December 2014 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:23632] Dues increase
by G Widin 18 Dec '14

18 Dec '14

I have had several questions about A&F's involvement with a dues increase. Here is a brief summary. Even in 2013, members of the Board had begun discussing the inevitability of a dues increase. With the Centennial coming up in 2014, it clearly was not going to be a year to announce a dues increase, so everyone was spared having to think about it too deeply. As we began 2014, the need for a dues increase became more and more evident. In the first half of 2014, A&F had two subcommittees that began work on a dues increase and possible changes to life membership. There were brief reports by these groups included in the July Report of A&F, with further discussion at the July Board meeting, which may have been lost in the noise of the Convention. The dues study subcommittee developed scenarios for a $6 and a $10 increase, and these were presented at the November A&F meeting. Simultaneously, staff was developing the 2015-16 plan, and included a dues increase in the plan. At the November meeting, A&F voted to recommend the plan to the Board for acceptance at the upcoming January meeting. This is the plan which includes the $10 increase. A&F did discuss a smaller increase, but it was realized that this would mean coming back to the membership again in 2 or 3 years, and it was felt that taking our medicine all at once was preferable to multiple small sips. Of course, we will still not be able to wait another 10 years for the next increase. A&F also discussed life membership, and decided not to make any changes at this time, although since life membership is priced at a multiple of the current yearly dues, the price of life membership would necessarily rise, as well. Thus, in order to implement the dues increase, Dave sent out the necessary enabling changes to bylaws, enough ahead of time so they can be properly voted on at January's meeting. This probably wouldn't have taken people so much by surprise if the A&F Minutes from the November meeting had already been issued, but some situations conspired to delay their compilation. I will be working on the minutes and get them to the Board as soon as possible. I apologize that it was not sooner. No one likes the idea of a dues increase. The financial analysis that led to the current 2015-16 plan made it clear that we could not postpone an increase any further and still maintain a fiscally healthy organization. Most members I have talked to, and other Directors have told me this as well, understand that 10 years of no dues increase cannot continue, and many are even surprised that the increase would only be $10. Every now and then, the Board must take action that it knows will not be popular, but that is necessary for the health of the organization. Regretfully, this is one of those issues. 73, Greg, K0GW 2014 A&F Chair

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[arrl-odv:23631] 160 meters
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 17 Dec '14

17 Dec '14

Today at my request Chris Imlay sent the attached letter to FCC OET Chief Julius Knapp. Here is some background. Old Timers will recall that after World War II, for many years 160 meters was subject to severe frequency and power restrictions in order to protect the LORAN-A radionavigation system from interference. Once LORAN-A ceased operation in this part of the world, in 1983 the FCC allocated 1800-1900 kHz to the amateur service on an exclusive basis. At the same time 1900-2000 kHz was allocated to the amateur service on a secondary basis and to the radiolocation service on a primary basis, the latter in order to reaccommodate radiolocation operations that the Commission anticipated would be relocated from 1605-1705 kHz when the AM Broadcasting band was expanded. In the international Table of Frequency Allocations the amateur allocation was and is co-primary with some other services, including radiolocation, at 1850-2000 kHz in Region 2. GPS technology rendered those MF radiolocation operations obsolete, and in 2012 the FCC proposed in ET Docket No. 12-338 to return 1900-2000 kHz to exclusive amateur use on a primary basis in the United States in recognition of the fact that no radiolocation stations in fact had been relocated as had been anticipated. The Commission's proposal was not perfect. Inexplicably, the Commission proposed to maintain an obligation that its amateur stations not interfere with, and accept interference from, stations in other countries operating in accordance with the international Table of Frequency Allocations. In our comments in the proceeding the ARRL argued strongly that amateurs' obligations are no greater under the international Radio Regulations than are the obligations of the stations in other services with whom we are co-primary. We fully expected the matter to be settled in our favor because our position was and is entirely consistent with the principle of "equality of right to operate" that is enshrined in the international Radio Regulations. ET Docket 12-338 dealt with a number of other subjects, primarily with regard to the implementation of WRC-07 allocation decisions, including our pending LF allocation at 135.7-137.8 kHz. More than two years have passed since the NPRM was released but we were not too concerned about the delay with regard to 1900-2000 kHz because the status quo was that we were secondary to a service that was not using, and had no plans to use, the allocation. We were more concerned about the LF allocation and our petition to open the 472-479 kHz band that was allocated at WRC-12. However, this changed a couple of weeks ago when a very powerful radiolocation signal appeared, centered on 1915 kHz. The source was traced to Hartlen Point, Nova Scotia, near Halifax. Doug Grant, K1DG researched and confirmed that it is a high-frequency surface-wave radar (HFSWR) system, developed by Raytheon Canada for the Canadian military. It is intended to detect ships up to 200 miles from the country's coast to protect against terrorists, smugglers, and unauthorized fishing vessels as well as locate vessels in distress. The present system has been detected at 1915, 3250, 4400, and 5300 kHz. Doug was advised that the system is undergoing testing and that it normally will operate on the other frequencies and not 1915 kHz, but if and when it does operate on that frequency (or elsewhere in the 1850-2000 kHz band) it will be a massive interference source to amateurs. Interestingly, while he is out of the office today Julie Knapp has already responded informally to Chris's letter: "Hi Chris, Dave and Kay: I know this has taken quite a bit longer than I told you I expected, primarily because there were several other issues in the proceeding that we needed to resolve. While it has taken some time, I believe we now have a much better product. We are in the final stages of coordinating the draft order and I anticipate action early next year. We'll keep you posted on how things are progressing. In the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. Regards, Julie" 73, Dave Sumner, K1ZZ

