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

[arrl-odv:21189] iOS App Update
by Kramer, Harold, WJ1B 08 Nov '12

08 Nov '12

To: ARRL ODV Separate copy of this email to ARRL Department Heads and Digital Launch Team Here is an update on the status of the launch of the dedicated Digital QST Apple iOS app. * The new online privacy policy has been approved by GC Chris Imlay; Maria Somma, our in-house privacy policy expert; and the Digital QST launch team. I sent this policy to ODV in a previous email. * Nxtbook has also verified in writing that the policy conforms to their standards. * The Online Privacy Policy has now been published on our website. http://www.arrl.org/online-privacy-policy <http://www.arrl.org/online-privacy-policy> * We have cross linked the General ARRL Privacy Policy and the ARRL Online Privacy policy so that members will have easy access to both policies. http://www.arrl.org/privacy-policy <http://www.arrl.org/privacy-policy> * The ARRL online privacy policy link will be added to the iTunes store, as part of the information about the QST app, as soon as Apple completes the update. Based on our past experience, this should take no longer than a day or two. * We have added an explanation of how to disable the app's tracking function to the Digital QST FAQ page. http://www.arrl.org/digital-qst-faq <http://www.arrl.org/digital-qst-faq> * We have added language to the Digital QST page at http://www.arrl.org/qst <http://www.arrl.org/qst> that the new member benefit of the Digital QST iOS app is now available. * Today, we will send an email to 10,000 randomly selected members announcing the availability of the app. These members will provide us with initial feedback on any customer service issues before we launch to the full membership. http://www.arrl.org/digital-qst-feedback-form <http://www.arrl.org/digital-qst-feedback-form> Magdalena Owczarska will monitor and respond to inquiries from this form. * The customer service staff has been trained to support this app. * If this initial test is successful, we will email the rest of the membership later this week or early next week. * Board Members will receive this email just like other members so that they will know exactly what members have received. I will not be sending a separate ODV message with the email pasted into it. * Without any formal roll out, about 1,000 members have already downloaded the app from the viral spread of the information from the Board, SMs and other testers. Some members simply discovered it in the iTunes store. 73, Harold Harold Kramer, WJ1B Chief Operating Officer ARRL -the national association for Amateur Radio 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 (860) 594 -0220

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[arrl-odv:21194] FW: Digital QST question
by Kramer, Harold, WJ1B 07 Nov '12

07 Nov '12

Brian, Here is the answer from Magdalena about PC archived issues. We're checking on what happens with iOS devices. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------- Lapsed members should have access to the offline versions unless they delete their cookies in the web browser. Thanks, Magz ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------- -----Original Message----- From: arrl-odv-bounces(a)reflector.arrl.org [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Brian Mileshosky Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 2:05 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:21193] Digital QST question Hi Everyone -- I was up in Colorado this weekend for a convention and was asked a question I hadn't a clue how to answer. Quite simply: If a member were to let his/her membership lapse, would he/she be able to still read the digital QST magazines provided directly to them as a member benefit during the time he/she was a paying member? Someone with a lapsed membership would still be able to read all of their paper issues of QST magazine that they 'bought' via their dues. Would someone who only receives digital QST similarly be able to read the digital issues they 'bought' via their dues (either online or, probably more practically, viewing their saved stash of digital QSTs offline from their hard drive), or do all those issues go dark? Note I am not referring to archived issues in general; just those that would be directly provided to a member as a benefit at the time they are paying their dues. Thanks and 73, Brian N5ZGT _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org http://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv

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[arrl-odv:21186] LoTW lost data?
by Brian Mileshosky 07 Nov '12

