From: arrl-odv [mailto:arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] On Behalf Of John Bellows
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2019 3:05 PM
To: Richard J. Norton
Cc: arrl-odv
Subject: [arrl-odv:28124] Re: Visalia DX Convention Happenings Related to ARRL Activities

I ask because the reported response significantly differs from my experience in dealing with amateurs in HOA restricted communities and the responses obtained several years ago from amateurs prior to proceeding with the Parity Act effort.

Sometimes, how the question is framed foretells the answer.

By the way, can anyone on ODV provide an update as to any new proposal to assist amateurs in HOA’s or CC&R communities? I have not seen anything on ODV or heard any scuttlebutt on this topic. Is there a group working on this offline?

I have the same question regarding the group tasked with looking into restructuring. I was appointed to that group/committee, but I haven’t heard anything since it was created at the January BOD meeting. The question seems timely since the next board meeting is in 90 days.

Since both of these efforts relate to motions adopted in January, I hope they will be the result of collaborative efforts and not a repetition of bringing in boxes of motions on the morning of the Board meeting that only some of the board members have seen prior to there distribution.

73,

Jay, K0QB 

A noticeable number of ARRL ODV members were present at last weekend's Visalia DX Convention. Included were Officers K5UR and W6RGG, Directors, K0BBC, K6JAT, N6AA, and W7VO,  and Vice Directors K6WX and AA7A. The ARRL Forum, with 150 - 200 attendees, was moderated by K6JAT, with directors, officers, and W3IZ present on the stage.

 

Some items of possible interest to ODV include:

 

HOA Issues

 

1) At the ARRL Forum, the audience was asked, "How many live in HOA controlled communities?" About 15 raised their hands.

 

Then when asked, "How many of you in HOA areas are on the air somehow, with antenna agreements from HOA boards or with hidden or indoor antennas?" All but two or so raised their hands.

 

This mirrors my experience at most Forums, where all or mostly all HOA-located hams are on the air - somehow.

 

 2) It was explained to the Forum audience that Amateurs in the Sun City Grand community in Surprise, Arizona, a community of 10,000 residences, just received permission from their HOA Board to erect verticals, flagpole-antennas, and wire antennas. In the words of their newsletter editor, "The Parity Act was not even used as selling point with the HOA Board, our campaigning focused on the value that Amateur Radio operators can provide to a community in the time of need."

 

I would like to see the League have an available kit of literature for hams to present to HOA boards for establishment of antenna permissions.

 

3) Little if any discussion took place regarding the N9NB or K0IDT proclamations on symbol-rate and proposed rule-makings. 

 

4) In the possibly Rappaport-inspired discussion about digital signals taking over the ham bands, the news that Winlink has made the content of all their ham-radio (not DHS etc) messages passing through the Winlink system publicly available on the Winlink web-site was announced. Possibly this might slightly reduce the "effectively encrypted" rhetoric.

 

5) The audience was polled to see how many were impacted by power-line noise interference. I estimate 66 - 75% of the audience raised their hands!

 

This was a convention primarily attended by DXers and contesters, but the large percentage should be noted.

 

6) The return of QSL Bureaus to member benefits was widely applauded as might be expected from DXers and contesters.

 

It was announced by staff that that the effective date of the Outgoing Bureau cost change would be May 15, rather than immediately as requested at the A&F meeting. No explanation of the delay was proffered by Mr. Fusaro.

 

Although only the Outgoing Bureau rates were covered in the recent announcement to ODV, I hope staff also recognizes the intent of the Board to return the incoming bureau to its former QSL-encouraging status where a) incoming cards to Newington from foreign stations are simply sorted and passed to the regional bureaus and b) volunteer sorters are able to frank cards for those who help them sort, stations they act as managers for, and multi-op efforts they participate in.

 

I hope staff appreciates that QSL cards are to be treated as something that encourages activity, and that the League should not in any way attempt to resist helping QSL efforts. 

 

7) There was significant interchange of ideas and happenings among the ARRL Foundation directors. An issue that impacts the full ARRL board is the question - is the ARRL and the ARRL Foundation an "us" and "them" situation? ... or is the Foundation essentially an arrangement to accomplish goals desired by the League? Keep in mind that the League's Board elects the Foundation Board. Also, note that recent League Board approval was given to allow donations to the Foundation to be recognized as components of the Maxim Society requirements.

 

We should clarify the relationship and goals.

 

Photos Available

 

N6TV's photos of Visalia are at 

https://bit.ly/Visalia2019

For the best viewing experience, click on the first photo (or any photo), then press the right arrow key on your keyboard to step through the photos quickly.  Click the circled "i" for caption information (callsigns).

 

Summary - In My Opinion:

 

HOA's are not a big problem. 

Power-line noise is a big problem.

Digital message handling is not a significant interference problem.

There is little or no support of N9NB's proclamations of impending doom from what should be a group of supporters, his fellow contesters.

QSL cards are good for ham radio.

The Foundation should be treated as an arm of the League

 

Have others among you received input on these topics at the events you attend?”  

 

73,

 

Dick Norton, N6AA

 

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