Organization

Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, writes:

Hello everyone,

Many of you have probably noticed that several ARRL online services and the HQ phone system have been down. The ARRL is working as quickly as possible to restore all services, and progress is being made. You can see the current status of the restoration at this link –

http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-systems-service-disruption

You can check this link periodically for further updates. It will likely take some time to get everything fully back up and running. We appreciate your patience.

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ARRL New England Division
Director: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC
ab1oc@arrl.org
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The March 2024 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/march-2024-section-news.

The February 2024 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/february-2024-section-news.

The January 2024 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/january-2024-section-news.

New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, writes:

Phil Temples K9HI, our Assistant Directors, and I will hold our next New England Division Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, November 8th at 7 pm ET.

The purpose of the meeting will be to provide you with an ARRL update, get your thoughts on what we should be focusing on, and answer any questions that you might have about the ARRL and what we are doing on behalf of ARRL members here in New England.

We plan to spend a good deal of our time together answering your questions. If you’d like to send us a question in advance, you can do so via an email to ab1oc@arrl.org, or you can just plan to ask your questions during the Town Hall Meeting.

We will hold our Town Hall Meeting via a Zoom Webinar. You can get a personal link to join the Town Hall Meeting via the following link (paste the link in your browser to register) –

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8kLEzMthRxmxlljwEQsaqQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

We hope to see you on November 8th!

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ARRL New England Division
Director: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC
ab1oc@arrl.org
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From nediv.arrl.org:

ARRL Chief Financial Officer Diane Middleton, W2DLM writes:

Dear ARRL Affiliated Club,

ARRL is aware that some amateur radio clubs who had been insured by Marsh/AIG, a previous provider of the ARRL Club Liability Insurance Program, are receiving notices that their club liability insurance is not being renewed. ARRL discontinued its relationship with Marsh/AIG in 2011, but some clubs who had previously enrolled in the policies were still renewing with the old provider — and not in the current ARRL program.

The current program administrator (since 2015) for the ARRL-sponsored Club Liability Insurance Program is Risk Strategies. ARRL has a strong relationship with the current administrator who understands the importance of local amateur radio clubs and will help clubs seek new policies. Risk Strategies also administers the ARRL Equipment Insurance Plan for members.

Clubs that are affected by the loss of coverage from the previous provider are encouraged to contact Risk Strategies. Please visit Risk Strategies online at arrlinsurance.com or by phone at 1-866-819-0209 (please leave a message and your call will be returned).

Diane Middleton, W2DLM
Chief Financial Officer
ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio®
225 Main Street
Newington, CT  06111
(860) 594-0225

Most of you have already heard of the ARRL board’s decision to increase membership dues and make changes in the way we receive magazines, such as QST. If not, I invite you to read ARRL President Rick Roderick’s (K5UR) letter dated July 23, 2023, in an ARRL bulletin. It is available on the ARRL web site.

For the past year or so, our division director and other League officials have been warning us about the serious financial situation that the ARRL has been in the past few years caused primarily by inflation, especially the rampant cost increases of print media such as QST. In May, members were asked to take the membership dues survey. About 20% of ARRL membership answered that call and the Board has taken the results of that survey and made the tough choices.

Like many of you, I do not relish the idea of a dues increase, and I especially do not like that the print magazines will no longer be part of the membership benefits (you still get the digital versions of all the magazines free with membership). Now, to receive a printed QST, On The Air, NCJ, or QEX magazine, you will have to subscribe separately. I am one of those that still likes to hold onto a paper book or magazine.

But then, I think how much the ARRL, ham radio clubs (most of them ARRL-affiliated) and my fellow amateur radio operators mean to me. It boils down to people, to friendship, and camaraderie. If not for the ARRL and for all the clubs and ham radio events, I would miss out on the great friendships forged through the past 30+ years. My relationship with the League, affiliated clubs and all the individuals I have met through them has had a tremendous positive impact on my life. I love the coffee meets, hamfest gatherings, convention get-togethers, club suppers, and all the ham radio nets where we get to chat, laugh, innovate, maybe even instigate, and otherwise socialize.

There is no doubt in my mind that this amazing hobby and service would not exist as it is today without the ARRL. The League’s advocacy and lobbying is why we have so many amateur radio bands and modes. Many commercial entities want some of our spectrum; it is a constant battle that continues today. What chance would we have to keep our frequency privileges without the ARRL’s effort? Very little in my opinion.

The ARRL is much, much more than “just” a magazine subscription. For instance, New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, reminds us that the ARRL provides:

• Spectrum Defense
• Advocacy in local, national, and international regulation and policymaking
• Support from restrictive antenna regulation & zoning
• Volunteer Monitor Program
• Promoting amateur radio to the public
• ARRL Teacher’s Institute programs to promote STEM learning through amateur radio

There are dozens of additional services and programs available to members. ARRL VEC program, Logbook Of The World, ARRL Learning Center, Training, Webinars, National Traffic System, EmComm and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®), and ARRL lab and technical support/RFI. In January the Board passed a motion to create an ARRL Ham Bootcamp, and the League is also working to promote six- and ten-meter operation for Technician class amateurs. The list goes on!

