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ARRL Letter

 

***************
The ARRL Letter
Vol. 24, No. 31
August 12, 2005
***************

IN THIS EDITION:

* +Time to step up to the plate for spectrum defense
* +Italy is latest country to drop Morse requirement
* +Shuttle returns safely after ISS visit, PCSat2 installation
* +The Big Project expands
* +Certification and Continuing Program honors K1EIC, W7JWJ 
*  Solar Update
*  IN BRIEF: 
     This weekend on the radio
    +ARRL Field Day 2005 "Logs Received" list posted
     ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration
     Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course registration
     1926 Handbook reproduction is bonus with advance 2006 Handbook orders
    +The ARES E-Letter to debut
    +Finding ham radio classes a mouse click away!
     ARRL seeks dynamic individual for Membership Manager
     FCC chairman names acting Office of Engineering and Technology chief

+Available on ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> 

===========================================================
==>Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!):
letter-dlvy@arrl.org
==>Editorial questions or comments: Rick Lindquist, N1RL, n1rl@arrl.org
===========================================================

==>SPECTRUM DEFENSE FUND 2005: "IT'S TIME TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE!"

It's August. It's vacation season. It's sizzling outside, but the bands
aren't so hot. Your shack is silent, and your gear's been collecting dust
all summer. When it's fall and you're back into the mood, you'll turn on the
rig, and--propagation notwithstanding--you know the Amateur Radio bands will
still be there. One big reason that's true, says ARRL Chief Development
Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, is that the League never quits defending Amateur
Radio spectrum from threats such as broadband over power line (BPL) or
"Little LEO" satellite schemes. No matter the time of year, spectrum defense
is an ongoing ARRL obligation that depends on the generosity of the Amateur
Radio community.

"Even though it's summertime, the need to defend our spectrum doesn't go on
vacation," Hobart emphasized. "What we enjoy now is because others have
stepped up to the plate. It's time for you to step up to the plate!"

Unfortunately, too few have done so during the 2005 Spectrum Defense
campaign, which the League hoped to wrap up by the end of July. According to
Hobart, this summer only about 1.5 percent of ARRL's members--some 2270
individuals--are helping to maintain the solid front against threats to
amateur spectrum for the rest of the Amateur Radio community. 

"I'm sure that the rest of our members care just as much about protecting
our spectrum," she said this week. "They just need a little nudge."

This summer, ARRL members have received solicitations in the mail seeking
their support in the 2005 Spectrum Defense Fund. Hobart concedes that
there's nothing sexy or headline-grabbing about beating the drum for
donations, and she knows better than most how many fund-raising letters end
up unread and in the trash.

Nonetheless, she says, a donation to the Spectrum Defense Fund helps enable
ARRL to serve as Amateur Radio's voice on behalf of members and nonmembers
alike. The League, she notes, is the only organization representing Amateur
Radio on the national and international levels.

"If we want to be heard on an issue like BPL, we have to have 'face time'
with the players in official Washington," she pointed out. "We have to
demonstrate that Amateur Radio is a force to be reckoned with." The Spectrum
Defense Fund makes that happen.

It takes many dollars, plain and simple. Among other things, the Fund helps
maintain a Technical Relations Office in the Washington area. It also
ensures an international presence at meetings such as World
Radiocommunication Conference 2007--just around the corner. It also makes
possible contact with federal regulators and helps earn the respect and
support of lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Some of the money the ARRL devotes to spectrum defense activities comes from
the dues that League members pay. These days, however, the lion's share
comes from individual donations each year, and some, Hobart notes, give very
generously. But she acknowledges that high rollers are the exception, not
the rule, and the Spectrum Defense Fund needs and appreciates any and all
financial help.

"It all comes down to individual radio amateurs asking themselves, 'What can
I do to ensure the future of Amateur Radio?'" Hobart says. "After all,
without spectrum, there is no Amateur Radio."

Hobart allows that some radio amateurs may hold back from becoming League
members or from donating to the Spectrum Defense Fund because they don't
agree with ARRL on some issue. 