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[arrl-odv:23630] Formal Call for Annual Meeting
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 17 Dec '14

17 Dec '14

December 17, 2014 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING ALL DIRECTORS: In compliance with the requirements of the Articles of Association and the relevant provisions of the Bylaws, the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors of The American Radio Relay League, Incorporated, is hereby called for 9:00 A.M. EST Friday, January 16, 2015, at the Hartford/Windsor Airport Marriott at 88 Day Hill Rd., Windsor, Connecticut. Arrangements have been made for a group dinner on the Thursday evening preceding: attitude adjustment at 5:30 P.M. and dinner at 6:00 P.M. Other group meals are Friday and Saturday breakfast and lunch, and Friday dinner. Note that there will be a cash bar, not an open bar, prior to the dinners. Purchases from the cash bar are not reimbursable. We expect the meeting will conclude by 5:00 P.M. on Saturday. A group photograph will be taken on Friday after the luncheon break; the dress code for that occasion is business attire (for men, jackets and ties). Honorary vice presidents, directors emeritus, past presidents, and past directors are invited to attend in observer status at personal expense. Vice directors are authorized to attend with expenses charged to the Board Meeting account. Cash advances are available upon request for those traveling at League expense. Transportation from and to Bradley International Airport will be provided by Marriott. There is a Marriott courtesy phone located in the baggage claim area. An accommodation form accompanies this Notice; please return the form or respond by email as soon as possible to Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ, at HQ: lkustosik(a)arrl.org. Accompanying spouses are invited to attend breakfast and dinner with the Board family. The tentative agenda for the meeting is attached. It is requested that insofar as possible, motions to be submitted at the meeting be prepared in advance in writing so that a copy can be handed to the Secretary at the time of presentation. It is important that the motion as handed to the Secretary be the same as that submitted for Board consideration. While we will have word-processing and duplicating capability at the meeting site, this should not replace advance preparation. If you wish to have a proposed motion circulated in advance, either send it to me as soon as possible or post it on the Board's electronic remailer. Please also note Standing Order 30: "Each Director offering a motion requiring the expenditure of funds for implementation shall include with the motion his [or her] estimate of the costs involved and the suggested method of funding those costs." Also note Minute 42 of the 2004 Annual Meeting: "Any motion to create or substantially modify a program or activity shall include documentation of the expected revenue and expense generated by the proposed program or activity." Finally, meeting attendees are advised that the proceedings will be recorded electronically. David Sumner, K1ZZ Secretary

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[arrl-odv:23620] Director Vallio's Capital Expense Questions
by Kramer, Harold, WJ1B 16 Dec '14

