Weaver's Words - Remember The Fallen; 1776-2010

- Field Day Cometh
- 2010 ARRL Foundation Scholarship Awards
- Monitoring our Frequencies pays off
- In Case You Missed the Information
- How about Inviting a QSL Field Checker to your Hamfest?
- Is It a Broadcast or a QSO?
- Thanks for the Letters
- QSO Parties are Scheduled

+++ Field Day Cometh +++

Field Day 2010 is June 26 and 27. The 2009 results are on the ARRL web site just in case anyone wishes to see how they fared last year As always, have fun, learn something toward improving emergency communications skills and be safe.

+++ 2010 ARRL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS +++

ARRL Foundation scholarship awards for the year went to 65 amateurs. Seven of the award winners live in the Great Lakes Division. Pretty good representation when one considers there are 15 divisions. Award winners are:

- The Earl I. Anderson Scholarship - $1250 each, went to Kelly Kinkade, KD8LXM of Waterford, MI.
- The Dayton Amateur Radio Association Scholarships - $1000 each went to Chelsey Bruce, KC8YSS of Cuyahoga Falls, OH and to Kathryn Ankenbauer, KD8AHA of Portage, MI.
- The Thomas W. Porter, W8KYZ, Scholarship Honoring Michael Daugherty, W8LSE - $1000 to Richard Elrod, KB3LLM of Barberton, OH.
- The Don Riebhoff Memorial Scholarship - $1000 to Samantha Young, KC9ENB of Sidney, OH.
- The Bill, W2ONV, and Ann Salerno Memorial Scholarship - $1000 to Jacob Wagner, KD8CDC of Rocky River, OH.
- The Zachary Taylor Stevens Scholarship - $750 to Thomas Fielitz, KC8YAK of Smiths Creek, MI.

Well done to our scholarship winners.

+++ Monitoring our Frequencies pays off +++

"Prompt follow up work by IARU monitors helped resolve the intrusion on 7150 and 7190 by a Kuwait Broadcast station," according to The Official Observer Summary dated April, 2010. Chuck Skolaut, KØBOG, Field & Regulatory Correspondent of ARRL reported that thanks to the work of Region I monitors, Radio Kuwait has moved its broadcasts from the amateur bands.

Even though IARU monitors are not part of the ARRL Official Observer program, the work ARRL OOs perform is often similar to the work these monitors performed. Thank your friendly, local OOs for the support they provide.

+++ In Case You Missed the Information +++

Hamfest/Swap committees should be aware that ARRL no longer automatically sends boxes full of free handouts for your event. Instead, it is your privilege to determine which freebies you want and to inform HQ of your wishes. You will receive the free material you request and it will still be shipped to you free-of-charge.

A list of materials available for hamfests is included with the free prize certificates you receive. Instructions for ordering the free goods are included with the information. Be sure to ask for your free handouts early enough so they can be shipped to you in time for your hamfest. The freebies are to be placed on the ARRL table of your ARRL-sanctioned event.

+++ How about Inviting a QSL Field Checker to Your Hamfest? +++

Why not ask a QSL Field Checker to attend your hamfest and check QSL cards for the several ARRL operating awards? Publicize that he'll be checking QSL cards at the 'fest. Doing this will provide a good service to many area amateurs and just might bring a few more hams to your event.

Applicants for an award or supplemental submission to one need to bring, the QSLs they wish the checker to verify, the appropriate completed application -- e.g. DXCC, VUCC -- and any fee associated with entering the QSLs into the records.

There are three types of field checkers. These are the DXCC Card Checker, the VHF Awards Manager and the HF Awards Manager. DXCC checkers are authorized to check cards for VHF/UHF, WAS and DXCC, as well as cards for the IARU's WAC award. VHF checkers (Award Managers) may check VUCC cards and HF checkers may check WAS.

Find a DXCC card checker.
Find a VUCC checker.
Find a HF checker.

While on the subject of ARRL sanctioned conventions and hamfests, did you know the League publishes a free handbook of things to do or consider doing when planning these events?

Incidentally, it is not necessary to wait for a hamfest to use the services of a card checker. These are available upon request anytime it is convenient for them to check cards for you. Finally, thanks to all the great card checkers and other ARRL volunteers who take their time to provide service to the rest of us and their communities.

+++ Is it a Broadcast or a QSO? +++

"In response to reports of broadcasting we receive at times, here is one point to keep in mind to help in determining if it is indeed considered broadcasting. Are the transmissions intended to be received by the general public or are they directed to other amateurs? If other amateurs are involved and they take part and ID, it's considered a QSO."

From: The Official Observer Summary April, 2010 by Chuck Skolaut, KØBOG. Field & Regulatory Correspondent, ARRL.

+++ Thanks for the Letters +++

Thanks to the members of the Great Lakes Division and other ARRL Divisions who stopped by the Legislative Action booth at the Hamvention(tm) to send letters to their US legislators. These letters encouraged legislators to support S. 2881 and H.R. 4089. These bills would help insure each FCC commissioner has a technically-sound advisor on staff. Thanks also to the 18 volunteers from our Division who worked at the booth.

Division Legislative Action Chairman John Meyers, NB4K reports 1257 letters were obtained and sent to John Chwat, the ARRL legislative representative in Washington, DC. He will have the letters delivered directly to the legislators. The total number of letters obtained at the Hamvention this year is greater than twice the number obtain in 2009.

