December 2010 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:19525] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 30 Dec '10

30 Dec '10

<<122910.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 33, No. 52 December 29, 2010 -- Covers the period December 19-25. Upcoming Meetings and Events Programs & Services Committee: January 20 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ Administration & Finance Committee January 20 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ Annual Board Meeting January 21-22, 2011 @ 9:00am in Windsor, CT Development Reported by Mary Hobart, K1MMH ARRL received a second distribution of $400,000 from the Mathis Joint Trust. The total received so far is $1.4 million. ARRL was notified of additional funds from Three Fidelity IRAs in the estate of David L. Anshus, W0HRM. The week after Christmas is usually a time when many donors elect to make their annual contributions. This year there has been lots of activity, bringing the 2010 revenue lines closer to their goals. The diamond Club is at its goal of $263,000. Other unrestricted revenue is at 93% of goal. Spectrum Defense still lags well behind, having reached only 78% of its goal. Contributions to the Education & Technology Fund (including the Teachers Institute) lag well behind, having reached only 69% of the goal. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE Here is the IN News from Production/Editorial: The 2010 ARRL Periodicals CD has been released to the duplicator. Khrystyne Keane was awarded DXCC on December 22. All 100 contacts were made during contests using RTTY and confirmed via Logbook of The World. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N W1AW Joe worked the early afternoon/night shift on Thursday for the vacationing Scott Gee. He created the texts for the January W1AW Qualifying Runs. He processed four Qualifying Run endorsements and one certificate. Joe also processed regular QSL card request. Scott worked on slow and fast code practice files for the latter part of the month of December. He also assisted the DXCC department processing cards. Field Organization/Public Service Team Alabama Section Manager Jay Isbell, KA4KUN, has announced his resignation as Section Manager at the end of the year, December 31, because of health issues. Jay has served as Section Manager since January, 2008. Alabama Assistant Section Manager David Drummond, W4MD, of Northport, will become the Alabama Section Manager on January 1, 2011. Dave Patton, NN1N, Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager, received Jay Isbell's recommendation of David Drummond and consulted with Southeastern Division Director Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, before making the appointment. David's appointment fulfills the present term of office that continues one full year until December 31, 2011. Leona Adams prepared the Arkansas Section Manager election ballots and candidate statements for this winter's election. These were printed by a local printer and delivered to Headquarters by the end of the work week. The Headquarters Mailroom staff plans to send out the ballots to members in the Arkansas Section before the January 3, 2011, mailing deadline. Chuck Skolaut prepared and sent out the monthly Official Observer summary to all OOs, OOCs, and Section Managers. Documentation was received from a North Carolina OO regarding an operation on 40 meters. This information was forwarded to the FCC. Several complaints were received regarding jamming and playing of music on two separate 40 meter frequencies. Details were also forwarded to the FCC. Intruder reports included the Havana Gurgle on 18090 kHz, fishermen using 7116 kHz (USB), and a "sweeping" signal around 3990 kHz. Complaints were received about operations on 3814 kHz, possible CODAR interference in the southeast, a foreign broadcast station on 7295 kHz and an over the horizon radar on 17 meters. Several reports of a radio amateur refusing receipt of Official Observer advisories is being followed up on. Also, an Advanced class licensee continues to be heard operating in the Extra class portion of the bands. A nomination was received for the Humanitarian award in mid December. Chuck also conducted one morning CW code run and served as host at W1AW while several guests operated the station. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Staff Absentee List All Staff 12/31 Holiday Jackie Ferreira 12/30 Vacation Steve Ford 12/23-12/31 Vacation Norm Fusaro 1/3 Vacation Dan Henderson 12/6-1/10 Medical Leave Bob Inderbitzen 12/27-12/30 Vacation Sabrina Jackson 1/7 Vacation Khrystyne Keane 2/1-2/2 Vacation Joel Kleinman 1/5-1/7 Vacation Maryann Macdonald 12/27-12/30 Vacation Bill Moore 12/27-1/4 Vacation Allen Pitts 12/24-12/31 Vacation Brennan Price 12/27-12/30 Vacation Steve Sant Andrea 12/27-12/30 Vacation Dave Sumner 12/30 Vacation

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[arrl-odv:19524] Belated Merry Christmas Greetings from K0DASs
by Rod Blocksome 30 Dec '10

30 Dec '10

I've been out of touch for awhile with Family Christmas Activities but want to wish everyone on the ODV list a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year for 2011. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming board meeting. Rod Blocksome, K0DAS Vice-Dir Midwest Div.

