[RTTY] MINUTES OF ARRL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

[Terry]

The EC minute details are listed below and  RM-11708 is discussed in section
4.2.4

 

Terry   AB5K

 

 

4.2.4. Comments on the ARRL’s petition, RM-11708, continue to be received by
the FCC past the deadline, most of them brief comments of support but with
some opposing comments that reflect a misunderstanding of the existing rules
and the very limited effect that replacement of the existing symbol rate
limit with a bandwidth limit would have on current HF operation. Mr.
Roderick arrived at this point and reported on behalf of the HF Band
Planning Committee, which has solicited membership input on how best to deal
with the increasing popularity of data modes and how they can compatibly
coexist. About 300 comments have been received so far. After the March 31
deadline the committee will analyze the input and prepare its report for the
July meeting of the Board.

 

 

 

 

 

MINUTES OF ARRL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

Number 500 

St. Louis, Missouri – March 29, 2014 

Pursuant to due notice the Executive Committee of the American Radio Relay
League, Inc. met at 8:30 AM CDT Saturday, March 29, 2014 at the Renaissance
St. Louis Airport Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri. Present were committee members
President Kay Craigie, N3KN, in the Chair; Chief Executive Officer and
Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ; and Directors Cliff Ahrens, KØCA, George R.
Isely, W9GIG, Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, Bob Vallio, W6RGG, and Dr. David
Woolweaver, K5RAV. Also present were Second Vice President Jim Fenstermaker,
K9JF, International Affairs Vice President Jay Bellows, KØQB, and General
Counsel Christopher D. Imlay, W3KD. First Vice President Rick Roderick,
K5UR, was delayed by travel difficulties and arrived at 11:00 AM. 

1. The Chair welcomed the attendees, noting that Mr. Lisenco was attending
his first meeting as a member of the Executive Committee and that Mr. Ahrens
has returned to the Committee. On motion of Mr. Vallio the agenda for the
meeting was adopted as distributed in draft form. The main agenda items are:


1. Consideration of agenda for the meeting 

2. President’s report 

3. Chief Executive Officer and Secretary’s report 

4. FCC/regulatory items 

5. Antenna/RFI cases 

6. Other legal matters 

7. Legislative matters 

8. International matters 

9. Organizational matters 

10. Review of pending action items including work in progress by committees 

11. Approval of conventions 

12. Affiliation of clubs 

13. Recognition of new Life Members 

14. Date and place of next meeting of Executive Committee 

15. Other business 

 

2. President Craigie reported her attendance at three ARRL conventions since
the Board Meeting in January and commented on the high level of on-the-air
activity stimulated by the Centennial QSO Party. As of March 23 she had made
more than 4,100 QSOs since the first of the year. 

 

3. Mr. Sumner’s brief report mentioned that this meeting of the Executive
Committee is No. 500 and that he and Mr. Imlay have attended about 100 of
them. He also commented on the QSO Party activity. Demand for contacts with
the “W1AW/x” Worked All States (and territories) operations is exceeding
expectations. Planning for the Centennial National Convention in Hartford is
going well, and it promises to be an event that will be long remembered by
everyone who attends. ARRL Executive Committee Page 2 March 29, 2014 

 

4. FCC/regulatory items 

4.1. Action items 

4.1.1. The Committee discussed the current state of FCC enforcement in the
Amateur Radio Service. While some enforcement actions have taken place
recently, the visibility of the program is not as great as it was a few
years ago. This is due in part to there being two places on the FCC website
that list amateur enforcement actions, neither of which is being kept up to
date. While the Commission’s field resources are very limited at present,
there are particularly egregious and ongoing cases of deliberate
interference in New York and California that deserve immediate attention.
With regard to power line interference, some utilities are responsive and
are willing to work with amateurs to resolve problems. Unfortunately, others
are not. Some cases have dragged on for years without adequate attention by
the utility or enforcement action by the FCC. 

Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, is assisting the ARRL with strategic advice and
communication with FCC staff. The ARRL is also pursuing the common interest
that radio amateurs have with AM broadcasters on power line interference. 

The appointment of Travis LeBlanc as Acting Chief of the FCC Enforcement
Bureau offers some hope for improvement. His initial actions in the position
suggest a desire to resolve cases more quickly than in the recent past. ARRL
representatives will seek an early meeting with Mr. LeBlanc to outline our
concerns. 