Well done.

+++ QSO Parties are Scheduled +++

It's a little early to turn your rigs on and to bring your favorite snacks in for the Ohio and Kentucky QSO parties, but it isn't too early to mark them on your calendar. The Ohio party (OHQP) will be from 1600Z to 2400Z August 28. It is sponsored by the Mad River Radio Club.

The Kentucky party (KyQP) will be from 1400Z November 13 to 0200Z November 14. It is sponsored by the Western Kentucky DX Association.

+++ Tentative Travel, Hamfest and Activity Schedule +++

Hamfests in the following list have received ARRL sanctioning as of press time. Hamfests and other events for which a Great Lakes Division representative is scheduled to attend are identified with the representative's name. The schedule can be expected to be fine-tuned in the future.

Patronize ARRL-sanctioned hamfests. Hamfests, conventions, symposia and similar events sponsored by ARRL-affiliated clubs may be eligible to be sanctioned by the League. For information and a sanctioning application, see www.arrl.org/hamfest-sponsor-support.. Please have your event sanctioned soon.

Support our Division hamfests and swaps.

11 Sep: Greater Louisville Hamfest 50, Shepherdsville, KY

Weaver's Words -- Howdie Hamvention (TM) Time

Friday, May 7, 2010
By Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division

- Urgent Message to All Radio Clubs
- Did you know?
- Dayton Hamvention (TM) Forum Schedule
- Ontario Cell Phone Law
- W1AW operates from Division
- Dumbing down?
- Search Function on New Web Site
- Tentative Schedule

+++ Urgent Message to All Radio Clubs +++

Changes made three years ago to the federal tax laws could cause many radio clubs to lose their tax-exempt status this year. To protect themselves, clubs that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code must file the required IRS annual returns or reports before the deadline, which is May 15 for those with calendar years.

Many clubs have, at some time in the past, applied for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) [charitable organizations], Section 501(c)(4) [civic leagues] or Section 501(c)(7) [recreational clubs]. Years ago, any club with gross receipts averaging less than $25,000 per year was not required to file annual returns with the IRS. However, after 2006, such clubs had to file a Form 990-N, a simple "electronic postcard" with minimal information, by the fifteenth day of the fifth month after the close of each fiscal year. Some clubs may not have been aware of this new requirement or didn’t bother to comply. Even those that filed in a prior year may have neglected to keep up with the required filings as officers changed from year to year.

Section 6033(j) of the Code provides that failure to file Form 990, 990-EZ or 990-N for three consecutive years results in revocation of tax-exempt status as of the filing due date for he third return. That filing date for calendar year 2009 is less than two weeks away. If you are a club officer and are uncertain who is responsible for IRS filings or whether such filings are current, you should determine your fling status as soon as possible and take immediate steps to file the current and any missed prior-year IRS forms. Going forward, your club’s board should assign the responsibility for compliance filings with a designated officer and document that responsibility in the written "job description" for the position so that subsequent holders of the office are made aware of the requirements. If you have questions about your club’s status, you may wish to consult a CPA or other tax advisor.

(Thanks to Marty Woll N6VI, CPA-retired, Vice-Director, ARRL Southwestern Division)

+++ Did You know? +++

Did you know:

- That if you are away from your home for lengthy absence . . . and will live in a single location during this absence, ARRL will send mail such as QST directly to your temporary address. You can even schedule the change in addresses ahead of time so that QST and other League mail will automatically be redirected to your vacation home and then directed back to your permanent home on schedule. No missing QSTs or ballots for Section Manager, Vice Director or Director. You will still be a member of your home division.

That to make address changes of this type it currently is necessary to contact the Membership office at ARRL HQ by telephoned. However, in about a week, a form will be added to the new ARRL web site to let you do this on line.

- That if traveling outside the US . . . in one of seven popular countries you can take an FCC Amateur Radio exam while there. Go to http://greatlakes.arrl.org/index.htm, click on Library then on Ham License Exam Locations under Misc. Data of Interest. Search under Select Exams by Country. At this time, exams are given in Germany (4 locations), Great Britain (1 location), Italy (1 location), Japan (7 locations), Mexico (1 location), Panama (1 location) and the Philippines (1 location).

- That there are . . . 10,045 members of the Great Lakes Division (GLD) that we know have Internet access. Of these, 8,726 receive ARRL e-mail and 7,264 receive e-mail from their SM and the Director.

- That there are . . . 12,440 ARRL members in the GLD. The breakout of these by location section is: Ohio = 6,167, Michigan = 4,647, Kentucky = 1,598 and Foreign = 1.

- That in April . . . there were 38 operating contests listed by ARRL. Non-ARRL (but US sponsored) = CW (13), phone (10), Digital (7) and VHF+ (4) contests. European sponsors held contests on CW (6), phone (4) and digital (3). There were two CW and one phone contest from Asia. A Middle Eastern group sponsored one CW and phone contest and a non-US north American sponsor held a CW and phone contest. ARRL? It sponsored one contest. It was on phone. Numbers will most likely vary from month to month.

