March 2010 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:18812] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 31 Mar '10

31 Mar '10

<<033110.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 33, No. 13 March 31, 2010 -- Covers the period March 21-27. Upcoming Meetings and Events Programs & Services Committee: May 1, 2010 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ Administration &Finance Committee: May 5, 2010 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ Technical Relations Reported by Brennan Price, N4QX Brennan Price and Jon Siverling worked to temper a United States proposal to change a liaison statement sent by the ITU Rapporteur Group on PLT to a Study Group within the ITU-T sector. They continue work on WRC-12 preparation, with numerous United States Working Party meetings this week. Regulatory Information Reported by Dan Henderson, N1ND At the request of General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, we contacted Laura Smith at the FCC to provide information on the sales of Recon Robotics Recon Scout "throw-bots" that appear to have been made well in advance of the FCC waiver grant. We received several member queries asking the ARRL's position on the AHA waiver request. Pending release of the official ARRL comments to the FCC, the members have been referred to the appropriate item in the January 2010 Board minutes. The NPRM from the FCC on codifying the current waiver process for emergency drills was released and several member queries on the topic were handled. A query was received asking if a particular Chinese HT - the Wouxun KG-UVD1P - was approved for sale to amateurs in the US. While approved for Part 90 sales, it has not been approved for Part 97 sale or distribution. During the week, a proposal was received from the Mt. Diablo ARC seeking to work out an arrangement with the Beale AFB PAVE PAWS radar that would allow them to resume more extensive operations on the 70cm band. Since ARRL is not in the position to approve any such deal, we informed MDARC representatives that ARRL would be willing to work with them and the Air Force on any proposal that would help all amateurs meet their responsibility as secondary users. As part of the proposal, the ARRL Lab would be asked to assist in preparing / verifying Longley-Rice signal strength studies for several proposed changes in MDARC's current operation (something we already offer to affected repeaters in close proximity to the radar site). We also coordinated a VE test session for Lt. Col Max Lantz, commander of the Cape Cod radar installation. Congratulations to new licensee KB1TZU. A conference call was held with Cape Cod AFS PIO Barbara Burnett, Major Richard "Tank" Anderson, KR4YO, and the RIB manager who are co-authoring an article on the status of the PAVE PAWS project for both QST and an Air Force publication. Some checking and editing of the DLAC reflector was done to determine why a member was not receiving messages sent to the list. The cause was fixed and it now appears to be working properly. We also vetted a portion of an upcoming item for QST at the request of Joel Kleinman, N1BKE. Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP Timely last updates were done for the new Web site in preparation for the launch last Wednesday. Immediate PR response to the crash, including announcements, many emails and 1:1 phone calls helped to minimize negative reactions. Unfortunately, it is now unlikely to re-engage the tech and computer media I had contacted and had expressed interest in covering the new Web site as a story. On Friday, another run of the program was positioned as a "full scale load test" when things bogged down. However it was noted that several phone calls were received during the brief period of time the new site was visible to outsiders and they were all positive. Meanwhile, the PRC is preparing a special webinar for getting Field Day publicity to be conducted April 22, the RTDNA presentation is on course for April 13, the final texts for inclusion into the annual report should be in by March 31 for editing, the April 1 edition of CONTACT! is being completed (though it's posting may be delayed as it was intended for the new Web site), and Field Day PR materials are ready to go. Development Reported by Mary Hobart, K1MMH A second contribution of $15,000 has been received for the 2010 Teachers Institutes. So far, the program has received $40,000 in funding for 2010. The W1AW campaign mailing will mail March 30 to 50,000 prospects, with a goal of $65,000. The Diamond Club has reached $88167 in gross revenue. More detail and net revenue numbers will be available at the close of March. Responses for the Donor Reception on Thursday May 13 in Dayton are coming. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE Two new titles, PIC Programming for Beginners and Storm Spotting and Amateur Radio have been released to the printer. Joel Hallas provided a short video interview to Steve Ford for use on the new ARRL Web site. Steve asked questions about Joel's May 2010 QST beginner's article "I Can Hear Him - Why Can't He Hear Me?" Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed The ARRL Letter for March 25, 2010. