November 2019 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:28970] HR 466 Still Active??
by Richard J. Norton 13 Nov '19

13 Nov '19

Just received the following e-mail from an active volunteer. Didn't we stop action on this bill? 73, Dick, N6AA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dick - FYI I am getting a lot of emails from CAI about defeating HR 466 which is included in legislation being heard by the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday. I thought we withdrew all of that legislation. If the Senate is considering House Resolutions then something more must have happened in the House. I just want us to avoid CAI giving us an unnecessary black mark.

3 3

[arrl-odv:28965] "Save our EmComm Digital Networks"
by Michael Ritz 11 Nov '19

11 Nov '19

See below. Get ready for the war to renew between Winlink and the "digital transparency" side AGAIN. Last time I sent a copy of a memo from K0IDT to the RTTY guys, here is one from the other side. 73; Mike W7VO > ---------- Original Message ---------- > From: Craig Nicholson <ab7a(a)embarqmail.com> > To: w7vo(a)arrl.net > Date: November 11, 2019 at 9:40 AM > Subject: Fwd: Fwd: Fwd: [TFC-OPS] IMPORTANT - Save our EmComm Digital Networks > > A run on Pactor? Have you heard of this? > > craig > ab7a > > > -------- Forwarded Message -------- > Subject: Fwd: Fwd: [TFC-OPS] IMPORTANT - Save our EmComm Digital Networks > Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2019 19:03:44 -0800 > From: Ken KD6PGI <kd6pgi(a)gmail.com> mailto:kd6pgi@gmail.com > To: Craig Nicholson <ab7a(a)embarqmail.com> mailto:ab7a@embarqmail.com > > > > Have you heard about this??? > > Ken KD6PGI > > > -------- Forwarded Message -------- > Subject: Fwd: [TFC-OPS] IMPORTANT - Save our EmComm Digital Networks > Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2019 18:41:27 -0800 > From: Chuckw5kav at comcast <chuckw5kav(a)comcast.net> mailto:chuckw5kav@comcast.net > To: w5kav(a)w5kav.org mailto:w5kav@w5kav.org > > > FYI > > Chuck W5KAV > > > > Subject: [TFC-OPS] IMPORTANT - Save our EmComm Digital Networks > > > > > > > > > > > > PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS TO ALL ARES, RACES, OR OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE COMMUNICATIONS LEADERSHIP OFFICIALS: > > ------------------------------- > > 5 November 2019 > > To: All Amateur Radio Emergency Coordinators throughout the United States > From: Radio Relay International > Ref: The Future of the Winlink System and PACTOR > > Does your ARES, RACES or similar local emergency communications unit use Winlink, DTN or similar digital infrastructure as a component in its preparedness and response operations? Do you have plans to do so in the future? If so, you must act now to protect this valuable asset! > Winlink and the PACTOR modes on which it is based have been around for decades and have become an extremely important tool in Amateur Radio public service communications. Two important worldwide emergency communications networks built by volunteers who donated their time and energy are predicated on its continued use. These networks, one of which is the familiar Winlink system, have been good neighbors to their fellow radio amateurs for many years. > Recently, a small cadre of individuals have sought to diminish or eliminate the Winlink program as it currently exists. Their motives are unclear. However, in doing so, they have made the PACTOR mode of communications their target. In their efforts, they have made inferences and accusations that have proven quite controversial. Most recently, they have asked the Federal Communications Commission to issue a declaratory ruling that would essentially prohibit the use of PACTOR, thereby rendering many long-standing emergency communications networks inoperative. > Our goal is to communicate the importance of PACTOR and the networks built on its capabilities to the Federal Communications Commission. In particular; it is essential that we leverage the support of the local and state emergency management and public safety community to protect these networks from the agenda of a very small but well-funded minority of individuals. > Attached you will find a preformatted radiogram message. We respectfully ask that every Amateur Radio emergency coordinator contact his local, district or state emergency management directors, sheriffs, fire service officials, hospital agencies and other public safety officials in his jurisdiction and ask that they authorize its transmission on their behalf. It's a simple matter to pick up the telephone. Our goal is to collect a minimum of 500 to 1000 of these radiograms signed by emergency services officials throughout the United States supporting the continued use of PACTOR as an essential tool in the emergency communications field. These radiograms will be collected at a central location and included as an exhibit in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission. > YOU MUST ACT NOW TO SAVE PACTOR AND THE NETWORKS THAT RELY ON IT, INCLUDING THE WINLINK SYSTEM!! There is no time to waste. > A request for declaratory ruling to eliminate PACTOR calls for a comment deadline on December 2. This gives us only a few weeks to act and prepare a response filing. Therefore, please complete the attached radiogram form and return it by no later than November 22. > Two documents are attached. One is an example form with a standard text and simulated signature provided for guidance. The second is a fillable PDF on which you can enter the name, title and agency of the official originating the message is attached. This process only requires a few phone calls on everyone’s part. > Please do NOT change the text. Simply add the required information for the signature and send the message either via a traffic net or it may be emailed directly as a completed PDF to the address shown on the form. > PLEASE ACT TODAY! THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE! > Thank you, and 73! > > > __,_._,___ >