+++ Dayton Hamvention (TM) Forum Schedule +++

The complete schedule of forums for the Dayton Hamvention (TM). One forum that should be of particular interest to ARRL affiliated clubs is ARRL, Resources for Radio Clubs. This forum is at 9:15-10:15 Sunday morning in Room 2. A forum of special value in our effort to promote Amateur Radio to the public as well as to recruit new amateurs will occur at 9:15 Friday morning in Room 2. This is the ARRL, Public Relations Forum. Want to learn how to deal with power line noise? Room 2 Friday afternoon at 2:30 -- ARRL Lab, Power line Noise.

FCC, Emergency Communications will be in Room 3 at 9:15 Saturday morning and the ARRL, Member Forum will be in Room 3 from 1:15-2:15 in the afternoon. This will be an opportunity to meet, hear and talk with local, regional and national ARRL officials including new ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN.

Of course, there are many additional forums on many additional interesting topics.

While at the Hamvention, be sure to come to the ARRL Expo area where there will be several booths, each on interesting topics to clubs and individual amateurs. Booths include ARRL Youth Activities and Youth Lounge, Ham Radio and Scouting, ARRL Radio Clubs, Amateur Radio in Education, ARRL Project Building, On the Air, 2011 ARRL National Convention, Legislative Action and the New ARRL Web Site.

Where else but the Hamvention could one have so much to do in a short 3-day period?

+++ Ontario Cell Phone Law +++

Marsha Fleming, N8FE and Milt Dzodin, N8AYD appear to have dug deeply enough to learn the skinny on the new Ontario distracted driving law as it relates to amateurs. The question had been if the new law applied equally to US hams visiting Ontario and Ontario amateurs alike. The concern was that the grace period for applying the law would not apply to visiting amateurs. The answer Marsha reports is that US hams and Ontario hams both are covered by the limited stay in enforcement. The section of the law that outlines the grace period is:

"13. (1) Until January 1, 2013, drivers who hold a valid radio operator certificate issued under the Radiocommunication Act (Canada) may drive a motor vehicle on a highway while holding or using a two-way radio.

"(2) This section is revoked on January 1, 2013."

+++ W1AW operates from Division +++

As an addition "did you know," did you know that local clubs can apply to operate as W1AW under a number of circumstances. They can, and the SouthWest Ohio DX Association (SWODXA) did . . . and will. The operation will be during the IARU HF contest later this summer. The club will operate on 160M through 10M (excluding WARC bands, of course) with 13 stations. Of course, the call that will be used is W1AW/8.

To use W1AW the event must be particularly notable and consistent with the objectives of ARRL and the operation well designed.

+++ Sanctioned Hamfest Freebies Process is Changed +++

When a club applies to have its hamfest/swap sanctioned by ARRL, it enters into a two-way contract with the League. In this contract the club agrees to perform certain actions for ARRL and Amateur Radio in exchange for being sanctioned and ARRL agrees to perform other actions to benefit the club. Two of the perks ARRL agrees to provide the hamfest are prizes and free giveaway material. Hamfest committees need to be aware of these changes so they can obtain the greatest benefit possible from ARRL.

Prizes: ARRL HQ no longer sends specific publications as prizes. Instead, hamfest receive gift certificates to be awarded to prize winners. These certificates can be used toward any League publication by their winners. The certificates can be redeemed for ARRL merchandise directly with a local dealer or can be sent to ARRL HQ and applied toward a purchase. When used by sending a certificate in to ARRL, the merchandise selected is shipped at no cost to the certificate winner.

Freebies: Similar to the situation with prizes, ARRL no longer sends a boxful of free handouts. Instead, an envelope that contains a list of hamfest-oriented goodies that are available to clubs is sent along with a pack of WAS mats/frequency charts and done or two additional items. The important thing here is that someone on the hamfest committee reviews the sheet of goodies. If the committee wants to buy some of the items on this sheet, this is fine. If they do not wish to buy anything, this also is fine

The important thing is that a committee representative look over the list of free good (box in upper right of sheet) to see which of the dozen or so items available would be useful to the hamfest crowd. Order these from HQ and indicated on the sheet at least three weeks before the hamfest.

There is no charge for the free material or for shipping it to hamfest committees.

The new procedure avoids hamfests receiving items of no particular interest to their anticipated attendees. It also saves ARRL money by minimizing after-hamfest throw aways.

To order free materials, follow the directions on the list of hamfest-related materials. One may also telephone the ARRL Publication Sales Department toll free at 1-888-277-5289.

The gift certificate prizes are sent in an envelope that is stapled to an ARRL publications catalog. Do not mistake these for freebies. One hamfest I attended this year had the prize certificates laying out on the ARRL table as freebies. Valued at a total of $100, I don't think any hamfest committee would like to have the prizes given them used as pick-up items.

Incidentally, when a hamfest committee applies to have it's hamfest sanctioned by ARRL, it agrees to have a display table dedicated to ARRL materials and any ARRL official who may be able to attend the hamfest.

+++ Dumbing Down? +++

We've all probably heard the claim that Amateur Radio is being "dumbed down." I know I receive-mail notes that make this assertion every now and then. What I occasionally wonder is just what is proved in the occasional instance in which the writer misspells "dumbing.

+++ Search Function on New Web Site +++

Google has finally finished indexing the new ARRL web site. The Site Search function is now working very.

