Greetings, welcome to "Dale's Tales" for August
2018.
Our sincere thanks go out to a group of unsung heroes,
our corps of Official Observers/Amateur Auxiliary (OO) operators. These guys
and gals spend countless hours in front of their equipment listening to all of
us to insure we don't move too close to a band edge, don't wait too long
between IDs or don't commit a host of other rules violations. They mail us a quick reminder, or often send
a compliment about our good operating practices.
For a considerable time our OOs have been frustrated,
along with the rest of us, because the FCC was limited in its ability to take
direct action on an OO report about a bad operator. Now, things are about to
change. After months of discussion with
the FCC, the OO/AA corps is to be replaced by a "Volunteer Monitor"
(VM) program. The program differences
are extensive, both in policies and procedures, necessitating a total
revamping. A new training booklet is now
being completed for the VMs.
The VMs will not be a part of the ARRL Field Organization
as were the OOs. The VM program will be
administered directly be ARRL Headquarters and report to HQ staff. Because of the extensive difference in
mission of the new VM program, VMs will be called upon to perform different
duties than OOs. Unlike the OO program
where OOs are located in relatively random locations across the country, VMs
will be selected in geographic regions where there services are most needed. It
is expected that a force of about 250 VMs will be put in place. Further, VMs will be anonymous in their
reporting processes and to accomplish that, all field notices will be mailed
from ARRL HQ and HQ will maintain appropriate liaison with the Commission. Efforts to make the change to the new VM
program are to begin immediately.
Existing OOs are encouraged to apply for the available VM slots when the
opportunities are opened.
The timing for implementation is still weeks away, as a
new Memorandum of Understanding is to be finalized and signed with the FCC, and
staffing for the program will also need to be implemented at Headquarters. Of course our OOs will continue their time
honored excellent service until the new VM program is in place.
TOM'S COMMENTS:
Comments from our Vice Director Tom Delaney W8WTD There is no hamfest
“season,” as such. Hamfests start early in the year, and go on until just
before Christmas. But for me, and the ones I can get to, they concentrate
around these next three months. None of your ARRL officials can get to every
hamfest, but we try to get around, and we do the best we can.
So with a number of hamfests coming up, I'd like to
remind myself, and everyone else, why I'm there. Two reasons. To listen. It's
your ARRL, and we want to know what you, the members think. Not just about some
policy change or other. Also, what is on your mind? What part of ham radio are
you most interested in? Where do you spend your operating time?
Also, to communicate. Yes, I know something about the
latest topics from the board and from the League. But, many times, I just share
something I heard at the last hamfest, hoping that it will be of use to someone
else. There are a lot of good ideas out there, a lot of innovation, a lot of
good techniques. Or maybe someone has shared a solution to a problem. I like to
put people in touch with each other.
And as for the things I like, well, you've heard me say
before that I'm very interested in education and how we pass along this great
hobby.
So, if you see me at your local or regional hamfest, come
over and say hello. Ask questions or make comments. Most of all, tell me
something about a project or an effort you or your club are making. That will
make the hamfest more enjoyable for both of us
--73, Tom W8WTD Vice Director, Great Lakes Division
HAMFESTING: Here
is the current Great Lakes Division ARRL Sanctioned Hamfest Schedule covering
the next few months. These swaps have
received their sanctioning approval from ARRL HQ at the time of this
publication. Be sure to invite your ARRL
Officials as soon as your date is set.
With 52 weeks and 65 hamfests, things do double up a little.
Plan ahead for your requesting your ARRL Officials to
attend.
8/4/18 Columbus/OH
Sect Conf Columbus, OH
8/4/18 UP
Hamfest Escanaba, MI
8/11/18 Central
KY Hamfest Lexington, KY
8/12/18 Cuyahoga
Falls Hamfest Stow, OH
8/12/18 Seaway
Trunk Swap Port Huron, MI
9/8/18 GRAHamfest Grand Rapids, MI
9/8/18 Greater
Louisville Louisville, KY
9/9/19 Findlay
Hamfest Findlay,
OH
9/16/18 Adrian
Hamfest Adrian, MI
9/16/18 Central
Kentucky Richmond, KY
9/22/18 OHKYIN
Hamfest Cincinnati,
OH
9/23/18 Cleveland
Hamfest Berea, OH
9/29/18 Paintsville
Hamfest Paintsville, KY
10/6/18 Vette
City Bowling
Green, KY
10/6-7/18 Great
Lakes HamCon Brooklyn, MI
10/11-14/18 Microwave
Update Fairborn, OH
10/13/18 Cave
Run Hamfest Moorehead, KY
10/20/18 Muskegon
Color Tour Muskegon, MI
10/21/18 Kalamazoo
Hamfest Kalamazoo, MI
10/27/18 Hazard Hazard, KY
10/28/18 Massillon Massillon, OH
10/28/18 USECA Madison Hgts,
MI
11/3/18 Grant
ARC Hamfest Georgetown, OH
Be sure to check your Section's news pages for the latest
local happenings, club and net information.
Thanks go out to Ohio SM Scott N8SY, Kentucky SM Steve W4NHO and
Michigan SM Jim K8JK for their tireless service to both their Sections and to
Amateur Radio as a whole.
They are the
Great Lakes Division's movers and shakers. Thanks guys!
73, Let's go light up the bands,
Dale Williams WA8EFK
Director
Great Lakes Division
