Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions webinar set

On April 27, 2011, the West Gulf Division hosted a webinar on municipal
ordinances titled “Antenna Ordinances, You and the ARRL”.  Over 450
members registered for that webinar.  During the Q&A period after the
presentation, it became obvious that many members were also concerned
about restrictive Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) that are so common in Homeowner’s Associations.   Since the membership wanted more information, the West Gulf Division has scheduled a webinar about CC&R’s with the cooperation of Atlantic Division Director, Bill Edgar, N3LLR.

On Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 8:00 PM CDT, ARRL West Gulf Division
Director David Woolweaver, K5RAV -- along with ARRL General Counsel
Chris Imlay, W3KD, and noted antenna zoning lawyer Fred Hopengarten,
K1VR -- will present “Antenna CC&Rs, You and the ARRL”.  The
webinar is co-hosted by ARRL Atlantic Division Director Bill Edgar,
N3LLR.

The scope of the webinar will be an overview the impact that private
contracts land use provisions, such as homeowner’s association
covenants and deed restrictions, impact amateurs.  The webinar will
highlight how CC&R’s differ from public laws such as zoning
ordinances and governmental restrictions (which are covered under
PRB-1).  The presenters will also discuss some common approaches on how
amateurs might try to address these restrictive covenants.  Following
the presentations by Imlay and Hopengarten, participants will have the
opportunity to submit written questions to the moderator for the
presenter’s consideration.

Please note this is only a general information forum. While useful
information will be shared, the presenters will not be answering legal
questions directly geared towards resolving any specific CC&R. They
will not have the full facts of the situation and may not be licensed
to practice in your state.  If you are involved in a specific
situation, you should contact the ARRL Regulatory Information Office at
reginfo@arrl.org with a request for assistance.  Regulatory Information
Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, will be happy to provide you with
information and contacts for your specific situation.

To register to participate in this webinar you may visit:

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/828951905

For more information on this webinar, please contact Director
Woolweaver at k5rav@arrl.org.

------------------------------

--------------------------------------
ARRL West Gulf Division
Director: David A Woolweaver, K5RAV
k5rav@arrl.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Senator Coburn has issued a response to HR 607

Have you contacted your Federal legislators about this issue?

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-607 will help you
track the bill and determine who your Senate and Congress
representatives are.

Now for Senator Coburn's response:

Thank you for writing me in opposition to the Broadband for First
Responders Act of 2011 (H.R. 607/S. 28). I appreciate your input, and
I am sorry to have kept you waiting on my response for so many months.
As you know, H.R. 607 seeks to award the D block spectrum to law
enforcement and public safety officials, thereby averting a FCC
auction of the spectrum. A similar bill did not pass Congress before
the close of the 111th Congress at the end of 2010.

Before we designate the D block for law enforcement, we must first
ensure that building a dedicated network for public safety within the
existing 24 MHz is not feasible, and that it would be more cost
effective to give away the D block than to auction it off. Congress
should leverage commercial technology and give the private sector
incentives to develop the broadband devices we need for law
enforcement and public safety agencies. Additionally, H.R. 607 and S.
28 both increase, rather than decrease, federal costs and commitments
considerably.

As you point out, this bill would also reallocate certain spectrum to
be auctioned off commercially once certain determinations have been
made. I appreciate hearing from you that amateur radio emergency
communications rely heavily on some of the likely impacted spectrum
and will keep your concerns in mind should this bill be considered by
the Senate.

I believe technological innovation and creativity is born from the
private sector, not the federal government. I ultimately would like to
see the private sector, rather than the government, control available
radio spectrum so that they may efficiently maximize its use. Once a
comprehensive study has been completed, Congress will be equipped to
make more informed policy decisions as to how to auction the spectrum,
consistent with the Constitution.

I have been encouraged by the increase in availability and performance
of broadband service to Americans. I am also pleased that the private
sector has seen the huge market demand for faster and more efficient
broadband service and invested $120 billion over the last two years in
broadband infrastructure. I believe the free market will lead to the
most efficient use of available spectrum and that technology and media
companies will adjust to any spectrum conditions they encounter.
I am inclined to support the auction of the D block, rather than the
smaller fragments of spectrum H.R. 607 proposes to auction off,
because it will help ensure the most effective use of precious
spectrum, and raise much-needed revenue to alleviate the federal
budget deficit.

