January 2013 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:21475] In-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 24 Jan '13

24 Jan '13

<<012313.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 36, No. 4 January 23, 2013 -- Covers the period January 13-19. Production/Editorial Reported by Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY The March 2013 issue of QST goes to the printer tomorrow. Joel Hallas gave a presentation to a Stamford Amateur Radio Association meeting on January 3. The topic was "Coupled Resonator Antennas." Lab Reported by Ed Hare, W1RFI Product Review Bob Allison and Steve Ford produced three product Review videos for the digital version of March QST, featuring two balanced antenna tuners and an HF linear Amplifier. Bob also assisted RJS Photography with photographing Product Review Photos, providing technical assistance. Bob Allison wrapped up high power testing of balanced antenna tuners. This was the culmination of many experiments to determine if the manufacturer's specifications of the rated power were valid over both its specified frequency range and impedance range. In both cases, we determined the actual power handling capability at the low end of the rated impedance range. This data was passed along to the manufacturer, who thanked us for our work. Web Mike Gruber completed writing a new ARRL Web page on grow light RFI. Interference complaints from grow lights have been increasing, especially in the last year. Electronic Publications Zack Lau compiled a list of resets for the Garmin royalty report. There were only six resets of the program in the last half of last year, in part because of advising mentors to use the Firefox browser, which works much better with the Garmin plug-in than other browsers. QST Bob Allison started the alignment and testing of a 10 Watt, USB 17 meter transceiver kit. The kit was built by Bob, at home, over the holidays and will be featured in an upcoming Product Review sometime this year. Bob spent learned a new skill of soldering surface mount parts the size of a tip of a pencil. If you would like tips on how to do this, please stop by the Lab and ask him. Mike Gruber received a number of inquiries concerning the transmitter used on the cover of the January 2013 QST cover. Mike originally built that transmitter around the Holidays in 1973. The schematic for it appeared in a 73 Magazine article. Fortunately, he was able to locate the original author, who now lives in Florida. Bob Allison was called to be the stand in author of the Vintage Radio QST column for March. A very unusual and secret radio device from Bob's personal collection will be featured. Radio Frequency Interference Mike Gruber is working an article on RFI from Part 15 (LED) and Part 18 (CFL) bulbs. This article is to be used in conjunction with the bulb test data described in previous Weekly reports. When completed, this article will be available for publication in QST. Mike Gruber completed putting conducted emissions data for bulbs into graphs for a Word document. Mike Gruber worked on the EMC Committee report for Kermit Carlson. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R An email featuring ARRL License Manuals and the 2012 Periodicals on DVD helped drive some great traffic to the online store. 350 orders were received over the weekend. The proof for the W1AW Challenge Coin, the third coin in this series, has been approved and is expected in-stock by early February. A design for the 2013 ARRL Field Day logo is being wrapped-up. This year's product line will feature a t-shirt, pin, hat and mug. A membership campaign was mailed January 14. The next membership mailing is set for the week of February 18. Recent membership appeals emailed to previous international members and lapsed-member Technician licensees returned 65 memberships. A New Year's Resolution themed e-mail brought in another 80+ members. A buck slip promoting digital QST and the new Apple iOS app was included in a mailing to international members. This particular group of international members are completing membership terms with the previously-offered annual QST CD benefit. We contributed to cover designs for a couple of upcoming new publications: Ham Radio for Arduino and PICAXE and Radio Science for the Radio Amateur. Bob Inderbitzen and Deb Jahnke visited the Connecticut Convention Center to review the services of an exhibition service company (decorator) for next year's Centennial Convention. Proofs were reviewed for a US Bank sponsored mailing, promoting the ARRL Visa credit card to small business owners. These smaller, segmented mailings have contributed to growing the number of ARRL Visa Card holders-approximately 2,300. Summary of Sales and Marketing Department telephone group (reported by Amy Hurtado): Week of Phone calls Per hour Average wait Complete without transfer 1/13/13 1,223 27.1 43 seconds 78% Summary of warehouse fulfillment activity (reported by Steve Capodicasa): Week of Packages fulfilled Member Premiums 1/13/13 889 1,118 Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N Field Organization/Public Service Team Chuck Skolaut compiled and sent out the monthly Official Observer Summary to all OOs, OOCs, and Section Managers. One radio amateur from Oklahoma successfully completed the requirements to become an Official Observer. Word was received regarding a radio amateur having a large number of club call signs. This case is being investigated. An unidentified signal was heard on 1840 kHz, and was later identified as overload/mixing from a local radio station. A report of code being transmitted on 7091 kHz with no identification was reported. We also learned that a Michigan radio amateur was heard operating on 10 meters and also below the 10 meter band in what's called Freeband. This, too, is being checked out. San Joaquin Valley Section Manager Dan Pruitt, AE6SX, has been nominated to run for a new term of office as Section Manager starting on July 1. Leona Adams reports that other nominations for this particular Section Manager election cycle are due at Headquarters by March 8. Meanwhile, Montana Section members have begun to return their filled out Section Manager ballots to Headquarters. These ballots are due by February 15, and the ballot counting is scheduled for February 19. Steve Ewald has been providing some administrative support for the Eastern, Pacific and Central Area Staffs of the National Traffic System as the New Year gets underway and a few new Area Staff appointments are in the works. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations Steve Capodicasa 1/28 PTO Bob Inderbitzen 1/24-1/28 Puerto Rico State Convention, Hatillo, PR `` 1/29-1/30 PTO `` 2/7-2/10 Southeastern Division Convention, Orlando, FL Harold Kramer 2/7-2/10 Southeastern Division Convention, Orlando, FL Diane Petrilli 3/9-3/13 ASAE Conference, Steve Sant Andrea 2/13 PTO Barry Shelley 1/24-1/25 PTO

