Organization

Content pertaining to organizational structure, web- and email infrastructure

Organization

ARRL Board of Directors Re-Elects President Rick Roderick, K5UR

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ARRL logoFrom ARRL Web:

02/10/2020 – Meeting January 17 – 18 in Windsor, Connecticut, the ARRL Board of Directors re-elected ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, to a third 2-year term. Roderick outpolled the only other nominee, Pacific Division Director Jim Tiemstra, K6JAT, 8 – 7. New England Division Vice Director Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, was elected First Vice President, succeeding Greg Widin, K0GW, who did not seek another term. Raisbeck was the sole nominee. A successor will be appointed to fill the Vice Director seat that Raisbeck has vacated. Bob Vallio, W6RGG, was re-elected as Second Vice President as the only nominee.

On a 9 – 6 vote, the Board voted not to re-elect Howard Michel, WB2ITX, as Chief Executive Officer. Michel was in the post for 15 months. Former ARRL Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer Barry Shelley, N1VXY, has come out of retirement to serve as interim ARRL CEO. He also was elected as Secretary. Shelley was ARRL’s CFO for 28 years and served as CEO during 2018 before his retirement, following the departure of former CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF. The ARRL Board has appointed a committee to spearhead the search for a new CEO. That panel will screen suitable CEO candidates, presenting three to the Board for consideration.  [Full story]

Organization

Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, Elected to ARRL First Vice President

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Mike Raisbeck, K1TWFThe ARRL Board of Directors has elected Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, of Chelmsford, Massachusetts as First Vice President during its recent meeting January 17-18, 2020 in Connecticut.

According to the League’s web site, “[Mike] was first licensed in 1961 as KN1TWF, becoming K1TWF in 1962, and has held that call ever since.  His home club is the Billerica Amateur Radio Club [sic], where he has held various posts.  On the air activities include DXing, contesting, and recently, caring for a DMR repeater in the attic. He is a Volunteer Examiner and a Volunteer Counsel.

“Of particular interest to Mike are the social and organizational aspects of the Amateur Radio.  For over 20 years he has been serving on the Board for the ARRL New England Division Convention, and he is currently president of that organization, which runs an annual convention and funds a number of scholarships to young hams every year. ”

Raisbeck’s election to his new post leaves the office of New England Vice Director–a position in which he previously served–vacant for the present.

You can read more about K1TWF on the League’s web page at:  http://www.arrl.org/first-vice-president.

Organization

Barry Shelley, N1VXY, to Become ARRL Interim CEO

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ARRL flagFrom ARRL Web:
 
01/19/2020 – At its meeting this weekend, the ARRL Board of Directors did not elect Howard Michel, WB2ITX [of Dartmouth, Massachusetts], as the ARRL Chief Executive Officer. Beginning Monday, January 20, Barry Shelley, N1VXY, will become interim CEO. Mr. Shelley was ARRL’s Chief Financial Officer for 28 years and CEO during 2018 before his retirement. The board has created a search committee to select the next CEO. More details on this and other matters which took place at the board meeting will be released shortly.

 
 
Organization

December, 2019 Issue of Digital QST Now Available

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From ARRLWeb:

The December issue of Digital QST is now available for viewing on your desktop or laptop. It is also available for reading on your Apple, Android, or Kindle Fire device.

● Build a Slot Cube antenna for 6 meters.

● See the excitement of Amateur Radio at the World Scout Jamboree.

● Browse the 2019 ARRL Field Day results.

● Take a look back at the October 1969 QST.

…and much more!

Organization

ARRL to Launch New On the Air Magazine in January

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ARRL flagFrom ARRL Web:

ARRL is launching a new magazine, On the Air, in January 2020. To be published on a bimonthly basis, On the Air will offer new and beginner-to-intermediate-level radio amateurs a fresh approach to exploring radio communication. Each issue will include advice and insights on topics from the variety of Amateur Radio interests and activities: radio technology, operating, equipment, project building, and emergency communication. The goal of this new magazine is to be a vital resource in helping new and newer radio amateurs get active and involved in radio communications. [Full story]

Organization

Important Correction to Eastern MA September 2019 Section News

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Bruce D. Budinger, AB3BB, of Groton MA was incorrectly listed as a silent key in this month’s EMA section news. Apology to Bruce and his family for the error.

