April 2012 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:20747] Added LOTW Functionality
by Bob Vallio 30 Apr '12

30 Apr '12

Below is a quote from one of my members, who is a contester, DXer, and awards chaser. He raises a valid point, but I don't know how, or even if, such functions can be added to the existing LOTW program. His point is valid, I believe, and I hope that we can find a way to consider such improvements. Bob Vallio, W6RGG "Yes, I'm a Life Member of ARRL and I LOVE LOTW, but there are some things the ARRL could take away from Club Log as far as ease of use and allowing us Stats heads to look at our logs in many new and improved ways."

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[arrl-odv:20745] Drinking & Driving and The Bus...
by dick＠pobox.com 29 Apr '12

29 Apr '12

I would like to share an experience with you, about drinking and driving. As you well know, some people have been known to have had brushes with the authorities on their way home from a social session. A couple of nights ago, I was out for a few drinks with some friends at the Marriott Hotel and had a few too many beers and some rather nice red wine. Knowing full well I may have been slightly over the limit, I did something I've never done before: I took a bus home. Sure enough I passed a police road block but as it was a bus, they waved it through. I arrived home safely without incident, which was a real surprise; as I have never driven a bus before and am not sure where I got it.

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[arrl-odv:20728] Houston, We May Have A Problem - VHF/UHF Chinese Radios Being Sold To General Public
by JRS 27 Apr '12

27 Apr '12

See: http://www.meritline.com/mini-walkie-talkie---p-77512.aspx?hq_e=el&hq_m=243… These radios are advertised in English and are claimed to be shipped from China. 73 *-----------------------------------------------------* ** John Robert Stratton N5AUS West Gulf Division Vice Director West Gulf Division Legislative Action Chair Office telephone: 512-445-6262 Cell: 512-426-2028 PO Box 2232 Austin, Texas 78768-2232 *-----------------------------------------------------*

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[arrl-odv:20742] Trip report Charlotte/Philadelphia
by Kay Craigie 27 Apr '12

27 Apr '12

The attached document reports on recent back-to-back trips to Charlotte, NC, and Philadelphia, PA. Dave and Chris have arranged to meet with the FCC in Washington about enforcement. I want to explain to you why I will not be going with Dave and Chris on this visit. Many of you know that my husband Carter N3AO has been suffering from back trouble. For a while, physical therapy and steroid injections gave relief lasting various lengths of time. However, the injection administered after our trip to Geneva not only didn't give any relief, but a nerve flare after the shot actually caused the most intense pain ever. It was time to see the surgeon. Carter is scheduled for surgery on his spine the day after we return from Dayton. He has already had one unpleasant out-patient test and must have another test next week. That one is going to be even more unpleasant and the discomfort should last several days. I simply have to be at home next week to help him through that process, so Dave and Chris will handle the FCC visit. I wish it were otherwise, for many reasons you can well imagine. Carter is coming to Dayton, though he will be sitting down rather than walking around. We don't know what the post-surgery recovery time line will be. I am not cancelling any trips already on the schedule. Our daughter is an able project manager and has begun organizing friends to help when she and/or I have to be away after the surgery. Thank you for your understanding. We always say that family comes first. Once in a while we have to walk the walk. 73 - Kay N3KN

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[arrl-odv:20740] More LOTW...
by Bob Vallio 27 Apr '12

27 Apr '12

Mike Keane rebooted the database server, and service was restored about 45 minutes ago (0255 Z). He will investigate the problem in the morning. Bob Vallio -- W6RGG

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[arrl-odv:20737] LOTW Down
by Bob Vallio 27 Apr '12

27 Apr '12

I'm receiving reports that LOTW failed around 2230Z, and is still not functioning. Anyone know what's up? Bob Vallio

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[arrl-odv:20749] Fwd: [VHF] ARRL creates "shack-on-ur-belt" contesting
by Tom Frenaye 26 Apr '12

26 Apr '12

I've seen this mentioned in a couple of reflectors I monitor but haven't heard anything about it internally. >The ARRL Programs and Services Committee has approved a rule change for >ARRL VHF+ contests effective beginning in 2013 (not this year) to create a >Single-Op FM-only category (100 W max, 50/144/222/440 MHz) and a three-band >Single-Op category (100 W PEP on 50 and 144 MHz, 50 W PEP on 432 MHz). These >changes will apply to the January, June, and September contests - again, >beginning with the 2013 January VHF Sweepstakes. Would someone give us an update? I'd like to be able to answer questions with verified information... Sounds like a good move in general but will mean a whole lot more categories and certificates to mail out. 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

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[arrl-odv:20731] FW: LoTW CQ WPX Beta Test
by Kramer, Harold, WJ1B 25 Apr '12

25 Apr '12

Hi, If any ODV member would like to participate in the Beta test of the CQ WPX (Prefix) Award <http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/cq_awards/cq_wpx_awards/042208_cq_wpx_n ew_rules.pdf> on Logbook of the World, please send Mike Keane your LoTW user name (usually it is your call sign) with a copy to me. The password is not necessary. You must be a registered Logbook user already. We will be starting the Beta test the beginning of next week. 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:20730] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 25 Apr '12

