November 2012 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:21270] LOTW - Suggestion
by James F. Boehner, MD 28 Nov '12

28 Nov '12

Dave, I have a suggestion that may allow for more timely distribution of LOTW information without additional cost to the ARRL. I see that ARRL has a forum for DXCC but it does not appear to be used widely for LOTW. I doubt creating an LOTW forum would be helpful, however. It appears most of the LOTW information exchange is occurring on ARRL-LOTW(a)yahoogroups.com with over 2000 members. One of my division members suggested that having accurate information from the ARRL on a timely basis would handle most of the rumors that come out concerning LOTW. Although several on the board may be members of that group, we are still dealing with second hand information. Is it possible for someone on staff who is directly associated with the LOTW program monitor that list, perhaps in digest form? That staffer would have the advantage of having direct access to problems members are having, and be able to post timely authoritative information on the system for the members, dispelling rumors. Hopefully it would take less than 15 minutes in a day, scanning through the digest, and posting a reply. It would be certainly more efficient than responding to members one at a time. It goes without saying that the staffer will have to have a thick skin! Some will not be happy with any answer. The majority would be appreciative of the information. There is a precedent for this. Ed Hare did participate in the BPL yahoogroup, and information exchange was astounding (and we even won that war!). On another front, Paul Opitz is the product manager for Uniden. He participates in many of the scanner yahoogroups, and is highly appreciated by the scanner community for his customer service. I think this would be great customer service for no additional cost. '73 de JIM N2ZZ ARRL Vice Director Roanoke Division From: arrl-odv-bounces(a)reflector.arrl.org [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 9:11 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:21268] LOTW status I just responded to a member's message about LoTW and thought the information in my reply might be useful to you. I expect more information will be available tomorrow. Kay, I hope he is not blaming you for non-response since he busted your callsign in the address both times. 73, Dave K1ZZ _____ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ Sent: Wed 11/28/2012 2:05 AM To: Alan Swinger; Alan Swinger; nk3n(a)arrl.org Cc: David Damon; Jim Crosby - AARC/K4JEC; Jim Owen - K4CGY Subject: RE: Fw: LOTW Non-Response by ARRL! Dear Alan: There are two major issues with LoTW right now, and they are related. The processing backlog, which I appreciate your saying is not the main problem, caused a larger queue to develop than previously experienced and larger in terms of the number of individual files than the system was designed for. Please bear in mind that the current IT staff was not involved with the original design and implementation of LoTW, so -- while the current staff is very knowledgable about the system -- it was not immediately apparent that the very large number of files in the queue was causing the main problem you identified. I believe we now understand what is happening and why, and that we'll get it under control tomorrow (barring some unforeseen development in the meantime). At this moment I don't know which of several options will be the best fix and it may have to involve taking the system offline for a couple of days in order to work down the size of the queue, although it's possible we will be able to avoid that. We should know tomorrow and I expect we will be able to provide a better explanation to the user community than heretofore. The other issue, processing speed, is being addressed through a hardware upgrade. That will take several weeks to implement and in the meantime, once the 10 meter contest is behind us the historic pattern suggests that the system should catch up anyway. I do understand the angst that the situation has created. Coincidentally, I am sitting just one credit short of the next level in the DXCC Challenge so you can bet I'm watching both my LoTW account and my USPS mailbox. 73, Dave Sumner, K1ZZ _____ From: Alan Swinger [mailto:awswinger@earthlink.net] Sent: Tue 11/27/2012 10:54 PM To: Alan Swinger; nk3n(a)arrl.org; Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ Cc: David Damon; Jim Crosby - AARC/K4JEC; Jim Owen - K4CGY Subject: Re: Fw: LOTW Non-Response by ARRL! Kay and Dave - The problem mentioned below with LoTW continues and despite rumors among users - and not officials from HQs - solutions/progress et al are unknown. The biggest concern in the Ham user community (US and and a very large number of DX) of LoTW is not How Fast QSO File Uploads are processed, but rather that the files are not lost and that they are in fact being processed . . . i.e. the Integrity of the System is what is is question!! Your IT staff does respond to queries on e-mail, but not with substantive answers about real solutions . . . and certainly with nothing that inspires confidence with respect to lost files an system integrity. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that Uploaded files are Processed out of order in some random fashion. So, YOU have a problem that has international attention and a great deal of angst! I know I am PO'd and frustrated, but so are many others . . . and there is NO leadership interest or solutions evident to any of us. I hope you wake up and smell the coffee on this ongoing problem. Pls engage this matter and also respond so I and others know you are doing so. Best - Alan Swinger K9MBQ -----Original Message----- >From: Alan Swinger <awswinger(a)earthlink.net> >Sent: Nov 25, 2012 2:45 PM >To: nk3n(a)arrl.org >Subject: Fw: LOTW Non-Response by ARRL! > >Kay - Forwarded fyi and hopefully - action. The LoTW problem is not only annoying, but suggest that the ARRL should be embarrassed in the international community by the apparent length of the problem and inability of the HQ staff to remedy. E-mails on the LoTW reflector are brutal. >Hope you can exercise some management support to get it fixed. >Best regards, >Alan Swinger K9MBQ >

