[bulletins] [Fwd: WEAVER'S WORDS -- GOBBLE, GOBBLE]

[Randy Allen]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: WEAVER'S WORDS -- GOBBLE, GOBBLE
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2006 20:10:23 -0500
From: ARRL Web site <memberlist at www.arrl.org>
To: allenr at dma.org

[As always, send replies to k8je at arrl.org.  Do not click on REPLY.  The
ARRL reflector that gets this newsletter to you is one-way, only.]

-	Red Cross Again
-	What the Elections Changed for Amateur Radio
-	Legislative Action Program
-	Frustration
-	Low Profile Amateur Radio
-	W1AW Changes Digital Frequency
-	Change the New Rules
-	Tentative Travel Schedule
-	Happy Thanksgiving

RED CROSS, AGAIN

I want to make it clear that I support the Red Cross and have supported
it since I first became a volunteer through the Queen City Emergency
Net in early 1964.  However, in answer to questions I've received from
members, I unhesitatingly say I will not give the Red Cross or its
agent, Mybackgroundcheck.com, permission to run a credit check or
lifestyle check on me.  It isn't that I have anything to hide; it is
simply that they have no business prying into these matters.
Unfortunately, whenever a volunteer authorizes Red Cross to do
background checks, Mybackgroundcheck.com on behalf of Red Cross is
automatically authorized to do these irrelevant types of background
checks.  This is true even though Red Cross insists they don't
typically receive credit and lifestyle checks.  Why is the Red Cross
acting in this schizophrenic manner?

I am writing the Cincinnati Area Chapter of the Red Cross to authorize
them to do a criminal check on me.  This is all they need.  I
simultaneously am denying permission to do the other checks.  The
letter is addressed to the CEO and the Chairman of the Chapter.  I am
copying the Chapter Disaster Chairman and the Disaster Communications
Chairman, both of whom are personal friends.  I have great appreciation
for the people in the Disaster Office of the local Chapter.

Provided the National officers of the Red Cross do not intend to obtain
credit and lifestyle checks on volunteers, they should not require us
to authorize these checks.  If you disagree, I have this bridge to sell
. . .

It is neither my, nor ARRL's business to tell you what you should do if
the Red Cross (or anyone else) asks you to complete the form at
Mybackgroundcheck.com.  This is your business.  My only reason for
sharing my comments on this is to ensure you are aware of the extent of
information being demanded at Mybackgroundcheck.com, so that you will
read the disclosure form carefully and do what is best for you.

WHAT THE ELECTIONS CHANGED FOR AMATEUR RADIO

Not much.  Let me explain.

In reading the following information, please do not interpret it to
represent partisan (political party vs. political party; candidate vs.
candidate) political thinking.  The only part that relates to Democrat,
Republican, Socialist and similar parties or non-parties is the simple
comment that the Democratic Party picked up control of both the US
House and the US Senate in November.  For Amateur Radio, the only thing
this proves is that a few seats in each of house Congress changed from
one party to another

Let me point also that Federal agencies such as the US Food & Drug
Administration, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission . . . and the
US FCC . . . are managed by appointees made by the President, not
Congress.  With possible exception, the appointed committees or boards
have Republican majorities.  Of specific interest to us, the FCC will
continue to be controlled by the same, pre-election,
Republican-appointed majority until one or more Commissioner leaves the
Commission.  Until there is a change in control of the White House, any
new appointees to the FCC can be expected to be made so that Republican
control of the Commission continues.

ARRL's task as it continues its long-standing policy of advocating on
behalf of Amateur Radio remains unchanged.  We have never and will
never become involved in partisan politics; therefore, we will continue
to tell the Amateur Radio story to whoever holds the elected positions.
  We will continue this approach through our Washington Congressional
relations firm and also through the new ARRL Legislative Action
Program.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION PROGRAM

You've seen my appeals for help with this Program.  We still need help.
  A number of members have stepped forward to volunteer and have been
appointed to very important, although not highly demanding, positions.
We still need additional to join the fight to preserve Amateur Radio.
Please read www.arrl.org/govrelations/laprog.faq.html for brief
questions and answers about the Program.  If you are interested in
learning more or volunteering to help in your own Congressional
District, please contact Val Rose, N8EXV at n8exv at arrl.net or me
(k8je at arrl.org).  Val is the Division Legislative Action Chair (DLAC)
for the Great Lakes Division.

