July 2019 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:28456] Vendor Listening Tour v3
by Hopengarten, Fred, K1VR, (Dir, NE) 17 Aug '19

17 Aug '19

Thanks to K5UR for his suggestions. Version 3 attached. Fred Hopengarten, Esq. K1VR Six Willarch Road Lincoln, MA 01773 781.259.0088, k1vr(a)arrl.org New England Director cid:a4a12f0b-0468-4a39-b953-31b2a3da8564 Serving ME, NH, VT, MA, RI and CT --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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[arrl-odv:28475] FW: [yccc] Stepping up in the wake of tragedy [was: Sad news]
by Fred Hopengarten 01 Aug '19

01 Aug '19

As I'm getting many questions, I thought I'd convey what little we know so far. One guy died, one in hospital. When the latter gets better, we'll know more. Fred Hopengarten, Esq. K1VR Six Willarch Road Lincoln, MA 01773 781.259.0088, k1vr(a)arrl.org New England Director cid:a4a12f0b-0468-4a39-b953-31b2a3da8564 Serving ME, NH, VT, MA, RI and CT -----Original Message----- From: yccc(a)groups.io [mailto:yccc@groups.io] On Behalf Of Mpridesti via Groups.Io Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2019 1:18 PM To: Ed Sawyer Cc: yccc(a)groups.io Subject: Re: [yccc] Stepping up in the wake of tragedy [was: Sad news] Ed >From what I have learned, yes the base was a tilt over but was bolted to prevent tilting while the tower was being taken down. Assuming the plan was to get it taken down to 20 ft, then tiltover. Perhaps a 20 ft mast was inside the tower at that point? Probably felt tilting over 40 ft was too much. Nothing wrong with that approach. Commonly done with tiltover Rohn towers where at the hinge, a bolt is placed to prevent tilting while taking down the upper half of the tower. Also the tower was higher than 40 ft to begin with, so guys were present. I am guessing there was an expectation of it being self supporting as it was when the tower first went up. With these failures due to aging or improper water drainage, or other unknowns, it compels all of us to use that extra set of safety guys with any tower take down. I have seen plenty of poorly engineered sites or damaged towers where the owner thinks it is still safe to climb. NOT. And like Jack, I cut those down when I can! Got lazy at my last QTH and dropped a 100 ft tower with a yagis on top. A site behold but oh so much easier! Regards, Mark, K1RX 603-231-8965 > On Jul 30, 2019, at 9:46 AM, Ed Sawyer <sawyered(a)earthlink.net> wrote: > > I actually do failure analysis as part of my work at our company here in Vermont. I agree with Jim, that these tragedies are an opportunity to train and publicize for the good of overall community safety. However, broad brush training is rarely effective. Actual failure analysis, think NTSB after an airplane accident, and addressing fixes and training that would have prevented the actual event is VERY effective. > > It seems from what I have gathered so far from the pieces of information: > - They were taking down a tilt over tower. What didn't they tilt it over to disassemble? > - They were harnessed in and went down with the tower > - The movement of the tower after they removed the last set of guys initiated the failure. This implies there were no temporary safety guys installed as they disassembled the last set of permanent guys. And why were guys even attached on a tilt over tower? I personally always install safety guys on the top of the section directly under the section with the guys before removing the guys. And the guys should be loosened from the ground, not from the tower. You can then safely climb the tower and lift and drop the previously guyed section with the guys still attached if desired. Never being on that section in this part of the process. > Rust at the base weakened the legs. Possibly the tiltover plate was part of the problem. > I am not sure if the above fully captures the questions. But as is normal in an fatal accident, its a combination of things that cause the event. Sibgle event fatalities occur, and are tragic, but the typical story reads like above. > We would do well as a community to have the equivalent of an informal NTSB on tower injuries and fatalities. The community gets safer by understanding, learning, and preventing. > > Ed N1UR > > > -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group. View/Reply Online (#55642): https://groups.io/g/yccc/message/55642 Mute This Topic: https://groups.io/mt/32653653/418012 -=-=- YCCC Discussion Group (members-only) -=-=- Group Owner: yccc+owner(a)groups.io Unsubscribe: https://groups.io/g/yccc/unsub [hopengarten(a)post.harvard.edu] -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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[arrl-odv:28462] HF Digital Voice Effectively Stopped?
by Richard J. Norton 01 Aug '19