"Given that we're a national association, it's virtually impossible to be
all things to all people," she said. "Ham radio is so diverse not everyone
can--or ever will--see eye to eye on a particular issue." But, she
maintains, "individual radio amateurs need to see the bigger picture."

"If you love Amateur Radio, put differences aside and become part of the
solution--the future."

It's easy to donate via the ARRL Development Office secure Web site
<https://www.arrl.org/forms/fdefense/>. For more information, visit the ARRL
Development Office Web site <http://www.arrl.org/development/top>.

==>ITALY JOINS NO-CODE RANKS AS FCC REVIVES MORSE DEBATE IN THE US

Italy is reported to be the latest country added to the list of those that
no longer require Amateur Radio applicants to have passed a Morse code
examination to gain HF access. The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com/>
reported this week that current IW-prefix "no-code" VHF/UHF licensees in
Italy now will be allowed operate on HF. Canada eliminated Morse as the
"sole additional requirement" for HF access in late July. To date, more than
two dozen countries around the world--including such major players as the
United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and New Zealand--no longer require
Amateur Radio applicants to pass a Morse code examination to operate below
30 MHz. If the FCC's past observations on the subject are any clue, the US
may join the no-code-required club in the future.

"We believe that an individual's ability to demonstrate increased Morse code
proficiency is not necessarily indicative of that individual's ability to
contribute to the advancement of the radio art," the FCC maintained in its
December 1999 Amateur Radio restructuring Report and Order (R&O)
<http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/wt98-143ro.pdf>. "As a result, we
find that such a license qualification rule is not in furtherance of the
purpose of the amateur service, and we do not believe that it continues to
serve a regulatory purpose."

The Commission in 1999 retained a minimal 5 WPM Morse requirement for all
license classes only because of the treaty obligation then in place. World
Radiocommunication Conference 2003 (WRC-03) subsequently decided to let
countries determine for themselves whether or not to require amateur
applicants to demonstrate Morse ability.

In its Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order (NPRM&O)
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-143A1.pdf> in WT
Docket 05-235, released July 19, 2005, the FCC proposed to eliminate the 5
WPM telegraphy examination altogether. At the same time, it dismissed
petitions calling for--among other things--a new entry-level license with HF
privileges. 

In wording that closely mirrored remarks in its 1999 restructuring R&O, the
Commission said its review of the 18 petitions and comments in the
proceeding showed that "the majority agree" with its 1999 stance on the
Morse requirement. The FCC said it believes it should treat Morse code like
any other Amateur Radio mode. The FCC further said it was not persuaded by
the ARRL's petition request to retain the 5 WPM Morse requirement solely for
Amateur Extra applicants.

But perhaps recalling what it also said in 1999--that few issues coming
before the Commission "present such a clear dichotomy of viewpoints" as
Morse code--the FCC stopped short of making the Morse requirement disappear.
Instead, it invited another round of comments.

The US Amateur Radio community has taken up the Commission's offer with
great enthusiasm. As of week's end, more than 1400 comments had been posted
via the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). The majority focused
solely on the Morse issue. While most tend to file brief "yea" or "nay"
comments, many postings reflect the deeply emotional nature of the Morse
debate.

Those favoring the Morse requirement frequently suggest that dropping it
altogether will lead to a overall decline in the skill and dedication of new
operators. Others cite Morse as a longstanding tradition that ought not be
cast aside lightly, and a few cite its potential in emergency communication.
The FCC already dismissed such arguments in 1999.

Those endorsing its elimination often assert that Morse is largely
irrelevant today and that retaining the requirement is keeping a lot of
people from pursuing Amateur Radio. Several commenters also have contended
that Morse code should rise or fall on its own now, not be mandated for
licensure. These are arguments the FCC essentially agreed with in 1999 and
again in 2005.

Generally speaking, the Commission has been disinclined to revisit what it
considers once-trod ground. 

Following WRC-03, Switzerland became the first country to announce it was
eliminating Morse code as a requirement for HF access. It was followed in
short order by the United Kingdom.

