Northwest Division Director Letters:

01-08-08 - January 2008

TO: Northwestern Division ARRL Members
It's been quite a while since I updated you on events and issues in the Northwestern Division and ARRL in general.  The combination of work, hamfests, bicycle training, and other activities keep me quite busy.  I actually found some time for on-the-air activity! Since Spring, I rode my bicycle over 1,500 miles and participated in the Seattle to Portland (STP) bicycle classic in July.  The STP was a

AMATEUR RADIO SUPPORTS COMMUNITIES DURING THE DECEMBER 2007 STORMS IN OR AND WA:

 Thanks to all who assisted with communication work during the rainstorms and subsequent flooding earlier this month.  Along with providing much needed assistance to the communities affected, the Amateur Radio Service received some excellent praise from local and state authorities in both Washington and Oregon. The Amateur Radio community really came through and our ability to be of service to our fellow man was recognized.  This is the reason the Amateur Radio Service exists.  Thanks again to those who participated in this emergency situation.  The February 2008 edition of QST on page 12 quotes many positive comments about service to our communities during this storm.

LICENSING:

Almost a year has passed since the FCC eliminated CW as a requirement for licensing.  Some are against this action; some are for; some don't care.  But, there are more hams on the air and the old timers need to mentor them just as we were mentored when we began experiencing this wonderful hobby.    Thanks to all who encouraged both new and experienced folks to join our organization.

ARRL MEMBERSHIP:

Speaking about prospering, the statistics regarding ARRL Membership continue to be positive.  In the past year, ARRL membership has grown by 3.5% with the Northwestern Division leading other Divisions with a 5.9% growth.  Many of these new members are recently licensed hams.  Thanks to all of you for encouraging their entrance into the Amateur Radio service and for the mentoring you are doing to teach them how we enjoy and learn the radio craft.   At the board meeting in July, we established a goal of an additional 30,000 new licensees during the next year.  Let's get those folks who have an interest in Amateur Radio motivated.

HAMFESTS : 

We attended a number of hamfests, conventions and clubs this year.  It was great to say HI to a number of you at the Division Convention at Seaside, OR in June.    In July, the WIMU (Wyoming-Idaho-Montana-Utah) convention allowed us to meet a number of members in the eastern regions of the division.  Moving into fall, we
spent time at the Pacific Northwest DX Convention, where I met many more members including Eric Martin K7ABV from Great Falls, MT. Eric and I have had QSO's for the better part of 40 years and it was a pleasure to meet him in person after all of these years.  Finally, we closed out the hamfest season visiting the Washington State Convention in Spokane, North Kitsap Hamfest in Silverdale, and the VHF/UHF Convention in Bend, OR.   We look forward to venturing into all the sections in 2008.   Both Bill and I welcome the chance to speak to individual clubs and gatherings.  Please e-mail us regarding dates and places.  Since I still hold down a full-time job, it is tough to get away during the week.  However, let's see what can be scheduled.
Please mark May 30 -- June 1 on your calendars.  These are the dates of the Northwestern Division Convention in Seaside, OR.  Nearly 2,500 folks attended last year.

RED CROSS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU):

Some of you have heard and made comments regarding the controversial American Red Cross directive with which the ARRL has taken exception.  This newly announced policy allows a third-party firm hired by the Red Cross to request Police Checks but also financial and "mode of Living" inquiries.  The board went on record to inform members about this policy and the implications of signing the Red Cross form.  Remember, the Red Cross will utilize our communication services for up to 7 dayswithout requiring this background and financial investigation.  We understand that both Red Cross staff and other serving agencies alsodisagree with this global investigation.  So...make your decision withfull knowledge of potential consequences.  In the meantime, the ARRL is
working to update the MOU with the Red Cross which expired mid-year. As of this e-mail, the ARC has not responded to our request to re-open negotiations.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION:

As I noted in my last newsletter, the ARRL's Legislative Action program is getting started.  Stephen Kangas, W9SK (ex- AE7SK) has agreed to be the focal person for this activity.  This program is just getting started  and I expect that we will be asked to participate in legislative activities this winter.  Thanks to the 35 or so members who are currently signed on as Legislative Action Assistants in their various locales.

