[ARRL logo-and-logotype black gold vertical] IN-Newsletter Vol. 42, No. 13 April 7, 2017 Covers the period March 25 - March 31, 2017 Upcoming In-Person Meetings and Events: Roanoke Division Convention April 15 @ Raleigh, NC Delaware State Convention April 22 @ Georgetown, DE National VOAD Conference May 15 - 18 @ Houston, TX Hamvention 2017 May 19 - 21 @ Xenia, OH Rocky Mountain Division Convention May 26 - 27 @ Cody, WY SEA-PAC 2017 June 2 - 4 @ Seaside, OR HAM RADIO 2017 July 14 - 16 @ Friedrichshafen, Germany Chief Executive Office Reported by Tom Gallagher, NY2RF Tom Gallagher was a featured guest on HamNation last Wednesday evening. He and Clark Burgard, N1BCG, were interviewed by Bob Heil about the N1BCG event last December (the 95th Commemoration of the first successful transatlantic radio communication.) They also discussed the AM Rally event held April 1 - 2, and the relevance of the AM community. You can watch the full episode here: https://twit.tv/shows/ham-nation/episodes/293?autostart=false Tom also shot a new webisode of "60 Second Century" for his May QST editorial. We will share that link when the video is ready to be posted to ARRL's social media accounts. Education Reported by Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Teacher Registration Instructor Registration Graduation Kit Requests License Class Listings 11 19 1 16 Lisa Kustosik has processed 13 applications for the Teachers Institute received to date. Debra Johnson sent an email blast to the Tech Directions readership distribution and to ARRL's teacher/instructor distribution. Debra also represented ARISS at the NSTA national conference in LA as part of CASIS Space Station Explorers Exhibit, March 30 - April 1. CASIS is one of the funders of the ARISS program and includes ARISS as part of its Space Station Explorers program. This conference anticipated attendance of over 7,000 educators. At the exhibit, Debra was able to tell educators from across the US about the program and distribute over 400 flyers. In addition, one-on-one conversations provided the opportunity to recruit for the Teachers Institute. ARISS Contacts: * April 1, a direct contact between students at Tolyatti, Russia School and astronaut Sergey Ryzhikov was successful. * March 29, a telebridge contact between individuals from the Council of State Science Supervisors, Los Angeles, CA and astronaut Shane Kimbrough, KE5HOD was successful. Field Services Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N ARES ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey attended the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) governing board meeting last week. The governing board meeting was held in conjunction with the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE). Key events from the governing board meeting included the announcement of AT&T receiving the contract for the build out of FirstNet; an update from DHS OEC on the upcoming "National Communications Baseline Assessment"; discussion on the hands-free law in California; and the celebration of NPSTC's 20th anniversary. IWCE was well attended with estimates of around 12,000 attendees, and there was good representation from several Amateur Radio equipment manufacturers. W1AW Joe updated the web code practice files and their archives. He processed five qualifying run certificates and one qualifying run endorsement. Joe created the texts for the W1AW April Qualifying Runs. He made two quick repairs to the equipment used for the 40-meter scheduled broadcasts. Joe processed regular QSL card requests. He also designed and built a simple direct-coax fed 2m/70cm yagi for possible use with the "100-Second Video" series. Scott worked on slow and fast code practice texts for the upcoming week. He also processed 8 electronic VUCC applications, and processed 455 VUCC credits. The blower motor and thermostat relays used in the broadcast equipment cooling system failed after many years of use. Greg replaced the motor and the relays, and the system is back up and running. Lab Reported by Bob Allison, WB1GCM Product Review Bob Allison continued to work on the testing of band pass filters for 2 meters and 70 cm. He also continues to test a solid-state AM only transmitter. On the Air Bob Allison Operated W1AW for the AM Rally for 18 hours over the weekend. Bob worked out of the Lab and used equipment slated for a future QST Product Review. Needless to say, this