March 2012 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:20647] FCC and DHS CC&R Study
by Kay Craigie 09 Apr '12

09 Apr '12

I certainly don't want to stifle discussion or inhibit the flow of ideas, but at the suggestion of a Director who phoned me yesterday afternoon, I'd like to see if we can re-focus on the immediate need for a specific kind of input into the ARRL's own filing in the upcoming study. We need several outstanding examples from various parts of the country showing how individual Amateurs' participation in emergency communications has been prevented by CC&R's. Statistics are important, and they will be a big part of our filing, but we also want to put real human faces on the problem in real communities. That's why we need these examples and have asked for help from Volunteer Counsel and the Board in finding some. Nobody knows what's going on in your Division like you do. If you want to put the question to your Section Managers and/or SEC's, for example, that's fine. Whatever works. However, we need the examples real soon. The League's filing will be a major document requiring time to compose and tweak, and the FCC isn't going to grant much time to get it done. Going out to the whole membership for input would be fine if we had the kind of time associated with a normal NPRM to evaluate the resulting input and pinpoint the great examples for follow-up. We just won't have that kind of time in this case. When the NPRM is issued, we will certainly publicize it to the membership so they can file individual comments if they want to. The suggestion to prepare talking points for members to consider, to help them stay on message, is a great idea and I hope Staff will follow up on it. The entire premise for the study is a determination of the benefits of Amateur Radio in disaster and emergency communications; the identification of means for expanding the use of Amateurs in such events; and the identification of impediments to the expansion of the use of Amateur Radio operators in emergencies and disasters. It's the last point which we intend to address in the ARRL's filing using as part of the argument the experience stories from individual Amateurs. Although all Amateur Radio activities are inhibited by CC&R's, the one that is most obviously related to the public interest is emergency communications. That is why the language in the legislation was crafted as it was. So the sharp focus in the ARRL's filing has to be on how Amateur emergency communications participation is significantly affected in a negative way by CC&R's. The anecdotal stories we are looking for need to have that focus. That said, there is no reason why a ham in, say, Santa Barbara could not assert that he or she has been unable to put up an antenna at the family residence because of deed restrictions and say that therefore, he or she could not participate in earthquake response net drills. In other words, it is not necessary that the person actually have participated in emergency communications if the private land use restrictions preclude any effective communications from the person's house. As long as the person can say with a straight face that he or she is ready and willing to participate in emergency communications preparedness but cannot, the example may be one we can use. Finally, in CC&R situations hams may be prevented from erecting not only big towers and beams but also simple VHF/UHF verticals - the kinds of antennas often used in emergency communications. Thanks very much for your help. 73 - Kay N3KN

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[arrl-odv:20656] arrl.org
by Dr. David Woolweaver 01 Apr '12

01 Apr '12

I have had problems accessing www.arrl.org all day. Access was tried from two different locations with the same results. What is up? David

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[arrl-odv:20652] Update on Public Notice
by Kay Craigie 30 Mar '12

30 Mar '12

Many thanks to those of you who have started work on finding the blazing good examples of individuals affected by CC&R's so that their participation in emergency communications is hindered or outright precluded. We are being pro-active in searching out those examples so Chris will have as much time as possible to integrate them into our filing. On the other hand, we want the whole Amateur community to have a chance to assert their stake in the matter. To keep you up to date on the plans for alerting the membership and the whole Amateur community to what the Public Notice is all about and how they can participate, here is what will happen: A web site story has been drafted, its completion awaiting the release of the Public Notice. The story will explain how Amateurs can participate in sending information to the League to bolster our argument. The mechanism for them to do that will appear on our web site. How the information is used for our filing will depend a lot on both the quantity and the quality of the input. An e-mail will be sent to the SM reflector to keep them in the loop, and to the Volunteer Counsel reflector because their past and present clients may have useful stories to tell. We have also prepared a Legislative Update newsletter focused on the Public Notice. It will go out soon. As soon as we have seen the Public Notice and made sure it says what we think it will say, these activities will go into high gear. In the meantime, please continue searching out the Amateurs in your Division whose experiences throw the brightest spotlight on the problem of CC&R's and emergency communications preparedness. Thank you! 73 - Kay N3KN

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[arrl-odv:20651] Fred Maia, W5YI, SK
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 29 Mar '12

29 Mar '12

I am saddened to pass along this news. While Fred did not always see things quite the same way as the ARRL, in my experience he always had the best interests of Amateur Radio at heart. Dave K1ZZ From: Larry Pollock [mailto:Larry@w5yi.org] Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 3:15 PM To: "All NCVEC - List" Subject: Fred Maia, W5YI, Silent Key Fredrick O. Maia, W5YI, passed away at home in Arlington, Texas on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at the age of 77, following a brave battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Doris, and two daughters. Funeral arrangements are pending but unknown at this time. Regretfully, Larry Pollock, NB5X W5YI-VEC

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[arrl-odv:20650] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 29 Mar '12

