IN-Newsletter Vol. 40, No. 29 August 26, 2015 - Covers the period August 16-22. Upcoming In-Person Meetings and Events Executive Committee October 3 @ 8:30am in Bloomington, MN LoTW Study Committee November 13 @ 9:00am in Newington, CT Administration & Finance Committee November 14 @ 8:30am in Newington, CT Director/Vice Director Elections November 20 @ 9:00am in Newington, CT Production/Editorial Reported by Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY The October issue of QST is at the printer. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R Jackie Ferriera reports that ARRL has received its fourth donation from the AmazonSmile Foundation, $993, as a result of program activity between April 1 and June 30, 2015 (Q1/2015 $997; Q4/2014 $1188; Q3/2014 $725). The foundation donates 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible AmazonSmile items to ARRL-from purchases made by members and friends who have selected American Radio Relay League (ARRL) as their charity of choice. More information is available at http://www.arrl.org/Amazon. We encourage member participation in AmazonSmile through our e-mail solicitations, Facebook page, ARRL News, and e-newsletters. Yvette Vinci, Bob Inderbitzen, Dan Henderson, and Harold Kramer all helped support the ARRL booth at the nearby New England Division Convention, Boxboro - held Aug 21-23. The booth was also supported by Director Tom Frenaye, Vice Director Mike Raisbeck, Director Mike Lisenco, Vice Director Bill Hudzik, and volunteer Nancy Hallas. Joel Hallas attended as the invited "ARRL Membership Contact" person-giving multiple presentations. Dave Sumner presented during the Yankee Clipper Contest Club (YCCC) Meeting--sharing a recount of his DXpedition to Azores, CU4DX in May 2015. Bob and Harold participated in the ARRL Membership Forum, led by Director Frenaye. Director Frenaye also made multiple presentations: the ARRL George Hart 2014 Distinguished Service Award to David B. Colter, WA1ZCN of New London, New Hampshire; the ARRL 2015 Silver Antenna Award to Randy Thompson, K5ZD of Uxbridge, Massachusetts; and a QST Cover Plaque presented to Bob De Mattia, K1IW of Berlin, Massachusetts for his article in April QST. We returned with 114 membership applications (21 new) including 1 Life Membership pledge; applications totaling 233 membership years. Volunteer Card Checkers collected 26 award applications. Additionally, Dan carried back a couple of inches of member letters supporting the 2015 Amateur Radio Parity Act, for our legislative advocacy team. Bob posted photos to ARRL's Facebook page<https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153256878562408.1073741879.20069212407&type=1&l=d3472f0f0e> throughout the convention. Some final reminders have been emailed, touting the special promotion for operating-themed publications<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Operating-Books-and-Resources-Price-Rollback/> purchased from ARRL's online store. The promotion ends August 31. QST house ads were finalized for October. Jackie has turned her attention to merchandise planning for the 2016 National Parks On The Air operating event. The logo design has been finalized. Revenue forecasts and expense budgets are being prepared for the 2016/2017 plan. A mailing promoting the dynamic duo of the 23rd edition ARRL Antenna Book and 2016 edition ARRL Handbook will reach mailboxes of previous edition owners and other prospects soon. The books, available in softcover and hardcover editions, can be ordered now<http://www.arrl.org/shop/What-s-New/>, with shipping in early October. Discounts are offered for purchases of both books, together. 