Compiled by S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
ARRL News Editor
[email protected]

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 June.

ARRL Field Day was June 25-26. W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station operated on 80-2 meters, making almost 3500 contacts on CW, Phone and RTTY.

The ARRL held its National Convention in Plano, Texas in conjunction with Ham-Com. Hams were invited to follow the festivities on Facebook and Twitter.

The ARRL and the National Weather Service updated their Memorandum of Understanding.

Working with the ARRL, SATERN recruited radio amateurs to help support SATERN’s mission of providing communications and logistical support in the wake of the May tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri.

The ARRL’s VHF/UHF Advisory Committee is seeking input from hams on how to encourage more participation in VHF/UHF contests.

The ARRL and its partners in the IARU have been involved in the preparations for several items on the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) agenda, including an item pertaining to oceanographic radar applications in the 3-50 MHz range.

Jon Jones, N0JK, has been named the conductor of the popular QST column “The World Above 50 MHz.” He takes over from Gene Zimmerman, W3ZZ, who announced his retirement in the June issue of QST.

A new online introductory Emergency Communications course is now available from the ARRL.

The 2010 ARRL Annual Report is now available online.

The ARRL Programs and Services Committee met in Newington in advance of July’s Board of Directors meeting.

The ARRL hosted an RFI workshop geared to utility company employees.

For the 10th year in a row, the Combined Federal Campaign has approved the ARRL to participate in its annual campaign.

Michael Keane, K1MK, has been named the new ARRL Information Technology Manager. He takes over from longtime ARRL staffer Jon Bloom, KE3Z, who left the ARRL HQ staff to pursue other opportunities.

ARRL International Vice President Jay Bellows, K0QB, joined ARRL Chief Technology Officer Brennan Price, N4QX, and ARRL Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, at Ham Radio 2011 in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Price also attended meetings of ITU-R Working Party 5A in Geneva.

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

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for June 2011 is Kazimierz “Kai” Siwiak, KE4PT, for his article “Is There an Optimum Height for an HF Antenna?”

The August issue of QST and the July/August editions of NCJ and QEX were released to the printer. The Proceedings of the Central States VHF Society Conference was also released to the printer.

Official Observer Desk: ARRL Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, handled complaints regarding a 147.435 MHz repeater in California. Complaints about transmissions on 14.313, 14.310 and 3.840 MHz were also received. A complaint about music on 15 meters, as well as reports about illegal CB amplifiers being sold online were also received. Skolaut also answered questions regarding Field Day, cross band repeater operation, home station identification, selling items on nets and identification on repeaters with remote imputs.

Member Contact: ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, attended the ARRL Wyoming State Convention. ARRL Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, attended the ARRL Tennessee State Convention.

DXCC News: The DXCC Desk approved the current VK0KEV DXpedition to Macquarie Island for DXCC credit.