<<031611.doc>>

IN-Newsletter

Vol. 34, No. 11

March 16, 2011  --  Covers the period March 6-12.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Executive Committee:

March 19 @ 8:30am – Chicago, IL

Regulatory Information

Reported by Dan Henderson, N1ND

It was a short week in the office, as I returned from Birmingham on Monday March 7 and flew out to Charlotte on Thursday March 10.  We continue to work with members on letters and information related to HR 607.  Over 150 letters were printed and signed at the Alabama Section Convention in Birmingham March 5 – 6 and were forwarded to Chwat & Co (thanks to Vice-Director Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM).  An additional 100 letters were printed and signed at the NC Section Convention in Charlotte the weekend of March 12-13 (thanks to Vice-Director Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, NC SM Bill Morine, N2COP, and SC SM Marc Tarplee, N4UFP) and will be sent to Chwat next week.

IL SM Tom Ciciora, KA9QPN, reported that the hearing on their state PRB-1 bill did not end favorably, as the opponents apparently did a very effective job lobbying against the bill.  However, the bill may not be dead in the water, pending further discussion by the legislators.  We will continue to monitor this legislation.

After the ARRL Forum and NC Section Antenna forum at the Charlotte Hamfest, we met with Ryan Cairnes, K3XC, regarding the denial of his appeal by the Charlotte/ Mecklenburg Zoning Board.  He had still not received the formal notification of the denial in the mail.  We talked about what resources the ARRL could possibly make available to him if he appeals the decision to NC Superior Court.  He was also reminded that any decision on the next step is his to make, in consultation with his attorney.  While in Charlotte, we met with several amateurs who are working with staff of the Zoning Board trying to address the problems in their regulations that may not be compliant with PRB-1 or the NC state antenna statute.  They report that the Board is looking at reworking several parts of their ordinances, including the parts dealing with amateur radio towers.  The Zoning administrator indicated they are willing to have amateurs involved in that review process.

Media & Public Relations

Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP

HR-607 topped the list of topics in the past week.  Postings and info were sent out via the PR pages of the web, email, “Tweets” and in a new 3-minute video made possible with help from Al Petrunti, Kevin O’Dell and Mary Hobart.  ( www.arrl.org/HR-607 ).  While we only targeted our members, as expected the video was also quickly posted my members on YouTube in at least two places and we were “re-tweeted” a lot.    Information and interviews about it were also done for Hap Holly’s “RAIN Report” and Bill Pasternak’s “Newsline”.  More information that may be used supporting oppositional statements and calling for amendment of the bill is being collected.  Meanwhile, responses were made to many emails and phone calls from members.

Development

Reported by Mary Hobart, K1MMH

The first issue of Spectrum Defense Matters is nearly complete.  The files are ready for both the snail mail distribution to prior donors and the email distribution for a large segment of membership.  To date, revenues for Spectrum Defense have reached $35,646.  The combination of the newsletter distribution and the request for contributions in the HR 607 video should boost revenues in April if not in late March.

Solicitations to the major funders for the Teachers Institutes have been mailed to 12 donors.  The total of the funding requests is $155,000.  In addition, the annual direct mail solicitation to 75,000 ARRL members is planned for the April/May timeframe with a goal of raising an additional $65,000 to fund the school grant based piece of the Education & Technology Program.

Development content for the Annual Report has been submitted.  The listing of major donors is well-underway and will be completed for inclusion in the Annual Report as well as on the web and in QST.

The annual Donor Loyalty mailing is complete and out.

Responses to the special Diamond Club mailing have started to arrive.  Revenues to date total $54,485 or 19% of the 2011 revenue target.

Production/Editorial

Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE

Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed the ARRL Letter and produced and voiced ARRL Audio News for March 10, 2011.

Membership & Volunteer Programs

Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N

W1AW

Joe installed a new Ameritron AL-1200 amplifier in the Harris racks.  This amplifier replaces the Command Technologies HF-2500C 40-meter amp that was installed back in 2000.  The other AL-1200 amplifier – that had come back from repair less than two weeks ago and used as the 20-meter broadcast amp – failed again.  Joe has been in contact with Ameritron to resolve the issues.

Joe also updated the web code practice files and the weekly QST source web schedules.  He continues with repairs on the OSCAR-1 boards.

In addition, Scott worked on fast and slow code practice files for the early part of the month of March.

Field Organization/Public Service Team

Preparations are now underway for the Nevada Section Manager election.  Leona Adams has been in touch with the two candidates to receive and to begin preparing the statements from the candidates.  ARRL Field Organization and Section Leaders have been reporting their monthly activity reports, and Steve Ewald is compiling the information for May QST.

Documentation was received from an Official Observer, and Chuck Skolaut forwarded it onto the FCC.  This was in regard to a longstanding case on 75 meters.  Laura Smith at the FCC responded promptly to a report of a long overdue address update and supporting a repeater trustee in banning several stations from using his repeater.

An unknown signal on 3628 kHz USB was identified as a Stanag 4285 NATO system coming from France, and shortwave broadcasts were reported on 7105 kHz.  Stations reported to be operating on 4002 kHz were confirmed to be Army MARS operators.  Questions addressed this week included operating overseas, club station licenses, an ARES/RACES net, and truckers observed using 28085 kHz in Ohio.

Good feedback on Official Observer activity included thanks from a longtime ham who receiving a “Good Operator “card.  Another radio amateur acknowledged he was indeed outside the band.  This operator went into detail to inform the OO how he confirmed his observation and said he would be more careful in the future.

Sincerely Compiled by,

Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ

Assistant to the CEO

Staff Absentee List

All Staff               4/22            Holiday

Margie Bourgoin 3/28-4/1        Vacation

Scott Gee               3/30-4/1        Vacation

Mike Gruber             4/29            Vacation

    ``                  5/31-6/3        Vacation

Dan Henderson           4/25-4/29       Vacation

Mary Hobart             3/28-3/30       Vacation

Gail Iannone            3/30-4/1        Vacation

Joel Kleinman           3/31            Vacation

Zack Lau                6/16-6/17       Vacation

John Proctor            6/22-7/8        Vacation

Sharon Taratula         3/18            Vacation

Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings

Steve Ewald             3/18-3/20       Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, NE

Bob Inderbitzen         3/31-4/2        AES Superfest, Milwaukee, WI

Mary Hobart             4/14-4/17       International DX Convention, Visalia, CA

Allen Pitts             4/15-4/18       Communications Academy, Seattle, WA

Dan Henderson           4/22-4/24       Louisiana State Convention, Monroe, LA

Margie Bourgoin 5/18-5/23       Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH/Vacation

Mike Gruber             5/19-5/20       Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH

Dan Henderson           5/19-5/22       Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH

Mary Hobart             5/18-5/22       Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH

Mike Gruber             6/9-6/10        ARRL National Convention, Plano, TX

Dan Henderson           6/9-6/12        ARRL National Convention, Plano, TX

Mary Hobart             6/9-6/11        ARRL National Convention, Plano, TX