In addition to Italy, Canada, Switzerland, the UK, Germany, Australia and
New Zealand, the list of countries that have dropped Morse code as a
requirement includes the Czech Republic, Spain, South Africa, Iceland,
Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland,
Kenya, Luxembourg (provisional CEPT Class 2 HF access), The Netherlands,
Norway, Poland (limited), South Africa, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea and
Singapore.

To file on-line comments on the FCC NPRM&O in WT Docket 05-235 or to view
others' comments in the proceeding, visit the ECFS site
<http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/> and click on "Submit a Filing" or "Search for
Filed Comments."

In either case, type "05-235" in the "Proceeding" field, being careful to
include the hyphen but not the quotation marks. Directions for filing
comments, which can be in the form of an attached document, are on the ECFS
site. Click on "Getting Started" to learn more.

The FCC is not expected to release a Report and Order in WT Docket 05-235
until late this year at the soonest.

==>SHUTTLE DISCOVERY RETURNS SAFELY

The space shuttle Discovery touched down safely at Edwards Air Force Base in
California August 9 at 1211 UTC. The picture-perfect, pre-dawn West Coast
landing, necessitated by continued poor weather conditions at Kennedy Space
Center--the primary landing site--brought to a close an extended STS-114
"Return to Flight" mission, the first since the February 1, 2003 shuttle
Columbia tragedy.

"Congratulations on a truly spectacular test flight," Mission Control told
the crew after the touchdown. "Welcome home friends." Responded Discovery
Commander Eileen Collins, KD5EDS, "We're happy to be back." 

Discovery, which carried a crew of seven--including six Amateur Radio
licensees--into space, originally was scheduled to return to Earth on August
8. During its two weeks in space, the crew demonstrated new methods to
inspect and repair the shuttle in orbit. The shuttle crew also delivered
supplies and outfitted and performed maintenance on the ISS, conducting a
number of these tasks during three spacewalks.

Discovery crew members also installed the PCSat2 Amateur Radio package, now
undergoing commissioning.

Hosting the Discovery team on the ISS were Expedition 11 Commander Sergei
Krikalev, U5MIR, and NASA ISS Science Officer John Phillips, KE5DRY. The
shuttle crew also included Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP--who did the PCSat2
installation--James Kelly, KC5ZSW; Charlie Camarda, KC5ZSY; Wendy Lawrence,
KC5KII, Stephen Robinson, and Andy Thomas, KD5CHF/VK5MIR, who made some
casual Amateur Radio QSOs while Discovery and the ISS passed over his native
Australia.

Discovery's crew enjoyed a welcome home celebration August 10 at Houston's
Ellington Field.

Due to the STS-114 Return to Flight Mission, the next Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station (ARISS) school group contact will not take place
any earlier than the week of August 22.

The PCSat2 ground team has asked Earth stations to refrain from transmitting
on the uplink until commissioning is complete. The ground team is seeking
reports of 1200 and 9600 baud telemetry on 437.975 MHz .

Because of Doppler shift the UHF signal from PCSat2 at acquisition of signal
(AOS) will be as much as 9 kHz high, and at loss of signal (LOS) it will be
as much as 9 kHz low. But at AOS and LOS, the Doppler shift is less, and
both are good times to capture telemetry files without running into serious
tuning problems. Doppler shift is the greatest at mid-pass. 

PCSat2 will remain affixed to the ISS for approximately one year. For more
information, visit the PCSa2 Operations Web site
<http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/pec/pc2ops.html>.

==>NEW SCHOOLS JOIN ARRL EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

The ARRL Education and Technology Program (ETP--also known as "The Big
Project")--has expanded by four schools. Deep Wood Elementary School in
Round Rock, Texas, Lampasas Middle School in Lampasas, Texas, Powell GT
Magnet Elementary School in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Winn Brook School
in Belmont, Massachusetts, are the latest to come aboard the growing
program. As ETP-participating schools, each will get a complete Amateur
Radio station. All made their Amateur Radio equipment selections this
summer, and the gear is en route in time for the new school year.

