Last night the HSMM Working Group held a previously scheduled conference call. Just prior to the call, Chris and I received an email from Chairman John Champa, K8OCL, seeking advice on how best to proceed on the subject of encryption, something the board has debated and has chosen not to take any formal action on. This morning, Champa called CTO Paul Rinaldo, the HSMM Working Group Board Liaison, and informed him the entire working group resigned during last nights teleconference. I have accepted their resignation en masse and have authorized the immediate termination of the HSMM Working Group reflector. ARRL's relationship with this working group has unfortunately been contemptuous in recent months with the HSMM Working Group attempting to dictate ARRL board policy. Chairman Champa has done a good job, under the circumstances, in attempting to keep the group focused on its original charge. Progress has been made over the past few years of their existence; unfortunately there was just too much strife internally among the group and it finally took its toll of the best of them. You will recall these problems were well known and in January the board instructed the group to focus on and complete its original charge this year and submit its final recommendations and report at the 2007 Annual Meeting. Champa will be preparing a final report and we can then begin considering what is most productive in this area, just earlier than in January. There is neither need for further action at this point nor a need to determine our next steps regarding HSMM, but something we can now begin to think about for possible action in January. 73 Joel W5ZN