Pecuniary Interest????
 

NEWINGTON, CT, Sep 2, 2005--The Corporation for National and Community
Service (CNCS) will provide a $100,000 grant supplement to ARRL to
support Amateur Radio's emergency communication operators in states
affected by Hurricane Katrina. The grant will help to fund "Ham Aid," a
new League program to support Amateur Radio volunteers deployed in the
field in disaster-stricken areas. ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary
Hobart, K1MMH, expressed gratitude to CNCS for its generous response.
Ham Aid, she said, offers a unique opportunity to support individual
radio amateurs helping to bridge the communication gap Hurricane
Katrina has caused.

"For the first time in ARRL history, we will be able to reimburse some
of the expenses that hams incur in response to a disaster," she said.
"We only wish that we could justify an expense reimbursement program
like this every time Amateur Radio Emergency Service volunteers are
called upon to help in a disaster or emergency, sometimes placing
themselves in harm's way."

In addition to providing emergency communication within and outside the
affected areas, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) members and
individual radio amateurs are supplementing the communication needs of
emergency management and relief agencies, including the American Red
Cross and The Salvation Army. Hobart said it's only due to the scope of
the unprecedented and tragic Katrina disaster that CNCS agreed to help
support dedicated Amateur Radio volunteers.

"But," she added, "we'd like to think of this grant as a token of
appreciation and a recognition of Amateur Radio's value in past
emergencies and disasters, such as 9/11."

Hobart says ARRL's Ham Aid program already has received some
substantial private donations. Those and the CNCS grant, she said,
provide a way for the League to "support our Field Organization as
never before."

The CNCS Ham Aid grant is effective for operations established and
documented as of September 1, 2005, and the aid is earmarked for
Hurricane Katrina deployments only at this point. Guidelines are being
established that will permit volunteers who have been involved in bona
fide field support operations on or after September 1 to provide
communication support to apply for a reimbursement voucher on a per
diem basis.

Trained Amateur Radio operators will be on site for the duration of
this disaster response, which could run into several weeks or months.
"Many will leave their jobs and families and travel on their own
expense, using their own equipment," Hobart points out.

Corporation funds may also sustain the Ham Aid program and help to
rebuild the emergency communications capabilities in Louisiana,
Mississippi and Alabama to ensure that the Gulf Coast is prepared,
should disaster strike again.

The CNCS grant is an extension of ARRL's three year Homeland Security
training grant, which has provided certification in emergency
communication protocols to nearly 5500 Amateur Radio volunteer over the
past three years.

"CNCS grants helped make it possible for the ARRL to train America's
hams and make them the best all-volunteer emergency radio service ever
seen," Hobart said. "Now they are making it possible for the hams to
use that training."

"N9OGL" wrote


"For the first time in ARRL history, we will be able to reimburse some
of the expenses that hams incur in response to a disaster," she said.
"We only wish that we could justify an expense reimbursement program
like this every time Amateur Radio Emergency Service volunteers are
called upon to help in a disaster or emergency, sometimes placing
themselves in harm's way."


I think the $100,000 grant should be redirected to victim needs. I'm sure it's
strictly legal, but I'd personally not be comfortable accepting reimbursement
for volunteer activities of this nature, even if the funds came from private
donations or ARRL reserves and not from tax dollars.

K0CKB and I have assembled a capable portable station, and we can provide our
own living facilities and power (RV & generator) in case our help is needed. We
might add additional diesel fuel capacity to increase our range, but certainly
would not expect the government/ARRL to cover that expense.

73, de Hans, K0HB

I had always thought it was expressly forbidden to accept any
compensation for our activiites as Hams, the correctness of that rule
being a another matter

"an_old_friend" wrote

I had always thought it was expressly forbidden to accept any
compensation for our activiites as Hams.

That's true. But in this case there is no compensation for operation; rather
expense reimbursement(food?/transportation?/lodging?). This would be similar to
being given a plane ticket, food and lodging vouchers, and sent to provide your
volunteer services, without any compensation for those services.

That distinction covers the legalities which I'm sure both CNCS and ARRL lawyers
have examined. All that said, at a more basic personal level I'd be
uncomfortable taking this reimbursement, preferring to just let the expenses be
part of my (tax deductible) contribution to the recovery effort.