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R Membership application returns have been brisk this month-already showing a gain over February, and with a few days remaining in the month to continue climbing. The spring/summer publications catalog is being wrapped-up. During the last week, the warehouse crew fulfilled 926 packages for publication and product orders, 318 membership premiums, and QST mailing supplements. Now Shipping: The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual 2nd edition and ARRL's Tech Q&A 5th edition (for Technician exams given on or after July 1, 2010), The ARRL Repeater Directory 2010-2011 edition (pocket-sized and desktop editions), and new ARES(r) pin. Exhibitors badges and event apparel have been ordered for ARRL's big Dayton team-over 130 people including ARRL officials, volunteers and staff. Event banners, posters, signs and other collateral will be committed during the first half of April. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N W1AW Thanks to Hugh Brower for getting our IRLP Linux box back online after a nasty hard-drive crash. Joe updated the W1AW web code practice files and their archives. He reinstalled software on the Linux box that is used for the W1AW IRLP node 4292. Joe also rebuilt a preamp/preselector box for use with the Hamtronics R139 NOAA satellite receiver, and placed it back into service. He also worked out a few more settings with the VUAC-I internal reflector. Scott worked on fast and slow code practice files for the latter part of the month of March and early April. Field Organization/Public Service Team A few more ARRL award nominations have arrived, and these nominations have also been acknowledged. Steve Ewald is serving as the HQ staff contact person for nominations for the Herb S. Brier Award, the Technical Service Award, the Technical Innovation Award, the Hiram Percy Maxim Award, and the Joe Knight Distinguished Service Award. A new Official Observer has come on board in the Eastern Washington Section. Official Observers continue to investigate complaints and furnish further documentation on previously reported cases on 10 and 40 meters. Meanwhile, in Oregon, OOs were alerted to Citizen Band operators that were heard on 10 meters. The monthly monitoring report for IARU Region 3 arrived at HQ, and an unidentified signal on 14.252 MHz was tentatively identified as WeFax. Chuck fielded some questions about foreign radio amateurs operating in the US, antenna restrictions, and provided guidance on how to properly change one's Amateur Radio license information. The Illinois Section Manager election ballots and candidate statements were printed and delivered to ARRL HQ, and the Mailroom Staff prepared to send them out before the end of March. Education Services Reported by Debra Johnson, K1DMJ I'm very happy to welcome Jennifer Knapp and Jenny Hawran to the Education Department. Both are part-time. Jennifer will be providing administrative support for the Continuing Education Program as well as the Education & Technology Program, and Jenny will be assisting with resource and website communications support for licensing instruction and all educational outreach programs. Both are studying for their amateur radio license and are quickly learning their roles. Mark Spencer WA8SME is supporting the ARRL Dayton Hamvention Kit Building booth by putting together two construction kits, the clock kit used last year, and a new touch paddle kit developed this year. The kits have been completed and have been shipped to HQ. I am working with Sue Fagan to develop a bookmark/ruler hand-out for youth designed to commemorate a contact or a first encounter with ham radio. We'll provide some of these at Dayton, but will also stock them in our warehouse for clubs to order for outreach events with youth/Scouts, with the National Boy Scout Jamboree that occurs this summer also in mind. Continuing Education Program The new advanced emcomm course and final assessment are complete and ready to launch. Jennifer Knapp will be providing administrative support for the final assessment application process. Education & Technology Program Mark Spencer WA8SME has been focused on developing the new curriculum for the TI-2 on Basic Electronics and building the components for the TI-2 on Space in the Classroom, including a redesign of the CubeSat simulator receiver component. He also provided assistance to AMSAT drafting an education plan for an application for a CubeSat launch opportunity. The proposed education plan is heavily dependent on the TI-2 Space curriculum which is what is needed to justify the free ride into space. Nathan McCray K9CPO reports that his school is planning a space camp this spring and he will be using most of the equipment presented in the TI and TI-2. Plans include using 2meter radios and having comms between the space model (that the students built) and mission control. Robotics students will use their Boe-Bots like the Mars Rover to simulate a mission on the moon's surface. Students are also working on a satellite telemetry project that will lead up to the big week at the end of April where everything will be brought together. Nathan is also working with two teachers who are preparing for the Tech license exam, recruiting for the TIs, and answering weather, robotics and electronics questions from teachers all over the US. Teachers Institute Mark Spencer reports that this is a time of turmoil and anxiety for teachers which is impacting the number of teachers applying for this year's Teachers Institutes. In the majority of states school boards need to notify their teachers by March 15 if they will have a job or not next year. Mark notes that many times, particularly during times of fiscal uncertainty like we are in right now, the school boards give pink slips to all their teachers