File: services.txt, updated January 5, 1994 Reprinted from: January 1995 QST, "Your Guide to ARRL Membership Services" Copyright 1994 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All rights reserved. Your League The American Radio Relay League is a noncommercial association of radio amateurs, organized for the promotion of interest in Amateur Radio communication and experimentation, for the establishment of networks to provide communication in the event of disasters or other emergencies, for the advancement of the radio art and of the public welfare, for the representation of the radio amateur in legislative matters, and for the maintenance of fraternalism and a high standard of conduct. "Of, by, and for the radio amateur," the ARRL numbers within its ranks the majority of active amateurs in the nation and has a proud history of achievement as the standard-bearer in amateur affairs. For more than 75 years, the ARRL has provided invaluable services that are funded by membership dues, publication sales, fees and contributions. ARRL policies on federal issues affecting Amateur Radio are developed through a representative, democratic process in which every Member can have a voice. Working from two offices in Washington, one for Capitol Hill and one for the FCC and similar agencies, ARRL professional staff and volunteers make sure the federal policy-makers are aware of radio amateurs' contributions to the public interest, and that administrative and regulatory entities pay attention to amateurs' concerns and needs. The ARRL's public affairs program creates visibility for Amateur Radio through work with national news media and in local communities through a network of Public Information Coordinators (PICs) and Public Information Officers (PIOs) in the Field Organization. Favorable news coverage is one of the primary tools used by the League's Congressional relations program to protect the interests of all Amateur Radio enthusiasts. How to Contact ARRL HQ Look through this section before you contact HQ, to determine which department will be able to assist you. When possible, please send a written inquiry addressed to the appropriate department. Include your full name, address, call sign (if any), your membership number (on your membership card or QST mailing label) and a daytime telephone number. When requesting information listed in this directory, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) when specified. Address your written inquiries to: American Radio Relay League Attn: (appropriate department) 225 Main St Newington CT 06111-1494 If you're requesting forms, etc, from several departments, address your requests to "Attn: Special Requests." This will ensure that you receive everything requested in one package. If you make telephone inquiries and you know the department name you want, ask for it when our receptionist answers. If you aren't sure, state your inquiry and your call will be directed to the appropriate department. ARRL HQ is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM (Eastern Time), except holidays. The voice telephone number is 203-666-1541. You can also reach HQ through a variety of electronic means: Fax: 203-665-7531 (24-hour direct line) MCI mail: 215-5052 ARRL Bulletin Board System: 203-666-0578 CompuServe: 70007,3373 America On Line: HQARRL1 GEnie: ARRL Prodigy: PTYS02A Telex: 650215-5052 MCI For a list of ARRL HQ internet e-mail addresses, send a message to info@arrl.org with any subject and the following message text: help send users.txt quit As with written requests, please include your full name, mailing address, membership number and call sign (if any) and your daytime telephone number. In-person visits are welcome anytime HQ is open. In addition to our regular hours, we hold an open house once a year on Saturday or Sunday, usually in June or July; watch QST for announcement of the time and date. Tours are given from 8 AM to 5 PM (Eastern Time). If you're unfamiliar with the area, contact Special Requests to receive a map and local directions. ARRL Membership Services and Benefits Publications - Read All About It The ARRL publishes a wide range of technical and nontechnical books. These cover the expanse of Amateur Radio interests and ability levels. In addition, there are audio and video training tapes, and computer software to help you sharpen your skills and earn more privileges. Questions about the content of League periodicals should be addressed to the Publications Group. QST One of your most visible benefits is QST, the ARRL's monthly journal, your source for news, information and features to keep you up to date with Amateur Radio activity, technology and ARRL happenings. With more than 200 feature-packed pages per issue, QST is your best source for any topic that relates to Amateur Radio. QEX, NCJ In addition to QST, the League publishes a monthly technical experimenter's magazine, QEX, and a bimonthly contest magazine, National Contest Journal (NCJ). Writing for the ARRL Authors interested in writing for QST or QEX may request the ARRL Authors' Guide from the Assistant to the Publications Manager for a 9x12-inch SASE with First-Class postage for 3 ounces. If you have a proposal for an article, contact the editorial staff to determine in advance the interest in the proposed subject matter. Inquiries may be made to the Managing Editor by telephone, fax, electronic mail or regular mail. QST and QEX accept unsolicited manuscripts. Address materials to the Editor, QST or QEX. Authors of articles are paid for their material; current page rates