01 Aug '19

Digital voice has never been big on HF to the best of my knowledge, but is increasingly being deployed on VHF and also being deployed by commercial interests on frequencies outside the ham bands. It looks like the motion passed at the last Board meeting on *Interference and Enforcement, *wll outlaw use of digital voice on frequencies below 28 MHz, except inside the tiny ACDS bands. *(2) All digital mode stations that operate with a bandwidth greater than 500 Hz also must operate within the ACDS bands designated in the FCC's Rules, whether or not automatically controlled.* I'm uncertain how this comports with parts of the basis and purpose of Amateur Radio, such as: Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art [97.1(b)] Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication ans technical phases of the art [97.1(c)] How should the League respond to possible inquiries or complaints about stifling technical advancement? 73, Dick Norton, N6AA

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[arrl-odv:28436] Vendor Queries
by hopengarten＠post.harvard.edu 31 Jul '19

31 Jul '19

At the most recent meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors, I put forth a motion suggesting that the Division Director and two members of the Legislative Advisory Committee should attempt to meet with a few principals from each of the 15 or so major vendors to the Amateur Radio Community. As I understood it, there was overwhelming agreement that we have things to learn from our vendor community, but that a minute in our published minutes would have negative implications. I withdrew the motion. The next major regional convention occurs soon, September 6-8, and happens to be here in New England ("Boxboro," https://hamxposition.org) I expect that K1TWF will be able to tell me which major vendors will have management present. It may be only one or two. But nonetheless, it will be a good opportunity for a trial run at a qualitative survey. The plan: . A Thursday (during the day), or evening meeting - requested in advance - and off-site. . Not a lot of questions, and those that are asked may best be open-ended. . A summary provided to the Legislative Advisory Committee to help the next round of qualitative interviews. . A report back to the Board by July 2020. A guideline to such interviews (and it is clear that chats on the show floor are nowhere near as good) is attached. It is only Version 1. Improvements welcome! --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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[arrl-odv:28482] Re: HF Digital Voice Effectively Stopped?
by Jeff Ryan 31 Jul '19