to satisfy the notification requirements and then sort out the budget issues over the next few months with not all pink slips being executed. Those that do not receive the pink slips will be free to consider their professional growth futures and consider attending the TIs. We currently have 31 applications on hand for the remaining 6 TIs scheduled for this year. The TI-2 on Space in the Classroom is at full enrollment. We rely heavily on the general ham community to help advertise the opportunity among their local teachers. We've found that word of mouth is the best advertisement. We've provided announcements in QST and to Section Managers and will circulate an announcement to clubs. The Tucson Unified School District Teachers Institute is now complete. Miguel Enriquez KD7RPP led that Institute with twenty-one in-district participants, including the school principal, school counselor, three resources personnel (2 gifted and talented education and 1 exceptional education teachers) and sixteen classroom teachers showed up on four Saturdays in February and March 2010 to complete an expanded 45 hour Teachers Institute. In addition, five parents attended the TI as observers. Miguel provided a detailed report which News Editor, Khrystyne Keane K1SFA will develop into a news story for the ARRL website. Videos of activities are viewable on YouTube. View the most recent video <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ReHNtzHjm4> capturing Day 4 activities. ARISS The ARISS Team is working on finalizing plans for moving some equipment moved from the ISS Service Module to the Columbus Module. In the near future, all school contacts except those with Russian schools will be made from Columbus. Two Ericcson radios on the ISS have not been used for over a year, and these will be moved out of the Russian Service Module and into Columbus. Later, the packet module and power supply will be installed in Columbus. Astronaut Mike Fincke has volunteered to perform the first installation if he has time during his visit to the ISS on a space shuttle short duration flight. The European Space Agency is helping finance new L/S-band equipment for the new ISS module, and will publicize the first ARISS school contact from the module. The AMSAT ARISSat Team is finishing work on the satellite for shipment to Russia by July 1. ARISSat will be delivered to the ISS under the Russian manifest for a ride on a Progress rocket. Deployment of the satellite by the astronauts will be during spacewalk EVA-28. Rosalie White K1STO prepared a story about the Midvalley Elementary School QSO that took place last December. The story includes details about the educational preparations for the contact led by David Bettinson KE7LMH. Bettinson integrated the resources he gathered from his participation at the Teachers Institute to develop an educational plan for the 6th grade class. He plans to continue the technology- and ham-related lessons through the rest of this school year and with next year's 6th graders, with plans for a ham radio station at the school sometime in the not too distant future. The story has been submitted for publication in QST. On March 25, Expedition 23 astronaut Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP participated in a successful ARISS contact with Shiogama Daini Junior High School students from Shiogama, Japan. To prepare for the session, students compiled fifteen questions about life and work in space. Through their science classes, they learned about astronomy and communication via radio waves. Some students continued their training and studied for their amateur radio license exams. The ISS crew members are following standard procedure this spring in doing one ARISS school contact per week when there is no vehicle docked (which has been often, lately). Orbital mechanics have not favored the US recently. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Staff Absentee List All Staff 4/2 Holiday Steve Capodicasa 4/12 Vacation Joe Carcia 5/28 Vacation Jackie Cornell 5/12-5/16 Dayton Hamvention, Dauton, OH Steve Ewald 4/16-4/17 Delaware State Convention, Georgetown, DE `` 4/23-4/29 Vacation Steve Ford 4/22-4/23 Vacation Norm Fusaro 5/13-5/16 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Scott Gee 4/14-4/16 Vacation `` 5/13-5/14 Vacation Mike Gruber 4/30 Vacation `` 6/1-6/4 Vacation Ed Hare 4/19-4/22 ANSI asc C63 EMC Comm. meeting, Piscataway, NJ Dan Henderson 4/5-4/9 Vacation `` 4/30-5/5 SC Section Convention, Spartanburg, SC/Vacation Mary Hobart 4/2-4/7 Vacation `` 5/12-5/16 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton OH `` 6/11-6/13 HamCom, Dallas, TX Amy Hurtado 5/12-5/16 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Bob Inderbitzen 4/8-4/9 AES Superfest, Milwaukee, WI `` 4/19-4/23 Vacation Bob Inderbitzen 5/12-5/16 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Debra Johnson 4/23-4/26 Arkansas Section Convention, Rogers, AR Khrystyne Keane 4/6 Vacation Joel Kleinman 4/6-4/8 Vacation Lisa Kustosik 5/13-5/18 Vacation Amy Leary 5/13-5/16 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH `` 5/17 Vacation Maryann Macdonald 5/12-5/16 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Bill Moore 3/31-4/6 Vacation `` 4/15-4/19 International DX Convention, Visalia, CA `` 5/13-5/16 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Diane Petrilli 5/13-5/16 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Kim Piatek 5/12-5/16 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Steve Sant Andrea 4/6 Vacation

