Weaver's Words -- A Convention In Your Future? (Portions Edited)

- Division Convention September 12 - A Survey is on the Division web site - Is a Repeater a Repeater? - Michigan QSO Party - ARRL Legislative Agenda - ARRL Legislative Agenda - Incoming 8th Area QSL Bureau Factoids - KYSAT-1 - What does ARRL do for Me? - Triple Play Certificate - DTV Presentation Available

+++ Division Convention September 12 +++

After careful consideration it was decided to go ahead with a biannual Great Lakes Division Convention this year. The 2009 event takes place in Findlay, OH on September 12. {The ARRL has allowed this to be scheduled the same day as Greater Louisville Hamfest 2009. -ed}

+++ A Survey is on the Division web site +++

There is a survey on the Great Lakes Division web site. It requests your input about the coming Division Convention. To take the simple survey, please go to greatlakes.arrl.org. At the web site, click on the Survey/Feedback link to go to the survey.

The survey is in a click-on-the-answer format. Thanks for your help with this survey.

+++ Is a Repeater a Repeater? +++

FCC needed 15 months to decide the thorny question, but it has concluded that a repeater is a repeater. The question that was posed to the Commission was whether digital repeaters are repeaters as analog repeaters are repeaters. The issue was that there is a brief delay in digital repeaters from the time they receive the input signal until they transmit the output signal.

Technically, of course, there is a very slight delay between receipt and retransmission of a signal for analog repeaters as well. The delay in analog repeaters is generally slightly less than with current digital repeaters.

The result of the FCC clarification of the definition of a repeater means that digital repeaters need to operate in the subbands designated for repeater operation. Some amateurs had argued the delay in relaying signals by digital repeaters qualified them for use outside of these subbands.

+++ Michigan QSO Party +++

The Michigan QSO Party (MiQP) will be held on Saturday, April 18 from 1200 EDST to 2400 EDST (1600Z Saturday until 0400Z Sunday UTC). Stations may operate the full twelve hours. The general objective of the MiQP is for amateurs outside of Michigan to operate

The objective of the Party for stations outside of Michigan is to work Michigan stations, only. For Michiganders, it is to work anyone. The objective for everyone is to have fun.

Rules are at http://www.miqp.org/Rules/htm. These include a description of operating categories, bands to use and multiplier factors. +++ ARRL Legislative Agenda +++

There is an old saying that goes, "The Lord helps those that help themselves." This cannot be more true when it comes to the Legislative Agenda the ARRL Board of Directors adopted for the current, 111th Congress. Great Lakes Division Legislative Action Chair John Meyers, NB4K offers the following poignant comments related to what will be needed to move the agenda forward:

"With the changes in Congress and the House of Representatives we have our job cut out for us no matter how you look at it. With the changes in seat holders this means that a number of our Legislative Action Assistants (LAAs) will need to establish relations with the freshman Representatives or Senators or their aides who have taken over the offices. This will need to be done as soon as possible. The time is now to start making contact with these freshman Legislators and Congressman or their aides.

"Incidentally, you are not expected to travel to Washington to perform your duties. Instead, the following discussion assumes your visits with Congressmen or their aides will occur 'back home' in a local office.

"Be aware that we often are unable to meet directly with a Congressman. Instead, we may meet with one of his/her aides. This is fine. The fact that you met and the legislative position you supported during your meeting will be forwarded to the Congressman. The support you show during your meeting will provide much assistance to the ARRL Legislative Advocate in Washington, DC. Your meeting will prove to the Congressman that voters back home are interested in the legislation.

"If you have the opportunity to drop in to meet your Congressman's aide in a local office, consider introducing yourself. Tell them that later on you will doubtlessly contact them to make an appointment to visit the Congressman while he/she is at home, or to visit him (the aide) to discuss legislation that relates to Amateur Radio. Leave your Legislative Action business card and, if possible, a brief introduction to what Amateur Radio is and how it benefits the public."

By John Meyers, NB4K
Division Legislative Action Chair

+++ ARRL Legislative Agenda Booth +++

Stop by the ARRL Legislative Agenda Booth at its national convention at the Hamvention(r). You will be able to discuss the ARRL legislative agenda and learn how easy it can be to promote the actions the League intends to initiate during the current, 111th, US Congress. The booth will be in the ARRL convention area at HARA.

+++ Incoming 8th Area Bureau QSL Factoids +++

Jay Slough, K4ZLE the very competent Manager of the very effective 8th Area Incoming QSL Bureau reported the following activity for the bureau for the years 2003 through 2008. The year and the number of incoming QSLs handled during it follow:

2008 -- 80,248 QSL cards
2007 -- 89,028 cards
2006 -- 111,734 cards
2005 -- 110,905 cards
2004 -- 138,236 cards
2003 -- 154,054 cards

Does anyone want to take a guess where we are in the current sunspot cycle?

+++ KYSAT-1 +++

Kentucky's first orbiting satellite - developed in part by students at

Western Kentucky University - has been selected by NASA to take flight in mid-2009. Students at WKU teamed with students at other Kentucky universities to design and build KySat-1.

The satellite has Amateur Radio capabilities along with a camera and cell phone. Students in K-12 across Kentucky will be able to use the features of KySat-1 to take photos, see the temperature and check the status of status of satellite components. The intent is to interest youngsters in mathematics and the sciences.

The satellite project cost about $850,000. It is expected to remain in orbit for 18 to 24 months. KySat-1 is said to be unique because it was developed in conjunction with several universities and is NASA's first launch of a university-built satellite.

+++ What does ARRL do for Me? +++

Members and non-members alike have occasionally asked me what ARRL does for them that the beneficiary doesn't need to pay extra to get. It seemed to them that nearly everything the League does for members requires them to pay extra to obtain. The prevailing attitude among non-members also seems to be that unless they DX or contest, ARRL membership offers nothing to them.

Once one knows the facts, it is obvious that neither of these contentions is correct. With this issue of Words I begin a series of discussions of what ARRL really does. In these discussions you will learn which member benefits have fees associated with them and which member benefits are not associated with fees.