I am very sad to report that it was Brian Budinger, his brother who passed away. 

I will shortly distribute a corrected version of the September news. Any club or individual who has posted or distributed the September section news is requested to please post or re-distribute the corrected version in its place. 

Thank-you.

——————————————————————–
ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
——————————————————————–

Clubs / Organization

ARRL Eastern MA Staff Meet at New England Sci-Tech in Natick, September 28, 2019

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photo courtesy K5TEC

New England Sci-Tech (NEST) and the Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society (STARS) hosted the ARRL Eastern Massachusetts staff for a quarterly meeting at their facility in Natick on September 28, 2019.  At the conclusion of the meeting, their hosts treated the staff to a tour of the NEST’s maker space and ham facilities, followed by a pot-luck dinner. Eastern MA Section Manager Tom Walsh, K1TW, expressed his appreciation for the chance to meet the group’s members, and for the hospitality afforded. 

 

Amateur-Auxiliary / Organization

ARRL Thanks Official Observers, as Volunteer Monitor Program is Set to Debut

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From ARRL Web:

As the September 30 date for the closing of the Official Observer program nears, ARRL has expressed deep appreciation to the hundreds of volunteers who gave their time as Official Observers (OOs) to help preserve the integrity of the Amateur Radio frequencies.

The Official Observer program has served the Amateur Radio community and assisted the FCC Enforcement Bureau for more than 85 years. The OO program is giving way to the new Volunteer Monitor (VM) program, established as part of a formal partnership between ARRL and the FCC. ARRL and the FCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier this year that establishes the Volunteer Monitor program as a successor to the Official Observers. The first Volunteer Monitors should be in place and ready to begin their duties this fall. [Full story]

Emergency Communications / Organization

ARRL Seeking Emergency Management Director

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From ARRL Web:

ARRL is seeking an emergency management director to oversee a team responsible for supporting ARRL emergency communication programs and services, including the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) and National Traffic System (NTS), and to work with staff to develop standards, protocols, and processes designed to support the Field Organization. This is a full-time, exempt position at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut.

This individual would serve as the official point of contact and liaison to key partners and other served agencies at the regional and national level. Duties would include representing ARRL at served agency and partner meetings, conventions, and exercises as well as organizing and providing presentations for various relevant audiences. [Full story]

Emergency Communications / Licensing Education & Training / Organization

Efforts Continue to Enhance ARES Program, Add Resources

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The ARRL Board of Directors, committees, and Headquarters administrative staff are continuing efforts to enhance the venerable Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES®) program. A major ARES Plan has been adopted, providing new direction going forward. In addition, a standardized training plan has been adopted and a new ARES Emergency Communicator Individual Task Book approved and published.

At its July meeting, the ARRL Board considered the report of its Public Service Enhancement Working Group (PSEWG). A “change log” was proposed for the Task Book that will highlight changes made as the document is periodically revised and updated. ARES position guidelines were posted to the online ARES Workbook and a major revision and update of ARRL’s Introduction to Emergency Communicationscourse — now designated as IS-001 — has been completed.

[Full story]
Organization

Window Closing on July 15, 2019 Volunteer Monitor Program Applications

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From ARRLWeb:

As of the close of business on Monday, July 15, applications for the new Volunteer Monitor Program no longer will be accepted. Some 250 applications have been submitted to fill approximately 150 Volunteer Monitor (VM) positions in the program, which is succeeding the Official Observer (OO) program. Retired FCC special counsel and former Atlantic Division Vice Director Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, is overseeing ARRL’s role in the development and implementation of the program, and he has been interviewing every applicant. Those not selected as VMs will be placed in a reserve pool. Current OOs were invited to apply for appointments. [Full story]

Field Day / Organization

ARRL Field Day is This Weekend

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Tom Walsh, K1TW, writes on the ARRL Members Only list:

+++++++++++++++++++++++
ARRL Field Day  weekend
+++++++++++++++++++++++

ARRL Field Day represents the very best of the Amateur Radio service. 
Join your local club or other local operation for ARRL Field Day weekend
on June 22-23, 2019.  