+++ Tentative Travel, Hamfest and Activity Schedule +++

Hamfests in the following list have received ARRL sanctioning as of press time. Hamfests and other events for which a Great Lakes Division representative is scheduled to attend are identified with the representative’s name. The schedule can be expected to be fine-tuned in the future.

Patronize ARRL-sanctioned hamfests. Hamfests, conventions, symposia and similar events sponsored by ARRL-affiliated clubs may be eligible to be sanctioned by the League. For information, see http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/hamfests/Sponsors. Please have your event sanctioned soon.

Support our Division hamfests and swaps:

14-16 May: Hamvention), Dayton, OH - Gary, Jim, John
26 May: Directors webinar - Jim
5 Jun: IRA Hamfest, Hudsonville, MI
5 Jun: Mid-Ohio Valley ARC Drive-In 'fest, Gallipolis, OH
5 Jun: Fulton Co. ARC Hamfest, Ted row, OH
5 Jun: Carter Co. Hamfest, Olive Hill, KY - Jim, John
6 Jun: Chelsea Swap & Shop, Chelsea, MI
11 Jun: Central MI ARC meeting, Lansing, MI - presentation, Jim
19 Jun: Milford Hamfest, Milford, OH - Jim, John
19 Jun: Midland Hamfest, Midland, MI
20 Jun: Monroe Hamfest, Monroe, MI – Jim, John
23 Jun: Directors webinar - Jim
8 Jul: Mahoning Valley ARA, presentation – Jim
15 Jul: A&F Committee, Newington, CT - Jim
16-17 Jul: Board of Directors, Windsor, CT – Gary, Jim
17 Jul: HOARSEST, Elyria, OH
18 Jul: Van Wert ARC Hamfest, Van Wert, OH
25 Jul: Portage Ham air, Randolph, OH
28 Jul: Directors webinar - Jim
7 Aug: UP Hamfest, Escanaba, MI
15 Aug: Warren ARA Hamfest, Cortland, OH
15 Aug: Central KY Hamfest, Lawrenceburg, KY - Jim, John
15 Aug: Lapeer Swap & Shop, Lapeer, MI
21 Aug: SARA Inside/Outside Trunk Sale, Owosso, MI
22 Aug: Cambridge Hamfest, Cambridge, OH
25 Aug: Directors webinar - Jim
11 Sep: Greater Louisville Hamfest 50, Shepherdsville, KY
11 Sep: GRAHam fest, Wyoming, MI
12 Sep: Findlay Hamfest, Findlay, OH - Jim, John
18 Sep: Central KY ARES Hamfest, Richmond, KY - Jim, John
19 Sep: Greater Cincinnati ARA Hamfest, Cincinnati, OH - Jim
19 Sep: Adrian ARC Hamfest, Adrian, MI
22 Sep: Directors webinar - Jim
26 Sep: Cleveland Hamfest, Cleveland, OH - Jim, John
16 Oct: Ohio Section Conf., Columbus, OH - Jim
17 Oct: Kalamazoo Hamfest, Kalamazoo, MI
27 Oct: Directors webinar - Jim
30 Oct: Hazard Hamfest, Hazard, KY
31 Oct: Massillon Hamfest, Massillon, OH

Weaver's Words - Happy Passover And Easter

Friday, April 2, 2010
By Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division

- New MOU between Red Cross and ARRL is Signed
- Michigan QSO Party in April
- Ohio OO Clearly a Good Guy
- WA8EFK named ECAC Chairman
- Kentucky Initiates Digital Net
- VHF Conference in Division this Year
- Outline of Division Convention Revised
- Division Awards Process Updated; Criteria Refined
- Thanks for the Letters
- Do I have Cards at the Bureau?
- Will you be a Flea Marketer at Dayton?
- A Request

+++ New MOU between Red Cross and ARRL is Signed +++

ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN and Joseph C. Becker, Senior Vice President, Disaster Services for the American National Red Cross (ANRC) signed the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organizations on March 25 in Washington, DC. The ceremony took place at ANRC Headquarters.

Two features of the new MOU that were not included in previous memoranda are clauses regarding background checks and the status of amateurs as RC volunteers. The new MOU allows amateurs to have criminal background checks performed by certain agencies other than Mybackgroundcheck.com. It also clarifies that amateur's who provide communication services to RC do not need to become RC "volunteers." The latter clarification permits hams to support RC communication activities without being subjected to certain requirements of RC volunteers.

This new MOU replaces one that expired in 2007 and is the result of considerable discussion between ARRL and RC. Read the new MOU in its entirety.

+++ WA8EFK named ECAC Chairman +++

Last month I was pleased to announce the appointment of Michigan SM Dale Williams, WA8EFK as the Great Lakes Division representative on the new ARRL Emergency Communications Advisory Committee (ECAC). This month it is my great pleasure to announce that Dale has accepted ARRL President Kay Craigie's, N3KN appointment to chair this committee. Congratulations and thanks, again, Dale. I will add a great thank you to Judy, Dale's wife, for her willingness to share her husband with Amateur Radio.

