March 2020 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[arrl-odv:29901] Connecticut Response
by Shelley, Barry, N1VXY (CEO) 20 Mar '20

20 Mar '20

Just minutes ago, the governor of CT declared that all workers at non-essential businesses should stay home. It's not clear at this exact moment when this order will take effect but it's likely to be no later than close of business on Monday. We have been working over the past several days to try and equip as many people as possible to work from home but we certainly won't have a full contingent up and running that quickly. It will remain to be seen how much of HQ we can continue in operation. We will have to assess that and I will let you know. Please stand by for more information. There are few specific answers at this point, only broad orders. 73, Barry, N1VXY

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[arrl-odv:29900] Illinois now prepares to shelter in place....
by Kermit Carlson 20 Mar '20

20 Mar '20

Hello ALL - In about 10 minutes Illinois Governor Pritzker will issuean executive order requiring all Illinois residentsto shelter in place. I have spent the past day gettingready to leave work for a .... a while. 73, Kermit W9XA

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[arrl-odv:29890] ARRL Statement on COVID-19 Impact
by Shelley, Barry, N1VXY (CEO) 20 Mar '20

20 Mar '20

ODV: I've been thinking about something Director Ritz asked the other day regarding a statement for use with the membership. While initially I wanted to hold off, after a couple of days thinking about it, I've come to a different conclusion. Without providing too much sensitive information, I believe we need to say something to the membership as we're going to be adjusting HQ operations somewhat. We're trying to do what's best for our staff and limit the impact on the membership. But in my mind, the staff comes first. Attached is a statement I plan on releasing later this afternoon. The EC has reviewed and approved the language. It does provide an update to the membership and hopefully, will manage some expectations for the near future. We plan on posting it to the web site, social media and sending a membership-wide email. I will also post a copy to the SM reflector as well. While I have no ego about putting my name on it, I decided to sign it so the membership has a name with which to attach to the policy and they can contact me directly, hopefully taking any additional pressure off the staff. This is a difficult time for everyone with information changing hourly. The governors of NY and CA have effectively closed those states. If CT takes that step we will have to adjust our plans will keep you informed accordingly. 73, Barry, N1VXY

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[arrl-odv:29884] FW: [yccc] RSGB suspends multi-op contesting for COVID-19
by hopengarten＠post.harvard.edu 20 Mar '20

20 Mar '20

-----Original Message----- From: yccc(a)groups.io [mailto:yccc@groups.io] On Behalf Of KA1R Sent: Friday, March 20, 2020 10:55 AM To: yccc(a)groups.io Subject: [yccc] RSGB suspends multi-op contesting for COVID-19 This was recently announced (maybe yesterday): https://www.rsgbcc.org/cv19.shtml I think the main message is that some contest sponsors are risk-averse and might suddenly change rules in an attempt to "help" with COVID-19, or comply with their own interpretations of government edicts. So, rechecking any contest sponsor's web site on the day before a contest might be a good idea now. I asked the WPX contest director but haven't heard back yet. A change of "we will no longer accept multi-operator contest entries" most likely means that the category is eliminated, and you can't work around it by having remote operators at home. (Or, as once happened in YCCC history, a multi-op from two separate homes that were inside a 500-meter circle even though they weren't on the same street.) And, of course, even if most contests' rules remain the same, choosing to do a home multi-op or portable multi-op (or even multi-op mobile in a QSO Party) might mean that nobody would be competing against you. Matt, KA1R -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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[arrl-odv:29893] On the air mailing
by Mark J Tharp 20 Mar '20

20 Mar '20

Received the packet with the copies of on the air, and the post cards. Are we going to make the cards available to VE teams? Or was that already discussed, and I "un-remembered" that? We have the free gift offer available in laminated notepad form, I wonder if we could do the same with the on the air cards? Mark, HDX [image: image.png]

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[arrl-odv:29887] Apple reopening it's China stores
by Lee Cooper 20 Mar '20

20 Mar '20

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/technology-51870725 Lee

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[arrl-odv:29886] IN Newsletter March 20 2020
by Pereira, Carla, KC1HSX 20 Mar '20

20 Mar '20

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[arrl-odv:29885] FW: [cwops] Canyon Lands CWT
by hopengarten＠post.harvard.edu 20 Mar '20

20 Mar '20

Such a fantastic photo that I think we should use it somewhere. No reason I can think of to prevent KK0ECT from granting permission. Another reason to love ham radio. And another activity free from Covid-19 worries. 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 From: main(a)cwops.groups.io [mailto:main@cwops.groups.io] On Behalf Of Eric Tamme Sent: Friday, March 20, 2020 9:34 AM To: cwops(a)groups.io Subject: [cwops] Canyon Lands CWT Thanks to all who worked me in 19Z CWT on Wed. the 18th. Just back into civilization now, but at the time I was doing POTA/CWT from Canyon Lands National Park with the KX2, my 1/4 wave 20m vert, and a notepad - see photo below. 73, Eric / KK0ECT _._,_._,_ _____ Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group. View/Reply Online (#37726) <https://cwops.groups.io/g/main/message/37726> | Reply To Sender <mailto:eric@uphreak.com?subject=Private:%20Re:%20%5Bcwops%5D%20Canyon%20Lands%20CWT> | Reply To Group <mailto:main@cwops.groups.io?subject=Re:%20%5Bcwops%5D%20Canyon%20Lands%20CWT> | Mute This Topic <https://groups.io/mt/72098929/418012> | New Topic <https://cwops.groups.io/g/main/post> Your Subscription <https://cwops.groups.io/g/main/editsub/418012> | Contact Group Owner <mailto:main+owner@cwops.groups.io> | Unsubscribe <https://cwops.groups.io/g/main/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:29877] FW: ARRL's Staffing Plan
by Middleton, Diane, W2DLM (CFO) 19 Mar '20