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RE: Merry Christmas!
by David A. Norris 30 Dec '10

30 Dec '10

Merry (belated) Christmas and HNY All! Jim, I hate to hear that! Fatigue near a base connection is a common failure I see on freestanding towers. Loose connections and bad welds tend to speed this process up from the ones I have analyzed. Moral of the story boys and girls: Tower maintenance requires eternal vigilance!!! Watch for any cracking or aberrations in the metal, welds or galvanizing!!! Also look for any strange movement in the tower under wind loads. Hope you have a speedy "recovery" Jim!! 73 David A. Norris, K5UZ Vice Director, Delta Div. -----Original Message----- From: James F. Boehner MD [mailto:jboehner01@yahoo.com] Sent: Sunday, December 26, 2010 3:33 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: Merry Christmas! Jim, sorry for your tower, shack and station-but great that you did not have any personal injury! Looks like the insurance company will have some work in front of them. On a better note, I found a very interesting Christmas Story by Gary KN4AQ: http://arvideonews.com/otherstuff/A_Ham's_Night_Before_Christmas.html I guess it has been around for a while, but this is the first time I have seen it! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas/Holidays! Have a happy new year! '73 de JIM N2ZZ ARRL Vice Director Roanoke Division ARRL, the national association for Amateur RadioT From: K6JAT(a)aol.com [mailto:K6JAT@aol.com] Sent: Saturday, December 25, 2010 5:03 PM To: arrl-odv Cc: etg(a)tiemlaw.com; greentiem(a)comcast.net; k6jat(a)arrl.org Subject: [arrl-odv:19512] Merry Christmas! Greetings all and Merry Christmas! There I was checking my antenna system to decipher all the movement I saw during the current storm. It was not cranked down and the gusts were getting severe across the top of the ridge. Maybe the missing eucalyptus trees removed some wind protection, but then the entire tower came crashing down on my shack with me in it! One of the 3 legs snapped just above the base bolts and the 2 others bent right over. What a noise and am I lucky! I'm looking at what's left of the PRO-67B right outside my hf operating position, 5 feet away from me. Only the top most vertical hit the roof, but did not penetrate it. I'm still a little shaky. The US Tower freestanding tower had been up for almost 17 years. I hope all of you and your loved ones are well and having a wonderful holiday. Be safe! K6JAT is now off the air. Back to the drawing board. . . . 73, Jim K6JAT

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[arrl-odv:19522] Fwd: Broadband Over Power Line Systems; Interference Complaint and Compliance Issues, IBEC, Inc. BPL Systems
by Chris Imlay 29 Dec '10

29 Dec '10

Greetings. With the express approval of the Executive Committee, and with great thanks to Ed Hare, Kay Craigie and Dave Sumner, the attached was just filed electronically with the Enforcement Bureau and OET (see below). It is a combination of an interference complaint (active) involving a fixed HF Amateur station in southwestern Virginia, and as well a series of documented rule violations concerning IBEC BPL systems in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Indiana. IBEC has misled ARRL and many others in their representations concerning full time Amateur band notching. Bottom line: they ain't doing it. This is the result. It is part of a coordinated, EC-supervised effort to continue our strategy on BPL and to obtain some reasonable rules. There is reason to believe that FCC is finally nearing completion of a further order in the BPL docket, so this filing is timely. Thanks to the EC for their oversight here. 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 -----Original Message----- From: Chris Imlay <w3kd(a)aol.com> To: Kathy.Berthot(a)fcc.gov; Julius.Knapp(a)fcc.gov Cc: n3kn(a)arrl.org; dsumner(a)arrl.org; ehare(a)arrl.org; k5ur(a)arrl.org Sent: Wed, Dec 29, 2010 11:24 am Subject: Broadband Over Power Line Systems; Interference Complaint and Compliance Issues, IBEC, Inc. BPL Systems Greetings. The attached complaint, with exhibits, is being filed by courier today with the Office of the Secretary on behalf of our client, ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio. It pertains to an ongoing interference complaint with respect to a Broadband over Power Line (BPL) system in Southwestern Virginia, and addresses compliance issues in the operation of a series of IBEC, Inc. BPL systems in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Indiana. A copy of this will be filed in the outstanding ET Docket 04-37 proceeding concerning BPL rules as well. Kindly address any questions to the undersigned counsel. Kind regards, Chris Imlay 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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FCC on Narrowbanding
by James F. Boehner MD 28 Dec '10