4 3

[arrl-odv:21268] LOTW status
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 28 Nov '12

28 Nov '12

I just responded to a member's message about LoTW and thought the information in my reply might be useful to you. I expect more information will be available tomorrow. Kay, I hope he is not blaming you for non-response since he busted your callsign in the address both times. 73, Dave K1ZZ ________________________________ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ Sent: Wed 11/28/2012 2:05 AM To: Alan Swinger; Alan Swinger; nk3n(a)arrl.org Cc: David Damon; Jim Crosby - AARC/K4JEC; Jim Owen - K4CGY Subject: RE: Fw: LOTW Non-Response by ARRL! Dear Alan: There are two major issues with LoTW right now, and they are related. The processing backlog, which I appreciate your saying is not the main problem, caused a larger queue to develop than previously experienced and larger in terms of the number of individual files than the system was designed for. Please bear in mind that the current IT staff was not involved with the original design and implementation of LoTW, so -- while the current staff is very knowledgable about the system -- it was not immediately apparent that the very large number of files in the queue was causing the main problem you identified. I believe we now understand what is happening and why, and that we'll get it under control tomorrow (barring some unforeseen development in the meantime). At this moment I don't know which of several options will be the best fix and it may have to involve taking the system offline for a couple of days in order to work down the size of the queue, although it's possible we will be able to avoid that. We should know tomorrow and I expect we will be able to provide a better explanation to the user community than heretofore. The other issue, processing speed, is being addressed through a hardware upgrade. That will take several weeks to implement and in the meantime, once the 10 meter contest is behind us the historic pattern suggests that the system should catch up anyway. I do understand the angst that the situation has created. Coincidentally, I am sitting just one credit short of the next level in the DXCC Challenge so you can bet I'm watching both my LoTW account and my USPS mailbox. 73, Dave Sumner, K1ZZ ________________________________ From: Alan Swinger [mailto:awswinger@earthlink.net] Sent: Tue 11/27/2012 10:54 PM To: Alan Swinger; nk3n(a)arrl.org; Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ Cc: David Damon; Jim Crosby - AARC/K4JEC; Jim Owen - K4CGY Subject: Re: Fw: LOTW Non-Response by ARRL! Kay and Dave - The problem mentioned below with LoTW continues and despite rumors among users - and not officials from HQs - solutions/progress et al are unknown. The biggest concern in the Ham user community (US and and a very large number of DX) of LoTW is not How Fast QSO File Uploads are processed, but rather that the files are not lost and that they are in fact being processed . . . i.e. the Integrity of the System is what is is question!! Your IT staff does respond to queries on e-mail, but not with substantive answers about real solutions . . . and certainly with nothing that inspires confidence with respect to lost files an system integrity. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that Uploaded files are Processed out of order in some random fashion. So, YOU have a problem that has international attention and a great deal of angst! I know I am PO'd and frustrated, but so are many others . . . and there is NO leadership interest or solutions evident to any of us. I hope you wake up and smell the coffee on this ongoing problem. Pls engage this matter and also respond so I and others know you are doing so. Best - Alan Swinger K9MBQ -----Original Message----- >From: Alan Swinger <awswinger(a)earthlink.net> >Sent: Nov 25, 2012 2:45 PM >To: nk3n(a)arrl.org >Subject: Fw: LOTW Non-Response by ARRL! > >Kay - Forwarded fyi and hopefully - action. The LoTW problem is not only annoying, but suggest that the ARRL should be embarrassed in the international community by the apparent length of the problem and inability of the HQ staff to remedy. E-mails on the LoTW reflector are brutal. >Hope you can exercise some management support to get it fixed. >Best regards, >Alan Swinger K9MBQ >

