<<022912.doc>> IN-Newsletter <<Microsoft Word Picture>> Vol. 35, No. 9 February 29, 2012 -- Covers the period February 19-25. Upcoming Meetings and Events Executive Committee: March 24 @ 8:30am - St. Louis, MO Regulatory Information Reported by Dan Henderson, N1ND Registration for the March 15 Volunteer Counsel webinar is up to 77 participants - 22 Sections Managers, 9 ODV/HQ, 46 VCs. General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, and the RIB Manager have begun working on the presentations for the webinar. At the request of General Counsel, we reviewed the latest list of dormant FCC items released February 15. Only two items dealt with Part 97 issues - both of which have long been resolved and are moot at this point. Information on PRB-1 and customary property accessories was provided to an amateur in NC who is working with his attorney on appealing a tower permit denial. We received a question from a college professor in New York inquiring about how to use amateur radio and EME in an upcoming musical performance at his college to commemorate the birthday of a composer. The proposal was to use amateur radio to bounce accordion music off the moon using 2-meters and then having the composer accompany herself real-time with the echo. After several email exchanges with the professor, the project was scrapped, since it was a violation of Part 97 prohibitions on broadcasting as well as playing music (not to mention transmissions by unlicensed persons). During the past several weeks, we have received several queries from newly licensed technicians, each asking the same very basic question: "OK, I have my license. What bands can I operate on?" Not sure what that says about the quality of the license classes or the instructors, but it is becoming a more frequent question. Time was spent updating the website to include the changes to the 60-meter frequencies and privileges that go into effect March 5. Recently the FCC also granted an STA to Phil Williams, KA1GMN, for experimentation with narrow band Spread Spectrum on the HF bands. As it turns out, Williams' intent may not have been to experiment with new modes, but rather to use the time of the STA to operate the existing mode knows as ROS, which has become somewhat of a sore spot in the US. While ROS is a narrow-band SS emission, two years ago the FCC clearly stated that the current rules did not permit the use of ROS in the US on the HF bands. According to the FCC, they are now receiving numerous applications for STAs from individuals so they may also experiment with ROS on the HF bands in the US. (Apparently, this is fueled in part by some encouragement from off-shore parties posting on various websites, including offering awards for participating in this project.) Development Reported by Lauren Clarke Mary Hobart is home from the hospital. She is doing well and sends her best to everyone. We are all saddened by the sudden passing of Jeff Macdonald, Maryann's husband, and send Maryann our heartfelt condolences. The Diamond Club has reached $39,110 in contributions from 202 donors. The Education & Technology Program has received $8,956 in contributions from 50 donors. The Spectrum Defense Fund has received $32,906 from 228 donors. Production/Editorial Reported by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE Joel Hallas supported the Radio Amateurs of Northern Vermont Hamfest on February 25 by providing three presentations. The first was a stand-up "Doctor is In" Q & A forum, followed by a presentation on coupled resonator antennas and then an informal discussion of issues related to planning for the use of storage batteries in emergencies. Khrystyne Keane wrote and distributed the ARRL Letter and produced and voiced ARRL Audio News for February 23, 2012. Sales and Marketing Reported by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R A large membership campaign is currently at the printer, scheduled to mail March 9. Amy has organized printing and mailing for an upcoming mailing for Development, supporting fundraising for W1AW. A new line of merchandise is being prepared for ARRL Volunteer Examiners. This planning was coordinated with VEC Manager Maria Somma. The items, which include apparel and supply items, will help contribute to the overall pride and positive perception already associated with volunteers in this program. New programming has been introduced to the online membership application and our data processing systems to support the new digital QST benefit. Specifically, the Member Services group can now administer requests from members who choose to opt-out of the print edition of QST. A new membership type has also been introduced for international members selecting to join ARRL without the print edition of QST. This new international membership option replaces the discontinued "annual periodicals CD-ROM" option. Printed membership applications have been updated to reflect the same changes. Amy Hurtado met with representatives from one of our shipping carriers to review rates and services, including additional discounts on international package rates and other service enhancements. We will be working closely with the warehouse and the mailroom on how to better utilize these discount structures. An "ARRL Field D-ay Logbook" has been designed as a new publication. The completed work has been sent to the printer. An emailing announcing the "final day" of our Presidents' Day publication specials contributed to another surge of online orders; 250 orders were received on Wednesday. Monthly email alerts (or notifications) are commonly used by publishers to draw attention to the current edition of a digital magazine or journal. Work is underway to test the format and mechanism for managing the monthly notification of the digital edition of QST. During the 4-day week, the warehouse crew fulfilled 957 packages for publication and product orders, 122 membership premiums, plus QST mailing supplements. Diane Petrilli reports that a large group of teachers from the Institute for Science Instruction & Study program at Southern Connecticut State University will be at ARRL Thursday, March 1 for a presentation by Mark Spencer WA8SME, Ed Hare and Joe Carcia. This group comes to ARRL annually. Membership & Volunteer Programs Reported by Dave Patton, NN1N Field Organization/Public Service Team The Winter Section Managers election season concluded on Tuesday, February 21, when election ballots were counted for three different ARRL Sections at ARRL Headquarters. New terms of office begin April 1. Thanks to Leona Adams, Chuck Skolaut, Gail Iannone, Norm Fusaro and Steve Ewald for helping to conduct the ballot counting and related duties. Members of the Eastern Pennsylvania Section elected Bob Famiglio, K3RF, of Media over two other opponents (Phil Theis, K3TUF, and Andrew Shecktor, N3OMA). There was a 37.2% voter turn-out in Eastern Pennsylvania. Eric Olena, WB3FPL, of Mohnton, the current Section Manager, decided not to run for another term of office after having served as SM since December 31, 2000. San Diego Section Manager Steve Early, AD6VI, was re-elected when he received more votes than his opponent, Patrick Bunsold, WA6MHZ. There was a voter turnout of 37.4% in San Diego. In Virginia, Carl Clements, W4CAC, will also continue as Section Manager after receiving more votes that Joseph Imburgia, Jr., KI4LXT. The voter turn-out in Virginia was 24.6%. Louisiana will have a new Section Manager starting on April 1. Jim Coleman, AI5B, of Bogalusa, will be taking the reins from Gary Stratton, K5GLS, of Shreveport, who has served as Louisiana Section Manager since April, 2008. Coleman, who is presently the Section Emergency Coordinator, was the only nominee for this new term of office. Since no nominations were received for the South Dakota Section Manager election by the nomination deadline of December 9, 2011, nominations are re-solicited. Look for details in the "Section Manager Nomination Notice" in the Happenings column of April and May QSTs. The following incumbent ARRL Section Managers did not face opposition and were declared elected for their next terms of office beginning April 1, 2012: Pete Cecere, N2YJZ (Eastern New York); Bill Morine, N2COP (North Carolina); and Bob Schneider, AH6J (Pacific). Sincerely Compiled by, Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ Assistant to the CEO Hamfest/Member Contact/ARRL Representative/Meetings/Vacations All Staff 4/6 Holiday Margie Bourgoin 3/2-3/9 Vacation Steve Capodicasa 3/5 Vacation 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 `` 4/19-4/29 Idaho State Convention, Boise, ID/Vacation Mary Hobart 2/22 Medical Leave Bob Inderbitzen 3/1-3/6 Radiofest, Monterey, CA `` 3/29-4/1 AES Superfest, Milwaukee, WI `` 4/5-4/9 Vacation 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/ASAE Conference, Colorado Springs, CO