November 2015 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:24818] K6WR SK
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 13 Nov '15

13 Nov '15

Via Keith Lamonica, W7DXX comes the following sad news from the son of Brad Wyatt, K6WR. Brad served as Vice Director of the Pacific Division for one term, 1/1/92 until 1/1/94, and then served six years as Director until 1/1/2000 when he decided not to run for re-election. 73, Dave, K1ZZ Subject: Brad Wyatt (K6WR) - His Passing Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2015 14:26:19 -0800 From: David Wyatt <dbwyatt55(a)gmail.com><mailto:dbwyatt55@gmail.com> To: Keith Lamonica <keith(a)lamonica.com><mailto:keith@lamonica.com> Hello Keith - I am writing to pass on some sad news to you and the remote base group (please forward this as appropriate). Brad developed sepsis on Friday, Oct. 30 and was admitted to the hospital in very grave condition. He fought it with all he could but passed away yesterday at 11AM. He was surrounded by his family and his passing was peaceful at the end. We will miss him dearly. As you know, amateur radio was a passion of his that he enjoyed up to the end of his life. Thank you for allowing him to share that passion through you, your remote base and with the other operators. K6WR signing off. - Dave Wyatt

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[arrl-odv:24817] Historical LIcense Data in the ULS; Docket No. 15.81; Supplemental Ex Parte Comments filed.
by Christopher Imlay 13 Nov '15

13 Nov '15

Greetings. FCC asked us recently to file a supplement to our comments (filed last June) in the above FCC docket. FCC was interested in a quantification of the number of people who are taking advantage of the lifetime exam credit for former license holders that went into effect last July. We had argued in our June comments in this docket that it was unfair of FCC to impose the burden of validation of claimed former license holder exam credit, and then turn around a scant year later and propose in this proceeding to eliminate the means by which the VECs do that validation. Scot Stone at FCC asked for this. They want to get a handle on the volume of the validations that need to be done. It is not insubstantial. Thanks to the Executive Committee for a fast approval of this short filing, and especially thanks to Maria Somma for good quick work assembling the data for this. Maria also consulted with the W5YI VEC which concurred with her points and authorities so we have high confidence in this filing and we have in effect the support of the two VECs which together account for an overwhelming majority of the VEC workload. Let me know if you have any questions about this. It is entirely consistent with our June comments. 73, Chris W3KD -- Christopher D. Imlay Booth, Freret & Imlay, LLC 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:24816] CAI request for Senate engagement
by Brian Mileshosky 12 Nov '15

12 Nov '15

In CAI's own words, for your situational awareness... http://www.perkinslawpc.com/blog/?p=890 73, Brian N5ZGT

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[arrl-odv:24815] New Ham in Congress
by Brian Mileshosky 12 Nov '15

12 Nov '15

*** NOTE: This information is NOT for disclosure beyond ODV (explanation below). There is a new ham in Congress. New Mexico Section Manager Ed James KA8JMW was contacted this morning by Congressman Steve Pearce (R, NM-2) who passed through Albuquerque this morning and asked if he could take his ham exam. The backstory is that Congressman Pearce reached out to Ed and I last July wanting to learn more about ham radio, equipment, the ham community in his part of New Mexico, etc. PSC members may recall that the Congressman returned one of our first phone calls in the middle of our July PSC meeting at HQ and I let him go to voicemail (hey, I was leading an important League meeting at the moment...). Ed and I have remained in touch with him on and off since then, letting the relationship stoke at its own pace rather than being pushy. A few weeks ago he called us up when he was passing through Albuquerque and asked to meet over coffee to chat more about ham radio. This was our first in-person meeting. He, his aide, Ed, and I chatted for a good hour about licensing, antennas, etc. We made sure he walked away with the latest issue of QST and a Technician study guide. This morning his aide reached out, without any prior notice, with news that the Congressman just arrived in Albuquerque and wanted to take the exam if possible. We scrambled to whip up VEs and, three hours after first hearing he was in town, he was sitting down taking his Technician license exam. He missed only one question. Congressman Pearce requested that this news NOT be distributed or announced publicly until FCC issues his callsign and he first gets to introduce himself to the world with his callsign through his outlets, so please keep any word of this confidential in the interim. Ed and I will obviously remain in touch with him going forward. On top of great news happening in the Senate, I thought you'd be interested in a really neat and beneficial development on the House side. 73, Brian N5ZGT

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[arrl-odv:24811] Senator Nelson (FL)
by Doug Rehman 12 Nov '15

12 Nov '15

Dan Henderson called me today to tell me that Chris had just left Senator Nelson's office, that he was on the fence, and that we needed to barrage him with calls. I sent a message asking for phone calls ASAP. I'm getting reports that Senator Nelson's phone lines are jammed :) Doug K4AC

