The AM Forum

Now a second attempt at gathering member input from Atlantic, Great Lakes, and Dleta Divisions..  This is an online poll for members.  If you're a member, please vote.  You're allowed to vote even if you're not from these three divisions.  The survey is about the Bandwidth Regulation Petition.


Here's the Delta Division announcement:

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We've added survey software to better understand Delta Division member
views.  We plan on doing frequent surveys to get view of ARRL "member
only" on various topics.  Results from these surveys will be an
important source of information used in representing the Delta Division
membership.

To validate the responses, the survey will ask for your e-mail address.
 PLEASE use only your ARRL.NET address.  Only e-mail addresses with
ARRL.NET as the domain will be counted in the survey.  All other e-mail
domains, including ARRL.ORG, will be excluded.  If you are an ARRL
member and do not have your ARRL.NET e-mail address, you can activate
it by going to the following URL:
http://www.arrl.org/members-only/memdata.html?modify=1
Then click on modify Member Data.  The member e-mail option should be
at the bottom of the page.

This second survey is being done in conjunction with the members of the
Atlantic and the Great Lakes Divisions.  The survey will close on July
17, 2007 at 23:59.  Information derived from this second survey will be
used as data for the July ARRL Board of Directors meeting this month.
This survey is important - please participate!!!

The survey site is located
at:<http://www.bestvote.org/phpQ/fillsurvey.php?sid=11>
http://www.bestvote.org/phpQ/fillsurvey.php?sid=11

The survey site URL should be available within the next 48 hours.
Again, thanks for participating.

ARRL Delta Division
Director: Henry Leggette, WD4Q
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Since they didn't ask for verification of my email until the survey is completed, I took the survey which was culled out specifically for the Atlantic Region. Seems to me there were some loaded questions in there. Appearantly they want "Sympathy for the Devil".

Hello Chuck,

Yeah, the ARRL isn't going to let this one die. Thanks for the information.

I don't understand why the ARRL wants input from members only. It wasn't members only that disagreed with the ARRL's position on bandwidth (RM-11306). It is curious that this survey introduction starts like this.


Yet the thrust of the first survey is a Q&A regarding RM-11306. I also find the stand alone question "Do you operate AM?" interesting.

Non members of the ARRL are not the unwashed masses and thank goodness the FCC reads all comments regarding rule change petitions. I wish the ARRL would stop thinking of the world as US/THEM. The ARRL should listen, and consider, all feedback. Not just the information provided by paid memberships. The ARRL's mandate is to represent all of amateur radio. Here is a great opportunity to start fresh. Open that survey to all licensed amateurs.

In my opinion, no matter how much lipstick they paint on that pig (RM-11306) it is still a pig.

Mike

I am surprised to see the question asking about AM.

Then again, since most AMers are not members of the League, this survey may provide "proof" that few people operate the mode and therefore it need not be considered in any rehash of their bandwidth proposal.

In order for survey input to be counted, you will be asked to enter your email address to validate your answers. Answers from ONLY valid arrl.net addresses will be counted since this is the easiest method for us to make sure that answers from only ARRL members will be counted. Responses from those entries without a valid email address are automatically deleted. After entering your email address, the survey site will ask you for a password (this is not your ARRL password), which is a one time system generated password sent to you by email. Simply close the window at that point because the survey site will send an email to your address. Upon receipt of that email, all you will need to do is to click on the URL within the message to validate your answers. Thank you for your interest and your answers!

*    1.    What Division are you from?
   
   Atlantic Division: Includes the sections - Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland/District of Columbia, Northern New York, Southern New Jersey, Western New York and Weatern Pennsylvania
   Delta Division: Includes the sections of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee
   Great Lakes Division: Includes the sections - Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio
   None of the above
 
*    2.    Do you operate digital modes?
   
   Yes
   No


3.    Do you operate APRS
   
   Yes
   No
 
*    4.    Do you operate D-Star?
   
   Yes
   No
 
*    5.    Do you operate digital voice?
   
   Yes
   No
 
*    6.    Do you operate keyboard modes?
   
   Yes
   No

.    Which keyboard modes do you use regularly?
   
   Feldhell
   Hellschreiber
   MFSK
   PSK31
   PSK63
   Olivia
   RTTY

   8.    Do you operate store and forward modes?
   
   Yes
   No

You may select more than one.
*    9.    Which store and forward modes do you use regularly?
   
   Clover
   G-Tor
   Packet via TNC
   Packet via soundcard
   PacTOR
   Other    
 
*    10.    Do you operate Winlink
   
   Yes
   No
11.    Do you operate a PMBO
   
   Yes
   No
 
*    12.    Do you use Winlink for emergency communications?
   
   Yes
   No
 
You may select more than one.
*    13.    What bands do you use Winlink on?
   
   HF
   VHF
   UHF

You may select more than one.
*    14.    On what bands do you operate digital modes?
   
   160m
   80m
   40m
   30m
   20m
   15m
   12m
   10m
   VHF
   UHF
 
*    15.    Do you operate CW?
   