equipment worked very well, providing high quality transmitted audio at 251 Watts RF output. A total of 178 AM stations were worked and the ARRL gained many accolades for our support of the Rally and the AM mode. Though Bob and W1AW technically won the event, he removed his score from the competition, due to the unfair advantage of having the call sign, W1AW. This was a casual operating event, with much technical information shared. Stations heard used a wide variety of equipment; from converted AM broadcast transmitters, to John Desk Kilowatts, to DX-60s, to Homebrew Class E modulated rigs. Of course, there were many newer solid state transceivers heard, and many of the operators were using AM for the very first time. [2004-04-22 21] Photo: Equipment Used in the AM Rally by W1AW: K7DYY transmitter, audio equalizer, speech processor, Shure Microphone mixer, Sennheiser microphone. The transmitter is the top unit in the rack and weighs less than 8 pounds. Travel Ed Hare returned from a successful trip to Germany, having attended an important IEEE meeting. As you may know, Ed works with several industry organizations, allowing him a seat at the table when new technology is being proposed that may have an effect on the Amateur Radio Service. Our thanks to Ed. Volunteer Report Bob Allison worked with Laboratory Volunteer, Jonathan Allen, K2KKH, identifying duplicated items in the hardware collection of the ARRL Heritage Museum. It is hoped that some of the items can be put on display at the Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of CT. Pete Turbide, W1PT, tested HF transceivers that came into the Lab as donations. Pete tested such items and prepared them for sale, with the proceeds going to valuable ARRL programs. Volunteers from the VRCMCT came by to work on the Gates BC-1T transmitter. Work is progressing on it, including the cleaning of all parts and the assessment of the condition of each part. Work will be slow but steady and is expected to take a couple of months before power is applied to it. Membership Reported by Diane Petrilli, KB1RNF March ended with 162,940 members - 467 members ahead of year-to-date goal. Responses to the March membership mailing have started to come in. The mailing tested a new outer envelope, and while it may be too early to say for sure, the new envelope is performing significantly better than the control so far. The next mailing will be sent April 21. Production/Editorial Reported by Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY The May 2017 edition of digital QST goes live April 7 with a separate link to view the 2017 DXCC Yearbook. Radiosport Reported by Norm Fusaro, W3IZ Paper/Fieldcheck Processing Time 2 Weeks Logbook Processing Time 1 - 2 Business Days 2017 DXCC Applications 3,124 2017 WAS Applications 416 2017 VUCC Applications 113 2017 WPX Applications 151 Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R Bob Inderbitzen attended the ARRL Nevada State Convention, March 31-April 2, as the staff representative. He was joined many Field Organization volunteers, including Nevada Section Manager John Bigley, N7UR; Public Information Coordinator Chuck Farnham, WD6CHC; Assistant SM Elizabeth Bigley, KD7RIN; and from the Southwestern Division, Orange SM Carl Gardenias, WU6D. Bob followed up on several requests for information and other support inquiries, and he carried back a handful of membership, DXCC, and award applications. Chris Smith, W4HMV, FEMA Individual Assistance Division Director, was the keynote speaker during the Saturday afternoon luncheon. Chris recognized FEMA's long-standing relationship with ARRL to ensure the critical participation of trained Amateur Radio volunteers who provide support during emergencies. "Disasters begin and end at the local level," said Chris, who leads FEMA's largest business Division with over 1,200 people who travel to support individuals, jurisdictions, and local infrastructure during catastrophes requiring the government's response and support. Bob was happy to sign Chris as a new ARRL member during the convention (3-years). Chris' father is Bill Smith, W7HMV, Clark County, Nevada ARES(r)/RACES Emergency Coordinator, and accompanied him at the convention. Bob posted pics and live video from the convention to the ARRL Facebook page. Working with Director Tom Frenaye, we sent a follow-up bulk emailing to a selection of ARRL members invited to participate in an online