I know it has been a while since I sent a note to the board and for that I apologize. The amount of work during the past few months has been great both for the ARRL and in my own world. There are two conventions that I want to mention while they are fresh on my mind. Dayton--Again, it was a good show for us. I tend not to listen to the management but rather rely on what we do in our booth and a "gut feeling" on the amount of traffic. First of all, we edged out last year both in sales of merchandise and in membership. Not by much, but still an increase. On the "gut feel" again, I did not get any major complaints. The few that were voiced, were minor and I believe there were only 2 or 3 at that. On the other hand (more about that in a minute) literally hundreds of hams came by the booth over the 3 days that I was there and said how good the ARRL was doing. Quite a reversal from 2000. As to the hand, Saturday afternoon when I got back to the hotel, I soaked it in cold water for a few minutes to get the swelling down. That is how many hands were shook! It is my feeling that the rank and file still feel good about what were are doing, now, if we could get a few thousand more to join the organization. . . . All the officers there at Dayton, along with a number of directors and at one time or another, we all were busy with visitors. All in all, another good one even if it did rain (as usual). It is always good for the inside vendors and we are no exception. Estes Park, CO. What I can say is, Director Stinson and his people know how to do a convention. First of all Estes Park is just absolutely gorgeous but it gets better. The Rocky Mountain Division Convention was held at the Holiday Inn and my first thought before I left, oh well, as long as the room is clean, but as it turns out this is a fabulous facility! The staff went the extra mile to make sure everything was just right! While I don't have the numbers, the forums were all full and the attendees were very responsive and participated with a lively question and answer session in both the ARRL forum as well as Wayne Mills, and Rosalie White's. The kids forum was standing room only and was just great with the kids on a panel taking questions. Saturday night was the banquet and I stood in for Riley Hollingsworth as the featured speaker. I had a lot of fun, and from the audience, they did as well. All during the convention they teased me as to being a "flat-lander" but I did pay them a compliment during my talk. I had noticed that they still use studded tires which shows on the highways. I told the audience that I did feel that the mountain people did have something on us "flat-landers" in that "they tenderized their road kill." The only down side is that they plan to have their next convention in 2006. That is too bad in that I think it rates in the top 10 that I have been to over the past 3-1/2 years. So, in 2006, if you get a chance be sure and mark it on your calendar and be sure to either go up early or stay late, as the park is just stunning. Now, for the business side. Chris, Derek, Ed Hare and I are working overtime on the BPL issue. We are looking for partners in this effort as it is obvious that we cannot do this alone. I have had a number of conversations with other affected organizations and state agencies that I am certain will sign up with us on this effort. I said in both the forum at Estes Park and in my dinner speech, that in all the years I have been an amateur, this is the greatest threat I have seen. In my opinion, this is more of a political issue than a technical one. So, I am depending on Ed for the technical and Chris, Derek and I will handle the political. Speaking of political, we have penciled in on our calendars June 11, for possible testimony before the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications for our Spectrum Protection Bill. I hope to have that pinned down tomorrow afternoon. Then it is in high gear to get the verbal part and written part ready. I look forward to seeing you in Dallas. CUL es 73 Jim Haynie, W5JBP