First, let me give a brief listing of services provided by ARRL. After doing this, I'll expand on one item that I believe is of interest to many members. The listing is below. No fees are charged to take advantage of the services marked "(n/c):"

- QST, Your Monthly Membership Journal
- Members-Only Web Access (n/c)
- Technical Information Service (TIS) (n/c)
- Outgoing QSL Service
- ARRL Field Organization including ARESŪ and several additional, important services(n/c)
- Operating Awards
- Representation of your Amateur Radio interests in Washington, DC to the FCC and Congress (n/c)
- Representation of your Amateur Radio interests in International Government Treaty negotiations. (n/c)
- A Regulatory Information Branch that provides information on FCC and regulatory questions; problems with antenna, tower and zoning restrictions; and reciprocal licensing procedures (n/c)
- Volunteer Counsel Program (n/c)
- Volunteer Examiner Coordinator program (n/c)
- Registered Amateur Radio Instructor program (n/c)
- W1AW broadcast bulletins and code practice (n/c)
- Preferred subscription rates for QEX, the ARRL Forum for Communications Experimenters
- Discounts on Continuing Education Program courses.

This listing is generally available at www.arrl.org/benefits.html#awards.

It is a fact that a number of what I consider the superficial services provided by ARRL, require the recipient to pay a few cents to several dollars. In most instances the fees are to pay for certificates and optional plaques -- the well-known and hard-sought "wallpaper" with which so many of us paper our shack walls.

Look, through the list of services for which fees are not assessed. These very importantly include the tough work ARRL does. As I will discuss later, these services relate to keeping our amateur frequency allocations, obtaining new frequencies, protecting our frequencies from invasion by interfering individuals or services, protecting amateurs' rights to pursue the Amateur Radio Service and generally protecting the value of the Amateur Radio license.

I ask you, first, to review the frequencies you use during your personal operating. The basic fact is: None of us would have use of these frequencies if it was not for ARRL. There is no charge by ARRL for the services that resulted in obtaining these frequencies. +++ Triple Play Certificate +++

A long-time friend and member in southwest Ohio wrote me saying he thought the quality of the TPA certificate he earned was subpar. I forwarded the comment to HQ. Staff noted the certificate looked fine in proof copies and that a respected commercial printer had printed them. On checking through the standard run of certificates they, too found it to be below League standards. A new run of the certificates was made and replaced the original batch.

Everyone who received one of the earlier, off-quality certificates will automatically receive a replacement from the new run.

Communications from members do receive attention.

+++ DTV Presentation Available +++

With the switch from analog TV (ATV) to digital TV (DTV) having been delayed from its initial February deadline, an offer by Frank Sanor, WA8WHP of the Alliance (OH) ARC remains very viable. Club members developed a presentation that includes a PowerPoint show based on FCC DTV pages.

If you would like to receive a copy of the PP presentation for possible use with the pending switch to DTV, please contact Frank at wa8whp@arrl.net. Alliance ARC members who made and have given the presentation are Tom Steele KD8JRK, John Myers KD8MQ and Frank. John developed the power point from the FCC web site.

Congratulations to all clubs that helped educate the public on the switch to DTV. With the deadline for switching to DTV delayed until June, there is still time to help educate the technologically-deficient members of the public.

Weaver's Words -- Time For The March Hare

Sunday, February 22, 2009
By Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division

- Library Section Dedicated to Memory of W4OYI
- Swedish Amateurs become more Accessible
- Should It be "Our Way or No Way"?
- Triple Play Award and Logbook
- The ARRL A-1 Operators Club
- Wouff Hong at the National Convention & Hamvention
- International Amateur Radio Union happenings
- More Triple Play Winners
- And, in Miami the Winner is . . .
- Division Travel Philosophy
- Tentative Travel Schedule

+++ Library Section Dedicated to Memory of W4OYI +++

The Owensboro (Kentucky) Amateur Radio Club in cooperation with ARRL and the Daviess County Kentucky Public Library has dedicated a section of Amateur Radio books to the memory of former Great Lakes Division Director and ARRL President George Wilson, III (W4OYI, SK). The dedication was made on February 17. Wilson was a highly respected resident of Owensboro.

George Wilson is the only member of the Great Lakes Division to have become president of the ARRL. Division Legislative Action Chairman and former Kentucky SM John Meyers, NB4K and I were privileged to represent the League and the Division at the dedication.

+++ Swedish Amateurs become more Accessible +++

QSOs with Swedish amateurs should become more frequent beginning 1 April when Sweden expands its 40 meter band to 7.0 to 7.2 MHz. This change follows the opening earlier this year of 6M (50-52 MHz) to normal amateur use. Swedish amateurs can use up to 200 w. output power on 6. The change in 6M operation in Sweden means amateurs there will no longer need to obtain a special license at extra cost for this band.

The addition of the 100 kHz segment to the 40M band brings Sweden into line with International Telecommunications Union (ITU) action in 2003. At this time, ITU d3legations approved moving all international broadcasting out of the 7.1-7.2 MHz segment and to allocate 7.0-7.2 MHz only to Amateur Radio use. Expansion of the international 40M band by the ITU was in response to work by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).

The ITU action; however, does not require any country to give additional privileges to amateurs. The decision to give more frequencies on 40 M to its amateurs is up to each country.

+++ Should It be "Our Way or No Way"? +++

In this country we have generally been raised with the thought that we should be independent thinkers. "Think out of the box," is a very popular admonition given to us. This is just another way of saying, "Don't follow one another like a flock of geese walking from one location to another."

Individualism is great. Pushing the sides of the envelope to see what we can accomplish by developing a new "paradigm" offers many benefits. Without individual thinking, we would not have electricity, the light bulb, telecommunications and so many other inventions that were developed by Edison, the Maxims and many others who were not tied to the world of their "today."

However, there are times when following the leader is the best way to go. Fighting this truism is a sign of impracticality. There are times when letting go of the detail we have learned is good and accepting different differing detail is preferable under the circumstances.