16 Dec '14

Hi, Here are the answers to the questions that Director Vallio's email. BTW: I am going on vacation starting Thursday Dec 18 and will return to the office Monday Dec 29. Happy Holidays everyone! Regards/73, Harold Harold Kramer, WJ1B ARRL Chief Operating Officer 860 594 0220 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greetings: There are, of course, many issues in this plan. These two seemed to strike a familiar sounding chord with me. I believe that we have a fine IT Department, and I note that it is being increased by one additional employee. Item E (highlights provided), has the proviso that a new application would be provided by a vendor with practically no information available on-line ($79,000 in annual revenue and two employees), and involve minimal involvement by the IT Department. Item G (highlights provided), provides for databases to be upgraded by an unnamed programmer, again with minimal involvement by the IT Department. Both of these issues give me bad feelings of deja vu. Does anyone share those feelings with me? Bob Vallio, W6RGG --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I believe that we have a fine IT Department, and I note that it is being increased by one additional employee. I checked with Barry on the question about IT Staffing schedule in the Plan (page 84) which compares planned staffing in 2014 to planned staffing in 2015. It shows an increase of one full-time position in IT. This position is the additional Logbook of The World programmer approved by the A&F Committee in April of this year. Item E (highlights provided), has the proviso that a new application would be provided by a vendor with practically no information available on-line ($79,000 in annual revenue and two employees), Item E is for a new Repeater Database to be developed by DHS Systems whose principal, Al Ambrose, has been working with the ARRL since 1997. Details of the application's functions are explained in the text of the plan. Many of you know Al since he has been with us in our booth at Dayton for many years demonstrating the Travel Plus Product that he developed for us. I have attached a document that I requested from DHF systems detailing their work for the ARRL. Al told me that he does not have a website for his business since he has enough work without having to solicit any new business. Item G (highlights provided), provides for databases to be upgraded by an unnamed programmer, again with minimal involvement by the IT Department. The contest results database update has been in the budget for the past couple of years for $20,000. It was postponed last year because of HR issues with the previous Contest Manager. The MS Access database that runs the contest queries dates back to 2001 and needs updating. After recent discussions between the Contest Branch staff and IT Manager, Mike Keane, we may be able to do some of this work in-house, particularly since our new Contest Manager, Matt Wilhelm W1MSW, has higher level IT skills than the previous Contest Manager. Secondly, the contest management system is extremely complex and we are trying, not just to update the Access database, but to improve the efficiency of the entire end-to-end process. Therefore, we are not sure what parts of the project we can do in-house and what needs to be contracted, so we have not yet contracted with a vendor for this work until we develop more specific requirements and specifications. .

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[arrl-odv:23618] Comments on Proposed 2015-2016 Plan -- Board Confidential
by Bob Vallio 13 Dec '14

13 Dec '14

Greetings: There are, of course, many issues in this plan. These two seemed to strike a familiar sounding chord with me. I believe that we have a fine IT Department, and I note that it is being increased by one additional employee. Item E (highlights provided), has the proviso that a new application would be provided by a vendor with practically no information available on-line ($79,000 in annual revenue and two employees), and involve minimal involvement by the IT Department. Item G (highlights provided), provides for databases to be upgraded by an unnamed programmer, again with minimal involvement by the IT Department. Both of these issues give me bad feelings of deja vu. Does anyone share those feelings with me? Bob Vallio, W6RGG "E. Repeater Database The current ARRL Repeater Database is more than 10 years old. It is used to store repeater records contributed by affiliated coordinators throughout the United States and Canada. Each year this data is “harvested” to create the ARRL Repeater Directory, TravelPlus and the Repeater Directory app for iPhones and Android. While the repeater coordination community has continued to evolve, including new processes for managing the more than 23,000 repeater records that exist, our database has fallen well behind the times. As a result, maintaining the database requires significant Headquarters resources. Repeater coordinators have frequently asked for the means to automatically upload information to the database, but that is not possible with the current system. They also have asked for the means to readily edit the Repeater Directory database information online, functionality not currently available. This issue is becoming particularly serious because new technology such as DMR and D-STAR require more user information than our database structure can presently accommodate. At the same time, our software customers have come to expect automatic updating of repeater data in a manner similar to other applications they purchase. At the present time, a TravelPlus customer purchases a CD that will be essentially obsolete within a month after the purchase due to the ever-changing nature of repeater information. To his frustration, he soon discovers that he lacks the ability to update his TravelPlus software over the Internet, which is a common feature with other software products. This is a particularly embarrassing shortcoming of the Repeater Directory Smartphone app in an age where Smartphone apps are expected to update automatically. Our expectation is the repeater database along with the web application would be created, maintained, and technically supported by DHF Systems. The specification document for this project would be the responsibility of the Production Department and involve minimal involvement by the IT department." "G. Contest Logging and Scoring Access Database The current Contest databases are written as MS Access databases and reports are generated through queries from these databases. The routines which manipulate the data are in need of serious repair in many cases and need to be updated to reflect changes over the years in various contest rules, etc. We’ve reached a point where significant manual effort is required to produce the results for each contest result. By upgrading the databases, including the version of MS Access utilized, and routines we will improve both the efficiency of the work as well as the overall contest administration. The upgraded databases will benefit all the contests and aid in streamlining the mailing process of all certificates. These databases are expected to be upgraded by an outside programmer with minimal involvement by the IT department."

