<<110211.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 34, No. 44 November 2, 2011 -- Covers the period October 23-29. Upcoming Meetings and Events Programs & Services Committee November 12 - ARRL HQ Ballot Counting for Director/Vice Director Elections November 18 - ARRL HQ Administration & Finance Committee November 19 @ 8:30am - ARRL HQ Media & Public Relations Reported by Allen Pitts, W1AGP While there was furious action with Skywarn during the New England storm, there has been very little information or media about the hams' activities since Sunday. Once again there was almost no information regarding deployments or actions provided to HQ to work with. We hope that this may change to some extent with the information provided in the webinar Nov 3rd. (Info on that is at www.arrl.org/webinar) The DIY video is in duplication, handout in graphic design, and work continues on the other accessories to the DIY initiative. I am working very slowly in the evenings through 60+ hours of video clips to create short pieces on specific topics for our WeDoThat-Radio website. New picture poster options have been sent for possible use at the NAB booth in Las Vegas, marketing has been linked up with Don Carlson, KQ6FM, to create a new HQ phone message and an initial outline of ideas and potential influences regarding anniversary plans has been shared with the anniversary committee. We have only spotted three media pieces regarding the FCC's BPL actions so far. Two from TV Technology were neutral and one from The CGC Communicator by the Communications General(r) Corporation reported "... minor modifications that do little to protect the Amateur Radio service and other High Frequency users from severe to intolerable interference." Development Reported by Mary Hobart, K1MMH Copy for the final issue of Spectrum Defense Matters is nearly complete. The projected mail date is November 15. The Spectrum Defense Fund revenue stands at $229,047 toward the goal of $350,000. Lauren Clarke is working to complete the logistics of this final Spectrum Defense effort of 2011 as well as preparing a Year-End email appeal to go out right after Thanksgiving. Revenue for The Education & Technology Fund has not grown significantly as a result of our follow up email effort. The total added to the fund so far this year is $118,159. At least two large gifts are anticipated before the end of the year. The Diamond club continues to outpace results from 2010. Year-to-date net revenue for 2011 totals $240,886-a 16.7% increase over the same period in 2010. Average gifts for new diamond Club members and renewing members have increased by 22.5% and 7.3% respectively. The number of pledge payment is up 8.4% yielding a revenue increase in that line of 47.4%. With two months remaining this year, the Diamond Club should reach its budgeted goal of $270,000. Leadership gift cultivation for the Second Century Campaign continues for select prospects. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE On October 31, ARRL welcomed Dr Greg Chervat, N8ZRY, an MIT Lincoln Lab radar systems engineer, who dropped off our first entry in the Homebrew Challenge III contest. His rig is a modern, but classic looking, 60 W, 10 and 6 meter SSB/CW transceiver. After a preliminary check in the ARRL Lab, and a discussion of features and design details, Greg put the radio on the air from W1AW, working many stations on 10 meters. Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed the ARRL Letter and produced and voiced ARRL Audio News for October 27, 2011. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R October ended with 156,850 members-a gain of 501 members over September (exceeding predicted growth of 441 members). This is a membership high since 2002! The year to date membership goal is short by 326 members. 71% of October 2011 expirees paid on time (vs. 73% last October). Notable acquisition activities included targeted direct mail and email, and field-based recruitment (Pacificon and events in the UK). October product sales ended the month at $429,789, exceeding the sales forecast of $425,960. Direct sales were $237,586; dealer sales were $192,203. This is the highest sales figure reported for the month of October in many years, with the exception of the introduction of the 2005 and 2010 Handbooks (which received the two largest updates in the last 10 years). This month saw the introduction of the 2012 Handbook and 22nd edition Antenna Book. It is clear that our marketing rollout strategy paid off. The books were designed, promoted and sold as a dynamic duo-2 flagships every radio amateur should have. 42% of orders for these new titles included both books. We continue to enjoy the year's strongest levels of outgoing shipping. The warehouse crew fulfilled 1,508 packages for publication and product orders, 717 membership premiums (with help from the Mailroom staff), and QST mailing supplements. Welcome to Magdalena Owczarska. Magdalena joined the ARRL staff in October as part of our Member Services team-fulfilling membership and publication orders, answering phones, and responding to inquiries from members and customers. She lives in Newington and is a recent CCSU graduate. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N Leona Adams received a petition from Andrew Schektor, N3OMA, of Berwick, Pennsylvania, nominating him to run for the office of Eastern Pennsylvania Section Manager. The next term of office for this section begins on April 1, 2012, and nominations for this election cycle are due at Headquarters by December 9, 2011. Meanwhile, Section Manager election ballots for the fall elections continue to arrive. Ballots need to be returned by November 18, and the ballots will be counted on Tuesday, November 22. One amateur from North Texas completed requirements to become an Official Observer this week. The current total number of OOs across the nation is 695. A new Official Observer Coordinator was appointed in New Hampshire. Complaints of jamming and bad language were received, and they involved several well known nets on 75 and 40 meters. A report of jamming was received regarding the maritime net on 20 meters. The Nevada OOC is following up on several complaints of jamming and bad language being used on a local repeater. Steve Ewald and Dave Patton received some nominations and letters of endorsement for those nominees for the George Hart Distinguished Service Award. These were received ahead of the November 1 nomination receipt deadline. Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations All Staff 11/24-11/25 Holiday Leona Adams 11/11 Vacation Margie Bourgoin 11/11 Vacation Steve Ford 11/23 Vacation `` 12/22-1/2 Vacation Scott Gee 12/23-12/27 Vacation Dan Henderson 11/21-11/29 Vacation `` 12/16-1/4 Vacation Mary Hobart 11/10-11/11 Vacation `` 11/17-? Medical Leave Debra Johnson 11/14-11/17 Training/Vacation Joel Kleinman 11/22 Vacation Zack Lau 11/5-11/6 Iowa Section Convention, Davenport, IA Maryann Macdonald 11/16 Vacation Chuck Skolaut 11/4-11/6 Georgia Section Convention, Lawrenceville, GA