29 Mar '12

<<032812.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 35, No. 13 March 28, 2012 -- Covers the period March 18-24. Upcoming Meetings and Events Administration & Finance Committee April 14 @ 8:30am - Newington, CT CFO Reported by Harold Kramer, WJ1B I wanted to let everyone know that, regretfully, Katie Glass, KB1ULQ, will be leaving us. She will be working until next Tuesday. She will be moving to the Raleigh NC area to be with her family. She already has a job there doing similar work that she did here. Katie has been with us for three years as our Digital Content Coordinator and the leader of the Digital QST project. She was instrumental in pulling together our new Web site and in assisting staff and Board members with creating, editing and designing web and other content. I know that many of you have worked closely with her on many projects. She will be missed here at HQ, but we are grateful for the significant contributions that she made to our organization while she was here and wish her the best in her new endeavors. Regulatory Information Reported by Dan Henderson, N1ND Beyond the routine queries into the office, it has been an extremely busy two weeks in the Regulatory Information Office. On the evening of March 15, 72 persons participated in the Volunteer Counsel Webinar. A significant time during the days leading up to the webinar was spent was spent developing and merging various PowerPoints into the single presentation (and spending time learning the software). Announced during the webinar was a new ARRL Volunteer Counsel reflector. By the end of the reporting period, approximately 50 requests have been received from VCs to be added to the list. After consulting with General Counsel, requests from Section Managers to join the list will not be approved unless the SM is also a Volunteer Counsel. The issue of what modes are permissible on the 60-meter band after the rules change went into effect March 5 has created quite a lot comment and concern. The mode limitations (based on the original agreement from the NTIA in 2006 and included in the original ARRL petition) have been called into question based on an email received from an NTIA official by an amateur (and shared on numerous message boards and forwarded messages). The CEO and the band-plan committee are handling this matter. A message was received from Ed Stuckey, AI7H, the Idaho SM. Idaho House Bill 511 had made its way through both the House and Senate and is on the Governor's desk for signature. The bill deals with requiring aeronautical markings and lighting for any guyed tower over the height of 50-feet. This poses a serious problem for even modest amateur installations. The Regulatory Information Manager researched the bill and spoke with staff in the Governor's office. As it turns out, the bill was amended to exclude "telecommunications towers" and should not affect amateur support structures. However, it is discouraging that the bill was able to make it to the Governor for signature before the ARRL became aware of it. They dodged a bullet, but it underscores the need to the SM and their staff to be paying close attention. We were contacted by Charlie Richey, K9DUE, the SGL for Illinois. Chuck Krezwick, WV9C, has been appointed to fill a seat in the Illinois state legislature. Working with Chuck, Charlie and the IL legislative team were able to have a recent cell-phone bill amended to exclude amateur radio. Chuck has now taken up the cause of PRB-1 in Illinois. At the current time, the IL PRB-1 law has passed the state House but has stalled in the Senate Rules Committee. Krezwick and the bill's co-sponsor (a non-amateur) have developed a strategy and are working to have the bill sent to the full Senate. This is a good example of the importance of having a qualified person in the SGL's job (as well as other appointees in the field organization.) Finally, at the direction of President Craigie, we have begun work on the first "Legislative Update" newsletter for 2012. We will be thanking membership and bringing them up-to-speed on Public Law No. 112-96, which includes the ARRL-supported federal study. The newsletter will also include requests for information to be used by the General Counsel and those working on developing the ARRL brief in support of the study. The newsletter also promotes "The FCC Commissioners' Technical Resource Enhancement Act." Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP The past days have been filled finding obscure historical information for authors, setting up and conducting training sessions in GoToWebinar in preparation for the April 12th event and dealing with minor issues such as WFLA's (Tallahassee, FL) use of our PSAs during the Limbaugh radio show - which raised some complaints. However we are beggars and glad to have radio stations play our PSAs when they can. We cannot dictate to them when or the context in which they may appear. We also have learned that VE3CBR, Alan Bauld, is RAC's new lead person for PR and have invited him to liaison with the ARRL's PRC. Development Reported by Lauren Clarke We are pleased to welcome our 100th member into the Maxim Society! As you know, the Maxim Society recognizes donors whose lifetime contributions have exceeded $10,000. Dan White, W5DNT is the newest member of this distinguished group. To Date: The Spectrum Defense Fund has received $38,538 in contributions from 254 donors. The Diamond Club has received $52,225 in contributions from 300 donors. The W1AW Endowment Campaign has received $13,041 in contributions from 211 donors. The Education & Technology Program has received $38,538 in contributions from 254 donors. