September 2011 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:20252] His Name Was Bubba
by dick＠pobox.com 29 Sep '11

29 Sep '11

BUBBA GETS AROUND A LOT!! His name was Bubba, he was from Texas and he needed a loan, so he walked into a bank in New York City and asked for the loan officer. He told the loan officer that he was going to Paris for an international redneck festival for two weeks and needed to borrow $5,000 and that he was not a depositor of the bank. The bank officer told him that the bank would need some form of security for the loan, so the redneck handed over the keys to a new Ferrari. The car was parked on the street in front of the bank. The Redneck produced the title and everything checked out. The loan officer agreed to hold the car as collateral for the loan and apologized for having to charge 12% interest. Later, the bank's president and its officers all enjoyed a good laugh at the Redneck from the south for using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral for a $5,000 loan. An employee of the bank then drove the Ferrari into the bank's private underground garage and parked it. Two weeks later, the redneck returned, repaid the $5,000 and the interest of $23.07. The loan officer said, "Sir, we are very happy to have had your business, and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out on Dunn & Bradstreet and found that you are a Distinguished Alumni from Texas Tech University, a highly sophisticated investor and multi-millionaire with real estate and financial interests all over the world. Your investments include a large number of wind turbines around Sweetwater, Texas. What puzzles us is, why would you bother to borrow $5,000?" The good 'ole boy replied, "Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $23.07 and expect it to be there when I return?"

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[arrl-odv:20250] July-August ITU News
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 29 Sep '11

29 Sep '11

Yesterday I received the July-August issue of ITU News, which carries a six-page article in which amateur radio and 4U1ITU are prominently featured. http://www.itu.int/net/itunews/issues/2011/06/46.aspx <http://www.itu.int/net/itunews/issues/2011/06/46.aspx> As Allen Pitts observed, "media hits don't get any better than this." Dave K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:20249] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 28 Sep '11