are given in the Authors' Guide. Features and Filler Strays and items published in Up Front in QST are used only as space is available. Material submitted for Strays and Up Front in QST must be sent by US mail addressed to the QST Features Editor. Notices for Strays may be submitted via e-mail; no materials for Strays will be accepted by telephone. Photos Photos submitted for publication must be of interest to amateurs and must be of excellent quality with well-illuminated subjects in sharp focus and with good composition. We prefer transparencies, slides or glossy color prints (although the photos may be published in black and white). Do not write directly on front or back of photographs; label them with adhesive labels or notes taped to the back. Provide detailed identification of all people in photographs, including where and when the photo was taken, and any additional relevant information, and provide the name of the person who took each photograph. Include a daytime telephone number where you can be reached if the editors need more information. Material submitted becomes the property of the ARRL and we cannot accept responsibility for submissions, although we will attempt to honor requests to return materials if accompanied by a written request and an SASE, but because of the number of manuscripts, documents and photographs submitted, we cannot guarantee their return. There is never a charge for publication of items as Strays. Letters The ARRL welcomes comments and suggestions from Members in letters submitted for publication. All letters received are read by the editorial staff. In addition to letters of general interest that may be published in the Correspondence column, submissions will be considered for Hints and Kinks and for Technical Correspondence, as appropriate. Columns Submissions to QST or QEX columnists, or questions or comments about the content of a published column, should be addressed directly to the conductor of the column, at the address given at the head of the column. If you want to have your material returned, include an SASE. Reprints Permission to quote or reprint material from QST or any ARRL publication may be granted for noncommercial amateur use, such as radio club newsletters and club promotional material. For such permission, send a written or fax request that includes the date of the issue or the book title, the page number, a description of the material you want to use and its intended use. Address such requests to the Publications Manager, ARRL. Requests for reprints cannot be given by telephone. Blanket permission to reprint cannot be given; individual requests must be made for specific material. New on the Market Announcements of New Products (including computer software and periodicals) and New Books of interest to radio amateurs, are welcome. Address press releases and other materials to New Products Editor or New Books Editor, respectively. Such submissions cannot be returned. Items are published without charge, strictly as space is available. No information for New Products listings or New Books reviews is accepted by telephone. Membership/Circulation Department Customer Service The Membership/Circulation Department maintains the ARRL membership data base and processes membership transactions. It also maintains data bases for the National Contest Journal, QEX and the ARRL Letter; and administers the QST Silent Keys column. You can contact the Membership/Circulation Department to report a change of address; report a call sign addition or change; renew your ARRL membership; report a Silent Key; subscribe to QEX, NCJ or the ARRL Letter; resolve QST, QEX, NCJ or ARRL Letter delivery problems; and to check your membership status. Stock Up The Publication Sales Branch fulfills publications orders. Contact the Publication Sales Branch to order ARRL publications or supplies; to check on the status of an order; to receive information about a specific title or the complete line of publications and supplies; or to purchase a single current or back issue of QST, NCJ, QEX or the ARRL Letter. Use the Members-only discount coupons inside many ARRL publications to save cash on your next purchase. To order League publications or inquire about an order, membership, etc, call 203-666-1541 and ask for Publications Sales or fax 203-665-1166. Technical Information Service Help and Advice Need to solve a tough RFI challenge? Looking for an old schematic or service manual? Want to be put in touch with someone who can help you with information on erecting an antenna or setting up a PacTOR station? Any League Member is welcome to ask for technical help from the experts at ARRL HQ and among the ranks of Technical Advisors nationwide. The ARRL's Technical Information Service (TIS) is one of the League's most valued services. Any Member is welcome to ask for technical help. Member questions often help the editors choose the types of technical articles and projects that appear in QST and other ARRL publications. TIS provides personal assistance with technical questions, problems or a literature research. Contact TIS for listings of prepared information packages (request the TIS List). Some examples of the most requested packages include the RFI Package, which contains a reprint of two QST Lab Notes columns about RFI and two copies of the RFI consumer pamphlet; kits list, a comprehensive list of companies that sell electronics and Amateur Radio kits; manuals suppliers, companies that sell reprints of equipment manuals; ham radio stores, a state-by-state list of ham radio retail