+++ Michigan QSO Party in April +++

The 2010 Michigan QSO Party (MiQP) will be April 17-18. All amateurs are invited to participate. As usual, Michigan amateurs receive contest points for contacting other amateurs within the state/section. Amateurs outside of Michigan earn contest points for QSOs with Michigan hams, only. As the announcement of the Party says, "This is a great opportunity develop HF operating skills, represent the great state of Michigan, and last but not least, have a bunch of fun. Even if you don't consider yourself a contest operator, you'll probably find its a blast to jump in to work the throng who will be looking for Michigan QSOs. If you've ever operated on Field Day, you'll certainly be ready for MiQP."

The operating period is twelve hours long, from noon local time (1600Z) until midnight local (0400Z) Eastern time. "Activity takes place on the 80 thru 10 meter bands, on both phone and CW. The exchange is simple: a sequential QSO number (starting with 1, then 2, 3...) and your location (county for Michigan stations, and state, province or "DX" for others). A station may be worked once per band and mode, with CW QSOs counting two points and phone QSOs counting one point (just like Field Day). Multipliers are states, provinces, and Michigan counties, counted once on phone and once on CW. Final score is total QSO points times total multipliers."

There are handsome plaques for major category winners in Michigan and certificates for the top single-operator score in each Michigan county. There is a competition for Michigan clubs where scores of its members are combined into an aggregate score for that club. There are also categories and awards for mobile and multi-operator stations.

"The separate category instituted in 2008 for Emergency Operation Center (EOC) stations has become a permanent part of MiQP, and continues in 2010. A handsome MiQP plaque will be awarded to the highest scoring EOC station and certificates for second and third place. We are also continuing the 'MiQP Rookie Of The Year' plaque instituted in 2007, which is awarded to the top single-operator score submitted by a Michigan station who has never participated in MiQP before."

Complete rules and further information. The MiQP is sponsored by the Mad River Radio Club.

+++ Ohio OO Clearly a Good Guy +++

"After receiving a call about a transmitter stuck on 10 meters, an Ohio OO was able to help the family of a SK who had just passed away during the night. Not knowing what to do after seeing his equipment still on, a family member finally asked on the air if anyone was hearing them and that they needed help closing down the station. The OO was able to locate the QTH since the family member gave the ham's call sign after seeing it on his desk. After arriving, he learned the story and was asked to later contact this amateur's friends to pass on the news. A rather unique service provided by an OO." (From the ARRL February OO Summary.)

+++ Kentucky Initiates Digital Net +++

Kentucky Section Emergency Coordinator Ken Garrett, N4KLG announced the activation of a digital net in the Commonwealth. The Kentucky Digital Net (KDN) operates each Wednesday on 3.585 MHz (+/- QRM) at 7 PM (EDT). The mode used is PSK-31. Using USB the transmission is 1 KHz above the frequency shown on the dial.

All amateurs are invited to participate in the net. Contact Net Manager Joe Leitsch, K4DMU (joe@iglou.com) or SEC Ken Garrett (sec@kyham.net) for additional information.

+++ VHF Conference in Division this Year +++

The Southeastern VHF Society (SEVHFS) is holding its 14th annual Conference at Morehead State University in Morehead Kentucky on April 23-24. This is an excellent conference. Information.

Conference activities will be at the University's new Space Science Center. Guided tours will be given of the Center's 21 meter radio telescope facility. Other features of the Conference include testing of home-brew antennas on an antenna range, a Friday evening flea market, presentations on a variety of topics related to UHF and VHF operating on Saturday and a Saturday evening banquet.

+++ Outline of Division Conventions Revised +++

The outline of Division conventions has been one topic discussed during recent teleconferences. The goal of the discussions has been to make the conventions easier for members to attend, to have the sessions draw a larger audience, and to create timely, relevant and interesting seminars. We would like the input of clubs and individuals concerning the following general outline for future conventions.

Future conventions:

- Would be held concurrent with hamfests/swaps in this Division (Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio).
- Would be sponsored by the host hamfest.
- Would consist of a series of seminars that would last the duration of the hamfest.
- Would include, when practical, an informal group dinner the evening before.
- Would occur once each year and would rotate through the three sections in the Division.

Host hamfests/swaps would be requested to arrange:

- For one or two rooms suitable for the seminars.
- For a suitable restaurant for any evening-before dinner when appropriate.
- For publicity about the Convention to be included with hamfest publicity.

The Division would arrange:

- For the seminars. The hamfest committee would participate in arranging the seminars if it desires.
- For Division awards that will be given at the dinner or during a seminar.
- For a keynote speaker if appropriate.

Host hamfests/swaps will not be expected to incur expense related to the convention.

It is planned that this revised outline for Division conventions will take effect in 2010. Clubs interested in discussing the possibility of hosting a Convention are requested to contact me at k8je@arrl.org.

+++ Division Awards Process Updated; Criteria Refined +++

The process for giving Great Lakes Division awards as well as the criteria for these awards have been reviewed by the Division Cabinet. During this process, the operation of the awards committee has been outlined, and the criteria for determining the winner of our awards have been tweaked. Five awards are available from the Division at each Division Convention. These are the George S. Wilson, III, W4OYI Lifetime Achievement Award, the Great Lakes Division Amateur of the Year Award, the Technical Achievement Award, the DX Achievement Award, the Amateur Radio Youth Award and the Joseph J. Phillips, K8QOE, Newsletter Award.

+++ Thanks for the Letters +++

I thank each member who sent Faxes and letters in support of Senate Bill S. 1755 in the US House of Representatives.