4.1.2. The FCC has placed on public notice a petition, RM-11715, by Mimosa
Networks, Inc. that seeks a mobile allocation in the 10.0-10.5 GHz band. The
petition was discussed at the October 2013 meeting of the Executive
Committee and a number of problems were identified, as described in the
minutes of that meeting. Mr. Imlay and Mr. Sumner briefed the Committee on
the proposed direction of ARRL comments to be filed in opposition to the
petition. The Committee agreed with the thrust of the proposed filing, which
will be prepared for review and filing by the April 10 deadline. 

4.1.3. Draft comments in FCC GN Docket No. 14-25, Report on FCC Process
Reform, were reviewed in detail. The comments deal primarily with the need
for greater visibility of FCC enforcement activities and for more action on
power line interference cases, as discussed earlier in the meeting. On
motion of Mr. Lisenco, the General Counsel was authorized to file and given
editorial privileges. 

4.1.4. Mr. Imlay reported that the attorney for Hydrofarm, a firm mentioned
in the ARRL complaint to the FCC about serious RF interference from
electronic ballasts for “grow lights,” has advised that the firm was never
the importer of the device that is the subject of the complaint and has
ceased distributing it. Appropriate corrections will be made. Because the
entire class of electronic ballast devices appears to be problematic,
additional units will be acquired and tested in the ARRL Lab. 

4.2. Status update/reporting items ARRL Executive Committee Page 3 March 29,
2014 

 

Mr. Imlay reported briefly on the status of the following FCC-related
matters: 

4.2.1. On March 19 Mr. Imlay and Mr. Sumner met with Roger Sherman, the new
Chief of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. The purpose of the meeting
was to introduce the ARRL and to present the League’s positions on several
pending matters, particularly the reduction in the required number of
volunteer examiners at an exam session that has been proposed by the FCC and
is opposed by the ARRL. 

4.2.2. Domestic implementation of the new international allocations at
135.7-137.8 kHz and 472-479 kHz remains stalled while the Office of
Engineering and Technology deals with other allocation issues that have been
assigned a higher priority. 

4.2.3. Mr. Imlay reported that some FCC action is expected soon in ET Docket
No. 13-49, regarding the revision of Part 15 rules for unlicensed wireless
broadband devices in the 5 GHz band. The ARRL’s main concern is the possible
introduction of these devices in the 5.85-5.925 GHz band. 

4.2.4. Comments on the ARRL’s petition, RM-11708, continue to be received by
the FCC past the deadline, most of them brief comments of support but with
some opposing comments that reflect a misunderstanding of the existing rules
and the very limited effect that replacement of the existing symbol rate
limit with a bandwidth limit would have on current HF operation. Mr.
Roderick arrived at this point and reported on behalf of the HF Band
Planning Committee, which has solicited membership input on how best to deal
with the increasing popularity of data modes and how they can compatibly
coexist. About 300 comments have been received so far. After the March 31
deadline the committee will analyze the input and prepare its report for the
July meeting of the Board. 

4.3. Mr. Imlay listed several FCC proceedings on which there has been no
action since the July Board meeting. 

The Committee was in recess for luncheon from 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM. 

5. Antenna/RFI cases 

5.1. The Landstein, N2EHG case in the Town of LaGrange, NY is proceeding
slowly. The town appears to be engaging in delaying tactics. 

5.2. The Village of Swanton, Ohio has appealed a trial court judgment in
favor of Gary Wodtke, WW8N, which reversed the Village’s denial of his right
to erect a 60-foot tower on the grounds that its ordinances were preempted
by both federal and state law. The appeal challenges the state’s “PRB-1”
statute that was enacted in 2012. The ARRL is supporting the defense of the
statute. 

6. Other legal matters ARRL Executive Committee Page 4 March 29, 2014 

 

6.1. Mr. Imlay observed that it should be emphasized to clubs and
individuals who make contractual commitments when organizing ARRL-sanctioned
conventions that they have no authority to make commitments on behalf of the
ARRL. 

6.2. Mr. Imlay reported briefly on matters pertaining to ARRL advertising
policies. 

7. Legislative matters 

7.1. Mr. Imlay reported on the status of efforts to have legislation
introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives requiring reasonable
accommodation of amateur station antennas in areas subject to private land
use regulation. The bill has been drafted and original co-sponsors are being
sought prior to introduction. Once the bill has been introduced, efforts
must begin immediately to secure additional co-sponsors. 

