Dave, FYI, I have had one GLD SM who plans actively to encourage his staff to oppose participating in the DTV conversion effort. This is because of the potential for adverse publicity related to my previous discussion of A being the assumed cause of B in the likely event that some TVs will die soon after a converter has been attached to it. Although I raised the concern on ODV the other day, I don't share the depth of his concern. I have not determined the attitudes of the remaining two GLD SMs. May I suggest that any instructions the FCC wants amateurs to use in speaking with consumers be identified very conspicuously as coming from the US Federal Communications Commission? This ID might include the Commission seal, an appropriate address, a web/e-mail address and telephone number? Based on the assumption that some clubs/groups of members will give converter hook-up demonstrations, I believe it would be very useful to give "FCC handouts" to people who attend these demonstrations. Similarly, I suggest that the scripts to be used for telephone or such contacts should include a statement that also clearly identifies the FCC as the author. Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: <mailto:k8je@arrl.net> k8je@arrl.net; Tel.: 513-459-0142 ARRL - The Reason Amateur Radio Is! Members - The Reason ARRL Is! _____ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 10:10 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17359] RE: [arrl-odv:17356] Community relations opportunity for clubs Yes we will, Jim. I have hooked up a couple of the DTV converters. It's hard to imagine a liability issue arising from telling someone how to do it, but if an individual amateur is concerned about it then he or she doesn't have to volunteer. Dave _____ From: K8JE [mailto:K8JE@zoomtown.com] Sent: Wed 12/3/2008 10:38 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: RE: [arrl-odv:17356] Community relations opportunity for clubs Dave, This sounds like an Elmering program that could provide many people with a good look at radio amateurs and possibly at Amateur Radio. On the other hand, I have a level of concern regarding potential liability issues. Chris, of course, may have already addressed these, but would our volunteer hams be covered by something akin to the Good Samaritan laws - i.e. would they be held harmless if someone misunderstands the information given them . . . of if they are inadvertently given poor information? This concern extends to how one deals with requests to come into the viewers home to provide help, directly. I realize your memo limited help to consultation by telephone and probably otherwise at off-site locations. It is nearly inevitable that request for on-site help will be received and that us well-intentioned hams will feel we can provide the help. Will we give strong recommendation against honoring such in-home help? Tnx, 73, Jim Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division 5065 Bethany Rd. Mason, OH 45040 E-mail: <mailto:k8je@arrl.net> k8je@arrl.net; Tel.: 513-459-0142 ARRL - The Reason Amateur Radio Is! Members - The Reason ARRL Is! _____ From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 4:21 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [arrl-odv:17356] Community relations opportunity for clubs It has been mentioned a couple of times on ODV that the FCC is devoting resources to the digital television transition, almost to the exclusion of everything else. There is a great deal of concern that despite the enormous publicity being given to the fact the analog television is going to disappear on February 17, there are going to be hundreds of thousands if not millions of people who don't know what to do to avoid staring at blank screens on that day. The FCC is aware that radio amateurs represent a significant pool of technical expertise and would like to tap into it. The Commission has asked us to help them identify local radio clubs that would be willing to educate consumers on how to install a converter box and how to set it up, and possibly to provide technical advice by telephone to consumers who may encounter difficulty with the installation and setting up of their converter box. Amateurs would NOT be asked to go to people's homes and physically assist with installations. The ARRL Public Relations Committee is enthusiastic about this as an opportunity for local radio clubs to build positive visibility in their communities. Coincidentally, PRC Chairman Bill Morine, N2COP is in Wilmington, NC, which was the site of the first pilot transition in September. We are putting together a request to Section Managers to help identify clubs willing and able to assist. Dave K1ZZ