The last membership rate hike was in 2016, and before that, 2001. For our more senior members (age 70+) who might be stressed financially due to fixed incomes, the ARRL is planning a monthly payment option.

Instead of seeing these dues increases and other changes at the ARRL as a negative, let’s instead support the League even further. Last year the ARRL lost about a million dollars. This year that figure is expected to more than double. Dues increases alone will not make up for all of that.

If you can afford it, I challenge you to do one or more of the following:

Become a Diamond Club member. The additional financial support will help close the gap and get the League into better financial health.

Donate to one of the ARRL funds, such as Spectrum Defense, Education & Technology, W1AW Endowment, or the General fund. See https://home.arrl.org/action/Donate

If you are a Life Member, consider making a monthly or annual donation.

Some may think the ARRL has not been a good steward of our membership money. While any business, including the League, can benefit from frequent analysis of expenditures and “tightening of the belt,” I do not believe the ARRL is wasting our money. As Eastern MA section manager, I have met and continue to meet many League officials in person and on-line and they are doing their best in a difficult inflationary time.

When my membership expiration nears, I will renew AND join the Diamond Club. I will adapt and get used to reading QST on my iPad. I appreciate all that the League continues to do, and I am thankful for all the friendships I have made because of the ARRL and affiliated clubs and nets. Please, if you can afford to do so, accept my challenge. Turn a negative into a positive!

73,

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ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Jon W McCombie, N1ILZ
n1ilz@arrl.org
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The June/July 2023 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/june-july-2023-section-news.

Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, writes on the New England ARRL members list:

Phil Temples K9HI, our Assistant Directors, and I will hold our next New England Division Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, June 15th, at 7 pm ET. The purpose of the meeting will be to provide you with an ARRL update, get your thoughts on what we should be focusing on, and answer any questions that you might have about the ARRL and what we are doing on behalf of ARRL members here in New England.

We plan to spend a good deal of our time together answering your questions. If you’d like to send us a question in advance, you can do so via an email to ab1oc@arrl.org, or you can just plan to ask your questions during the Town Hall Meeting.

We will hold our Town Hall Meeting via a Zoom Webinar. You can get a personal link to join the Town Hall Meeting via the following link (paste the link in your browser to register) –

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e5ufUAYVQFaVOzWXr8O0XQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

We hope to see you on June 15th!

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ARRL New England Division
Director: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC
ab1oc@arrl.org
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On May 1st, ARRL began a survey for members to provide feedback on some changes it’s considering to ARRL dues and membership.  The ARRL survey will remain open until May 31st.  It is very important that you take a few moments and share with the League your opinions how changes could be made to ensure the long-term viability of ARRL.  Raising dues is not something any organization enjoys doing, but this will mark only the second time in 22 years that ARRL is considering it.

Your input is very important to the League.  The decisions ARRL leadership is considering should be influenced by all members. If you have already taken the survey, thank you! If you haven’t yet, please do so soon.

The results from the survey will be tabulated and shared with members on the ARRL website in June.  Responses will ultimately help guide the future of ARRL.  The survey is only available to ARRL members.  Why?  Because you have a stake in the outcome! 

Please make sure you log into www.arrl.org to participate.

Thank you for being an active member, and for your ongoing support of amateur radio and ARRL.

The April/May, 2023 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/april-may-2023-section-news/.

Dear ARRL Affiliated Club,

This Monday, May 1, ARRL will launch a survey for members, encouraging their participation as we consider a dues increase.

The survey will include some short questions about raising dues and modifying the way some membership benefits are bundled. The survey will also include an opportunity for members to share their feedback.

The participation of every member is important. Please encourage all the ARRL members in your radio club to complete the survey in May.

The survey will open on May 1 at www.arrl.org/take-dues-survey. This is a member-only page. Members need to be logged into the ARRL website to take the survey. Members who are not logged in may select the Login button on the top of the web page, and they will be prompted to enter their ARRL website username and password. If they have not logged in since April 2022, they should use these Login Instructions.

Thank you in advance for urging all ARRL members to complete the survey.

73

Mike Walters, W8ZY

ARRL Field Services Manager

The March, 2023 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/march-2023-section-news/.

The February, 2023 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/february-2023-section-news/.

From nediv.arrl.org:

Phil Temples K9HI, our Assistant Directors, and I will hold our next New England Division Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, February 23rd, at 7 pm ET. The purpose of the meeting will be to provide you with an ARRL update, get your thoughts on what we should be focusing on, and answer any questions you might have about the ARRL and what we are doing on behalf of ARRL members here in New England.

We plan to spend a good deal of our time together answering your questions. If you’d like to send us a question in advance, you can do so via an email to ab1oc@arrl.org, or you can just plan to ask your questions during the Town Hall Meeting.

We will hold our Town Hall Meeting via a Zoom Webinar. You can get your personal link to join the Town Hall Meeting via the following link (paste the link in your browser to register) –

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-4QVGZj_THG1VXImuTnazQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

We hope to see you on February 23rd!

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ARRL New England Division
Director: Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC
ab1oc@arrl.org
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The January, 2023 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/january-2023-section-news/.

The December, 2022 Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/december-2022-section-news/.