On motion of Mr. Isely, it was voted to propose to the Board the creation of
the Barry M. Goldwater, K7UGA, Achievement Award to recognize outstanding
support of Amateur Radio by an elected federal official. Mr. Isely and Mr.
Lisenco agreed to develop proposed terms of reference by the end of April
for circulation to the Executive Committee. 

7.2. Mr. Imlay distributed a working draft of proposed amendments to the
ARRL Policy Statement on Mobile Amateur Radio Operation dated January 30,
2009. The amendments are intended to bring the policy into alignment with
what the states are doing to comply with federal grant programs to address
distracted driving, as required by Public Law 112-141 (MAP-21). The
Committee began its review of the draft but took no formal action. 

8. On international matters, Mr. Bellows observed that the IARU Region 2
Executive Committee will meet in Hartford just before the Centennial
National Convention. This will give ARRL members and officials an
opportunity to meet the IARU global and Region 2 leadership. 

9. Organizational matters 

9.1. Following a review, on motion of Mr. Isely the program for the ARRL
Centennial National Convention was approved. Committee members said they
were very impressed with the convention planning by staff and asked that
this be recorded in the minutes. 

9.2. Discussion resumed of how best to protect the ARRL from liability for
actions of its volunteers. It was agreed that the Chief Executive Officer
will distribute instructions to staff explaining how to respond to questions
about individual responsibility during ARES deployments. 

9.3. Mr. Sumner distributed samples of the material currently being mailed
to new FCC amateur licensees to introduce them to the ARRL and assist them
in getting on the air. 

10. Mr. Sumner distributed a chart of past Board actions. Action had been
completed on several items since the previous meeting of the Executive
Committee, and several others had been added to the list as a result of the
January 2014 Board Meeting. ARRL Executive Committee Page 5 March 29, 2014 

 

11. Approval of conventions 

On motion of Mr. Isely, the holding of the following ARRL conventions was
approved: 

2014 

WPA ARES Emcomm Conference, June 14, Johnstown, PA 

Montana State, July 18-20, East Glacier, MT 

West Virginia State, August 23, Weston, WV 

W9DXCC, September 19-20, Shaumburg, IL 

Delaware State, October 4, Georgetown, DE 

Connecticut State, October 12, Meriden, CT 

2015 

TechFest, January 10, Lawrenceville, GA 

Arizona Section, February 20-21, Yuma, AZ 

Southern Florida Section, March 21, Stuart, FL 

In addition, in view of the cancellation of the Rocky Mountain Division
Convention that had been scheduled for July 11-13 in Laramie, WY, the
previously approved New Mexico State Convention, August 8-10 in Albuquerque,
NM, was redesignated as the Rocky Mountain Division Convention. 

12. On motion of Mr. Lisenco, the affiliation of the following clubs was
approved (all Category 1 except as noted): 

Blue Ridge Wireless, Ruckersville, VA 

Brush Prairie Repeater Association, Vancouver, WA 

Buffalo Amateur Radio Klub (BARK), Buffalo, WY 

Central New York Contesters, Cicero, NY 

Charter Oak Radio Society, New Britain, CT 

Crane’s View Lodge Amateur Radio Club, Clermont, FL (Category 3) 

Hamilton County Amateur Radio Emergency Service, Noblesville, IN 

Ham Radio University Amateur Radio Club, West Babylon, NY 

Ochoco Amateur Radio Association, Prineville, OR 

Off the Grid Radio and Electronics Society, Elkhart, IN 

Pacific Meramec Valley Amateur Radio Club, Pacific, MO 

Parker Radio Association, Parker, CO 

The 220 MHz Guys Amateur Radio Club, Chicago, IL 

The ARRL now has 2,259 active affiliated clubs. Category 1: 2,063; Category
2: 56; Category 3: 127; Category 4: 13. ARRL Executive Committee Page 6
March 29, 2014 

 

13. On motion of Mr. Isely, the committee recognized 137 recently elected
Life Members. The Secretary was instructed to publish the list in QST. 

14. It was agreed that the next regular meeting of the Executive Committee
will be held on October 4 in a location to be determined. 

15. Other business 

Mr. Ahrens expressed his appreciation to the attendees who had joined him at
the meeting of the St. Louis and Suburban Radio Club the previous evening. 

There being no further business, on motion of Mr. Vallio the meeting was
adjourned at 4:06 PM. 

David Sumner, K1ZZ 

Secretary