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

