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online soapbox
by Bruce Frahm K0BJ 20 Feb '02

20 Feb '02

I've really been enjoying the new online contest soapbox http://www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox/ esp. after having participated in the DX contest last weekend. So far I'm slightly disappointed with the quantity of soapbox comments, but the variety and quality of them is superb. It's especially interesting to note the number of QRP and nervous-fisted comments; seems like a higher ratio than in past QST-based soapboxes. I also noted that you don't have to have submitted a log in order to write soapbox comments. Kinda figured someone from the Hemorrhoid Net would post a soapbox discourse of the deliterious downside of despicable contesters.... but nothing of that nature has yet appeared. Tnx to staff for setting this up. Bruce

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SM results
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 20 Feb '02

20 Feb '02

Ballots were counted today in two Section Manager elections. The results are: Pacific Section Bob Schneider, AH6J 137 John D. Peters, K1ER 112 Virginia Section Carl Clements, W4CAC 976 Lynn E. Gahagan, AF4CD 779 David Sumner, K1ZZ Secretary

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In-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 20 Feb '02

20 Feb '02

In-Newsletter Vol. 25, No. 7 February 19, 2002 Upcoming Meetings March 2nd in Arlington, VA at 8:30am Executive Committee Development Even as we await a March decision on our proposal to United Technologies (UTC) for the expansion of our ARECC training, UTC has asked for a presentation to their full Public Policy Committee on our plans. No word yet on a date for their decision. The Donor Recognition Reception at Dayton honoring Joe Taylor, K1JT, is tentatively planned for the Officers Club at Wirght-Patterson Air Force Base on Friday evening, May 17. Invitees to the reception will include ARRL Board Members, Education and Defense Fund donors ($500 or more), development prospects and key staff. The donor file research project with Target Analysis Group (TAG)of Cambridge Massachusetts is moving forward. ARRL's active and lapsed member/donor files will be researched against TAG's national non-profit database to identify members & donors who are currently giving to other non-profit organizations. The identified members/donors will be tested against in the April-May Education Project campaign direct mail. Resumes are still being received for the Development Associate position. First interviews should be complete by the Feb 26. Media Relations Jennifer worked with a writer from the Columbia News Service who was writing a story about how ham radio emergency services in New York (including interest in future participation) may have been affected in the wake of September 11th. After a brief interview, the writer was given several good contacts in the New York area, including the District Emergency Coordinator who oversaw much of the ham radio activity. The Columbia News Service is affiliated with the Columbia School of Journalism and stories are prepared for the Web and also for the New York Times news wire. Jennifer completed the February issue of QSO/Media for the Web. It will be posted shortly. This bimonthly newsletter geared towards assisting our PR volunteers was previously a printed publication. The newsletter will now appear every other month on the PR Department site. There is a possibility that it will be distributed automatically via e-mail sometime later this year. Work continues on the 2001 Annual Report. Advertising The Advertising Department hosted a reception for the industry on Friday evening at the Orlando Hamcation. Approximately 100 current and potential advertisers enjoyed drinks and a buffet dinner. It was designed as a low key, informal event -- in part, to thank and encourage advertisers, and in part to let people socialize away from the harried atmosphere of the show. Both Dave Sumner and John Bee gave brief remarks, simply thanking the attendees for coming. The event got rave reviews from all, and many who missed it expressed regret on the following day. While in Florida, John Bee spent the week between the Miami and Orlando shows visiting with current and prospective advertisers, including Star-Tek, Mike's Electronics, Eli's Electronics, Gap Antennas, AES Orlando and Tower Electronics. Membership Services Awards Branch WAS QSL Cards Checked 450 5 Band WAS Plaques 9 A-1 Operator Nominations 35 Long Term Member Inquiries 2 VUCC Endorsements 4 Grid Squares Data Entered 515 VUCC QSL Cards Checked 209 VUCC Endorsements Mailed 36 Also compiled and submitted the latest VUCC standings list for April QST. For the coming week-Basic WAS awards for January, WAS and WAC QSL card checking, mail out 25 VUCC initial awards, RCC, OTC, and Friendship awards. DXCC Branch Week Ending February 17, 2002 Beginning Cards 73,776 Cards Received 3,062 Cards Processed 17,010** Ending Cards 59,828 Applications Pending 392 Backlog Time 3 weeks Year-to-date Cards Received 48,729 Cards Returned 6,264 QRP Issued this week 0 QRP YTD 111 ** Outgoing Mail - We are mailing the remaining applications received in late-January, 2002. There are approximately 100 applications in the mailroom currently being out processed containing about 10,000 cards. This should close out week with 27,010 cards processed. Card Processing: We are entering cards received on February 8, 2002. 2,977 Millennium awards have been issued to date. Contest Branch The electronic log checking results for 2001 SS CW were received and imported into the master database. They were merged with the paper logs and the preliminary boxes, line scores, and soapbox files were forwarded to K5ZD for his use in writing the article. The 2001 SS cups and pins databases were finalized. We began shipping CW and Phone Pins. The Shipping Department received the cups database and will be starting to ship mugs. The Field Day 2002 packet was finalized, converted to PDF format and sent for posting to the web site. Blank certificates for VHF/UHF contest awards were ordered. The ARRL Contest On-Line Soapbox at www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox was prepared by the Webmaster and testing took place. It was announced Friday and went live on-line at the end of the DXCW contest this weekend. QSL Branch QSL Service Status: Current. Cards mailed year to date as of 02/17/2002 - 273,925. No cards were mailed this