ARES Letter for August 26, 2008

The ARES E-Letter
August 26, 2008
================= 

Rick Palm, K1CE, Editor

<http://www.qrz.com/database?callsign=K1CE>,

===================================
ARES reports, other related contributions, editorial questions or
comments: <k1ce@arrl.net>;;; 
===================================

+ The View from Flagler County

As this is written (Tuesday morning, August 19), Tropical Storm Fay
is starting its tour of the Florida peninsula, our ARES team is on
alert, the SKYWARN net is active, and our operators are deployed to
the county EOC. We had an emergency meeting last night of the Flagler
Emergency Communications Association (FECA), which serves as the
platform for ARES here. We are not expecting a major event, but the
potential for tornado activity is concerning as we will be in the
right upper quadrant of the storm if the projected track turns to
reality.   

Our new Section Manager Paul Eakin, KJ4G, has been at the State EOC
in Tallahassee since yesterday, releasing his sitreps to Northern
Florida DECs.  
 
A special session of the Southern Florida ARES net convened on 3940
kHz Sunday night, and demonstrated statewide communication capability
with fine inter-Sectional teamwork. Our Northern Florida ARES Net
will start on 3950 kHz this morning at 0900 EDT, and Eakin will
provide an update to check-ins. He will have additional announcements
on the Florida Midday Net on 7242 kHz, and similarly on the Northern
Florida Traffic Net on 3950 kHz tonight.

Gateway stations will be manned to meet the needs of communications
for local, city/county EM agencies should they lose communications
with the State EOC. The well-known "Tracker System" developed during
Hurricane Katrina has been revised and is now called the
"Constellation System." It has been streamlined for efficiency:
Requests for deployment of ARES operators will be made the same way,
and the issuance of numbering will flow out from the EOC via the
Northern Florida ARES staff to all hams who are deployed outside of
their normal jurisdictions. 

Wednesday evening, August 20 -- I've just finished boarding up my
house and now I'm sitting at the computer tapping out this update,
monitoring the Northern Florida emergency net frequency 3950 kHz, and
the local VHF ARES repeater. Outside, it's pelting rain, and my
anemometer shows 16 mph wind speeds, which seems low given that the
trees are rocking and rolling out there. As of now, the projection is
for Tropical Storm Fay to gain strength over open water, turn back to
the coast, and make landfall right here in Flagler county. (Thanks to
all who have sent e-mails of concern). We're shacked up here in the
house, but I've volunteered to go to the EOC, if necessary. Power is
still up, but it's only a matter of time. Batteries and candles are
on hand, the NOAA Weather Radio is on.

Now Playing in Florida Theaters: "The Thing That Wouldn't Leave,"
Starring T.S. Fay. Friday morning, August 22 -- It's pouring outside,
with whipping winds and debris in the yard and road. I filled sand
bags last night at the locao depot, and will place them at the
entrances to our home this morning. So far, we have been more
fortunate than our neighbors to the south who are undergoing
evacuations and water in their homes. Shelters throughout
east-central Florida are open, and ARES is assisting with
communications. The Crown District ARES around Jacksonville is
looking for mutual aid, and SM Paul Eakin, KJ4G, is coordinating this
effort. Currently, storm Fay is centered over Gainesville, but we are
experiencing the rain bands and winds of the northeast quadrant. Like
the Energizer Bunny, our SKYWARN/ARES Net is still running . . . and
running. 
_____________________

In This Issue:
+ The View from Flagler County
+ September is National Preparedness Month
+ Minnesota County Fair Evacuated Thanks to ARES Spots
+ ARRL Represented at FEMA Region IV, Regional Emergency
Communications  
Coordination Working Group Meetings 
+ State of Connecticut Recognizes Operator
+ LETTERS: Care Needed When Speaking to Public
+ LETTERS: What is a Ham?
+ TIPS: PocketMod
+ Frequency Planning for ARES
+ ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration: Emergency
Communications Level 1
+ OEM Hosts Connecticut City Day Special Event Station
+ ARRL Simulated Emergency Test October 4-5
+ K1CE For a Final
______________________

+ September is National Preparedness Month
 
Sign up your ARES group now for National Preparedness Month. Groups
and individuals can register to become members by visiting
<http://www.ready.gov/>, and clicking on the National Preparedness
Month banner. 
  