07 Nov '12

This was posted to a DX club's list serve. Any truth to the claim that data has been lost? If not, then ARRL needs to get out there with correct information ASAP. Brian Sent from iPhone Begin forwarded message: > From: Jim Reisert AD1C <jjreisert(a)alum.mit.edu> > Date: November 6, 2012 11:06:23 AM MST > To: mhdxa <MHDXA(a)mhdxa.com> > Subject: [MHDXA] LoTW lost data > > "DX World.net has learned that up to 45% of [recently] uploaded logs > and delivered awards / DXCC certificates have been lost due to > corrupted database / backups." > > http://dx-world.net/2012/lotw-lost-data/ > > When I posted this at 1806z, LoTW was unreachable. > > -- > Jim Reisert AD1C, <jjreisert(a)alum.mit.edu>, http://www.ad1c.us > > _______________________________________________ > MHDXA mailing list > MHDXA(a)mhdxa.com > http://mail.mhdxa.com/mailman/listinfo/mhdxa_mhdxa.com

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[arrl-odv:21185] Re: LoTW - fails, year after year
by dick＠pobox.com 06 Nov '12

06 Nov '12

6 NOV 2012 - 1619 CST It looks like we are seeing a degradation in L0TW reliability. Granted mechanical hard drives, even solid state HDs, will eventually fail. But ever since the LoTW computer system was programmed for additional uses a few years ago, it appears there have been more frequent capacity limitation problems. I have no problem with shared system use as long as preventive maintenance and "bullet-proof" electrical power is used. We have now had two LoTW failures caused by both of these items within the last 15 to 18 months. Have there been shorter LoTW outages we don't know about? I strongly suggest the maintenance and improvements for the computer system being used for LoTW and other applications be given a much higher priority in terms of resource use. Driving down the road until the over-worked engine throws a connecting rod has to stop. - Dick, W9GIG

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[arrl-odv:21178] LoTW - fails, year after year
by James F. Boehner, MD 06 Nov '12

06 Nov '12

Confirmed. Went to www.arrl.org/lotw and clicked on "Log in here" and received the message listed below. '73 de JIM N2ZZ From: arrl-odv-bounces(a)reflector.arrl.org [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Bill Edgar Sent: Monday, November 05, 2012 9:46 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:21177] FW: LoTW - fails, year after year Are we having issues with LoTW again? Got this message this evening from a Maxim Society member in the Atlantic Division. Thanks. - Bill N3LLR I am sorry to continue my rant, year after year, however as long as the ARRL Director's fail to take the appropriate action to fix the root problems at HQ - nothing will change. The Director's continue to accept sub par performance from the people who are paid to do a job and consistently do not deliver. LoTW one again is a laughing example of poor management. eQSL processes more logs with ease. Here is what LoTW says now: Fatal error: initializeLOTWDB: -709 - CONNECT: (cannot connect to server socket): General database error [initializeLOTWDB: -709 - CONNECT: (cannot connect to server socket)]

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[arrl-odv:21182] ARRL Online Privacy Policy - Revision
by Kramer, Harold, WJ1B 06 Nov '12

06 Nov '12

Hi, One small revision: We changed the URL for the ARRL Online Privacy Policy after the policy was originally drafted. The online privacy policy can now be found on our website : http://www.arrl.org/online-privacy-policy This link is also being added to the iOS app and we will also it to the print and digital editions of QST. Again, as Chris noted, this was a group effort. Thanks to Bob Inderbitzen, Maria Somma, Magdalena Owczarska, Mike Keane, and Chris Imlay for their help in creating this policy. Regards/73, Harold Harold Kramer, WJ1B ARRL Chief Operating Officer 860 594 0220

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[arrl-odv:21181] ARRL Online Privacy Policy
by Chris Imlay 06 Nov '12

06 Nov '12

Greetings. With great thanks to Bob Inderbitzen, Maria Somma, Mike Keane, Magdalena Owczarska and Harold Kramer for their help, we have put together the attached Online Privacy Policy which we believe to be in good shape. This is the product of a good deal of research and we believe that it reflects accurately the extent to which we and our service providers collect private information and private identification information. We believe that it is candid and truthful in all respects. This will be made available to those accessing our web site shortly. Let me know any concerns that you have; I am circulating this to the Board due to the extensive interest and concern on behalf of some Board members, particularly about the iPhone application of digital QST. Somewhat invisible in this capacity, yet very effective and knowledgeable, Maria Somma is and has been ARRL HQ's expert on privacy issues and she is the contact person for member inquiries to privacy(a)arrl.org . 73, Chris W3KD Christopher D. Imlay Booth, Freret, Imlay & Tepper. P.C. 14356 Cape May Road Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6011 (301) 384-5525 telephone (301) 384-6384 facsimile W3KD(a)ARRL.ORG