73, de Hans, K0HB

From the FCC Rule Book: Complete Guide to the FCC Regulations Governing
Amateur Radio; edited by Norm Bliss,WA1CCQ, Published by the ARRL

Chapter 4, Page 4-2 Direct and Indirect Payment


"You must never accept any money or other consideration for operating
your station [97.113(a)(2)]. this is consistent with one of the prime
directives of our serice:

"Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service
to the public as a voluntary, noncommercial communication service,
particularly with respect providing emergency communication" (emphasis
added) [97.1(a)]

If you club is providing communications support to the town of Needham
for a parade, you cannot accept their offer of payment for your work.
You are volunteers, providing a community service on a non-commercial
basis, period
You should never accept anything for your Amateur Radio operating.
The FCC prohibits operation of an amateur station "for hire, or
material compensation, direct or indirect, paid or promised"
[97.113(a)(2)] This includes direct payment (money, goods, food, and so
on) and indirect payment (publicity, advertising, and so on)."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It rather funny that K1MAN get's fined $21,000 for Pecuniary Interest
and the ARRL is allowed to do this. What go for one person should apply
to all. The ARRL should be fined by the FCC for doing this!


Todd N9OGL

"N9OGL" wrote


"You must never accept any money or other consideration for operating
your station [97.113(a)(2)]. this is consistent with one of the prime
directives of our serice:


I understand your concern, but the grant does not provide payment for operating;
it provides reimbursement for expenses.

The distinction isn't all that subtle --- consider this: If the government gave
you a plane ticket, lodged you in a hotel, and provided your meals so you could
operate a station in the disaster area, would you consider this "compensation"?
In this case, rather than provide those items "in kind", the government has made
a grant which covers exactly those same expenses after the fact.

I personally wish the money was spent on grants to actual victims, but I can't
find anyone being paid "any money or other consideration for operating".

73, de Hans, K0HB

Let us hope the newbies are smart enough to see the graft and corruption
which has entered arrl (and been there growing for decades) and just say
"HELL NO!"

John

On Sun, 04 Sep 2005 11:37:48 -0700, N9OGL wrote:

NEWINGTON, CT, Sep 2, 2005--The Corporation for National and Community
Service (CNCS) will provide a $100,000 grant supplement to ARRL to
support Amateur Radio's emergency communication operators in states
affected by Hurricane Katrina. The grant will help to fund "Ham Aid," a
new League program to support Amateur Radio volunteers deployed in the
field in disaster-stricken areas. ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary
Hobart, K1MMH, expressed gratitude to CNCS for its generous response.
Ham Aid, she said, offers a unique opportunity to support individual
radio amateurs helping to bridge the communication gap Hurricane
Katrina has caused.

"For the first time in ARRL history, we will be able to reimburse some
of the expenses that hams incur in response to a disaster," she said.
"We only wish that we could justify an expense reimbursement program
like this every time Amateur Radio Emergency Service volunteers are
called upon to help in a disaster or emergency, sometimes placing
themselves in harm's way."

In addition to providing emergency communication within and outside the
affected areas, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) members and
individual radio amateurs are supplementing the communication needs of
emergency management and relief agencies, including the American Red
Cross and The Salvation Army. Hobart said it's only due to the scope of
the unprecedented and tragic Katrina disaster that CNCS agreed to help
support dedicated Amateur Radio volunteers.

"But," she added, "we'd like to think of this grant as a token of
appreciation and a recognition of Amateur Radio's value in past
emergencies and disasters, such as 9/11."

Hobart says ARRL's Ham Aid program already has received some
substantial private donations. Those and the CNCS grant, she said,
provide a way for the League to "support our Field Organization as
never before."

The CNCS Ham Aid grant is effective for operations established and
documented as of September 1, 2005, and the aid is earmarked for
Hurricane Katrina deployments only at this point. Guidelines are being
established that will permit volunteers who have been involved in bona
fide field support operations on or after September 1 to provide
communication support to apply for a reimbursement voucher on a per
diem basis.

