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![Previous (earlier) Story](/images/sty-down.gif "Amateur Radio Remains "Only Viable Means" of Communication in Some Areas"){kind=small} Previous: Amateur Radio Remains "Only Viable Means" of Communication in Some Areas |  Next: Tears and Fears Among Topics of ARISS School Group Contact |
Compiled by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE
Managing Editor
jkleinman@arrl.org
October 4, 2005
This feature--including convenient Web links to useful information--is a quick monthly update of some of the things ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment covers the month of September.
Hundreds of ham volunteers supported the Red Cross and other relief organizations in the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. As this is written, hams are still providing vital communications support in the region. In support of ARES field volunteers and members, a team of ARRL HQ staff members took part in daily briefings, and manned telephones and responded to e-mail messages after regular business hours. Staff members Dennis Motschenbacher and Allen Pitts traveled to the Red Cross marshaling center in Birmingham, Alabama.
ARRL President Jim Haynie provided written testimony on Amateur Radio's response in the Hurricane Katrina disaster to the US House Government Reform Committee.
Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer testified before the US House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet on "Public Safety Communications from 9/11 to Katrina: Critical Public Policy Lessons."
The ARRL announced a Holiday Toy Drive for kids who have been impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The Corporation for National and Community Service provided ARRL with a $100,000 grant supplement to support hams volunteering in the field in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Later in the month, CNCS provided the ARRL with an additional $77,000 to support the ARRL's new "Ham Aid" program.
A special edition of the ARRL ARES E-Letter was distributed soon after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast.
An Amateur Radio Volunteers Needed Clearinghouse was established on the ARRLWeb.
The ARRL extended for one year memberships of those living in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.
The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for August was Floyd Koontz, WA2WVL, for his article "Short Dipoles for 160 Meters."
Registration opened September 5 for the last grant-sponsored Level 1 Emergency Communications course. ARRL Emergency Communications (Levels I, II and III), Technician Licensing, Radio Frequency Propagation, Antenna Modeling, HF Digital Communication, Antenna Design and Construction, RFI, Analog Electronics, VHF/UHF--Beyond the Repeater and Digital Electronics on-line courses. To learn more, contact the Certification and Continuing Education Program Department.
Ten newly elected Section Managers attended a training session at ARRL HQ. Steve Ewald, Chuck Skolaut and Leona Adams were the primary hosts, and several other members of the HQ staff gave presentations.
ARRL HQ served once again as the venue for the US Telecommunications Training Institute--Amateur Radio Administration for Regulators Module. Walt Ireland, along with several other members of the ARRL staff, gave presentations to the participants.
At the conclusion of the one-year Community Education Program, Bill Barrett reported that 12 communities have been introduced to the contributions hams can provide to the safety and security of their localities.
President Haynie named Ward Silver, N0AX, to a one-year term as the chairman of the Contest Advisory Committee (CAC), and has reappointed Jim O'Connell, W9WU, to another one-year term as chairman of the DX Advisory Committee (DXAC).
The November issue of QST was released to the printer, and production work is wrapping up on the November/December issues of QEX and NCJ.
Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, forwarded several reports of intruding and interfering signals to the FCC.
John Hennessee, N1KB, assisted several members with questions concerning covenant problems and local government zoning concerns.
Three ARRL divisions will have contested Director/Vice Director elections, and there will be a contested election for Western Massachusetts Section Manager.
Allen Pitts posted the September issue of CONTACT! for Public Information volunteers.
Travel during September included:
On the Broadband Over Powerline front, Ed Hare worked with hams in four localities who are experiencing interference from BPL installations. He presented a talk on BPL to the Radio Amateurs of Greater Syracuse (New York), and provided BPL information to two magazines. In addition, Ed attended IEEE BPL study group meetings in Dallas, where he discussed BPL concerns with the president of the United Power Line Council and others. Finally, he took part in an RFI Committee meeting in Irvine, California.
Mike Gruber traveled to Lubbock, Texas, where he assisted with an FCC field investigation of a power-line noise complaint.
During Amateur Radio Awareness Day, several members of the ARRL HQ staff operated W1AW on generator power.
The ARRL DXCC Desk has approved these operations for DXCC credit: KH9/AH8H, Wake Island, for operations in 2003 and 2004; TT8BZ, Chad, March 31-August 23, 2005; 5X1B, Uganda, August 3-12, 2005.
The 2005 Microwave Update Conference Proceedings was released to the
printer.
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