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[arrl-odv:18802] Re: RE: PowerPoint of Inside HQ
by G.P. Widin 31 Mar '10

31 Mar '10

Harold, While it has seldom been this much work to get a presentation over the web, your presentation makes up for it by doing a wonderful job of showing who's who, and definng the different responsibilities. I hope it will be possible to update this over time, so it stays correct. Meanwhile, congratulations to you and anyone who worked on it or gave you advice. Anyone who sees this presentation will understand at least a little more about the League, and also realize that it is these are wonderful people who give so much to ham radio, whether they are active hams or not. Thanks for responding to my badgering and putting this out. -- 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> Cc: "arrl-odv" <arrl-odv(a)arrl.org> Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 2:54:30 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central Subject: [arrl-odv:18801] RE: [arrl-odv:18794] PowerPoint of Inside HQ Greg, Yes, that is the way SlideShare works! If any you want me to email you a copy , I can try the program that Jim, N2ZZ, suggested. However, some email clients will reject a 15MB file. If that does not work, I can mail it to you on a CD. 73, Harold Harold Kramer, WJ1B Chief Operating Officer ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio ™ 860 594 0220 hkramer(a)arrl.org From: G.P. Widin [mailto:gpwidin@comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 3:47 PM To: Kramer, Harold, WJ1B Cc: arrl-odv Subject: Re: [arrl-odv:18794] PowerPoint of Inside HQ Harold, So now I get to the page, but when I try to download it, it wants me to create a SlideShare account. Is this what's really supposed to happen? -- 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: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 9:26:44 AM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central Subject: [arrl-odv:18794] PowerPoint of Inside HQ Hi, My Inside HQ P ower P oint is up in the ODV section, http://itdevel.arrl.org/odv-media on the new Web site. Please edit it as you require. Thanks to Jim, N2ZZ, for his suggestion on how to mail it to Board Members who want a copy. 73, Harold Harold Kramer, WJ1B Chief Operating Officer ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio ™ 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 Telephone: 860 594 0220 email: hkramer(a)arrl.org web: www.arrl.org/

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Harold's PowerPoint
by Kramer, Harold, WJ1B 31 Mar '10

31 Mar '10

Hi, We have loaded a copy of my PowerPoint presentation on the new Web site here. This version can be easily downloaded: http://itdevel.arrl.org/odv-media You must log in to access it since it is in the ODV section. This is a PowerPoint 2003 version that will run on either PowerPoint 2003 or 2007. If you still have problems, let me know and I will mail you a CD of the presentation. 73, Harold Harold Kramer, WJ1B Chief Operating Officer ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio(tm) 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 Telephone: 860 594 0220 email: hkramer(a)arrl.org <mailto:hkramer@arrl.org> web: www.arrl.org/ <http://www.arrl.org/>

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[arrl-odv:18809] Re:RE: Returning CW Nets and Digital Modes to 3600 - 3750 kHz
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 31 Mar '10

31 Mar '10

Just before she left for vacation this morning, President Craigie asked me to call Bill Cross. As Chris has said, Bill's observations are not binding on the Commission and he should not be quoted outside ODV. To begin, a review of how we got to where we are today may be helpful. A good place to start is the December 2006 QST editorial (attached). Here I'm going to use the FCC convention of referring to the phone portion of the 3500-4000 kHz band as "75 meters" and the remainder of the band as "80 meters." Also, please don't shoot the messenger. Bill noted that the expansion of the 75 meter phone band and consequent reduction of the 80 meter RTTY/data band (CW being permitted throughout 75 and 80 meters) came about in a proceeding, WT Docket No. 04-140, that addressed (among other issues) the elimination of the 80, 40 and 15 meter "Novice" bands. He said 3600 kHz was chosen as the dividing line between 75 and 80 meters on the basis of comments that argued (1) 75 meters was much more congested than 80 meters, (2) the 25 kHz expansion proposed by the FCC (which corresponded to the ARRL's request in RM-10413) was clearly inadequate to address the congestion, and (3) there were more "narrowband" (500 Hz) channels below 3600 kHz available than "wideband" (3 kHz) channels above 3600 kHz. As for whether a petition would be timely, he said that it wasn't so much a matter of timeliness (although he later commented that subband allocations tend to be reviewed in 10-12 year cycles) as a matter of the Commission being reluctant to take up single-band issues unless there is a compelling reason to do so. He made it pretty clear that based on the comments that reach him, he doesn't see a compelling reason in this case: phone is the most popular operating mode, the expansion has eased congestion and reduced confrontation, and the situation facing CW and RTTY/data operators in 100 kHz on 80 meters is no worse than what they face in 125 kHz on 40 meters, much of which is shared with foreign phone operators. I told him that we were looking for a new 80 meter CW frequency for W1AW to resolve a problem that PSK31 operators have inflicted on themselves by choosing to plop down where W1AW had been operating for many years prior to the invention of PSK31, but that we've been unable to find a suitable frequency that isn't being used by a CW net; he responded that the FCC doesn't address voluntary band planning issues or conflicts that can be resolved by rotating "the big VFO knob," nothing requires CW nets only to operate on 80 meters, and more sunspots should relieve whatever congestion is perceived on the lower frequency bands. I told him that we have even considered moving W1AW CW operations to 3600.0 kHz or just above that frequency although we were reluctant to take what might be seen as a radical step, and he agreed that given the nature of the 75 meter population (which he observed is quite different from 160 meters, where people seem to get along better) such a move might cause a negative reaction. In short, despite the fact that the selection of 3600 kHz was based on comments that (as I pointed out to him) were relatively few in number, a proposal to the FCC change the 75/80 meter subband allocations - whether by moving the dividing line or by sharing between phone and RTTY/data, which is not currently done in any HF band - would bear the burden of proving that (1) there is a compelling problem and (2) the proposed solution has popular support. The Commission is more likely to consider the issue as part of a larger review rather than on a single-band basis. Dave K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:18808] Favorites on New Web Site
by Kramer, Harold, WJ1B 31 Mar '10