28 Dec '10

One of our board reports discussed the commercial services moving to narrowbanding, and what this meant for Amateur Radio. Just received the communication below, which may be of some interest. A lot of obsolete gear will most likely be available for amateur radio use soon. '73 de JIM N2ZZ ARRL Vice Director Roanoke Division ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio™ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT December 23, 2010 Robert Kenny: (202) 418-2668 Email: robert.kenny(a)fcc.gov <mailto:robert.kenny%40fcc.gov> FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO HOLD WORKSHOP ON JANUARY 26, 2011 ON VHF/UHF NARROWBANDING Washington, D.C. - The Federal Communications Commission's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (Bureau) today announced it will hold a workshop on VHF/UHF narrowbanding to assist licensees in completing the transition to narrowband radio communications by January 1, 2013. The event will be held on Wednesday, January 26, 2011, from 1:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room (TW-C305). The Commission's rules have set January 1, 2013 as the deadline for all VHF and UHF Public Safety and Industrial/Business land mobile radio (LMR) systems in the 150-174 MHz and 421-512 MHz bands to migrate from 25 kHz channel bandwidth to 12.5 kHz or narrower technology. Timely completion of narrowbanding will ensure more efficient use of spectrum, relieve congestion, and result in increased channel availability for LMR systems. The workshop will provide Public Safety and Industrial/Business licensees with information regarding the narrowbanding transition path, and will include input from federal agencies, equipment manufacturers, and public safety organizations to help ensure timely compliance with the deadline across the nation. The Commission will release a complete agenda closer to the event date. The workshop will be open to the public; however, admittance will be limited to the seating available. Individuals interested in attending this event must pre-register on-line at http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/event-registration.html, where they will be asked to provide their name, title, organization affiliation, and contact information. Individuals may also contact Deandrea Wilson at Deandrea.Wilson(a)fcc.gov <mailto:Deandrea.Wilson%40fcc.gov> or via phone at 202-418-0703 regarding pre-registration. The deadline for pre-registration is Monday, January 24, 2011. Audio/video coverage of the meeting will be broadcast live with open captioning over the Internet from the FCC's web page at www.fcc.gov/live. The FCC's webcast is free to the public. Those who watch the live video stream of the event may email event-related questions to livequestions(a)fcc.gov <mailto:livequestions%40fcc.gov> <mailto:livequestions@fcc.gov <mailto:livequestions%40fcc.gov> %20\%20mailto:livequestions@fcc.gov <mailto:livequestions%40fcc.gov> > . Depending on the volume of questions and time constraints, the panel moderators will work to respond to as many questions as possible during the workshop. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request. Please include a description of the accommodation you will need. Individuals making such requests must include their contact information should FCC staff need to contact them for more information. Requests should be made as early as possible. Please send an e-mail to fcc504(a)fcc.gov <mailto:fcc504%40fcc.gov> or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau: 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY). For additional information about the meeting, please contact Susan McLean at (202) 418-7868 or by email: Susan.McLean(a)fcc.gov <mailto:Susan.McLean%40fcc.gov> . For information on narrowbanding please visit: www.fcc.gov/narrowbanding. - FCC - For more news and information about the Federal Communications Commission please visit: www.fcc.gov <http://www.fcc.gov/> <http://www.fcc.gov/>

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[arrl-odv:19520] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 27 Dec '10

