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At ARRL HQ, computers have been in general office use for about 12 years. We thought our computer-savvy members would like to know more about the HQ system and the people who keep it all humming.
 ISD Manager Don Durand is a Star Trek and Babylon 5 fan. The wall print is from his all-time favorite TV series: The Prisoner. [Photos by ARRL} |
ARRL began using computers back in the '80s. In 1982, the Technical Department secretary had the only computer--an IBM PC. The secretary would input text from typewritten paper copy supplied by the editors and give them back corrected paper copies. A few individuals owned their own computers and demonstrated the machines' usefulness. By fall 1984 the Department--which at that time included the Book Team and QST--installed Apple IIe machines and no one had to share. Five years later, IBM XTs replaced the Apples. Computers had proved their worth and the Board of Directors authorized their wide scale use throughout HQ.
The first central system used a small mainframe--a Honeywell and then an IBM Model 38--connected to terminals in just a few departments. As computer use increased throughout HQ for accounting, membership data and services, PCs and servers eventually replaced these mainframe computers. The present custom-built system, installed in April 1998, uses desktop PCs connected to Compaq servers. Since Graphics and Production use enormous amounts of computer memory for their special work, the Information Services Department provides separate servers for those departments. Their storage is expandable to terabytes.
E-mail is a critical component of the HQ computer system. Editors compose stories or entire books on desktop PCs. Field and Education Services staff communicate with volunteers and members throughout the country. Staffers correspond with ARRL members and each other via e-mail. Our system handles 6000-8000 messages per day. A one-day peak of 20,000 messages was once recorded. The burden of handling the storage and transfer of all HQ e-mail messages had caused a slowdown in server response time. To accommodate the increased traffic and free up the servers to handle all the other requests for data, ISD is installing a new, dedicated e-mail server.
 John Proctor checks the status of server number two in the main computer room. |
ISD is responsible for the safekeeping of ARRL data. The exact details of how and where the data is stored and manipulated are not a matter for public disclosure. Some of the methods used to prevent inadvertent loss of this data, however, are not secret. ISD makes a daily tape backup of all data from HQ and from the warehouse located about a mile away. As a further precaution, duplicate tapes are stored in separate locations. Servers are protected with UPSs (uninterruptible power supplies). As a final precaution, all ISD computers and servers receive their primary power from a distribution system connected directly to the utility company's street lines. It is wired separate from the rest of HQ electric service.
Protection against virus attack is a high priority with ISD. The system detects about 100 attacks every day. ISD provides two perimeter defenses: All servers have anti-virus software protection, and all desktop PCs have their own additional antivirus software. The systems are updated as soon as patches are made available by the vendor.
ARRL provides a free e-mail forwarding system for ARRL members. It is an extremely popular service. However, members have commented that they sometimes receive junk mail (spam) on this service. Database Administrator John Proctor says that the problem can arise if the forwarding service is used in correspondence via sites that furnish users' addresses to junk mail distributors. ARRL cannot monitor members' use of the forwarding service--55,000 members currently use it. Proctor suggests that members consider giving their address to Amateur Radio related recipients only.
Standardization
 Printing Coordinator Cathy Scharr and John Proctor study a membership renewal form that Cathy has just printed on one of the five computer-controlled printers she operates. |
ISD standardizes hardware and software purchases for the sake of economy and maintenance. Certain departments must deviate from this standard because of their particular needs. As mentioned earlier, Graphics and Production have unusually large data requirements for graphics and photographic manipulation. Membership and Circulation have special needs for handling large quantities of text and numerical data. Most other departments operate efficiently with off-the-shelf PCs and commercial word processing software.
A typical staff desk-PC is a Compaq Deskpro with floppy disk and CD readers, 17" monitor, standard keyboard and mouse. Printing output goes to a laser or ink jet printer serving an entire department. Equipment is updated on a rolling replacement plan. A three-year-old computer may be replaced with a one or two-year-old unit if it can meet operational needs.
Standard desktop software is: Win 98, Win2000 or WinXP; MS Windows, Office-Pro, McAfee AntiVirus, and Adobe Acrobat Reader.
The Staff
 (Left to right) Interbridge Networks engineer Jim Murphy; Greg Kwasowski, KB1GJF; Network Appliances engineer Glen Duzy and Andy Shefrin collaborate in the installation of our new server. |
Information Services Manager Don Durand plans and implements projects to maintain the overall health of in-house systems. Don also oversees the budget for ISD. He not infrequently will answer field volunteers' and members' questions relating to services and data available to ARRL members.
Database Administrator John Proctor is responsible for maintaining the integrity of ARRL data. The ARRL master data table contains more than 1.3 million records--800,000 in the FCC database alone. John shuts down the entire system monthly, purges the database and rebuilds it. Because the system is in use almost all the time, he must perform many of his database administrative duties beyond ordinary office hours. John also deals with vendors and programmers who are hired to customize the ARRL system. John also produces customized lists from which labels can be printed. Development and Circulation are major users of these lists and labels, although all Departments use them to some degree.
 Surrounded by his favorite things--computers and fast jets--Andy Shefrin signals "thumbs-up." Don't worry--everything's under control! |
Network/PC Support staffer Andy Shefrin is a familiar face to all HQ staff. He's responsible for installing and troubleshooting the 130 desktop PCs in the building. If there's a problem, Andy will show up and fix it. He also performs nightly system backups, maintains the members-only e-mail forwarding system and the antivirus updates for desktop PCs.
Printing Coordinator Cathy Scharr, an 18 year veteran, is responsible for lots of printing. Her five computer-driven printers turn out member renewal notices, NCJ and QEX subscription renewal notices, hamfest and convention material, certificates, labels, HQ mass-mailings, affiliated club newsletters and monthly statistical reports. She may print as many as 10,000 certificates in a month and hundreds of thousands of pages annually. Her thermal printers are in the same computer room as the servers. Consequently, a separate air-conditioning unit is employed to maintain a comfortable environment and safeguard the equipment from overheating.
Radio amateurs
who support their hobby by joining ARRL have access to many services that add
to the enjoyment of Amateur Radio. The Information Services Department plays a
key role in helping members gain access to these services.