31 Mar '10

I'm not sure if this went out to ODV the first time. To: ARRL ODV and SM List and others: One of the features of the new Web site is the Favorites bar. This is a very helpful feature that will make it easier for you to navigate the site. Here is an explanation from Katie Glass about how it works: 73, Harold ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- New Feature: Favorites bar One of the many new features of the new Web site is the favorites bar. Once you have logged in to the site, the favorites bar will appear on every page. This feature allows you to select pages you can access quickly and often. Log In and the Favorites box will appear .To use the Favorites bar, go to the page you wish to add to your favorites. Click on the dropdown, select Add to Favorites and then select GO. Your page will refresh a bit so that it can add the page to your favorites. You'll then be able, from anywhere on the site (as long as you're logged in) to access your favorite pages. You can manage your favorites from your profile. Click the Edit Your Profile button under the Favorites bar. Once there, click on Edit Favorites. From here you can add new favorites and delete old/unused favorites. You can also go to your favorite pages from this screen by clicking Go Now! Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, Katie Katie Glass Digital Content Manager ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio(tm) 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494 USA Telephone: (860) 594-0250 E-mail: kglass(a)arrl.org <mailto:dpetrilli@arrl.org> Web: www.arrl.org <http://www.arrl.org/>

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[arrl-odv:18806] Re: Returning CW Nets and Digital Modes to 3600 - 3750 kHz
by Chris Imlay 31 Mar '10