For example, we who matured our message handling skills using National Traffic System (NTS) procedures might think this is the only way to handle traffic. This isn't true. The military, government and other emergency support agencies have their own message handling systems. Although the NTS way is good, it isn't the only way. Depending upon the total situation, it might mot even be the best way. (If you are still reading this, you know I haven't been struck by lightning . . . yet!)

As it says in the Bible, 'Render unto Cesar that which is Cesar's and unto God that which is God's." Applying this wisdom to message traffic, we might say, "Put into Emergency Management Agency format the traffic which is EMA's and into ARRL NTS format the traffic which is NTS's.

The bottom line is that when we provide communications service to a served agency (EMA, Salvation Army, Red Cross), we should follow their requests provided they are legal, ethical and moral. The discipline and skill we gained through learning to use the NTS message system will provide the discipline and skill we need to communicate using any procedures preferred by EMA, SA, RC or other agency.

We need to avoid offering our service only to place irrelevant restrictions on the manner in which we will provide the service.

+++ Triple Play Award and Logbook +++

First, let me correct an error in my comment last month about the early winners of the Triple Play Award. The call sign given for Jeffrey Wheeler, winner of the second Award earned, was incorrect. His correct call is W7JW, not W7JIO. Sorry, Jeffrey.

My Triple Play comment brought a question. To summarize, the question is, "Why has ARRL initiated the new, Triple Play Award (ed., Available only through Logbook of the World.) but still requires paper QSL cards to be submitted for the VHF/UHF Century Club Award?

This is a good question. On the surface, initiating a new award that requires confirmation only by LoTW, but not allowing LoTW to be used for VUCC doesn't make sense -- on the surface, this is.

Below the surface, the answer and the logic are quite simple. Resolving the issue is more complex. It involves programming. LoTW simply was not set up to service VHF/UHF Century Club.

For the Triple Play, the only thing that was needed was to tweak the existing WAS portion of Logbook to add the new award. In the case of VUCC, the programming hurdle is much greater.

Marrying VUCC with LoTW is a definite objective of the ARRL officers, senior staff and each of us 15 Directors. The fact, though, is that the project to complete the redo of the ARRL web site has much more precedence. The VUCC-LoTW project must wait for now.

+++ Wouff Hong at the National Convention-Hamvention +++

Michigan Section Manager Dale Williams, WA8EFK was quick to provide a little history lesson on The Royal Order of the Wouff Hong. I noted last month that the script SM Phillips uses for the Wouff Hong was first used at the second annual ARRL Michigan State Convention in Flint on February 11, 1923. I added, "This probably wasn't the first exemplification of the Wouff Hong, but it had to be among the earlier ones."

Dale nicely pointed out that records prove the 1923 presentation of the Wouff Hong was the first time it was offered anywhere.

This original script will be presented at the ARRL National Convention-Dayton Hamvention(r) on Saturday night at 11.

+++ International Amateur Radio Union happenings +++

On 10 February 2009 the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) counted ballots in its regular election for new officers and on accepting two additional national societies into membership. When the counting was finished, IARU had elected new officers and accepted two new national societies into membership.

Timothy S. Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA of Canada was elected the new president. He succeeds Larry Price, W4RA who retired from the position. Ole Garpestad, LA2RR, was chosen Vice President. Terms of office for IARU President and Vice President in the IARU are five years.

The election involved voting by 73 member societies. The societies cast votes (aye or nay) or abstentions in each of the four ballots. Fifty seven affirmative votes were required for adoption. Each proposal was approved without dissent.

Upon being elected IARU President, Mr. Ellam said: "I am very honoured to have been elected as President of IARU and look forward to working with all three Regions and the Member-Societies during my term in office. We no doubt will face many issues in the run up to the 2011 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-11), but I look forward to working as a team to meet the challenges ahead. (Courtesy IARU.)

While ranking officer of the Radio Amateurs of Canada, Ellam was a guest at ARRL Board meetings. He is a very knowledgeable amateur.

+++ The ARRL A-1 Operator Club +++

One of the relatively unheralded awards given by ARRL is the A-1 Operator Award. This Award recognizes good personal operating and good equipment operation. It is an award each of us who take Amateur Radio reasonably seriously should want to achieve.

Before I get jumped on by someone who has the mistaken idea this award is for CW ops, only, let me say this is not correct. It is open for ops using any mode available and on any band assigned to amateur use.

One unique feature of the A-1 Operator Award is that the recipient must be nominated by two amateurs who already hold it. In most instances, the recipient of the award does not even know they have been nominated. A-1 Operators are eligible to receive a nice lapel pin that identifies them as members of the club.

Information about the A-1 Operator Club is available at www.arrl.org/awards/a1-op/. Members of the Club are listed at www.arrl.org/awards/a1-op/roster. Rules the procedure for nominating amateurs to the club are at www.arrl.org/awards/a1-op/a1v11.html#who.

As of January 30, 2009, there are 5,252 members of the A-1 Operator Club. Why not double check your operating procedure against Club requirements. One never knows when two Club members will hear or work you and nominate you to join the Club.

+++ More Triple Play Winners +++

Additions to the Triple Play Award roster since my last e-letter are Ernest S. Jurusik, W8DCH, Columbus, OH; James F. Tullis, W8CZN, Hudson, OH; Robert A. Daniels, K8KWT, Kentwood, MI; James D. Main, N8FV, Muskegon, MI; John S. Comella, N8AA, Hamilton, OH; Daniel N. Hardy, N8VV Newcomerstown, OH; Eric Kindig, W8EJK, Sidney, OH; Mad River Radio Club, W8MAD, Mad River Radio Club, c/o Dave Pruett, K8CC, Ypsilanti, MI; D. Douglas Friend, WB8TLI, Troy, OH; John A. Wulf, K4FT, Crab Orchard, KY. 2/20/09

+++ W1AW CW Transmission on 160 M changes Frequency +++

Beginning March 9, ARRL's W1AW will shift its CW transmission on 160 M to 1802.5 KHz. This move is to help avoid interference with increasing activity that is developing near the 1817.5 kHz frequency previously.

+++ And, in Miami the Winner is . . . +++

Ohio SM Joe Phillips, K8QOE is a theatre aficionado and well he should be. He taught theatre at Princeton High School in Springdale, OH for many years. This was a very good program.

