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SM--Tom Ciciora KA9QPN
ASM/SRM--Ron Morgan, KB9NW
ASM/SEC--Brad Pioveson, W9FX
ASM/ASEC--Shari Harlan, N9SH
ACC--Scott DeSantis KB9VRW
SGL--Charles Richey, K9DUE
STM--Roy Eades, KA9MZJ
PIC--Fritz Bock, WD9FMB
TC--John Dinella, WA9IL
OOC--Tim Childers, KB9FBI
ASEC--Curtis Williams, W5DTR
ASEC--Kelly Robertson, KC9FVK
ASEC--Pat Ryan, KC6VVT
ASEC--Pat Stowell, N9PN
ASEC/Digital Ops--Danny Pease NG9R
DEC: Region 2--Lloyd Sherman KB9APW, Region 3--Dale Marzano N9JH, Region 4--Neil Ormos N9NL, Region 6--Gary Shanks KA9FAJ, Region 7--OPEN, Region 9--John Van Sandt N9YRX, Region 8--Curtis Williams W5DTR, Region 11--Bruce Talley WA9APQ

From the top...
**Due to personal and work issues, our Affiliated Club Coordinator Joe Serocki N9IFG, has tendered his resignation. I appreciate everything that Joe has done for the Section, and wish him the best going forward.
**I hope to have a replacement for Joe in place shortly.
**In the hopper of Congress is a measure shorthanded as HR-4969. The full title is the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2014. An FCC study was mandated by Congress in 2012 on “the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio Service communications in emergencies and disaster relief” (NOT "public service communications", thank you very much!). One of the obstacles to Amateur participation in EmComm and such are the increasing prevalence of covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) incorporated by home owners associations (HOAs) in new communities. A lot of new subdivisions have these things as a condition to the sale. Frankly, many of them contain severe restrictions if not outright prohibition of outdoor antennas. This constricts our ability to operate and leaves many with indoor or attic or no antennas. The FCC, in reporting the study results to Congress, essentially said that if they were ordered by Congress to extend PRB-1's 'reasonable accommodation' standard to HOAs and CC&Rs, the Commission would do so. HR-4969 does that. It was introduced by Illinois' own Adam Kinzinger (R-IL/16) and Connecticut's Joe Courtney (D-CT/2). Right now, the push is to get as many co-sponsors on board as possible, so as to make passage inevitable and support overwhelming. The playbook is on the League's website at http://www.arrl.org/hr-4969. Note that we're still using the same methods as in the past: letters go to HQ for collection and are hand delivered by our lobbyist to the individual Congresspeople in person. This also bypasses the toxin and hazmat screening delay that occurs if you mail comments directly. We need all hands on deck for this one again. I know from my conversations with you at events that this is a big concern of many. Please pitch in as you have so well in the past and let's get this done.
 

Get informed...
**George Geotsalitis NB9R sends the following: "Melrose Park (Illinois) Public Safety and Homeland Security (MPPS ) is actively seeking licensed amateur radio operators who are interested in volunteering their radio expertise to enhance MPPS during responses to communications emergencies within or around Melrose Park, as well as, with organizations with which they have active Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs).  MPPS will employ these volunteers under the auspice of both RACES (governmental) and ARES (general public) groups. Membership in either or both groups would be appropriate but both is suggested. In addition to simplex operation throughout  the Village, the intent is to construct two amateur radio repeater systems; one operating in the 2 meter band and the other in the 3/4 meter (440 MHz) band.  To make sure that they have complete redundancy, they’ll be seeking owners for one 2 meter and one 440 repeater in close proximity that would be willing to sign an MOU with the Village, as backup options. Lastly, they are creating a High Frequency radio presence within their EOC, to allow communications with any and all local, county, state, inter-state or other disaster services organizations." Please contact George directly if interested via his info on QRZ. Once upon a time in its previous iteration as Melrose Park ESDA, this organization was the flagship for SKYWARN operations in the NWS/Chicago area of responsibility. It's good to see them rebuilding.
**Registration is now open for those who wish to participate in supporting the 2014 Bank Of America Chicago Marathon on 12 October. The registration process starts at http://goo.gl/JVbQWk.
**For those keeping score, I have now mentioned this matter once. Please go tell the guy that keeps emailing to chastise me that I don't help to publicize this event.
**The Final Report and other supporting documents of the recently dissolved ARRL Emergency Communications Advisory Committee have been posted for your perusal if you'd like. Find them at http://www.arrl-mdc.net/ECAC/Documents.html.
**Poor baby. K1MAN has had his license renewal application dismissed as he owes the FCC $10,000 in fines from his past antics. If past behavior is a guide to future performance, I'm confident that it's going to take US Marshals to get this guy off the air for good. And, not a thing of value will be lost, nor a "gosh darn" given.
 

Around the Section...
**From John Coker N9FAM from the Peoria Area ARC: "For the 7th year, local Hams helped with communications and directing walkers during the ‘Walk to Defeat ALS’ in Peoria on Saturday, June 21. The walk ran between the Peoria Chiefs Stadium and the Spirit of Peoria, with a return by the new museums on Washington Street. The thirteen Hams helping were: K9DRF, Darhal Wolf; NM0O, Jon Dainty; KC9QYA, Larry Reeves; WD9FMB, Fritz Bock; K9MPR, Mark Riggio; KB9VQH, Merle Joiner; KB9OMH, Jim Hamp; KC9FWR, Jim Hornbaker; KB9ATO, DeWayne Barton; KB9TNZ, John Kujawa; N9ZBE, Alli Gillespie; N9YUY, John Gillespie, and N9FAM, John Coker. The walk route had some changes and complications this year, due to on-going street construction, especially around Washington Street and State Street.  But, the majority of Washington Street has been completed, and is good for pedestrian traffic. Thanks to all that helped!"
**I made visits to five Field Day sites in and around my immediate area. It's such a short event that it's tough to hit as many as I'd have liked. Plus, there was an event in my own town that required my attention while wearing my EMA hat. It was good to see everyone and good to see the efforts being expended.
**Going traveling on the first weekend of August. On the 2nd, I'll be in Carlinville at the request of the Macoupin County ARC for the West Central Illinois Hamfest. Your bleary eyed servant will be offering an 8AM forum. It will be my usual roundup on current events, along with the customary Q&A session. Following me will be Craig Thompson K9CT, contester extraordinaire, speaking about recent DXpeditions. On the third, I'll be at the Will County Fairgrounds in Peotone, IL for the venerable Hamfesters RC fest. No forum planned, but I'll be behind my customary table, armtwisting for membership renewals and fair game for pretty much any question.

Ye Olde Traffic Report DE KA9MZJ...

Illinois Side Band Net - Net Manager WB9QPM
Daily on 3905 at 1800 local time
QNI 190 QTC 49 Sessions 38
 
Illinois Phone Net - Net Manager K9GYI
M-F on 3857 at 1645 local time
Sunday on 3940 at 0810 local time - right after the Illinois Emergency Net
QNI 196 QTC 18 Sessions 26
 
Illinois Emergency Net - Net Manager K9HEZ
Sunday on 3940 at 0800 local time
QNI 76 QTC 9 Sessions 5
 
North Central Phone Net – Net Manager K9HEZ
M-F on 3912 at 0700 local time
QNI 256 QTC 11 Sessions 21
 
Illinois CW Net (ILN)   Net Manager WB8SIM
Daily on 3838 at 1915 local time   
QNI  39 QTC 4 Sessions 12
W9NXM reporting