week. Janet Rocco spent 5 hours conducting tours around HQ. W1AW Thanks to Ted Ferreira, WA1NXC, Jerry, KH6HU and John, N1KB, for their participation in the 2002 15th Annual School Club Roundup. Although quite a number of QSOs were made over the week, only 7 schools and 10 clubs were worked. Even though the operators were calling CQ specifically for the event, a number of amateurs responded to the call simply to work W1AW. Scott worked on fast and slow code practice runs for the latter part of the month of February. He handled evening phone sales calls in the 5 PM to 8 PM time slot. Joe updated the web code practice files. W1AW Telephone Sales year to date (2002): $1,461. Field & Educational Services Counsel Imlay's office reports that we have received the registration certificate for our Amateur Radio Emergency Service® trademark. Although we have been using this trademark since the 1970s, recent concerns prompted us to seek formal registration from the US Patent and Trademark Office. Steve Ewald prepared April QST Section News columns. A large number mentioned the Board's postponement of a decision on Section News in QST, and asked members to share opinions with Directors and SMs. Steve and Rick Lindquist gathered news on Amateur Radio response to fires in the San Diego Section. Utah and Nevada Section Leaders responded to Steve's solicitation of news on how ham radio is assisting with communications during the Winter Olympics. Leona Adams made preparations with help from Mary, Gail, Brennan and Rosalie for the counting of ballots February 19 for the Virginia and Hawaii SM elections. Leona and Steve composed a report for ECs on asking SMs for access to make Assistant EC certificates using the Web Certificate Maker. This replaces the AEC certificate that went in the EC initial supply package. Brennan Price spent nearly all week on the Repeater Directory, including consulting with the Book Team and Publication Sales about a cover, preparing data to be submitted, and developing plans and contingency plans for the former TSARC and surrounding areas as developments warrant. Riley Hollingsworth wrote to rave about OO Mike Obermeier, K6SNE's, cassette labels in a recent tape submission. Riley asked that the OOs adopt the label design as a standard for submissions. Brennan operated the University of Connecticut School of Law's KB1GTB from W1INF in a limited School Club Roundup effort. Rosalie assisted FEMA Region X (Northwestern US), and Steve assisted Region VII (Midwest), in updating contact information for ARRL Section Leaders. Rosalie prepared for the annual meeting of the National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters. She also did prep for the April ARISS international meeting, and she and John supplied details on ARISS telebridge legalities for a volunteer. This week's successful ARISS QSO was done by Vestal (NY) HS. John Hennessee saw increased calls from amateurs facing zoning problems; these were in Fairport, NY (KC2JAL); Effingham, NH (KA1STT); West Leechburg, PA (W3QK); Stormville, NY (WA2ANV); West Bend, IN; Denver, CO (NC0B); and Clinton Township, NJ (KC2IOQ). Amateurs reported covenant problems in Belmont, NC (K5LDO) and Chesterfield, IN (NC8N). John reviewed the upcoming QST ad for Marsh (ARRL insurance administrator), and he's reviewing the regulations information in the ARRL Handbook. He spoke with members about pending bills in Tennessee and West Virginia to codify PRB-1. Wyoming HB 10 is also pending -- it could regulate handheld cell phones and devices defined as "CB radios and other devices." Dan Miller reports that the Antenna Modeling Course registration closed after 30 hours with 116 students enrolled! LB Cebik says the announcement apparently stirred up latent interest in modeling, with the Nittany Scientific (antenna modeling software vendor) Web site getting over 1,000 hits shortly after the announcement. LB said, "Some folks who have put off getting modeling software for fear that they could not master it on their own may take up the challenge now that guided help is available." Dan also reports that total enrollment in Level I emergency communications on-line classes that opened last week was 203 -- interest is high! He received results from three in-person Level I classes and two in-person Level II classes. Steven Blair has begun working on a coursebook for the Antenna Modeling course. He also processed C-CE classroom and exam sessions received this week. The Field & Educational Support Team pitched in to cover for Margie who was out unexpectedly for the week. Gail completed "Hamfest Calendar" and "Coming Conventions" for the April issue of QST. Linda updated 57 affiliated club records as well as registered 15 ARRL volunteer instructors and 1 schoolteacher. She also compiled the Public Service Honor Roll, Brass Pounder's League, SEC, and STM statistics for QST. Jean sent out nomination acknowledgment letters for ARRL Professional Educator of the Year Awards. Mary Lau gave a brief telephone interview to an editor of Business Week magazine, who is doing a feature story on scholarship programs. Jerry Hill handled paperwork so that checks could be cut for schools that were recently approved by the Executive Committee for Progress Grants. He received a new application from Wasilla (AK) High School, that hopes to become a Pilot School. Jerry worked on materials that will be included in the Radio Lab Handbook, such as sample layouts of classrooms with ham stations, an FAQ, FCC rules for RFI exposure, and so on. He has received feedback from curriculum reviewers on his sample lesson plans. VEC VEC Exam Activity Summary Year Applications filed Novice Tech Tech+ General Advanced Extra New 2000 12872 160 11828 350 419 8 107 Upgrades 2000 35822 0 195 1664 19800 613 13550 New 2001 14179 0 13522 0 500 0 122 Upgrades 2001 9529 0 187 0 5929 0 3413 Club applications filed by ARRL VEC in 2001 totaled 958. 440 were new clubs. Renewals, address changes, call changes, name changes or other modifications filed by ARRL VEC in 2001 totaled 3,876 applications. January 2002 saw 420 test sessions held, with 2,870 elements administered, 2,387 persons served, and 1,064 new licenses and 655 upgrades earned. Club applications filed in January 2002 totaled 98. 73, Sincerely, Mark Wilson, K1RO Chief Operating Officer MW:lk Staff Absentee List Name Date(s) Reason Rosalie White 2/19-2/22 In and out of the office for vacation Steve Ewald 2/26(PM)-3/5 Vacation Mary Hobart 4/6-4/7 MD State Convention, Timonium