19 Mar '20

Dear ODV - Today the following e-mail was sent to all staff. In an effort to keep the staff as healthy as possible we have begun to have members of our staff who are capable start working from home. It may take several days to get everyone who can work from home access but we are moving forward with the CT Governor's request to have as many employees work from home as possible. We expect to have at least half of the staff working from home by early next week to help limit the number of staff at HQ. While private voicemail messages may instruct the caller to e-mail the staffer, currently our customer service group is answering all calls as normal. At this time all operations at HQ are functioning, although there may be a slight delay as staff adjusts to the new routine. Barry and I are continuing to monitor the situation and ready to adapt as necessary. Please let me know if you have any questions. 73, Diane Middleton, W2DLM Chief Financial Officer ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio (r) 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 (860) 594-0225 From: Middleton, Diane, W2DLM (CFO) Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2020 3:50 PM To: HQ Staff <hqstaff(a)arrl.org> Subject: ARRL's Staffing Plan Dear Staff, As you all know the Governor has asked as many companies who have staff that can work from home to do so. Barry and I have been working on a plan that balances that request with our resources, the need to keep our business open, and the need of our staff to keep working and getting paid. Our goal is to help reduce the chance of transmission of the virus by reducing the number of staff in the building while keeping the organization functioning. Effective tomorrow all volunteers have been asked to stay home until further notice. In the meantime, the IT staff has been ramping up our capabilities to provide remote access to as many employees as possible. In order to gain remote access, your position will have to be viewed as being able to be done remotely by management and you will need full time access to a suitable computer. IT will work individually with each employee who is identified as a possible work from home candidate to confirm if they have a suitable computer. Unfortunately, we do not have enough "loaner" computers to provide computers to employees who do not have equipment that meets the requirements. The Managers have already been working with Barry and I to determine who may be a candidate for remote access. The Managers will be communicating with you over the next few days as to how you and your departments will be impacted. Currently, we are not shutting down or limiting operations. However, if you are uncomfortable working in the building and are not a candidate for remote access, please discuss this with your Manager. No one will be cited for attendance/performance issues on next year's review for wanting to stay home during this unprecedented time. As a reminder, if you are not feeling well, please stay home until you are certain you are not contagious and are feeling back to 100% in consideration for others. Pay - Questions & Answers As long as you are working, you will be paid whether it be at home or in the office. 1. What happens if I am sick or need to self-quarantine and run out of PTO? ARRL will advance PTO accruals to employees through the December 1, 2020 accrual. When you return to work, your accruals will be paid back as you earn them. 1. What happens if I am required to stay at home without remote access? If you are not working, you will be paid out of your PTO time balance until you have returned to work or have used up the balance. If your balance becomes zero, ARRL will advance PTO accruals to you through the December 1, 2020 accrual. When you return to work, your accruals will be paid back as you earn them. 1. What happens if I run out of the PTO advance? Should time extend beyond the PTO advance, the employee will be furloughed and eligible to collect unemployment. 1. Can I go unpaid and save my PTO time? No. All PTO time will be paid before an employee is unpaid or furloughed. 1. What if I am uncomfortable working in the office and do not have remote access? Employees who choose to stay at home will be considered self- quarantined. See question 1. 1. What happens to my health insurance if I become unpaid or furloughed? No one will lose their health insurance coverage. You will be responsible for the employee's portion of the premium no later than when you are recalled back to work. 1. What happens if ARRL shuts down? Will I still be paid? Yes, you will be paid out of your PTO time balance until you have returned to work or have used up the balance. If your balance becomes zero, ARRL will advance PTO accruals to you through the December 1, 2020 accrual. When you return to work, your accruals will be paid back as you earn them. Our payroll system is a web-based system and we will do everything we can to keep payroll running. Unfortunately, if your check is not directly deposited, it may be delayed. I encourage you to sign up for direct deposit if you are not currently enrolled. We will do our best to answer any questions as they arise. Our goal is to keep as many employees healthy, productive and paid as long as possible. Working together we will get through these unusual times. Diane Middleton, W2DLM Chief Financial Officer ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio (r) 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 (860) 594-0225

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[arrl-odv:29880] Conference Call Protocols In The Time of High Use
by John Robert Stratton 19 Mar '20

19 Mar '20

All I received an email from one of my conference bridge providers this evening that discussed the conference call industry's scramble to add more bandwidth in the face of the rapid increase in conference calls. It made a suggestion that conference calls should start 5, 15, 45 or 50 minutes PAST the hour, because demand surges on the hour and half hour. This could explain the poor quality of the Legislative Advocacy Committees recent conference call using the ARRL bridge. The suggestion to stagger conference call start times is worth considering. Be well and safe. _______________________________________ 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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