Earlier this week, the ARRL received a request from the FCC asking that ARRL members to provide technical educational assistance to their communities concerning the FCC-mandated digital television (DTV) conversion scheduled for February 17, 2009.

According to ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, Amateur Radio clubs across the country are being asked to develop and implement plans to provide information throughout January and February about the DTV conversion in their areas. The FCC is leaving it up to the clubs to decide how to do this, as local groups understand the communities in ways that the FCC does not. Each community is a little different, Pitts said, so plans carried out by the clubs will vary from community to community. Interested groups should contact their ARRL Section Manager.

Pitts stressed that hams should not make “house calls,” sell any equipment or do actual installations; the request is only to distribute technical information and FCC materials. He commented: “As we all know, some folks just never get the message until too late. Materials for presentations, education and many other activities are available online. Beginning early January, FCC staff will contact Section Managers and leaders of interested clubs and, where possible, arrange to meet to share even more information, audio, visual and printed materials, as well as and training aids, with the clubs involved this effort. We know the time is short, but your aid in this now will be appreciated.”

In early January, Pitts said that the FCC will ask Section Managers for the names and contact information of the volunteering groups. The FCC staff will then make contact with the groups, learn their plans and provide them with the media, brochures or other materials groups may need in this effort. Materials also can be downloaded from the DTV Conversion Web site. FCC regional staff members 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,” said George Dillon, FCC Deputy Bureau Chief for Field Operations. “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. Our goal is to engage the amateur community on a cooperative basis to help with the DTV outreach and to educate consumers.”

Dillon continued that local Amateur Radio clubs might consider offering technical advice to consumers via telephone to those consumers who may encounter difficulty with the installation and setting up of their converter box. “Any assistance…will greatly help in the efforts of the FCC to ensure a smooth transition to DTV on February 17, 2009.”

Pitts advises interested groups to keep in mind that they are to provide technical educational help only: “At no time should the hams enter someone else’s home or install equipment. They should not broker or sell conversion boxes in any way. Clubs can provide such things as a call-in telephone number for technical help, make presentations at meetings, do demonstrations at malls or give talks to other groups — whatever works in their community.”

At this time, there are NO requests for personnel to be deployed into the northern Gulf Coast area.

No ARES personnel should at any time self deploy.

In coordination with the Sections in the Gulf Coast area, the following protocols will be utilized to request and accept ARES volunteers.

1.    Interested volunteers should make their availability known to their home Section Manager/Section Emergency Coordinator, or designee.

2.    The impacted Section(s) and ARRL HQ will post staffing requests to the “SM”, “SEC” and “Gustav Volunteer” web page. A brief, specific description of what is requested will be listed.

3.    SM/SEC’s that have volunteers that are available will contact the requesting Section point of contact (POC) listed in the request.

4.    The requesting Section POC will determine the viability of the resource offering and have the final decision on acceptance.

5.    Once the request has been filled, a new posting to both e-mail lists and the web page will be made.

6.    Specific reporting details will be provided by the Section POC.

7.    Requesting Sections will utilize the closest ARES resources first.

8.    ARES volunteers not cleared by the requesting POC will not be accepted or allowed entry into the disaster area.

ARES assets that may be requested by National VOAD members (served organizations) will be processed through ARRL HQ by Dennis Dura, K2DCD.

As additional details become available, and/or the protocol is altered, changes will be posted to the SM and SEC list.

Please make this information known to all interested personnel.

Dennis C. Dura

K2DCD

Manager, Emergency Preparedness & Response

ARRL, The national association for Amateur Radio

Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered for the Marin Century / Mt. Tam DC on Saturday, August 2. Preliminary assignments, based on your requests are being formulated.

We still need additional volunteers for several fixed locations, and for sag communicators. Assignments are available on the morning rest stops and checkpoints on Mt. Tam, and at rest stops in the afternoon and evening in West Marin and SW Sonoma County. Please contact Randy, KA6BQF if you would like to help with this event.

73 and thanks,
Randy Jenkins, KA6BQF

ka6bqf@arrl.net
Vice President, VE Liason & Public Service Coordinator

Marin Amateur Radio Society

510 526.4089

www.w6sg.net

The ARRL East Bay Section is in need of Amateur Radio operators to grow the Field Services organization (including NTS) andto fill one section leadership position within the EB Section. The open positions, with links to the official ARRL position description, are listed below. If you are interested please contact the Section Manager or the section leadership official responsible for the position you are interested in. Current ARRL membership is required for all appointments.

SECTION LEADERSHIP

• Affiliated Club Coordinator - Must be willing to travel through out the East Bay Section to visit all Amateur Radio clubs and organizations in fulfillment of the roles and responsibilities of this position. Reports directly to the Section Manager and also works with other section leadership officials.

FIELD SERVICES POSITIONS

• District Emergency Coordinator - Must be interested and active in emergency communications in your area. Need one representative each for Alameda and Napa counties. Reports directly to the Section Emergency Coordinator and manages Emergency Coordinators (EC) within your geographic area.
• Local Government Liaison – Must be willing to monitor proposals and actions of town/city councils, zoning boards, zoning appeals boards, and any other legislative or regulatory agencies or officials below the state level whose actions can directly or indirectly affect Amateur Radio. Reports directly to the Section Manager. Also works with the Sacramento Valley Section Government Liaison.
• Net Manager – Must have an interest in participating in and supporting the National Traffic System (NTS). Requires regular activity and reporting. Reports directly to the Section Traffic Manager.
• Public Information Officer – If you are interested in Public Relations, or are the Newsletter/Bulletin editor for your Amateur Radio group, then you may be interested in this position. You will be responsible for gathering and disseminating amateur radio related information. Reports directly to the Public Information Coordinator.
• Technical Specialist – Reports directly to and supports the Technical Coordinator in two main areas of responsibility: Radio Frequency Interference, and Technical Information. TS’s can specialize in certain specific technical areas, or can be generalists

Five ham radio operators are neeeded to help with the Napa Valley Marathon that runs from Calistoga to Napa. It is Sunday March 2, 2008 from 0700 till about 1300 hours local. We need to cover five rest stops. There are about 2,000 runners. Please contact David Whalin at kg6yry@gmail.com.