ARRL releases May 2021 Executive Committee Minutes

The ARRL has released the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting held on 3rd May 2021

The meeting discussed the need to publish more stories about the many positive aspects of amateur radio and its participants to balance the negative stories that seem to garner more attention but which convey to outsiders an overall false impression of our service and its benefits.

The committee discussed possible ways to address that issue, such as initiating news items highlighting STEM activities, school projects, youth education, amateur space and Space Shuttle programs, and emergency activities and drills to better balance the occasional stories about enforcement activities and such.

May 2021 Executive Committee Minutes - http://arrl.org/files/file/ODV/May%20EC%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf

Annual WX4NHC On-the-Air Station Test

The annual WX4NHC station on-the-air test will be held on Saturday 29th May, 1300 - 2100 UTC. The WX4NHC operators plan to be working remotely again this year as the National Hurricane Center plans to maintain all CDC COVID-19 pandemic protocols until the end of 2021.

The yearly exercise takes place just ahead of the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, 1st June - 30th November 2021. Assistant WX4NHC Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R, said the event offers an opportunity for radio amateurs worldwide to exercise the sorts of communication capabilities available during severe weather.

"We will be making brief contacts on many frequencies and modes, exchanging signal reports and basic weather data (sunny, rain, temperature, etc.) with any station in any location," Ripoll said.

Participating stations may use HF, VHF, UHF, APRS, and Winlink, with WX4NHC HF activity centering on the Hurricane Watch Net frequencies of 14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz, depending on propagation, and will operate elsewhere as conditions dictate. WX4NHC will also participate in the VoIP Hurricane Net, 2000 - 2100 UTC.

As for the upcoming hurricane season, Ripoll said, "Even if you are not directly affected by a hurricane situation, please volunteer to monitor and relay reports; just one report can make a difference and help save a life!"

In conjunction with the National Hurricane Conference next month, the traditional Amateur Radio Workshop sessions will be held virtually on Tuesday, June 15, 10:30 AM - 12 PM EDT and 1:30 - 5 PM EDT. The sessions will be moderated by Rob Macedo, KD1CY, Director of Operations, VoIP Hurricane Net, with Ripoll.

To access the Zoom meeting check-in, use the meeting ID 844 9788 6921, and the passcode 565708.

Spring ARRL Section Manager Election Results Announced

In the only contested election this spring, Utah ARRL members elected Pat Malan, N7PAT, as their new Section Manager (SM) for a 2-year term commencing 1st July 2021. Malan, of South Jordan, received 419 votes, while incumbent Mel Parkes, NM7P, garnered 339 votes. Parkes had served as Utah Section Manager for 22 years. ARRL Headquarters counted and verified the ballots on 18th May 2021.

In New Hampshire, Pete Stohrer, K1PJS, of Concord, was the only nominee for Section Manager when nominations closed on March 4. Stohrer, having previously served as SM from 2013 until 2019, will succeed John Gotthardt, K1UAF, who decided not to seek a new term.

Six incumbent Section Managers faced no opposition and were declared re-elected, effective 1st July 2021: Marty Pittinger, KB3MXM (Maryland-DC); John Bigley, N7UR (Nevada); Bob Buus, W2OD (Northern New Jersey); Bob Beaudet, W1YRC (Rhode Island); John Litz, NZ6Q (San Joaquin Valley), and Dale Durham, W5WI (West Texas).