31 Jul '19

All: The terms “digital” and “data” are not synonymous in this context; they are being used interchangeably and should not. For years these terms have been used loosely and it is understandable that when looking at a specific usage there can be confusion. The modes that are typically sound card driven and originate as a binary sequence such as RTTY, Packet, JT65, PACTOR, etc. have been collectively referred to as “digital modes” for years. Perhaps they should have been referred to as “digital data modes” but that’s water under the bridge. Ria’s suggestion in ODV:28472 is spot on: we should use the term “digital data modes” instead of “digital modes”. This would go a long way to reducing confusion and more clearly stating what we intend. 73, Jeff, K0RM From: arrl-odv [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of Kermit Carlson via arrl-odv Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2019 7:38 PM To: Richard J. Norton <richardjnorton(a)gmail.com>; rjairam(a)gmail.com Cc: arrl-odv <arrl-odv(a)arrl.org> Subject: [arrl-odv:28479] Re: HF Digital Voice Effectively Stopped? Hello Dick, Ria et al, Could there be a statement of consensus by the Board affirming that digital voice should continue to be considered a voice mode and treated separrate from digital data modes as it has been for over two decades ? I remember that Mr. Siddall mentioned during our meeting that to a large measure that the FCC is inclined not to make large changes; keeping DATA and Voice separate should not require anything more than a clear explanation of the Board’s intent not to change that distinction. Thank You 73, Kermit W9XA Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone <https://overview.mail.yahoo.com/?.src=iOS> On Tuesday, July 30, 2019, 13:28, Richard J. Norton <richardjnorton(a)gmail.com <mailto:richardjnorton@gmail.com> > wrote: The language of the Board motion says, "all digital mode stations." The language does not specify anything about digital data or digital voice, although some may think it does. 73, Dick On Tue, Jul 30, 2019 at 11:03 AM rjairam(a)gmail.com <mailto:rjairam@gmail.com> <rjairam(a)gmail.com <mailto:rjairam@gmail.com> > wrote: As far as I know, digital voice has never been categorized as a data mode. This is why they exist inside of the phone sub-bands, and not the data sub-bands. The same goes for digital SSTV including EasyPal which sends a link to a web file. It resides in the image sub-bands. For some odd reason it appears as though the FCC cares about content and not so much the emission type. If what you were saying we’re true, then all current digital voice operations would be illegal because they take place the phone sub-bands. But we know better, so the long and short is that it won’t be affected. 73, Ria N2RJ On Tue, Jul 30, 2019 at 1:24 PM Richard J. Norton <richardjnorton(a)gmail.com <mailto:richardjnorton@gmail.com> > wrote: Digital voice has never been big on HF to the best of my knowledge, but is increasingly being deployed on VHF and also being deployed by commercial interests on frequencies outside the ham bands. It looks like the motion passed at the last Board meeting on Interference and Enforcement, wll outlaw use of digital voice on frequencies below 28 MHz, except inside the tiny ACDS bands. (2) All digital mode stations that operate with a bandwidth greater than 500 Hz also must operate within the ACDS bands designated in the FCC's Rules, whether or not automatically controlled. I'm uncertain how this comports with parts of the basis and purpose of Amateur Radio, such as: Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art [97.1(b)] Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication ans technical phases of the art [97.1(c)] How should the League respond to possible inquiries or complaints about stifling technical advancement? 73, Dick Norton, N6AA _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org <mailto:arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> https://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org <mailto:arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org> https://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv

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[arrl-odv:28474] Draft of Minutes - July 2019 Second Board meeting
by Henderson, Dan N1ND 30 Jul '19

30 Jul '19

Hi all: Please find attached the draft of the minutes from the July 2019 Second Board Meeting. At this time please send me your recommendations/changes/edit. Please don't send an edited PDF - send the corrections in a regular email to me so I can work from a single copy. Thanks in advance! I will look at the input and prepare the final proposed minutes for approval. Please note that the process is changes on the draft come to me. Once there is a 48-hour period without further changes/suggestions, then the final draft is circulated. After you have had the final draft for two days, then I may request you to indicate your approval of the final. Once eight affirmative votes on the final have been received, then the are considered approved, posted on the ARRL Web, the web news stories are posted, and the PDF is circulated to the membership on the appropriate remailer. Thanks for your help! 73 Dan Henderson, N1ND Assistant Secretary - American Radio Relay League, Inc. Regulatory Information Manager ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio (r) 860-594-0236 dhenderson(a)arrl.org<mailto:dhenderson@arrl.org>

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[arrl-odv:28457] NA1WJ World Scout Jamboree
by k5ur＠aol.com 28 Jul '19

28 Jul '19

NA1WJ, the World Scout Jamboree, is currently on 14.290. Get on and work them as they demonstrate Amateur Radio to the scouts. It's been over 50 years since the last time the U.S. hosted the "World" Scout Jamboree and this is the first time a joint effort by countries in North America has hosted it, so let's make them welcome via Amateur Radio! 73Rick - K5UR

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[arrl-odv:28452] Update from NQ1R at AirVenture Oshkosh
by Michel, Howard, WB2ITX (CEO) 28 Jul '19