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[arrl-odv:21177] FW: LoTW - fails, year after year
by Bill Edgar 06 Nov '12

06 Nov '12

Are we having issues with LoTW again? Got this message this evening from a Maxim Society member in the Atlantic Division. Thanks. - Bill N3LLR I am sorry to continue my rant, year after year, however as long as the ARRL Director's fail to take the appropriate action to fix the root problems at HQ - nothing will change. The Director's continue to accept sub par performance from the people who are paid to do a job and consistently do not deliver. LoTW one again is a laughing example of poor management. eQSL processes more logs with ease. Here is what LoTW says now: Fatal error: initializeLOTWDB: -709 - CONNECT: (cannot connect to server socket): General database error [initializeLOTWDB: -709 - CONNECT: (cannot connect to server socket)]

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[arrl-odv:21176] FCC Letter Decision-- Message Forwarding Systems Operator Responsibility
by Chris Imlay 05 Nov '12

05 Nov '12

Greetings. Today the FCC issued a letter dismissing a Petition for Rule Making filed February 3, 2012 by Rolan Clark of Adamstown, MD. Clark had asked FCC to specify that control operators of the first forwarding station in a message forwarding system of stations should NOT be obligated to authenticate the identity of a station from which the message forwarding system accepts messages; and that the first forwarding station should NOT accept accountability for any violative content of the messages put into the system. In the view of Clark,the control op of all forwarding stations in a message forwarding system should have the same obligation as the control op of a voice repeater that retransmits a message that violates the FCC rules. This issue goes back to the mid-1990s when FCC noted that packet systems were first starting to appear. To relieve the control ops of the obligation to read and screen every message that went through their high speed (for the time) systems, FCC relieved all intermediate forwarding stations of the obligation to screen those messages. It instead held the control op of the first forwarding station responsible for message content. This would facilitate high-speed systems but would limit abuse. It also said that message forwarding systems would not be held to the same standards as are repeater owners and auxiilary stations. The bottom line was that the originator of a message and the first forwarder in a message forwarding system was held liable for violative messages from the originator station. The originator station was primarily responsible. The FCC in the 1990s refused to limit the obligation of the first forwarder in a message forwarding system to establishing the identity of the station originating the message. Instead, it held the the control op of the first forwarding station responsible for improper communications. It left the means for authenticating identification of the orginator of the messages up to the designer of the system. FCC dismissed the petiton saying that there was no showing that circumstances had changed since the rule was adopted, and that it sought to undo obligations that commenters in 1994 said were important. A copy of the Letter decision is attached. 73, Chris W3KD Christopher D. Imlay Booth, Freret, Imlay & Tepper. P.C. 14356 Cape May Road Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6011 (301) 384-5525 telephone (301) 384-6384 facsimile W3KD(a)ARRL.ORG

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[arrl-odv:21175] Statistics related to Exam NPRM
by Kay Craigie 05 Nov '12

05 Nov '12

The attached document consists of a multi-page spreadsheet prepared by Maria Somma at my request as food for thought as you consider the exam / license credit NPRM. She has marked the document proprietary and confidential. If you have the need to share all or part of it with someone who isn't on this reflector, please let me know off-line and I'm sure we can work something out. If you have questions about examination statistics, procedures, etc., that are not addressed by this report, please let me know as soon as possible and we will work on getting what you would like to have. Some of us have been VEs since T. Rex was a traffic hazard and have taken tests under the VEC system, while others have little personal familiarity with the VEC system. I want everyone to have all the information you need in order to advise the EC how to respond to this NPRM. 73 - Kay N3KN

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