2 1

[arrl-odv:28958] To: EmComm Committee
by hopengarten＠post.harvard.edu 10 Nov '19

10 Nov '19

I do not have immediately available a list of EmComm Committee members. Please ignore this if you are not on that committee. I am forwarding this on behalf of a constituent: From: Mike Walters [mailto:w8zy@hotmail.com] Sent: Saturday, November 09, 2019 8:00 AM To: fred(a)antennazoning.com Subject: ARRL Position Fred, I hope you are staying warm. Here in western Connecticut it is about 19 degrees this morning. I wanted to touch base with you after we spoke on the phone during the Nutmeg Hamfest. I mentioned to you that I am very interested in the Emergency Management Director position that is currently still listed on the ARRL website. You told me that there was some review going on. I realize that you as a board member may not be directly involved but I am hoping that you might give me some insight into just where the league is. Of course my goal at this point is simply an interview. Any suggestions or thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you Mike Walters, W8ZY CT ARES SEC

7 6

[arrl-odv:28957] IN Newsletter November 8 2019
by Pereira, Carla, KC1HSX 08 Nov '19

08 Nov '19

Please see this week's IN Newsletter for updates from the last week. Have a great weekend! Carla

1 0

[arrl-odv:28956] Fwd: Comments needed on FCC 16-239
by Michael Ritz 08 Nov '19

08 Nov '19

Here is a leaked message from Ron Kolarik, K0IDT, sent to me by one of my digital guys in the Division. At least Kolarik's expectations from the Band Planning committee are low! ;-) 73; Mike W7VO > > > -------- Forwarded Message -------- > Subject: [RTTY] Comments needed on FCC 16-239 > Date: Thu, 07 Nov 2019 20:59:06 -0800 > From: Ron K0IDT <rkolarik(a)neb.rr.com> mailto:rkolarik@neb.rr.com > To: RTTY(a)groups.io mailto:RTTY@groups.io > > > The FCC has filed a new Public Notice concerning WT Docket 16-239 https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1101131173138/DA-19-1130A1.pdf > > For those of you that don't know, or may have forgotten, 16-239 is the result of ARRL filing RM-11708, removing the 300 baud rate restriction. The FCC came up with 16-239, it removes the baud limit and allows wideband (unlimited) digital > signals anywhere in the HF RTTY/Data sub bands. Despite claims that wideband digital will not overrun the narrow band users, RTTY, CW, JT/FT, etc., there is no provision to keep the wider signals in check. The new FCC Public Notice is > seeking comments on a Declaratory Ruling on Part 97.113(a)(4) and enactment of RM-11831 provisions for transmission transparency, i.e, all amateur digital transmissions must be openly decodable over the air by anyone hearing them. > > You may ignore this next part if you wish, it contains the Winlink word. ARSFI (Amateur Radio Safety Foundation Inc) / Winlink decided RM-11831, and this latest FCC notice were all about them. The beginnings of the push for the baud limit removal go back 15 years or so to RM-11306. RM-11306 was the disastrous ARRL petition that would have allowed wide digital, including unattended stations, anywhere in the amateur spectrum. Fast forward to 2013 and we got RM-11708, baud rate limit gone and wideband allowed anywhere in the RTTY/Data sub bands--wideband digital is currently allowed anywhere in that segment and is exploited by some current users connecting to off shore Winlink gateways with wider modes. If 16-239 passes as written expect to hear some new wide modes running all over the sub band with Winlink being the one group looking to expand their operations. Just recently one Winlink gateway decided it was a good idea to set up on 3510......cw guys aren't safe in this. > > The 300 baud limit needs to go away but at the same time some sanity needs to be brought into the process as to where and how wideband digital is going to fit in. The ARRL is supposed to be coming up with a new band plan, but after their last > FCC submission, where what the Board requested and what actually got filed at the Commission was significantly different, I don't look for anything worthwhile coming out of the band planning committee. > > Comments are to be submitted on 16-239, read the FCC Notice, and instructions on how to file can be found onhttp://www.rttycontesting.com (top link, thanks Don for keeping that alive) and also on http://www.wirelessgirl.net/HowToFile16239STD.html > Please use your own wording, there are a couple of great examples on the ECFS already. One that really hits the points extremely well is https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1103182882861/KC4RAN%20DA%2019-1130%2011-02-20… > December 2 is the deadline for comments. > > Feel free to cross post wherever you think it might help.I only wish AB5K could see how far we've come with this,,,,,,,, > > Ron K0IDT > > > > >