1 0

[arrl-odv:21258] Re: Company Store Site
by Bill Edgar 27 Nov '12

27 Nov '12

I received an email from a member who is also a card checker informing me that the web site has been very slow also. He said that a DXCC application got stuck in limbo with proxy error messages several times. - Bill Jim Weaver K8JE <K8JE(a)ARRL.org> wrote: >All, > >I received a note from a rather irate friend who complained he was gave up >trying to place an order through the ARRL online store because the system >was running so very slowly. Being a good DXer, he tied this experience in >with recent (as well as earlier) difficulty with LOTW. > >My Question: Was the store running slowly within the past 48 hours or so? >If so, why? If there was a problem is it fixed permanently? > >This experience to me reminds me of an admonition my mother gave me many >years ago -- i.e. "It takes a long time to develop a good reputation after a >bad impression has been made. Between the bad impression made through the >then-new web site and the repeated bad impressions made with LOTW, it seems >imperative to me that we pull out all the stops to avoid putting the League >in a bad light with the amateur radio public for at least many years to >come. How many times must we shoot ourselves in the foot before we learn >the lesson? > >Jim > >Jim Weaver, K8JE >Director, Great Lakes Division >5065 Bethany Rd. >Mason, OH 45040 >Tel. 513-459-1661; e-mail K8JE(a)arrl.org >ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio Is >Members: The reason ARRL is > > >_______________________________________________ >arrl-odv mailing list >arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org >http://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv

1 0

[arrl-odv:21252] Interesting Article about spectrum shortages and the National Broadband Plan
by Chris Imlay 27 Nov '12

27 Nov '12

I thought the article below to be quite interesting in numerous respects relative to our spectrum protection efforts. Of course, the thrust of the article, that there is no spectrum shortage but inefficient deployment of spectrum (and spectrum "hoarding") could be used against us, we have arguments to parry that thrust. What is of some concern, however is the fact that Microsoft is doing on-air monitoring for underutilized spectrum. http://www.technologyreview.com/news/507486/the-spectrum-crunch-that-never-… 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

