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Vol. 35, No. 9
February 29, 2012 -- Covers the period February 19-25.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Executive Committee:
March 24 @ 8:30am - St. Louis, MO
Regulatory Information
Reported by Dan Henderson, N1ND
Registration for the March 15 Volunteer Counsel webinar is up to 77
participants - 22 Sections Managers, 9 ODV/HQ, 46 VCs. General Counsel
Chris Imlay, W3KD, and the RIB Manager have begun working on the
presentations for the webinar. At the request of General Counsel, we
reviewed the latest list of dormant FCC items released February 15.
Only two items dealt with Part 97 issues - both of which have long been
resolved and are moot at this point. Information on PRB-1 and customary
property accessories was provided to an amateur in NC who is working
with his attorney on appealing a tower permit denial.
We received a question from a college professor in New York inquiring
about how to use amateur radio and EME in an upcoming musical
performance at his college to commemorate the birthday of a composer.
The proposal was to use amateur radio to bounce accordion music off the
moon using 2-meters and then having the composer accompany herself
real-time with the echo. After several email exchanges with the
professor, the project was scrapped, since it was a violation of Part 97
prohibitions on broadcasting as well as playing music (not to mention
transmissions by unlicensed persons).
During the past several weeks, we have received several queries from
newly licensed technicians, each asking the same very basic question:
"OK, I have my license. What bands can I operate on?" Not sure what
that says about the quality of the license classes or the instructors,
but it is becoming a more frequent question.
Time was spent updating the website to include the changes to the
60-meter frequencies and privileges that go into effect March 5.
Recently the FCC also granted an STA to Phil Williams, KA1GMN, for
experimentation with narrow band Spread Spectrum on the HF bands. As it
turns out, Williams' intent may not have been to experiment with new
modes, but rather to use the time of the STA to operate the existing
mode knows as ROS, which has become somewhat of a sore spot in the US.
While ROS is a narrow-band SS emission, two years ago the FCC clearly
stated that the current rules did not permit the use of ROS in the US on
the HF bands. According to the FCC, they are now receiving numerous
applications for STAs from individuals so they may also experiment with
ROS on the HF bands in the US. (Apparently, this is fueled in part by
some encouragement from off-shore parties posting on various websites,
including offering awards for participating in this project.)
Development
Reported by Lauren Clarke
Mary Hobart is home from the hospital. She is doing well and sends her
best to everyone.
We are all saddened by the sudden passing of Jeff Macdonald, Maryann's
husband, and send Maryann our heartfelt condolences.
The Diamond Club has reached $39,110 in contributions from 202 donors.
The Education & Technology Program has received $8,956 in contributions
from 50 donors.
The Spectrum Defense Fund has received $32,906 from 228 donors.
Production/Editorial
Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE
Joel Hallas supported the Radio Amateurs of Northern Vermont Hamfest on
February 25 by providing three presentations. The first was a stand-up
"Doctor is In" Q & A forum, followed by a presentation on coupled
resonator antennas and then an informal discussion of issues related to
planning for the use of storage batteries in emergencies.
Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed the ARRL Letter and produced and
voiced ARRL Audio News for February 23, 2012.
Sales and Marketing
Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R
A large membership campaign is currently at the printer, scheduled to
mail March 9.
Amy has organized printing and mailing for an upcoming mailing for
Development, supporting fundraising for W1AW.
A new line of merchandise is being prepared for ARRL Volunteer
Examiners. This planning was coordinated with VEC Manager Maria Somma.
The items, which include apparel and supply items, will help contribute
to the overall pride and positive perception already associated with
volunteers in this program.
New programming has been introduced to the online membership application
and our data processing systems to support the new digital QST benefit.
Specifically, the Member Services group can now administer requests from
members who choose to opt-out of the print edition of QST. A new
membership type has also been introduced for international members
selecting to join ARRL without the print edition of QST. This new
international membership option replaces the discontinued "annual
periodicals CD-ROM" option. Printed membership applications have been
updated to reflect the same changes.
Amy Hurtado met with representatives from one of our shipping carriers
to review rates and services, including additional discounts on
international package rates and other service enhancements. We will be
working closely with the warehouse and the mailroom on how to better
utilize these discount structures.
