<<022212.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 35, No. 8 February 22, 2012 -- Covers the period February 12-18. Upcoming Meetings and Events Executive Committee: March 24 @ 8:30am - St. Louis, MO Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP Inquiries from NPR and Discovery Channel producers would have been the highlight of the past week. One asked for information about early radio navigation aids and the other about hams' involvement in the development of mobile phones. Both were cheerfully given information and references. But the topper was in a FEMA "Thinktank" webinar on Feb 17 highlighting ARES work when FEMA's second in command, Richard Serino, stated, "Amateur radio operators are very much professionals." Put together with Craig Fugate's earlier remarks about hams, it is a powerful pair of quotes. Plans for the Public Relations Committee's April 5th webinar on getting media coverage (using Field Day as an example) progress. More materials have been sent for the display at the NAB in Las Vegas, an audio PSA made with help of Don Carlson, KQ6FM, for Field Day promotions, and we await the receipt of the video recordings from the W1AW tour back from Al Petrunti, KA1TCH. They will be posted to the web as soon as possible. Development Reported by Lauren Clarke The Diamond Club has reached $37,492 in contributions from 187 donors. A revised pledge form suggesting an increased DC gift has been very successful in bringing in larger gifts. The Education & Technology Program has received $8,214 in contributions from 46 donors. An Education & Technology mailing is planned for April. The Spectrum Defense Fund has received 32,656 from 223 donors. The Maxim Society welcomed its 97th member. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE The April 2012 issue of QST and the March/April 2012 issue of NCJ have been released to the printer. Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed the ARRL Letter and produced and voiced ARRL Audio News for February 16, 2012. Sales and Marketing Reported by Diane Petrilli, KB1RNF for Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R The warehouse crew fulfilled 1,003 packages for publication and product orders, plus QST mailing supplements. The mailroom assisted with fulfilling 528 membership premiums. The last large membership mailing to lapsed and never members sent the first week in February is returning strongly; the next piece is set to mail the week of March 5. This mailing will contain a buck slip promoting digital QST. An e-mail message sent to lapsed members with a President's Day theme brought in 60+ members. An ad promoting ARRL membership will appear in the April issue of Monitoring Times. The ad offers a premium for membership and encourages Monitoring Times subscribers to go to a specially created page www.arrl.org/MT to learn more about Amateur Radio and the ARRL. Bob Inderbitzen recently attended Orlando Hamcation and recruited 138 members (26% new/broken vs. 74% renewing) and 2 QEX subscribers. 27, 3-year memberships were acquired. The marketing team continues to prepare for the launch of digital QST. A direct mail piece is being designed for members without e-mail addresses that will encourage them to register with the ARRL web site (and provide us with an e-mail address) so they can quickly access the digital version when it becomes available. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N DXCC DXCC paper/fieldchecked application processing time is currently at 7 weeks. Logbook-only application processing time is 3 to 5 business days. W1AW Joe completed the Harris antenna patch panel re-labeling project. He also coordinated the install of the donated SteppIR vertical for use at HQ station W1HQ. In addition, he prepared the radials, coaxial jumpers and the control cable for the SteppIR and tested the system as well. Joe also constructed CAT and digital interfaces for use at W1HQ. Field Organization/Public Service Team Leona Adams and the rest of the Field Organization Team made preparations to count Section Manager elections in Eastern Pennsylvania, San Diego, and Virginia, on Tuesday, February 21. Ballots were due at Headquarters by February 17. Steve Ewald completed editorial work and submitted the monthly Field Organization Reports column for March QST. Chuck Skolaut prepared and forwarded the monthly ARRL Monitoring System/Intruder Watch report to the IARU Region 2 Coordinator. The monthly Official Observer Summary was sent to all OOs, Official Observer Coordinators, and Section Managers. Radio amateurs from Arizona, Michigan, and Nevada successfully completed certification to become Official Observers this past week. A report of music being played on 75 meters by a New England station was forwarded to area Official Observers to check out. On the Intruder front, an Over the Horizon Radar was reported on 40 meters from overseas and an unidentified buzz on 20 meters was reported by an Eastern Massachusetts station. Questions addressed this week included the procedure for banning someone from a repeater, using a prerecorded preamble for a net, high fidelity SSB and operating overseas. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations All Staff 4/6 Holiday Joe Carcia 4/27 Vacation `` 5/25 Vacation Steve Ewald 3/6 Vacation Jackie Ferreira 3/23-3/27 Vacation `` 4/20 Vacation Scott Gee 3/21-3/23 Vacation `` 5/17-5/18 Vacation Dan Henderson 3/2-3/5 Alabama Section Convention, Birmingham, AL `` 4/19-4/22 Idaho State Convention, Boise, ID Mary Hobart 2/22 Medical Leave Bob Inderbitzen 3/1-3/6 Radiofest, Monterey, CA `` 3/29-4/1 AES Superfest, Milwaukee, WI Joel Kleinman 3/13 Vacation Zack Lau 3/22-3/23 Vacation Monique Levesque 3/9-3/26 Vacation Diane Petrilli 3/26-3/28 Vacation/A