested for applicable FCC absolute emissions limits. Hamfest Presentation Bob Allison was a featured guest speaker at the Nutmeg Hamfest on Sunday, October 10th. He presented a power point presentation of what the product review process is and what some of the numbers mean. The presentation was well attended; about 30 people were there. Bob fielded many questions about a new Chinese Handie Talkie that is on the market. It was a great Hamfest. Product Review Bob Allison turned over several product review items over to the sales department for our annual ARRL on-line auction. Only two items are left to be processed and turned over for the auction. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R September ended with 155,674 members (year-to-date goal: 157.201). 74% of September expirees paid on time, compared to 73% in September 2009. A large membership campaign, planned for September, mailed slightly later in the month than anticipated. The first completed applications were just beginning to arrive in late September. Month-end email to lapsed members returned 213 applications. September product sales were $180,293, falling just short of the sales forecast of $184,471. Direct sales were $100,169; dealer sales were $80,124. Earlier this month, Bob Inderbitzen attended the National Hamfest in the United Kingdom. Bob was greeted by many existing ARRL members (we have nearly 800 members in the UK). He returned with 48 membership applications (39 new members!), and over $4,500 in dues and publications revenue. His trip also included a tour of RSGB Headquarters in Bedford, England. A photo diary of Bob's trip can be found on the ARRL's Facebook page <http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=238910&l=e3d877b015&id=2006921240 7> . Diane Petrilli has turned her attention to mining the "Guest Account" data collected on the new ARRL Web site. A positive initial response to some test e-mailings suggest that these prospects are rich membership leads. The winter 2010/2011 publications catalog has gone to the printer. 20,000 pieces are being mailed directly to members and customers. There are three other direct marketing projects in production or mailing: a postcard mailing announcing the new CD-ROM product featuring vintage radio photography (in the mailroom), a test membership mailing (at the printer), and a 2011 ARRL Handbook mailing (in design). The Member Services team processed over 500 Handbook backorders and an additional 1000 orders within the first week of October. The warehouse crew fulfilled 1,421 packages for publication and product orders (mostly 2011 hardcover Handbooks!), 97 membership premiums, and QST mailing supplements. We have restructured the administration and processing involved with publication returns. Now Shipping: The ARRL Handbook 2011 Edition (hardcover and softcover editions), ARRL's PIC Programming for Beginners Revised First Edition. Two new kits are in the final throes of production. The first is a Morse code oscillator, produced for ARRL by MFJ Enterprises. The project is a good "beginners" electronics kit. Mark Spencer has produced some supplementary narrative explaining the fundamentals of the working circuit and its components. We expect the kit will be popular with members, particularly newcomers, and with clubs, instructors and teachers seeking a classroom kit-building experience. The second kit is PIC programming lab and project, produced for ARRL by Cana Kit (Canada). This more substantial kit is intended to be used with ARRL's PIC Programming for Beginners book. The kit includes all the necessary components, parts and boards for someone following the book's step-by-step exercises and tutorial. The kit also includes all the necessary parts to build a microprocessor-controlled CW keyer, which is the book's culminating project. Both kits, the ARRL Morse Code Oscillator and ARRL's PIC Programming Kit, will be available later this fall. A new license plate frame has been produced. Along the top of the frame are the words, "AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR." Along the bottom are the words, "Member - ARRL" and our Web address. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N W1AW Joe updated the web code practice files. He constructed and tested a digital interface for the GAREC-2010 conference. He also constructed a 40/20 meter dipole (using the DX Engineering kit) for the conference. Joe checked out the radio equipment that was sent to the conference. He also processed regular QSL card requests. Scott worked on slow and fast code practice files for the middle part of the month of October. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Staff Absentee List All Staff 11/25-11/26 Holiday Mike Corey 10/8-10/16 GAREC Conference, Curacao/Vacation `` 10/31-11/4 IAEM Conference, San Antonio, TX `` 11/17 NPSTC Meeting, Washington, DC Steve Ewald 10/18-10/24 Vacation Scott Gee 11/8 Jury Duty Dan Henderson 10/13-10/19 Pacificon, San Ramon, CA/Beale AFB `` 11/12-11/16 Indiana State Convention, Ft. Wayne, IN/Vacation Mary Hobart 10/15-10/16 Pacificon, San Ramon, CA `` 10/22 Vacation `` 10/29 Vacation `` 11/5-11/8 Georgia State Convention, Lawrenceville, GA Khrystyne Keane 10/22 Vacation `` 10/29 Vacation Joel Kleinman 10/26 Vacation Brennan Price 11/1-11/24 SCRPM, SG5 & subsidiary Working Parties, Geneva Steve Sant Andrea 10/15-10/18 Vacation `` 11/8-11/9 Vacation `` 11/29 Vacation Jon Siverling 11/3-11/5 FRACAP, San Salvador Dave Sumner 10/22pm-10/24 Executive Committee Meeting, St. Louis , MO Sharon Taratula 10/29-11/1 Vacation