An "ARRL Field D-ay Logbook" has been designed as a new publication. The
completed work has been sent to the printer.
An emailing announcing the "final day" of our Presidents' Day
publication specials contributed to another surge of online orders; 250
orders were received on Wednesday.
Monthly email alerts (or notifications) are commonly used by publishers
to draw attention to the current edition of a digital magazine or
journal. Work is underway to test the format and mechanism for managing
the monthly notification of the digital edition of QST.
During the 4-day week, the warehouse crew fulfilled 957 packages for
publication and product orders, 122 membership premiums, plus QST
mailing supplements.
Diane Petrilli reports that a large group of teachers from the Institute
for Science Instruction & Study program at Southern Connecticut State
University will be at ARRL Thursday, March 1 for a presentation by Mark
Spencer WA8SME, Ed Hare and Joe Carcia. This group comes to ARRL
annually.
Membership & Volunteer Programs
Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N
Field Organization/Public Service Team
The Winter Section Managers election season concluded on Tuesday,
February 21, when election ballots were counted for three different ARRL
Sections at ARRL Headquarters. New terms of office begin April 1.
Thanks to Leona Adams, Chuck Skolaut, Gail Iannone, Norm Fusaro and
Steve Ewald for helping to conduct the ballot counting and related
duties.
Members of the Eastern Pennsylvania Section elected Bob Famiglio, K3RF,
of Media over two other opponents (Phil Theis, K3TUF, and Andrew
Shecktor, N3OMA). There was a 37.2% voter turn-out in Eastern
Pennsylvania. Eric Olena, WB3FPL, of Mohnton, the current Section
Manager, decided not to run for another term of office after having
served as SM since December 31, 2000.
San Diego Section Manager Steve Early, AD6VI, was re-elected when he
received more votes than his opponent, Patrick Bunsold, WA6MHZ. There
was a voter turnout of 37.4% in San Diego.
In Virginia, Carl Clements, W4CAC, will also continue as Section Manager
after receiving more votes that Joseph Imburgia, Jr., KI4LXT. The voter
turn-out in Virginia was 24.6%.
Louisiana will have a new Section Manager starting on April 1. Jim
Coleman, AI5B, of Bogalusa, will be taking the reins from Gary Stratton,
K5GLS, of Shreveport, who has served as Louisiana Section Manager since
April, 2008. Coleman, who is presently the Section Emergency
Coordinator, was the only nominee for this new term of office.
Since no nominations were received for the South Dakota Section Manager
election by the nomination deadline of December 9, 2011, nominations are
re-solicited. Look for details in the "Section Manager Nomination
Notice" in the Happenings column of April and May QSTs.
The following incumbent ARRL Section Managers did not face opposition
and were declared elected for their next terms of office beginning April
1, 2012: Pete Cecere, N2YJZ (Eastern New York); Bill Morine, N2COP
(North Carolina); and Bob Schneider, AH6J (Pacific).
Sincerely Compiled by,
Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ
Assistant to the CEO
Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations
All Staff 4/6 Holiday
Margie Bourgoin 3/2-3/9 Vacation
Steve Capodicasa 3/5 Vacation
Joe Carcia 4/27 Vacation
`` 5/25 Vacation
Steve Ewald 3/6 Vacation
Jackie Ferreira 3/23-3/27 Vacation
`` 4/20 Vacation
Scott Gee 3/21-3/23 Vacation
`` 5/17-5/18 Vacation
Dan Henderson 3/2-3/5 Alabama Section Convention,
Birmingham, AL
`` 4/19-4/29 Idaho State Convention, Boise,
ID/Vacation
Mary Hobart 2/22 Medical Leave
Bob Inderbitzen 3/1-3/6 Radiofest, Monterey, CA
`` 3/29-4/1 AES Superfest,
Milwaukee, WI
`` 4/5-4/9 Vacation
Joel Kleinman 3/13 Vacation
Zack Lau 3/22-3/23 Vacation
Monique Levesque 3/9-3/26 Vacation
Diane Petrilli 3/26-3/28 Vacation/ASAE Conference,
Colorado Springs, CO
