<<092111.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 34, No. 38 September 21, 2011 -- Covers the period September 11-17. Upcoming Meetings and Events Executive Committee October 1 @ 8:30am - Dulles, VA United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI) October 3-7 - ARRL HQ Section Managers' Workshop October 21-23 - ARRL HQ Ballot Counting for Director/Vice Director Elections November 18 - ARRL HQ Administration & Finance Committee November 19 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP Thanks to the help of the graphics and advertising staff, the PR-101 course now has an advertisement that can be put into QST. The 2012 budget draft has been submitted and we expect the edits of the D.I.Y. video to be ready by the end of the month. An initial contact and conference call was arranged with Marianne Stevenson, President of Aerobridge, the non-profit organization that coordinates private aircraft to fly emergency supplies into disaster areas. This went very well. We are working on matching people's schedules to do a new video tour of W1AW and sent materials to the US Virgin Islands for a special presentation to government officials there. Editing of the chapter about PR in the coming ARES handbook is done and Lyon TV, a British video company contracted to do a National Geographic Special, requested and was given information about American Amateur Radio and local ham contacts for filming in NYC. Aid given to John Amodeo, NN6JA, who works on the ABC Television show "Last Man Standing", has resulted in several staff there studying for the Tech exam, and with Maria Somma's help it appears that they will have a VE session in a week - we're trying to get pictures of it. Because he offered to promote it on Ham Nation, a simple quotable script was provided to Gordon West to go with Web information about the ARRL equipment insurance and the PRC was provided with a powerpoint presentation for their use in the coming Nov 3rd Webinar about PR and ARES work. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE The November 2011 issue of QST was released to the printer September 20. Joel Hallas gave a talk on coupled resonator antennas to the Greater Norwalk (CT) ARC at their regular meeting on September 14. It was well received and resulted in a lively discussion about antenna choices. Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed the ARRL Letter and produced and voiced ARRL Audio News for September 8, 2011. Lab Reported by Ed Hare, W1RFI Product Review Bob Allison started testing three mid priced Hand Held Antenna Analyzers. Lab Volunteer, Martin Ewing, AA6E, assisted with a software driven analyzer and passed along his data to Bob. Bob tested a second unit of a low price hand held transceiver. Ed Hare assisted Bob in determining its radiated spectral characteristics. A 2 meter linear amplifier was retested for Product Review. Research of newer test equipment continues. Bob contacted several vendors inquiring about prices, options and support of various signal generators, spectrum analyzers, etc., that are used as test instruments for our Product Review Process. Radio Frequency Interference The Bob Thacker, K3GT power line noise case in Pittsburgh area remains ongoing. The initial 60 days are now up and there may be a follow up FCC field investigation. As previously reported, the complainant indicates that the noise has been fixed in all directions but one. This is where the FCC left off during its investigation in May. The utility only seems capable of fixing noise after someone else finds it for them. This case has now gone on for almost ten years since it was first reported to the ARRL. We were able to find all the sources in all but one direction in just a few hours. The Lakeland Power Line Noise case may have finally progressed to a point where the complainant may be operating less as a result of old age as opposed to noise. Mr. Flynn turned 90 in August. As previously reported, Mr. Flynn first brought his complaint to the ARRL in 2003, almost ten years ago. The noise could have been corrected years ago with a technically competent field investigation. Mike Gruber discussed an upcoming EMC Webinar with Committee Chairman Kermit Carlson, W9XA. A Webinar has not been set up for Thursday, September 22, 2011. Mike Gruber referred EMC Committee member Brian Cramer to a case in Henderson, KY. This case involves a municipal utility. Mike Gruber has been working with a member in Florida trying to develop a cure for an RFI problem involving a pulsed DC motor in an HVAC system. 10GHz Contest Zack W1VT made 16 contacts with 12 different stations this year. Conditions were a bit down this year, but all the regulars showed up. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R Online ordering has been brisk, boosted by interest in the (now advertised) upcoming new editions of The ARRL Handbook and The ARRL Antenna Book, and positive response to recent email solicitations. The warehouse crew fulfilled 826 packages for publication and product orders, 261 membership premiums, and QST mailing supplements. US Bank is preparing some direct mail to help promote the ARRL Visa Credit Card during the holiday season. Bob Inderbitzen has prepared materials to promote ARRL membership at two October events in Great Britain: the UK National Hamfest and the RSGB Convention. He has also been invited to make a presentation at the RSGB Convention, and he will make a visit to RSGB's administrative headquarters. ARRL HQ volunteers giving tours will begin photographing visitors to help support a Facebook photo album featuring these guests. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N DXCC Branch DXCC application processing time is now approximately two weeks. W1AW Joe created the texts for the October W1AW Qualifying Runs. He also processed regular QSL card requests. Joe began troubleshooting a problem with the Alpha 9500 amplifier. He also worked on 2012 W1AW budget items. And, he made some BPSK31 audio recordings for use at Maker Faire. Field Organization/Public Service Team Leona Adams has been receiving candidate statements from the candidates and preparing election-related materials for the upcoming Section Manager elections in Kansas, New Mexico and Tennessee. Steve Ewald received Field Organization monthly reports from around the country and prepared them for November QST. Production work on the Public Service column has also been wrapped up. Chuck Skolaut compiled and forwarded the monthly Official Observer Summary to all OOs, OOCs and Section Managers. One radio amateur from the Orange section completed requirements to become an Official Observer this past week. Questions handled included repeater control, operating overseas, antenna restrictions, uncoordinated repeaters and weather net information used by broadcast stations. A report of unlicensed use of 10 meters by a business was passed on to the section Official Observer Coordinator. Another report of CODAR operation on 12 meters is being investigated. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations Cathy Allison 10/10-10/14 Vacation Margie Bourgoin 9/30 Vacation Joe Carcia 10/10 Vacation Mike Corey 9/25 EmComm East, Rochester, NY Steve Ewald 10/4-10/12 Vacation Jackie Ferreira 10/20-10/24 Vacation Scott Gee 9/26-9/30 Vacation Mike Gruber 9/26-9/30 Vacation Dan Henderson 9/15-9/26 Ten Tec Hamfest, Sevierville, TN/SEDCO/Vacation Mary Hobart 9/21-9/26 Vacation `` 9/30 Vacation `` 10/21 Vacation Amy Hurtado 10/7-10/10 Vacation Gail Iannone 10/14-10/17 Vacation Bob Inderbitzen 9/29-10/10 UK Hamfest & RSGB Convention `` 10/13-10/17 Pacificon , Santa Clara, CA `` 10/24-10/26 Vacation Sabrina Jackson 9/26 Jury Duty Joel Kleinman 9/21-9/23 Vacation `` 9/29 Vacation Zack Lau 9/26-9/30 Vacation `` 11/5-11/6 Iowa Section Convention, Davenport, IA Kim McNeill 9/26-9/28 Vacation Diane Petrilli 10/25 Jury Duty Allyson Riedel 9/29-9/30 Vacation Steve Sant Andrea 9/26-9/27 Vacation Dave Sumner 9/16-9/23 Vacation Larry Wolfgang 9/26 Vacation