08/29/2008 As Gustav approached the Gulf of Mexico, ARRL division and section leaders in the Gulf states, with support from ARRL Headquarters staff, prepared for the possibility of a major hurricane.

There will be contested elections in the ARRL Delta and Great Lakes Divisions. Ballots will be counted November 21.

The October issue of QST, the first issue with a Radiosport theme, was released to the printer, as was the 2009 ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications and the September/October issues of NCJ and QEX.

During a single week, Warehouse staff shipped 813 publication and product orders.

The revised Emergency Communications Level 1 online course was made available to students. Extensive revisions are being made to the Level 3 course.

ARRL responded to several concerns raised by repeater owners regarding the ongoing PAVE PAWS interference mitigation project in California.

A new 40 foot tower has been installed at W1HQ, the Laird Campbell Memorial HQ Operators Club at ARRL Headquarters.

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for July is Jack Morgan, KF6T, for his article "Portable Two Element 15 Meter Yagi."

ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, chaired a Technical Session at the IEEE International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) in Detroit.

These online course sessions begin September 5: Technician License Course (EC-010), Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 1 (EC-001), Radio Frequency Interference (EC-006), Antenna Design and Construction (EC-009), Analog Electronics (EC-012) and Digital Electronics (EC-013). These online courses begin September 19: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 2 (EC-002); Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 3 (EC-003R2); Antenna Modeling (EC-004); HF Digital Communications (EC-005); VHF/UHF -- Life Beyond the Repeater (EC-008), and Radio Frequency Propagation (EC-011).

ARRL and Citizen Corps are teaming up to assist local school districts (if they need the help) to set up and register their NOAA Weather All Hazard Public Alert Radio.

On the air: The ARRL UHF Contest was August 2-3, and the ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest was August 16-17. Next up: September 13-15 -- September VHF QSO Party; September 20-21 -- 10 GHz and Up Contest and International EME Competition (2304 MHz and Up).

Staff travel: Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart and Steve Ewald, Supervisor, Field and Public Service Team, attended the annual Citizen Corps Leadership Forum in Oklahoma City. Chuck Skolaut spoke at the Kansas State Convention in Salina. David Sumner addressed the Halifax Hamfest in Nova Scotia. Dave Patton attended Ham Fair in Tokyo. Sean Kutzko spoke at the Dakota Division Convention in Rochester, Minnesota. Dan Henderson spoke at the Roanoke Division Convention in Jackson's Mill, West Virginia. Bill Moore attended the Huntsville Hamfest. Several members of the staff took part in the New England Division Convention in Boxboro, Massachusetts.

Compiled by Joel Kleinman, N1BKE
Managing Editor