IN-Newsletter Vol. 27, No.13 March 31, 2004 Upcoming Meeting April 24th in Newington, CT at 8:30am A & F Committee Meeting Development The W1AW Endowment campaign has reached $103,393 from 1397 donors. This does not include the multi-year pledges received for this effort. The average gift remains high at $74.01. The 2004 Defense Fund spillover from 2003 has now reached $63,097 from 886 donors. The average contribution is $71.21, well above the traditional average donation of $45. Plans for the spring solicitation to ARRL members are nearly complete and the mail should go out in mid-April. The semi-annual progress report for the CNCS grant will be submitted on time on March 31. Responses are coming in for the Donor Reception to be held on May 13 in Dayton at the Air Force Museum. The donor list for the Annual Report, for QST (June) and for the web is nearly complete. Media Relations By now, everyone is aware of the Wall Street Journal article on ham radio and BPL, which ran March 23. Jennifer spent a good deal of time responding to members who wrote to ARRL with their comments on the piece. Ham radio may get more publicity in the Wall Street Journal in the next couple of weeks. A reporter is working on a story about hobbyists and hobbies that have been negatively affected by the events of September 11, 2001. The reporter contacted HQ with the idea that ham radio has not seen any damaging effects, but he wanted that clarified. Jennifer was able to explain that it's been quite the opposite - Amateur Radio has only gained added support and recognition in the aftermath of 9-11. We will only get a very brief mention, but it's an important one to appear in a national publication. As reported on the Web news crawl, President Haynie was interviewed about the BPL issue on Art Bell's late-night radio show. Thanks go to Jim for participating, especially since the interview started at midnight Central time. Jennifer assisted a member who was asked to give a presentation at an IEEE forum on emergency wireless communications. The forum was held at the recent Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) convention n Atlanta. While the presentation focused primarily on the wireless industry, he worked in a PowerPoint presentation about ham radio emergency communications capabilities. He reports that his talk was well received. Jennifer followed up with a Christian Science Monitor reporter who has been gathering information and conducting interviews for a story on BPL and ham radio. Latest word is that the story may run on April 13, and should be available on-line. Production/Editorial Graphics for the new Spectrum Defense (BPL) project have been completed. The ARRLWeb banner was approved and sent to Tom Hogerty. Letters, reply cards and envelopes were finished as well. The graphics department produced attractive labels for the first batch of ARRL Video Series VCDs (the first of our new multimedia offerings solicited originally by F&ES). The VCDs were then duplicated and delivered to Bob Inderbitzen. The four VCD titles were produced by Bob Doherty, K1VV, and include a club's tour of Headquarters, a description of International Lighthouse Weekend, an inside look at a typical Simulated Emergency Test and an entertaining presentation on foxhunting. Bob Schetgen reports that QEX is wrapping up-the May/June issue will be released to the printer April 1. Rick Lindquist reports that The ARRL Letter, Vol 23, No 13, distributed to 67,274 members March 25 (Rick was out on vacation on the 26th). In addition to compiling the Letter and putting a few finishing touches on "Happenings" for May QST, Rick prepared news stories on the four Amateur Radio-related petitions for rule making the FCC put on public notice this week as well as these topics: ARRL's comments to NTIA Notice of Inquiry, FCC fine for alleged use of long-distance telephone on 2 meters and a PRB-1 bill in Missouri. He also edited The Amateur Amateur column for March and a couple of Web news briefs. With voiceover assistance from Jennifer Hagy, Rick voiced, edited and produced ARRL Audio News for Mar 26. Joel Hallas put the final touches on the May "Product Review" column before QST was released to the printer, and has submitted all articles for the May/June NCJ for composition and layout. Sales & Marketing Materials for ARRL's exhibit at Superfest were shipped out this week. Amateur Electronic Supply in Milwaukee, Wisconsin sponsors Superfest. This year's event is April 2nd and 3rd. Bob Inderbitzen has organized the exhibit, and a handful of local leadership have volunteered to help staff it including Central Division Director Dick Isely, W9GIG, Wisconsin Section Manager