December 2019 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:29157] Fw: NPRMs will devastate AREDN as Amateur Radio Emcom Technology
by Richard Norton 19 Dec '19

19 Dec '19

See the following from K6AH. Is anyone the leader of our effort in this matter? Is anyone appropriate for the liaison role K6AH desires? Also, is there any chance that we might prevail in this matter? Are we fighting a hopeless battle? 73, Dick, N6AAhome from Africa ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Andre Hansen <andre.k6ah(a)gmail.com>To: "n6aa(a)arrl.org" <n6aa(a)arrl.org>Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2019, 04:08:09 PM PSTSubject: NPRMs will devastate AREDN as Amateur Radio Emcom Technology Thanks for what you are all doing. Can we get the board's best advice on how to approach the comment period? Does the league have a template we can follow for submitting comments? Is there a preferred strategy on whether individual comments are better than say, AREDN collective comment, vs ARRL collective comments? What's the best way to mobilize our users into action? And what actions would you suggest? We are already putting the word out to served agencies and asking them to comment. In the mean time we are exploring the possibility of moving the operating frequency of our 3 & 5 GHz supported devices. Lastly, is there an individual at the league we can use as a liaison? Since AREDN users are spread throughout the US some areas are hearing from their directors that the outcome looks bleak. Thanks and 73, Andre, K6AH

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[arrl-odv:29154] Fwd: FCC NPRM on 5 and 3 GHZ bands
by Michael Ritz 19 Dec '19

19 Dec '19

ODV Team; I noticed today that the ARRL sent out a notice of the results of the recent FCC meeting, which apparently did not exactly go in our favor. When you get a chance, please read the thoughtful letter sent to me about the actions from Del, WA7AQH. This current FCC action is a very important threat to the future of our hobby, and we cannot afford to sit on our hands. I hope that we will STRONGLY defend the 3.3 and 5.9 GHz bands, to save the future of our EmComm mission, as stated in FCC Part 97 as the basis. (I fully realize we are a secondary allocation on 5.9). We need to make sure that the FCC knows STRONGLY where we stand on this. Alaska and the State of Washington already have robust AREDN/HamWAN networks deployed, and are working with local EMs to show them what amateur radio can do with this technology. I attended a FEMA Region 10 meeting earlier in the year, where HamWAN technology was a keynote seminar presented by local hams, with a live demonstration of the technology in front of a room full of EMs, FEMA employees, and their partners from all over the Northwest. Oregon hams are currently gearing up to join them. Early in January I'm attending a meeting of the new Oregon AREDN group, and I'd like to tell them that we will aggressively pursue a defeat of this FCC proposal. Members don't think we are, or have been, doing enough to voice our opposition on this, and based on what I've seen come out of the ARRL so far I would have to agree with them. 73; Mike W7VO > ---------- Original Message ---------- > From: Del Morissette <wa7aqh(a)gmail.com> > To: Mike Ritz <W7VO(a)arrl.org> > Cc: "Mark J. Tharp" <kb7hdx(a)gmail.com>, Jack Tiley <jwtiley1(a)comcast.net>, Asa Jay Laughton <asajay(a)asajay.com>, Chad - KA7HAK <chad(a)verishare.net>, Joe Ayers <joe(a)ayerscasa.com>, Rod Ekholm <kc7aad(a)gmail.com>, Mel Ming <teammel(a)gmail.com> > Date: December 17, 2019 at 8:14 PM > Subject: FCC NPRM on 5 and 3 GHZ bands > > Mike, I'm growing more concerned about the proposals within the FCC to eliminate amateur radio usage of the 3 GHZ band and open up the 5 GHZ band to additional users that will have a very detrimental effect on amateur radio usage of that band. > > My concerns are focused in four areas: > > 1. Reading the commissioners' statements, they've clearly made up their mind on these changes. > > They are unanimously and strongly in favor of making the changes. Consequently it's going to take a tremendous amount of work if we're to have any influence on the final decision. They don't even acknowledge that the changes will have any material impact on amateur radio. My guess would be they're unaware of the amateur radio emcomm activity on either of those bands. > > 2. I don't see much urgency on the ARRL's part to prevent this from happening. > > It didn't even make the latest ARRL newsletter as an issue. The one article on the web site certainly doesn't reflect any sense that this is a big deal. What comments from the League I've seen are focused on the 3 GHZ band because we're being completely shut off on that band and it has potential impact on amateur satellite work. My personal opinion is that, even though we're secondary on the 5 GHZ band, that change will have as large or even larger detrimental impact on our ability to support emergency communications than being shut out of 3 GHZ (and that impact is large). The noise level increase on what are now, essentially, amateur radio only frequencies (because the primary users are inactive), will make it very, very difficult to reliably function. > > If we're to have any influence on these decisions, it will take a rapid, concerted effort on all our part. Even with making it a priority, ARRL opposition to an action that has significant congressional support/mandate isn't going to be enough. For example, we need to enlist comments supportive of our position from every Emergency Management Department Director in the country (or at least those that understand what AREDN and HamWan bring them) if we're to have any hope of mitigating the impact of these issues. At a minimum I would like to see the League coordinate that effort. > > 3. The ability to effectively use these bands is crucial for amateur radio to remain a relevant asset in emergency communication. > > Today emergency management lives in a multi-megabit world, and 1200/9600 baud just doesn't cut it for them anymore. If we're no longer an effective emcomm asset, we lose the primary reason, in the minds of regulators at least, for our very existence. That brings great vulnerability to every other frequency we use. > > Unless they don't have anything better, Emergency Management Directors have little interest in a resource that runs at 1200/9600 baud and is completely unusable for passing anything other than plain text files. What they have great interest in is an amateur radio service that can, when everything else is down, provide them with remote cameras that can give them immediate situation assessment, the ability to video chat with field personnel, conference calls/video chats across field teams, direct keyboard chat, direct filing of ICS forms to a common repository where they can be accessed in seconds by the (non-amateur radio operator) people that need to act on them, etc. And do all of that sitting at their desk/in their tent wherever that might be. Cities such as Irvine, California, have seen enough value in that capability that they've funded and supported a full build out of AREDN that covers the entire city. We have growing support in Spokane County for a similar project. Both the county radio shop and county IT are fully supporting our AREDN pilot with the expectation of a full build out over the next two years as a county owned asset. > > 4. Tangentially related to the above, but still critical: High speed data networks operating on amateur radio frequencies are attracting new, younger people into amateur radio. > > It's the entry point that then shows them all the other facets of the service that can intrigue them. In the space of less than six months, we've had three new members (all under 40) join our ARES-ACS group specifically because of our AREDN project. Lowering the average age in the room is as critical to the survival of amateur radio as filling a valuable emcomm role, and 1200/9600 baud data isn't going to be much help to do either. > > Those are my concerns. I've talked with our Spokane County Emergency Coordinator, Asa Jay Laughton, and he shares those concerns. We'll be working with our local Department of Emergency Management to submit comments supportive of our position. I'm asking the League to give these NPRMs the urgency and priority they deserve and quickly organize the amateur radio and emergency management community across the country to provide a timely, effective response as well. DHS and FEMA should both have an interest in the impact of these NPRMs on a growing amateur radio capability that provides a unique service to them and local agencies. > > I so appreciate that you're our board representative. I doubt I've raised anything here that you're not already aware of or, perhaps, even thinking, but wanted to give you any ammunition I can to move the issue forward. > > Thanks for representing us well.. > > 73, > > Del > > > " Many care, many are moved to tears, many feel deeply, but few answer the call ." -- Bill Fortney > > "If not us, who? If not now, when?" -- Ronald Reagan adapted from Rabbi Hillel > > Del Morissette > WA7AQH > 510-517-4599 > WA7AQH(a)gmail.com > mailto:WA7AQH@gmail.com >