REGULATION BY BANDWIDTH:  

Another issue that has been in the mainstream is the Regulation by Bandwidth proposal perhaps better known as RM-11306.  This proposal, first filed with the FCC in 2005, seeks to regulate band use by bandwidth of the transmitted signal rather than by mode.  A number of negative comments showed a lack of understanding of the petition.  In the spring, a modified proposal for 10 meters and up was proposed.   This proposal was subsequently withdrawn in late-spring.  Although the concept is sound, I believe that the ARRL and leadership did a less than stellar job of explaining the merits and rationale of the proposal.  At the July Board meeting, the directors chose to defer additional comments and better explain the proposal until some future date.  Lamar Ray WA7LT agrees with the proposal as something that will allow flexibility in the future as new modes are invented.  Ward Silver, N0AX notes the need for good behavior by hams if and when the proposal is adopted.  Larry Wassman W3OZ is concerned about the impact of bandwidth on the hi-fi SSB experimenters.  Others are concerned about a proliferation of digital robots across the bands. One thing on which you can bank on, I won't vote for a re-filing until a top notch marketing program explaining of the concept is developed and publicized.   Not all will agree but a consensus will, I'm positive, be reached.   Stay tuned...

RECOGNITION OF NORTHWESTERN DISIVSION MEMBERS:

During the first part of the year, two Northwestern Division members were recognized for their contributions to our avocation.  First, Roy Lewallen W7EL was
named a member of the CQ Hall of Fame for his work in developing the ELNEC propagation system.  Roy and I worked about 50 feet apart during our Tektronix days and I remember his enthusiasm during the early days of the program's development.  In addition, Rick Campbell, KK7Breceived the prestigious Bill Orr Award for technical writing.  Rick wrote a series of articles in QST relating to the MicroT2 Transmitter and MicroR2 receiver  (see page 66 in February 2008 QST). Congratulations to both Roy and Rick!

THANKS AND WELCOMES:

 There have two changes in the Northwestern Division Section leadership in 2007.  Thanks to Ed Bruette N7NVP (WWA) and David Stevens KL7EB (AK) for their leadership as Section Managers during the past few years.  These positions are among the toughest in the ARRL hierarchy and I value their contributions.  Welcome to new Section Managers Jim Pace K7CEX and Jim Larsen AL7FS.  Both Jim's (that is a good name!) have good and solid divisions thanks to Ed and David.
Please support their efforts as we move forward.    K7CEX certainly had a baptism by fire (or was it water) during December as noted by comments above.   Jim lives in Centralia, WA, the center of the storm and resultant flooding last month.  The ARES organizations in WWA and OR were stellar performers during this event and receive accolades from the governors in both Oregon and Washington.   Thanks to Bonnie and Jim and congratulations to your section organizations for a job well done.
In addition, Doug Rich W7DVR (ID), Doug Dunn K7YD (MT), Bonnie Altus AB7ZQ (OR) and Mark Tharp KB7HDX (EWA) will continue providing leadership in their respective sections.  Thanks,  too, for your time and energies leading your sections to work together and prosper.

SURVEY:

 I am working, along with other Directors, to develop a membership survey for the Northwestern Division.   It is hoped to distribute this document in the spring.  In the meantime, I would like to hear from you regarding how Bill and I can better support Radio Amateurs in the Northwestern Division.  Please forward your comments to the e-mail address below.

THANKS:

Thanks again for your support of Amateur Radio in general and in the ARRL in particular.  Both Vice Director Bill Sawders K7ZM and I wish you the best for the New Year.  We look forward to meeting you at hamfests and club meeting.

73
Jim Fenstermaker K9JF
ARRL Northwestern Division
Director
K9JF@arrl.org

Bill Sawders K7ZM
ARRL Northwestern Division Vice Director
K7ZM@arrl.org

Subject: January 2007 Newsletter
01-15-07 - January 2007
TO: Northwestern Division ARRL Members