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[arrl-odv:21474] Fairfax Office closed Thursday afternoon
by Price, Brennan, N4QX 24 Jan '13

24 Jan '13

The heating system for our office suite has failed on the coldest day of the Winter. Standard Properties (our landlord) has been advised, and we've been assured that a repair person "is on the way." I've sent Virginia home and arranged to reschedule her remaining hours, and Jon is on leave. I plan to work from off site this afternoon. If you need to call someone at the Fairfax office today, my cell phone is the best bet: +1 860 983-2873. 73, Brennan T. Price, N4QX Chief Technology Officer American Radio Relay League 3545 Chain Bridge Road Suite 209 Fairfax VA 22030-2708 Tel +1 703 934-2077 Fax +1 703 934-2079

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[arrl-odv:21473] Brief server outage
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 23 Jan '13

23 Jan '13

The p1k.arrl.org server here at HQ experienced a hardware issue (bad fan bearing) earlier today and was offline briefly (less than an hour). Because this is the server that hosts LoTW the interruption may have been noticed. Dave K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:21472] 2013 committees
by Kay Craigie 23 Jan '13

23 Jan '13

The committee roster is attached. Allen Pitts is still listed as the PR Committee's Staff liaison. That will change when the new person is hired, but until then Allen will give us a hand. 73 - Kay N3KN

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[arrl-odv:21471] More on default email subscriptions
by Dr. David Woolweaver 22 Jan '13

22 Jan '13

Dave: Thanks for the update. The effort you outlined should increase the subscriber base. This is an excellent start. As you pointed out in an early message, Life Members will require a different approach. David, K5RAV

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[arrl-odv:21470] More on default email subscriptions
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 22 Jan '13

22 Jan '13

Following up on my message of yesterday, attached is a two-sided buck slip that accompanies membership renewals and some membership solicitations. Members returning it are subscribed to ARRL e-newsletters and e-notifications of their choice. Note that "Division and Section News" is pre-checked on the form. A member could cross it out, but Bob Inderbitzen tells me that rarely if ever happens. 73, Dave K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:21467] Default email subscriptions
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 21 Jan '13

21 Jan '13

Following up on the subject of division newsletters that was raised under "Any other business" Saturday afternoon, here are the default settings for email subscriptions for new ARRL members: [ ] Temporarily disable all automatically sent email [X] Notification of ARRL membership expiration [X] Notification of license expiration [X] Notification of monthly digital edition of QST [X] The ARRL email newsletter, The ARRL Letter [ ] ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest newsletter) [ ] The ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news) [ ] The ARRL Club News (monthly club news) [ ] ARRL Instructor/Teacher E-Letter [ ] The IARU E-Letter (International Amateur Radio Union news) [X] News and information from your Division Director and Section Manager (Note: Some Divisions/Sections may not send notices.) [ ] Publication Announcements and Special offers [ ] ARRL Legislative Update [ ] ARRL Board meeting agendas and minutes W1AW bulletins [ ]General/Special [ ]DX [ ]Propagation [ ]Satellite [ ]Keplerian As you can see, new members are opted into receiving division and section newsletters. They can opt out by unchecking the box. So, the question that the Programs & Services Committee should discuss is how to encourage members who are not already receiving the newsletters to opt into doing so. 73, Dave K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:21465] 2013 ARRL National Convention
by Bob Vallio 19 Jan '13

19 Jan '13

I received a query for information on this year's National Convention, and I can find nothing at arrl.org. Is there a 2013 National Convention; and, if there is, where is it going to be held and when? Thanks. 73, Bob -- W6RGG

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[arrl-odv:21464] FW: ARRL Board report, ARDF Coordinator
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 18 Jan '13

18 Jan '13

Here is the report of the ARDF Coordinator, Joe Moell, K0OV. Dave K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:21463] Doc #25: ad hoc Committee on Youth in the Second Century
by Brian Mileshosky 15 Jan '13

15 Jan '13

Greetings - Please find attached Document #25, report of the ARRL ad hoc Committee on Youth in the Second Century. I welcome questions or comments during the Board meeting or offline. Thanks and 73, Brian N5ZGT ARRL Rocky Mountain Division

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