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[arrl-odv:29136] Time For ARRL To Consider Electronic Voting?
by n2cop＠ec.rr.com 19 Dec '19

19 Dec '19

Dear Fellow ODV Members: I have no problem with Dir. Stratton's proposed motions, but the one regarding ballot counting and observation begs a larger question – should ARRL be exploring electronic voting as an alternative? Most contested division and sections elections see a range of 25%-30% of membership casting ballots. Excuses I have heard for not voting include misplacement of the ballot, forgetting the deadline, and even not wanting to place a stamp on the envelope. Considering that 21% of all current U.S. licensed Hams belong to ARRL, then 30% of them vote in ARRL elections, that means somewhere between 5% and 10% of all licensed U.S. Hams vote for leaders who help shape policy for the remaining 90% who don't participate. In my industry as a financial planner, virtually all equities, mutual funds and ETFs have moved to electronic voting for proxies and board of director elections. I believe the time has come to explore electronic voting for ARRL. Enough safeguards can be put in place that a member votes only once, that our CPA firm can attest to the integrity of the voting process, and our candidates and members will become more engaged in elections. I hope one of the directors will consider making a motion to form a group to explore this 21st century option. 73 de Bill Morine, N2COP Vice Director – Roanoke Division Representing ARRL members in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia www.arrl-roanoke.org <http://www.arrl-roanoke.org> Facebook Page: ARRL Roanoke Division ARRL – The National Association for Amateur Radio™ From: arrl-odv <arrl-odv-bounces(a)reflector.arrl.org> On Behalf Of John Robert Stratton Sent: Monday, December 16, 2019 8:30 PM To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> Subject: [arrl-odv:29117] Two Motions Ladies, Gentlemen and ARRL Secretary Enclosed are two motions that I wish to have considered by the Board at the January meeting. The changes appear as underlines. _______________________________________ John Robert Stratton N5AUS Director West Gulf Division Office: 512-445-6262 Cell: 512-426-2028 P.O. Box 2232 Austin, Texas 78768-2232 _______________________________________

