Reading through this, if true, this part is extremely disappointing. If
this actually happened, the CEO or another senior manager at HQ needs to
make it clear that staff ought not to be making this sort of statement to
members.
The whole “Rappaport is a bully” thing is dangerous for a staffer to be
telling membership. That is not their place and this issue needs to be
deferred to senior management or the Board.
See below:
“I called the ARRL headquarters personally about this over the summer,
shared my concerns regarding RM-11831 and asked why the ARRL didn’t
respond. The response: I was told that Rappaport was a bully and that the
best way to deal with a bully was not to engage with him. I was
recommended to ignore Rappaport and that this was the tact the ARRL was
taking. ”
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <AF7PQ(a)comcast.net>
Date: Thu, Aug 29, 2019 at 12:22 AM
Subject: FW: ARRL/ Winlink
To: <sewald(a)arrl.org>, <bjahnke(a)arrl.org>, Michael Ritz <w7vo(a)comcast.net>,
<kb7hdx(a)arrl.org>, <gwiden(a)arrl.org>, <w3tom(a)arrl.org>, <w9xa(a)arrl.org>, <
k0BBC(a)arrl.org>, <k5uz(a)arrl.org>, <wa8efk(a)arrl.org>, <n2rj(a)arrl.org>, <
k0das(a)arrl.org>, <k1vr(a)arrl.org>, <k6jat(a)arrl.org>, <w2ru(a)arrl.org>, <
k0rm(a)arrl.org>, <gsarratt(a)arrl.org>, <n6aa(a)arrl.org>, <n5aus(a)arrl.org>
To: Gregory Widin, K0GW, First Vice President
ARRL Board of Directors
ARRL HF Band Planning Committee Members
Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, Radiosport and Field Services Manager
Steve Ewald, WV1X, Field Services Supervisor
From: Monte Simpson, AF7PQ, ARRL WWA Section Manager and Washington State
RACES Officer
CC: Frank Wolfe, NM7R, WWA Section Emergency Coordinator
Scott Dakers, W7SGD, WWA ASEC Washington State EOC, Washington
State EOC RACES Radio Room Manager
Date: August 28, 2019
Re: Winlink/Pactor
Amateur Radio Service emergency communicators are struggling with the
ARRL’s suggestion to move Winlink/Pactor operations into a category covered
by 47 CFR 97.221. This regulation would require a method of transmission
that requires 2.4 kHz of bandwidth to fit into a method of transmission not
exceeding 500 Hz and into a sub band that is insufficient to support it.
This presents a public-safety concern in that the Amateur Radio Service
will not be able to meet its commitments to help preserve and protect lives
and property. When I first started in the radio business, I learned that
FCC licenses are issued at the public’s interest, convenience and
necessity. Since those complaining about Winlink/Pactor haven’t offered a
solution we’re left not meeting that obligation. CW and HF packet are not
effective or efficient and are not an alternative to providing emergency
communications to our partners/served agencies.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are preparing for a catastrophic
Cascadian Subduction Zone earthquake magnitude 9. The impact area will
likely be from Crescent City, CA into Alaska. Amateur stations in the
states of Alaska, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington plus
stations in British Columbia and Yukon Territory and eastward will be using
Winlink/Pactor for rescue and recovery efforts. We also need adequate
frequencies and bandwidth to prepare for this catastrophic event. By
expecting U.S. Amateurs to abide by the 47 CFR 97.221 restrictions they
will be at a big disadvantage while competing for space and time with our
ITU Region 1 neighbors in the Western Hemisphere. Please understand that
competing for these small allotments of space and bandwidth will be not
only ARES/RACES/ACS, but traffic handlers in Radio Relay International and
faith-based communications organizations.