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Pending DXCC Backlog?
by Jim Weaver K8JE 18 Oct '10

18 Oct '10

Harold, Bill Moore's note regarding the deadline for the 2010 DXCC Yearbook unfortunately reminded me of the "difficulties" that have occurred with QSL submissions annually at the end of the year. These difficulties, of course, were minimally manageable backlogs in processing QSL submissions. Unfortunately, it appears that once again there will be no Direct Entry of QSLs from the field to help minimize such a backlog. Is it safe to say that adequate planning will occur to prevent the anticipated backlog from becoming a major aggravation to members . . . and therefore to us directors? Tnx, Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040; Tel. 513-459-1661 ARRL, The national organization for Amateur Radio

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[arrl-odv:19432] Re: New Division Information Page -PSE Review
by Bob Vallio 15 Oct '10

15 Oct '10

So, what happened to the link to the Pacific Division website <pdarrl.org>? Does anyone check their work before going live with it??? Bob Vallio -- W6RGG On Thu, Oct 14, 2010 at 6:37 AM, Kramer, Harold, WJ1B <wj1b(a)arrl.org> wrote: > Hi, > > > > Here is a link to the new Division information page that we have put > together. This page is for “public” view. We changed the page based on > feedback from members. Its presentation has been modified from the current > page to let the user find the information easier and faster. Please review > it and let Katie Glass know if there any corrections or revisions. > > http://www.arrl.org/divisions-new > > > > > > This page will replace the current page located here: > http://www.arrl.org/divisions We plan to make the new page live Friday > morning > > > > Also, if you have not added your picture to your profile, we would > appreciate it if you do so. We have most of your photos here so we can add > them for you but you would have to contact Katie. If you want to do it > yourself, and need a copy of your official Board picture, I can email you a > copy. > > > > > > 73, > > > > Harold > > > > Harold Kramer, WJ1B > > Chief Operating Officer > > ARRL -the national association for Amateur Radio > > 225 Main Street > > Newington, CT 06111 > > (860) 594 -0220 > > >

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[arrl-odv:19437] Re: New Divisions page LIVE
by Brian Mileshosky 15 Oct '10

15 Oct '10

Agree! 73, Brian N5ZGT On Fri, 15 Oct 2010, G.P. Widin wrote: > Harold, > I think it's an improvement. In general, bringing more such choices above the fold will improve the site experience for many users. Good start! > > > -- > 73, > Greg, KØGW > Director, Dakota Division > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Harold Kramer, WJ1B" <wj1b(a)arrl.org> > To: "arrl-odv" <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> > Sent: Friday, October 15, 2010 7:50:31 AM > Subject: [arrl-odv:19435] New Divisions page LIVE > > > > > The new Divisions page is now live. We incorporated Greg’s suggestions and updated some other information as requested. Thanks for your help. > > > > http://www.arrl.org/divisions > > > > > > 73, > > > > Harold ARRL Director, Rocky Mountain Division On the web at www.RockyMountainDivision.org

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[arrl-odv:19436] Re: New Divisions page LIVE
by G.P. Widin 15 Oct '10

15 Oct '10

Harold, I think it's an improvement. In general, bringing more such choices above the fold will improve the site experience for many users. Good start! -- 73, Greg, KØGW Director, Dakota Division ----- Original Message ----- From: "Harold Kramer, WJ1B" <wj1b(a)arrl.org> To: "arrl-odv" <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> Sent: Friday, October 15, 2010 7:50:31 AM Subject: [arrl-odv:19435] New Divisions page LIVE The new Divisions page is now live. We incorporated Greg’s suggestions and updated some other information as requested. Thanks for your help. http://www.arrl.org/divisions 73, Harold

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