   Yes
   No


*    16.    Has the FCC's recent changes to the phone bands changed your operating habits?
   
   Yes
   No
 
*    17.    Have you had to move a net or otherwise shift to a new frequency?
   
   Yes
   No
 
*    18.    Do you operate HF phone?
   
   Yes
   No
19.    Do you operate AM
   
   Yes
   No
 
*    20.    Do you operate SSB
   
   Yes
   No
 
*    21.    Has the FCC's re-farming of the phone frequencies affected your operating habits?
   
   Yes
   No
 
*    22.    Have you had to move to a new frequency as a result?
   
   Yes
   No
   Not applicable
 
*    23.    Has the number of operators on your normal bands:
   
   Increased
   Decreased
   Stayed about the same
24.    About how many hours per week do you normally operate?
   
   1 to 5 hours        6 to 10 hours
   11 to 15 hours        16 to 20 hours
   21 to 25 hours        26 to 30 hours
   31 to 35 hours        36 to 40 hours
   41 to 45 hours        46 to 50 hours
   51 to 55 hours        56 to 60 hours
   61 to 65 hours        66 to 70 hours
   71 to 75 hours        76 to 80 hours
   more than 80 hours
 
You may select more than one.
*    25.    What other modes of operation do you work?
   
   VHF FM
   VHF SSB
   UHF FM
   UHF SSB
   Above UHF
   Mobile HF
   Mobile VHF/UHF
   Other    
    26.    Did you read the bandwidth petition filed by the ARRL as RM-11306?
   
   Yes
   No
27.    Do you feel you understood its contents?
   
   Yes
   No
 
*    28.    Do you feel the ARRL adequately solicited your input on this petition?
   
   Yes
   No
 
*    29.    Did you send your views on the petition in an email to bandwidth@arrl.org address?
   
   Yes
   No
 
*    30.    Did you file a comment about RM-11306 on the FCC's ECFS?
   
   Yes
   No
 
Please select one of the two answers. You may also explain briefly why you selected your answer in the next question box or skip past it if you do not want to leave a comment.
*    31.    Did you favor the petition?
   
   Yes
   No
 
You may briefly comment here about why you did or did not favor the ARRL bandwidth petition RM-11306. (limited to 100 words)
     32.    Comment about why you did or did not favor the petition
   33.    What is your license class
   
   Amateur Extra
   Advanced
   General
   Technician
   Novice
 
*    34.    How long have you been licensed?
   
   1 to 5 years        6 to 10 years
   11 to 15 years        16 to 20 years
   21 to 25 years        26 to 30 years
   31 to 35 years        36 to 40 years
   41 to 45 years        46 to 50 years
   51 to 55 years        56 to 60 years
   61 to 65 years        66 to 70 years
   71 to 75 years        76 to 80 years
   Over 80 years
 

The survey seems to be extremely interested in the digital modes of operation.

Rick/K5IAR

Rick said:
That's because the ARRgghhL was attempting to ram Winlink down everyone's throat without them knowing about it. I feel this is another blatant attempt by the (be)League(d) to make the membership feel as though they care when in effect they will disregard all the survey data and do what they think is best for the ham community!

Good Point Mike,

I see it more as an attempt to control the numbers. They certainly stand a better chance of selling this pig if they go to the fed with Proof that this IS what everybody wants. Survey often, gather the results and segue the data.  Numbers don't lie........

Mike

No Delta Division web site. Delta consists of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. On their dedicated web sites or Section web sites, there is no mention of any on-going survey, past or present, in any of these states.

Great Lakes Division web site, http://greatlakes.arrl.org/ , has no link to any survey.

Atlantic Division web site does have a survey link, http://www.atldiv.org/surveys.htm but that a survey ended June 30, 2007. No mention of any other survey.

The is no mention of any ARRL Headquarters sponsored or supported Division level survey anywhere I could find on the ARRL web site.

In my opinion, this looks and sounds like several Division Directors, who are either somewhat clueless as to what their members think, to lazy or feel it's too costly or inconvenient to travel to hamfests and clubs to talk to members and nonmembers, or are just trying to save face and maybe their positions, after RM-11306 got beat up so badly by so many amateurs.

Further investigation revealed the Atlantic Division initiated “the survey”. Jim Weaver said: “This is because my friend Bill Edgar, N3LLR, the Atlantic Division Director initiated the survey and then asked Henry Leggette, WD4Q, Delta Division Director and me (Jim Weaver) if we'd like to participate. We helped develop the poll and joined in the activity.”

Again, in my opinion, this is not an ARRL Headquarters sponsored activity. As far as the poll questions are concerned, you probably need to take that up with the three respective Directors mentioned above.

That is very interesting.  Thanks for the information, Pete.  Of course, Texas is not listed at all, so I guess our opinions don't count!   :'(

Rick/K5IAR

Talk about loaded questions.... "Have you  had to change frequency...."

It's time they stopped beating this dead horse.  A poll that might gain them some knowledge and perhaps adjust their less-than-candorous practices might include questions about disqualifying candidates for "potential conflicts of interest".