28 Sep '11

<<092811.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 34, No. 39 September 28, 2011 -- Covers the period September 18-24. Upcoming Meetings and Events Executive Committee October 1 @ 8:30am - Dulles, VA United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI) October 3-7 - ARRL HQ Section Managers' Workshop October 21-23 - ARRL HQ Ballot Counting for Director/Vice Director Elections November 18 - ARRL HQ Administration & Finance Committee November 19 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ CEO Office Lisa Kustosik reports that Director/Vice Directors Ballots have been mailed out in a very timely fashion on 9/22 and 9/23. Kudos to the mailroom and the computer department for making that happen. Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP This week is the editing of the new DIY Video and, while I am not in California, there is constant contact with the team of Bill Pasternak, Dave Bell and editor Keith Glispie. The draft video should be done by the end of the week. Once we have it hammered out, the next steps will be to quickly produce the supplimental material we hope to have available for members to go with it - at least a one page handout with highlights and where to get more information. We also are looking at options for a formal debut event. Development Reported by Mary Hobart, K1MMH A second 2011 communication was emailed and snail-mailed to active and lapsed Diamond Club donors to encourage renewal with special emphasis on monthly and quarterly giving. Thank to new Individual Giving Manager Lauren Clarke for managing this effort. The second 2011 issue of Spectrum Defense Matters was mailed to 45,000 donors and members on September 22 and emailed to 90,000 other ARRL members on September 28 in an effort to close the gap of $187,000 by year end. Another issue is planned for mailing in November. The Second Century Campaign committee is meeting by conference call on September 28 to update on activities since the August meeting and to move forward to contact the first round of leadership prospects. CDO Hobart and Education Services Manager are meeting with Robert Clark of Penn State University to plan a joint submission for a National Science foundation Grant. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE Joel Hallas gave a talk on coupled resonator antennas to a "Brown Bag" lunch seminar on September 22. Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed the ARRL Letter and produced and voiced ARRL Audio News for September 22, 2011. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R The warehouse crew fulfilled 727 packages for publication and product orders, 212 membership premiums, and QST mailing supplements. Life Membership payment notices and auto payments have been completed and processed for September. A Life Membership report is being prepared for the Executive Committee. US Postal Service Sworn Circulation Statements have been completed for each of our periodicals: QST, QEX and NCJ. These statements will be published in upcoming issues of the publications. Materials have been prepared to help represent ARRL membership at the Pacific Division Convention, "Pacificon," in October. Bob Inderbitzen is attending the event to help advance planning for the 2012 ARRL National Convention being hosted by Pacificon. "Happy Birthday" postcards, with a special e-store offer, have mailed to members with October birthdays. We are beginning to receive orders. An ad featuring The ARRL Handbook and The ARRL Antenna Book has been completed for Ham Radio Outlet's upcoming Winter Catalog. The ARRL fall/winter publications catalog is in early preparation stages. The new catalogs are expected to be in stock mid/late October. Now Shipping: ARRL VEC pin. Membership invitations were sent to online guests (licensed and unlicensed) this week. Significant progress has been made on efforts to revise the design of the first renewal notices. These new notices will be tested in November. A postcard soliciting membership (a new mailing format) hit the street on September 19. A large membership campaign mailed on September 19. A small mailing (just over 6,000) to previous purchasers of ARRL publications mailed on September 19. Another large membership campaign is scheduled for mailing October 11. In the 2 months we have been testing a revised 4th renewal notice, the test mailing is returning at 6.03% vs. 2.72% for the control mailing. After one more month of testing we will likely switch to the new renewal notice. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N Field Organization/Public Service Team By the end of the work week (September 23), the order for Section Manager election ballots and candidate statements for Kansas, New Mexico and Tennessee elections had been delivered to the printer. Leona Adams has been working with Mailroom Staff and others at Headquarters to schedule the mailing of these ballots before the October 3rd mailing deadline. One radio amateur from Idaho completed requirements to become an Official Observer this week. Chuck Skolaut handled inquiries this week about repeater identification, operating overseas, antenna restrictions, and propagation. An unidentified signal on 30 meters was checked out, and Hawaiian Official Observers are investigating reports of fishermen heard using an 80 meter frequency. News announcements regarding the open nomination periods for the 2011 International Humanitarian Award and the 2012 George Hart Distinguished Service Award were prepared and shared. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations Cathy Allison 10/10-10/14 Vacation Margie Bourgoin 9/30 Vacation Joe Carcia 10/10 Vacation Steve Ewald 10/4-10/12 Vacation Jackie Ferreira 10/20-10/24 Vacation Scott Gee 9/26-9/30 Vacation Mike Gruber 9/26-9/30 Vacation Mary Hobart 9/30 Vacation `` 10/21 Vacation Amy Hurtado 10/7-10/10 Vacation Gail Iannone 10/14-10/17 Vacation Bob Inderbitzen 9/29-10/10 UK Hamfest & RSGB Convention `` 10/13-10/17 Pacificon , Santa Clara, CA `` 10/24-10/26 Vacation Joel Kleinman 9/29 Vacation `` 10/6 Vacation Zack Lau 9/26-9/30 Vacation `` 11/5-11/6 Iowa Section Convention, Davenport, IA Diane Petrilli 10/25 Jury Duty Allen Pitts 9/30 Vacation `` 10/7 Vacation `` 10/14 Vacation Allyson Riedel 9/29-9/30 Vacation Steve Sant Andrea 10/3-10/4 Vacation

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[arrl-odv:20248] Centennial Celebration Committee
by Kay Craigie 27 Sep '11

27 Sep '11

Today the appointment of this committee was completed. From the Board family, the committee will have Directors Birmingham, Widin, and Woolweaver, and Vice Directors Raisbeck and Tiemstra. From the Staff, we will have Allen Pitts, Bob Inderbitzen, David Patton, and Steve Ford. I will chair the committee and will have the assistance of Dave Sumner. Ideas are welcome from everyone: Board, Staff, membership, the whole Amateur Radio family in the USA. I've already received a suggestion from Dennis Bodson and hope it will be the first of many. 73 - Kay N3KN

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[arrl-odv:20247] EC meeting agenda
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 27 Sep '11

27 Sep '11

Here is the agenda for this Saturday's EC meeting. It will be posted on the web site shortly. Dave K1ZZ <<2011_Oct_EC_agenda.pdf>>

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[arrl-odv:20212] Mail vote on 2012 strategies
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