survey being conducted by the Entry Level License Committee. A spring-themed mailing featuring ten publications and products is being readied to mail to a large selection of ARRL members and previous publication purchasers. We enjoyed some brisk activity to the online store over the weekend; 607 orders, of which 245 were directly attributed to an email solicitation. March product sales were $255,641, exceeding the sales forecast of $216,198 -- a good month, and closing up much of lower-than-predicted results from January and February. Direct sales were $129,676; dealer sales were $125,965. Year to date sales are $695,495, $6,648 behind forecast. All of our sales categories exceeded plan in March, except for membership supplies and non-ARRL publications. Royalties earned on sales of our Kindle e-books were $6,868 ($22,587 year-to-date). Now shipping: The ARRL Repeater Directory 2017/2018 edition<http://www.arrl.org/shop/The-ARRL-Repeater-Directory/>. This is a significantly revised and expanded edition - the biggest ARRL Repeater Directory ever<http://www.arrl.org/news/new-arrl-repeater-directory-is-biggest-ever>. Summary of Sales and Marketing Department telephone group, reported by Yvette Vinci: Week Ending Calls Answered Calls Per Hour Total Talking Duration Average Speed of Answer 3/31/2017 (3 days*) 527 19.5 19:28:18 8 seconds 3/24/2017 (3 days*) 603 22.3 22:37:55 12 seconds 3/17/2017 (4 days) 740 20.5 28:35:42 9 seconds 3/10/2017 851 18.9 31:32:23 10 seconds 3/3/2017 922 20.4 35:50:38 10 seconds *Only 3-days of data was available for each of these weeks, due to a software outage. Summary of warehouse fulfillment activity, reported by Steve Capodicasa: Week Ending Packages fulfilled Member Premiums 3/31/2017 1,045 470 3/24/2017 872 1,110 3/17/2017 (4 days) 887 0 3/10/2017 982 594 3/3/2017 1,253 511 Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations Leona Adams 04/07 PTO Bob Allison 04/07 - 04/10 Wayne NJ Phonograph Show, Wayne, NJ " 05/18 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH Margie Bourgoin 05/17 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH Steve Capodicasa 04/10 PTO Joe Carcia 04/13 PTO " 05/04 PTO " 05/26 PTO " 06/09 PTO " 06/16 PTO " 07/05 - 07/07 PTO " 07/14 PTO " 07/21 PTO " 07/28 PTO " 08/04 PTO " 08/07 - 08/11 PTO " 08/25 PTO " 10/09 PTO Lauren Clarke 05/17 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH Michael Corey 05/15 - 05/18 National VOAD Conference, Houston, TX " 05/18 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH Steve Ewald 04/07 - 04/08 Oklahoma Section Convention, Claremore, OK Jon Faasen 05/17 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH Norm Fusaro 05/18 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH Tom Gallagher 04/18 Penn Fund Executive Board Meeting, NYC " 04/21 - 04/23 Delaware State Convention, Georgetown, DE " 05/18 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH " 06/01 - 06-04 SEA-PAC, Seaside, OR Regina Galuppi 05/17 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH Scott Gee 04/17 - 04/18 PTO " 05/18 - 05/19 PTO " 05/30 - 06/02 PTO " 06/29 - 06/30 PTO " 09/15 - 09/18 PTO Perry Green TBD Medical Leave Mike Gruber 04/19 IEEE EMC Society, Batavia, IL " 05/18 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH Dan Henderson 04/13 - 04/22 Presentation at Mt Airy VHF Society's annual ARRL Night and PTO Bob Inderbitzen 04/10 - 04/13 PTO " 04/14 - 04/15 Roanoke Division Convention, Raleigh, NC " 05/17 - 05/22 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH " 06/01 - 06/04 SEA-PAC, Seaside, OR " 06/30 - 07/05 PTO " 07/11 - 07/17 HAM RADIO, Friedrichshafen, Germany " 07/18 PTO " 08/21 - 08/25 PTO Sabrina Jackson 05/18 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH Debra Johnson 04/07 PTO Lisa Kustosik 04/17 PTO Sean Kutzko 04/10 - 04/13 PTO " 05/17 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH " 05/25 - 05/30 Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Cody, WY " 06/29 - 06/30 PTO Kimberly McNeill 05/17 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH Dave Patton 05/17 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH Michael Scharr 05/17 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH Becky Schoenfeld 04/10 - 04/13 PTO " 05/18 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH Yvette Vinci 04/11 PTO " 05/17 - 05/21 Dayton Hamvention, Xenia, OH Compiled and Edited by: Carla Pereira, Assistant to CEO