outlets and repair centers; Amateur Radio-related software, where to find useful computer programs. Send a 9x12-inch SASE with First-Class postage for 3 ounces for each package you want to receive. Specify the package by name, with your request addressed "Attn: TIS." Contact the Technical Department Secretary if you want copies of articles from out-of-print QSTs and other ARRL publications, or a copy of an information template mentioned in an ARRL publication. TIS maintains data bases on all kinds of ham radio-related topics and information, and is accessible by telephone (203-666-1541), fax (203-665-7531), US mail (TIS, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111) or electronic mail (tis@arrl.org). TIS maintains an electronic mail server that automatically mails you any of hundreds of text files. Send e-mail to info@arrl.org with a blank subject line and message text consisting of the word "help." Field Services Volunteer to Help If you're the type of person who likes to get involved and serve your community, there's something for you. ORS, OO, SM, TS, ACC, STM, DEC, SGL - where do you fit into the ARRL Field Organization alphabet soup? Interested in serving the League and Amateur Radio in the areas of government liaison, traffic handling, emergency communication, information management or public relations? Want to be an official League volunteer in the Field Organization? Be part of a League tradition and join a select group of ARRL Volunteers to serve your fellow radio amateurs and the public. Ask your Section Manager (SM) how you can serve; every SM's address and telephone number is listed on page 8 of each issue of QST. Emergency Communication The ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) is composed of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment for communication duty in the public service when disaster strikes. It's one of the League's prime responsibilities to provide maximum support to ARES members across the nation. Public Service The Public Service Branch supports the ARRL National Traffic System (NTS), Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), disaster service and Volunteer Monitoring System (VOLMON). Contact the Public Service Branch if you'd like to receive NTS awards and ARES awards information; the Public Service Communications Manual, which contains a comprehensive tutorial on the NTS and ARES; the Special Events Communications Manual, Emergency Coordinator's Manual and other titles used by public service participants; Brass Pounders' League (BPL) traffic-handling certificates and medallions; Public Service Honor Roll (PSHR) qualifications and listings in QST; and information regarding ARRL and ARES members' interaction with agencies such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, National Weather Service and National Disaster Medical System. Hamfests The Conventions and Hamfests Branch supports ARRL convention and hamfest planning, and maintains hamfest location information. Contact the Conventions/Hamfest Branch if your club or organization would like to receive ARRL sanctioning and assistance with your club's event, to have Headquarters speakers attend your club's sanctioned event, to receive a copy of the ARRL Convention and Hamfest Planner booklet, or to obtain prizes and handout literature. Individuals may contact the Conventions/Hamfest Branch to receive listings of hamfests in a specific geographic area. Clubs The Club Services Branch supports ARRL affiliated clubs and ARRL Special Service Clubs and maintains club records. Contact Club Services if your club would like to affiliate with the ARRL, receive information about becoming an ARRL Special Service Club and restock supplies of membership applications, etc (ARRL-affiliated clubs only). Individuals can contact Club Services to locate affiliated clubs in a specific geographic area. Rules and Regulations The Regulatory Information Branch (RIB) provides information and referral services on a wide range of regulatory topics and specialty programs. Don't rely on your own opinion or friends' interpretation of the rules; get answers to all your questions about FCC Rules from the well-informed, friendly people at HQ. You can get accurate information on operating as a visitor in other countries or on having foreign ham friends operate their radios when they come to visit you in the US. When in doubt, call RIB at ARRL HQ. Contact the Regulatory Information Branch if you want reciprocal operating applications and information; assistance with restrictive antenna covenant problems; PRB-1 restrictive ordinance package; FCC rule interpretations; referrals to Volunteer Counsels and Volunteer Consulting Engineers; referrals to International Travel Host Exchange; referrals to the Courage HANDI-Ham Center; and repeater regulatory or Directory information. Insure Your Gear The security of a well-designed, respected insurance plan is worth a lot of peace of mind. Inexpensive, exclusive ARRL "All-Risk" Equipment Insurance Program protects your radios and accessories against theft, damage or other loss, and Club Liability Insurance covers you and your fellow club members against personal exposure to damage claims if anyone is injured while participating in your club's activities. Ham Radio Equipment Insurance and Club Liability Insurance is available only to ARRL Members. You'll find this program less expensive, with broader coverage, than other similar plans. The ARRL All-Risk Ham Radio Equipment Insurance Program is the most comprehensive policy you can buy. Membership Services