[mvarbb] WEAVER'S WORDS -- WELCOME TO AUGUST

[Fred Stone W8LLY]

=============================================
To: w8lly at dayton.net
Subject: WEAVER'S WORDS -- WELCOME TO AUGUST

(To reply, send E-mail to k8je at arrl.org, only.  Your comments will be 
appreciated.)

Inside this issue
- BOARD APPROVES REGULATION BY BANDWIDTH
- EXPLANATION
- THE MOST IMPORTANT PROJECT
- LETTERS TO CONGRESS - THANKS
- ELECTIONS

BOARD APPROVES REGULATION BY BANDWIDTH

The ARRL Board of Directors approved a proposal to segregate amateur bands 
based upon bandwidth of transmitted signal.  This method of assigning 
sub-bands would replace the current system that designates where we may 
operate by our mode of transmission.  If adopted, essentially all that 
would change is the way we refer to sub-bands.

For example, where we currently think in terms of frequencies open to SSB, 
we instead would think in terms of where we could use its approximate 
bandwidth.  This bandwidth is typically considered to be about 2.7-2.8 
kHz.  SSB sigs would fit very nicely into the 3.5 kHz sub-band that would 
be available to them.  (I pushed for a wider sub-band, but this did't work 
out.)  Similar situations would relate to CW, the several digital forms, etc.

The big deal about this proposal is that it would enable hams to return to 
the leading edge of development in communication technology.  And, yes, 
there are provisions for AM, FM, etc.

Whenever changes are made in long established practices, confusion often 
occurs.  Not surprisingly, this is true of the Bandwidth regulation 
proposal.  What is the uncertainty?

The principal question I've been asked is, How am I supposed to measure the 
bandwidth of my transmissions?

The answer:  The Bandwidth proposal would require us to do nothing we are 
not required to do now.  Unless someone is involved in in-depth development 
of new forms of transmission, we generally don't measure bandwidth, 
now.  We will not need to measure it in the future.

Think of it this way.  Under existing regulations, we talk in terms of SSB, 
ATV, SSTV, CW, etc.  What actually is going on is that the regs authorize 
us to use these modes provided the signals we transmit satisfy requirements 
of good operating practices -- which include proper transmitted 
bandwidth.  Even though we think in terms of mode, we operate in terms of 
bandwidth.

As typical operators we generally rely on the quality of our equipment and 
its components, as well as on reports of the quality of our signal (that we 
receive from fellow hams or by monitoring our own transmitted signals) to 
determine that our SSB, CW, PSK-31 or other emission quality is good and 
inside designated sub-bands.  Nothing about the Bandwidth proposal would 
change this.

EXPLANATION

One tradition in the Great Lakes Division is that the Director and Vice 
Director travel to club meetings, hamfests/swaps and similar local events 
throughout the year.  These visits bring ARRL to its members.  I totally 
support this tradition.  Recently, though, a short-term medical problem has 
made it difficult for me to travel.  You deserve to know the problem is 
being solved and I will be able to resume my normal routine, soon.  In the 
meantime, please accept my apology for limiting much of my travel.

If you have any questions about this, let me know.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PROJECT -- AND WHY

To succeed at nearly anything, we must learn to control our destiny!  Boy, 
have my children and grandchildren, even people who reported to me at work 
heard this statement of one of my philosophies on life . . . often.  What 
this means is that if we want something to be done, we need to take 
responsibility for making it happen.

What would you identify as the single, most important accomplishment 
Amateur Radio should pursue in order to protect and expand our great 
Service?  Is it protecting our frequencies?  Or is it attracting new hams 
to the fold?  Or what about guaranteeing amateurs the right to erect 
antenna supports and antennas without being hassled?  Is this the most 
important thing?

As important as these are, none tops my most-important list.  First on my 
list of critically most important projects is ARRL's non-partisan 
Grassroots Lobbying.  When properly pursued, Grassroots will make success 
possible in many other highly important projects.

Grassroots Lobbying?  You bet.  We need to be able to work the legitimate 
systems available to us to gain our legitimate objectives.  The political 
system is a very important one of these systems.  Like it or not, 
everything we do in life is impacted by politics.  Our personal involvement 
with politics begins with many of the interactions we as youngsters have 
with our parents.  And, can you think of any aspect of life that is more 
politically charged than the relationship between wife and husband?

But ARRL is a non-profit organization and cannot legally become involved in 
politics, you say.

Not so, I reply.  Non-profit organizations, ARRL included, may legally 
enter into the political arena provided they follow IRS rules.  These rules 
essentially require us to avoid involvement in partisan politics (e.g. not 
to act on the basis of political parties) and to limit expenses incurred in 
lobbying to specified percentage of our income.  Lobbying within these 
limits can be highly effective.

ARRL qualifies fully in all respects to lobby in favor of our non-partisan, 
pro-Amateur Radio agenda.  Failing to lobby can mean disaster for ham radio.

Why, would any of us want to get involved in politics though?  This answer 
is simple for us who really enjoy Amateur Radio as a hobby as well as for 
us who appreciate the tremendous contributions of hamming to public service.

What is the most important thing individual amateurs can do to make our 
lobbying effort effective?  Follow the through on the strategies developed 
nationally as these are provided to you through the Kentucky,  Michigan and 
Ohio State Legislative Action Coordinators.

What is about the worst thing you can do?  Choose, as is your right, to be 
a loner . . . to ignore the advice attributed to Abraham Lincoln that "if 
we all do not hang together, we shall surely all hang separately."

Vice Director Dick Mondro, W8FQT has accepted my request to head the 
Grassroots effort in the Division (Division Legislative Action 
Chairman).  The State Legislative Action Coordinators who manage this 
program in their states are Gregory Baize, Sr., KG4VJC (Kentucky), Val 
Rose, N8EXV (Michigan) and Jim Ashman, W8ASH (Ohio).  You may hear from one 
of these Division leaders.

One important point to recognize is that the Grassroots Lobbying Program is 
separate from the Section Government Liaison (SGL) program.  Grassroots 
Lobbying is focused on national legislation.  SGLs limit their activities 
to intra-state activities.

LETTERS TO CONGRESS

Since my last newsletter, many more (still far from all) Division members 
have written their US Representatives urging them to support H.Res. 
230.  To you who have written, thanks for your help.

ELECTIONS,

In case you missed the notices, elections for Director and Vice Director of 
our Great Lakes Division will be held in just a few weeks.  I am pleased to 
say I've learned there will be about six candidates for these 
offices.  This provides testimony to the level of importance Division 
members assign to ARRL.  Full members will receive ballots in the 
mail.  Watch QST for further information.

I encourage you to review carefully the qualifications of each candidate 
and vote for the candidate of your choice for each position.  Be sure to 
participate in selecting the eople who will represent you in Newington.

73, more later,

Jim, K8JE

Director Great Lakes Division, ARRL
5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040-8130
ARRL - THE REASON AMATEUR RADIO IS
MEMBERS - THE REASON ARRL IS



Jim Weaver, K8JE
Director, Great Lakes Division ARRL; http://www.arrl.org/
5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040
Tel.:  513-459-0142; E-mail:  k8je at arrl.org
ARRL:  The reason Amateur Radio Is!
MEMBERS:  The reason ARRL Is!

--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Great Lakes Division
Director: James Weaver, K8JE
k8je at arrl.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------