August 2020: EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS (EMA) SECTION NEWS
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Welcome to the Eastern Massachusetts ARRL section newsletter
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To see all the monthly news, which is updated regularly, visit <https://ema.arrl.org/>.
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UP FRONT
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NEW ARRL CEO
On August 27, the ARRL announced the choice of the next ARRL CEO as David Minster, NA2AA. “Building a culture of accomplishment and accountability is what I do best. My initial focus will be working with the Board on establishing strategic goals and concrete plans to navigate ARRL through the digital transformation required for the coming decades of its Second Century. This includes exciting and innovative ways to be engaged in amateur radio, while growing activity and membership.”
See the full story at: <https://ema.arrl.org/2020/08/27/board-of-directors-elects-new-arrl-ceo-david-minster-na2aa/>
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FCC PROPOSES A $50 AMATEUR RADIO LICENSE FEE
According to a posting on the ARRL web site “Amateur radio licensees would pay a $50 fee for each amateur radio license application if the FCC adopts rules it proposed this week. Included in the FCC’s fee proposal are applications for new licenses, renewal and upgrades to existing licenses, and vanity call sign requests. Excluded are applications for administrative updates, such as changes of address, and annual regulatory fees.”
Full story at: <https://ema.arrl.org/2020/08/28/fcc-proposes-to-reinstate-amateur-radio-service-fees/>
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UNDERSTANDING ARRL
This the next in a series aimed at improving awareness of the ARRL as a member organization; the benefits members can access; and what ARRL does every day to strengthen Amateur Radio.
ARRL MISSION STATEMENT:
“To advance the art, science, and enjoyment of Amateur Radio.”
That one sentence succinctly and nicely captures the very essence of the ARRL. Think about what this statement means and how its guides ARRL. If someone asks what the ARRL does, that one sentence is a great way to open the conversation.
LIFELONG LEARNING UP AND RUNNING WITH NEW WEBINARS
The ARRL Board created the “Lifelong Learning” initiative back in January 2019 and it’s now bearing results. One of the first actions was to hire Kris Bickell, K1BIC, as the Lifelong Learning Manager. We are now starting to see the results with online presentations and webinars quickly being added to the ARRL Website.
Quite a few recorded webinars are already available online while several September and October Webinars, which require registration, have already been announced:
Getting Started with Summits on the Air
Brian Betz, W7JET (September 17)
Kit Building Techniques for Success
Joe Eisenberg, K0NEB (September 24)
Welcome to the World of Arduino
Glen Popiel, KW5GP (October 15)
Go to the ARRL web site to register for the upcoming webinars and see the complete set of programs now available. You will then have to login to register. Visit http://www.arrl.org/arrl-learning-network
QUESTIONS?
If there is something you’d like to see covered in this series about “Understanding ARRL” send me an email to <k1tw@arrl.org>.
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NASHOBA VALLEY ARC TECHNICIAN CLASS
Beginning sometime in September, the Nashoba Valley Amateur Radio Club will offer Technician license classes for the first time in over 20 years. Bruce Blain, K1BG, will coordinate the four-week class schedule, with two-hour sessions taking place twice weekly (eight sessions,16 hours total). Because they are avoiding group gatherings, classes will be held using the WebEx on-line webinar. Plans are to follow up the classes with a VE session to get the students licensed. Additionally, if there is enough interest, NVARC will offer classes leading to a General class license sometime later in the fall. Please contact Bruce at K1BG.Bruce@gmail.com.
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BILLERICA AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY (BARS) NEWSLETTER
Here is a shout out to the Billerica ARS for their outstanding newsletter. The member newsletter is also publicly available on their club web site. Worth a look! <https://www.w1hh.org/>
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CLUBS TAKE NOTE
Please contact us if your club has something special for inclusion on the EMA web site or the newsletter. Contact <k9hi@arrl.org>.
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FLEA MARKET/ CONVENTION CANCELLATIONS
COVID-19 has claimed additional victims on the hamfest/flea market circuit.
The ever-popular Flea at MIT, held each month from April through October, was officially cancelled for the remainder of 2020.
The ARRL New England Division Convention (a.k.a. Northeast HamXposition) was initially postponed from July to early November due to the virus. Its cancellation was announced in late July.
These cancellations follow in the wake of the cancellation of the October, 2020 NEAR-Fest event in Deerfield, New Hampshire.
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SECTION STAFF IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Several Eastern MA ARRL staff members have been visible publicly this past month. Frank O’Laughlin, WQ1O, Assistant SEC for the Cape and Islands, presented at a recent New England Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society meeting online on Go-Kits. ASM Bruce Bain, K1BG, spoke on Entry Level Licensing to members of the Boston Amateur Radio Club. And in early September, SM Tom Walsh, K1TW, will speak to Framingham Amateur Radio Association members with a talk entitled, “Discover the ARRL Universe.”
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FINAL WORD
The ARRL has proposed a new band plan for the high frequency bands. On many of the HF bands, the plan would allow greater bandwidth for automatically controlled digital stations like WinLink. It also would grant new data and phone privileges to Technician class licensees.
A draft band plan can be found at: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/ODV/Second%20Board%20Meeting%20July%202020/Doc%2025A%20Band%20Plan%20Final-1b.pdf
This is a proposal only and does not reflect current FCC operating privileges which have not changed.
-Phil, K9HI
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ACKOWLEDGEMENT
This section news has been jointly produced by Phil, K9HI, Assistant Section Manager and Tom, K1TW, Section Manager.
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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org