Jim, that is a reasonable question. Allen Pitts and I spoke with George Dillon at FCC (who asked us to participate in this program) and there of course are various methods of having hams assist with the technical parts of the DTV conversion.

This program involves, as I understand it, some basic presentations that FCC will provide if a club wants to participate in this program, and the assistance relates to how to connect D-A converters, based on what FCC provides. The FCC field offices are available if there are any questions. The clubs don't have much exposure under those circumstances, and there will be backup via FCC if any tough questions arise, but as we discussed with Dillon at FCC, this isn't rocket science. It is principally part of FCC's own outreach program, but the clubs would be presenting FCC-prepared materials in the main.

73, Chris W3KD

Christopher D. Imlay
BOOTH, FRERET, IMLAY & TEPPER, P.C.
14356 Cape May Road
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6011
(301) 384-5525 telephone
(301) 384-6384 facsimile
W3KD@ARRL.ORG


-----Original Message-----
From: K8JE <K8JE@zoomtown.com>
To: arrl-odv <arrl-odv@reflector.arrl.org>
Sent: Wed, 3 Dec 2008 5:38 pm
Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:17356] Community relations opportunity for clubs

Dave,
 
This sounds like an Elmeri ng program that could provide many people with a good look at radio amateurs and possibly at Amateur Radio.  On the other hand, I have a level of concern regarding potential liability issues.  Chris, of course, may have already addressed these, but would our volunteer hams be covered by something akin to the Good Samaritan laws – i.e. would they be held harmlless if someone misunderstands the information given them . . . of if they are inadvertently given poor information?
 
This concern extends to how one deals with requests to come into the viewers home to provide help, directly.  I realize your memo limited help to consultation by telephone and probably otherwise at off-site locations.  It is nearly inevitable that request for on-site help will be received and that us well-intentioned hams will feel we can provide the help.  Will we give strong recommendation against honoring such in-home help?
 
Tnx, 73,
 
Jim
 
 
 
Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director
ARRL Great Lakes Division
5065 Bethany Rd.
Mason, OH 450 40
E-mail:  k8je@arrl.net; Tel.: 513-459-0142
ARRL - The Reason Amateur Radio Is!
Members - The Reason ARRL Is!
 

---

From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org]
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 4:21 PM
To: arrl-odv
Subject: [arrl-odv:17356] Community relations opportunity for clubs
 
It has been mentioned a couple of times on ODV that the FCC is devoting resources to the digital television transition, almost to the exclusion of everything else. There is a great deal of concern that despite the enormous publicity being given to the fact the analog television is going to disappear on February 17, there are going to be hundreds of thousands if not millions of people who don’t know what to do to avoid staring at blank screens on that day.
The FCC is aware that radio amateurs represent a significant pool of technical expertise and would like to tap into it. The Commission has asked us to help them identify local radio clubs that would be willing to educate consumers on how to install a converter box and how to set it up, and possibly to provide technical advice by telephone to consumers who may encounter difficulty with the installation and setting up of their converter box. Amateurs would NOT be asked to go to people’s homes and physically assist with installations.
The ARRL Public Relations Committee is enthusiastic about this as an opportunity for local radio clubs to build positive visibility in their communities. Coincidentally, PRC Chairman Bill Morine, N2COP is in Wilmington, NC, which was the site of the first pilot transition in September.
We are putting together a request to Section Managers to help identify clubs willing and able to assist.
Dave K1ZZ

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