Since retiring from his teaching duties, he has continued his love affair with the stage by following movies and the legitimate stage whenever his schedule permits. Included in his activities is putting together his best estimate of the winners at the annual Academy Awards. He has just issued his list for 2009.

Anyone who follows the Academy Awards to any degree might wish to make a note of Joe's selections and compare them with the actual winners. Why? If he is pretty well on target, one could congratulate him for his great insight. If he is well off target, a good razzing might be in order.

K8QOE's Academy Award predictions for 2009 are:

Best pix: Slumdog Millionaire
Best actor: Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler
Best actress: Kate Winslet for The Reader
Best supporting actress: Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler
Best supporting actor: Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight
Best director: Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire
Best original screen play: Dustin Lance Black for Milk
Best adapted screen play: Simon Beaufoy for Slumdog Millionaire (adapted from the book Q&A)
Best cinematography: Anthony Dod Mantle for Slumdog Millionaire
Best foreign film: Israel for Waltz With Besir

+++ Division Travel Philosophy +++

The past two years generally saw Vice Director Gary Johnston, KI4LA and I travel together to most hamfests/swaps and other events in the Division. This was logical. Because of the way we did this, the two of us were able to travel nearly as inexpensively as if only one of us had made the individual trips.

The disadvantage of following the general plan of traveling together is that time constraints on each of us made it impractical to visit several areas of the Division that we could have visited by travelling separately.

This year we are changing our plan for travel. Gary and I will typically go to different hamfests and, much of the time, we will have another member of the Division Cabinet join us. We believe this will allow us bring more ARRL representatives to more areas of the Division while enabling us to live within the Division budget.

The two cabinet members who most often can be expected to join Gary and me are Jay Slough, K4ZLE and John Meyers, NB4K. Jay will be able to discuss the operation of the 8th Region Incoming QSL Bureau that he manages. John, as Division Legislative Action Chairman, will be able to share the operation of the ARRL Legislative Action Program directly with members.

+++ Tentative Travel Schedule +++

The tentative travel schedule (through June) for Great Lakes Division officers and chairpersons is shown below. This schedule will be expanded to additional months in future issues of Words. In addition to Vice Director Gary Johnston, KI4LA and I, Division Legislative Action Chairman John Meyers, NB4K and 8th Area ARRL Incoming QSL Bureau Manager Jay Slough, K4ZLE will join in some of our trips to discuss the programs they head.

This year, we are working especially hard to optimize the value members receive from our travel. Gary and I may not appear together at a number of hamfests. In addition, instead of being at the "same old" hamfests as in the past, we may visit hamfests in parts of the Division that have not been covered during recent years.

If you would like any of us to consider visiting your hamfest/swap, meeting or event, please contact me at k8je@arrl.org.

7 Mar: Cave City, KY; Mammoth Cave ARC -- Gary. John(?)
14 Mar: Marshall, MI; SMARS & Marshall HS club -- Jim & John
15 Mar: Toledo, OH; Toledo Mobile AR -- Jim & John
10 Mar: Waynesville, OH, Bellbrook ARC dinner -- Jim
28 Mar: Reynoldsburg, OH; Section ARES Conference -- Gary. Jim(?)
19 Apr: Cuyahoga Falls, OH; Cuyahoga Falls ARC -- Jim & Gary
26 Apr: Athens, OH; Athens Co. ARA -- Jim & Gary
15-17 May: Dayton Hamvention(r) -- Jim, Gary & John
6 Jun: Olive Hill, KY; Little Sandy RC -- Gary
6 Jun: Grand Rapids, MI; Independent Repeater Assoc. -- Jim & John
7 Jun: Chelsea, MI; Chelsea ARC -- Jim & John
20 Jun: Midland, MI; Midland ARC -- Jim and Jay
21 Jun: Monroe, MI; Monroe Co. RCA -- Jim and Jay
26 Jul: Randolph, OH -- Portage ARC -- Jim

NOTE: Please apply to have your hamfest/swap sanctioned well in advance of the date it will be held. The sooner it is sanctioned as an ARRL event, the sooner it will appear on the listing of hamfests and conventions on the ARRL web site. This will provide more publicity for the event.

73,

Jim

Ham Radio Fills Need After The Storm

Tuesday, February 3, 2009
By Scott Sloan ssloan@herald-leader.com

As phone service faltered last week in Western Kentucky, the state's army of another age emerged.

Ham radio operators ventured to Red Cross shelters and emergency operations centers and drove the roads to connect family members, direct supplies and just keep communications up and running, replacing cell phones and traditional land-line phones.

In Henderson County, a ham radio operator spent four days at the emergency operations center providing supplemental communication for police, fire and emergency medical personnel.

"He was instrumental in helping out," said Kenny Garrett, communications officer and resource coordinator for Henderson Emergency Management.

Sixteen members from the Kentucky Colonels Amateur Radio Club in Western Kentucky brought their equipment and relayed messages around the Bowling Green area, said Henry Cantrell, better known as call sign W4HTB to members of the group he's known for more than 25 years.

Cantrell said group members set up at a main shelter in Bowling Green and then fanned out to nearby Brownsville and Smiths Grove.

The amateur radio enthusiasts helped shelter occupants find and locate family members at other shelters, some as far west as Paducah.

"They have been very helpful," said Bill Schlicht, emergency services director for the state's South-Central chapter of the American Red Cross.

Schlicht said their efforts "kind of ignited a fire in the spirit of the group," and people are now putting together radio kits to keep in their vehicles for future emergencies.

The group also connected with state Homeland Security officials in Frankfort to relay the number and status of area shelters, Cantrell said.

But the priority, he said, was directing cots, generators and other supplies.

"It was a relief to the county emergency management directors to let them know there was communication help if needed," said Chris Shaw, a local representative of the national group Amateur Radio Emergency Service. Shaw drove around Henderson and nearby counties offering service as communications remained down.

In fact, on Monday, his cell phone was still dropping calls as he was interviewed about his reliable ham radio.