4 3

[arrl-odv:21250] Belated Happy Thanksgiving!
by dick＠pobox.com 25 Nov '12

25 Nov '12

2 1

[arrl-odv:21247] A&F update
by Tom Frenaye 22 Nov '12

22 Nov '12

The minutes from last weekend's A&F meeting won't be out for a week or two so I thought it would be good to provide an update on a couple of items. 1) Logbook of the World The Committee received an excellent presentation from IT manager Mike Keane about the reasons for Logbook processing delays. As a result the Committee authorized the upgrade of the disk array used for the LoTW database from magnetic drives to solid state drives. These are much faster (and more expensive - around $15-20k) but have come down in price enough over the last several years that they are within range of our budget now. Mr. Keane indicated that it may take a few weeks to order and take delivery of them, and some additional time for installation and thorough testing before switching over. He was comfortable saying that it should be in place within eight weeks. Obviously, we all want to see it overnight! (As of this morning, LoTW was processing files received on Nov 17th - 4 days) Some members have been asking for detailed information about the software used, the hardware used, and other pieces of our IT and business system environment. This really isn't something that we should or need to get into with members. Suffice it to say that we spend money carefully and nothing is gold plated. In the case of Logbook, we can certainly say that some hardware improvements are in the works that should speed up the processing. There are active discussions taking place with an outside volunteer(s) to work on Logbook usability improvements. They are working with HQ to define the scope of the work and have had some design discussions. 2) 2013-14 Budget/Plan The Committee approved the 2013-14 Budget/Plan that was proposed by management with one additional capital item - a larger generator to support the computer/network/phone systems at HQ. The 2013-14 Plan includes some additional Logbook improvements in addition to a full plate of other IT projects. The Plan should be sent out to the Board around December 1st and we will schedule a conference call for any questions you might have in early January (feel free to contact Dave/Barry/Harold/Mary before that also). 3) Insurance costs One uncertainty in the 2013-14 Budget/Plan is the cost for medical insurance. Barry received an initial quote from our insurer last week and the increase was substantial. He's already cancelled some planned vacation time to get additional quotes and look at alternatives. Our claims experience over the last year was not so good which has driven the costs up. 4) DB Pension Plan A couple of weeks ago, after many months of work and several meetings with plan participants to explain the options, we were presented with the final bids for the annuity purchase that will effectively complete the defined benefit pension plan termination. The amount of the final liability for the Plan ($15.3 million) was right in the range estimated by our actuary at the last presentation they made to A&F in July, 2012. The total bid price of $4,451,600 will purchase the appropriate annuities for those plan participants who opted to receive their plan benefit in that fashion. We will also pay out an additional $7,555,589 in lump sum payments (including rollovers of assets to other qualified plans) as chosen by those participants. These are in addition to the $3,333,400 already paid out of the Plan to purchase annuities for those people already retired and receiving monthly benefits. This was the end to a process that began in 2009 and was handled across several different A&F Committees. We now have a defined contribution pension plan which is much more predictable in costs and will not give us the roller-coaster ride the stock market did for us as it impacted our yearly contribution with the defined benefit plan. Thanks to CFO Shelley for all of the detailed work that had to be done behind the scenes with our advisors and employees, and to new Treasurer Niswander for his work handling the various investment changes needed. -- Tom ===== e-mail: k1ki(a)arrl.org ARRL New England Division Director http://www.arrl.org/ Tom Frenaye, K1KI, P O Box J, West Suffield CT 06093 Phone: 860-668-5444

2 1

[arrl-odv:21245] Re: IN-News
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 20 Nov '12

20 Nov '12

Correction on the W1AW item: There has not been a palace coup in the Southwestern Division. Marty is still a Vice Director. Dave K1ZZ