2016 National Convention Planning - Orlando HamCation, Feb 12-14, 2016 Diane Petrilli and Bob Inderbitzen have finalized planning for a National Convention Banquet, to be held on Saturday evening, Feb 13. Details will be announced in September. The Florida Contest Group (FCG) will hold their Contest Dinner on Friday, Feb 12. Summary of warehouse fulfillment activity, reported by Steve Capodicasa: Week ending Packages fulfilled Member Premiums 8/21/2015 867 304 8/14/2015 1,123 455 8/7/2015 647 395 7/31/2015 992 424 Lab Reported by Ed Hare, W1RFI Product Review Bob Allison tested a 2 meter FM mobile transceiver. No surprises were found. A data table was created and all test data was shared with the manufacturer. Bob also started testing a software defined HF transceiver, but later learned from ARRL Laboratory Technical Advisor, Rob Sherwood, that there will be a firmware update in the upcoming weeks. Thanks to Rob, valuable test time was saved as a firmware update always means extensive re-testing. Bob moved onto the next device to test; a dual band FM mobile transceiver. Donations Bob picked up a donation of two used HF transceivers from the estate of a very local Silent Key. Laboratory Volunteer Pete Turbide, W1PT evaluated both; one of which needs some work, the other is completely functional. Both will be sold, possibly placed on the Annual ARRL Auction next month. FCC Filings Zack Lau looked over a filing to be submitted by Fritz Raab, W1FR, concerning the mitigation of RFI between amateurs operating in the proposed low frequency bands and power line communication equipment operated by Power Companies. This is a filing on his behalf, independent of the ARRL. Field Services & Radiosport Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N DXCC Paper/Fieldcheck Processing Time 3 Weeks Logbook Processing Time 2-4 Business Days Number of Centennial applications processed: Centennial Challenge QSO 2488 W1AW/WAS 1743 W1AW Joe Carcia processed one Qualifying Run certificate and one endorsement. He processed regular QSL card requests. He updated the web cod practice files and their archives. Joe also assembled an instruction book on how to make use of the W1HQ Satellite preamp system. Scott worked on fast and slow code practice files for the week. He also processed VUCC applications and certificates. Field Organization/Public Service Team The Los Angeles Section Manager ballots were counted on Tuesday, August 18, at ARRL Headquarters. Thanks to Leona Adams, Gail Iannone, and Steve Ewald for heading up this ballot-counting effort. Incumbent Los Angeles Section Manager David Greenhut, N6HD, was re-elected to a third term of office starting on October 1. The Sacramento Valley Section will have a new Section Manager starting in October. Dr. Carol Milazzo, KP4MD, of Citrus Heights, California, was the only nominee for the position. Milazzo is presently the Assistant Section Manager. Ron Murdock, W6KJ, of Yuba City, California, the outgoing Section Manager of Sacramento Valley, decided not to run for another term of office. Murdock has been Section Manager since July 2007. The following incumbent Section Managers did not face opposition in this spring season's election cycle, and they will continue with new two year terms of office starting October 1: Mark Tharp, KB7HDX (Eastern Washington); Monte Simpson, AF7PQ (Western Washington); Bill Hillendahl, KH6GJV (San Francisco); Jack Ciaccia, WM0G (Colorado); Gene Clark, W4AYK (Georgia); Lee Cooper, W5LHC (South Texas). Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations All Staff 9/7 Holiday Leona Adams 8/24-8/28 PTO Bob Allison 10/18 Connecticut State Convention, Meriden, CT Steve Capodicasa 8/24-8/28 PTO `` 9/21-9/25 PTO Lauren Clarke 8/31pm PTO `` 9/3pm PTO Mike Corey 11/13-11/15 HamJam, Alpharetta, GA Steve Ford 8/24-8/28 PTO `` 9/3-9/4 PTO `` 10/9-10/11 Digital Comm. Conference, Chicago, IL / PTO `` 10/16-10/18 AMSAT Symposium, Dayton, OH Mike Gruber 8/24-8/28 PTO `` 9/28-10/2 PTO `` 10/16 NEAR-Fest, NH Ed Hare 9/11-9/13 Southwestern Division Convention, Torrance, CA Dan Henderson 9/3-9/6 Roanoke Division Convention, Shelby, NC `` 10/8-10/18 RSGB Convention, Milton Keynes, UK / PTO Gail Iannone 8/27-9/4 PTO Bob Inderbitzen 10/16-10/18 Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, CA Debra Johnson 8/31-9/4 PTO `` 9/10-9/14 PTO Lisa Kustosik 8/31 PTO Dave Pingree 8/19-9/22 PTO Brennan Price 10/16-10/18 Microwave Update, San Diego, CA Dave Sumner 9/4 PTO