The ARRL Club News
ARRL Club News for December 2008
ARRL Club Newsletter
December 12, 2008
Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, Editor
IN THIS ISSUE:
+ FCC Calls on Amateur Radio Service
+ Club Gavel Competition
+ PL-259 Connector
+ The Season For Giving
FCC Requests Ham's Technical Aid in Education on DTV.
We have received a request by the FCC for members of the ARRL to
provide technical educational assistance to their communities during
January and February in accomplishing the digital TV conversion.
Clubs are being asked to develop and implement plans to provide
information about the DTV conversion in their areas in ways they
think best fits their community. Each community is a little
different, so your plans may vary. Let your Section Manager know
your group is willing to help out.
Hams should *not* make "house calls," sell any equipment or do actual
installations -- the request is only to distribute technical
information and their materials. As we all know, some folks just
never get the message until too late. Materials for presentations,
education and many other activities are available at
http://www.dtv.gov/outreach.html . Beginning early January, FCC
staff will contact Section Managers and leaders of interested clubs
and, where possible, arrange to meet for sharing even more
information, A/V and printed materials and training aids with the
clubs in this effort.
We know the time is short and problematic, (not our choice) but your
aid in this now will be appreciated.
In early January, Section Managers will be asked for the names and
contact information of the volunteering groups. FCC staff will then
make contact with them, learn their plans, and provide them with the
media, brochures or other materials your group may need in this
effort. Materials also can be downloaded from the web at
http://www.dtv.gov/outreach.html . FCC regional staff may even come
and visit with larger groups to aid in implementation of the group's
plans.
"I really appreciate the willingness of the ARRL to actively
participate in helping Americans with the transition to DTV and your
helpful suggestions. The DTV transition will be an historic moment
in the evolution of TV. Broadcast television stations can offer
viewers improved picture and sound quality and new programming
choices. All-digital broadcasting also will allow us to
significantly improve public safety communications and will usher in
a new era of advanced wireless services such as the widespread
deployment of wireless broadband.
As we discussed, our goal is to engage on a cooperative basis the
amateur community to help with the DTV outreach and educate consumers
on how to install a converter box and how to set it up. We also
discussed the possibility of amateur groups providing technical
advice by telephone to consumers who may encounter difficulty with
the installation and setting up of their converter box. Any
assistance that you can arrange through the ARRL Section Managers
will greatly help in the efforts of the FCC to ensure a smooth
transition to DTV on February 17, 2009."
- George Dillon, FCC
---
The FCC will provide participating groups with news releases, audio
clips (mp3 files) and announcement templates for them to use in local
media in preparation of the activities. FCC will also provide clubs
with educational video, PowerPoints and similar visual materials.
As you plan, remember this is for technical educational help only.
At no time should the hams enter someone else's home or be installers
in this; nor should they broker or sell conversion boxes in any way.
Clubs can provide such things as a call in telephone number for
technical help, make presentations at meetings, demos at malls, talks
to other groups -- whatever works in their community. Local
over-the-air broadcasters should be most interested in this activity,
making it easier to get TV publicity about it. Other non-profit,
volunteer groups are also being asked to help out, so this is also a
chance to do some organizational networking.
Some groups are already coming up with plans, such as:
"I think a simple class at the community senior citizens centers
would be great!
Those things are everywhere all over the country. A large number of
seniors could be taught to go out into the community. Many of these
people are looking for something to do. Nothing wrong with hams
acting as consultants and getting some good press from it."
Or how about contacting the local coordinators for Meals on Wheels
and teaching their delivery volunteers what to look for in shut-ins
still needing conversion units? Or the local Visiting Nurses?
How about having an ARES drill in which your teams go looking for
over-the-air TV antennas and note the addresses. Later you can hand
out or send info to those locations.
One group is planning to be in their community auditorium with some
converters and talk about how to hook them up.
Others are working with their weathermen/women, knowing that in a
storm a lot of people look to TV for information.
Why not make a display with the FCC's materials -- but also be sure
to have your local club info out too! You just might get some new
prospects!
"Go on a talk-TV segment to demo creating a DIY antenna from coat
hangars, to show what a 'paper tiger' the need for a spendy antenna
is.." And a similar comment, "Just letting everyone know that the
DIGITAL READY antenna that the box stores sell for $130 is the same
as the old analog antenna that you can get for $50, this lets people
know that you are sincere in your presentation."
Each group is encouraged to think of ways to aid their community in
this that work best in your own areas. If not with a store or
call-in deal there, that's OK. These are just some starting
suggestions. C'mon, Get creative!
There is not enough time left for articles in QST, the national
magazine. But there is precedent of getting the word out quickly to
clubs for a special need. After all, we're "communicators."
Club Gavel Competition
A benefit of being an ARRL affiliated club is being eligible to
participate in gavel competitions of select ARRL-sponsored contests.