All Directors: The Executive Committee has completed its work on recommended strategies for inclusion in the operational plan for 2012. They are: B1, Make more content available in multiple media and platforms. (Including but not limited to introduction and enhancement of digital QST.) C4, Improve national media and public relations exposure for Amateur Radio public service and emergency communications, not limited to traditional print and broadcast media. (Bringing PR Field volunteers and emergency communications volunteers into closer cooperation would be one aspect of this.) E3, Implement procedures to improve organizational efficiency, making the continuous effort to improve efficiency a permanent element of the League's corporate culture. (In addition to HQ departments working on this, the Field Organization volunteers might be asked to suggest ways in which their operations could be made more efficient. The objective is to constantly seek and implement ways of serving members better with the resources available to us.) F4, Identify non-traditional routes of entry into Amateur Radio and develop effective uses of this information. (By "non-traditional routes" we mean other avocations for which ham radio would be a logical add-on, but there may be other non-traditional routes as well.) While these recommended strategies are drawn from the Strategic Plan adopted by the Board in 2009, they have been somewhat rephrased for clarity. At its October 1 meeting the Executive Committee will be discussing how to "reboot" our strategic planning process. Several suggestions of how to do so already have been heard; anyone with additional ideas to share is encouraged to do so in the next two weeks. In the meantime, Directors are asked to cast their votes on the following resolution: "Resolved, that the recommendations of the Executive Committee of strategies for implementation in 2012 are adopted." If at all possible, please let me have your vote by next Wednesday, September 21. 73, David Sumner, K1ZZ Secretary, ARRL

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[arrl-odv:20244] Your last orders first
by dwayne＠wy7fd.com 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

In the Marine Corps, you are instructed that, "In the event of overlapping or conflicting orders, you are to follow the last order first." Looking at page 78 of the October 2011 QST, I find that I have been made director of the Rocky Mountain division. I was just wording my email to Brian instructing him to pack his crap and get out, when I turned to page 80 and see that N5ZGT is still director. My former training kicked in and seeing that Brian was listed last, I refrained from sending that email. Apparently there is a typo and I am sure that Brian still in the front row and there will be a retraction as soon as one can be published. 73, de WY7FD, Dwayne

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[arrl-odv:20243] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