"It looked like a tornado had come through," he said of the devastation he witnessed last week.

Closer to Central Kentucky, ham radio operators were ready to assist as they did in the 2003 ice storm, but found little to do.

"There wasn't much movement out here," said Bill DeVore, secretary for the Bluegrass Amateur Radio Society and a member since 1979.

"But we were ready in case anybody needed us," DeVore said, noting that more than 40 amateur radio operators volunteered around the clock in 2003 to provide communication at area shelters and to assist Kentucky Utilities.

Society member Wilson Wells traveled last week to Versailles to help at a Red Cross shelter set up in a seniors center.

"This was awful to say, but my radio was in my suitcase the whole time because our telephones were working," he said.

Weaver's Words -- Winter Is Here!

Monday, February 2, 2009
By James Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division

- FCC names Riley's Successor
- Division Amateurs earn Triple Play Awards
- January Meeting of the ARRL Board
- Wouff Hong at the National Convention & Hamvention
- Update Your Affiliated Club Information
- Sanction Your Hamfest/Swap
- Tentative Travel Schedule

+++ FCC Names Riley's Successor +++

Laura L. Smith of Pennsylvania has been named by the FCC to fill the vacancy created when by Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH retirement as the FCC Special Counsel for the Spectrum Enforcement Division. Riley held the position as FCC's enforcement guru for Amateur Radio for over 10 years. He is an excellent man, a fine ham and did a great job.

Ms. Smith began her legal career with the FCC in the Mass Media Bureau and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. She also was Deputy Division Chief of the Public Safety and Private Wireless Division. She left the Commission in 1998 to join the Industrial Telecommunications Association (ITA), now the Enterprise Wireless Alliance.

Most recently, Smith was an attorney with the Maryland law firm of Shulman Rogers. While there, she dealt with telecommunications matters and served as counsel to numerous entities in the private radio and public safety communities. Smith has served as an industry consultant and written columns for a variety of trade publications including Mobile Radio Technology Magazine and The Private Wireless Magazine.

In an October 2008 letter to then-FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, urged Martin to name a successor to Hollingsworth. President Harrison cautioned, "The appointment of a replacement Special Counsel in this position is of critical importance to the Amateur Radio Service, as the delay in finalizing the appointment stands to undermine in very short order an exceptionally successful and low-cost program of enforcement in the Amateur Service."

Although Ms. Smith apparently has had no direct involvement with Amateur Radio, her experience with other radio services should provide her with the basic background needed to fill the amateur enforcement post.

+++ Division Amateurs earn Triple Play Awards +++

When I arrived at ARRL HQ for the January meeting of the Administration and Finance Committee Meeting I quickly learned the first Triple Play Award had been received earlier in the day. During the subsequent Board meeting, the announcement was made that the second Award had been received -- from a member in the Great Lakes Division, of course.

As of the end of January 29, four members in this Division are listed as having earned the award. In the top ten are Jeffrey Wheeler, W7JIO of Plymouth, MI (#2) and Kenneth Hinkleman, NU8Z of Tecumseh, MI (#8). Coming soon after are Reno Tonsi, WT8C of Mentor, OH and Dave Vest, K8DV or Goshen, OH.

Congratulations fellows. Talk about quick action!

It is possible I did not recognize other Division amateurs if they have call signs with numbers other than 4 or 8 in them. Anyone knowing of a GLD amateur who should be on this list, please let me know.

To earn the Triple Play Award, one must confirm WAS using voice, WAS using Morse code and WAS using digital modes. Each QSO must have occurred no earlier than January 1, 2009 and must be confirmed through Logbook of the World (LoTW), only.

+++ January Meeting of the ARRL Board +++

As typical, the ARRL Board of Directors and several committees of the League met in Newington and Windsor, CT. Major committee meetings are held at ARRL HQ in Newington. Because of space requirements, the Board has been meeting in a hotel in Windsor.

Also as has been typical, we were met with low double-digit and single digit temperatures. Gary and I managed to avoid freezing; however, many scheduled flights were off-schedule thanks to delays of interconnecting flights.

Actions taken by the Board included:

TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE (TTF): Having served its purpose, the TTF was disolved by the Board. Established in 1999, TTF as well as its Working Groups studied and assessed the applicability of a variety of new technologies and technologic developments to Amateur Radio. These technologies include digital voice, high-speed multi-media and software defined radio.

It was concluded that continued work in the areas TTF had been tasked to function is no longer required. However, the resolution to dissolve TTF clearly requires ARRL to continue to explore and promote new communications technologies in the future.

I believe action by the Board to dissolve TTF is fully appropriate when one considers that the prime reasons for which it was founded are increasingly being adopted by the amateur community. The use of software defined radios, the use of digital voice and the spread of several forms of digital data communications continue to expand.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA: The Board passed a resolution to offer ARRL assistance in managing station K2BSA at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. We also are exploring the mutual desirability of a Statement of Understanding between the Scouts and ARRL.

The coming National Jamboree has been delayed from 2009 until July 26-August 4, 2010 to coincide with the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. National Jamborees are held at Ft. A. P. Hill in Virginia.

ARRL INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AWARD: The 2008 award was given to the Amateur Radio operators of the Sichuan Radio Sports Association, the Chinese Radio Sports Association and many operators from around China. Their immediate actions and use of Amateur Radio rendered assistance to victims of the May, 2008 earthquake centered in the Wenchuan area of Sichuan Province.

FCC CALL SIGN PROGRAMS: The Board directed the Executive Committee (EC) to study FCC's sequential, vanity and special call sign programs. The study will determine if we will recommend changes in these programs to the Commission. The EC will consult with the Programs & Services Committee in the study.

PROTECTION OF PRUDENT MOBILE OPERATION: States and municipalities continue to study laws to prevent reckless driving attributed to cell phone use. Because of the increase in this activity, it is increasingly likely that the zeal to protect the public may inadvertently threaten to outlaw legitimate Amateur Radio mobile operations.

The Board directed the Executive Committee to develop a proposed policy statement that may be used prevent adoption of laws that prohibit prudent mobile amateur operation. ARRL CEO Dave Sumner, K1ZZ and General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD will submit a draft statement to the EC no later than February 1, 2009 for consideration.

