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 May.

The ARRL debuted the digital edition of QST, a new benefit available to League members at no additional cost.

With more than 115 volunteers, officers and HQ staff members on hand, the ARRL EXPO at the 2012 Dayton Hamvention -- complete with the ARRL DIY Stage and DX activities -- was a smashing success.

The ARRL responded to the FCC’s request for comments on impediments to Amateur Radio communications.

ARRL Field Day: All 50 states, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, eight Canadian provinces and one DX station in Colombia have listed their Field Day sites on the ARRL Filed Day Locator.

ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, invited League members to submit ideas and suggestions about how the 2014 ARRL Centennial should be celebrated -- both at the national level and through local radio clubs.

After ballots were counted, two ARRL Sections -- Indiana and Santa Clara Valley -- will be getting new Section Managers in July. A new Section Manager was appointed in the US Virgin Islands Section to fill an unexpired term.

The ARRL Microwave Band Planning Committee released draft band plans for 13 and 33 cm.

The Dayton Amateur Radio Association presented the ARRL with a check for $25,000 in support of the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology.

ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, Chief Technology Officer Brennan Price, N4QX, Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, and ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, attended the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, DC.

Test equipment in the ARRL Lab passed its calibration tests.

The FCC is seeking to increase the vanity call sign fee to $15 for Fiscal Year 2013, an increase of 80 cents.

Logbook of the World now has more than 50,000 users.

The winners of the 2012 QST Video Contest were announced.

DXCC News: The DXCC Desk has approved the 7O6T DXpedition to Yemen and the February 2012 6O3A DXpedition to Somalia for DXCC credit.

The winner of the May QST Cover Plaque award is Martin Huyett, K0BXB, for his article “An AFSK Interface for Android Smartphones.”

The July issue of QST was released to the printer and the digital publisher.

Publications Now Shipping: The ARRL DXCC List, The ARRL Extra Class License Manual (10th edition), ARRL’s Extra Q&A (3rd edition), ARRL’s Low Power Communication (4th edition), TravelPlus for Repeaters (2012-2013 edition, version 16.0), TravelPlus Mobile GPS (2012-2013 edition, downloadable for Garmin devices) and The ARRL Film Collection.

Official Observer Desk: ARRL Field and Regulatory Correspondent Chuck Skolaut, K0BOG, handled complaints regarding possible intentional interference to the 7O6T DXpedition, CW signals on 14.108 MHz, interference to a Connecticut repeater from a pirate radio station, improper language on a Mississippi repeater and truckers using 144.100 MHz in North Dakota. He also answered questions concerning IDing on repeaters and IRLP.