28 Jul '19

Dear Officers, Directors and Vice Directors, An informal update from Bob NQ1R ... He's been in Oskosh all week ... Traffic to the ARRL exhibit has been brisk all week. I’m supported by a fantastic team of volunteers… hams from throughout the Wisconsin Field Organization and even from around the country. We’ve already seen 400 ham-pilots visiting the booth...many members...and many more prospective hams. We have signed over 20 memberships to people who don’t even have a call sign yet! The booth meets a strategic objective to develop interest in Amateur Radio from groups with likeminded interests. Director Kermit Carlson originally conceived an a ARRL exhibit at AirVenture. This is our second year here. The exhibit has also increased the visibility of Amateur Radio and ARRL among the manufacturing community. National reps from Icom and Yaesu are here. Icom lent us a receiver to include in our display. Icom is also promoting the IC 7300 here...a very popular radio among new HF ops. They’d like to explore ways to support our exhibit in 2020. An EAA Board member organized a radio construction project-building activity for youngsters attending the show (thousands). The crystal radio project was designed by a 21-year old RF engineer (his dad is a ham). The project involves component identification, assembly, soldering, coil-winding and tuning. The radio is initially tuned to pickup air traffic control, but it’s fun to see kids using the included tuning tool to see “what else I can pick up!” Many of the youth aviation projects include major corporate sponsors. ARRL has been invited to explore a sponsorship role for 2020. They’re already hanging our banner! I’ve also used the opportunity to investigate resale opportunities. A major aviation publication seller may take-on our Ham Radio License Manual. It’s a natural fit. Members and Life Members visiting the ARRL booth have given us high marks for this effort. I’m exhausted! It’s a full week of exhibiting 8-hours a day, and supporting the all-volunteer ARRL team. These member-volunteers are awesome, and have their sights set on growing Amateur Radio. It’s a great synergy between HQ staff and members-volunteers. There are also 2 special event stations on the grounds, one organized by the Fox Cities ARC, and the other by Icom’s Ray Novak. Frankly, though, we see much more networking traffic through our exhibit. I’ve been posting pics and videos to the ARRL Facebook page throughout the week. The experience is a great example of the work all ARRL members must support to increase Amateur Radio’s visibility. Other organizations exhibiting here include the National Park Service, all of the military branches, AARP, and many colleges and universities. 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

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[arrl-odv:28449] LOTW Telephone Assistance Complaint
by Richard J. Norton 28 Jul '19

28 Jul '19

I just received a complaint about LOTW telephone assistance. Apparently, if you call ARRL Headquarters, and ask for LOTW assistance, you are transferred to a recording. There is no way to talk to a human, or even leave a message. This was not met favorably by some members. Is there some way to receive telephone help? Are other staff members cross-trained to step in in this area when needed? 73, Dick, N6AA <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> Virus-free. www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_cam…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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[arrl-odv:28451] Re: Listening to Vendors
by k5ur＠aol.com 27 Jul '19

27 Jul '19

Fred, that's a good list of questions. Thanks. I think we need to have some questions about Technicians. I've spoken and written a lot about what I call the huge disconnect that we have with the Technicians. Over half of the hams today are Technician class yet only 16% are ARRL members. Also, in one of our studies a couple of years ago, we found that a certain percentage (I don't recall the exact % but believe it was rather high) of the new Techs become inactive after one year. Dale had a question about how to activate the inactive hams but perhaps we need to add another targeted question about Techs specifically. Something like this: Q: More than half of the Amateurs today are Technician class hams. How have you seen this change in demographics effect the hobby over the years? Q: It appears that a good percentage of the new Technicians become inactive after one year. Have you seen this in your business and if so, what are your observations as to why? Q: Do you have specific ideas on how we can turn that around for the Technician class? (This relates to Dale's overall question about inactive hams.) Q: A large percentage of the Technicians are not members of the ARRL. Do you have any suggestions on how we can bridge that gap? Q: And overall, what can we do at ARRL to attract more members in general? Feel free to edit the questions. 73Rick - K5UR -----Original Message----- From: hopengarten <hopengarten(a)post.harvard.edu> To: 'ODV' <arrl-odv(a)arrl.org> Sent: Sat, Jul 27, 2019 2:03 pm Subject: [arrl-odv:28450] Listening to Vendors Version 2 of ideas for our “listening tour” attached. Fred Hopengarten, Esq. K1VR Six Willarch RoadLincoln, MA 01773781.259.0088, k1vr(a)arrl.org New England Director Serving ME, NH, VT, MA, RI and CT | | Virus-free. www.avast.com | _______________________________________________ arrl-odv mailing list arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org https://reflector.arrl.org/mailman/listinfo/arrl-odv

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