+++ Do I have Cards at the Bureau? +++

"Do I have cards at the QSL Bureau?" is a frequent question. The answer to this question is quite simple. Know who your QSL letter manager is and be sure to have envelopes and postage on file with him or her. If this is done, QSLs received from overseas will automatically be sent to you.

This being said, people who expect they may receive cards from DX stations should read the information at the web site for the correct Incoming QSL Bureau. The correct Bureau is determined by the number in your call sign. If you are KD3NEW, your QSL Bureau is the Third Area Bureau regardless of the FCC call area in which you live. Similarly, the QSL bureau for K4ZLE is the Fourth Area bureau even though Jay lives in the Eighth Area and is the Manager of the Eighth Area bureau. With my call, K8JE, my cards come via the 8th Area bureau. As a result most amateurs in Michigan and Ohio will use the 8th Area bureau and most amateurs in Kentucky will use the 4th Area bureau.

The first thing to remember is to become familiar with the procedures used by the QSL Bureau that services you. Read the information at its web site.

The second thing to do is to realize you cannot receive cards from your bureau unless you have envelopes and postage on file with your "letter manager." You letter manager is the ham who volunteers his or her time to sort cards according to the first letter of the suffix of the call sign. You can learn who this is at the Bureau web site.

A third thing to remember is that the letter sorter is not a mind reader. If you put postage stamps on the envelope it is logical for the sorter to think you want to have the card and QSLs sent to you only after you have enough cards to use up the amount of postage you've put on the envelope. For example, only a very active DXer would put $5 worth of postage on an envelope of he expects the envelope to be sent back to him in a month. Talk with your letter sorter to let him know how often you want cards mailed to you and how he wants you to submit envelopes and postage to him.

After you've done these things, sit back, work DX, wait for the cards to come back and enjoy Amateur Radio. Remember it often takes over two years (or longer) for DX stations to send reply QSLs. No one has ever claimed the Bureau works with great speed. For this, look forward to the day when Logbook of the World is used by nearly all DXers worldwide.

Links to all Incoming QSL Bureaus

+++ Will you be a Flea Marketer at Dayton? +++

If you plan to Flea Market at the coming Dayton Hamvention (TM) you may be interested in this offer. Bob Reiff, WA8ULW of Mason, OH has arranged to make rigid, 8'x8'x12' watertight, portable storage units available to Hamvention-going amateurs at the cost of delivery and pick-up. The roll-up doors on these units can be locked to protect goodies in them. The units will be delivered to and picked up from the flea market area. Contact Bob at wa8ulw@arrl.net for details.

+++ My apologies +++

Occasionally I receive invitations to join a member in a Facebook or other social networking system. I greatly appreciate these invitations, but have so far not accepted any of them. It is not that I am anti-social. I simply am reluctant to add further to the load of e-mail, meetings, hamfests, family obligations and other duties I already have. I hope anyone who has invited me or who is considering inviting me to join any such social net will understand and forgive me.

Please understand that I am still very eager to hear from anyone and to learn of problems, dissatisfactions and ideas, but I'd like to limit this to using e-mail, webinar, teleconference, US mail, the telephone... and Amateur Radio.

Thanks.

Weaver's Words - Did Someone Say Sunspot?

Saturday, February 27, 2010
By Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director ARRL Great Lakes Division

- Williams Appointed to ECAC
- The New MOU with Red Cross Offers Much
- US ARDF Championship in Cincinnati
- Repeater Narrow Banding under Review
- Comment Deadline Nears on Two NPRMs
- Field Day Cometh
- Destroy Obsolete Applications for Credit Cards
- Chris Castle, KI4BOQ, Another Honor
- Directors Webinars -- What are These?-
- Tentative Schedule

+++ Williams Appointed to ECAC +++

I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Michigan Section Manager Dale Williams, WA8EFK to represent the Great Lakes Division on the ARRL Emergency Communications Advisory Committee (ECAC). The ECAC was established by the ARRL Board of Directors at its January meeting. As is true of other ARRL advisory committees, the ECAC will be composed of one representative from each of the 15 ARRL Divisions. This is the first ARRL advisory committee that is open to section managers as well as typical League members. Dale was among several qualified candidates considered for the post.

Thanks to Dale for his willingness to assist. I also thank other candidates who stood ready to serve.

The ECAC will advise the Board and HQ on matters related to multi-regional and nationwide emergency response planning.

+++ New MOU with Red Cross Offers Much +++

{This is a report on a Memorandum Of Understanding between the American Red Cross and the ARRL. B.A.R.S. and the Bullitt County Red Cross currently have their own MOU. Our local club document takes the place of this ARRL agreement for all B.A.R.S. Members. -editor}

The new MOU between Red Cross and ARRL does much more than include an agreement to support RC and to acknowledge the appropriateness of criminal background checks for its ham supporters. When it is signed by both organizations it will provide a clear distinction between amateurs as official Red Cross volunteers and amateurs as partners but not RC volunteers. This should be a very helpful distinction. Basically it means that amateurs can provide volunteer communications support to the community through RC without becoming RC volunteers if this is what they choose.

Why is this potentially an important distinction?