31 Mar '10

Dick, of course we can call Bill Cross and ask him. I will do it right away if you want that done. But please understand that he doesn't make the decision whether or not to proceed with a rulemaking once a petition is filed, or whether one is timely; he would likely not have a substantial voice in the process, so asking him would be a waste of time, and conveying his opinion to the Board would be an unreliable metric for whether or not to file. No one at FCC who is in a decisionmaking position on the subject (which is in the Wireless Bureau's "front office" initially, and their recommendation is made to the Commissioners, who will decide whether or not to issue a Notice of Proposed Rule Making based on that petition) will give anyone an "advance read" on whether or not an unfiled petition is or is not untimely. They will require that a petition actually be filed, and then they will adjudicate it on the merits. It is a process that takes many months, and it may not be decided until the petition is given a file number, and public comments on the petition are received. Sorry to sound so Kafka-esque about this, but that is the way it is, unfortunately. That said, if you want Cross' opinion, I will be happy to get one from him, and Board members can give it all the weight it merits in deciding how to proceed. 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: Richard J. Norton <richardjnorton(a)gmail.com> To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> Sent: Wed, Mar 31, 2010 1:38 am Subject: [arrl-odv:18805] Re: Returning CW Nets and Digital Modes to 3600 - 3750 kHz Do any of the ARRL people who interact with the FCC have a elationship with Bill Cross where they could call him up informally nd ask how he views this idea? If yes, would someone do so? If not, is it acceptable to ask someone who does know him to nformally ask the question? I note that directors are not supposed to ommunicate with FCC people. 73, Dick Norton, N6AA On Mon, Mar 29, 2010 at 6:26 AM, Chris Imlay <w3kd(a)aol.com> wrote: It strikes me that Tom is correct (unfortunately). We certainly were not happy about the decisions that the FCC made in Docket 04-140 concerning 80 meters, and in fact we filed a reconsideration petition (which was denied in Docket 05-235 in December of 2006). Joel Harrison complained about that to then (Acting) FCC Chairman Michael Copps about it. Of course, nothing happened, but all this is relatively recent (in FCC time) and the chances of getting a change now, this soon after the 05-235 Report and Order are questionable. While one might think that there is no harm in asking, if FCC was to deny a petition based on the fact that 05-235 was sufficiently recent that a further change petition is untimely (i.e. repetitive) would set the effort back a good ways. We will do whatever the Board wishes, of course, but the price of failure here in terms of time lost before we could ask again is potentially high, as Tom says. 73, Chris W3KD > -----Original Message----- From: Tom Frenaye <frenaye(a)pcnet.com> To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> Sent: Sun, Mar 28, 2010 10:20 am Subject: [arrl-odv:18755] Re: Returning CW Nets and Digital Modes to 3600 - 3750 kHz At 10:08 AM 3/25/2010, Mickey Cox wrote: >The ham community is not ready to make wholesale changes in our regulations regarding modes/subbands, etc., but we might be successful in convincing enough folks to support opening up 100 or 150 kHz on 80, perhaps at least on a trial basis of two or three years. Mickey - I don't think the holdup would be the ham community, it would be the FCC. It would be very unusual for them to re-examine an issue they decided less than five years ago, and especially unusual for them to reverse themselves, even though I agree that they made a bad mistake. I also think you'll find most Board members agree that it was badly handled by the FCC. So the question is really when do we go back and raise the question again - and for that I'd defer to Chris/Kay/Dave for their expertise. If we go too early, it will just push the time for possible change out another five or more years... Plus, as we learned even in the "simple" spread spectrum NPRM that just came out, we can ask for something that seems reasonable and the FCC will screw us... (I think K5UR trademarked that phrase. ) I wouldn't stir the pot in the amateur community unless we really think there is a path to success. Nothing worse than raising expectations and then looking impotent - which we are sometimes. -- Tom

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[arrl-odv:18805] Re: Returning CW Nets and Digital Modes to 3600 - 3750 kHz
by Richard J. Norton 31 Mar '10

31 Mar '10

Do any of the ARRL people who interact with the FCC have a relationship with Bill Cross where they could call him up informally and ask how he views this idea? If yes, would someone do so? If not, is it acceptable to ask someone who does know him to informally ask the question? I note that directors are not supposed to communicate with FCC people. 73, Dick Norton, N6AA On Mon, Mar 29, 2010 at 6:26 AM, Chris Imlay <w3kd(a)aol.com> wrote: > It strikes me that Tom is correct (unfortunately). We certainly were not > happy about the decisions that the FCC made in Docket 04-140 concerning 80 > meters, and in fact we filed a reconsideration petition (which was denied in > Docket 05-235 in December of 2006). Joel Harrison complained about that to > then (Acting) FCC Chairman Michael Copps about it. Of course, nothing > happened, but all this is relatively recent (in FCC time) and the chances of > getting a change now, this soon after the 05-235 Report and Order are > questionable. While one might think that there is no harm in asking, if FCC > was to deny a petition based on the fact that 05-235 was sufficiently > recent that a further change petition is untimely (i.e. repetitive) would > set the effort back a good ways. > > We will do whatever the Board wishes, of course, but the price of failure > here in terms of time lost before we could ask again is potentially high, as > Tom says. > > 73, Chris W3KD > > -----Original Message----- > From: Tom Frenaye <frenaye(a)pcnet.com> > To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> > Sent: Sun, Mar 28, 2010 10:20 am > Subject: [arrl-odv:18755] Re: Returning CW Nets and Digital Modes to 3600 - > 3750 kHz > > At 10:08 AM 3/25/2010, Mickey Cox wrote: >>The ham community is not ready to make wholesale changes in our regulations > regarding modes/subbands, etc., but we might be successful in convincing > enough > folks to support opening up 100 or 150 kHz on 80, perhaps at least on a > trial > basis of two or three years. > > Mickey - > > I don't think the holdup would be the ham community, it would be the FCC. > It > would be very unusual for them to re-examine an issue they decided less than > five years ago, and especially unusual for them to reverse themselves, even > though I agree that they made a bad mistake. I also think you'll find most > Board members agree that it was badly handled by the FCC. > > So the question is really when do we go back and raise the question again - > and > for that I'd defer to Chris/Kay/Dave for their expertise. If we go too > early, > it will just push the time for possible change out another five or more > years... > Plus, as we learned even in the "simple" spread spectrum NPRM that just came > out, we can ask for something that seems reasonable and the FCC will screw > us... > (I think K5UR trademarked that phrase. ) > > I wouldn't stir the pot in the amateur community unless we really think > there is > a path to success. Nothing worse than raising expectations and then looking > impotent - which we are sometimes. > > -- Tom >