NEW MEMBERS OF IARU: The Board approved Aye votes be cast by ARRL on IARU resolutions that would admit the Emirates Amateur Radio Society and the Kazakhstan Federation of Radiosports and Radioamateur into IARU membership.

FREE ARRL MEMBERSHIPS TO SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN ABROAD: A few years ago, the Board approved a temporary rule to offer full ARRL membership free of charge to service men and women who hold FCC amateur licenses while they are serving outside the US. This temporary rule was made permanent. The rule reads as follows:

"Upon request, the Executive Vice President is authorized to maintain membership privileges without charge for the duration of a member's active military deployment outside the ARRL operating territory as described in Bylaw 30, with or without the delivery of QST at the member's option."

ARRL RETIREMENT PLAN: In case anyone was not aware of this, the Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for all financial operation of the League. This includes responsibility for financial issues related to our employees -- the people who work for ARRL in Newington and Washington, DC. The financial and administrative responsibilities are generally overseen by the Administration and Finance Committee. This Committee in most instances recommends actions to the Board which in turn adopts, modifies or rejects the recommendations.

One action taken by the Board in mid-January was to authorize ARRL to hire firms to be Custodian and to be Recordkeeper for our 403(b) retirement plan.

REVAMP OF ARRL WEB SITE: The Board approved continuing of a total revamp of the ARRL web site. This project is being brought in right on schedule and right on budget. We anticipate it to be finished by the deadline which is the end of this year.

A review of the project by the Board included glimpses of a number of new and improved features that will benefit individual members, clubs and ARRL. Exciting!

+++ Wouff Hong at the National Convention-Hamvention +++

The Royal Order of the Wouff Hong will be given at the Dayton Hamvention(r)-ARRL National Convention in May. The Wouff Hong presentation will be directed by Ohio Section Manager Joe Phillips, K8QOE at 11 PM Saturday evening at the Crowne Point Plaza Hotel.

SM Phillips noted this will bring his record of directing Wouff Hong exemplifications at National ARRL Conventions in the Great Lakes Division to three consecutive. I am looking forward eagerly to learn who he taps to be the Novice in the ceremony. Watch for further details.

If you have not yet participated in a Wouff Hong ceremony, this may be your best opportunity to have the experience. No hams are sacrificed in the ritual. ;-)

Incidentally, SM Phillips reports that the script he uses for the Wouff Hong was also used at the second annual ARRL Michigan State Convention held in Flint on February 11, 1923. This probably wasn't the first exemplification of the Wouff Hong, but it had to be among the earlier ones.

+++ Update Your Affiliated Club Information +++

As Ohio Affiliated Club Coordinator Joanne Solak, KJ3O reminds, it is time for clubs affiliated with ARRL to update their information. Although our people at HQ aren't hard-nosed about this, the fact is that continued affiliation requires clubs to file periodic (preferably annual) update reports.

What is the value of filing an annual report to a club? Maintaining up-to-date information about the club and key personnel makes it easy for nonmember who are looking for a club to find you and join. In addition, up-to-date club information is the only way key information distributed by ARRL can be gotten to clubs.

To file an annual report go to www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/#affiliation. The annual report can be filed on line by clicking on No. 2 under Advantages of Affiliation.

Incidentally, if your club is not affiliated with ARRL, you might want to read through the information on this same site to see if affiliation is in the club's best interest as well as in the best interest of Amateur Radio.

+++ Sanction Your Hamfest/Swap +++

While on the subject of club affiliation, it seems appropriate to comment about sanctioning hamfests, swaps, seminar or convention. The visible procedure for having a hamfest sanctioned is rather simple -- fill out and submit a sanctioning application online. With rare exception, the submitter will receive a message a few days later that says the hamfest has been sanctioned by ARRL. During the few days from submission of the application until the approval is received, the application has been reviewed by the ARRL Convention Hamfest Manager at HQ and by the Division Director who gives approval for the sanctioning.

In the case of ARRL Section or State Conventions, the ARRL EC provides the final approval. The full Board gives approval to National Conventions.

The benefits of sanctioning include free publicity in QST, free listing as a sanctioned hamfest on the ARRL web site and a selection of nice goodies to use as prizes at the hamfest -- also free.

To review the rules and helpful information about sponsoring a sanctioned hamfest, go to www.arrl.org/FandES/field/hamfests/. The application form to have hamfests sanctioned is available at this site. It can be completed and submitted online.

Clubs that plan to have their hamfests sanctioned are encouraged to submit the applications for this sanctioning, soon. The sooner the application is approved, the sooner the hamfest is publicized on the ARRL web site.

+++ Tentative Travel Schedule +++

The tentative February through May travel schedule for Great Lakes Division officers and chairpersons is shown below. This schedule will be expanded to additional months in future issues of Words. In addition to Vice Director Gary Johnston, KI4LA and me, Division Legislative Action Chairman John Meyers, NB4K and 8th Area ARRL Incoming QSL Bureau Manager Jay Slough, K4ZLE will join in some of our trips to discuss the programs they head.

This year, we are working especially hard to optimize the value members receive from our travel. This means that both Gary and I may not appear at a number of hamfests together. It also means that instead of being at the "same old" hamfests as in the past, we may visit hamfests in parts of the Division that have not been covered during recent years.

If you would like any of us to consider visiting your hamfest/swap, meeting or event, please contact me at k8je@arrl.org.