It has been my personal experience that RC chapter officials typically conclude anyone who provides support to them is a RC volunteer. This conclusion may be justifiable for "the man on the street" who walks in to a chapter house and says he wants to help. On the other hand, the conclusion may or may not be accurate regarding individual members of an ARES(TM) unit that also offers to help. The ARES member may, in fact, be volunteering to support ARES in its assistance to RC, but not be interested in being a RC volunteer.

One important feature of the new MOU is that it clearly distinguishes between ARES members and RC volunteers. ARRL and ARES are referred to as partners and in similar terms, not as RC volunteers. The MOU solidifies this distinction even further when it agrees that ARES amateurs should be encouraged to become RC volunteers and that RC amateurs who do not belong to ARRL/ARES should be encouraged to join these organizations.

Again, why is this distinction important?

As a RC volunteer, an individual may be required to sign certain agreements that are not required if the individual is not a RC volunteer. One agreement is the Intellectual Property Agreement that basically gives the RC first rights to ideas, inventions, developments, and other property developed by the individual even though these were not developed for Red Cross or as a direct result of being a RC volunteer. Those of you who work for major corporations may have signed a similar agreement with your employer to get a job and earn a living.

I am aware of at least one local Chapter for which the Intellectual Property Agreement is a big issue. Many ARES members in its service area are very reluctant to sign the agreement, but are equally interested in providing valuable service to the community through the RC. They view the situation as being one of lose-lose.

Because the new MOU recognizes that ARES members do not need to become Red Cross volunteers, it should not be necessary for amateurs who choose not to be RC volunteers to sign the agreement. This same philosophy will apply to other requirements of RC volunteers.

Unfortunately, it may be necessary to wait until the new MOU is published to convince many RC chapter managers that radio operators are not required to become RC volunteers and, therefore, are not required to sign these agreements.

One final thought. Becoming an official RC volunteer may not be one-sided. This may depend on the specific chapter, but some chapters reimburse their volunteers (including amateurs) for certain expenses while performing RC duties. It would be justifiable for these reimbursements not to be offered to hams who choose not to be RC volunteers.

+++ US ARDF Championships in Cincinnati +++

The 2010 national ARDF (Amateur Radio Direction Finding) championships are in Cincinnati. The dates are May 19-23. These will be the tenth championships for the US.

This will be an especially good opportunity for amateurs in our area to see what competitive ARDF is about and why it is fun. A two-day training camp may be Of particular interest to new and would-be ARDFers. An ARDF forum will also be held at the Dayton Hamvention(TM) the week before the championships.

To learn more about ARDFing, visit the 2010 ARDF Championships web site. This site contains a good discussion of ARDFing as well as full information about the 2010 championships.

One interesting feature of the event is that individuals who have never participated in a US ARDF Championship may register without paying a competition fee. The ARDF community definitely wants to encourage new people to join it.

Bob Frey, WA6EZV of Hamilton, OH and Dick Arnett, WB4SUV of Erlanger, KY are co-chairmen of the 2010 Championships.

+++ Repeater Narrow Banding under Review +++

As many of us know, the FCC is pushing a variety of radiocommunication services toward digital narrowbanding. As one example that is somewhat related to Amateur Radio, the FCC is considering a rather major move in repeater spacing for the Land Mobile service. Land Mobile currently uses a 25 kHz spacing. FCC is talking about a plan that would reduce this spacing to 12.5 kHz on an interim basis and then to 6.25 kHz. The move to 12.5 kHz is being fought and no deadline has been proposed for 6.25 kHz, but the pressure toward narrowbanding exists.

It seems appropriate, therefore that we in Amateur Radio review the possibilities that would exist if we were to find narrowbanding in our future. It is always better to study a potential situation when there is plenty of time for the study than to wait until a deadline exists.

Consistent with this thinking, we on the ARRL Board passed the following resolution at the July 2009 Board meeting (Minute 29):

WHEREAS, there is current substantial amateur radio movement, activity, and innovation in the digital narrowband area; and WHEREAS, the FCC has mandated that by 2013 commercial radio move to narrowband channels and Amateur Radio manufacturers normally follow commercial practices; and WHEREAS, the VHF/UHF Amateur Radio band plan currently uses 15 and 20 kHz FM channels; and WHEREAS, with the increasing use of narrowband across the country amateurs are placing and using narrowband equipment outside the repeater subband because there is no real place to fit the narrowband pairs; and WHEREAS, for ARRL to remain a respected leader in technology, we must be actively involved in innovative solutions to problems by bringing about a productive discussion on a technical paradigm shift; now THEREFORE, the President shall appoint a study committee for the purpose of research and to consider developing a plan to move the US amateur community to narrowband channel spacing.

The Committee has begun its work. Please be aware that neither the Committee nor the Board are preparing to propose a shift to narrow band spacing. This is an information gathering effort. You will hear more in the future as the work progresses.

+++ Comment Deadline Nears on Two NPRMs +++

The comment deadline for two FCC Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) dockets is March 26. These NPRMs are intended to amend, clarify and codify certain existing procedures governing the amateur vanity call sign system (WT Docket No. 09-209) and to revise certain rules that apply to club stations (FCC No. 09-102). The two NPRMs and information needed to submit comment on.

+++ Field Day Cometh +++

The annual Field Day exercise of emergency communications preparedness is June 26 and 27. Here is anything you ever wanted to know or needed to know about this annual exercise.

