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 the ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment covers the month of April.

The FCC once again denied an ARRL Petition for Reconsideration regarding the Commission’s BPL rules.

ARRL leadership met with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, to discuss Amateur Radio’s role in public service and disaster communications.

World Amateur Radio Day -- celebrating the 88th anniversary of the founding of the IARU -- was April 18.

The ARRL is offering T-shirts, mugs, hats, pins and patches for 2013 Field Day.

The deadline to apply for the ARRL’s Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology, as well as for equipment and resource grants, is May 15 and May 1, respectively.

W1AW News: W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, installed two new audio oscillators for use on 2 meters and EchoLink conference server W1AWBDCT.

Development Update: ARRL Individual Giving Manager Lauren Clarke, KB1YDD, reported that the ARRL Diamond Club is at 30 percent of its 2013 goal (419 donors), the Spectrum Defense Fund is at 7.5 percent of its goal (241 donors) and the Education & Technology Fund is at 19 percent of its goal (60 donors). Click here to make your contribution to the fund of your choice

The ARRL announced the top three finishers in the annual QST Video Contest.

The ARRL introduced a T-shirt, key chain, pin and challenge coin to commemorate the 75th birthday of W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station.

Chris Brewer, N5GMJ, was appointed ARRL North Texas Section Manager, replacing Walt Mayfield, KE5SOO, who resigned due to work and family commitments.

The 32nd Annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference will be held September 20-22 in Seattle, Washington.

For the 12th year in a row, the ARRL has been approved to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign.

A new QuickStats Poll was posted to the ARRL website.

The winner of the April QST Cover Plaque Award is George Wallner, AA7JV, for his article “The Garden Beam.”

The June print issue of QST and the May/June issues of NCJ and QEX were released to the printer. The June digital edition of QST was released to the digital publisher. The May digital edition of QST was made available to ARRL members. A new book, Understanding Your Antenna Analyzer, was released to the printer. A third printing of both The ARRL Satellite Handbook and Hints & Kinks (18th edition) were also sent to the printer.

Official Observer Desk: ARRL Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, handled complaints concerning hang glider pilots not identifying properly while using 2 meters, RFI from a CB operator using high power in Arizona, interference to repeaters in Washington, DC, a pool pump causing interference on the ham bands in Arizona and a numbers station on 30 meters.

Member Contact: ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, and ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, attended the International DX Convention in Visalia, California; Sumner also attended the 10th Annual CubeSat Developers’ Workshop in San Luis Obispo, California; ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, attended AES SuperFest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; ARRL Awards and Programs Assistant Mike DeChristopher, N1TA, ARRL Louisiana State Convention in Monroe, Louisiana.