Subject: January 2007 Newsletter

Happy New Year to ARRL Northwestern Division members.  I hope you are
enjoying the first few days of 2007 in spite of the ugly weather we are
experiencing here in the Pacific Northwest.  Just think, we could be in
Colorado!
I work for a company that manufactures rocket engines for NASA and
other aerospace firms.  Earlier this week, I attended a presentation by
an Astronaut (a licensed ham) who talked about his training.  He noted
that the most important attribute of the astronaut corps is teamwork.
I hope that we, as licensed Amateur Radio operators, can work together
as a unified team on behalf of the Amateur Radio Service and our
wonderful avocation.
Division Website URL
After the Division newsletter was distributed in October, I received
feedback requesting information about the URL for the Division website.
 This web site can be accessed via the ARRL.org URL (follow the links
to the Division) or direct via http://mysite.verizon.net/~res0nuqa/ .
Thanks again to Rodger KK7LK and Michael KG7HQ for their able
assistance with development and maintenance of the website.
FCC Actions
As you undoubtedly know, the FCC implemented the Report and Order which
restructuring some of our bands.  The most controversial aspect is the
80-meter expansion of the phone band to 3600 KHz.  Following review and
input from members, the ARRL requested a modification of the R&O to
allow digital from 3600 to 3635 KHz.  The FCC maintained their confused
logic and extended the digital section from 3600 to 3585 KHz. It
appears they didn't think about or even realize that nets and other
activities occur in this range.  But, given the logic (?) applied by
the FCC during the past few years, I guess we really shouldn't be
surprised.  During the holidays, I listened on these new frequency
allocations and heard only a few US signals.  Time will tell if and how
this new phone allocation will be used.
Then, in December, the R&O eliminating the CW requirement was issued.
This new policy should go into effect in January.  I preferred
maintaining a CW requirement for the Extra Class License and voted as
such a few years ago when the ARRL filed its comments.  But, in its
quest to simplify most aspects of the Amateur Radio, the FCC determined
it was in the "public interest" to eliminate CW entirely as a
condition for all classes of licensure.  Soon there will be a number of
new licensees on the bands without having experienced the CW
requirement.  Please welcome them to Amateur Radio and assist them as
they learn to participate in our hobby the same manner most of us were
welcomed when we first started as hams.  Remember, they took the time
to study and pass the various exam elements to reach a class of license
and thus, they have an interest in joining our ranks.   Consider how
much you learned from the time you first became licensed to the
present.  Be an ELMER.
Finally, the FCC dismissed the complaint from Manassas, VA hams using
the logic that the BPL system there complied with current interference
criteria.  If you have been following this issue, you know that
complaints weren't even notified about technical tests and locations
from which the FCC based their decision.  This is one of the first
times the FCC allows unlicensed entities to legally interfere with
licensed services!  Because of this and other similar issues, the ARRL
Board determined an appeal in the Federal Appellate court is justified.
 As you might imagine, this is a very costly appeal process.  I believe
this filing shows that we disagree with their possibly illegal action.
Please consider donating to the Save Our Frequencies Fund, coordinated
by the ARRL's Development Department.
ARRL Foundation Scholarships and Teachers' Summer Workshops
The ARRL Foundation (were I also serve as a Board Member) just
announced the scholarship program for 2007 along with the requisite
deadlines for application.  See http://arrl.org/arrlf .  There are
thousands of dollars of scholarships available to young college and
tech-school bound licensed hams.  It was both gratifying and an honor
to review the applications last year and recommend scholarship awards
to many talented young people.   Do you know that a teachers' workshop
was conducted for the last five years, helping teachers integrate
electronics and ham radio studies into their classrooms?  This is a
wonderful program that has seen many positive results for young people.
 You can participate in these programs by donating or creating a
bequest to fund these and other programs. Visit
http://arrl.org/development for further information.
Legislative Action Program
In past newsletters, I referred to the Legislative Action Program (LAP)
that will be implemented by the Board as a coordinated program to both
forestall actions by the FCC and other Federal agencies as well as to
introduce legislation favorable to Amateur Radio and licensees.  This
program is now ready for implementation in the ARRL divisions.    The
February issue of QST will describe the recommendations and
organization of this process as defined by members of the ad hoc LAP
members.  There are three levels of coordination in each division.
Overall coordination in each division will be accomplished by an
appointed Division Legislative Action Chair (DLAC).  Each state will
have a Legislative Action Coordinator (LAC).  In the various locales,
Legislative Action Assistants (LAA's) will be recruited.  The LAA's are
generally the folks who will contact and meet with Federal legislators
and/or their aides to both inform them about Amateur Radio and to
request support for specific legislation that affects us.  A training
package has been developed which both explains the overall process.  In
addition, a training DVD is available to exhibit the way to meet and
explain our issues and concerns and ask for support.  I envision at
least one LAA team (comprising of 2-3 members) in each Federal
Congressional District in the Northwestern Division as well as a team
targeting each Senator.    This means that at least 28 teams are
needed:
Alaska          1 team for a legislator and 2 teams for a senators      = 3
Idaho           2 teams for legislators and 2 teams for senators        = 4
Montana         1 team for legislator and 2 teams for senators  = 3
Oregon          5 teams for legislators and 2 teams for senators        = 7
Washington      9 teams for legislators and 2 teams for senators        = 11
To see who your Federal legislator is, click the following URL:
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml#top
For a list of Senators, see:
http://www.senate.gov/
I realize that many hams are not comfortable participating in the
political process, but it is a real learning experience and has
potential benefits for us far into the future.  If you do have an
interest in participating or need further information, please contact
me.  Northwestern Division members have been extremely proactive when
asked for assistance with similar issues.  I look forward to your
participation and work with a team in your legislative district or at
the senatorial level.  Again, I emphasize this initiative is focused on
Federal issues.  At the upcoming board meeting, we will determine one
or more initiatives on which to focus.
Hamfest and Convention Season:
The first hamfest of the New Year is in Rickreal, OR on February 17.
Remember the Northwestern Division Convention will be in Seaside, OR on
June 1 through 3.  This promises to be a fantastic convention and will
have a few new formats.  I met with the coordinating committee last
month and am excited about the venue.  We just received approval to
host W1AW/7.  Mary Hobart, ARRL Development Manager, will be in
attendance.  Mary is a great spokesperson for the ARRL and Amateur
Radio in general.  The Communications Academy dedicated to Emergency
Communications and coordination will be held in Seattle on March 31 and
April 1.  Harold Kramer, WJ1B, ARRL COO, will be a keynote speaker at
this event.   See the Northwestern Division web site for other Hamfest
dates, times and places.
Operating Events
The Idaho QSO party is schedule for March 10-11, 2007. This is a great
way to work some of those elusive Idaho Counties.  To see the rules,
link to:   http://www.nt4tt.com/main_page_link/rules.htm .  On May 5-6,
the 7th District QSO party will be held.  Get on the air work the world
from the rare 7th area!   For further information, link to:
http://www.codxc.org/new/page.asp?content=dryland7s .
It has been a pleasure to serve the ARRL Northwestern Division during
2006.  Both Vice Director Bill Sawders K7ZM and I look forward to our
next three years of service to you.
We'll forward the next installment of this newsletter following the
upcoming Board meeting in Newington.  Both my wife Shirley, KE7CBH, and
I wish each of you the best of health and good hamming in 2007.