Again, thank you for writing me. If you have any additional concerns,
please feel free to write again. Best wishes!

Sincerely,
Tom A. Coburn, M.D.
United States Senator
TC: cak

Oklahoma Section News

Hi there Oklahoma!!





First, let me apologize for not getting an April Section News done. Things have really been busy for me and I just couldn’t find enough hours in the day to get it done.





For those of you that haven’t heard, Wilma, W5WRO and I are moving. We are pulling up stakes in Ardmore and moving to Perry, OK. We should be there, though not unpacked, by the 3rd weekend in June. So, a June Section News may be a little suspect. Please bear with me….





Things in the section have been busy. We have had some changes in ARES management and have some new folks in place as Zone Coordinators in the SE, SW and the OKC Metro. I want to thank each of the outgoing ZEC’s for their service. The new ZEC’s are Steve Grayson, KE5BPL, ZONE 2 (SW), Kenny Orr, KC5ZDQ, ZONE 3 (OKC Metro), and Nick Hinkle, N7KPV, ZONE 6 (SE). Thanks guys for your willingness to serve.





Speaking of ARES, the tornado in Joplin and those in northeastern Oklahoma on May 22 have a lot of folks wondering how they can help. We have been in contact with the Missouri SM and SEC. They will let us know if and when they need any assistance. Please do NOT self deploy.





I have been busy with hamfest duties. The Durant tailgate on April was great as usual. I thought the jambalaya was great!! The fellowship was pretty good as well.





Charles Goodson, KC5UEG and I just returned from Dayton! It is still mind numbing to see all that cool hardware and all those hams in one place. Charles worked the EMCOMM booth for the League and I was in the PR booth. We got to meet astronaut, Doug Wheelock ( a really nice guy) and a lot of other folks. I renewed a lot of friendships and even bought some new gear for the new house…..(I had to sell my tower and SteppIR…..no room). If you ever get the chance, you have to see Dayton at least once.





Don’t forget, the ARRL National Convention will be at Ham-Com in Plano, TX, June10 and 11. The League will have a number of HQ staff in attendance as will the West Gulf Director, Vice-Director and the 4 SM’s. It’s your chance to put a face with a name and have an eyeball QSO.





Ham Holiday is scheduled for July 29 and 30 at the Biltmore Hotel in west OKC. This will be the Oklahoma State Convention. I’ll be there along with our Vice-Director, John Stratton.





The Texhoma Hamarama will be October 21 and 22. It will be the West Gulf Division Hamfest. There will be more vendors and more forums, so don’t miss it.





Last but not leas will be the Enid Hamfest on November 5th. So, make as many as you can!!





Field Day





I hope everyone is planning on a great Field Day. Our Director, Dr. David Woolweaver, K5RAV will be coming to Oklahoma this year to tour some sites with me. We are formulating a plan now, so if you are going to have Field Day, let me know where it will be and we will try to fit it into the schedule. We can’t make all of them, but we will try to have someone from the section management at most of the sites at least for a little while. Don’t forget to put your field day info on the leagues “Find a site” database.





When things settle down after the move, I’ll try to make up for a little lost time in the Section News.





73,





Kevin O’Dell N0IRW


Oklahoma Section Manager

Not just press releases

With the Internet and social media, the ability for a club public information officer to get the word out about their local club activities is greatly enhanced.

Tips for using online news outlets for Public Information Officers are:

1.  Find your local media pages.  Every newspaper, radio station, and TV station now have web pages.  Many of them offer local calendars.  Add your club meetings and special events to those pages to enhance the chances that the media will cover your event.

2.  Craigslist and Ebay both have community sections where one can announce club activities.  Is the club planning a special event?  Does the club want visitors to know what the club is talking about at the next club meeting?  Bookoo is a new site on the scene with local pages opening frequently.

3.  Don't forget Twitter and Facebook. Many of your local media already use these tools to promote to their customers.  Following them, you can also announce your activities.  This, too, may increase the chances that your event will receive media attention.

4.  Blogs like this, WordPress, and LiveJournal offer the ability to make a club page at very little cost.  This can be exploited to Twitter and Facebook through a variety of feeds.  The output of this page, for example, automatically update the Twitter feed at @ARRL_OK with no additional work past setting up the feed.  If you set up pages at all three, one post on one can update the other two using a feed.  One would certainly consider setting up club sites on all three, even if only one is used, in the case that someone might set up a bogus page on the other one.  Don't forget to include your Twitter feed on your blog.