Remember, the "they" here are just 3 Directors, but you're right, this is a dead horse. And the "disqualifying rule" has been since "updated" in the rules to reflect a slightly different view.

It will be interesting if "they" share the results openly before the Board meeting.

UPDATE:
WATCH YOUR  "CONFIRMATION" notice. This version kicked back on me and I took the survey again.

(earlier verson:)

When asked in the survey to explain my position on the League's failed bandwidth proposal, I wrote:

~~~~~~
Opposed the petition since the FCC has already ruled against a
mandatory segregation of modes based on bandwidth. The ARRL plan also
failed to propose technical standards to enable compliance and
preclude unfounded complaints.
~~~~~~


Atlantic Division Member Survey #2: Email Verification               
   
Please enter your email address to complete this survey.
Upon submitting your address, you will receive a Confirmation
Password via email which will be used to verify your identity.

You have already completed this survey with WA3VJB@arrl.net.

Jim will be thrilled!

So it cost me $39 to take part in a survey.

You have successfully submitted the following survey response:

Date:    2007-07-09 07:07:03
IP Address:    76.3.90.197
Email:    WA3VJB@arrl.net [confirmed]

*    1.    What Division are you from?
   
Atlantic Division: Includes the sections - Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland/District of Columbia, Northern New York, Southern New Jersey, Western New York and Weatern Pennsylvania
 
*    2.    Do you operate digital modes?
   
No
 
*    15.    Do you operate CW?
   
Yes
 
*    16.    Has the FCC's recent changes to the phone bands changed your operating habits?
   
Yes
 
*    17.    Have you had to move a net or otherwise shift to a new frequency?
   
No
 
*    18.    Do you operate HF phone?
   
Yes
 
*    19.    Do you operate AM
   
Yes
 
*    20.    Do you operate SSB
   
No
 
*    21.    Has the FCC's re-farming of the phone frequencies affected your operating habits?
   
Yes
 
*    22.    Have you had to move to a new frequency as a result?
   
No
 
*    23.    Has the number of operators on your normal bands:
   
Stayed about the same
 
*    24.    About how many hours per week do you normally operate?
   
6 to 10 hours
 
You may select more than one.
*    25.    What other modes of operation do you work?
   
VHF FM
 
*    26.    Did you read the bandwidth petition filed by the ARRL as RM-11306?
   
Yes
 
*    27.    Do you feel you understood its contents?
   
Yes
 
*    28.    Do you feel the ARRL adequately solicited your input on this petition?
   
No
 
*    29.    Did you send your views on the petition in an email to bandwidth@arrl.org address?
   
Yes
 
*    30.    Did you file a comment about RM-11306 on the FCC's ECFS?
   
Yes
 
Please select one of the two answers. You may also explain briefly why you selected your answer in the next question box or skip past it if you do not want to leave a comment.
*    31.    Did you favor the petition?
   
No
 
You may briefly comment here about why you did or did not favor the ARRL bandwidth petition RM-11306. (limited to 100 words)
     32.    Comment about why you did or did not favor the petition
   ARRL misunderstood its constituency as to whether the greater amateur community wanted to abandon the current system of coordinating modes and activities. I told the FCC, as did others, that the concept itself is wrong in trying to impose a bandwidth-based segregation on HF. ARRL declined to acknowledge this opposition to the concept. Those who are against this concept earlier successfully convinced the FCC to drop its version of a bandwidth based system of HF coordination, in Docket 20777 of 1976-77. It is not in the League's interest to try to perpetuate this failed concept again.
 
*    33.    What is your license class
   
Advanced
 
*    34.    How long have you been licensed?
   
31 to 35 years
 
   

If you operate CW you operate digital.

Atlantic Division News Update
July 15, 2007
Bulletin 2007-07

Survey Update

Several weeks ago, the Atlantic Division, Delta Division and Great
Lakes Division Directors joined together in running a survey to seek
member input to enable us to better represent our members at the July
2007 ARRL Board meeting.

Our survey responses to date total over 2,200 responses! 

If you have already participated, thank you!   If you haven't
participated -- please participate as this survey is important.  We
want as many ARRL Atlantic Division members to participate as
possible.

Participants will need to enter their email address to validate their
answers.  We've asked that participants use their arrl.net address,
however, responses from email addresses with a call sign then domain
name will be accept.  For example:  n3llr@arrl.net or n3llr@verizon.net
will be accepted.  billedgar@verizon.net will not be able to be
accepted.

The survey will close on July 17, 2007 at 23:59.  Information derived
from this survey will be used for the July 2007 ARRL Board meeting this
month. 

The survey site is located at:
http://www.bestvote.org/phpQ/fillsurvey.php?sid=11


73,

Bill Edgar N3LLR
Atlantic Division Director

Tom Abernethy W3TOM
Atlantic Division Vice Director

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ARRL Atlantic Division
Director: William Edgar, N3LLR
n3llr@arrl.org