"The current--and expanding--count of ETP schools stands at 165," says ETP
Coordinator Mark Spencer, WA8SME. He notes that the goal of the ARRL
Education and Technology Program is to facilitate the integration of
wireless technology into participating schools' curricula.

Three ETP-participating schools also were named as progress grant
recipients: Bloomington High School South in Bloomington, Indiana, Eastham
Community Center in Wilsonville, Oregon and LBJ High School in Austin,
Texas.

The progress grants include curriculum and printed material--typically
products that ARRL produces or offers--as well as components and equipment
specifically requested to enhance an existing program, Spencer explained.
The latest grants for all seven schools total $12,400.

The LBJ High School's progress grant of $700 will provide equipment to
support more on-the-air activity by students. "The school administration and
student body are fully embracing the program, and the program is expanding,"
said Spencer, who visited the school earlier this year.

Before even getting her ham ticket, Winn Brook School first-grade teacher
Donna LaRoche, KB1LWY, already had begun involving her youngsters in the
world of Amateur Radio through her "Hamsters" program. Spencer said Winn
Brook is getting "exceptionally strong support" from the local ham
community--something he considers essential to the success of an ETP school.
LaRoche is in the process of upgrading to General.

Bloomington High School South, a well-established project school, will get
$400 to purchase an antenna tuner and additional gear for its club station,
K9SOU. Eastham Community Center received $300 for components it needs to
make some FBI-donated handheld radios functional to support emergency
communication activities. 

Spencer says the deadline for the next round of grant applications is
November 1. To apply, visit the ARRL Education and Technology Program (ETP)
Web page <http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/> for an application. Schools may
send applications directly to Spencer at 774 Eastside Rd, Coleville, CA
96107. Contact Mark Spencer, WA8SME, <mspencer@arrl.org>; for additional
information.

==>BETSEY DOANE, K1EIC, HARRY LEWIS, W7JWJ, ARE MENTORS/INSTRUCTORS OF THE
YEAR

Connecticut Section Manager Betsey Doane, K1EIC, and former Western
Washington SM Harry Lewis, W7JWJ, have been honored as the co-recipients of
the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education (CCE) 2005 Mentor/Instructor
of the Year Award. The award recognizes excellence in assisting CCE students
both online and in the classroom. 

"Each of these dedicated leaders has received literally hundreds of letters
of thanks, praising them for their extraordinary efforts with helping
students--and other mentor/instructors--over the past several years," said
ARRL Emergency Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG. "These
awards are simply a token of ARRL's appreciation for their help in making
the CCE Program such a success. Thank you, Betsey and Harry!"

Miller says Doane has been assisting students with their emergency
communication course studies almost since the CCE courses first went online
in 2000. She has also been key in opening doors for students and potential
students who are sight-impaired. "Betsey is an expert in using tools such as
JAWS--the screen text reader for the sight-impaired--since she is blind,"
Miller explained. "Her assistance has helped us to assure that the courses
are completely accessible for those with vision impairments. We are very
proud to have her on our team!" 

Lewis is one of the CCE program's pioneer mentor/instructors, Miller said.
"Harry spends much of his day responding to students, reviewing their
activities and drawing upon a lifetime of learning to assure the best
learning experience for every student, regardless of what the course topic
is," he commented. "In addition to the ARRL Emergency Communications
courses, he actively mentors nearly all of our technical courses."

The ARRL Certification and Continuing Education Program today has more than
370 mentor/instructors, and Miller says Doane and Lewis are sharing the
award this year because it was impossible to pick one over the other.
"They're equally deserving of this honor," he said.

Miller presented Doane with her award plaque at the emergency communications
banquet held in conjunction with Dayton Hamvention 2005. ARRL Northwestern
Division Director Greg Milnes, W7OZ, presented Lewis with his award plaque
at the SeaPac convention in Oregon.

More information on the CCE Program is on the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/cce>.