1 0

[arrl-odv:28951] Latest from Rappaport?
by Michael Ritz 08 Nov '19

08 Nov '19

Maybe I'm the only on on ODV that didn't know about this before, but I saw this in the ARRL Bulletin released today. The embedded link doesn't work, but it appears Rappaport is contending that compression IS indeed a form of encryption..... 73; Mike W7VO

5 4

[arrl-odv:28945] Local served agency MOUs
by rjairam＠gmail.com 07 Nov '19

07 Nov '19

I was at a local club tonight, Garden State ARA. They expressed concern that the Red Cross is changing their relationship with some local clubs and this would exclude them from their current space. Currently GSARA enjoys free use of a room in the ARC warehouse and they have a station. The club president was told that that ARC facility is possibly transitioning to being an ARC warehouse and that if that comes to pass that they would be out. His request to me was to see if we had any agreements with national Red Cross that would get ahead of this and perhaps offer them a space elsewhere in the building or even in a trailer outside. Or if there is some local MOU that was done that could serve as a template to get something going with them. Ideas welcome. Ria N2RJ

5 5

[arrl-odv:28886] Harassment Training
by Middleton, Diane, W2DLM (CFO) 07 Nov '19

07 Nov '19

Dear ODV, A few weeks ago the Officers and Director's Insurance Policy and the Omission and Errors Liability Policy were renewed. In order to retain coverage on sexual harassment claims on the renewal, ARRL is now required to provide all directors and vice directors with harassment training. As our society's culture is changing, such training is not just a good idea but important for us as an organization to support. In order to comply with this new requirement, we are going to integrate the training into Director/Vice Director orientations that take place on the Wednesday before each January's Board Meeting. The training will be held after dinner on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the hotel. The training will be held by Human Resource Counsel from CBIA (Connecticut Business and Industry Association). Most of you received this training already in July 2018 and do not need to attend. However, I am requesting that our newer members of the board family (see below) who have not received this training from ARRL plan on attending Wednesday night's training. If you would, please confirm your attendance with Dee Methe no later than December 20, 2019 in order for us to have appropriate space configuration and materials ready. Thank you/73, Diane Middleton, W2DLM Chief Financial Officer ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio(r) 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 (860) 594-0225 Requested Attendees: Ria Jairam Fred Hopengarten Mike Ritz Bud Hippisley Robert Wareham Lee Cooper Robert Famiglio Mark Tharp

5 8

[arrl-odv:28938] web landing page for On the Air
by Michel, Howard, WB2ITX (CEO) 04 Nov '19

04 Nov '19

Dear Officers, Directors and Vice Directors, The web landing page for On the Air magazine is now live: www.arrl.org/On-the-Air-Magazine<http://www.arrl.org/On-the-Air-Magazine> or www.arrl.org/ota<http://www.arrl.org/ota> 73, Howard, WB2ITX -- Howard E. Michel, WB2ITX Chief Executive Officer ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio® 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494 USA Telephone: +1 860-594-0404 email: hmichel(a)arrl.org<mailto:hmichel@arrl.org>

1 0

[arrl-odv:28934] Section/Division wide e-mails
by Michel, Howard, WB2ITX (CEO) 01 Nov '19

01 Nov '19

Dear Officers, Directors, and Vice Directors, This past Monday, October 28, Scott in the IT office completed the project to allow Vice Directors to automatically receive copies of their respective Section/Division wide e-mails – just like Directors and Section Managers. 73, Howard, WB2ITX -- Howard E. Michel, WB2ITX Chief Executive Officer ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio® 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494 USA Telephone: +1 860-594-0404 email: hmichel(a)arrl.org

2 1