73
Jim Fenstermaker K9JF
Director
Northwestern Division


Now some thoughts from our Northwestern Division Vice Director, Bill
Sawders, K7ZM.

It's the beginning of a new year with new challenges. I have heard very
little feedback on the FCC decision to increase the size of the phone
bands. The dropping of the code requirement came as no surprise as most
countries had already led the way in doing so. The big challenge will
be our ability to protect our frequencies from pollution produced by
BPL, Broadband over Power Lines. With the FCC staffed by
"political liberals" with an "anything goes"
attitude, Amateur Radio, as we know it, could certainly be on the
decline. The ARRL is standing up to these "from bad to worse"
Commissioners and will do whatever is possible to protect our spectrum.
The FCC is heading in the wrong direction and our hobby is at risk. You
can help with a generous contribution to the ARRL Spectrum Defense
Fund. On a "brighter" side, Dr. David Hathaway of the
Marshall Space Center announced at the American Geophysical meeting in
San Francisco, that solar cycle 24 might be the most intense cycle in
the 400 years of monitoring. When I was first licensed, in 1957 (50
years ago!), I can remember working Europe on 10 meters with a dipole
in the attic!  Solar cycle 24 is supposed to "peak" in the
year 2010 or 2011. My wife, Vicki, K7VKI and I are looking forward to
seeing and meeting you at the various hamfests and swapmeets in the
year ahead. And again, please help all Amateurs, by supporting the ARRL
in protecting our frequencies. By doing so, we can all look forward to
the enjoyment that Amateur Radio provides... for years to come!
------------------------------
10-25-06 - October 2006
To:     ARRL Northwestern Division Members
From:   Jim Fenstermaker K9JF -- Northwestern Division Director
            Bill Sawders K7ZM -- Northwestern Division Vice- Director
October 2006
To: ARRL Northwestern Division Members
From: Jim Fenstermaker K9JF “ Northwestern Division Director
Bill Sawders K7ZM “ Northwestern Division Vice-Director