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[arrl-odv:24804] Ham Radio Opposition
by Northwestern Division Director - Jim K7CEX 12 Nov '15

12 Nov '15

In talking to one of our Representatives, I discovered a Prepper group actually opposing our efforts. The question to me was "why are Hams in opposition to the Bills". While I don't see much of an impact, I do believe we need to know who the other side is. https://www.amrron.com/2015/09/26/amateur-radio-parity-act-bad-for-liberty-b y-kilo-16/ During our fire season, this group went into a couple of towns and set up communications (self-deployed) but ended up doing some good. 73 and good Hamming Jim Pace, K7CEX ARRL the National Association for Amateur Radio Northwestern Division Director

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[arrl-odv:24812] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 12 Nov '15

12 Nov '15

IN-Newsletter Vol. 40, No. 40 November 11, 2015 - Covers the period November 1-7. Upcoming In-Person Meetings and Events LoTW Study Committee November 13 @ 9:00am - ARRL HQ Administration & Finance Committee November 14 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ Director/Vice Director Elections November 20 @ 9:00am - ARRL HQ LoTW Study Committee January 13 @ 9:00am in Newington, CT Administration & Finance Committee January 14 @ 8:30am in Newington, CT Programs & Services Committee January 14 @ 8:30am in Newington, CT Annual Board Meeting January 15-16 @ 9:00am in Windsor, CT Field Services & Radiosport Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N DXCC Paper/Fieldcheck Processing Time 1 Weeks Logbook Processing Time 2-4 Business Days Number of Centennial applications processed: Centennial Challenge QSO 2754 W1AW/WAS 1959 W1AW Joe Carcia created the texts for the November W1AW Qualifying Runs. He also processed three Qualifying Run certificates and one endorsement. He processed regular QSL card requests. He also began to repurpose/repair an Icom IC-M700TY HF transceiver to be used as a supplemental transceiver for MARS/SHARES communications. Scott Gee processed some VUCC applications and certificates. He also worked on fast and slow code practice runs texts for the week. Field Organization/Public Service Team Chuck Skolaut compiled and forwarded the monthly ARRL Monitoring System/Intruder Watch report to the IARU Region 2 Monitoring Coordinator. We have received one nomination for the International Humanitarian Award. Bill Hillendahl, KH6GJV, San Francisco Section Manager, reported that the FCC Western District Director contacted representatives of the commercial fishing community and explained the licensed and proper use of amateur radio VHF frequencies. Questions this past week involved the status of very low frequency usage, Technician Class privileges, and one call sign to be used by multiple repeaters. Complaints involved 14.313 MHz, 3.843 MHz and the WARFA net, bad language being used on 7.200 MHz, and a foreign broadcast station heard on 28.005 MHz. Chuck also conducted one morning code practice run at W1AW and hosted one guest operator. Leona Adams received the nomination of Joe Ames, W3JY, to run for a new term of office as the Eastern Pennsylvania Section Manager. Nominations for this Section Manager election cycle are due at HQ by December 4. Leona also prepared the nomination notice for the spring, 2016, Section Manager election cycle that will appear in the January and February QSTs. 2015 Simulated Emergency Test reports and monthly Field Organization activity reports are continuing to arrive at Headquarters. Continuing Education Program Administrator Larry Wolfgang, Ken Bailey, and Joe Carcia are teaching the Boy Scout "Radio Merit Badge" here at HQ on Saturday November 14. This is part of the Connecticut Rivers Council BSA STEM Merit Badge Day, in which the Council Staff recruits "experts" in various STEM fields to conduct various Scout Merit Badges at their places of business. We have been doing this at ARRL for a number of years. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations All Staff 11/26-11/27 Holiday All Staff 12/25 Holiday Leona Adams 11/25-11/30 PTO Lauren Clarke 11/25 PTO `` 12/24 PTO Mike Corey 11/13-11/15 HamJam, Alpharetta, GA Steve Ewald 11/30-12/8 PTO Steve Ford 11/20-11/25 PTO `` 12/4 PTO `` 12/11 PTO `` 12/21-12/31 PTO Dan Henderson 11/23-11/25 PTO Bob Inderbitzen 11/25 PTO Debra Johnson 11/16 PTO `` 11/25 PTO Chuck Skolaut 11/13-11/17 Indiana State Convention, Ft Wayne, IN Dave Sumner 11/18 Washington, DC

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[arrl-odv:24803] WRC-15 update
by Price, Brennan, N4QX 12 Nov '15

12 Nov '15

Earlier this morning, I reported that the 5 MHz issue would be brought up at this afternoon's meeting of Committee 4, the last hurdle before the readings at Plenary. It turns out that the output from Working Group 4B has not had enough time to go through translation. The item will be taken up at the next meeting of Committee 4, likely early next week. 73 de Brennan HB9/N4QX Brennan T. Price, N4QX Chief Technology Officer American Radio Relay League PO Box 3470 Oakton VA 22124-9470 Tel +1 860 594-0247