<<092111.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 34, No. 38 September 21, 2011 -- Covers the period September 11-17. Upcoming Meetings and Events Executive Committee October 1 @ 8:30am - Dulles, VA United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI) October 3-7 - ARRL HQ Section Managers' Workshop October 21-23 - ARRL HQ Ballot Counting for Director/Vice Director Elections November 18 - ARRL HQ Administration & Finance Committee November 19 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP Thanks to the help of the graphics and advertising staff, the PR-101 course now has an advertisement that can be put into QST. The 2012 budget draft has been submitted and we expect the edits of the D.I.Y. video to be ready by the end of the month. An initial contact and conference call was arranged with Marianne Stevenson, President of Aerobridge, the non-profit organization that coordinates private aircraft to fly emergency supplies into disaster areas. This went very well. We are working on matching people's schedules to do a new video tour of W1AW and sent materials to the US Virgin Islands for a special presentation to government officials there. Editing of the chapter about PR in the coming ARES handbook is done and Lyon TV, a British video company contracted to do a National Geographic Special, requested and was given information about American Amateur Radio and local ham contacts for filming in NYC. Aid given to John Amodeo, NN6JA, who works on the ABC Television show "Last Man Standing", has resulted in several staff there studying for the Tech exam, and with Maria Somma's help it appears that they will have a VE session in a week - we're trying to get pictures of it. Because he offered to promote it on Ham Nation, a simple quotable script was provided to Gordon West to go with Web information about the ARRL equipment insurance and the PRC was provided with a powerpoint presentation for their use in the coming Nov 3rd Webinar about PR and ARES work. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE The November 2011 issue of QST was released to the printer September 20. Joel Hallas gave a talk on coupled resonator antennas to the Greater Norwalk (CT) ARC at their regular meeting on September 14. It was well received and resulted in a lively discussion about antenna choices. Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed the ARRL Letter and produced and voiced ARRL Audio News for September 8, 2011. Lab Reported by Ed Hare, W1RFI Product Review Bob Allison started testing three mid priced Hand Held Antenna Analyzers. Lab Volunteer, Martin Ewing, AA6E, assisted with a software driven analyzer and passed along his data to Bob. Bob tested a second unit of a low price hand held transceiver. Ed Hare assisted Bob in determining its radiated spectral characteristics. A 2 meter linear amplifier was retested for Product Review. Research of newer test equipment continues. Bob contacted several vendors inquiring about prices, options and support of various signal generators, spectrum analyzers, etc., that are used as test instruments for our Product Review Process. Radio Frequency Interference The Bob Thacker, K3GT power line noise case in Pittsburgh area remains ongoing. The initial 60 days are now up and there may be a follow up FCC field investigation. As previously reported, the complainant indicates that the noise has been fixed in all directions but one. This is where the FCC left off during its investigation in May. The utility only seems capable of fixing noise after someone else finds it for them. This case has now gone on for almost ten years since it was first reported to the ARRL. We were able to find all the sources in all but one direction in just a few hours. The Lakeland Power Line Noise case may have finally progressed to a point where the complainant may be operating less as a result of old age as opposed to noise. Mr. Flynn turned 90 in August. As previously reported, Mr. Flynn first brought his complaint to the ARRL in 2003, almost ten years ago. The noise could have been corrected years ago with a technically competent field investigation. Mike Gruber discussed an upcoming EMC Webinar with Committee Chairman Kermit Carlson, W9XA. A Webinar has not been set up for Thursday, September 22, 2011. Mike Gruber referred EMC Committee member Brian Cramer to a case in Henderson, KY. This case involves a municipal utility. Mike Gruber has been working with a member in Florida trying to develop a cure for an RFI problem involving a pulsed DC motor in an HVAC system. 10GHz Contest Zack W1VT made 16 contacts with 12 different stations this year. Conditions were a bit down this year, but all the regulars showed up. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R Online ordering has been brisk, boosted by interest in the (now advertised) upcoming new editions of The ARRL Handbook and The ARRL Antenna Book, and positive response to recent email solicitations. The warehouse crew fulfilled 826 packages for publication and product orders, 261 membership premiums, and QST mailing supplements. US Bank is preparing some direct mail to help promote the ARRL Visa Credit Card during the holiday season. Bob Inderbitzen has prepared materials to promote ARRL membership at two October events in Great Britain: the UK National Hamfest and the RSGB Convention. He has also been invited to make a presentation at the RSGB Convention, and he will make a visit to RSGB's administrative headquarters. ARRL HQ volunteers giving tours will begin photographing visitors to help support a Facebook photo album featuring these guests. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N DXCC Branch DXCC application processing time is now approximately two weeks. W1AW Joe created the texts for the October W1AW Qualifying Runs. He also processed regular QSL card requests. Joe began troubleshooting a problem with the Alpha 9500 amplifier. He also worked on 2012 W1AW budget items. And, he made some BPSK31 audio recordings for use at Maker Faire. Field Organization/Public Service Team Leona Adams has been receiving candidate statements from the candidates and preparing election-related materials for the upcoming Section Manager elections in Kansas, New Mexico and Tennessee. Steve Ewald received Field Organization monthly reports from around the country and prepared them for November QST. Production work on the Public Service column has also been wrapped up. Chuck Skolaut compiled and forwarded the monthly Official Observer Summary to all OOs, OOCs and Section Managers. One radio amateur from the Orange section completed requirements to become an Official Observer this past week. Questions handled included repeater control, operating overseas, antenna restrictions, uncoordinated repeaters and weather net information used by broadcast stations. A report of unlicensed use of 10 meters by a business was passed on to the section Official Observer Coordinator. Another report of CODAR operation on 12 meters is being investigated. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations Cathy Allison 10/10-10/14 Vacation Margie Bourgoin 9/30 Vacation Joe Carcia 10/10 Vacation Mike Corey 9/25 EmComm East, Rochester, NY Steve Ewald 10/4-10/12 Vacation Jackie Ferreira 10/20-10/24 Vacation Scott Gee 9/26-9/30 Vacation Mike Gruber 9/26-9/30 Vacation Dan Henderson 9/15-9/26 Ten Tec Hamfest, Sevierville, TN/SEDCO/Vacation Mary Hobart 9/21-9/26 Vacation `` 9/30 Vacation `` 10/21 Vacation Amy Hurtado 10/7-10/10 Vacation Gail Iannone 10/14-10/17 Vacation Bob Inderbitzen 9/29-10/10 UK Hamfest & RSGB Convention `` 10/13-10/17 Pacificon , Santa Clara, CA `` 10/24-10/26 Vacation Sabrina Jackson 9/26 Jury Duty Joel Kleinman 9/21-9/23 Vacation `` 9/29 Vacation Zack Lau 9/26-9/30 Vacation `` 11/5-11/6 Iowa Section Convention, Davenport, IA Kim McNeill 9/26-9/28 Vacation Diane Petrilli 10/25 Jury Duty Allyson Riedel 9/29-9/30 Vacation Steve Sant Andrea 9/26-9/27 Vacation Dave Sumner 9/16-9/23 Vacation Larry Wolfgang 9/26 Vacation

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[arrl-odv:20236] W9DXCC trip report
by Kay Craigie 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

The attachment is the report on my visit to the W9DXCC convention in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. 73 - Kay N3KN

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[arrl-odv:20223] 2011 Candidates' Statements
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

Here for the information of the Board are the candidates' statements for the current round of elections. Please do not share these outside the Board family. 73, Dave K1ZZ

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