Compiled by S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
ARRL News Editor
news@arrl.org

This feature -- including convenient Web links to useful information -- is a concise monthly update of some of the things ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment covers the month of June.

The ARRL, in comments and reply comments to the FCC, stated that it supports employee participation in drills, reflecting the position of the League’s Board of Directors took at its January 2010 meeting.

The ARRL also filed comments regarding spread spectrum issues with the FCC in response to the Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rule Making.

Three sessions of the ARRL’s Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology -- New Mexico, South Carolina and California -- wrapped up.

The ARRL Annual Report for 2009 was made available in both an online and print version.

The ARRL reported on how hams in Arkansas and Ohio assisted emergency management officials when severe weather struck their states.

QST Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, posted a description of the rest of the new items he tracked down during a very busy three days at the 2010 Dayton Hamvention®.

ARRL Field Day: W1AW, operating as 4F, was on-the-air for ARRL Field Day. ARRL HQ staffers Mike Corey, W5MPC; Michael Keane, K1MK; Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA; Bill Moore, NC1L; Steve Sant Andrea, AG1YK, and Joe Carcia, NJ1Q participated, as well as two amateurs from New Jersey. Lisa Kustosik, KA1UFZ, operated W1AW’s GOTA station. ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, said that 25 governors declared “Amateur Radio Week” or “Amateur Radio Day” in their states.

ARRL Chief Technology Officer Brennan Price, N4QX, reports that an ARRL proposal on WRC-12 Agenda Item 1.14 (VHF radiolocation) has been adopted by the appropriate Informal Working Group of the FCC’s WRC-12 Advisory Committee. Price continues work in support of a domestic allocation at 137 kHz and has completed an item for the Ad Hoc Narrowbanding Committee. ARRL Technical Relations Specialist Jon Siverling, WB3ERA attended ITU-R Working Parties 1A and 1B in Geneva and is advising a regulator from the Caribbean on reciprocal licensing issues.

Mike McIntyre (D-NC-7) pledged his support for HR 2160, The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009, bringing the total number of cosponsors to 40, including original sponsor Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX-18).

The W1AW antennas received their spring inspections. The 70 cm feedline was repaired and another tower section was installed on the roof of the Headquarters’ building.

The ARRL now has a social media presence: Find us on Twitter and on Facebook.

The ARRL’s Atlantic Division, along with ARRL staff, hosted a webinar on how to navigate the League’s new Web site.

ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, along with ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, and ARRL Regulatory Branch Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, represented the League at HAM RADIO 2010 in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

ARRL International Vice President Jay Bellows, K0QB, traveled to Canberra, Australia to take part in the Wireless Institute of Australia’s centenary celebration.

ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, traveled with Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R to Plano, Texas for HamCom.

The August issue of QST and the July/August issues of NCJ and QEX were sent to the printer.

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for June is Donald Huff, W6JL, for his article “Homebrew Challenge II Winner #1 -- The Lowest Cost Entry.”