IN-Newsletter
Vol. 41, No. 4
February 3, 2016 — Covers the period January 24-30.
Upcoming In-Person Meetings and Events
Executive Committee
March 12 @ 8:30am in Westlake, TX
Sales and Marketing
Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R
Having completed a first month at ARRL’s higher dues rates, Diane Petrilli reports that January ended with 169,756 members, 369 members behind the year-to-date goal. This represents a
loss from December of 772 members; a loss of 403 was forecast. The on-time renewal rate for January is 73.46% vs. 79.38% last January. The largest sources of acquisition were applications received on the ARRL website (not attributed to anything in particular)
and a December 2015 membership mailing.
Bob Inderbitzen reports that January product sales were $293,219, exceeding the sales forecast of $287,981. Direct sales were $168,468; dealer sales were $124,751. Direct sales are up
$41k over January 2015. ARRL’s newest title, Antenna Physics: An Introduction, by Robert J. Zavrel, Jr, W7SX, contributed sales of $13,448; nearly 500 copies in its first month.
Bob published ARRL’s recently adopted Strategic Plan to our website. He also produced a press release promoting ARRL’s agreement
with RFinder, the creator of a web and app-based directory of Amateur Radio repeaters worldwide.
All systems are GO for the ARRL National Convention at Orlando HamCation, February 12-14. A handful of final details were completed to help support our team of staff, officials, and Field
Organization volunteers supporting our exhibits and activities at the convention. Final planning was also competed for the ARRL National Convention Banquet on Feb. 13.
Kim McNeill continues to wrap-up our merchandise planning for 2016 ARRL Field Day. She has been coordinating manufacturing proofs with Sue Fagan and Bob Inderbitzen. We’re on track to
receive most of these items (t-shirts, hats, pins, mugs, stickers, etc.) by early March—a bit earlier than usual.
Summary of Sales and Marketing Department telephone group, reported by Yvette Vinci:
| Week Ending | Calls Answered | Calls Per Hour | Total Talking Duration | Average Speed of Answer |
| 1/29/2016 | 947 | 21.0 | 30:42:25 | 8 seconds |
| 1/22/2016 | 931 | 20.6 | 29:45:14 | 8 seconds |
| 1/15/2016 | 1014 | 22.5 | 31:14:01 | 9 seconds |
| 1/8/2016 | 997 | 22.1 | 32:00:15 | 11 seconds |
Summary of warehouse fulfillment activity, reported by Steve Capodicasa:
| Week Ending | Packages fulfilled | Member Premiums |
| 1/29/2016 | 1,546 | 513 |
| 1/22/2016 | 1,067 | 387 |
| 1/15/2016 | 1,185 | 802 |
| 1/8/2016 | 1,165 | 625 |
Lab
Reported by Ed Hare, W1RFI
Product Review
Bob Allison completed testing of a top performing HF/6 meter transceiver. The Lab was fortunate enough to have confirmed an issue the manufacturer didn’t know about, which they fixed.
A data table was compiled, along with several data charts, which were passed along to Product Review Editor, Mark Wilson, K1RO.
Bob Also tested a 1 Watt ATV transmitter that has the ability to transmit on 1.08 to 1.250 GHz. The intended use is on board a drone, marketed towards non-licensed operators of drones.
Such use can potentially cause interference to the Amateur Service and other vital radio services.
RFI
Mike Gruber wrote a new Section 7 for the IEEE P-1897 document, Recommended Practice for the Resolution of Power Line Noise Complaints. He also updated the text in the IEEE P-1897 document
per our last meeting and bumped the rev up to draft 2.
Mike Gruber has been in contact with the IEEE for securing permission to use copyright material from Eversource. This remains work in progress.
Mike Gruber started work on a product review for an ultrasonic pinpointer. With the assistance of Bob Allison, we compared the sensitivity to the Lab’s commercial grade unit using a Model
A spark coil. We also shot a number of photos for possible use in the final review.
Web
A member offered to scan the template package for the W7EL Optimized QRP transceiver. Zack Lau converted the 30MB PDF down to 2MB and put it on the QRP
Projects web page.
Station Improvements
Zack Lau took the day off Friday to run a 90’ run of Hardline to a remote switch in his back yard.
Field Services & Radiosport
Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N
DXCC
| Paper/Fieldcheck Processing Time | 3 Weeks |
| Logbook Processing Time | 2 Days |
Number of Centennial applications processed:
| Centennial Challenge QSO | 2828 |
| W1AW/WAS | 2008 |
W1AW
Joe Carcia updated the web code practice files and their archives. He created the texts for the February W1AW Qualifying Runs and updated its web schedule. Joe made an equipment update
to the broadcast equipment. He continues work on the Cushcraft Satellite antenna (A148-20) for use with the ARISS Go-Kit.
Scott worked on slow and fast code practice files for the week. He also processed some VUCC applications and certificates.
Field Organization/Public Service Team
Leona Adams reports that Northern Florida Section Manager Steve Szabo, WB4OMM, has been nominated to run for a new term of office. Nominations for this particular Section Manager election
cycle are due at Headquarters by Friday, March 4, and the new term of office begins July 1. Section Manager election ballots from Pacific, San Diego and Virginia continue to arrive. Ballots are due at Headquarters by Friday, February 19, and they will be
opened and counted on February 23.
2015 Simulated Emergency Test (SET) report forms have continued to be submitted in advance of the early February receipt deadline. The SET results will be compiled for the July issue
of QST.
One radio amateur from South Texas successfully completed requirements to become an Official Observer this past week. Supplies were sent to a number of Official Observers who had requested
them. Chuck Skolaut continued to receive complaints about an operation on 7200 kHz. A report of local broadcast interference to a radio amateur in South Texas was determined-- with the help of the ARRL HQ Lab -- to be a case of overload due to the close proximity
of the broadcast station. A western Washington OO reported hearing an unusual unidentified wide pulse type of signal on 80 meters.
Sincerely Compiled by,
Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ
Assistant to the CEO
Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations
All Staff 2/15 Holiday
Bob Allison 2/11-2/14 National Convention, Orlando, FL
Margie Bourgoin 2/10-2/14 National Convention, Orlando, FL
Lauren Clarke 2/11-2/14 National Convention, Orlando, FL
Mike Corey 2/11-2/14 National Convention, Orlando, FL
Norm Fusaro 2/11-2/14 National Convention, Orlando, FL
Mike Gruber 2/11-2/14 National Convention, Orlando, FL
Gail Iannone 2/10-2/16 PTO
Bob Inderbitzen 2/10-2/14 National Convention, Orlando, FL
Debra Johnson 2/11-2/14 National Convention, Orlando, FL
Lisa Kustosik 2/10-2/16 National Convention, Orlando, FL/PTO
Sean Kutzko 2/11-2/14 National Convention, Orlando, FL
Kim McNeill 2/10-2/14 National Convention, Orlando, FL
Diane Petrilli 1/11-2/14 National Convention, Orlando, FL
Dave Sumner 2/11-2/14 National Convention, Orlando, FL
Yvette Vinci 2/10-2/14 National Convention, Orlando, FL