In addition to Scott Dakers comments I’d like to share with you the
observations of the WWA SEC Frank Wolfe, NM7R:
*From: Frank Wolfe <nm7r(a)yahoo.com <nm7r(a)yahoo.com>> *
*Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 9:49 AM*
*To: AF7PQ(a)comcast.net <AF7PQ(a)comcast.net>*
*Subject: Re: Digital Modes*
*Monte,*
*I think the point needs to be made that in most countries (in fact almost
all other countries) the Amateur spectrum is largely left un-divided, with
the ability of an operator to operate any mode anywhere. We are not a
broadcasting service, where, once licensed, we permanently occupy a
specific frequency or "channel". Rather, our operations tend to be
ephemeral. We operate on a particular frequency for a time, and then might
move to another place in the spectrum. The Rules make it clear that no one
"owns" any frequency, and all are to be shared. The idea that tiny slivers
of spectrum need to be reserved for each specific mode ignores the nature
of our operations. *
*While I am not so radical as to advocate the lifting of all band/mode
allocations, and I understand the desirability of, for example, reserving
the "bottom" of most bands for CW use, I think the idea of trying to
pigeon-hole every specific mode is a fool's errand. Part of Amateur Radio
is learning to get along with others. We are supposed to SHARE the
spectrum. Pigeon-holing would guarantee that at any given time, there would
be parts of a band that are over-crowded and simultaneously, other parts
that are vacant, the epiphany of inefficient spectral use. *
*In a disaster scenario, we will need flexibility in spectral use. Having
small slivers for different modes would be a recipe for crippling our
ability to respond adequately. We might as well remove the "emergency
communications" component from our mission. *
*73*
*Frank, NM7R*
*From: Frank Wolfe <nm7r(a)yahoo.com <nm7r(a)yahoo.com>> *
*Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2019 10:34 AM*
*To: AF7PQ(a)comcast.net <AF7PQ(a)comcast.net>*
*Subject: Re: Digital Modes*
*Monte,*
*I think there is a perception within the Amateur community that this is
"just a hobby". In other words, it's something to be done for fun as a
pass-time. Well, it is that, of course, but it isn't ONLY that. Part of our
brief under Part 97 is to of service to the community during times of
communication outage. When the "Big One" hits, whether it's a hurricane on
the East Coast, or an earthquake on the West Coast, emergency
communications needs to have the elbow-room to provide that service. That
requires the flexibility to use the spectrum in the most efficient manner
possible. At least in principle, we are adult enough to understand that in
such a situation, we may have to put the games aside for a time and either
help our neighbors, or at least stay out of their way. *
*My point is, if fences are permanently erected across the spectrum so each
individual flavor of operating has its own little place they can play, then
we will be severely hampered when we need to pull out all the stops. One
would hope, in the case of a major disaster, that the greater Amateur
community is willing to suspend their contests and county-hunting long
enough to either help out, or at least stay out of the way. I think it's
time we put on our "big kid pants" and show that we can all share the
spectrum, and recognize each other's equal right to operate. If ARRL
doesn't understand that, then maybe they're part of the problem.*
*73, *
*Frank*
If the idea of subjecting Winlink/Pactor to the requirements of 47 CFR
97.221 prevails on amateur radio emergency communications will be rendered
useless. Sadly, if this is the case, we have done it to ourselves. I would
like to point out for amateurs who aren’t interested in emergency services
their access to practice the hobby may well be curtailed when an emergency
manager declares an emergency and provisions of 47 CFR 97.407 are invoked.
I think Frank Wolfe’s observation about sharing the spectrum is most
appropriate.
If any of my highly competent and valued staff can be of assistance during
the HF Band Planning Committee deliberations, please let us know what we
can do. Please note Scott, W7SGD, is asking for information from the
committee’s leadership.
Very Regards,
Monte, AF7PQ
WWA SM
*From:* Scott Dakers <wa.eoc.radio(a)olyriverwood.com>
*Sent:* Wednesday, August 28, 2019 6:05 PM
*To:* Monte Simpson <k2mlsares(a)msn.com>
*Subject:* ARRL/ Winlink
Monte,
Please pass this along to the ARRL Board of Directors. I’m writing you in
hopes that you can get the ARRL leadership to see their decision regarding
Winlnk was a mistake and that they need to come down in support of their
ARES® hams.
For the sake of those with whom you may share this email, I serve as the
DEC for District E, the ASEC for WWA, the Radio Station Manager for the
Washington State Emergency Management Division (W7EMD)… but I am also the
COML for the WA State EOC when the SEOC is activated and am in charge of
our auxiliary radio communications, serving under the Logistics Chief.
This most recent news regarding the proposed changes to Winlink that
appears to have been negotiated in the upper echelons of the ARRL is indeed
*VERY* bad news. If what is proposed by the ARRL actually happens, it will
most definitely change ARES® as we know it. This move by the ARRL will
force us to rethink our use of amateur radio in our mutual agreement plans.
This is a major blow to emergency communications, the scope of which I
cannot begin to describe, but for which I am now forced to respond. Losing
amateur HF Winlink capabilities would be a true communications disaster.
If what is proposed either by the ARRL and/or Dr. Rappaport goes through,
ARES® as we now know it would be unable to respond as a partner to
emergency managers in a large-scale event in many places… which means it
can’t be counted on. *And as the COML, I cannot use what I cannot trust*.
I need to know—now—if the ARRL is going to go through with this. My hope
is that they won’t, but it would be irresponsible of me or my counterparts
in California, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska not to take them at their word and
begin planning for this.
I called the ARRL headquarters personally about this over the summer,
shared my concerns regarding RM-11831 and asked why the ARRL didn’t
respond. The response: I was told that Rappaport was a bully and that the
best way to deal with a bully was not to engage with him. I was
recommended to ignore Rappaport and that this was the tact the ARRL was
taking.