Don Michalski, W9IXG, and Assistant Director Richard E. Polivka, N6NKO. Two email solicitations were distributed to members who have voluntarily subscribed to receive news about ARRL products (about 47,000). The first was sent on Monday, and covered our quarterly "nag," soliciting for new QEX and NCJ subscriptions. Within the week following this campaign, 123 QEX and 22 NCJ subscriptions were received online. These returns track closely with similar campaigns conducted in the previous year. The second solicitation, distributed on Friday afternoon, introduced a handful of new publications, including APRS--Moving Hams on Radio and the Internet, ARRL's Vintage Radio, and ARRL's HF Digital Handbook--3rd edition. Nearly $10,000 in gross sales was received throughout the weekend following the emailing. 2004 ARRL Field Day T-shirts are now in stock and shipping. Field Day pins will be available April 9. Clubs and groups should collect orders from members now. New QST house ads were designed for a handful of new ARRL titles including the 2004-2005 editions of the ARRL Repeater Directory (coming May) and TravelPlus for Repeaters CD-ROM (debuting in Dayton). We are participating in planning that will expand the availability of the latest QST View viewing software, AView, to customers. Presently, the 1995-99 CD-ROM set is the only set that includes the latest viewer. Dan Wolfgang is increasingly handling support inquiries for the older viewer. We hope to use the opportunity to further promote QST View, encouraging customers to expand their existing collections by purchasing additional sets. QST View on CD-ROM is distributed in 12 sets and covers issues published from 1915-1999. The following new items are in stock and shipping: ARRL's HF Digital Handbook--3rd edition, http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9159 APRS--Moving Hams on Radio and the Internet, http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9167 ARRL's Vintage Radio, http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9183 Radio Rescue, (c) 2000 by Lynne Barasch, http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9217 Tower Climbing Safety & Rescue, (c) 2003, by ComTrain LLC (suggested for resale by NE Div. Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI), http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9228 Membership Services Awards Branch WAS QSL Cards Checked 450 WAS Certs (Replacements) 2 WAS End. (50 QSLs ES/C) 1 WAC QSL Cards Checked 264 A-1 Op. Noms. 7 A-1 Op. Certs. 24 Extra Class Certs. 8 LTMA Inquiries 2 VUCC Backfill App. 1 Grids 50 VUCC Initial Apps. 2 Grids 241 VUCC End. Apps. 3 Grids 424 Awards Mailed 27 VHF Awards Manager Appt.: Sean Fleming, K8KHZ, Madison Heights, MI. Processing Status: Current or up to four weeks. For the coming week-WAS QSL card checking, Basic WAS awards for March, U.S. WAC awards, VUCC awards processing/mailing. Contest Branch Pins for the 2003 November Sweepstakes began processing out. Final changes for the 2003 SS CW article for QST were finished and revisions for the web done. Mailing of various certificates continued. The 2003 November Sweepstake Pins were received and shipping was started. The preliminary scores for the 2004 RTTY Roundup were received and are being reviewed with the checker and article author. Presentation for the 2004 Timonium, MD Hamboree was prepared. DXCC Branch For the week of: March 28, 2004 Beginning Cards 65,527 Cards Received 9,997 Cards Processed 19,688 Ending Cards 55,836 Applications Pending 444 Processing Time 3.8 Weeks Year-to-date (2004) Cards Received 97,701 Cards Returned 168,378 DXCC is currently mailing applications received on March 1, 2004. DXCC is currently entering cards received on March 9, 2004. QSL Bureau There is a delay of 8 days. This week 105 pounds of cards were received from members. Approximately 185 pounds of cards are waiting to be processed. Cards mailed as of 03/28/04: 308,175. Cards mailed on 03/26/04: 90,300. W1AW Joe processed new Qualifying Run certificates and speed endorsements. He also handled some email maintenance duties on the new DXCC Field Checkers "Internal" list. Scott worked on slow and fast code practice files for the latter part of the month of March and early April. He also handled some evening phone sales calls in the 5 PM to 8 PM time slot. Field & Educational Services At NVOAD's request, Rosalie drafted wording for their new national booklet on generalized support done by ham radio operators. She edited wording to update F&ES annual award information, and sent reminders to Directors for approvals we need for club affiliation. Thanks goes to Linda for helping Rosalie with ARISS QSL card