<<032812.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 35, No. 13 March 28, 2012 -- Covers the period March 18-24. Upcoming Meetings and Events Administration & Finance Committee April 14 @ 8:30am - Newington, CT CFO Reported by Harold Kramer, WJ1B I wanted to let everyone know that, regretfully, Katie Glass, KB1ULQ, will be leaving us. She will be working until next Tuesday. She will be moving to the Raleigh NC area to be with her family. She already has a job there doing similar work that she did here. Katie has been with us for three years as our Digital Content Coordinator and the leader of the Digital QST project. She was instrumental in pulling together our new Web site and in assisting staff and Board members with creating, editing and designing web and other content. I know that many of you have worked closely with her on many projects. She will be missed here at HQ, but we are grateful for the significant contributions that she made to our organization while she was here and wish her the best in her new endeavors. Regulatory Information Reported by Dan Henderson, N1ND Beyond the routine queries into the office, it has been an extremely busy two weeks in the Regulatory Information Office. On the evening of March 15, 72 persons participated in the Volunteer Counsel Webinar. A significant time during the days leading up to the webinar was spent was spent developing and merging various PowerPoints into the single presentation (and spending time learning the software). Announced during the webinar was a new ARRL Volunteer Counsel reflector. By the end of the reporting period, approximately 50 requests have been received from VCs to be added to the list. After consulting with General Counsel, requests from Section Managers to join the list will not be approved unless the SM is also a Volunteer Counsel. The issue of what modes are permissible on the 60-meter band after the rules change went into effect March 5 has created quite a lot comment and concern. The mode limitations (based on the original agreement from the NTIA in 2006 and included in the original ARRL petition) have been called into question based on an email received from an NTIA official by an amateur (and shared on numerous message boards and forwarded messages). The CEO and the band-plan committee are handling this matter. A message was received from Ed Stuckey, AI7H, the Idaho SM. Idaho House Bill 511 had made its way through both the House and Senate and is on the Governor's desk for signature. The bill deals with requiring aeronautical markings and lighting for any guyed tower over the height of 50-feet. This poses a serious problem for even modest amateur installations. The Regulatory Information Manager researched the bill and spoke with staff in the Governor's office. As it turns out, the bill was amended to exclude "telecommunications towers" and should not affect amateur support structures. However, it is discouraging that the bill was able to make it to the Governor for signature before the ARRL became aware of it. They dodged a bullet, but it underscores the need to the SM and their staff to be paying close attention. We were contacted by Charlie Richey, K9DUE, the SGL for Illinois. Chuck Krezwick, WV9C, has been appointed to fill a seat in the Illinois state legislature. Working with Chuck, Charlie and the IL legislative team were able to have a recent cell-phone bill amended to exclude amateur radio. Chuck has now taken up the cause of PRB-1 in Illinois. At the current time, the IL PRB-1 law has passed the state House but has stalled in the Senate Rules Committee. Krezwick and the bill's co-sponsor (a non-amateur) have developed a strategy and are working to have the bill sent to the full Senate. This is a good example of the importance of having a qualified person in the SGL's job (as well as other appointees in the field organization.) Finally, at the direction of President Craigie, we have begun work on the first "Legislative Update" newsletter for 2012. We will be thanking membership and bringing them up-to-speed on Public Law No. 112-96, which includes the ARRL-supported federal study. The newsletter will also include requests for information to be used by the General Counsel and those working on developing the ARRL brief in support of the study. The newsletter also promotes "The FCC Commissioners' Technical Resource Enhancement Act." Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP The past days have been filled finding obscure historical information for authors, setting up and conducting training sessions in GoToWebinar in preparation for the April 12th event and dealing with minor issues such as WFLA's (Tallahassee, FL) use of our PSAs during the Limbaugh radio show - which raised some complaints. However we are beggars and glad to have radio stations play our PSAs when they can. We cannot dictate to them when or the context in which they may appear. We also have learned that VE3CBR, Alan Bauld, is RAC's new lead person for PR and have invited him to liaison with the ARRL's PRC. Development Reported by Lauren Clarke We are pleased to welcome our 100th member into the Maxim Society! As you know, the Maxim Society recognizes donors whose lifetime contributions have exceeded $10,000. Dan White, W5DNT is the newest member of this distinguished group. To Date: The Spectrum Defense Fund has received $38,538 in contributions from 254 donors. The Diamond Club has received $52,225 in contributions from 300 donors. The W1AW Endowment Campaign has received $13,041 in contributions from 211 donors. The Education & Technology Program has received $38,538 in contributions from 254 donors. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE The May 2012 issue of QST has been released to the printer: Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed the ARRL Letter and produced and voiced ARRL Audio News for March 22, 2012. Lab Reported by Ed Hare, W1RFI Product Review Bob Allison wrapped up the last details of the Inverter Generator Product Review testing for the June Issue of QST. Several data tables and many charts were passed along to the editors. Bob is also the reviewer of this first-of-a-kind review for QST. The product review video will be shot this week. Bob also completed testing of a late model FM HT and started yet another HT; this time a 70 cm digital D-Star/analog HT. RFI Mike Gruber worked on a plasma TV case in Annapolis that had been investigated by the FCC. As this case pertains to one of the proposed rules changes, and the FCC field investigation left many questions unanswered, Ed Hare is planning to personally investigate it and make some measurements. Mike Gruber provided and developed documentation for Chris Imlay concerning several proposed rule changes. Mike Gruber investigated some interference issues at Dave Patton's station in Ashford. I found several power line noise sources and an electric fence. TIS Zack Lau got a caller asking about frequency ranges-turns out he was trying to find out whether one of the inexpensive handheld transceivers would be a good gift for his father, who has cancer. Zack inquired about his father's interest in ham radio- he likes to make long distance contacts. Zack explained that those radios are only used for short distances, and suggested that he talk with his father about doing some antenna work, to improve the station for working long distances. Zack also suggested that his father might like the book "The Complete DXer," the most popular book on the topic of working long distance ham radio contacts. Travel Bob Allison gave a talk on Product Review to the North Shore Radio Association in Danvers MA. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R During the last 2 weeks, the warehouse crew fulfilled 1,398 packages for publication and product orders, 611 membership premiums, plus QST mailing supplements. Bob Inderbitzen participated with Bob Allison, Harold Kramer, Dave Patton, and Dave Sumner at an inaugural meeting to discuss ideas for introducing some new visitor-oriented display and exhibit features in the lobby. The team also includes Lauren Clarke and Ed Hare. Amy Hurtado prepared a report covering new Life Members for the recent Executive Committee meeting and for listing in May QST. Jackie Ferreira reports that a spring-themed publication mailer is at the printer, scheduled to mail at the end of the week. Additionally, a "Save on your Next Order" card is being tested in all individual outgoing orders, encouraging members/customers to order from ARRL again. The postcard offers a $5 Flat Rate Shipping discount redeemed with a unique coupon code which can be used only once. And, a publication promotion with a St. Patrick's Day theme was prepared and emailed. Diane Petrilli has prepared all of the membership related collateral needed for Dayton Hamvention. An e-mail to active and registered web users (all current members) reminding them of their password and website login instructions was sent. The effort is intended to prepare members for the upcoming, digital edition of QST, and generated a couple hundred support inquiries which we were happy to service now, rather than later. A large tour group visited ARRL on Thursday, March 22-visitors from Warminster (Pennsylvania) ARC and the Pottstown (Pennsylvania) ARC. Thanks to Norm Fusaro for his help working with the volunteer tour guides to give the tour. Bob prepared materials for his trip to Superfest, the big in-store open house at Amateur Electronic Supply in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The event draws nearly 1,000 attendees to the store each year. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N DXCC DXCC paper/fieldchecked application processing time is currently at 5 weeks. Logbook-only application processing time is 3 to 5 business days. W1AW Finally! After umpteen decades, W1AW has achieved 5-Band DXCC! As with most hams, 80-meters was the stumbling block, with the station very slowly picking off entities one by one. W1AW now holds 5BDXCC #7307. Joe updated the web Qualifying Run schedules as well as the web code practice files. He processed regular QSL cards. He also created the W1AW Qualifying Run files for April. Joe continued construction of the new 80-meter cage antenna. He also worked the early afternoon/night shifts on Wednesday through Friday for the vacationing Scott Gee. Field Organization/Public Service Team Leona Adams completed preparation work for the Northern Florida and Indiana Section Manager elections this past week when Section Manager election ballots and candidate statements were made and then sent to the local printer. The mailroom staff also made their preparations in anticipation for mailing the ballots from Headquarters during the last full week of March. Radio amateurs from Nevada and North Carolina completed requirements to become Official Observers this past week. Chuck Skolaut notes that we received a report of suspected bootlegging of the K2ZT call sign. Pertinent information was collected. The Connecticut OOC and one of his OOs investigated a report of interference from public service transmissions to a ham. The FCC is following up on a report in Texas of a business using 2 meters. Also, a report of a business in Illinois using 2 meters was forwarded to the FCC. In another area, planned unlicensed use of the 70 CM band was received. An Over the Horizon Radar (that was reported by a Connecticut station) is believed to be military radar in Cyprus. Chuck also conducted three morning code practice runs at W1AW this past week. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations All Staff 4/6 Holiday Leona Adams 4/13-4/16 Vacation Margie Bourgoin 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Steve Capodicasa 4/16 Vacation `` 4/23 Vacation Joe Carcia 4/27 Vacation `` 5/25 Vacation Lauren Clarke 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Paul Cuppini 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Steve Ewald 4/27-5/4 Vacation Jackie Ferreira 4/20 Vacation `` 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Steve Ford 4/18-4/20 Vacation Scott Gee 5/17-5/18 Vacation Mike Gruber 5/4 NEARfest `` 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH `` 6/4-6/8 Vacation Joel Hallas 3/29-4/1 AES Superfest, Milwaukee, WI `` 5/16-5/21 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Dan Henderson 4/2-4/5 Vacation `` 4/19-4/29 Idaho State Convention, Boise, ID/Vacation Mary Hobart 5/15-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Amy Hurtado 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Bob Inderbitzen 3/29-4/1 AES Superfest, Milwaukee, WI `` 4/5-4/9 Vacation `` 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Khrystyne Keane 3/30 Vacation Joel Kleinman 4/5 Vacation Harold Kramer 4/2-4/5 Vacation `` 5/17-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Lisa Kustosik 4/5-4/9 Vacation Zack Lau 5/4-5/7 Vacation `` 6/14-6/15 Vacation `` 6/22 Vacation Diane Petrilli 5/17-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Allen Pitts 5/17-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH Dave Sumner 5/16-5/20 Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH
