<<012611.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 34, No. 4 January 26, 2011 -- Covers the period January 16-22. Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP The Leonard Award winners and their nominators have been notified. Plaques have been ordered for Directors' presentations and honorarium checks will be made to the charities of their choice. With the approval of the budget, work on the 2011 promotional video went into high gear and a last conference of the initial advisory group is scheduled for Feb 2. The Hello, WeDoThat and Emergency websites are in the process of being integrated into the ARRL platform. Work was done with Jim Wilson of the BSA in the MoU signing on Jan 31. A joint announcement is scheduled for Feb 3rd which we hope will include video of the event. Research was done to get the very latest of the ever-changing recommendations for video editing computer systems and specifications were passed on and a system ordered. Director Jim Fenstermaker cut a new Now Hear This audio about the A&F Committee which should be posted at the end of this week. NASA's request for Amateur Radio's help in monitoring their (Jack-in-the-Box) NanoSail-D satellite got many very good and well placed media hits for hams, but it was overtaken by events in Egypt. Despite many reports in media, at this time (Feb 1) we know of NO Amateur Radio contacts that have been verified as coming out of Egypt, but there are many groups monitoring if something happens. (See Media Hits for January 2011 on the website) Finally, a one page flier explaining "what is Field Day" to non-hams was written and will be included in the FD packets as well as a graphic version made that will be available as a pdf for groups. Allen will be going to the SC State convention on Feb 5. Development Reported by Mary Hobart, K1MMH January has brought good results for both Spectrum Defense ($21,545) and the Diamond Club ($14,198). A 2011 mug, pin and certificate are being designed for donors to the 2011 Spectrum Defense Fund. The ARRL Foundation 2011 Annual Meeting was held by conference call on the evening of January 25. Estate gifts are pending for the Anshus estate (~$100,000) and the Friend Estate (~$30,000). Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE The March 2011 issue of QST was released to the printer January 19. Joel Hallas gave his Multiband Antenna presentation and hosted a Doctor is IN forum at the Wheaton (IL) Hamfest on Sunday, January 23. Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed the ARRL Letter and voiced and produced ARRL Audio News for January 21, 2011. Lab Reported by Ed Hare, W1RFI RFI Gordon Beattie, W2TTT at AT&T continues to report success in resolving U-Verse RFI cases. The Lakeland, Florida power line noise case remains ongoing. Although the FCC conducted a field investigation, it doesn't seem that they have found noise sources. The complainant reports that the FCC will be back. Mike Gruber has probably put more time into this case than any other. Mike Gruber helped prepare a draft of the EMC Committee report for Chairman Kermit Carlson. Mike Gruber met with Ed Hare and Kermit Carlson to discuss the status of RFI cases and the EMC Committee. During this meeting, I suggested Gordon Beattie, W2TTT as a possible Committee member. My understanding is that Gordon has been approved by Mr. Carson and is willing to serve on the Committee. Product Review Bob Allison rebuilt the 20 Amp DC load for testing the spectral output of 13.8 V dc power supplies. The load is now housed in a shielded box (once an antenna tuner), which reduces RFI and improves the accuracy of the measurement. Bob Allison completed testing of two dual band digital HTs. A 2M amplifier failed to meet FCC spectral purity requirements and was sent back to the manufacturer for possible modifications. ARRL Handbook Bob Allison reviewed the testing/Product Review material written for the Handbook by Alan Bloom. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R The VEC has started to include a pad of (25) tear-off sheets promoting ARRL membership with its exam materials sent to VEs. The promotion includes a free book offer for new licensees. An interdepartmental group including Amy Hurtado attended an Intelligent Mail Barcode seminar held by the US Postal Service. This barcode system will be required on all discounted mail by May. The team has started collecting information and updates required to bring all affected ARRL mail into the new standard. The Intelligent Mail Barcode is already used on QST. The warehouse crew fulfilled 638 packages for publication and product orders, 632 membership premiums, and QST mailing supplements. Logos were completed for ARRL EXPO at Dayton Hamvention, and for the ARRL National Convention hosted by Ham-Com. An ad for the National Convention was completed for March QST. Ads featuring the revised editions of the ARRL License Manuals (now with practice exam software), are being prepared for the catalogs produced by 2 of our publication dealers. Now Shipping: 2010 ARRL Periodicals on CD-ROM Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N W1AW After more than a year in service, the Ameritron AL-1200 amplifier (in use for 20 meter broadcasts) failed. Since 20 meters is the "bread and butter" band, transmissions on 10 meters is temporarily suspended while that equipment is used for 20 meters. Scott worked on fast and slow code practice files for the latter part of the month of January. He also assisted the DXCC department with editing. Field Organization/Public Service Team The monthly Official Observer summary was compiled and sent to all Official Observers, Official Observer Coordinators and Section Managers. Chuck Skolaut reports that documentation was received from Sacramento Valley regarding direction finding by OOs who are trying to determine the source of interference to a local repeater. This documentation has been forwarded to the FCC. The Alabama Official Observer Coordinator is following up on a report of problems reported by the neighbor of a radio amateur. Also, a report of an unknown digital signal on 7082 kHz turned out to be Winmor and a signal on 3576 kHz was identified as JT-65. Questions that we dealt with over the past week included antenna restrictions, operating overseas, proper identification, operation on 60 meters, and identifying digital signals. Some preparatory work has begun on April QST's Public Service column, and a review of potential articles for the monthly QST column continues. Active radio amateurs in public service and emergency preparedness endeavors and Field Organization leaders are among the best contributors to this segment of QST month after month. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Staff Absentee List Steve Capodicasa 2/11 Vacation Bob Inderbitzen 2/11 Vacation Khrystyne Keane 1/31-2/1 Vacation Lisa Kustosik 1/31 Vacation Maryann Macdonald 2/4 Vacation Barry Shelley 2/4 Vacation `` 2/18 Vacation Dave Sumner 2/4pm Vacation `` 2/12-2/22 Geneva, CPM Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative Mike Corey 1/28-1/29 Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, MS Bill Moore 2/11-2/12 Southeastern Division Convention, Orlando, FL Bob Allison 2/18-2/19 Arizona State Convention, Yuma, AZ Joel Hallas 2/25-2/26 Vermont State Convention, Colchester, VT Harold Kramer 3/5 South Texas Section Convention, Rosenberg, TX Sincerely, Lisa Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO / Meeting Planner ARRL--The National Association for Amateur Radio 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 Tel: 860-594-0245 --- Fax: 860-594-0259 email: lkustosik@arrl.org