5.  Email lists like YahooGroups and GoogleGroups are great for sending one email to reach local members.  YahooGroups even has a calendar that would allow club members to input their special dates, ex. birthday, anniversary, holidays, in addition to the club events, assuming, of course, the group is closed to non-members.

These are just a few ways to leverage the online tools for the Public Information Officer.  It's not just about sending a press release once per month any more.  It's becoming increasingly more important to give the person on the street access to information that will make them want to be a ham radio operator and participate in your club activities.

Oklahoma City Area Post announced

I am pleased to announce that Kenny Orr KC5ZDQ has been appointment to the Zone Coordinator for Zone 3 - which includes the OKC metro, Oklahoma, Lincoln, Cleveland, McClain, and Canadian Counties.

Kenny had more than 12 years experience in amateur radio and working with served agencies.

Please welcome Kenny to the team... if you live or work in those counties, he will be looking for your help as continue to grow ARES-Oklahoma.

73

Mark Conklin, N7XYO


Oklahoma Section Emergency Coordinator
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
918.232.8346
n7xyo@yahoo
Follow me on Twitter @N7XYO

www.ARESOK.org

ARES Leadership changes announced

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce Mr. Wade Norris, K5WPN of Duncan, Oklahoma. Wade has been appointed as the District Emergency Coordinator (DEC) for Zone 2 District 4 which includes Comanche, Cotton, Jefferson, Stephens, and Tillman Counties.

Wade is active in MARS, Southwest Independent Repeater Association, and the Chisom Trail Amateur Radio Club to name a few. Wade has completed many classes and training sessions that include NIMS and EMCOMM. Wade has also served as the AEC in Jefferson and Stephens counties.

Please help me welcome Wade as the new DEC for Zone 2 District 4. I know that Wade will strive to make this the best District, Zone and Section.


Steve Grayson, KE5BPL
ZEC2
ARES-OK

Durant DARA FOX HUNT RULES

On Saturday - May 28, 2011. the fox hunt will begin at exactly 10:00 with a two hour time limit, at the Durant fire substation/Bryan County Emergency Management on Enterprise Blvd, just north of the Choctaw Casino.  Call in: K5KIE Durant repeater, 147.390 MHz, 118.8 Hz tone.  No one may leave the starting point until released by the fox hunt chairperson.  Vehicles will be released in exact 5 minute intervals:  the first vehicle at 10:00, next at 10:05, etc.  Sign in is 9:00 – 9:30.   Bring along a county map & compass.    Technical help  – for those wishing it – will begin at 9:00.

The fox will hide on public accessible property, within 150’ of a paved road somewhere within Bryan County.   You will never be required to trespass on private property.  The fox will transmit on 147.520 MHz.  Transmissions will be for at least a minute, in exact “by the clock” 5 minute intervals (10:00, 10:05, etc).  After 1 hour the fox may switch to low power & a hand held.   No one may transmit on the fox frequency.

When you find the fox, sign in with exact time.  Then leave the immediate area -  don’t spoil it by tipping off others.  But it’s OK to try to mislead others who may be watching you.   Don’t say you found the fox over the air.   Transmit only on the K5KIE repeater.

Drive carefully & safely or risk suspension.  It is recommended that there be at least two people per car so bring along a friend or two.

Certificates will be awarded to the five with the best time, taking into account the exact minutes of each search time.   At 12:00 we will invite everyone to a dutch treat meal.  Come if you can.  Details will be announced about 12:00 on the fox & K5KIE frequencies.

This is our first county wide fox hunt.  Our next event will be in six months.   Till then - improve your skills & equipment.  Questions: Call Jim Harmon – K5BNK – 580-924-4471.  Announcements: K5KIE.

Thanks to Steve Grayson, KE5BPL, League Public Information Officer, for this information.

New Leadership announced

I want to take a moment to thank two leaders who have had given of
their time and knowledge to support ARES Oklahoma.

Robert Sims, W5KCB and Joe White, K5BQG have both served as Zone
Emergency Coordinator (ZEC is an Assistant to the Section Emergency
Coordinator) over the past few years. Robert and Joe have given many
hours of service and I truly appreciate their efforts.

As we continue to build and evolve our ARES program here in Oklahoma
new leaders will step up to help up grow the ARES-Oklahoma program.
I would like to introduce two ARES-Oklahoma volunteers that have
offered to take on the big responsibility as ZEC in their areas of the
state.