Why not invite your State or Federal senator and representative, EMA director or other public leaders to visit Field Day. If you do this, be sure to have literature that concisely describes Amateur Radio and the critical role amateurs play in emergency communication available to give to them. Some of this information is available to pick up at no charge at an ARRL booth at any ARRL-sanctioned hamfest.

+++ Destroy Applications for Obsolete Credit Cards +++

Individual amateurs and hamfest officials who have applications for ARRL credit cards that were distributed before February 22 please note. Toss these applications in the trash. Better still, put them in the paper recycle bin. These applications were made obsolete by the new credit card laws.

+++ Chris Castle, another Honor +++

Chris Castle, KI4BOQ, has received another honor. He has been named a WYMT-TV Mountain Achiever. Chris is a senior at Johnson Central High School, Paintsville, KY. He is the son of Patty and Ron Castle, KI4NM. The Castles live in West Van Lear, KY.

+++ Directors Webinars -- What are These? +++

What are the Directors webinars I've listed in the following Tentative Travel, Hamfest and Activity Schedule? These are monthly discussions I helped initiate by working with other members of the ARRL Board of Directors. The purpose of these monthly discussions is to bring directors together frequently to promote full exchange of ideas, problems and experiences throughout the year. Participants in the webinars believe that members, the staff and the Board will benefit from these frequent discussions.

Incidentally, members of the Great Lakes Division Cabinet periodically hold teleconferences to discuss items of interest to the Division and Sections. These are not listed below because they occur on an as-desired basis and generally do not fit the publication schedule of Words. The Division Cabinet consists of SMs WA8EFK, KY4Z and KI8GW, Division Legislative Action Chairman NB4K, Vice Director KI4LA and your Director.

+++ Tentative Travel, Hamfest and Activity Schedule +++

Hamfests in the following list have received ARRL sanctioning as of press time. Hamfests and other events for which a Great Lakes Division representative is scheduled to attend are identified with the representative's name. The schedule can be expected to be fine-tuned in the future.

Patronize ARRL-sanctioned hamfests. Hamfests, conventions, symposia and similar events sponsored by ARRL-affiliated clubs may be eligible to be sanctioned by the League. Information. Please have your event sanctioned soon.

6 Mar: Mammoth Cave Hamfest, Cave City, KY - Jim
18 Mar: Bellbrook ARC Annual Dinner, Waynesville, OH - Jim
20 Mar: Michigan Crossroads Hamfest, Marshall, MI -- Jim
21 Mar: TMRA Hamfest/Computer Show, Toledo, OH - Jay, Jim
3 Mar: Directors webinar - Jim
3 Apr: ARGYL Hamfest, Lowell, MI
3 Apr: Lincoln Trail Hamfest, Elizabethtown, KY
10 Apr: JCARC Hamfest, Radio Show, Jackson, OH
17 Apr: Milford Swap & Shop, Highland, MI
18 Apr: Cuyahoga Falls Hamfest, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
24 Apr: River Cities ARA Tail-Gate 'fest, Ashland, KY
25 Apr: Athens Hamfest, Athens, OH
26 Apr: Livonia ARC meeting - presentation, Jim
27 Apr: Cherryland ARC meeting - presentation, Jim
28 Apr: Directors webinar - Jim
1 May: Louisa Hamfest, Louisa, KY - Jim
1 May: Cadillac Hamfest, Cadillac, MI
14-16 May: Hamvention(r), Dayton, OH - Gary, Jim
26 May: Directors webinar - Jim
5 Jun: IRA Hamfest, Hudsonville, MI
5 Jun: Fulton Co. ARC Hamfest, Tedrow, OH
5 Jun: Carter Co. Hamfest, Olive Hill, KY
6 Jun: Chelsea Swap & Shop, Chelsea, MI
19 Jun: Milford Hamfest, Milford, OH - Jim
19 Jun: Midland Hamfest, Midland, MI
20 Jun: Monroe Hamfest, Monroe, MI -- Jim
23 Jun: Directors webinar - Jim
8 Jul: Mahoning Valley ARA, presentation -- Jim
15 Jul: A&F Committee, Newington, CT - Jim
16-17 Jul: Board of Directors, Windsor, CT -- Gary, Jim
18 Jul: Van Wert ARC Hamfest, Van Wert, OH
25 Jul: Portage Hamfair, Randolph, OH
28 Jul: Directors webinar - Jim
7 Aug: UP Hamfest, Escanaba, MI
15 Aug: Warren ARA Hamfest, Cortland, OH
15 Aug: Central KY Hamfest, Lawrenceburg, KY - Jim
15 Aug: Lapeer Swap & Shop, Lapeer, MI
22 Aug: Cambridge Hamfest, Cambridge, OH
25 Aug: Directors webinar - Jim
11 Sep: Greater Louisville Hamfest 50, Shepherdsville, KY
12 Sep: Findlay Hamfest, Findlay, OH - Jim
18 Sep: Central KY ARS Hamfest, Richmond, KY - Jim
19 Sep: Adrian ARC Hamfest, Adrian, MI
22 Sep: Directors webinar - Jim
26 Sep: Cleveland Hamfest, Cleveland, OH - Jim
27 Oct: Directors webinar - Jim
30 Oct: Hazard Hamfest, Hazard, KY
31 Oct: Massillon Hamfest, Massillon, OH