Dave -- Random question. Why do we distribute documents such as these in a format (i.e. Word) that can potentially be modified by someone and then possibly redistributed? Is there any reason why things like this (or any documents generated and released to the public by ARRL for that matter) can't be put into a format like Adobe PDF? Granted, PDF isn't 100% immune to tampering, but from the outset it's intended to protect a document's integrity. Can the public version of the appropriate use guidelines, and similar releases in the future, be provided as a PDF document? Thanks and 73, Brian N5ZGT On Thu, 24 Sep 2009, Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ wrote:

While the voting by Directors is not yet complete, so far there are 11 votes for adoption of the guidelines and recommendations. Since time is of the essence and directors asked during the teleconference Tuesday night that Section Managers be given a pre-release copy of the document, we are sending the following to SMs this morning with public release planned for tomorrow (Friday).

Dave K1ZZ

<<ARRL appropriate use guidelines.doc>>

To: ARRL Section Managers From: David Sumner, K1ZZ, Chief Executive Officer

RE: Pre-release copy of ARRL guidelines on the appropriate use of Amateur Radio

The ARRL Directors are currently voting by email to adopt the guidelines and recommendations contained in the attached document, "Commercialization of Amateur Radio: The Rules, The Risks, The Issues." Voting should be completed shortly and we anticipate the document will be made public tomorrow. The Directors have requested that a copy be distributed to Section Managers in advance. This is for your information and not for public release at this time.

Here is the text of the news release that will accompany the document.

ARRL Board Adopts Guidelines and Recommendations on the Appropriate Use of Amateur Radio

(date) The ARRL Board of Directors today adopted guidelines on the appropriate use of Amateur Radio on behalf of commercial, non-profit and government entities as well as recommendations for additional steps to be taken by the ARRL to educate radio amateurs and others on how to prepare and train for public service and emergency communications while complying with the current FCC Rules.

At its meeting in July 2009 the ARRL Board created an ad-hoc committee to study the issue and prepare suggested guidelines. The committee submitted its report to the ARRL Executive Committee, which reviewed and revised the document. After additional discussion among Board members by electronic mail and teleconference the Executive Committee submitted the document to the Board for formal adoption.

Entitled "The Commercialization of Amateur Radio: The Rules, The Risks, The Issues," the document offers guidelines to assist radio amateurs and anyone wishing to utilize the capabilities of Amateur Radio in understanding the FCC Rules that prohibit communications in which the amateur has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer. While the FCC Rules in this regard have not changed in many years, there has been increasing discussion of the issue as growing numbers of employers and non-amateur organizations recognize the value of Amateur Radio as an emergency communications resource and encourage their employees to obtain amateur licenses. Also included are guidelines for evaluating the appropriateness of Amateur Radio volunteers providing communications services to commercial enterprises and other entities for which other communications systems are available.

"The guidelines are not intended to be the last word on the subject, and surely will not be" observes Kay Craigie, N3KN, ARRL First Vice President and chair of the ad-hoc committee. "The report includes several recommendations for additional steps that the ARRL needs to take to help amateurs and the organizations we serve to better understand the Rules and to ensure that what we do to prepare to be of service in emergencies is consistent with the current Rules."

<< File: ARRL appropriate use guidelines.doc >>

ARRL Director, Rocky Mountain Division On the web at www.RockyMountainDivision.org