Then, the ARRL did this.
The ARRL, the most powerful voice for amateur radio emergency
communications, has inexplicably proposed to disable our single most
important valuable communications tool. This move was most certainly a
terrible wake-up call for those who trusted the ARRL. The conversation as
to how amateur radio will figure into emergency communications is now have
to be on the front burner unless something drastically changes with the
ARRL, and by change, I don’t mean talk. I’ve already experienced that
personally. I need to see them act.
Like it or not, when the ARRL weighed in to negotiate a settlement “between
the two sides," they took the problem onto themselves and in doing so
became part of the problem. * Like it or not… they now own this mess*. It
no longer matters if it was the ARRL Directors, paid administrative staff
or their lawyers who made this recommendation. This disaster now belongs
to the ARRL.
For me, the timing of this couldn’t be worse.
· In my capacity as the COML, I have been tasked with writing the
Logistics PACE Plan/ Communications Annex for WA EMD. For those reading
this who may not know, PACE stands for Primary, Alternate, Contingency and
Emergency. This updated Annex will be published on the WA EMD website and
will go out to all of the emergency managers statewide. ARES teams using
Winlink have so convincingly proven amateur radio’s ability to serve in
disaster situations using Winlink that ARES/ amateur radio has moved up
from “…when all else fails… the last resort (“E” in PACE) to the Alternate
means of communication when the internet is down or communications are
overloaded (the “A” in PACE). If what the ARRL has put forth goes through,
ARES will no longer have the tools to serve as a reliable alternative.
· FEMA Region X is preparing for Cascadia Rising 2022 and I am tasked
with the communications plan and training for WA’s part of the exercise.
Other states have indicated that they want to work with us and participate
in the training and exercise. Message traffic will be sent by Winlink.
This is the standard. Will the hams have Winlink or not? If I don’t hear,
I have to assume the answer is no. I do NOT want to write the hams out of
this part of the exercise, but if this happens, the reason will be obvious
to all of them.
· I’ve been asked by WA EMD leadership to present to all of the
emergency managers across the state the plan to move Winlink communications
as the alternate means of communications. In addition, Mr. Robert Ezelle,
WA EMD’s Director of Emergency Management has asked me to brief him on our
preparations for a Cascadia Subduction earthquake and the role the hams
will play alongside emergency managers across the state. I need an
answer. And in this case, a non-response from the ARRL is a response.
This decision, if left to stand as is, will cost the ARRL both in terms of
membership and lost revenue. Worse: it will be a colossal PR nightmare.
The ARRL will forfeit any claim to being a leader in amateur radio
emergency communications. It was amateur radio and the ARRL that
demonstrated to emergency managers what Winlink could mean to an emergency
response. The states saw it, were amazed at what the hams can do and fully
bought into it. The governor of the State of Oregon put PACTOR modems into
each county EOC’s amateur radio stations in the state. WA amateur RMS
Stations were handling health and welfare traffic via Winlink HF from
shelters during the CA wildfires. Washington State made Winlink its
alternative means of emergency communications. This isn’t just about
Washington State; it is about the entire west coast. If the ARRL will not
support amateur radio communications they have promoted in countless
articles in QST and through their ARES® teams to emergency managers-- there
will be a price to pay.
*As an ARRL member*, I find this appalling. The crux of the argument
against Winlink/ Pactor is that it is being or could be used for nefarious
purposes by our hams. The ARRL should have been the first to stand up for
the character of the countless hams who give of their time, treasure and
talent to the community. We are not terrorists or criminals. Where was
their outrage at this affront? How in the world did you not at least
challenge the attack on the character of your members?
*As a leader in ARES® communications in Washington State*, I’m furious.
Dedicated teams across the state have invested hard-earned dollars and
legally purchased the equipment needed to serve their communities as a
conduit to disaster mitigation. If what Rappaport and/or the ARRL’s
proposal goes through, this ability will be stripped from them and the
equipment legally purchased rendered illegal. Don’t think for a minute
they won’t respond to that affront.
*As the COML for the Washington State Emergency Operations Center*, I have
a reasonable question: will amateur radio as we need it and know it will be
there in an emergency? Voice communication is not enough. Puerto Rico
showed that. If what the ARRL or Dr. Rappaport proposes goes through, the
answer is no.
*The backup communications system for WA EMD is and will be Winlink. This
is a non-negotiable*. I’ll still be able to use the hams, but they’ll be
on SHARES radios in the EOCs, and as such, the operators won’t be ARES®.
*Bottom line*: I need to know if ARRL is going to support amateur radio
Winlink communications and I need my answer no later than the second week
of September.
Scott G. Dakers
Washington State Emergency Management Division
Auxiliary Radio Communications
RACES Station Manager