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[arrl-odv:18803] Re: RE: PowerPoint of Inside HQ
by Brian Mileshosky 30 Mar '10

30 Mar '10

Harold -- Let me first admit that I've not been following the discussion about this topic too closely due to some travel...that said, can't the Powerpoint presentation just be posted on ODV directly? No links to other places...just the file itself. 15MB isn't that big. 73, Brian N5ZGT On Tue, 30 Mar 2010, Kramer, Harold, WJ1B wrote: > Greg, > > > > Yes, that is the way SlideShare works! If any you want me to email you a copy , I can try the program that Jim, N2ZZ, suggested. However, some email clients will reject a 15MB file. If that does not work, I can mail it to you on a CD. > > > > 73, > > > > Harold > > > > Harold Kramer, WJ1B > > Chief Operating Officer > > > > ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio™ > > 860 594 0220 > > hkramer(a)arrl.org > > > > > > From: G.P. Widin [mailto:gpwidin@comcast.net] > Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 3:47 PM > To: Kramer, Harold, WJ1B > Cc: arrl-odv > Subject: Re: [arrl-odv:18794] PowerPoint of Inside HQ > > > > Harold, > So now I get to the page, but when I try to download it, it wants me to create a SlideShare account. > Is this what's really supposed to happen? > > -- > 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: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 9:26:44 AM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central > Subject: [arrl-odv:18794] PowerPoint of Inside HQ > > > > > Hi, > > > > > > My Inside HQ PowerPoint is up in the ODV section, http://itdevel.arrl.org/odv-media on the new Web site. Please edit it as you require. > > > > Thanks to Jim, N2ZZ, for his suggestion on how to mail it to Board Members who want a copy. > > > > 73, > > Harold > > > > > > > > Harold Kramer, WJ1B > > Chief Operating Officer > > > > ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio™ > > 225 Main Street > > Newington, CT 06111 > > Telephone: 860 594 0220 > > email: hkramer(a)arrl.org <mailto:hkramer@arrl.org> > > web: www.arrl.org/ <http://www.arrl.org/> > > > > > ARRL Director, Rocky Mountain Division On the web at www.RockyMountainDivision.org

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[arrl-odv:18800] Re: PowerPoint of Inside HQ
by G.P. Widin 30 Mar '10

30 Mar '10

Harold, So now I get to the page, but when I try to download it, it wants me to create a SlideShare account. Is this what's really supposed to happen? -- 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: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 9:26:44 AM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central Subject: [arrl-odv:18794] PowerPoint of Inside HQ Hi, My Inside HQ P ower P oint is up in the ODV section, http://itdevel.arrl.org/odv-media on the new Web site. Please edit it as you require. Thanks to Jim, N2ZZ, for his suggestion on how to mail it to Board Members who want a copy. 73, Harold Harold Kramer, WJ1B Chief Operating Officer ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio ™ 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 Telephone: 860 594 0220 email: hkramer(a)arrl.org web: www.arrl.org/

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[arrl-odv:18799] Re: FW: RE: North American Center For Emergency Communications, (NACEC)
by gpwidin 30 Mar '10