Date.....Hamfest.......................Division Representative(s)
15 Feb: Mansfield, OH; InterCity ARC -- Jim and John
7 Mar: Cave City, KY; Mammoth Cave ARC -- Gary. John(?)
14 Mar: Marshall, MI; SMARS & Marshall HS club -- Jim and John
15 Mar: Toledo, OH; Toledo Mobile AR -- Jim and John
19 Apr: Cuyahoga Falls, OH; Cuyahoga Falls ARC -- Jim and Gary
26 Apr: Athens, OH; Athens Co. ARA -- Jim and Gary
15-17 May: Dayton Hamvention(r) -- Jim, Gary and John

Weaver's Words - Ho, Ho, Ho

Saturday, December 13, 2008
By James Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division

- Former Division Director, ARRL President W4OYI SK
- Gary Johnston, KI4LA re-elected Vice Director
- Holy and Happy Holidays
- FCC requests help from hams
- Remake of ARRL Internet facilities in progress
- Triple Play season to open
- Cal Darula, K0DXC: Special Assistant to survey youth programs
- ARRL Loyalty awards
- SW Ohio Digital Symposium - correction
- ARRL Strategic Plan - Member input requested
- Tentative schedule

+++ Former Division Director, ARRL President W4OYI SK +++

It is with great sadness that I report the death of George Wilson, III, W4OYI. George was a resident of Owensboro, KY. A long-time amateur, George previously held numerous ARRL appointments. He was elected Kentucky Section Manager, Vice Director and subsequently Director of the Great Lakes Division. He eventually became the first and only person from the Great Lakes Division to be elected ARRL President by the Board of Directors.

The George S. Wilson, III, W4OYI Award is given biannually at GLD Division conventions in honor of George's service to Amateur Radio. The award recognizes an amateur in this Division for lifetime achievement in Amateur Radio.

George served as ARRL President from January 1992 to July 1995. It was during a trip to Washington, DC on behalf of ARRL that George suffered a near-fatal stroke. A true fighter, he survived the stroke, but was left totally paralyzed on his left side. Although he was unable to maintain an active public life, he was fully alert and kept his great interest in Amateur Radio. He was active in the Owensboro Amateur Radio Club, Owensboro, KY. George died November 25.

Those who knew George knew him as an excellent person and an outstanding ham. I knew him also as a sharing and knowledgeable friend and advisor. He will be missed greatly.

George is survived by Marian, his wife of 51 years, by his children Berry and Jennifer, and by two grandchildren.

+++ Gary Johnston, KI4LA re-elected Vice Director +++

Current Great Lakes Division Vice Director Gary Johnston, KI4LA was re-elected to the Vice Director chair for another three years in a term that will begin at noon, January 1. Gary won a highly-contested race over Michigan Official Club Coordinator Dan Romanchik, KB6NU and Division Legislative Action Chairman John Meyers, NB4K. Meyers is also former Kentucky SM. Gary edged Dan by a 13-vote margin and John by 63 votes in an election that saw 3578 votes cast. Gary served as Vice Director to former Director George Racer, WB8BGY. Gary served as director for six months after George resigned.

+++ Holy and Happy Holidays +++

Whether you celebrate Christmas or Chanukah or another holy or holiday period, the Director and Vice Director wish you and your families the very best. May you also have a very Happy New Year throughout 2009.

+++ FCC requests help from hams +++

By this time, most ARRL members have heard that the FCC asked the League to help in the coming conversion of analog TV (ATV) to digital TV (DTV). The Commission is concerned there will be problems during this switchover because a number of people may not understand how to connect the converter box or deal with some other aspect of the change. A number of such problems occurred when a trial switch to DTV occurred.

I will not discuss the rights or wrongs, if any, of the coming switchover. It is going to happen. I won't even discuss whether it was right or wrong of FCC to request help through ARRL. This, too, is a done-deal -- they've already asked. What I will discuss is watch-outs I suggest us who lending a hand may want to take to avoid the likelihood Amateur Radio ends up in hot water.

Many of us older hands remember public relations problems that occurred in the 1960s and 1970s when we tried to help with television interference (TVI) that was blamed on amateur transmissions. The answer to the TVI typically was to put a simple filter on the TV set in much the same way the DTV converter will be hooked up. A number of hams went to the length of obtaining these filters and installing them on neighbors' TV sets, trying to be good neighbors.

The problem was that a number of TV sets "went out" soon after filters were installed. Many owners of these sets blamed the hams for these failures -- never mind that the set was quite old and destined to fail soon.

A lesson from this situation soon became apparent. This is, "Though shalt keep thy hands off thy neighbor's TV set." Give them the filter, but have them install it themselves or let them have a TV technician do it.

The same could happen if we attach DTV converters to TVs. With a high percent of the sets that need converters being a few years old, we should not be surprised if a number of them fail shortly after a converter is attached.

The first rule I suggest anyone who helps out with the ATV to DTV project is to stay away from your neighbor's or a stranger's TV.

The second rule I suggest is to be certain that the instructions provided for connecting converters clearly indicates they come from the Federal Communications Commission of the US Government. These are not our instructions. We are relaying them at the request of the Federal Communications Commission of the US Government. Notice I did not merely say "the FCC." Too many people have no idea what the FCC is. In addition, many may not understand even what the Federal Communications Commission but "US Government" should be understood.

What we can take credit for is that we are taking the time and effort to help our fellow citizens. A few ways we can do this are to set up stands in shopping centers and stores where high volumes of people shop, give demos to church, civic and fraternal groups, or operate phone banks in conjunction with TV and radio stations to spread the FCC's instructions. TV stations having much to stake in the changeover and are taking the lead in publicizing "how to's" related to it, local clubs might find them willing allies in helping set up and publicizing demonstrations.

I understand the FCC will provide instructions to distribute to consumers and scripts for use over the telephone. These should clearly indicate the source of the information is the Commission. They merely ask us to volunteer time and in a way serve as parrots to distribute the information.

Provided we amateurs do not fall into the trap of being overly helpful or decide to show first hand how technically elegant we are, there should be very little chance this project will haunt us. Let the glory and problems (if any) go to the FCC.

Let us be fully satisfied to be known as good citizens who help our fellow citizens and our government when this is needed. So, feel free to put up signs stating who you are. Feel free too to talk to people about Amateur Radio and the technical advances we are making ourselves in digital and other communications, but stay away from taking credit for the service you are forwarding from the FCC.

This is my thinking about the project. If you choose to help with it, thanks. If you decide you cannot help, thanks for thinking about it.