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE The May 2012 issue of QST has been released to the printer: Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed the ARRL Letter and produced and voiced ARRL Audio News for March 22, 2012. Lab Reported by Ed Hare, W1RFI Product Review Bob Allison wrapped up the last details of the Inverter Generator Product Review testing for the June Issue of QST. Several data tables and many charts were passed along to the editors. Bob is also the reviewer of this first-of-a-kind review for QST. The product review video will be shot this week. Bob also completed testing of a late model FM HT and started yet another HT; this time a 70 cm digital D-Star/analog HT. RFI Mike Gruber worked on a plasma TV case in Annapolis that had been investigated by the FCC. As this case pertains to one of the proposed rules changes, and the FCC field investigation left many questions unanswered, Ed Hare is planning to personally investigate it and make some measurements. Mike Gruber provided and developed documentation for Chris Imlay concerning several proposed rule changes. Mike Gruber investigated some interference issues at Dave Patton's station in Ashford. I found several power line noise sources and an electric fence. TIS Zack Lau got a caller asking about frequency ranges-turns out he was trying to find out whether one of the inexpensive handheld transceivers would be a good gift for his father, who has cancer. Zack inquired about his father's interest in ham radio- he likes to make long distance contacts. Zack explained that those radios are only used for short distances, and suggested that he talk with his father about doing some antenna work, to improve the station for working long distances. Zack also suggested that his father might like the book "The Complete DXer," the most popular book on the topic of working long distance ham radio contacts. Travel Bob Allison gave a talk on Product Review to the North Shore Radio Association in Danvers MA. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R During the last 2 weeks, the warehouse crew fulfilled 1,398 packages for publication and product orders, 611 membership premiums, plus QST mailing supplements. Bob Inderbitzen participated with Bob Allison, Harold Kramer, Dave Patton, and Dave Sumner at an inaugural meeting to discuss ideas for introducing some new visitor-oriented display and exhibit features in the lobby. The team also includes Lauren Clarke and Ed Hare. Amy Hurtado prepared a report covering new Life Members for the recent Executive Committee meeting and for listing in May QST. Jackie Ferreira reports that a spring-themed publication mailer is at the printer, scheduled to mail at the end of the week. Additionally, a "Save on your Next Order" card is being tested in all individual outgoing orders, encouraging members/customers to order from ARRL again. The postcard offers a $5 Flat Rate Shipping discount redeemed with a unique coupon code which can be used only once. And, a publication promotion with a St. Patrick's Day theme was prepared and emailed. Diane Petrilli has prepared all of the membership related collateral needed for Dayton Hamvention. An e-mail to active and registered web users (all current members) reminding them of their password and website login instructions was sent. The effort is intended to prepare members for the upcoming, digital edition of QST, and generated a couple hundred support inquiries which we were happy to service now, rather than later. A large tour group visited ARRL on Thursday, March 22-visitors from Warminster (Pennsylvania) ARC and the Pottstown (Pennsylvania) ARC. Thanks to Norm Fusaro for his help working with the volunteer tour guides to give the tour. Bob prepared materials for his trip to Superfest, the big in-store open house at Amateur Electronic Supply in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The event draws nearly 1,000 attendees to the store each year. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N DXCC DXCC paper/fieldchecked application processing time is currently at 5 weeks. Logbook-only application processing time is 3 to 5 business days. W1AW Finally! After umpteen decades, W1AW has achieved 5-Band DXCC! As with most hams, 80-meters was the stumbling block, with the station very slowly picking off entities one by one. W1AW now holds 5BDXCC #7307. Joe updated the web Qualifying Run schedules as well as the web code practice files. He processed regular QSL cards. He also created the W1AW Qualifying Run files for April. Joe continued construction of the new 80-meter cage antenna. He also worked the early afternoon/night shifts on Wednesday through Friday for the vacationing Scott Gee. Field Organization/Public Service Team Leona Adams completed preparation work for the Northern Florida and Indiana Section Manager elections this past week when Section Manager election ballots and candidate statements were made and then sent to the local printer. The mailroom staff also made their preparations in anticipation for mailing the ballots from Headquarters during the last full week of March. Radio amateurs from Nevada and North Carolina completed requirements to become Official Observers this past week. Chuck Skolaut notes that we received a report of suspected bootlegging of the K2ZT call sign. Pertinent information was collected. The Connecticut OOC and one of his OOs investigated a report of interference from public service transmissions to a ham. The FCC is following up on a report in Texas of a business using 2 meters. Also, a report of a business in Illinois using 2 meters was forwarded to the FCC. In another area, planned unlicensed use of the 70 CM band was received. An Over the Horizon Radar (that was reported by a Connecticut station) is believed to be military radar in Cyprus. Chuck also conducted three morning code practice runs at W1AW this past week. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations All Staff 4/6 Holiday Leona Adams 4/13-4/16 Vacation Margie Bourgoin 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Steve Capodicasa 4/16 Vacation `` 4/23 Vacation Joe Carcia 4/27 Vacation `` 5/25 Vacation Lauren Clarke 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Paul Cuppini 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Steve Ewald 4/27-5/4 Vacation Jackie Ferreira 4/20 Vacation `` 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Steve Ford 4/18-4/20 Vacation Scott Gee 5/17-5/18 Vacation Mike Gruber 5/4 NEARfest `` 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH `` 6/4-6/8 Vacation Joel Hallas 3/29-4/1 AES Superfest, Milwaukee, WI `` 5/16-5/21 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Dan Henderson 4/2-4/5 Vacation `` 4/19-4/29 Idaho State Convention, Boise, ID/Vacation Mary Hobart 5/15-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Amy Hurtado 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Bob Inderbitzen 3/29-4/1 AES Superfest, Milwaukee, WI `` 4/5-4/9 Vacation `` 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Khrystyne Keane 3/30 Vacation Joel Kleinman 4/5 Vacation Harold Kramer 4/2-4/5 Vacation `` 5/17-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Lisa Kustosik 4/5-4/9 Vacation Zack Lau 5/4-5/7 Vacation `` 6/14-6/15 Vacation `` 6/22 Vacation Diane Petrilli 5/17-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Allen Pitts 5/17-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Dave Sumner 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH

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[arrl-odv:20648] Katie Glass Status
by Kramer, Harold, WJ1B 28 Mar '12

28 Mar '12

Hi, I wanted to let everyone on ODV know that, regretfully, Katie Glass, KB1ULQ, will be leaving us. She will be working until next Tuesday. She will be moving to the Raleigh NC area to be with her family. She already has a job there doing similar work that she did here. Katie has been with us for three years as our Digital Content Coordinator and the leader of the Digital QST project. She was instrumental in pulling together our new Web site and in assisting staff and Board members with creating, editing and designing web and other content. I know that many of you have worked closely with her on many projects. She will be missed here at HQ, but we are grateful for the significant contributions that she made to our organization while she was here. 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:20638] FCC and DHS CC&R Study -- We need the help of Directors and Vice-Directors now.
by Chris Imlay 27 Mar '12

27 Mar '12

MEMORANDUM To: ARRL Officers, Directors and Vice-Directors From: Chris Imlay, W3KD, General Counsel Re: Study of Impediments to Amateur Radio Emergency Communications – Private Land Use Regulations - Anecdotal Examples Needed Date: March 26, 2012 _________________________________________________________________ Greetings. The Executive Committee has asked that I ask all Officers, Directors and Vice-Directors for your help in creating a record for our filing with the FCC in response to the Study called for by Section 6414 of H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. A three-prong strategy for ARRL input to FCC for this study was developed by President Craigie, CEO Sumner and myself and approved by the Executive Committee. The input opportunity will have a very, very short fuse indeed. Hence this call for your help now. As discussed below, we need to ask that you refer to ARRL HQ, as soon as possible, those of your constituents who live in deed-restricted neighborhoods and who can tell us compelling stories about that experience, their attempts to avoid the restrictions (or that they became hams after moving into a deed-restricted neighborhood) adn the effect of those restrictions on their ability to provide emergency communications and to prepare to do so. Here is why we need this information now: H.R. 3630 ordered the FCC “in consultation with the Office of Emergency Communications in the Department of Homeland Security” to prepare within 180 days of the date of passage of the legislation a study of “the uses and capabilities of amateur radio service communications in emergencies and disaster relief.” It is to include (1) a review of the importance of emergency amateur radio service communications relating to disasters, severe weather, and other threats to lives and property in the United States; (2) recommendations for enhancement in the voluntary deployment of amateur radio operators in disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts; (3) the improved integration of amateur radio operators in the planning and furtherance of initiatives of the Federal government; (4) an identification of impediments to enhanced amateur radio service communications, such as the effects of unreasonable or unnecessary private land use restrictions on residential antenna installations; and (5) recommendations regarding the removal of such impediments. Though not mechanically what we hoped would occur, we are told by FCC staff that it has been decided within FCC that the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) will issue a Public Notice (very soon, perhaps within this week, or if not, probably by next week) which will have a 45-day comment period. There will be no reply comment period. Using the comments received during this period, WTB will prepare the part of the study related to items 4 and 5 of the study listed above, and the PSHSB, in consultation with DHS, will prepare the part of the study on items 1, 2 and 3. Kay and Dave and I discussed a three-part, single submission to the WTB during the notice period. The first would be evidence of the value of Amateur Radio in emergencies and disasters and how to increase that role. ARRL Headquarters has a lot of material on that subject of course and it will be assembled and sent to me by Dan Henderson with help from Mike Corey, Allen Pitts, etc. This is a critical part of the submission because the need to eliminate impediments to Amateur Radio emergency communications is grounded in that which must be proven at the outset: that there is a valuable service to protect from those impediments. The second part of the filing is an explanation of the nature of CC&R restrictions with statistics and argument about the effect throughout entire metropolitan/urbanized areas of CC&Rs which preclude or severely limit outdoor antennas and therefore the ability to communicate; and to prepare for, much less conduct, emergency communications. This would be the main thrust of our submission. I have enough information to prepare this, I believe, though we will be researching some statistics of the pervasiveness of private land use regulations (of antennas) starting right away. The third part of the filing is where we need your help. We want to present a good volume of detailed anecdotal examples of the effect of CC&Rs and homeowner’s association rules on Amateur Radio emergency communications. What we are looking for are the actual, personal experiences of a geographically diverse group of radio amateurs who are subject to CC&Rs or other private land use restrictions where they live; who can tell us very specifically of the adverse effect of those restrictions on their ability to prepare for and to provide emergency and disaster relief communications. Most importantly, they would have to explain to us why these licensees did not have an option when it came to purchasing real property because of the pervasiveness of private land use restrictions which either (1) preclude or unreasonably restrict the installation and maintenance of outdoor Amateur Radio antennas, or (2) subject the radio amateur to the unlimited discretion of a homeowners’ association, architectural control committee or other non-government decisionmaker, as to whether he or she can erect and maintain an effective antenna. We need Board members and ARRL official family members to please send these radio amateurs to us and ask them to write up their experiences. We need factual information including the text of any CC&Rs to which these people are subject, and their efforts to find non-restricted places to live in their metropolitan areas or to get approvals. They should mention specifically the effect of their restrictions on their ability to do and prepare for emergency communications. We want as much specificity as they can provide to us. We also need their contact information in order to follow up with them, perhaps by telephone but certainly by e-mail. Please ask your constituents who can serve as case studies for us to send these stories to the following site set up for this purpose specifically: CCRINFO(a)ARRL.ORGORG We think that these (albeit anecdotal) stories, which we will aggregate, edit and present to FCC in our filing will substantially establish that there is a very real problem with private land use regulations in terms of Amateur Radio’s collecive ability to respond when called upon for emergency and disaster relief communications. The results of this study, if sufficiently conclusive, will allow us to move to the second phase our legislative plan, which is to have Congress order FCC to preempt private land use regulations, at least to the same extent that FCC preempted governmental land use regulations. We have already asked ARRL volunteer counsel for anecdotal case studies during a recent webinar for them. We will ask them again on the remailer set up recently for them. There are about 50 subscribers on that remailer so far, according to Dan Henderson. We will be going to the SMs and the membership on this after FCC releases its Public Notice, but ARRL’s official family knows of the most appropriate of these “stories” and we want to identify as many of the most compelling cases and develop them as soon as possible. Thanks for your help! 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:20645] Re: FCC and DHS CC&R Study -- We need the helpofDirectors and Vice-Directors now.
by Dennis Bodson 27 Mar '12