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[arrl-odv:29135] 2020/21 Financial Plan Teleconference
by Jeff Ryan 18 Dec '19

18 Dec '19

All: A teleconference was held last evening to answer any questions regarding the ARRL 2020/21 Financial Plan. This plan was accepted by the Administration & Finance (A&F) Committee at its November meeting for submission to the Board of Directors in January. We had 17 participants attend and a handful of questions were asked/answered. I realize that the timing of the teleconference may not have been convenient for all so if anyone still has questions, please send an email to Ms. Middleton and cc: Dr. Michel and me. Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday and I look forward to seeing everyone in Newington in January. 73, Jeff Ryan, KØRM Director, Rocky Mountain Division ARRLthe national association for Amateur Radio® 9975 Wadsworth Pkwy K2-275 Westminster, CO 80021 303-432-2886 www.arrl.org

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[arrl-odv:29131] Re: Excellent RSGB youth-oriented video
by k5ur＠aol.com 18 Dec '19

18 Dec '19

Good one! 73Rick - K5UR -----Original Message----- From: Weiss, Mark, K6FG via arrl-odv <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> Sent: Tue, Dec 17, 2019 9:32 pm Subject: [arrl-odv:29128] Excellent RSGB youth-oriented video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x6x_6mDVlQ&feature=youtu.be _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org https://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv

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[arrl-odv:29130] ARRL Reply Comments to NYU Petition for Declaratory Ruling
by david davidsiddall-law.com 18 Dec '19

18 Dec '19

ODV – Attached, as approved by the EC and filed with the FCC, are the ARRL’s reply comments to comments filed on NYU’s Petition for Declaratory Ruling that addresses the prohibition on encrypted messages in the Amateur Service. 73, Dave David R. Siddall Managing Partner DS Law, PLLC 1629 K St. NW, Ste 300 Washington, DC 20006 direct: +1 202 559 4690 Unauthorized Disclosure Prohibited. This e-mail is intended solely for the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is proprietary, confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, it is prohibited to disclose, copy, distribute, or use the contents of this email and its attachments. If you received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all electronic and physical copies of the e-mail message and its attachments. Unintended transmission shall not constitute waiver of attorney-client or any other privilege. Thank you.

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[arrl-odv:29120] Reddit topic on ARRL and younger hams
by rjairam＠gmail.com 18 Dec '19

18 Dec '19

https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/ebycqc/arrl_we_need_to_attra… I have to say that I do agree with them to a large extent. We are losing a big opportunity if we don’t go after the hacker/maker crowd. It has never been a better time to be a maker and homebrewer. We have the Internet, github and access to sophisticated hardware at low cost. 73 Ria, N2RJ

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[arrl-odv:29127] E&E Motion #1
by Fred Hopengarten 18 Dec '19

18 Dec '19

A member of the E&E Committee has suggested a minor revision or two to E&E #1. Those revisions are non-substantive and explained in the motion. For example, the member points to the opening phrase of By-Law 41: Apply guidelines for ethical conduct by ARRL officials adopted by the Board . . . He asks: "If I adopt ARRL officials, do I have to feed them, too?" He suggests the phrase be changed to read: "Apply guidelines adopted by the Board concerning ethical conduct by ARRL officials, including . " So I beg you to trash Version 2, distributed earlier this evening, and consider Version 3, distributed herewith. Again, no substantive changes are contemplated by any of the three suggested changes in E&E#1. Fred Hopengarten, Esq. K1VR hopengarten(a)post.harvard.edu Six Willarch Road Lincoln, MA 01773 antennazoning.com 781.259.0088

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[arrl-odv:29124] E&E Motion #1
by Fred Hopengarten 18 Dec '19

18 Dec '19

Today is the final day for short-vote By-Law changes. Please see the attached. I suggest that these changes should be non-controversial, excepting perhaps a war among grammarians. Fred Hopengarten, Esq. K1VR hopengarten(a)post.harvard.edu Six Willarch Road Lincoln, MA 01773 antennazoning.com 781.259.0088

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[arrl-odv:29121] Formal Notice of ARRL Annual Board Meeting
by Pereira, Carla, KC1HSX 17 Dec '19

17 Dec '19

Dear Officers, Directors and Vice Directors of the ARRL: Attached are the formal notice of the 2020 Annual Board Meeting, as well as the tentative Agenda. Please read the notice carefully and note the dates listed for all materials. Any additions to the Agenda must be received by January 6, 2020. Please let me know if you have any questions. Respectfully, Carla [ARRL NAFAR Logo Color.png]Carla Pereira, KC1HSX Executive Manager ARRL Newington, CT 06111 860-594-0242 http://www.arrl.org/

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