+++ Remake of ARRL Internet facilities in progress +++

Some of you may have noticed that the Board of Directors approved a total remake of the League's Internet presence at our last meeting. As we approach the end of this year, the project is coming along nicely. Some improvements are visible. Others remain in the implementation stage and still others are in their relative infancy. We have contracted with Fathom for the project. Fathom provides web engineering for a number of major corporations, including their customer interface.

We expect the project will continue throughout 2009. Progress is going fairly well even though the last hurricane season necessitated Fathom to redirect much of its staff to repairing damage done to major clients in the stricken areas. When completed, the ARRL will be able to provide a number of new and exciting services to members and affiliated clubs.

+++ Triple Play season to open +++

It has nothing to do with the "hot stove league" or "fantasy baseball" or even "Tinker to Evers to Chance," but it should prove to be a lot of fun. What is it? It is the new Triple Play WAS Award that has just been unveiled by the ARRL. It refers to a new form of Worked All States (WAS) that begins January 1 and requires working three new WASs -- one each on phone, CW and RTTY/digital. QSOs for the Triple Play award must be submitted through Logbook of the World (LoTW) to receive credit. Paper QSLs are not accepted for this award.

QSOs for the award must be dated no earlier than January 1, 2009. Three sets of confirmed QSOs with each of the 50 US states must be presented via LoTW for the award. All bands available to US amateurs may be used for the Triple Play with the exception of 60 M.

Further details on the new award may be found at http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/12/05/10490/?nc=1/

One added major point is that US applicants for the Triple Play award must be members of ARRL.

Happy hunting!

(Tinkers to Evers to Chance? This was a phenomenal triple-play combination for the Chicago Cubs way back when! I'm showing my age even though I didn't know what baseball was while they were still playing!)

+++ Cal Darula: Special Assistant to record youth programs +++

Your director has appointed Calvin Darula, K0DXC Special Assistant to record youth programs in the Great Lakes Division. Cal moved to Southern Ohio from Minnesota where he was Assistant Section Manager for Youth. He lives in Jackson, OH where he attends school.

The task Cal has accepted is to contact as many leaders as possible of youth programs in this Division during coming weeks. He will prepare a report on the activities the many clubs or schools offer to attract, educate and encourage young people to become active Amateur Radio operators. Section Managers Joe Phillips, K8QOE (Ohio), Dale Williams, WA8EFK (Michigan) and Jim Brooks, KY4Z (Kentucky) have agreed to facilitate Cal's efforts to contact the club officials.

It is believed that developing the report and sharing it throughout the Division may provide valuable insights that will increase still further the results of our work to recruit and develop young amateurs. I encourage Division members to welcome Cal and to assist him in this important project.

After being off-the-air for several weeks because of his move to Ohio, Cal is up and running with a full station. In addition to general operating, he is active in the ARRL, World Wide Young Contesters, FIST, NAQCC and SKCC.

+++ ARRL Loyalty Awards +++

The ARRL appreciates all of its members. Consequently, many years ago it set up a program to give special recognition to members who have shown particular loyalty to the League by maintaining continuous membership for specific lengths of time.

Very nice award certificates are sent automatically to members who have had continuous membership for 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90 years. There is no charge for the certificates.

Members who wish to have a more elegant award may request a very nice plaque. Unfortunately the current state of economics dictates that these plaques must be obtained at ARRL's cost to have them made plus the cost of shipping. The cost to ARRL for the plaques is $51.95. This price is pretty good when one considers that I recently paid nearly $35 to have a printed certificate covered with Plexiglas and tacked onto a not-extravagant wooden mounting board.

If anyone has held continuous membership for one of the 10-year intervals listed above, please contact Mary Hobart, K1MMH -- k1mmh@arrl.org -- or me -- k8je@arrl.org -- to check on your award. Please note that membership must not be interrupted by lapses if one is to be eligible for these awards.

+++ SW Ohio Digital Symposium - correction +++

I appear to have attempted to move the location of the SW Ohio Digital Symposium in my last e-letter. The correct location for it is Thesken Hall on the Miami University Middletown Campus, Middletown, OH as usual. The date is January 10, 2009. Thesken Hall is the first major building to the right of the drive into the campus. A parking lot is across the drive.

The agenda of very interesting presentations at the Symposium has been set; however, anyone wishing to set up a demonstration in the exhibit area or to publish have a paper included in its published proceedings (a CD) is invited to contact Jay Slough, K4ZLE at gungho@embarqmail.com.

A sampling of what was presented last year is here. Please send your ideas and suggestions to K4ZLE, gungho@embarqmail.com

+++ ARRL Strategic Plan: Member input requested +++

How many of you have heard -- even said -- that the ARRL leadership does not ask for the opinions and wishes of League members? Whether you have believed these earlier charges -- or not -- the ARRL Board of Directors wants your help as it develops a revised Strategic Plan to cover the coming several years. Yes, Uncle Hiram wants your input.

The Board of Directors developed the current Strategic Plan of ARRL goals and objectives in special session in St. Louis several years ago. It was revised in 2006. It is time to revise this plan again to consider changes in society and technology that have occurred since the 2006 revision. It is intended that day two (Saturday) of the July 2009 Board will be devoted to working on the new revision. The ARRL Executive Committee will tackle drafting revisions beginning in early 2009.

All members are requested to contribute thinking to the coming revision. The mechanics of doing this are very simple. All one needs to do is to go to arrl.org/members-only/stratplan. To read the current Plan, click on the link "The ARRL Strategic Plan" that is just below the opening paragraph on this site. Type your comments into the space provided here.

The Strategic Plan is used by the Board and staff to maintain focus when establishing and pursuing policy and projects.

Tentative Schedule: 2009

1 Jan: (Noon) New terms of Director and Vice Director begin.
10 Jan: SW Ohio Digital & Technical Symposium, Thesken Hall, Miami U.-Middletown, Middletown, OH - Gary, Jim.
15 JAN: A&F Committee, Newington, CT - Jim.
16-17 Jan: Board of Directors meeting, Newington - Gary, Jim.

A more complete schedule will appear in the next issue of Words. If you wish to have a member of the Division cabinet attend a meeting or hamfest/swap this year, please contact me at k8je@arrl.org.

73,

Jim, K8JE