Trained Amateur Radio operators will be on site for the duration of
this disaster response, which could run into several weeks or months.
"Many will leave their jobs and families and travel on their own
expense, using their own equipment," Hobart points out.

Corporation funds may also sustain the Ham Aid program and help to
rebuild the emergency communications capabilities in Louisiana,
Mississippi and Alabama to ensure that the Gulf Coast is prepared,
should disaster strike again.

The CNCS grant is an extension of ARRL's three year Homeland Security
training grant, which has provided certification in emergency
communication protocols to nearly 5500 Amateur Radio volunteer over the
past three years.

"CNCS grants helped make it possible for the ARRL to train America's
hams and make them the best all-volunteer emergency radio service ever
seen," Hobart said. "Now they are making it possible for the hams to
use that training."

"N9OGL" wrote in message
oups.com...
: From the FCC Rule Book: Complete Guide to the FCC Regulations Governing
: Amateur Radio; edited by Norm Bliss,WA1CCQ, Published by the ARRL
:
: Chapter 4, Page 4-2 Direct and Indirect Payment
:
:
: "You must never accept any money or other consideration for operating
: your station [97.113(a)(2)]. this is consistent with one of the prime
: directives of our serice:
:
: "Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service
: to the public as a voluntary, noncommercial communication service,
: particularly with respect providing emergency communication" (emphasis
: added) [97.1(a)]
:
: If you club is providing communications support to the town of Needham
: for a parade, you cannot accept their offer of payment for your work.
: You are volunteers, providing a community service on a non-commercial
: basis, period
: You should never accept anything for your Amateur Radio operating.
: The FCC prohibits operation of an amateur station "for hire, or
: material compensation, direct or indirect, paid or promised"
: [97.113(a)(2)] This includes direct payment (money, goods, food, and so
: on) and indirect payment (publicity, advertising, and so on)."
:
: --------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------


As a matter of practical curiousness from an outside view, have you ability
to afford to go there with your station for several weeks and pay your own
life expenses?

If so, why you have not done so?

If not, would you volunteer to go if your government provided travel and
food and shelter expenses?


BGO
--
"I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: "O Lord,
make my enemies ridiculous." And God granted it."
- Voltaire

K=D8HB wrote:
"an_old_friend" wrote

I had always thought it was expressly forbidden to accept any
compensation for our activiites as Hams.

That's true. But in this case there is no compensation for operation; ra=
ther
expense reimbursement(food?/transportation?/lodging?). This would be sim=
ilar to
being given a plane ticket, food and lodging vouchers, and sent to provid=
e your
volunteer services, without any compensation for those services.

That distinction covers the legalities which I'm sure both CNCS and ARRL =
lawyers
have examined. All that said, at a more basic personal level I'd be
uncomfortable taking this reimbursement, preferring to just let the expen=
ses be
part of my (tax deductible) contribution to the recovery effort.

I am sure the Lawyers have looked at it. I also know that you can
normaly find support for about anything in the body of legal precedent.


But like Todd I find it troubleing when laid next to K1MAN
=20
73, de Hans, K0HB

K=D8HB wrote:
"N9OGL" wrote


"You must never accept any money or other consideration for operating
your station [97.113(a)(2)]. this is consistent with one of the prime
directives of our serice:


I understand your concern, but the grant does not provide payment for ope=
rating;
it provides reimbursement for expenses.

but you cut the perant paragraph Hans being re qutoed below

97.113(a)(2)] This includes direct payment (money, goods, food, and so
on) and indirect payment (publicity, advertising, and so on)."



The distinction isn't all that subtle --- consider this: If the governme=
nt gave
you a plane ticket, lodged you in a hotel, and provided your meals so you=
could
operate a station in the disaster area, would you consider this "compensa=
tion"?
In this case, rather than provide those items "in kind", the government h=
as made
a grant which covers exactly those same expenses after the fact.

based on what has been published by the ARRL for years yes I would say
it was compensation. I have never thought that type of rule was proper,
but I have and do feel that those are the rules

I personally wish the money was spent on grants to actual victims, but I =
can't
find anyone being paid "any money or other consideration for operating".
=20
73, de Hans, K0HB