[MIham] Fw: WEAVER'S WORDS -- WELCOME TO AUGUST

[Tom VanderMel]

> (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
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
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