Department Operating Activities and Achievements Contact the Contest Branch if you need contest forms or information; information on contest log submission and format; contest schedules; contest rule interpretations; contest plaque sponsorship; contest participation award information; or to list your special event or contest in QST. Wallpaper for the Shack: Awards and Certificates The Awards Branch administers programs that offer a variety of operating awards. Some of the most prestigious operating awards are available to ARRL Members only. If you want to increase your operating proficiency, meet new friends and enjoy on-the-air competition, give "awards chasing" a try. Contact the Awards Branch if you want information or applications for these popular awards: Worked All States (WAS); VHF/UHF Century Club (VUCC); and recognition for 25, 40, 50 or 60-years of ARRL membership. DXCC The DXCC Desk administers the premier operating award in Amateur Radio today, the ARRL DX Century Club certificate. Contact the DXCC Desk for country definitions and information; prefix information; DXCC Countries List information (available for a small fee); DXCC application status; information on DXCC awards, the DXCC Honor Roll, and so on. Sending QSL Cards Overseas How much do you spend on envelopes and postage to send QSL cards to the hams you contact in foreign lands? If it's more than $2 a pound, you're missing a great bargain. That's all it costs to have the ARRL Outgoing QSL Service act as your mail carrier and handle your overseas QSLing chores. You just make the contacts, fill out your cards, sort them and send them to HQ in a batch. The staff in Newington does the rest. With just a few batches of QSL cards, the savings you accumulate through this service alone can easily pay for your annual League membership dues many times over! The QSL Service sorts and forwards Members' QSL cards to foreign QSL bureaus. It also provides support to US Incoming QSL Bureau Managers, and sorts QSL cards coming into the US from foreign QSL bureaus. This inexpensive service makes your QSLing chores a breeze. Contact the QSL Service to get foreign QSL Bureau information and foreign addresses, QSL manager information, and information about your local Incoming QSL Bureau. Bulletins and Code Practice The League provides an on-the-air tutorial service via W1AW, the world-famous Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, with daily practice transmissions for those learning or improving their proficiency of Morse code. W1AW is also an Amateur Radio news service that provides daily Morse code, teleprinter and voice bulletin transmissions. Visitors to HQ are welcome to visit the station and operating studios. Contact Special Requests if you'd like to receive a W1AW schedule or receive tour information. The ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator License Examinations Help your fellow hams get licensed or upgrade - someone did it for you. All amateurs take their FCC license examinations at test sessions conducted by Volunteer Examiners (VEs) across the country, most of which are coordinated by the ARRL VEC office. The ARRL VEC provides VE credentials to qualified volunteers, reviews license applications of successful examinees for correctness and submits them to the FCC for processing. Contact the ARRL/VEC Office to locate testing opportunities in your area; to obtain a copy of public domain question pools; to receive information about testing accommodations and/or Morse code exemptions for the handicapped; to become a Volunteer Examiner (request the Prospective VE package); to schedule an examination and/or obtain examination supplies (for VEs); or to receive information about VE testing procedures or FCC Rules pertaining to VE testing. To find out how you can become an ARRL-accredited VE, call 800-9-ARRL-VEC (800-927-7583) or 203-666-1541, or send e-mail to vec@arrl.org, via MCI mail to 653-2312 or by US mail to ARRL/VEC, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Educational Activities Department Helping Hams and Training Young People The Educational Activities Department (EAD) develops and administers programs for recruiting and licensing nonhams, and distributes information about Amateur Radio. Contact EAD to receive a list of Elmers (volunteers who enjoy assisting new hams) or to join the Elmer Program. You can have a free New Prospect Package sent to a friend or relative interested in Amateur Radio (the recipient will receive a booklet that highlights the privileges and requirements of the two beginner licenses, offers study options and a list of local classes and examiners). EAD will help you incorporate Amateur Radio in your Boy or Girl Scout Troop, 4-H or other youth group; or borrow one of many video programs on several Amateur Radio topics - you'll receive a list of audiovisual selections, free-lending rules and the necessary order forms. To sponsor a public demonstration or Amateur Radio display, contact EAD with the details, and you'll receive a large package of brochures, flyers and posters. Prospective licensees can get more information about Amateur Radio and how to become a ham by calling 800-32-NEW-HAM (800-326-3942) toll-free. Calling the Space Shuttle EAD is Amateur Radio's liaison with NASA, and can send you materials and lesson plans to participate in SAREX activities, information about the Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX) - to receive the SAREX Bulletin which explains how, where and when to try to talk to the orbiting astronaut/hams, just send an SASE. *eof