I've been chewing (OK, gnashing my teeth, perhaps) on the fact 
that a very few individuals have seen fit to pound on me for 
the quantity -- and quality -- of postings I was doing here a couple 
of weeks back.  One fella (a coworker) stated that I'd "hurt us all" 
by presumably somehow failing to understand what constituted "enough." 
  
Fortunately, however, a LARGE number of you have seen fit to thank me 
in private mail, by telephone, and in person.  I'm encouraged, and  
would like to thank you all in return.  The overall emotion that's 
most often exhibited is "At last; ARRL HQ is finally providing us 
with something we need; with items of newsy interest, with a pat 
on the back for the work we amateur radio volunteers do all over the 
country, and some TOOLS with which to DO it. 
  
Fair enough.  And we have a lot of those tools here.  Glad to let you 
have every bit of it, if you'll only ask.  Don't think for a second 
that any of us here at ARRL HQ could possibly guess what YOU need, what 
helps YOU perform your functions, what makes YOUR job as a volunteer 
that much easier.  Think we might have it?  Ask! 
 
Still, I'm sensitive to the fact that only a small percentage, perhaps, 
of the readers of this material are interested in actually DOING anything 
constructive with their amateur radio interests.  There! That should tick  
off a fair number of the gang.  But for those of you who DO manage to get  
out there and kick up a little dust, listen up!   
 
I'm just ONE of a hundred and some employees here at ARRL HQ.  Little ole 
*me* has access to a TON of bits/bytes that just might help you.  They  
include but are by no means limited to: 
 
1.  Complimentary ARRL Prospective Ham Packages.  The PHP contains (based 
    on the person's zip code) amateur radio clubs in his/her area,  
    volunteer exam session opportunities, and a wealth of promotional 
    material on the Amateur Radio Service. 
  
    I should point out that my activity on Prodigy, alone, has resulted 
    in over 200 PHPs being mailed out to newcomers in the past few months. 
    There's no END to the number of interested folks out there who just 
    need to know that info (and help) is available.  TELL them!  It's free. 
 
2.  Public Service Communications Manuals.  These puppies are the "Bible" 
    for Amateur Radio public service communicators, and completely and  
    fully explain formal traffic handling procedures, the ARRL's National 
    Traffic System, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service -- all that good 
    stuff.  One to a customer.  No charge whatsoever for the book OR 
    for the postage.  
 
3.  Brochures.  Gawd, do we  have brochures!  We have slick little doo-dads 
    that explain the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, the ARRL Field  
    Organization, services of the ARRL, and not one or two, but THREE 
    different brochures that appeal to youngsters, middle-aged, or  
    "retiree-age" folks, who just might want to know what this here 
     Hamateur radio stuff is really all about. 
 
4.  Interested in performing a variety of public service duties, by way 
    of your Part 97 license?  I can steer you in the right direction, by 
    providing you (yes, even here on the net) guidelines -- job  
    descriptions if you prefer -- for volunteer positions that just might 
    pique your interest.  They include guidelines for: 
  
    1.  Section Managers, and Assistant SMs 
    2.  Official Observers 
    3.  Official Relay Stations 
    4.  Technical Coordinators and Technical Specialists 
    5.  Official Bulletin Stations 
    6.  Public Information Coordinators 
    7.  State and Local Government Liaisons 
    8.  Emergency Coordinators and District/Section ECs 
 
5.  Special Events Communications Manuals.  While the SECM carries a 
    nominal five dollar charge (you can bet we make ZERO on THIS baby!), 
    my point HERE is that the SECM is also available -- free of charge -- 
    by simply downloading it from the ARRL BBS at 203 665 0090.  In it 
    you will find lots of practical reasons for providing amateur radio 
    communications at events, methods of doing so, and Part 97 reasons 
    why you should or -- in many cases -- should NOT.   
  
The list of freebies goes on.  If you think we have something that would 
make your life (or your hobby) easier, you can sure ASK... 
  
And, again, thanks to all of you who've encouraged me to continue making 
these complimentary ARRL services available here on the net.  Without 
your encouragement and support, I MIGHT've been persuaded to stop... 
 
 
|       |   |         Deputy Manager, Field Services, ARRL. 
|       |___|         The ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service, the ARRL 
| uck   |   |urder    National Traffic System, The Amateur Auxiliary to 
------  |   |         the FCC's Field Operations Bureau, the ARRL 
     KY1T             Field Organization and the ARRL Monitoring System. 
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lhurder%arrlhq.UUCP@uhasun.hartford.edu   Prodigy - MGTS39A   BIX - ARRL.