+++++++++++++++++++++++
EMA Field Day Directory
+++++++++++++++++++++++

Has your club provided complete information for this year’s EMA Field
Day Directory?  If not please send the details to Bill Ricker, N1VUX, at
n1vux@arrl.net 

View the Directory to find operations near you or anywhere in our
section by visiting http://ema.arrl.org/field_day/ 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“Triple Play:”   MA Hams Receive Amateur Radio Proclamations,
Resolutions from House, Senate, and Governor
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Massachusetts ARRL staff received copies of proclamations and
resolutions congratulating the Amateur Radio community for its service
to the Commonwealth, and for the upcoming annual Field Day exercise June
22-23, 2019. 

The Massachusetts House of Representatives document “offers its
sincerest congratulations to the American Radio Relay League in
recognition of The ARRL Field Day and the Tireless Work of Amateur Radio
Operators.” The document was signed by Robert A. DeLeo, Speaker of the
House.

The Massachusetts State Senate weighed in with a resolution, adopted May
9, 2019. “[The Senate] extends its appreciation to Amateur Radio
operators as they celebrate Amateur Radio Week and Field Day.” The
resolution was signed by Senate President Karen E. Spilka and Michael D.
Hurley, Senate Clerk. It was offered by Senator Bruce E. Tarr (N1UIU),
who represents the 1st Essex and Middlesex District.

The Governor’s Office issued a proclamation proclaiming June 22, 2019
to be “Amateur Radio Day” in the Commonwealth. The proclamation was
signed by His Excellency Charles D. Baker, Governor of the Commonwealth,
Karyn E. Polito, Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth, and William Francis
Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Our ARRL section MA State Government Liaison, Hank McCarl, W4RIG, was
instrumental in securing the three documents.  

You can view all three documents at
https://ema.arrl.org/2019/06/12/triple-play-ma-hams-receive-amateur-radio-proclamations-resolutions-from-house-senate-and-governor/

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Section Manager visits
++++++++++++++++++++++

Traditionally EMA ARRL section staff visit as many FD sites as feasible
during the weekend.  This year K1TW (Section Manager) and K9HI
(Assistant Section Manager) will travel to several clubs in Plymouth,
Bristol and Barnstable counties.  Time permitting, we may add further
visits.  We will be bringing the state government documents along for
all to see.  

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bonus for NTS message sent to Section Manger or SEC during field day
period
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

You will receive 100 bonus points if you send an NTS radiogram to either
your Section Manager (K1TW) or Section Emergency Coordinator (KD1CY). 

You should include your club’s name, number of participants, Field Day
location, and number of ARES operators involved with your operation.  

One hundred bonus points is equivalent to making 100 SSB Q’s or 50 CW
Q’s so the bonus is well worth the time to complete.  

If you have 75/80-meter capability at your Field Day site, you can
originate and easily send your message by checking into the MARIPN
(phone net on 3978 kHz) at 6 PM on Saturday or the MARI (CW net on 3565
kHz) at 7 PM on Saturday.  

Otherwise, a list of all the EMA NTS nets operating during Field Day can
be found at: https://ema.arrl.org/national-traffic-system/net-schedule/

+++++++++++++++++++
Other Bonus points 
+++++++++++++++++++

Bonus points can make a huge difference in your club’s final score so
check out all the other bonus point possibilities in the Field Day rules
at
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Field-Day/2019/2019-Field-Day-Packet-Complete%20-%20Rev%2014%20June%202019.pdf

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Enjoy Field Day.  Wishing everyone an enjoyable and safe Field Day
weekend.  Remember: “Safety First!”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

——————————————————————–
ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section
Section Manager: Thomas D Walsh, K1TW
k1tw@arrl.org
——————————————————————–

Organization

“Put Howard to Work” Operating Event Cancelled

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ARRL flagFrom the ARRL Web:

Earlier this week, ARRL announced that ARRL CEO Howard Michel, WB2ITX, would be on the air at W1AW on Monday, May 13, giving ARRL members a chance to chat with the CEO and get to know him better as a ham. An issue was raised, however, that this event may pose a potential FCC rule violation.

The particular rule is §97.113: “A station is also not allowed to transmit communication in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer.” [Full story]