[InHam] FCC - ARRL request

[John]

Details:

  The clubs and members of the ARRL have been asked by the FCC to aid

in education efforts regarding the transition to digital television

broadcasting and information on installing converters where they are

needed.

  The leaders of the clubs in Indiana need think about ways you could

best present information helpful to others in your community.  Each

community is a little different, so your plans may vary.  

We need a list of groups willing to help out in some way during the

period from early January to February 17 (or a little later for

procrastinators).  

Beginning early January, FCC staff will use the volunteer contact

list information provided by the SMs to contact leaders of these

volunteering clubs. FCC staff will then make contact with them, learn

their plans, and provide them with media, brochures or other materials

your groups may need in this effort.  They may even come and visit

with larger groups to aid in implementation of the group's plans.

 "I really appreciate the willingness of the ARRL to actively

participate in helping Americans with the transition to DTV and your

helpful suggestions.  The DTV transition will be an historic moment in

the evolution of TV.  Broadcast television stations can offer viewers

improved picture and sound quality and new programming choices. 

All-digital broadcasting also will allow us to significantly improve

public safety communications and will usher in a new era of advanced

wireless services such as the widespread deployment of wireless broadband.

 As we discussed, our goal is to engage on a cooperative basis the

amateur community to help with the DTV outreach and educate consumers

on how to install a converter box and how to set it up.  We also

discussed the possibility of amateur groups providing technical advice

by telephone to consumers who may encounter difficulty with the

installation and setting up of their converter box. Any assistance

that you can arrange through the ARRL Section Managers will greatly

help in the efforts of the FCC to ensure a smooth transition to DTV on

February 17, 2009."

- George Dillon, FCC

The FCC will provide participating groups with news releases, audio

clips (mp3 files) and announcement templates for them to use in local

media in preparation of the activities.   FCC will also provide clubs

with video, PowerPoint and similar visual materials about how to

accomplish conversion installation.

Concerns & Ideas:

1.  At no time should the hams enter someone else's home in this; nor

should they broker or sell conversion boxes in any way.

2.  Clubs can be encouraged to provide such things as call in phone

help numbers for tech help, make presentations at meetings, demos at

malls, talks to other groups – what works in their locations.  

3.  Merchants will be able to get additional publicity and might even

let action take place at a store known to the community, and tag on

the ability to sell converters to people who don't yet have one.

4.  Local over-the-air broadcasters should be the most interested

people in this activity, making it easier to get TV publicity about it.

5. There is not enough time left for QST, the national magazine.  But

there is precedent of getting the word out quickly to recruit clubs

for a special need using only news and PR functions.

6. There is no budget to cover Amateurs' expenses.

7.  The task is to provide technical information and aid.  We are not

being asked to be installers. The FCC staff will provide us with

information and materials.

8.  Other NGOs are also being asked to help out in different ways.

Allen G Pitts, W1AGP

Media & PR Manager

ARRL - the national association for Amateur Radio

225 Main St.    Newington    CT    06111

(860)  594-0328

apitts at arrl.org



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