27 Mar '12

Dan: Thanks, but I don’t think this is the correct approach. Why not send it out from HQ in one felled swoop to all of our members? Regards, Dennis From: Henderson, Dan N1ND [mailto:dhenderson@arrl.org] Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 2:55 PM To: Bodson, Dennis (Dir, RK); Boehner, James (SM,SC); Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ; Chris Imlay; Blocksome, Rod, K0DAS; arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:20643] FCC and DHS CC&R Study -- We need the helpofDirectors and Vice-Directors now. Dennis As soon as the FCC releases the Public Notice, we will be doing the following: Web story Web pages explaining the study 2 web forms – one for gathering data on EmCom activities and the second for reporting CC&R impacts Email to the SM reflector asking for assistance in circulating the request Email to the new VC reflector asking assistance in circulating the request Dan Henderson, N1ND Regulatory Information Manager ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio 860-594-0236 <mailto:dhenderson@arrl.org> dhenderson(a)arrl.org From: Dennis Bodson [mailto:bodsond@verizon.net] Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 2:29 PM To: Boehner, James (SM,SC); Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ; 'Chris Imlay'; Blocksome, Rod, K0DAS; arrl-odv Cc: Henderson, Dan N1ND Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:20643] FCC and DHS CC&R Study -- We need the helpofDirectors and Vice-Directors now. Gentlemen: I would like to add my support to Jim’s observations. We need to go to all of the members because I do not know what members are encumbered by CC&R’s. Also, I am fairly certain that the SM’s would be in the same position. A template is appropriate. We have pointed out the time for a response will be short. Therefore, if we don’t have a template, neither the sender nor those who will have to extract the appropriate information, would be able to do so in a timely manner. Regards, Dennis From: arrl-odv-bounces(a)reflector.arrl.org [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of James F. Boehner MD Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 10:22 PM To: 'Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ'; 'Chris Imlay'; 'Blocksome, Rod, K0DAS'; 'arrl-odv' Cc: 'Henderson, Dan N1ND' Subject: [arrl-odv:20643] FCC and DHS CC&R Study -- We need the help ofDirectors and Vice-Directors now. First, thanks to Chris, Dave and Kay for developing the three prong strategy, and to the EC for giving the “go ahead”! Bravo! I just wanted to add a few thoughts: This request should encompass all hams, not just those from the emergency community. All of us could be emergency communicators at any time, just as any of us could be subject to CC&R’s at any time. All of us have a vested interest. I know the original plea is to the board family, but after the PN comes out, all members should get the word. Perhaps a web story followed by a general membership mailing has already been planned. There should be a recommended template sent out with that communication (as Chris has outlined in his e-mail) so that collation of the replies to HQ by HQ staff could be better organized. In addition to the ARRL submission to the FCC, many will file their own personal comments with the FCC. The same template could be used by those individuals. Hopefully they will be given the guidance that their comments must be submitted in their potential capacity as emergency communicators, and not their “right” to operate DX/contests/ragchew, etc. Also, to keep their comments short and to the point. Currently, it appears that our policy as of this date is for the board family to recruit CC&R anecdotal stories. May we actively involve SM’s at this time? I ask because I know of those affected by CC&R’s in my section mainly due to my past experience as SM. Finally, can we use Chris’s paragraph below (in bold print) to send to those whom we know have CC&R stories (with some modifications)? If not, could I request a standardized statement to use? Thanks, '73 de JIM N2ZZ ARRL Vice Director Roanoke Division ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio™ From: arrl-odv-bounces(a)reflector.arrl.org [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 4:26 PM To: Chris Imlay; Blocksome, Rod, K0DAS; arrl-odv Cc: Henderson, Dan N1ND Subject: [arrl-odv:20642] Re: FCC and DHS CC&R Study -- We need the help ofDirectors and Vice-Directors now. Chris, Dan is well along in planning to do this but we feel it is best to wait until the Public Notice is out to put the plan into motion. Otherwise we have to do it twice which is bound to create some confusion. Dave From: arrl-odv-bounces(a)reflector.arrl.org [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Chris Imlay Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 3:08 PM To: Blocksome, Rod, K0DAS; arrl-odv Cc: Henderson, Dan N1ND Subject: [arrl-odv:20641] Re: FCC and DHS CC&R Study -- We need the help ofDirectors and Vice-Directors now. Rod, that is a good idea. I won't speak for Dave or for the EC, but I think the plan is to send the same plea for input to the membership directly via some of our media, and to the SMs by a remailer, but perhaps that effort will not occur until the FCC PN is out. Thanks, and 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: Rod Blocksome <rkblocks(a)plutonium.net> To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv(a)arrl.org>; Chris Imlay <w3kd(a)aol.com> Cc: dhenderson <dhenderson(a)arrl.org> Sent: Mon, Mar 26, 2012 1:59 pm Subject: [arrl-odv:20639] Re: FCC and DHS CC&R Study -- We need the help ofDirectors and Vice-Directors now. Chris, We will certainly do this, but I'm thinking your memo should also go directly to the Section Managers who would solicit from their ECs. Or was it preferred that the Directors and Vice-Directors do this? Also I'm thinking that many localized emergencies/disasters, e.g. a tornado, are effectively handled with VHF/UHF repeaters, mobiles, and handhelds which are arguably minimally impacted by CC&R's. The big impacts are situations where HF is required. The Maritime Mobile Service Net on 14.300 comes to mind as an example. These guys assist in the saving of lives and property on the high seas all the time. Regards, Rod Blocksome, K0DAS V-Dir. Midwest Div. ----- Original Message ----- From: Chris Imlay <mailto:w3kd@aol.com> To: arrl-odv(a)arrl.org Cc: dhenderson(a)arrl.org Sent: Monday, March 26, 2012 10:28 AM Subject: [arrl-odv:20638] FCC and DHS CC&R Study -- We need the help ofDirectors and Vice-Directors now. MEMORANDUM To: ARRL Officers, Directors and Vice-Directors From: Chris Imlay, W3KD, General Counsel Re: Study of Impediments to Amateur Radio Emergency Communications – Private Land Use Regulations - Anecdotal Examples Needed Date: March 26, 2012 _________________________________________________________________ Greetings. The Executive Committee has asked that I ask all Officers, Directors and Vice-Directors for your help in creating a record for our filing with