We need two members to help in each Congressional District in our three
states.

FRUSTRATION

Every few weeks, I receive E-mail that asks a question, but when I
attempt to reply the questioner's Spam setting or ISP blocks my reply.
This happened just recently when a good member from Grand Rapids wrote
twice.  My two attempts to reply were rejected.  I could not find a
telephone number to call him, so I asked Michigan SM Dale Williams',
WA8EFK, to try to forward my message.  He was blocked, also.  I gave
up, admittedly without trying the USPS.

If you want an answer from me and don't get one, it is nearly certain
that my E-mail to you is being blocked somewhere along the line.  In
this situation, please give me a telephone call or send me an E-mail
that contains your phone number.

LOW PROFILE AMATEUR RADIO

Speaking of frustration, many of members are frustrated over being
unable to operate Amateur Radio because of spousal or local homeowner
regulations that ban antennas.  A book published by ARRL might be the
answer to these frustrations.  Just as the US Military has developed
large naval vessels and airplanes that are virtually invisible to
RADAR, the second edition of Low Profile Amateur Radio might have the
answers to hams' need for stealth.  For information, go to
www.arrl.org, type Low Profile Amateur Radio into the Search Site blank
near the top of the opening screen and click on GO.  The cost is
$19.95.

W1AW CHANGES DIGITAL FREQUENCY

In response to the expansion of the 75-meter phone band down to 3600
kHz, W1AW will shift its 80-meter digital bulletin frequency down to
3597.5 kHz, effective Friday, December 15, 2006.  The new frequency
will be in use beginning with the regularly scheduled 6 PM EST (2300
UTC) digital bulletin on Friday December 15, 2006.

CHANGE THE NEW RULES

The need for many nets to change frequency has generated a lot of heat.
  As a supporter of NTS and other net operations, I am very sympathetic,
but there isn't anything anyone can do about this . . . at least in the
near term.

A few people have suggested petitioning FCC to change its new rules.
These will go into effect on December 15.  We could start a fight over
the new rules, but we wouldn't win; at least yet.  FCC is not going to
consider changing the new rules until there has been a reasonable
amount of experience with them.  There are other avenues for achieving
changes, but these are pretty drastic.

Although there would seem to be little chance for changes to be made at
this time, the ARRL Board has begun to review the situation.  The first
thing that must be demonstrated is that parts of the new rules impose
an undue hardship and damage.  Although many amateurs believe it is
very apparent that they do cause tremendous hardship and damage, not
all amateurs agree.  Many amateurs support the rules changes fully.
This makes it even more difficult to demonstrate hardship and damage.
At the same time, it makes it less likely that pursuing any avenues to
achieve change in the new rules will be successful.

We are, nonetheless, looking at the situation to see where we are.
This does not mean we intend to try to change the new rules, or that we
don't intend to do this.  We are merely evaluating the issues at this
time.

TENTATIVE TRAVEL SCHEDULE FOR K8JE

Jan.  9: 20/9 Meeting, Canfield, OH.
Jan. 13: SW OH Digital Symposium, Middletown, OH.
Jan. 18: A&F Meeting, Newington, CT.
Jan. 19-20:  Board of Directors Meeting, Newington, CT.
Feb. 11: Mansfield Hamfest, Mansfield, OH.
Apr. 14: QCWA Meeting, Cleveland, OH.
Apr. 20: KY Colonels ARC, Lexington, KY.
Apr. 26: SUMCO ARES, Stow, OH.
May 18-20: Dayton Hamvention, Dayton, OH.
Jul.18-19: Board of Directors Meeting, Newington, CT.
Sep   9: Findlay Hamfest, Findlay, OH.
Sep. 22: Great Lakes Division Convention, Cleveland, OH.
Sep. 23: Cleveland Hamfest, Cleveland, OH.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Have a very happy Thanksgiving.  Janice and I wish each of you and your
family the very best in this joyful season.

73,

Jim, K8JE

Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director
ARRL Great Lakes Division
5065 Bethany Rd.
Mason, OH 45040
E-mail:  k8je at arrl.org; Tel.: 513-459-0142

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Director: James Weaver, K8JE
k8je at arrl.org
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-- 
Randy Allen, KAØAZS