Compiled by S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
ARRL News Editor
k1sfa@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 October. 

The ARRL released a statement that the FCC did not go far enough in tightening their BPL interference rules. 

The ARRL VEC reported that for the first time ever, there were more than 700,000 radio amateurs in the US. 

The ARRL’s Executive Committee met in Dulles, Virginia. The minutes from the meeting are available online. 

ARRL Chief Technology Officer Brennan Price, N4QX, successfully objected to material in a United States contribution to a meeting in advance of the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC). The material indicated maritime opposition to an affirmative outcome on Agenda Item 1.23. This agenda item considers an allocation of about 15 kHz in parts of the band 415-526.5 kHz to the Amateur Service on a secondary basis, taking into account the need to protect existing services. 

Five newly elected or appointed Section Managers met in Newington for a weekend training workshop. 

For the 28th consecutive year, the ARRL hosted the United States Telecommunications Training Institute’s Amateur Radio Administration Course. 

ARRL Education Service Manager Debra Johnson, K1DMJ, and ARRL ARISS Program Manager Rosalie White, K1STO, participated in the review process to select schools and education groups for ARISS contacts. Johnson and White also attended the ARISS International Meeting. 

The new editions of The ARRL Handbook and The ARRL Antenna Book, the ARRL 2012 Calendar and ARRL Exam Review for Ham Radio (both the CD-ROM and downloadable versions) are now available. 

W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, was active on HF and EchoLink during the Simulated Emergency Test. 

The ARRL held its sixth annual On-Line Auction. 

The antennas at W1AW and W1HQ underwent their autumn inspection. A bent element on the 30 meter 3-element Yagi on W1AW’s south tower was repaired. 

Mark Spencer, WA8SME, returns to the ARRL as its Education and Technology Program Coordinator. He will be responsible for review of grant applications, curriculum and resource development, and coordination of instruction for the ARRL Teachers Institutes on Wireless Technology. 

The ARRL’s Maxim Society -- comprised of radio amateurs who have made financial commitments to ARRL exceeding $10,000 in lifetime contributions -- now has 90 members. 

Walt Mayfield, KE5SOO, of Krum, was appointed as ARRL North Texas Section Manager, following the resignation of Jay Urish, W5GM. 

Nominations are currently being accepted for the Bill Leonard, W2SKE, Professional Media Award. 

The ARRL’s Emergency Communications Advisory Committee released an interim report that recommended improvements to ARES® and the National Traffic System. 

The ARRL’s DXCC Desk announced a special reduced price option for those radio amateurs holding QSL cards for the 2011 DXpedition to the Republic of South Sudan (ST0R). 

A new QuickStats poll was made available on the ARRL website. 

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for October is Joe Ostrowski, KI5FJ, for his article “A Simple Remote Impedance Matching Network.” 

The December issue of QST, along with the November/December issues of NCJ and QEX, were released to the printer. 

Official Observer Desk: ARRL Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, handled complaints regarding continuing intentional interference to a net on 20 meters, fishermen near Hawaii using 80 meters, a Missouri business using a repeater, an unidentified signal on 7.190 MHz and reports of CODAR on 12 meters. Skolaut also answered questions concerning operating overseas, antenna restrictions and repeater control. 

Member Contact: ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, attended Pacificon in Santa Clara, California.