the FCC in response to the Study called for by Section 6414 of H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. A three-prong strategy for ARRL input to FCC for this study was developed by President Craigie, CEO Sumner and myself and approved by the Executive Committee. The input opportunity will have a very, very short fuse indeed. Hence this call for your help now. As discussed below, we need to ask that you refer to ARRL HQ, as soon as possible, those of your constituents who live in deed-restricted neighborhoods and who can tell us compelling stories about that experience, their attempts to avoid the restrictions (or that they became hams after moving into a deed-restricted neighborhood) adn the effect of those restrictions on their ability to provide emergency communications and to prepare to do so. Here is why we need this information now: H.R. 3630 ordered the FCC “in consultation with the Office of Emergency Communications in the Department of Homeland Security” to prepare within 180 days of the date of passage of the legislation a study of “the uses and capabilities of amateur radio service communications in emergencies and disaster relief.” It is to include (1) a review of the importance of emergency amateur radio service communications relating to disasters, severe weather, and other threats to lives and property in the United States; (2) recommendations for enhancement in the voluntary deployment of amateur radio operators in disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts; (3) the improved integration of amateur radio operators in the planning and furtherance of initiatives of the Federal government; (4) an identification of impediments to enhanced amateur radio service communications, such as the effects of unreasonable or unnecessary private land use restrictions on residential antenna installations; and (5) recommendations regarding the removal of such impediments. Though not mechanically what we hoped would occur, we are told by FCC staff that it has been decided within FCC that the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) will issue a Public Notice (very soon, perhaps within this week, or if not, probably by next week) which will have a 45-day comment period. There will be no reply comment period. Using the comments received during this period, WTB will prepare the part of the study related to items 4 and 5 of the study listed above, and the PSHSB, in consultation with DHS, will prepare the part of the study on items 1, 2 and 3. Kay and Dave and I discussed a three-part, single submission to the WTB during the notice period. The first would be evidence of the value of Amateur Radio in emergencies and disasters and how to increase that role. ARRL Headquarters has a lot of material on that subject of course and it will be assembled and sent to me by Dan Henderson with help from Mike Corey, Allen Pitts, etc. This is a critical part of the submission because the need to eliminate impediments to Amateur Radio emergency communications is grounded in that which must be proven at the outset: that there is a valuable service to protect from those impediments. The second part of the filing is an explanation of the nature of CC&R restrictions with statistics and argument about the effect throughout entire metropolitan/urbanized areas of CC&Rs which preclude or severely limit outdoor antennas and therefore the ability to communicate; and to prepare for, much less conduct, emergency communications. This would be the main thrust of our submission. I have enough information to prepare this, I believe, though we will be researching some statistics of the pervasiveness of private land use regulations (of antennas) starting right away. The third part of the filing is where we need your help. We want to present a good volume of detailed anecdotal examples of the effect of CC&Rs and homeowner’s association rules on Amateur Radio emergency communications. What we are looking for are the actual, personal experiences of a geographically diverse group of radio amateurs who are subject to CC&Rs or other private land use restrictions where they live; who can tell us very specifically of the adverse effect of those restrictions on their ability to prepare for and to provide emergency and disaster relief communications. Most importantly, they would have to explain to us why these licensees did not have an option when it came to purchasing real property because of the pervasiveness of private land use restrictions which either (1) preclude or unreasonably restrict the installation and maintenance of outdoor Amateur Radio antennas, or (2) subject the radio amateur to the unlimited discretion of a homeowners’ association, architectural control committee or other non-government decisionmaker, as to whether he or she can erect and maintain an effective antenna. We need Board members and ARRL official family members to please send these radio amateurs to us and ask them to write up their experiences. We need factual information including the text of any CC&Rs to which these people are subject, and their efforts to find non-restricted places to live in their metropolitan areas or to get approvals. They should mention specifically the effect of their restrictions on their ability to do and prepare for emergency communications. We want as much specificity as they can provide to us. We also need their contact information in order to follow up with them, perhaps by telephone but certainly by e-mail. Please ask your constituents who can serve as case studies for us to send these stories to the following site set up for this purpose specifically: CCRINFO(a)ARRL.ORG We think that these (albeit anecdotal) stories, which we will aggregate, edit and present to FCC in our filing will substantially establish that there is a very real problem with private land use regulations in terms of Amateur Radio’s collecive ability to respond when called upon for emergency and disaster relief communications. The results of this study, if sufficiently conclusive, will allow us to move to the second phase our legislative plan, which is to have Congress order FCC to preempt private land use regulations, at least to the same extent that FCC preempted governmental land use regulations. We have already asked ARRL volunteer counsel for anecdotal case studies during a recent webinar for them. We will ask them again on the remailer set up recently for them. There are about 50 subscribers on that remailer so far, according to Dan Henderson. We will be going to the SMs and the membership on this after FCC releases its Public Notice, but ARRL’s official family knows of the most appropriate of these “stories” and we want to identify as many of the most compelling cases and develop them as soon as possible. Thanks for your help! 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 _____ _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org http://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org http://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv

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[arrl-odv:20640] Historical committee update
by Kay Craigie 26 Mar '12

26 Mar '12

Some of you know that Past Director Art Goddard W6XD resigned a few days ago as member and chair of the ARRL Historical Committee. I accepted his resignation with regret. He was a knowledgeable and forthright member of the committee who will be missed. Art and his wife are facing some health challenges and Art has had to re-evaluate his voluntary activities. Art requested that the details of the health challenges be kept confidential. Please keep the Goddards in your thoughts, and we hope to hear soon that they are 100% again. In resigning, Art communicated dissatisfaction with the status of the committee. I promised him that his comments would be taken to heart, and steps have been taken to keep that promise. In e-mails over the weekend, Ed Hare and Bob Allison have contributed helpful comments about some of the issues Art mentioned, from their point of view as Staff members. In no way do I mean to disparage the work done by this committee and its chairs since the committee's creation in 2000. But legitimate concerns have been raised by Art, Bob, and Ed that ought to be addressed. In addition, Director Birmingham has pointed out more than once that we are short of funds to be used in relation to the historical collection. I have shared the e-mails received from Art, Ed, and Bob with the new chair of the Historical Committee, who is Vice President Jay Bellows. I sent Jay the attached memo for relay to the committee, requesting them to address the lack of policy concerning the historical collection and the Historical Committee and to submit their recommendations to the Board. The funding issue is a separate matter, though the committee's ideas on that would also be welcomed by the Board, I'm sure. 73 - Kay N3KN

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[arrl-odv:20637] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 22 Mar '12