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[arrl-odv:24802] WRC-15 short update
by Price, Brennan, N4QX 12 Nov '15

12 Nov '15

The 60 meter allocation under consideration at WRC-15 cleared another hurdle in Geneva this morning. After some wordsmithing of a footnote that nearly blew up over the Falkland Islands dispute (sometimes this stuff has to be seen to be believed), Working Group 4B approved a secondary amateur allocation between 5351.5 and 5366.5 kHz, with a power outout limitation of 15 W e.i.r.p. in most of the world, and all of the United States (some South and Central American countries get 20 or 25 W e.i.r.p.). More importantly, the last countries holding out for no change on the floor conceded that the consensus of the room was against them, and withdrew their insistence that a no change proposal go forward for further consideration. There is now a lone option for further discussion at that next level. That discussion (at Committee 4, the last step before editorial work and Plenary Session consideration) is scheduled for this afternoon. Also up for discussion is acceptable (albeit not perfect) text on agenda item 1.18, dealing with automotive (and unfortunately other) short range radars at 77.5-78 GHz. Will report further after the meeting adjourns. 73 de Brennan HB9/N4QX Brennan T. Price, N4QX Chief Technology Officer American Radio Relay League PO Box 3470 Oakton VA 22124-9470 Tel +1 860 594-0247

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[arrl-odv:24801] S. 1685 -- Rocky Mountain Division update
by Brian Mileshosky 12 Nov '15

12 Nov '15

Hi Everyone - Alrighty. 1) Called my POC at Senator Tom Udall's office who is familiar with the Parity Act (got his VM since office was closed for Veteran's Day.will call again tomorrow) 2) Spun up and coordinated with New Mexico and Colorado Section Managers; they will personally contact Senator Udall and Senator Gardner respectively tomorrow. 3) Sent email blasts to New Mexico and Colorado members tonight (timing was to ensure folks call tomorrow when offices are open). Copy of email provided below.no pride of ownership, if anyone wants to borrow some or all words for their own. 4) New Mexico and Colorado Section Managers have queued up their own email blasts to their membership to follow-up and reinforce the urgency and message Dwayne and I sent out this evening. 5) Word is additionally being distributed around New Mexico and Colorado via email reflectors, Facebook, websites, and other avenues. We'll keep beating the drum. 73, Brian N5ZGT ==================================== Subject: Urgent Call to Action -- S. 1685 (Amateur Radio Parity Act) Greetings -- This is a crucial call to action for all ARRL members and amateur radio operators across Colorado. The United States Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has scheduled an executive session next Wednesday, November 18, to mark up several bills that it is reviewing. We have just learned that the Senate version of the Amateur Radio Parity Act (S. 1685) is among them. A committee markup is the key formal step a committee ultimately takes for a bill to advance, in this case, to the full Senate floor, which would be a tremendous milestone towards its ultimate passage. Colorado's Senator Cory Gardner sits on this very Senate committee and he needs to hear an abundance of support from his constituents, urging him to vote in favor of this bill to advance it next Wednesday. Opposition to this legislation, led by an organization that lobbies on behalf of homeowners associations and is contacting Senate offices themselves, is underway. ARRL leadership is working with offices of the Senators on this committee to counter the deliberate misinformation they are no doubt receiving. Of vital importance at this stage is hams -- such as yourself, whether you are hampered by property covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) or not -- lighting up Senator Gardner's phone switchboard and/or inbox, kindly urging him to pass this legislation. There are presently 16,023 licensed amateur radio operators across Colorado -- constituents of Senator Gardner -- who would benefit from the regulatory parity and uniformity that S. 1685, the Amateur Radio Parity Act, would provide across the amateur radio community. Please simply contact Senator Gardner's office by telephone (this is the most effective method) and/or e-mail his office with the following simple message: "I am a constituent and a federally licensed amateur radio operator. I am contacting you to urge Senator Gardner to support S. 1685, the Amateur Radio Parity Act, when it comes up for a vote in committee on November 18th. Thank you." Senator Gardner's office number in Washington, D.C. is 202-224-5941. He can also be emailed at http://www.gardner.senate.gov/contact-cory/email-cory Select "Communications" from the appropriate drop-down menu, and don't forget to include your callsign in your email. We've worked so hard to get to this point. Here is our opportunity to get the Amateur Radio Parity Act onto the Senate floor and positioned for passage. Please call and/or write Senator Gardner's office right away. (Please distribute this email broadly across the Colorado amateur radio community right away.) Thank you and 73, Brian Mileshosky N5ZGT ARRL Director, Rocky Mountain Division Dwayne Allen WY7FD ARRL Vice-Director, Rocky Mountain Division

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