==>SOLAR UPDATE

Propagation prognosticator Carl "Staring at the Sun" Luetzelschwab, K9LA, Ft
Wayne, Indiana--filling in for Tad Cook, K7RA, reports: Solar activity was
low to very low during the reporting period, August 5-11, which started with
a C2.8 solar flare--the biggest of the period--on the first day. Geophysical
activity ranged from quiet (Friday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday) to minor
storm (Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday).

Very low solar activity and quiet to unsettled geophysical activity are
predicted for the next three days.

Some of the more interesting DX scheduled to be on this weekend includes
PY0F, TK, 5X, HB0, P5, HS, and TY (thanks to The Daily DX
<http://www.dailydx.com/> and QRZ DX). The best bands for working these
stations should be 40, 30, 20, and 17 meters. Use your favorite propagation
prediction software to determine the best times of day.

Sunspot numbers for August 4 through 10 were 85, 74, 54, 67, 56, 51 and 34,
with a mean of 60.1. The 10.7 cm flux was 106.1, 98.8, 93.4, 92.3, 86.4,
82.5 and 76.3, with a mean of 90.8. Estimated planetary A indices were 14,
9, 34, 18, 8, 10 and 22, with a mean of 16.4. Estimated mid-latitude A
indices were 9, 6, 25, 12, 6, 8 and 9, with a mean of 10.7.

__________________________________

==>IN BRIEF:

* This weekend on the radio: The WAE DX Contest (CW) and the Maryland-DC QSO
Party are the weekend of August 13-14. The NCCC Thursday Sprint is August 19
(UTC). JUST AHEAD: The North American QSO Party (SSB), the ARRL 10 GHZ and
Up Contest, the SARTG WW RTTY Contest, the Keyman's Club of Japan Contest
and the New Jersey QSO Party are the weekend of August 20-21. The NCCC
Thursday Sprint is August 26 (UTC). See the ARRL Contest Branch page
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/> and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar
<http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html> for more info.

* ARRL Field Day 2005 "Logs Received" list posted: The ARRL Contest Branch
has announced that the complete list of "Logs Received" for ARRL Field Day
2005 has been posted on the ARRL Web site
<http://www.arrl.org/contests/claimed/>. This list includes all paper and
regular e-mailed Field Day log submissions, as well as entries submitted via
the Web applet. If your entry is listed as a check log, it is because we did
not receive adequate information from you to include it in the Logs Received
listing. If you do not find your entry or your believe there is an error in
your listing, contact ARRL Contest Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND
<n1nd@arrl.org>;; 860-594-0232, or Kathy Allison, KA1RWY <kallison@arrl.org;
860-594-0295.

* ARRL Certification and Continuing Education course registration:
Registration for the ARRL Antenna Modeling (EC-004) and Radio Propagation
(EC-011) on-line courses remains open through Sunday, August 14. Classes
begin Friday August 26. Learn the art and science of antenna modeling as
taught by computer-modeling expert and noted author L.B. Cebik, W4RNL. He's
combined the expertise of his long career as a college professor with his
love and antennas and antenna modeling to offer a comprehensive, yet
practical, course of study. Radio Propagation students will study the
science of RF propagation, including the properties of electromagnetic
waves, the atmosphere and the ionosphere, the sun and sunspots, ground waves
and sky waves, and various propagation modes--including aurora and meteor
scatter. To learn more, visit the ARRL Certification and Continuing
Education <http://www.arrl.org/cce/> Web page or contact the ARRL
Certification and Continuing Education Program Department, cce@arrl.org.

* Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course registration: Registration
for the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level III on-line course
(EC-003) opens Monday, August 15, at 1201 AM EDT and will remain open until
all available seats have been filled or through the August 20-21
weekend--whichever comes first. Class begins Friday, September 2. Thanks to
the United Technologies Corporation (UTC), the $45 registration fee paid
upon enrollment will be reimbursed to students who complete the course
requirements and are upgraded by their mentor to "Passed" within the 8-week
course period. During this registration period, seats are being offered to
ARRL members on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more, visit the
ARRL Certification and Continuing Education (CCE) Web page
<http://www.arrl.org/cce>. For more information, contact Emergency
Communications Course Manager Dan Miller, K3UFG, cce@arrl.org; 860-594-0340.