22 Mar '12

<<032112.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 35, No. 12 March 21, 2012 -- Covers the period March 11-17. Upcoming Meetings and Events Executive Committee: March 24 @ 8:30am - St. Louis, MO Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP Thanks to Don Carlson and Kevin O'Dell (KQ6FM and NØIRW) we now have a suite of four related audio/video PSAs for 2012 posted at http://www.arrl.org/video-psas. At the request of the show's producers, I set up Walt Mayfield, KE5SOO, SM for North Texas, who did a good job on Wednesday's Glenn Beck show. Good enough that Beck said he wanted to do a full hour on just ham radio in the near future. You can see the first part of his presentation at http://web.gbtv.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=20184597&topic_id=24584158&v… . Cliff Segar, KD4GT, called me as the billboard we jointly created 5 years ago is now up for renewal and we are working with the graphics department on creating a new one along I-40 in Tennessee. Jeff (Shorty) Stouffer, K6JSI, has a plan to use IRLP in some way on the TV show Last man Standing. While I truly hope he has found a legal way to do that, I reminded him of the FCC restrictions regarding transmissions for broadcast production purposes. I am also working on a script for a new video tour of ARRL HQ. The many hour-long slots for the DIY presentations on stage at Dayton are almost filled. There are only 2 Sunday morning ones left. Volunteer presenters include Bruce Jewett, W1GQ; John Best KJ6K; George Zafiropoulos, KJ6VU; Bernard Van Haecke KI6TSF; Erin King, AK4JG; Kip Moravec, AE5IB; Gould Smith, WA4XSM; Joe Eisenberg KØNEB; Dave Brainerd, WB6DHW, Bill Ockert, NDØB. The PRC held a dress rehearsal webinar in preparation for their public webinar teaching ways to get the most out of a press release for Field Day. The main webinar is set for 9pm EDT on April 12. Development Reported by Lauren Clarke Margie Bourgoin spoke with a donor last week who was seeking information on making a gift that would enable him to place a brick on the Diamond Terrace and support the Education & Technology Fund. Friday afternoon we received a check from the donor (wishing to remain anonymous) for $10,000! The brick is in honor of Butch Smith, N4TK. With this gift, The Education & Technology Program has received $18,931 from 55 donors. The Spectrum Defense Fund has received $38,328 from 252 donors. The Diamond Club has received $48,733 in contributions from 267 donors. The Second Century Campaign received a commitment letter of $25,000 over five years together with the first payment of $5,000. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE The following have been released to the printer: Understanding Basic Electronics, 2nd edition, 2nd printing Basic Antennas, 3rd printing Basic Radio, 3rd printing Basic Antenna Tuners, 2nd printing Get on the Air with HF Digital, 2nd printing Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed the ARRL Letter and produced and voiced ARRL Audio News for March 15, 2012. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N Field Organization/Public Service Team Leona Adams has been making preparations for two Section Manager elections in Indiana and Northern Florida. Steve Ewald has been receiving and acknowledging nominations for these ARRL sponsored awards: Herb S. Brier Instructor of the Year, Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award, Technical Innovation Award, and Technical Service Award. A radio amateur from North Texas has completed requirements to become an Official Observer this past week. Chuck Skolaut compiled and sent the monthly Official Observer Summary to all OOs, OOCs, and Section Managers. OOs in North Carolina are investigating a case of interference to a local repeater. The Connecticut OOC is checking out a report of a business interfering with his 2 meter operation. Information was forwarded to the FCC regarding a business in Texas that is using 2 meters for unlicensed communication. Questions recently dealt with included Technician class privileges, how to access repeaters for a new ham, antenna restrictions, operating overseas, club call use, and IRLP nodes on 146.520 MHz. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations All Staff 4/6 Holiday Steve Capodicasa 4/16 Vacation `` 4/23 Vacation Joe Carcia 4/27 Vacation `` 5/25 Vacation Paul Cuppini 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Jackie Ferreira 3/23-3/27 Vacation `` 4/20 Vacation `` 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Steve Ford 4/18-4/20 Vacation Scott Gee 3/21-3/23 Vacation `` 5/17-5/18 Vacation Mike Gruber 5/4 NEARfest `` 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH `` 6/4-6/8 Vacation Joel Hallas 3/29-4/1 AES Superfest, Milwaukee, WI Dan Henderson 4/2-4/5 Vacation `` 4/19-4/29 Idaho State Convention, Boise, ID/Vacation Mary Hobart 2/22 Medical Leave Amy Hurtado 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Bob Inderbitzen 3/29-4/1 AES Superfest, Milwaukee, WI `` 4/5-4/9 Vacation `` 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Joel Kleinman 4/5 Vacation Harold Kramer 5/17-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Zack Lau 3/22-3/23 Vacation `` 5/4-5/7 Vacation Monique Levesque 3/9-3/26 Vacation Diane Petrilli 3/26-3/28 Vacation/ASAE Conference, Colorado Springs, CO `` 5/17-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Allen Pitts 5/17-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Dave Sumner 3/23-3/25 Executive Committee Meeting, St. Louis, MO `` 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH

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