Please welcome:

Stephen Grayson, KE5BPL will now be the Zone Emergency Coordinator for
Zone 2 – Southwestern Oklahoma.

Nick Hhinkle, N7KPV will now be the Zone Emergency Coordinator for
Zone 6 – Southeastern Oklahoma.

Both of these gentleman will have much to do in the coming months and
I am sure you all will welcome them and assist them as they work with
ARES volunteers, leaders and our served agency partners.

Best wishes Robert and Joe and, congratulation Stephen and Nick.

Mark Conklin, N7XYOOklahoma Section Emergency Coordinator
Amateur Radio Emergency Service
918.232.8346
n7xyo@arrl.net
Follow me on Twitter @N7XYO
www.ARESOK.org

N7XYO needs volunteers

#ARESOk is seeking nominations for some key leadership positions within Oklahoma.

The candidates are needed for two Zones - Zones 3 and Zone 6.

The is an Zone Emergency Coordinator (ZEC) is the assistant to the Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) for emergency
preparedness. (See Roles and Responsibilities of the ZEC at the end of this e-mail.)

Zone 3 - Oklahoma (OKC Metro Area & area counties)

Zone 6 - South Eastern Oklahoma (South of I-40 / East of HWY-76)


Do you know a fellow amateur operator who would be a good choice for ZEC OR would you like to be a candidate for this appointment?

Please send your nominations, suggestions and feedback to e-mail n7xyo@arrl.net

I would appreciate your help and feedback with the selection for these key leadership position.


Thank you,

73 Mark Conklin N7XYO
Section Emergency Coordinator
ARES Oklahoma
918-232-8346
n7xyo@arrl.net
Twitter @N7XYO

********************************************************************************
Zone Emergency Coordinator (ZEC)
ARRL Field Organization

The ZEC is the assistant to the Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC) for emergency
preparedness. The ZEC is appointed by the SEC to take care of all matters
pertaining to emergency communications and the Amateur Radio Emergency
Service (ARES) on a zone wide basis. The ZEC post is one of top
importance in the section and the individual appointed to it should
devote all possible energy and effort to this one challenging
organizational program for Amateur Radio. There is only one ZEC
appointed in each zone of an ARRL Field Organization.

ZEC qualifications and functions:


Encourage all groups of community amateurs to establish a local
emergency organization.

Advise the SEC on all section emergency policy and planning, including
the development of a zone emergency communications plan.

Cooperate and coordinate with the Section Traffic Manager so that
emergency nets and traffic nets in the section present a united public
service front, particularly in the proper routing of Welfare traffic in
emergency situations. Cooperation and coordination should also be
maintained with other section leadership officials as appropriate,
particularly with the State Government Liaison and Public Information
Coordinator.

Recommend candidates for Emergency Coordinator and District Emergency
Coordinator appointments (and cancellations) to the SEC. At the
SEC's discretion, the ZEC may be directly in charge of making (and
canceling) such appointments.

Promote ARES membership drives, meetings, activities, tests, procedures,
etc., at the section level.

Collect and consolidate Emergency Coordinator (and/or District Emergency
Coordinator) monthly reports and submit monthly progress summaries to
the SEC and ARRL Headquarters. This includes the timely reporting of
emergency and public safety communications rendered in the section for
inclusion in QST.

Maintain contact with other communication services and serve as liaison
at the section level with all agencies served in the public interest,
particularly in connection with state and local government, civil
preparedness, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross, Salvation
Army, the National Weather Service, and so on. Such contact is
maintained in cooperation with the State Government Liaison.

Zone Emergency Coordinators are encouraged to earn certification
from the ARRL "Intro to EmComm, EC-001" Course

All ARES Oklahoma officers are also expected to complete
ICS-700.A,
ICS-100.B,
ICS-200.B, and
ICS-800.B
FEMA training. All existing ARES members must complete this training
before 12/1/2007. All new applicants have one year from the time of
application to become part of ARES Oklahoma to complete this training.


Recruitment of new hams and League members is an integral part of the
job of every League appointee. Appointees should take advantage of every
opportunity to recruit a new ham or member to foster growth of Field
Organization programs, and our abilities to serve the public.

Requirements: Full ARRL membership; FCC Technician class amateur radio
license or higher.