27 Dec '10

<<122210.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 33, No. 51 December 22, 2010 -- Covers the period December 12-18. Upcoming Meetings and Events Programs & Services Committee: January 20 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ Administration & Finance Committee January 20 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ Annual Board Meeting January 21-22, 2011 @ 9:00am in Windsor, CT CEO Reported by Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Just a quick note reminding all of you that the ARRL will be closed Friday, December 24 and also Friday December 31. Happy Holidays to all of you and a Healthy and Happy New Year! Technical Relations Reported by Brennan Price, N4QX United States preparations for the WRC-12 Conference Preparatory Meeting (Geneva, February 14-25) are underway. There is some uncertainty as to the United States Government spokesperson on Agenda Item 1.23, due to staff changes and budgetary constraints. Brennan Price was elected Secretary of the United States ITU Association. USITUA develops consensus private sector views on issues before the ITU and advocates those views in appropriate forums. Development Reported by Mary Hobart, K1MMH As we enter the final two weeks of the year, Development has made some progress toward its 2010 goals. Two large gifts for Spectrum Defense have been received, bringing the annual total to a little over $230,000 or 71% of the 2010 target. The Diamond Club's unrestricted contributions have reached $253,750 or 96% of the 2010 target. Eighteen new bricks have been laid in the Diamond Terrace. The Education & Technology Fund campaign revenue has topped $41,000 which is 69% of the 2010 target. Development anticipates a couple of large contributions for the Teachers Institute program before December 31. Friday December 17 saw the signing of the 2010 Tax Relief Act which included good news for charitable giving. The legislation includes the renewal of the provision for IRA contributions of up to $100,000 directly to a non-profit organization for donors aged 70-1/2. The provision extends the 2010 giving deadline for such contributions to January 31, 2011 and it remains in effect through the end of 2011. When this provision was first offered in the Pension Protection Act of 2006, ARRL received several IRA contributions, including two large gifts. The 2010 Act also includes provisions related to the estate tax which could inspire donors to include ARRL in their estate plans. Information received from advisors at the Sharpe Group has been posted on the ARRL website and will be emailed to ARRL donors. Work has begun on the application for the 2011 Combined Federal Campaign that is due January 15, 2011 for the fall 2011 campaign. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed The ARRL Letter and voiced and produced ARRL Audio News for December 16, 2010. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Staff Absentee List All Staff 12/24 Holiday All Staff 12/31 Holiday Margie Bourgoin 12/20-12/23 Vacation Jackie Ferreira 12/23 Vacation `` 12/30 Vacation Steve Ford 12/23-12/31 Vacation Scott Gee 12/23 Vacation Joel Hallas 12/22-12/29 Vacation Dan Henderson 12/6-1/10 Medical Leave Mary Hobart 12/23pm Vacation `` 12/27-12/28 Vacation Bob Inderbitzen 12/27-12/30 Vacation Joel Kleinman 12/27-12/28 Vacation Maryann Macdonald 12/27-12/30 Vacation Bill Moore 12/27-1/4 Vacation Diane Petrilli 12/20-12/22 Vacation `` 12/27-12/29 Vacation Allen Pitts 12/24-12/31 Vacation Brennan Price 12/27-12/30 Vacation Steve Sant Andrea 12/27-12/30 Vacation Barry Shelley 12/16-12/23 Vacation Dave Sumner 12/22-12/23 Vacation `` 12/30 Vacation

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Merry Christmas!
by James F. Boehner MD 26 Dec '10

