[amsat-bb] Re: VUCC Fees - Dayton Hamvention

[John Geiger]

If you can't make Dayton, the ARRL National Convention is at Hamcomm this 
year in Dallas. I am sure plenty of ARRL officials will be there.  Let them 
know the inequities with the VUCC fees as well.  An email campaign couldn't 
hurt either.  I have held off applying for 6m and satellite endorsements 
until this gets figured out because I can't afford the endorsements at the 
current rate.

73s John AA5JG
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Papay" <john at papays.com>
To: <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2011 3:02 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] VUCC Fees - Dayton Hamvention


> If you are planning on going to Dayton, please take
> some time to visit the ARRL area not far from the AMSAT
> booth.  Seek out the highest ranking officials you can find
> and talk with them about the VUCC program and LOTW.
>
> The fee schedule for VUCC applications, both paper and LOTW,
> released back in mid January has not changed to my knowledge.
> Very little has been said about this issue to date.  The fees
> were excessive and if continued, would have a negative impact
> on the VUCC program.
>
> You can talk about the high cost of an application but there is
> nothing like comparing it to the cost of a similar DXCC application.
> When you do that, it is apparent that something is not right.  I
> prepared a one sheet comparison of three typical VUCC vs DXCC
> applications to give to ARRL officials at the Orlando Hamcation.
> Newington was not present at Orlando but the Florida Director was
> and got a copy.  I have uploaded my comparison to my website.  Please
> print some copies, put them in your hamfest bag and give them to
> those you talk with at the ARRL.  The more League officials that see
> this, the better chance we have of getting these fees reduced and in
> line with DXCC application fees.
>
>    Download the comparison at:  http://www.papays.com/vuccfees2011.pdf
>
> There are many issues with the VUCC program other than fees.  I made
> an application back in mid January, two days after the new few schedule
> appear on arrl.org.  It was processed and my totals appeared on my LOTW
> page.  Last week I received the endorsement stickers but have yet to
> receive the "VUCC Grid Report" which lists all of your confirmed girds
> on the left side of the pages and has space on the right side for you
> to list the new grids you are applying for credit.  Without this sheet,
> you cannot file for another endorsement via an Awards Manager (card 
> checker)
> or by sending them to the League.  I know that they have been having
> problems with implementing VUCC in LOTW, but the lack of information about
> the status of the VUCC Program is troubling.  The new website was supposed
> to help disseminate information faster but it is not working in the case.
> As ARRL members we should be kept informed of the VUCC issues, status and
> timelines.  This is another great point to discuss with ARRL officials.
>
> Hope to see many of you at the Hamvention.
>
> 73,
> John K8YSE
>
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