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[arrl-odv:23602] Re: Status Memo re H.R. 4969 -- CONFIDENTIAL, NOT FOR DISCLOSURE
by Tom Frenaye 12 Dec '14

12 Dec '14

At 05:14 PM 12/9/2014, Christopher Imlay wrote: >Greetings. Attached is a detailed memo discussing the current status of our CC&R legislative effort. I am sorry for the delay in getting this to you but as you will see, it was only last evening that we had some level of resolution of our very confidential strategy to cause FCC to extend the PRB-1 policy evenly to all types of land use regulations without actually passing H.R. 4969. Thanks for the update Chris. I'm disappointed that you ended up with the short straw and had to update the Board. Somehow I missed the info that we were not so sure about how things were going - the EC minutes from early October didn't say anything and there weren't any additional comments to the Board from those present at the meeting. And I haven't heard anything since then either. Glad to see one additional co-sponsor last week - Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] -- 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:23612] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 12 Dec '14

12 Dec '14

IN-Newsletter Vol. 39, No. 35 December 9, 2014 - Covers the period November 30-December 6. Upcoming Meetings and Events Vice Director Orientation January 14 in Newington, CT LoTW Study Committee January 14 @ 9:00am in Newington, CT Administration & Finance Committee Janaury 15 @ 8:30am in Newington, CT Programs & Services Committee Janaury 15 @ 8:30am in Newington, CT Annual Board Meeting January 16-17, 2015 @ 9:00am in Windsor, CT Production/Editorial Reported by Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY When you receive your January 2015 issue of QST, you may notice that the cover is an illustration, rather than our customary photograph. The "fantasy schematic" on the cover of the January issue is the work of our very own Senior Technical Illustrator, David Pingree, N1NAS. Thanks and congratulations to David for the striking and unique artwork. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R Jackie Ferreira reports that November product sales were $301,840. Year to date gross sales are $2,761,156; ahead of forecast by $212,895 and $250,000 higher than 2013. Direct sales were $95,542 dealer sales were $206,298. Sales were very strong throughout the Thanksgiving holiday and "Cyber Monday". There were 692 orders (576 in 2013) placed on "Cyber Monday"-a great one-day take, considering the 4-day Thanksgiving holiday had already contributed over 684 orders (800 in 2013). A follow-up 2015 ARRL Handbook mailing is being sent to 58,000 members and past purchasers who did not respond to the initial mailing. Diane Petrilli reports that November ended with 164,889 members, putting us 936 members over goal year-to-date. The on-time renewal rate for November is 70.07% vs. 70.21% last November. Yvette Vinci completed "reminder letters" to 373 members making quarterly payments toward Life Membership. Summary of warehouse fulfillment activity, reported by Steve Capodicasa: Week ending Packages fulfilled Member Premiums 12/5/2014 1,924 448 11/26/2014 (short week) 607 225 11/21/2014 906 514 11/14/2014 715 505 Field Services & Radiosport Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N DXCC Paper/Fieldcheck Processing Time 3 Weeks Logbook Processing Time 3-5 Business Days Logbook of the World Category November 2014 QSO Records Entered Into System 629,941,650 QSL Record Matches 99,375,418 Logs Processed 6,961,480 Active Certificates 107,142 Registered Users in System 71,870 Education Services Reported by Debra Johnson, K1DMJ License Instruction Author Ward Silver N0AX is beginning work on the next revision (8th edition) of the General Class License Manual, which will be published next spring to reflect changes in the General Class license pool to be finalized by the NCVEC in the next few weeks. Plans are underway to develop instructor materials for General license instruction that will coordinate with the new pool and study manual. These materials will be published for sale as a combined Technician/General