30 Mar '10

Bob, I agree with Jay's assessment. I talked to the guy on the phone last night, and he claims to be only accessing "technicians" not active hams. But his logic is confused (or at least he confused me). He said he is going to send me some info that he'd like to pass along to ARRL. I will do that, but I don't see much of a problem in this guy pursuing his vision. In any case, I don't think we will need to stop him, because his exposition is confused, and there are plenty of other, more established organizations pursuing this (including us, of course). So, my take is just to sit tight for now. 73, Greg, K0GW ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Vallio" <rbvallio(a)gmail.com> To: "arrl-odv" <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> Cc: "arrl-odv" <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 12:13:12 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central Subject: [arrl-odv:18797] Re:FW: RE: North American Center For Emergency Communications, (NACEC) It looks like we have plenty of Board interest in this issue, along with some concern regarding what exactly Addy is doing, and for whom. I do not see very much good coming from his efforts, but I do see the potential for various problems. Is this an item for the E C to consider, someone at HQ, or perhaps P & S C? I do not believe that we can take the risk that inaction by the Board be our policy at this time. 73, Bob -- W6RGG On Fri, Mar 26, 2010 at 7:42 AM, John Bellows < jbellows(a)skypoint.com > wrote: There is a typo in the last paragraph of my last posting. It should read: “For what it is worth. If past experience is an indication Addy is UNLIKELY to draw volunteers from those who are currently affiliated with another emcom organization. Aurora , MN is a 4 to 5 hour drive from Minneapolis/St. Paul so you can do the math as to how many folks would be interested in traveling to operate at the NACEC location.” 73, Jay, KØQB -----Original Message----- From: John Bellows [mailto: jbellows(a)skypoint.com ] Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 9:24 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:18738] RE: [arrl-odv:18735] North American Center For Emergency Communications, (NACEC) I little background on Ed Addy and NACEC from Minnesota . Ed Addy popped up at the time of Gulf War I and formed an organization called Desert Voices. The group built a station, including several very nice rhombic antennas with the sole purpose of providing health and welfare traffic and phones patches for the benefit of military personnel stationed in the Middle East and their families. The station was located in Rosemount , MN . For the most part Desert Voices use amateur frequencies and relied upon local amateurs as volunteer operators. Addy was quite successful in obtaining donations of equipment for the venture. The operation was well received and successful. To the best of my knowledge when the Desert voices operation closed the equipment was all returned or donated as directed by the original donors. Ed Addy is a “Type A” person and not shy about asking for help, equipment or volunteers. At least at that point in time his aggressive approach in “recruiting” volunteers wasn’t universally applauded in the local amateur community though I am not aware of any problems with the operation. There was a brief resurrection of the Desert Voices activity for Gulf II but by that time Addy had moved to Aurora , MN where he had purchased a large tract of land for the purpose of establishing the North American Center for Emergency Communications (NACEC). Since that time I haven’t heard much of or from Ed Addy until yesterday. There was a minor flurry of local email s from Addy about his interest in rising once again. Just as I was leaving the office yesterday I received a call from Mr. Addy. He said he had sent out a mass emailing looking for volunteers. It wasn’t clear what he planned, but it didn’t seem likely that there would be a lot of interest on the part of volunteers to trek to Northern Minnesota so I just listened. Addy said he was concerned because in response to his emails he had received some replies that the recipient had checked with ARRL (I don’t know who) and was told they never heard of Ed Addy and NACEC. Addy wanted to know who to speak with at ARRL. I did tell him that the multi-section and regional Emergency Communications activities of ARRL had expended considerably since Katrina and ARRL has an Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager and associated structure so that the resurrection of NACEC could likely be duplication. I did give him Alan Pitt’s name as the current contact point at ARRL. Addy said he already had that information. For what it is worth. If past experience is an indication Addy is likely to draw volunteers from those who are currently affiliated with another emcom organization. Aurora , MN is a 4 to 5 hour drive from Minneapolis/St. Paul so you can do the math as to how many folks would be interested in traveling to operate at the NACEC location. If there is some further concern I would be happy to try and get more information from Mr. Addy. 73, Jay, KØQB -----Original Message----- From: Grant Hopper [mailto: ghopper(a)eskimo.com ] Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 12:12 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:18738] RE: [arrl-odv:18735] North American Center For Emergency Communications, (NACEC) Funny thing. Jim Fenstermaker and I were JUST talking about this group. They have been aggressively contacting groups in my area and one local ham, knowing I'm a volunteer council as well as a radio officer forwarded the email to me. I did some digging and am a bit concerned by what I found, especially given that they seem to be targeting hams. If there is interest, either on or off this forum, I'll be glad to share what found, but I do think some more investigation (at a more local level) is certainly called for before any action is taken. 73, Grant Grant Hopper, KB7WSD ARRL Northwest Division, Vice Director -----Original Message----- From: Bob Vallio [mailto: rbvallio(a)gmail.com ] Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 9:56 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:18735] North American Center For Emergency Communications, (NACEC) I don't know if anyone has any knowledge of this organization, but this fellow is soliciting members of my Division to sign up to work for his group to provide emergency radio communications all over the world. Is there some action we should take to disabuse this fellow of continuing this tactic? In addition to reinventing the wheel, he appears to want to do it with our members. 73, Bob -- W6RGG Edward Addy KEØEG, Executive Director North American Center For Emergency Communications, (NACEC) P.O. Box 174 Aurora, MN 55705 Ph: 218-305-4100 Web: www.nacec.org

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