An opportunity presently exists for the ARRL to provide an additional service to Radio Amateurs, start a working relationship with an existing group of long-term volunteers, and get the ARRL attached to a well-run web-site with an interesting callbook-like history component. The opportunity requires minimal effort to get started. The League has published Silent Key information in QST starting from about 1927. The proposed concept is to have the SK data appear on a web-site, and be searchable by name and callsign. We have an offer from the acclaimed www.vanityhq.com website, run since 1999 by Michael Carroll, N4MC, to include ARRL's SK data with appropriate ARRL branding on each entry. To see an example navigate to www.vanityhq.com/index-unique-dev.html and click on the silent key link in the main window's seemingly blank screen. The lookup will default to N4MC. Once you arrive at the developmental lookup page, you can enter any call sign in the upper right-hand area of the page. Do not use the upper left-hand call entry area. Here are some call signs in the silent key database: N6HUH W0LHS W8BX WB3BHX WD0A K4CQD K6UA K4IP K7KOT The Vanityhq site presently contains a history of each callsign, going as far back as 1981, when electronic data became available. You can see who held the callsign, and the location. In addition, hams are encouraged to submit their callsign history from earlier years, which gets added after moderator approval. Silent Key information is a natural for understanding callsign changeovers, and adding to this documented history. When I first inquired of Carroll about the possibility, he was honored that the ARRL would consider becoming involved with him. His work is something that I feel would be appropriate to eventually transition to the League when and if N4MC ceases doing it. There is no better way to promote that possible transition for the future than by establishing a good relationship today. Involvement with the existing VanityHQ site allows the SK data to be automatically connected to old callsigns as well as the single callsign listed in QST, providing more information than can the League. What is presently desired is for Amy Hurtado, the ARRL staffer in charge of the SK data, to output all the SK data that is on her computer from previous QSTs, and send it electronically to N4MC. Then, monthly update N4MC with the data for the present magazine. Some of us will then work with N4MC to get the data from earlier QSTs either scanned or typed. Sending the existing electronic data simply saves scanning 8 or 10 years of QSTs. ________________________ Michael Carroll expressed his thoughts on the proposed project as follows: "This is what I would do: 1. Someone at ARRL write an agreement that basically states the ARRL is allowing me to display SK data at my website, and use certain ARRL copyrighted logos. No ownership rights are transferred, neither for the SK data, nor for my website code. 2. Give me the name and email address of the real person at ARRL who makes the SK database. I can communicate with that person directly, and specify what data I need in my copy of the SK database Excel file. This person will also send me monthly updates. 3. Once I get the data, I will prepare it and post it on my website. 4. Once this accomplished, I will enhance the search tools for querying the SK database. After this, we can figure out what, if anything, is next. I am sitting on 'go' and ready to move on this thing. You can ask anyone who knows me through my website. I run a clean, professional, and strictly above-board operation. I have been a ham for 31 years, and I have built a solid reputation in the national ham community. I also have 25 years of professional software design and engineering. Just give me SK data. I know what to do with it." ___________________________ My research confirms Carroll's description of himself. Allying with VanityHQ assures the job will be done well, at essentially no cost to the League, and the League will receive full credit. By the way, there is no need for Carroll to get our permission to use facts about deaths from QST. I do not know if Carroll is aware of that or not, but Legal heads should become familiar with the Supreme Court ruling in Feist vs. Rural, and the implications. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feist_Publications_v._Rural_Telephone_Service I've discussed the electronic SK concept with a good number of ARRL members and have received nothing but support. I expect to introduce a motion at the July Board meeting to take advantage of Michael Carroll's generous offer. 73, Dick Norton, N6AA