2 1

[arrl-odv:21244] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 20 Nov '12

20 Nov '12

IN-Newsletter Vol. 35, No. 47 November 21, 2012 -- Covers the period November 11-17. Upcoming Meetings and Events Administration & Finance Committee January 17 @ 8:30am in New Orleans, LA Programs & Services Committee January 17 @ 9:00am in New Orleans, LA Annual Board Meeting January 18-19, 2013 @ 9:00am in New Orleans, LA CEO Office Reported by Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ The ARRL HQ will be closed on Thursday the 22nd and Friday the 23rd in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Sending good wishes your way for a safe and happy holiday weekend! Development Reported by Lauren Clarke, KB1YDD The end of the calendar year is traditionally the busiest time for Development, as donors make gifts for tax purposes and we emphasize our need to make our goals. To that end, Development has several electronic and regular mail solicitations planned with incentives to donors who make contributions. To date: An electronic solicitation for the Spectrum Defense Fund last week has brought in a strong response from donors. Development plans one more issue of Spectrum Defense Matters in December. The Spectrum Defense Fund has brought in $219,424 from a total of 2,272 donors. We are at 59% of goal. Earlier this month ARRL received a gift of 3000 shares of GE stock to be applied to Spectrum Defense. While we will hold onto the stock, the value will be added to the Spectrum Defense Fuund total for 2012. Diamond Club solicitations include the 10th Anniversary promotions, as well as 2013 ARRL calendars to donors who upgrade to $100 or more. The Diamond Club has received $204,385 in contributions from 1,084 donors. We are at 70% of goal. The W1AW Endowment Campaign has received $54,028 in contributions from 875 donors. The Education & Technology Program has received $61,714 in contributions from 635 donors. An additional $109,194 from six donors has been received in support of the Teachers Institute Program. We are at 95% of goal. Activity in the Second Century Campaign is picking up toward the end of the year. A dozen presentation packets are being mailed this week to Maxim Society prospects. The follow up will take place in the next few weeks. Production/Editorial Reported by Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY On November 14, Nancy, W1NCY, and Joel Hallas, W1ZR, gave a presentation on "Amateur Radio in the 21st Century" to the Westport branch of the Philanthropic and Educational Organization (PEO), a nationwide organization that supports education. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA, wrote and distributed the November 15 edition of The ARRL Letter and produced and voiced the ARRL Audio News. She also wrote, edited and posted articles on the ARRL website including the results of the Director and Vice Director elections in the Hudson and Northwestern Divisions, the FCC's dismissal of the ARRL's March 2010 Petition regarding ReconRobotics, the new QST iOs app and others, as well as edited and posted columns from ARRL Contributing Editors. The January issue of QST was released to the printer. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R Promotions and solicitations have been crafted to take advantage of the busy shopping (spending) climate: Thanksgiving holiday, "Black Friday," and "Cyber Monday." These last weeks of November are typically very good for both membership and publication sales. New this year...we have some promotions queued-up to email throughout the 4-day Thanksgiving holiday to help drive traffic to the ARRL website. Jackie Ferreira reports that over 100 orders were received following the "Black Friday Starts Early" publication emailing sent on November 16-and online orders for the entire weekend topped 350, one of the best weekends in a while. A holiday-themed "mini-catalog" mailed on November 19 to a large selection of ARRL members and past purchasers. Bob Inderbitzen presented a membership and marketing update on the digital edition of QST to the Administration and Finance Committee. Thanks to Magdalena Owczarska and Diane Petrilli for their contributions to the presentation-including loads of data and metrics. Since the introduction of digital QST in May, there have been over 9,000,000 QST page views across 2012 editions. 1,108 international members have joined or renewed this year for membership without the print edition of QST. In addition, 1,102 domestic members have opted-in for digital QST only (requesting no printed QST). In the 24 hours following last week's launch of the new QST Apple "app" for iOS mobile devices, there were over 5,000 visits to the digital edition of QST from iPads and iPhones. December QST mailed to members November 6-13. The email notification for the digital edition was circulated to 114,810 members on Wednesday, November 14. Summary of Sales and Marketing Department telephone group (reported by Amy Hurtado): The introduction of the new QST app and December's digital edition of QST drove higher amounts of phone and email traffic during the week-mostly members requiring assistance with website login and passwords. Week of Phone calls Per hour Average wait Complete without transfer 11/12/12 1109 25 41 seconds 88% Summary of warehouse fulfillment activity (reported by Steve Capodicasa): Week of Packages fulfilled Member Premiums 11/12/12 728 487 Congratulations to Diane Petrilli, KB1RNF, on passing her General Class license exam and upgrading. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N W1AW Thanks to Southwestern Division Director Marty Woll, N6VI and Dakota Division Director Greg Widin, KØGW for operating W1AW a few hours in the ARRL Phone Sweepstakes. They made 675 QSOs, with 74 sections, for an initial claimed score of 99,900. Joe worked the early afternoon/night shifts on Monday through Thursday for the vacationing Scott Gee. He also processed one Qualifying Run endorsement. Joe updated the web code practice files. He also assembled an M-Squared 2-meter, 22-element crossed yagi, model 2MCP22, for use at W1HQ. Joe constructed a 160-meter dipole for W1HQ and prepared the rotator cables for the Az/El system (also to be installed for W1HQ). He readied W1AW for the Sweepstakes activity and conducted frequency measuring tests on three (3) of the broadcast transmitters. Field Organization/Public Service Team Leona Adams received a petition from Robert Spencer, KE8DM, of Yuma, that nominated him to run for the Arizona Section Manager position. In addition, Mississippi Section Manager Malcolm Keown, W5XX, and Orange Section Manager Carl Gardenias, WU6D, have been nominated to run for new terms of office that start in April 2013. Petitions for this particular SM election cycle are due at Headquarters by December 7. A radio amateur from Alabama completed certification to become an Official Observer this past week. Chuck Skolaut compiled the monthly Official Observer Summary and sent it to all OOs, OOCs, and Section Managers. Georgia OOs were alerted to monitor for a bootlegged call sign. Jamming occurring on a two meter repeater in South Texas is being investigated by OOs there. Documentation was received regarding interference to a net on 20 meters and was forwarded to Laura at the FCC. Chuck and Steve Ewald conducted four morning code practice runs at W1AW as back-up operators this past week. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations Holiday 11/22-11/23 Holiday Holiday 12/24-12/25 Holiday Bob Allison 11/19-11/26 PTO Joe Carcia 12/20 PTO Lauren Clarke 11/21 PTO `` 12/26-12/31 PTO Steve Ewald 11/26-11/30 PTO Steve Ford 11/26 PTO Scott Gee 12/21-12/26 PTO Joel Hallas 11/20-11/28 PTO Nancy Hallas 11/20-11/28 PTO Dan Henderson 11/15-11/21 Indiana Section Convention, Ft. Wayne, IN / PTO `` 12/17-1/7 PTO Mary Hobart 11/21-11/26 PTO `` 12/26 PTO Amy Hurtado 12/17-12/21 PTO Gail Iannone 12/21-12/31 PTO Bob Inderbitzen 11/21 PTO Deb Jahnke 11/19-11/21 PTO Khrystyne Keane 12/7 PTO `` 12/14 PTO `` 12/21-31 PTO Lisa Kustosik 11/30-12/3 PTO Maryann Macdonald 11/21 PTO `` 12/26-28 PTO Barry Shelley 11/20-11/21 PTO `` 12/17-12/19 PTO Dave Sumner 11/29 Business Meeting Larry Wolfgang 11/7-11/21 Sick leave