handling, and new club affiliation paperwork. Gail Iannone sent 9 hamfest approval letters and 2 convention approval letters to the sponsoring committees confirming the Division Director's approval of the events as "ARRL-sanctioned." She also processed 3 label requests, 28 door prize orders, and sent 21 handouts packages for upcoming events. Amateur Radio Education & Technology Project Mark Spencer reports that grant applications have been forwarded to the Headquarters leadership for review before they are submitted to the Executive Committee for their approval. There were 6 Project and 2 Progress grants in this second round for Fiscal Year 2004. If approved as recommended, the dollar amount of $12,900 will exhaust this year's Project grant budget. An article detailing the TV Remote Decoder kit for schools is in the final stages of editing before being publicized. There have been a handful of requests for the kits so far. Mark has also begun prototyping a higher level curriculum and kit covering LC circuits and resonance. The curriculum will include connections to second year algebra concepts of graph analysis and curve fitting. CCE Jean Wolfgang attended Access classes for two days and has already found ways to incorporate what she learned into the CCE program. She responded to e-mails and phone calls pertaining to the new online Technician class course, and has found that several radio amateurs are willing to mentor students in this new class. Jean also prepared the weekly reimbursement check list and certificates. Regulatory Information John Hennessee reviewed the regulatory material for Chapter 1 of the ARRL Handbook, as well as several constitutions for pending club application for ARRL affiliation. John answered many regulatory questions, and assisted amateurs with local government zoning concerns in Brewster, MA (N1NAP), Walton Hills, OH (W8WH), Washoe County, NV (AE7I) and Peace Dale, RI (K1NW). He assisted amateurs with covenant restrictions in Monroe Township, NJ (N2CKE) and Seguin, TX (N5LLS). EmComm Grants Dan Miller's recent seminars at the Communications Academy in Seattle, WA, showed the following numbers: 76% of those in attendance (25 of 33 people submitted surveys) were ARRL members, 64% had no Citizens Corp involvement. 28% held a Technician License, 20% held a General license, and 40% were Amateur Extras. A total of 188 hours per month of volunteer EmComm activities was reported by 16 respondents, for an average of 11.75 hours per volunteer. Field Organization/Public Service Team Chuck Skolaut reviewed several audio tapes from OOs and forwarded them to Riley Hollingsworth at the FCC. One tape concerned a radio operator with an expired license, and several others documented activity on 75 meters and 20 meters in direct response to FCC monitoring requests. An ARRL monitoring stations noted interference caused by an intruder using teletype on 14298 kHz. The source is believed to be north east of Brussels. The Oregon SM candidate statements have been printed, and Leona Adams has made arrangements for the Mailroom staff to mail election ballots to Oregon Section members by April 1. Over 30 new Field Organization appointments have been entered during the week and initial supplies have been sent. Leona has also been recording section-related expenses into section budget records as they arrive. Steve Ewald assisted John Hennessee by relaying a message to Section Managers and State Government Liaisons in multi-section states. We are encouraging comments on the SGL Reflector about success stories and how these sections have worked well together on state legislative matters. Steve has also been encouraging Section Managers to discuss on their reflector how to recruit and keep top-notch Section Leaders. 73, Sincerely, Mark Wilson, K1RO Chief Operating Officer MW:lk Staff Absentee List Dave Sumner 4/2 Washington `` 4/12-4/21 IARU Reg.1 EC Meeting, & Vacation `` 4/27-5/6 Geneva, ITU working party 6E Meeting `` 5/12-5/16 Vacation Jennifer Hagy 4/8pm Education/Training `` 4/15pm Education/Training `` 4/22pm Education Training `` 4/29 Education Training Mark Spencer 3/30-4/5 NSTA Conference Joe Carcia 4/5 Vacation Robert Inderbitzen 4/1-4/2 AES Superfest Dennis Motschenbacher 4/22 Sales meeting GA `` 4/23-4/24 SVHFC Technical & Banquet Speaker `` 5/13-5/17 Vacation Deb Jahnke 4/15 Sales call-Baker & Taylor - NJ Kathy Capodicasa 4/15 Sales call-Baker & Taylor - NJ Scott Gee 4/8 Vacation Danny Sayad 4/15-4/19 Vacation Dan Miller 4/1-4/2 Vacation `` 4/5-4/8 National Hurricane Conference `` 4/12-4/14 Vacation `` 4/29-5/2 SJV Section Convention Stu Cohen 4/8-4/13 Vacation Joe Carcia 4/5 Vacation Scott Gee 4/8 Vacation