25 Apr '12

<<042512.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 35, No. 17 April 25, 2012 -- Covers the period April 15-21. Upcoming Meetings and Events Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP The past week saw the shooting and editing of Kay's video introduction to the digital QST. World Amateur Radio Day was April 18 but little notice seen anywhere. The weekend was a drive to speak at the Delaware hamfest. Other main actions included continuing to solidify Dayton plans, polishing the annual report, initial plans for another PRC Webinar (May 31?) on the topic of shooting Field Day video and updating several PR related web pages. With a recent surge in interest, we now have 150 graduates of the PR-101 course. One nice outcome-effect of the course was that Jim Wilson, K5ND, Director of the Communication Services for the BSA (a man who already knew how to write) completed the course and went on to write a very nice column about ham radio and post it to the scouting leadership. Development Reported by Lauren Clarke The 12th Annual Donor Reception in Dayton has confirmed 81 guests so far. The key note speaker is David Sumner, K1ZZ who will talk about key staff and volunteers and events from WRC-12. To Date: The W1AW Endowment Campaign has received $44,667 in contributions from 744 donors. The Spectrum Defense Fund has received $41,236 in contributions from 283 donors. The Diamond Club has received $64,364 in contributions from 380 donors. The Education & Technology Program has received $19,981in contributions from 64 donors. A major donor sent in his regular gift of $15,000 to support Teachers Institutes. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE The June 2012 issue of QST (print) has been released to the printer. The final version of the May digital edition has been approved. Contest University Proceedings has been released to the printer. The May/June issue of NCJ has been released to the printer. Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed the ARRL Letter and produced and voiced ARRL Audio News for April 19, 2012. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R Diane Petrilli has distributed convention materials to our big Dayton team: shirts, badges, lunch tickets, floor plan, and ARRL program. This year's ARRL Dayton Team includes 107 staff, officials, partner representatives and volunteers. Jackie Ferreira is working directly with the Hara Complex to wrap-up the ARRL EXPO layout, decorating and catering. A busy couple of weeks! The fulfillment team processed 1,453 orders during the week of 4/9, and 859 during the week of 4/16. During the week, the warehouse crew fulfilled 1,751 packages for publication and product orders, 475 membership premiums, plus QST mailing supplements. The digital edition of May QST was rolled out to 18,000 members (ODV, some VEs, SMs and staff). Feedback, largely positive, was collected from over 300 members. The test also identified some areas of fine-tuning involving log-in issues. Magdalena Owczarska has accepted the position of Digital Content Coordinator and will begin working directly for Harold Kramer in the next few weeks. Congratulations Magz. A membership appeal to previous purchasers of ARRL publications (5,000+) who are not members is being mailed this week. In addition, an e-mailing sent to lapsed members returned 50 applications over the weekend. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N Field Organization/Public Service Team Virgin Islands Section Manager John Ellis, NP2B, announced that he will be moving to Florida soon. He, therefore, is resigning as Section Manager (a position he has held since 1996) on May 1. John recommended Fred Kleber, K9VV, to fulfill the current term of office that continues until September 30. Dave Patton, NN1N, in consultation with Director Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, has appointed Fred, K9VV, of Christiansted, to become the Virgin Islands Section Manager as of May 1. Leona Adams received petitions that nominated the following incumbent Section Managers in their respective sections to run for a new term office beginning October 1: Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW (Oklahoma); Steve Ryan, N2ITF (Western New York). Petitions for this particular election cycle are due at Headquarters by June 8. Word was received from the Region 1 monitoring system that the second harmonic of a foreign shortwave station was causing interference on 14.295 MHz, and the information was passed along to our monitors. However, at this time, it is not a problem in the US. Also, a report of a CODAR signal being heard in the CW portion of 20 meters was received and passed along. More good comments were received regarding the recent Official Observer article in QST along with requests for more information about the OO program. Applications to become OOs have increased as well. Questions received this week included operating overseas, possible communication with an unlicensed sailboat operator, antenna restrictions and proper identification. Chuck Skolaut hosted the New England QRP club for a meeting that held at Headquarters, and he conducted a morning code run at W1AW. Steve Ewald has been working on the 2011 Simulated Emergency Test results article for July QST. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations All Staff 5/28 Holiday Leona Adams 4/27pm Vacation `` 5/4 Vacation Margie Bourgoin 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Steve Capodicasa 4/23 Vacation Joe Carcia 5/25 Vacation Lauren Clarke 5/4 Vacation `` 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 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 5/16-5/21 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Dan Henderson 4/19-4/29 Idaho State Convention, Boise, ID/Vacation Mary Hobart 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Amy Hurtado 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Bob Inderbitzen 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Khrystyne Keane 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Joel Kleinman 4/26-4/27 Vacation Harold Kramer 5/3-5/5 EmComm West Convention, Reno, NV `` 5/17-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH 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 `` 6/11-6/15 Vacation Allen Pitts 5/17-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Barry Shelley 4/27 Vacation Dave Sumner 4/26-4/30 USA Science & Engineering Festival, Washington, DC/Vacation `` 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH

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[arrl-odv:20723] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 24 Apr '12

24 Apr '12

<<041812.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 35, No. 16 April 18, 2012 -- Covers the period April 8-14. Upcoming Meetings and Events Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP Video was created for Kay Craigie's intro to the digital edition of QST and is being edited. I will be speaking in Delaware this weekend. PR-101 graduates are up to 147. World Amateur Radio Day had only 3 known minor media hits anywhere outside of the Amateur Radio community itself. The ARRL Public Relations Committee is planning on another webinar, expected May 31, with the topic of creating and distributing good Amateur Radio activity video on a tight budget. Development Reported by Lauren Clarke 2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the Diamond Club. The Development Office is strategizing how to mark this special anniversary to recognize donors, increase membership and raise additional funds. We will also use this opportunity to invite lapsed Diamond Club members to again support ARRL at this level of giving. Development also welcomed our 103 member into the Maxim Society. To Date: The W1AW Endowment Campaign has received $43,587 in contributions from 723 donors. This is 60 percent of goal. The Spectrum Defense Fund has received $40,986 in contributions from 280 donors. The Diamond Club has received $63,264 in contributions from 360 donors. The Education & Technology Program has received $19,806 in contributions from 61 donors. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed the ARRL Letter and produced and voiced ARRL Audio News for April 12, 2012. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R During the week, the warehouse crew fulfilled 1,223 packages for publication and product orders, 576 membership premiums, plus QST mailing supplements. There were another 600 remaining orders received during this particularly busy week and the crew got a head-start on these during the weekend. Less than 30 days to go! The program <http://www.arrl.org/files/file/ARRL%20EXPO%202012%20Dayton%20Program%20 and%20Activities%20Guide.pdf> for ARRL EXPO at Dayton Hamvention was completed. A floor plan <http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Dayton%202012%20ARRL%20Floorplan.pdf> for ARRL's large exhibit area has been committed. A handful of other Dayton planning activities have also been completed, including an order for audio visual equipment, phone and internet drops, and badge printing. We've also started to collect materials from throughout the building for shipping to Dayton. This year's ARRL Dayton Team includes 107 staff, officials, partner representatives and volunteers. We have prepared a mailing list for MetLife. They are preparing a mailing to a segment of ARRL members, promoting discounted auto and home insurance. The mailing encourages members to seek a free quote from MetLife. Besides the group discount, members may also seek an additional length of membership discount. US Bank has reported our earnings for the ARRL Visa Credit Card during the first quarter: $7,949.65. These earnings are made on new cards, renewals (each year a card remains open and active), and on purchase activity. We regularly promote the card through partner-sponsored mailings, ARRL emailings, QST ads, and flyers included with other outgoing mail and parcels. We have started to promote sales for the new editions of The ARRL Extra Class License Manual <http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-Extra-Class-License-Manual-10th-Edition/> and ARRL's Extra Q & A <http://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-s-Extra-Q-and-A-3rd-Edition/> . The books will be introduced sometime in May, and feature the new Extra Class question pool, for exams given on or after July 1, 2012. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N Field Organization/Public Service Team Radio amateurs from Georgia, Los Angeles, and Nebraska successfully completed requirements to become Official Observers this past week. A good response was received from a number of readers regarding the Official Observer article in the May issue of QST, and it has prompted several inquiries about the program. Chuck Skolaut prepared the monthly Official Observer summary. The Connecticut OOC and an OO checked out a complaint about interference from a police department in a community to a local radio amateur. The interference was determined it to be a case of RF overload. Questions this week included identification on APRS, setting up a beacon on 10 meters, control operator responsibilities, and operating overseas. A complaint about an uncoordinated repeater interfering with a coordinated one is being investigated in California. ARRL members in Northern Florida and Indiana have been returning their Section Manager election ballots very steadily over the past week or so. They have until May 18 to return ballots to ARRL HQ, and the ballots will be counted on May 22. Many Field Organization Reports documenting March activities have also been arriving at Headquarters, and preparations have been completed for their listing in June QST. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations All Staff 5/28 Holiday Leona Adams 4/27pm Vacation `` 5/4 Vacation Margie Bourgoin 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Steve Capodicasa 4/23 Vacation Joe Carcia 4/27 Vacation `` 5/25 Vacation Lauren Clarke 5/4 Vacation `` 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 5/16-5/21 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Dan Henderson 4/19-4/29 Idaho State Convention, Boise, ID/Vacation Mary Hobart 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Amy Hurtado 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Bob Inderbitzen 4/20 Vacation `` 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Khrystyne Keane 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Harold Kramer 5/3-5/5 EmComm West Convention, Reno, NV `` 5/17-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH 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 `` 6/11-6/15 Vacation Allen Pitts 5/17-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Dave Sumner 4/26-4/30 USA Science & Engineering Festival, Washington, DC/Vacation `` 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH

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