There are eight events that are designated as Affiliated Club
Competitions (ACC) for ARRL and RAC affiliated clubs:
- January VHF Sweepstakes
- RTTY Roundup (January)
- International DX Contest (February and March)
- June VHF QSO Party
- September VHF QSO Party
- November Sweepstakes
- 160-Meter Contest (December)
- 10-Meter Contest (December)
In order for a club to be listed there must be a minimum of three
entries from club members in good standing who reside and operate
within the club territory. Complete rules can be found on the web
at:
< http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/rules-all.html#cc >
Your club must be listed as an active affiliated club at the time of
the contest, so be sure to submit your annual report on time to
remain on the active club roster. (Inactive clubs can move back to
active status by submitting an annual report and a current club
roster.)
< http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/forms/fsd2/ >
PL-259 Connector
Want a good video on installing a Pl-259 Connector?
This is a six minute video that can be shown at a club meeting.
Installing a PL-259 on RG-213
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1nabA6yMoI
Installing a PL-259 on RG8X
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzXXjzmA-IE&feature=related
It's that time of year when we remember those people and
organizations that are important to us all year long! The generosity
of members who support ARRL with contributions to fund programs not
covered by member dues are vital to the financial strength of ARRL.
Thank you if you've made a recent contribution.
In these final weeks of 2008 your contribution of $25, $50, $100 or
more will have a significant impact on ARRL. If you've already made
a contribution earlier in 2008, I hope you'll consider making an
additional gift now -- before December 31.
And we'll express our appreciation with a $10 ARRL Gift Certificate*,
which you can apply toward your next publication sales purchase, when
you make a contribution of $25 or more to any ARRL fund before
December 31.
Place your contribution on our secure website at
www.arrl.org/donation, or by mail or phone at 860-594-0397, and we'll
send your $10 ARRL Gift Certificate right away, or Click on the
"DONATE NOW" button above to make your contribution and designate
your contribution to any of these ARRL funds...
- The ARRL Diamond Club (at www.arrl.org/diamondclub)
- The Spectrum Defense Fund
- The Education & Technology Fund
- The Lab Fund
- The Historic Preservation Fund
- The ARRL General Fund
For more information, contact Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart,
K1MMH at mhobart@arrl.org or by phone at 860-594-0397.
* ABOUT ARRL GIFT CERTIFICATES
After making your contribution of $25 or more, your $10 ARRL Gift
Certificate will be promptly mailed to you. Certificates must be
redeemed by April 30, 2009. It is easy to redeem your certificate
online, by mail, or phone! This offer is valid on all sale- and
regular-priced ARRL publications.
73,
Mary K1MMH
Mary M. Hobart, K1MMH
Chief Development Officer
ARRL
Telephone: 860-594-0397
Fax: 860-594-0259
email: mhobart@arrl.org
ARRL Affiliation Milestones
25 Years October
*W4
NFL MILTON AMATEUR RADIO CLUB W4VIY
---
60 Years October
*W1
WMA HAMPDEN COUNTY RADIO ASSOCIATION W1NY
*W0
IA North Iowa ARC
---
75 Years October
*W4
AL Birmingham Amateur Radio Club W4CUE
AL Mobile ARC Inc W4IAX
---
10 Years November
*W2
SNJ DB Club WA2KM
*W6
SJV T.C.A.R.E.S K6TUO
*W7
EWA Kamiak Butte Amateur Repeater Association KB7ARA
*W8
OH Capital City Repeater Assn K8DRE
*W0
NE Heartland DX Association NI0DX
---
50 Years November
*W2
NLI Larkfield Amateur Radio Club W2LRC
*W4
MS Meridian Amateur Radio Club W5FQ
*W9
WI Fond Du Lac Amateur Radio Club W9EBV
---
60 Years November
*W0
IA Ottumwa Amateur Radio Club WA0DX
---
75 Years November
*W2
SNJ Atlantic Radio Club W3KY
*W0
MO Heart Of America Radio Club W0RR
---
10 Years December
*W4
NC Tri-County Amateur Radio Club NC4AR
NC Lenoir Amateur Radio Club KF4WOD
NC Foundations Amateur Radio Society W4FBC
*W5
MS Lauderdale Repeater Group W5LRG
*W6
LAX SCRRBA (REGIONAL FREQUENCY COORDINATOR)
---
60 Years December
*W4
NC Kinston ARS, Inc. W4OIX
*W9
IL DuPage Amateur Radio Club W9DUP
WI Racine Megacycle Club W9UDU
=============================================================================
The ARRL Club News is published on the first Wednesday of each month by
the American Radio Relay League--The National Association For Amateur
Radio--225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; tel 860-594-0200; fax
860-594-0259; www.arrl.org. Joel Harrison, W5ZN, President.
The ARRL Club News is an e-mail digest of news and information of
interest to active members of ARRL Affiliated Clubs.
Material from The ARRL Club News may be republished or reproduced in
whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must
be given to The ARRL Club News and The American Radio Relay League.
Editorial questions or comments: Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, clubs@arrl.org
Delivery problems (ARRL direct delivery only!): club-el-dlvy@arrl.org
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Page last modified: 03:09 PM, 15 Nov 2006 ET
Page author: clubs@arrl.org
Copyright © 2006, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