instructor publication. Education & Technology Program We received 10 grant applications for this school year. The applications have been reviewed and recommendations sent to the Executive Committee. We are working on developing the schedule to hold 3 sessions of the introductory Teachers Institute (TI-1) and one session of the advanced Teachers Institute (TI-2) next summer. ARISS The ARISS US management team has hosted 4 information sessions for schools/organizations interested in submitting a proposal to host an ARISS contact during 2015. The proposal window will remain open until December 15, 2014 for contacts to be scheduled in 2015. For details visit www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact<http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact>. Scheduled contacts will resume December 15 when Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, IZ0UDF will be interviewed by two Italian schools. The next contacts scheduled with schools in the US will be in mid-January. During late October and November the ARISS team supported 8 contacts internationally, which included contacts with schools and educational venues in France, Canada, Germany, Bulgaria, Kuwait, , Russia, Malaysia and Japan. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations All Staff 12/25-12/26 Holiday Bob Allison 12/17 Jury Duty `` 12/22-12/24 PTO Steve Capodicasa 12/12 PTO Joe Carcia 12/12 PTO Lauren Clarke 12/24 PTO Jackie Ferreira 12/15 PTO `` 12/29-12/31 PTO Steve Ford 12/22-1/2 PTO Scott Gee 12/24-12/29 PTO Dan Henderson 12/17-1/6 PTO Gail Iannone 12/19-1/2 PTO Bob Inderbitzen 12/29-1/2 PTO Debra Johnson 12/19 PTO `` 12/24 PTO `` 12/31-1/2 PTO Harold Kramer 12/18-12/29 PTO Sean Kutzko 12/12-12/19 PTO Maryann Macdonald 12/22-12/29 PTO Diane Petrilli 12/12 PTO `` 12/22-12/24 PTO `` 1/26-1/30 PTO Becky Schoenfeld 12/24-12/30 PTO Dave Sumner 12/24-12/31 PTO Yvette Vinci 12/29-12/30 PTO

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[arrl-odv:23610] 69 Cosponsors listed
by Mike Lisenco N2YBB 12 Dec '14

12 Dec '14

Good Morning ODV, With Congress going into recess for the year, we added one more name to the Bill. Grace Meng (D-NY-6) is the 69th cosponsor of HR-4969. Despite the wall we’ve just encountered with our “friends” at the FCC, it is my belief that the renewed effort, to begin with the 114th Congress, should be off to a good start once the bill is reintroduced and the bulk of the 69 cosponsors continue their support. 73 de Mike N2YBB

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[arrl-odv:23606] Proposed 2015-2016 Plan
by Shelley, Barry, N1VXY 11 Dec '14

11 Dec '14

Good Morning: Attached is the Proposed 2015-2016 Plan that was discussed at the November A&F Committee meeting. The Committee voted unanimously to recommend this Plan to the Board for its consideration at the 2015 Annual Meeting in January, 2015. This document is being distributed to the Officers, Directors and Vice Directors and should be considered Board confidential. As has been our practice in recent years, we will set up a conference call before the Board meeting for the purpose of answering questions from Directors. The date and time for this call will be announced as soon as the arrangements are made. In the meantime, please feel free to ask us any questions you may have regarding the information in this document. 73, Barry J. Shelley, N1VXY Chief Financial Officer

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[arrl-odv:23605] Standard mileage reimbursement for 2015
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 10 Dec '14

10 Dec '14

The IRS has announced that the standard mileage reimbursement rate for business travel beginning January 1, 2015 will be 57.5 cents per mile, up 1.5 cents from the 2014 rate. Longstanding ARRL policy is that we use this rate for reimbursement of mileage incurred by staff and volunteers using personally owned vehicles while in service to the organization. Of course, it is always permissible to claim a lower rate. The charitable deduction for unreimbursed mileage remains at 14 cents per mile. David Sumner, K1ZZ Chief Executive Officer

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