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Re: [ARRL-ODV:6975] Re: SM results
by Frank J Fallon 19 Feb '02

19 Feb '02

My only comment is: Whew! Frank....N2FF.....

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Win Some - Lose Some
by dick＠pobox.com 19 Feb '02

19 Feb '02

19 FEB, 2002 - 1310 CST Maybe this guy's license should be revoked since he has so little regard for many of his fellow hams and at least one of our spectrum allocations? :) If he's active at all, guess where he hangs out? 73 - Dick, W9GIG >Delivered-To: dick(a)pobox.com >X-eGroups-Return: K8OI(a)aol.com >From: K8OI(a)aol.com >Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2002 12:07:18 EST >Subject: SAVI Opinion >To: NFCB-owner(a)yahoogroups.com >X-Mailer: AOL 5.0 for Windows sub 138 >X-eGroups-Moderators: NFCB > >Since my Novice in 1958 I have listened on 440mHz, I have two portables and >a mobile station there. >In this city, there is some activity by amateurs; usually retirees with a >running critical >speech on what goes on on the 146 band in real time. Otherwise known as the >gripe band ! > >The public would be better served with amateur portion going to real public >use, and let them pay for it. > >To the hams who will scream, "what does he know ?'' > >I am one who had his 3rd telegraph in '64, extra class in '77, first phone in >'83. >146 mHz and 220mHz are under utilized here. > >73 >Stan Head K8OI

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Fw: New e-mail Address
by Bloom, Jon, KE3Z 19 Feb '02

19 Feb '02

Begin forwarded message: Date: 19 Feb 2002 02:44:38 -0000 From: "Wade Walstrom" <walstrom(a)mchsi.com> Subject: New e-mail Address This is to let everyone know that my e-mail address has changed: walstrom(a)mchsi.com I apologize to those who received this more than once. Wade

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One Time Only Event On 20 FEB
by dick＠pobox.com 18 Feb '02

18 Feb '02

Believe it or not, 8:02 PM on February 20th this year will be an historic moment in time. It will not be marked by the chiming of any clocks or the ringing of bells, but at this precise time, on this specific date, something will happen which has not occurred for 1,001 years and will will never happen again. As the clock ticks over from 8:01 PM on Wednesday, February 20, time will --- for sixty seconds only --- read in perfect symmetry 2002, 2002, 2002, or to be more precise - 20:02, 20/02, 2002. This historic event will never have the same poignancy as the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month which marks Armistice Day, but it is an event which has only happened once before, and is something which will never be repeated. The last occasion that time read in such a symmetrical pattern was long before the days of the digital watch and the 24-hour clock at 10:01 AM on January 10, 1001. Because the clock only goes up to 23:59, it is something that will never happen again. Enjoy the minute...