Subject: News Update

Dear Northwestern Division Members:
The end of summer is passed and we are into the throes of winter. It's long past overdue to update you on the various events and activities in the Northwestern Division. I'm excited to announce the new Division web site, which was recently redesigned and made available to review. Note that we will complete the various sections during the next few months. Please suggest changes and additions as you review the content of the new site. Thanks to Rodger Alexander, KK7LK, for working on this project! Currently, Rodger along with Assistant Director Michael Sterba, KG7HQ are working on additional enhancements to the site. As you review their creation, please provide feedback to me about additional topics you would like covered. The League recognized two of our Northwestern Division members this summer. Roger Hayward, KA7EXM was awarded ARRL's DeMaw Technical Excellence Award for 2005. I was honored to recommend Roger to the ARRL Board for this award. Marv Loftness KB7KK from Olympia, WA received a plaque for the best article in May QST. Marv's article was titles "When Should You Call the Power Company". Congratulations to both Marv and Roger! Congratulations are extended to the Radio Club of Tacoma on their 90th anniversary. Only a few clubs in the USA have this legacy. This club was formed in 1916 and became affiliated with the ARRL in 1920 as its 7th affiliated club. During their celebration last Saturday, their affiliation certificate was displayed with HPM's signature prominently displayed. Development of the Legislative Action Process is nearly complete. An explanation of the process as well as discussion why this is needed as well as the implementation plan will be forwarded to you soon. In May and June, members in ID, AK, and WA, MT were asked to contact their Senators, requesting support of adding language supporting amateur radio to the Senate Telecommunications Bill. Thanks to 155 of our members who responded. Of the 551 letters generated nationwide, 28% came from our division. That is an outstanding response from the Northwestern Division. The Northwestern Division advocacy effort was noted and discussed at the Board meeting. As we move forward, we will ask for your support including contacting your local federal legislators and asking for assistance for amateur radio related legislation. Given the current FCC attitude, this is needed to insure our survival! Speaking about the Board meeting, Bill and I attended the meeting in July in Newington. The highlight of the meeting was a Strategic Planning exercise to guide the League during the upcoming year. Items of emphasis include: Membership, Advocacy, Emergency Communication, Education and Finances. I'll give you more details following the January board meeting when the strategic plan is ratified. As you have undoubtedly heard by now, the FCC released the "Omnibus" report and order (R&O) on October 10. A summary of this R&O can be viewed on the ARRL Web Site
 [http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/10/11/100/ ].
 The most surprising portion of this pending rulemaking is the expansion of the 80 meter band, especially in light of other current users of a portion of this spectrum for nets and digital modes. Comments regarding this proposed expansion as well as other elements of the R&O can be made to the ARRL via e-mail to bandplan@www.arrl.org. In addition, you can communicate directly to us at: K9JF@arrl.org or K7ZM@arrl.org . As Bill and I will be continuing as Vice Director and Director through 2009, we encourage you to invite us to visit your local clubs and activities. However, since I am not yet retired; scheduling is of utmost importance to me. We will both try to accommodate your visitation requests during the next three years. Don't forget that the Northwestern Division Convention will be held at Seaside, OR on June 1-3. This is a date change from that appearing on their program. Attendance at this gathering has remained steady at approximately 2,250. Compare this to Pacificon in the SF Bay Area at approximately 1,200. The Northwestern Division is Radio-Active! Thanks for your support. We will be in touch again soon. 73 Jim K9JF
A word from your Vice-Director, Bill Sawders, K7ZM
 Even though I was interested in assuming the position of ARRL Northwestern Division vice-director, I was quite surprised to have been chosen. There were several well qualified persons seeking the position. Being unopposed in this years election has given me the confidence in knowing you have given me your trust in the leadership team of Jim, K9JF and myself. As the Oregon section manager (1998-2002) Jim and I worked very closely at times and this relationship will continue as we strive to represent you as members of the American Radio Relay League, Northwestern Division. I am very proud of the way the ARRL challenged the propose BPL (broadband over power lines) rulings. However, when I watched our President tell the nation that every single household in the United States will have the ability to use the internet (with the use of power lines), I knew the FCC would quickly hurdle over any and all objections. After all, you have to realize the FCC Commissioners are made up of (mostly) lawyers and others who have very little or no knowledge of communications and especially Amateur Radio. However, in the future, I know any vast interference caused by BPL can and will be pursued with help from the League. Quoting now, from one of our fellow ARRL Division Directors:
ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio Is!
MEMBERS: The reason ARRL Is! When visiting any of the major northwest ham fairs and conventions, please take time out to visit the ARRL booth and say "hello". 73. Bill, K7ZM