26 Dec '10

Jim, sorry for your tower, shack and station-but great that you did not have any personal injury! Looks like the insurance company will have some work in front of them. On a better note, I found a very interesting Christmas Story by Gary KN4AQ: http://arvideonews.com/otherstuff/A_Ham's_Night_Before_Christmas.html I guess it has been around for a while, but this is the first time I have seen it! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas/Holidays! Have a happy new year! '73 de JIM N2ZZ ARRL Vice Director Roanoke Division ARRL, the national association for Amateur RadioT From: K6JAT(a)aol.com [mailto:K6JAT@aol.com] Sent: Saturday, December 25, 2010 5:03 PM To: arrl-odv Cc: etg(a)tiemlaw.com; greentiem(a)comcast.net; k6jat(a)arrl.org Subject: [arrl-odv:19512] Merry Christmas! Greetings all and Merry Christmas! There I was checking my antenna system to decipher all the movement I saw during the current storm. It was not cranked down and the gusts were getting severe across the top of the ridge. Maybe the missing eucalyptus trees removed some wind protection, but then the entire tower came crashing down on my shack with me in it! One of the 3 legs snapped just above the base bolts and the 2 others bent right over. What a noise and am I lucky! I'm looking at what's left of the PRO-67B right outside my hf operating position, 5 feet away from me. Only the top most vertical hit the roof, but did not penetrate it. I'm still a little shaky. The US Tower freestanding tower had been up for almost 17 years. I hope all of you and your loved ones are well and having a wonderful holiday. Be safe! K6JAT is now off the air. Back to the drawing board. . . . 73, Jim K6JAT

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RE: [arrl-odv:19512] Merry Christmas!
by Kay Craigie 26 Dec '10

26 Dec '10

Wow, I'm glad you were not hurt when the tower crashed onto your shack. You must have been living right! I had a US Tower in Pennsylvania that stood for 18 years before it was dismantled when we moved away. I'm sorry yours was an unscheduled dismantle, especially since it almost took you out, too. 73 - Kay N3KN

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RE: [arrl-odv:19512] Merry Christmas!
by Jim Weaver K8JE 26 Dec '10

26 Dec '10

Jim, Sorry to learn of you lost architecture. Maybe you should move to Ohio where we only need to worry about tornadoes, snow, ice and a rather rare earth tremor. I'm happy to know you are safe. 73, Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040; Tel. 513-459-1661 ARRL, The national association for Amateur Radio _____ From: K6JAT(a)aol.com [mailto:K6JAT@aol.com] Sent: Saturday, December 25, 2010 5:03 PM To: arrl-odv Cc: etg(a)tiemlaw.com; greentiem(a)comcast.net; k6jat(a)arrl.org Subject: [arrl-odv:19512] Merry Christmas! Greetings all and Merry Christmas! There I was checking my antenna system to decipher all the movement I saw during the current storm. It was not cranked down and the gusts were getting severe across the top of the ridge. Maybe the missing eucalyptus trees removed some wind protection, but then the entire tower came crashing down on my shack with me in it! One of the 3 legs snapped just above the base bolts and the 2 others bent right over. What a noise and am I lucky! I'm looking at what's left of the PRO-67B right outside my hf operating position, 5 feet away from me. Only the top most vertical hit the roof, but did not penetrate it. I'm still a little shaky. The US Tower freestanding tower had been up for almost 17 years. I hope all of you and your loved ones are well and having a wonderful holiday. Be safe! K6JAT is now off the air. Back to the drawing board. . . . 73, Jim K6JAT _____ No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1170 / Virus Database: 1435/3338 - Release Date: 12/25/10

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[arrl-odv:19516] Re: Merry Christmas!
by Brian Mileshosky 26 Dec '10

26 Dec '10

Gives new meaning to "...When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the (shack) to see what was the matter..." doesn't it? Glad you're safe, and despite that hope you (and everyone else here on ODV) are having a wonderful Christmas. See everyone in January. 73, Brian N5ZGT On Sat, 25 Dec 2010, K6JAT(a)aol.com wrote: > Greetings all and Merry Christmas! > > There I was checking my antenna system to decipher all the movement I saw > during the current storm. It was not cranked down and the gusts were > getting severe across the top of the ridge. Maybe the missing eucalyptus > trees removed some wind protection, but then the entire tower came crashing > down on my shack with me in it! One of the 3 legs snapped just above the > base bolts and the 2 others bent right over. What a noise and am I lucky! > I'm looking at what's left of the PRO-67B right outside my hf operating > position, 5 feet away from me. Only the top most vertical hit the roof, but > did not penetrate it. I'm still a little shaky. The US Tower > freestanding tower had been up for almost 17 years. > > I hope all of you and your loved ones are well and having a wonderful > holiday. Be safe! > > K6JAT is now off the air. Back to the drawing board. . . . 73, Jim K6JAT > > ARRL Director, Rocky Mountain Division On the web at www.RockyMountainDivision.org

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