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SAVI Technologies 70 Cm Band Threat - A Call For Action
by dick＠pobox.com 16 Feb '02

16 Feb '02

16 FEB, 2002 - 1415 Gentlemen... The message appended below was posted to the Coordinators' and NFCC Remailers a couple of minutes ago. This posting is in response to a request for help in fighting the SAVI Technologies proposal from our president, Jim Haynie. A slightly modified copy of this message will also be going directly to many of my personal friends and supporters in the ARS and to radio amateurs in general via the amateur radio news media. I urge all of you to do likewise. It's time to take off the gloves and get everybody to send messages to the FCC and their federal representatives. 73 - Dick, W9GIG ===================================================================== 16 FEB, 2002 - 1415 CST To All Repeater Coordinators: I am sure many of you have been following, to one degree or another, the progress of SAVI Technologies, Inc. proposal to the FCC that it be allowed to develop and market a family of Part 15 devices designed to operate on the amateur 70 CM band. There are numerous problems with this proposal, but the Federal Communications Commission appears to favor SAVI's proposal. It has now been given a Rule-Making number (RM-10051) and the deadline for Reply Comments (the final round before the Commission issues a ruling) is March 1, 2002. It is rumored the Defense Department (primary user of this spectrum) is going to file reply comments opposing SAVI's proposal. However, there is a lot of money and potential profit at stake and the Commission appears to be VERY business-oriented. Therefore even if other branches of our federal government do officially oppose SAVI, the outcome could still go against the licensed users of this spectrum segment. Time is very short and the delays due to anthrax screening of the U.S. mail going to all branches of the federal government render this mode of communication unuseable. Email with or without attached files, fax, and FCC E-file documents are the only way to communicate our opposition. This is a political process. It is imperative that you also send electronic messages (CC your FCC email and faxes) to your elected federal representatives - to both their local and Washington, DC email addresses. If 10,000 or more hams respond to this call, the SAVI proposal will become a hot political potato - hopefully one that is so hot that the Commission drops it. The ARRL has made four excellent filings in opposition to SAVI every step of the way. These filings and introductory text are now posted on the NFCC website at: www.arrl.org/nfcc You will also find links there that will take you to the FCC E-file web page. Please take the time to download and read these documents before you write your messages. Your Reply Comments must be factual and non-abusive, but VERY firm in your oppostition. I urge you to spread the word among all of your ham friends and non- ham friends who are friendly to Amateur Radio. NOW IS THE TIME FOR ACTION! Let's use the Internet to defend our radio service... 73 - Dick Isely, W9GIG NFCC Secretary

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Re: [ARRL-ODV:6965] Re: Articles on UWB Decision, Comm Daily & Washington Post
by W3KD＠aol.com 15 Feb '02

15 Feb '02

In a message dated 02/15/2002 1:19:52 PM Eastern Standard Time, w6xd(a)mediaone.net writes: << How about empowering our premier ARRL Laboratory to make some tests of UWB interference potential to the Amateur Radio Service, a licensed radio service providing a key element of Homeland Defense? Preparedness trumps vigilance. >> Well, we're working on the SAVI interference issue right at the moment; surely more of an urgency, but since FCC clearly does plan to revisit UWB and liberalize the rules in 6-12 months (an absurd timetable) the issue is far from dead and an IX study would be a good plan for that followup effort. chris

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Contest Soapbox on the ARRL Web site
by Wilson, Mark K1RO 15 Feb '02

15 Feb '02

Beginning Sunday evening (0000Z Monday, after the ARRL DX CW contest), a new feature will be available on the ARRL web at http://www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox/. This is the Contest Soapbox for the 2002 ARRL DX CW Contest, which is being conducted this weekend. This feature will allow contesters to submit their contest-related stories and photos to the site immediately after the contest. Until Sunday evening, the site can be by accessed by the same group that is previewing the SS CW database (ODV, staff and some of the volunteers who help with the contest program). It will be wiped clean before it goes public. Feel free to try it and comment as necessary (comments to Wayne Mills). To access this feature, you need to be logged in to the ARRL Web site. 73, Wayne, N7NG and Mark, K1RO

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