* 1926 Handbook reproduction is bonus with advance 2006 Handbook orders: To
celebrate the 80th anniversary of The ARRL Handbook for Radio
Communications, those placing advance orders for the 2006 edition will
receive a reproduction of the very first edition of The Radio Amateur's
Handbook, published in 1926. Authored by the late ARRL Communications
Manager Francis Edward "Ed" Handy, W1BDI, this 224-page volume is a
facsimile of the Handy's signed, personal copy and even includes some of his
handwritten notes. This offer is available until September 30, 2005, or
while supplies last--and only directly from ARRL and select ARRL publication
dealers. The 2006 Handbook comes with The ARRL Handbook on CD-ROM (version
10.0)--fully searchable with additional software and reference material.
Early Handbook orders will ship after October 1. The ARRL Handbook for Radio
Communications is $54.95 in hardcover, $39.95 in softcover. Visit the ARRL
on-line catalog <http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=no-hb2006>.

* The ARES E-Letter to debut: Licensed League members with ARRL Field
Organization appointments involving emergency communication or public
service will be the first to receive the debut issue of The ARES E-Letter!
The premier edition of the monthly national newsletter is set for release
Wednesday, August 17, and will publish on the third Wednesday of each month
after that. Since 9/11, interest within the Amateur Radio community in
emergency communication and public service has greatly increased. More than
ever, hams are volunteering to help meet the communication needs of our
nation, states and communities. Devoted entirely to Amateur Radio emergency
communication and public service, The ARES E-Letter is a response to this
expanding awareness. Anyone with an interest in emergency communication or
public service activities can sign up online
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/ares-el/about.html> to receive The ARES
E-Letter. Each issue will contain a wealth of after-action reports,
editorials, technical tips, news and views--information you'd otherwise have
to wait for in QST. Editing the first issue is former long-time ARRL
Headquarters staff member Rick Palm, K1CE. Subscribers are invited to share
a copy with club newsletter editors or with friends who may not be ARRL
members but still might be interested in receiving it. Those receiving the
premier edition also may opt out of getting further copies if they wish.

* Finding ham radio classes a mouse click away! A new user-friendly feature
on the ARRL Web site--the ARRL Amateur Licensing Class Search Page
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/courses/> --lets prospective hams search for a
licensing class in their area. It also allows ARRL-registered instructors to
list their classes on the Web. Visitors can search for classes by ZIP code,
ARRL Section or state. Registered ARRL instructors can list their classes
via the Volunteer Instructor Support page
<http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/instructor/> by completing a simple form.
Listings will automatically drop from the list when the class is completed.
The new page also links beginners and those planning to upgrade to various
resources, including ARRL's Now You're Talking! study manual and the ARRL
Exam Session Search page <http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/examsearch.phtml>.
"We're very excited about this new feature that makes it easier for
prospective hams to find a class so that they can earn their Amateur Radio
license," said ARRL Affiliated Club and Mentor Program Manager Norm Fusaro,
W3IZ. "ARRL also continues to support all of the instructors who give so
much time and energy to teaching classes for new hams and upgraders." To
become a registered ARRL Volunteer Instructor contact Fusaro, w3iz@arrl.org;
860-594-0230. 

* ARRL seeks dynamic individual for Membership Manager: The ARRL is looking
for an individual with excellent organizational, communication and
customer-service skills to join the ARRL Headquarters team as Membership
Manager. The ideal candidate should be detailed oriented with a proven
record of accomplishment in the field of membership recruitment and
retention. This is a new position, and the Membership Manager will be a key
member of the League's Sales and Marketing Department. "We need an
experienced professional to manage and focus only on membership recruitment
and retention," ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Dennis Motschenbacher,
K7BV, emphasizes. Responsibilities include formulating and implementing
member-recruitment activities to expand ARRL membership, analyzing growth
patterns, supervising the membership renewal process, recommending and
implementing strategies to increase member retention and growth, identifying
recruitment targets and prepare analyses of membership trends. The
Membership Manager will direct the delivery of all membership benefits as
well as establish and monitor customer service standards. The position
entails some overnight travel. A bachelor's degree or equivalent is
required. Applicants should posses a thorough understanding of association
management, customer service and programs. Knowledge of Amateur Radio or a
ham radio license is a plus. At least five years of member services and/or
association experience is preferred, with at least two years at the
supervisory level. Complete details and requirements are on the ARRL Web
site Employment at ARRL page <http://www.arrl.org/announce/jobs/>. The ARRL
is an equal opportunity employer.

