Compiled by S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFA
ARRL News Editor
k1sfa@arrl.org

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 March.

New privileges on 60 meters went into effect on March 5. After communicating with the NTIA, the ARRL announced that the NTIA has confirmed that it has no objection to the use of a broader range of data emissions by amateurs on the five 5 MHz frequencies on 60 meters.

The ARRL announced that new benefits -- including a digital edition of QST -- will be available to ARRL members beginning in June.

A new Online DXCC application, as well as a new DXCC fee structure were announced.

Jim Veatch, WA2EUJ, was declared the winner of the ARRL Homebrew Challenge III.

QST Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, was named the recipient of the 2012 Dayton Hamvention® Technical Achievement Award.

The ARRL is seeking comments on a proposed 9 cm band plan.

An active Sun produced a series of solar flares that resulted in coronal mass ejections.

The spring Frequency Measuring Test will take place Thursday, April 19.

W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, announced its spring operating schedule.

The ARRL Executive Committee met in St Louis, Missouri.

The ARRL is accepting entries for the Seventh Annual ARRL Photo Contest.

DXCC Desk: Three operations -- the current VK0TH and AX/VK0TH (Macquarie Island) operation, the 2011 6O0M (Somalia) operation and the December 2011-January 2012 9U3TMM (Burundi) operation -- have been approved for DXCC credit.

The ARRL IT department warned members with arrl.net e-mail addresses to be aware of bogus e-mails.

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

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for March is Eric P. Nichols, KL7AJ, for his article “Three Wrong Assumptions about the Ionosphere.”

The May issue of QST was released to the printer. The 2012-2013 Repeater Directories, Hints and Kinks (18th edition) and The Guide to Antenna Tuners (2nd printing), Understanding Basic Electronics (2nd edition, 2nd printing), Basic Antennas (3rd printing), Basic Radio (3rd printing), Basic Antenna Tuners (2nd printing) and Get on the Air with HF Digital (2nd printing) were also released to the printer.

The ARRL announced two open positions at ARRL Headquarters in Newington.

Official Observer Desk: ARRL Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, handled complaints regarding bootlegged call signs, businesses using the amateur bands, interference on 14.313 MHz, interference to a repeater in California and interference to a net on 14.320 MHz. He also answered questions concerning overseas operation, determining beam headings, rotator calibration, antenna restrictions, Technician class privileges, how to access repeaters for a new ham, antenna restrictions, operating overseas, club call use and IRLP nodes on 146.520 MHz

Member Contact: ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, and QST Technical Editor Joel Hallas, W1ZR, attended the AES Superfest. Inderbitzen also attended the ARRL Santa Clara Section Convention. ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, attended the ARRL Nebraska State Convention. QEX Editor Larry Wolfgang, WR1B, attended the ARRL Oklahoma Section Convention.ARRL Lab Enginneer Mike Gruber, W1MG, attended the Greater Houston Hamfest.