One of my reports at Fox architected and set up the entire zoom infrastructure. They have VC rooms and such with the cameras. It can get fancy and expensive real quick. But I will agree with Ed and others - there is absolutely NO need to over complicate this. My only recommendation is that we each get a headset if we don’t have one. Don’t get the cheap $5 headset from Walmart. Get a Jabra or plantronics. At the bank we have settled on Jabra for absolutely everything including the contact centers (call centers). They aren’t expensive for us to purchase individually. Expense if you must but to be honest I already have a USB Jabra that I use and like as part of my remote work kit. And this is another point - get a USB or Bluetooth headset. This way you aren’t messing with the sound card in your computer. Plug one plug in and play. It’s time tested and absolutely works. I use an evolve 30 but the 40 is the newest and latest wired and is less than $100. It’s engineered for heavy duty use. 73 Ria N2RJ On Sun, Mar 22, 2020 at 3:22 PM <hopengarten@post.harvard.edu> wrote:
Colleagues,
The world has changed. In the next 10-15 weeks, we will hold a lot of video teleconferences, some/many replacing face-to-face meetings. For example, the Executive Committee meeting scheduled to follow the Dayton HamVention is not going to happen at the Dayton Marriott.
I propose that:
· We do what we must to permit Zoom/WebEx/Skype videoconference meetings under our bylaws.
· In my life, Zoom seems to be winning these days. But I have no religious preference. Pick one and proceed.
· We solicit from someone we trust information on a standardized package of camera, headset and backdrop that we can buy in bulk for $200.
--The camera should self-focus and follow (K3RF has one and it is really nice to watch).
--The headset should deliver decent audio through its microphone, and eliminate the hollow/echo sounds of some cameras with built-in microphones in some rooms. It might also quiet down the sounds of barking children and crying dogs (or vice versa).
--The backdrops should be cheap, and easy to set up, but prevent the camera from being blinded by reflection off windows, and the like, as well as the distraction of trying to figure out what is going on behind the person then speaking
·
W e force the CFO to allow payment for each “studio” set up for these meetings to come out of each Division budget (i.e., no additional budget, but, as this is going to substitute for travel, it seems like a perfectly reasonable substitution)
· I’m suggesting a standardized package to permit our IT and technical people to be better positioned to help out when problems arise.
· It seems to me that this is a matter that should be routed through the A&F Committee. But, as described in the immediately preceding bullet, it should not change any Division budget.
· If we buy in bulk, purchasing 30-35 of these packages, we should be get the price down below $200 per studio. I would remind all that the $6000-7000 cost is less than the cost of one in-person EC meeting.
· When we are ready to implement, I suggest the technical team prepare a two page memo on how to set up the camera, headset and backdrop, as well as how to initiate and join (just a URL for a good YouTube video).
As we are all now enjoying a new reality, and the greatest need is within the next 10 weeks, I urge fast action.
*Fred Hopengarten, Esq. K1VR hopengarten@post.harvard.edu <hopengarten@post.harvard.edu>*
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