This feature is a periodic update on what the ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment covers mid-September to the end of September.

• Public Service:

• After nearly two weeks of intense effort, the Amateur Radio volunteer effort in New York City is winding down. ARRL New York City-Long Island ARES Section Emergency Coordinator Tom Carrubba, KA2D, says all ARES/RACES World Trade Center operations have ceased. The ARRLWeb Extra lead story appearing at the top of the home page news section from September 11 until October 1 gave updates and details for amateurs wishing to volunteer assistance with disaster relief communication.
• ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, First Vice President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, FCC Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, and Virginia Section Manager Carl Clements, W4CAC visited with hams at emergency communications effort at the Pentagon.
• ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, Hudson Division Director Frank Fallon, N2FF, NYC-Long Island Section Manager George Tranos, N2GA, Public Relations Committee Chair Diane Ortiz, K2DO, and ARRL Media Relations Manager Jennifer Hagy, N1TDY, visited with hams at the major sites of the recent emergency communications effort in New York City.
• New York Newsday, The Winston-Salem (North Carolina) Journal, The Jersey Journal and The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch reported Amateur Radio participation at the site of the WTC bombing. Bloomberg radio broadcast an interview with District Emergency Coordinator Charles Hargrove, N2NOV.

• Federal Communications Commission: The ARRL held an Amateur Radio Demo and Education Day at FCC Headquarters, Washington, DC, on September 18. The event provided an opportunity for FCC commissioners and staff to meet informally with ARRL representatives, and to learn more about Amateur Radio technology and issues of mutual interest.

• Development: Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart began work October 1. Her focus is creation of fundraising strategies and obtaining philanthropic support for ARRL programs.

• W1AW:

• XX Towers Inc--ARRL's tower contractor-- replaced two rotators and completed installation of VHF/UHF antennas on the satellite tower.
• Special event station W1AW/6 was hyperactive during the recent ARRL Southwestern Division Convention: 89 operators made 1350 QSOs.

• Field and Educational Services:

• New student enrollment in the Emergency Communications courses now numbers 1157. Comments are being received that this training helped prepare students for activities stemming from the terrorist attacks.
• Astronaut Frank Culbertson, KD5OPQ, handled a successful QSO with students of the Seabrook Intermediate School in Seabrook, Texas, and Altamonte Elementary School, Altamonte Springs, Florida. ARRL provides lesson plans to the teachers to assure their understanding of the technical procedures necessary to accomplish a successful contact with the space station.
• ARRL affiliated clubs can now earn $15 for each new member they recruit.

• International Amateur Radio Union Region II Meeting: ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP; First Vice President Joel Harrison, W5ZN; Executive Vice President David Sumner, K1ZZ; Technical Relations Manager Paul Rinaldo, W4RI and Technical Relations Specialist Jon Siverling, WB3ERA represented ARRL at the International Amateur Radio Union Region II XIV General Assembly in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The Guatemalan host Society CRAG has arranged for an IARU Region II special event station, TG0IARU, to operate from the Conference Headquarters in the Marriott Hotel, Guatemala City during the conference.

• International Affairs: Students from five African nations and an observer from Canada attended a week-long United States Telecommunications Training Institute/International Amateur Radio Union course on Amateur Radio Administration at ARRL Headquarters.

• Legislative Affairs: The Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions issue continues to be discussed at congressional and FCC levels; it will carry over into next congressional session. Letters from constituents are raising congressional interest.

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