1 0

[arrl-odv:21243] Re: FCC NPRM and Order, ET Docket No. 12-338
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 20 Nov '12

20 Nov '12

Comments: Paragraphs 13-19 deal with the WRC-07 allocation of 135.7-137.8 kHz. There are several questions posed in paragraphs 17-19 to which we will want to respond. Paragraphs 20-24 deal with upgrading the amateur service allocation at 1900-2000 kHz to primary. We were told a couple of years ago that this was in the works in recognition of the fact that GPS had overtaken the radiolocation technology previously used in the 1605-1705 kHz band, so radiolocation had never been implemented in the replacement band of 1900-2000 kHz. This is a very positive proposal, but the proposed language for Section 97.303(g) on page 109 is not quite right. Internationally the amateur service allocations between 1800 and 2000 kHz are on a primary basis. ITU Radio Regulation 4.8 states that where a band is allocated to different services of the same category in adjacent Regions or sub-regions, "the basic principle is of equality of right to operate. Accordingly, the stations of each service in one Region or sub-Region must operate so as not to cause harmful interference to services in the other Regions or sub-Regions." Thus "..., and must accept interference from,..." is incorrect. The provision is adequately covered by Section 97.303(a), and 97.303(g) should be deleted. Paragraph 168 corrects an earlier oversight with regard to the 10.0-10.5 GHz band. The remainder of the 130-page document is not of direct interest to us although paragraphs 42-43 regarding 420-450 MHz may be of passing interest. 73, Dave K1ZZ

1 0

[arrl-odv:21242] FCC NPRM and Order, ET Docket No. 12-338
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 20 Nov '12

20 Nov '12

Not yet read. Will do so ASAP and comment. Dave

1 0