* FCC chairman names acting Office of Engineering and Technology chief: FCC
Chairman Kevin J. Martin has named Bruce Franca as acting chief of the
Office of Engineering and Technology (OET). Franca, who's been closely
involved in the FCC's broadband over power line (BPL) initiative, served as
deputy OET chief since 1987. He joined the Commission in 1974.

=========================================================== 
The ARRL Letter is published Fridays, 50 times each year, 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;
<http://www.arrl.org/>. Jim Haynie, W5JBP, President.

The ARRL Letter offers a weekly e-mail digest of essential news of interest
to active amateurs. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate, concise,
and readable. Visit ARRLWeb <http://www.arrl.org/> for the latest news,
updated as it happens. The ARRL Web site <http://www.arrl.org/> offers
access to news, informative features and columns. ARRL Audio News
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> is a weekly "ham radio newscast"
compiled from The ARRL Letter. 

Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or
in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to
The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.

==>Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!):
letter-dlvy@arrl.org
==>Editorial questions or comments: Rick Lindquist, N1RL, n1rl@arrl.org
==>ARRL News on the Web: <http://www.arrl.org/>
==>ARRL Audio News: <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> or call
860-594-0384

==>How to Get The ARRL Letter

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The ARRL Letter also is available to all, free of charge, from these
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* The QTH.net listserver, thanks to volunteers from the Boston Amateur Radio
Club: Visit Mailing Lists@QTH.Net
<http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/letter-list>. (NOTE: The ARRL
cannot assist subscribers who receive The ARRL Letter via this listserver.) 


 

The ARRL Letter

The ARRL Letter offers a weekly summary of essential news of interest to active amateurs that is available in advance of publication in QST, our official journal. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate, concise and readable.

Much of the ARRL Letter content is also available in audio form in ARRL Audio News.

Material from The ARRL Letter may be republished or reproduced in whole or in part in any form without additional permission. Credit must be given to The ARRL Letter and The American Radio Relay League.

Back issues published since 2000 are available on this page. If you wish to subscribe via e-mail, simply log on to the ARRL Web site, click on Edit Your Profile at the top, then click on Edit Email Subscriptions. Check the box next to The ARRL email newsletter, the ARRL Letter and you will receive each weekly issue in HTML format. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Delivery problems (ARRL member direct delivery only!): letter-dlvy@arrl.org

Editorial questions or comments: John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, at news@arrl.org.

Plain-Text

The ARRL E-Letter e-mail is also available in plain-text version:

Outlook Express

1. From the Inbox view, select the Tools menu and the Options selection.

2. Click the Read tab

3. Check the Read All Messages In Plain Text box.  When you open the e-mail, it will be in plain text without images. Other e-mail programs may be able to make a Mail Rule for e-mail received from the address memberlist@www.arrl.org so that the plain-text-only display is selected automatically.

Outlook 2007

Use the same procedure as for Outlook Express, although the global option is under "Tools/Trust Center/E-mail Security".

Thunderbird

Use the menu item "View/Message Body As/Plain Text" or "View/Message Source" options.

OS X Mail (Mac)

Use the "View/Message/Plain Text Alternative" menu item.

GMail

Use the "Message text garbled?" link in the drop-down menu at the upper right of the displayed message block. pine, alpine Set "prefer-plain-text" in your ~/.pinerc configuration file: feature-list=..., prefer-plain-text, ...

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