What the ARRL Can Do For You… and What You Can Do for the ARRL!
Chris Arthur, NV4B
Assistant Section Manager
ca@nv4b.com
�Presented August 26, 2022
Revised September 5, 2022
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What is the ARRL?
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Brief History
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The ARRL Vision Statement Today
As the national association for Amateur Radio in the United States, ARRL:
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What the ARRL Can Do For You -- The Five Pillars
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Public Service
�Note: The ARRL has MOUs with other organizations that are not strictly emcomm-related.
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Advocacy
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Education
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Technology
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Membership
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Operating Activities
The ARRL has two major branches devoted to Radiosport and related activities:
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The ARRL Contest Branch
The Contest Branch administers a number of ARRL contests throughout the year:
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The ARRL Contest Branch
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Operating Awards
The ARRL Awards Branch administers the following awards. ARRL membership is required for most awards:
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Logbook of the World
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Outgoing QSL Service
The ARRL provides a service to members sending paper QSL cards to foreign countries called the Outgoing QSL Service (formerly called the “outgoing bureau”). This allows amateurs to send many cards internationally for a low, flat rate. Though slower than direct QSLing and much slower than Logbook of the World, it provides great cost savings for those who send a large number of paper cards in pursuit of DXCC.
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W1AW
The ARRL built and operates the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station. The ARRL was assigned Hiram Percy Maxim’s callsign after his death in 1936, and the station was built in Newington in 1938. The headquarters building moved from West Hartford to the field behind the station in 1963.
�W1AW transmits bulletins and code practice on a regular basis, participates in contests and special events, and provides visitors an opportunity to operate.
NV4B photo (July 1997)
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What Can I Do for the ARRL?
Are you already an ARRL member? The ARRL provides an enormous number of opportunities to get involved:�
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The ARRL Field Services Organization
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Section Level Appointments
The Section Manager is responsible for appointing the following positions:
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The Alabama Section Staff
Roger Parsons, KK4UDU Section Manager
Pam Ayers, KK4ANW, ASM Hamfest/Events
Chris Arthur, NV4B, ASM Radiosport
Wayne Reed, K4TTZ, ASM Digital Training
John Hooper, KJ4PPC, ASM Healthcare
Clif Homan, KK4PKR, ASM Scouting
Johnnie Knobloch, KJ4OPX, ASM Ambassador, Acting DEC District G
Tim Thomas, KO4CHB, Section Emergency Coordinator
John Outland, K3FP, Affiliated Club Coordinator
Section Traffic Manager -- Vacant
David Welch, K4HDW, Technical Coordinator
Michael Werner, KF4BOG, Special Needs Liaison
Tracy Stephenson, KI4OZG, Public Information Coordinator
Laura Morgan, K4CNY, Section Volunteer Counsel
David Brill, KK4NSF, DEC Dist. A
James Nelson, KE4GWW, DEC Dist. B
Stan Lee, KF4DGS, DEC Dist. C
Mike Watkins, WX4AL, DEC Dist. D and ASEC
Patrick Nagle, N4GLE, DEC District E
Steve Molo, KI4KWR, DEC District F
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ARES Appointments
Alabama has 7 ARES Districts that coincide with the state EMA districts.
Each district has a District Emergency Coordinator who reports to the SEC. North Alabama’s DECs are Patrick Nagle, N4GLE (northwest) and Steve Molo, KI4KWR (north central/northeast). DECs may appoint one or more assistant DECs.
Each county has an Emergency Coordinator. Each EC may have one or more assistant ECs.
If emcomm and public service is your main area of interest, apply to be an Official Emergency Station. Apply using Form FSD-187; see http://www.arrl.org/official-emergency-station
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Station-Level Appointments
There are several ways to serve outside of ARES:
The ARRL web site has online applications for most, if not all, of these positions at arrl.org.
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Volunteer Examiners
General-class hams age 18 and over are eligible to become accredited ARRL/VEC volunteer examiners.�
Unlike some volunteer examiner coordinators, you do not need the permission of a local team leader to become an ARRL VE, and anyone may start his or her own ARRL VE team.
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Contesters and DXers: ARES Needs You!
Are you primarily interested in radiosport activities with little interest in ARES and emergency communications?
�The ARES community may need to lean on your station capabilities and operating skill in an emergency!
�Remember that deployed stations may be operating under less-than-ideal conditions with temporary compromise antennas. They need your “ears” and your skill in communicating efficiently to handle traffic coming out of disaster sites.
�Consider participating in the Simulated Emergency Test (it’s a contest, too!) and getting familiar with your ARES leadership and local and state nets.
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Conclusion
The ARRL provides a wealth of services, publications, grants, and more to the amateur community.�
At $49/year, it is one of the best bargains in amateur radio, and each ARRL member helps preserve amateur radio’s future.
For those who are already ARRL members, put your skills and interests to work by accepting an appointment in the ARRL Field Organization.
Our ARRL section motto is “Just One.” Make it your goal this year to bring one other ham onboard with the ARRL. Alternatively, encourage one inactive ham you know to become active. An active ham is one who is more likely to join the ARRL!
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For More Information…