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said that more than 1,200
national, regional, state and local businesses and organizations have
pledged their support and joined the 2008 National Preparedness Month
Coalition. Sponsored by the department's Ready Campaign, National
Preparedness Month helps to raise awareness and promote action by
Americans, businesses, and communities on emergency preparedness. 
 
The Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps <http://www.citizencorps.gov/>
are specifically encouraging individuals across the nation to take
important preparedness steps. These steps include: getting an
emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, being informed
about the different emergencies that may affect them, as well as
taking the necessary steps to get trained and become engaged in
community preparedness and response efforts. 
  
Allen G. Pitts, W1AGP, ARRL Media and PR Manager stated: "Linking up
with the Ready.gov people and participating in September's National
Preparedness Month is an easy win. All you have to do is sign up.
Most ARES groups are already engaged in activities that fit into
their structure, so why not get credit for your actions? Of course if
you do something more with this opportunity, so much the better. Go
to <http://www.ready.gov/>, and click on the National Preparedness
Month banner." 

+ Minnesota County Fair Evacuated Thanks to ARES Spots

On August 13, 3:30 PM, severe weather moved into southwest Minnesota
from the north starting in Marshall. Coincidentally, the Murray
County ARES team had a booth at the Murray County Fair with a mobile
radio for 2 meter and HF exhibits.

As the severe weather moved in, Dan Anderson, KD0ASX, District 5 EC,
called a SKYWARN net on the Slayton repeater and served as net
control. Five trained ARES members in the field reported in. As the
storms moved south at a fast pace, the net was moved to the
Worthington repeater, which is located on the Minnesota/Iowa border.
This effected warnings for the operators in Iowa.
 
The Murray County Sheriff and the County Fair board, along with 30
other people were at our booth at the fair listening to our SKYWARN
observers. Based on their reports, the Sheriff evacuated the county
fair. The Murray County Medical Center in Slayton was also listening
to the reports, and prepared the hospital and its patients
accordingly. (Three trained hospital staff are Amateur Radio
operators).

During a rough day with two tornado warnings, the ARES/SKYWARN team
was able to provide fast weather reports to the region and warned
many people. Murray County EC Kevin Haney, KC0YKX, thanked his
operators, including Dan Anderson, KD0ASX, Arl Weinrebe, KD0BJW,
Desirae Weinrebe, KD0DWB, Rick Hansen, KD0BJY, and the Murray County
ARES team. -- Kevin Haney, KC0YKX, NREMT-B, Murray County, Minnesota
EC <http://www.MurrayCountyARES.org/>,
<http://www.LakesAreaCitizenCorps.org/>

+ ARRL Represented at FEMA Region IV, Regional Emergency
Communications Coordination Working Group Meetings 
 
The ARRL Southeastern Division leadership represented ARRL and
Amateur Radio in the FEMA Region IV, Regional Emergency
Communications Coordination (RECC) Working Group meetings near
Atlanta, Georgia. Georgia Section Manager, Susan Swiderski, AF4FO,
OOC Michael Swiderski, K4HBI, and Southeastern Division Director Greg
Sarratt, W4OZK, were in attendance at the all-important July 30
communications meetings. 
 
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, FEMA's Region IV territory
includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Region IV is FEMA's largest
geographic region, with the most common challenges being tornados,
hurricanes and other storms that can cause flooding and
flash-flooding. 
 
SM Swiderski gave a talk on MARS; OOC Swiderski discussed SHARES; and
Sarratt talked about ARRL, ARES, Amateur Radio and the value of these
assets to FEMA. 
 
Sarratt said, "We are proud to be a part of FEMA's RECC. This will
help to enhance FEMA and ARRL's working partnership. It is very
beneficial to meet many of the communications leadership of FEMA and
other agencies in the Region. These meetings fostered coordination
and learning about each other, which are critical elements before the
next disaster strikes. I was also very happy to meet several Amateur
Radio operators attending the meeting in their professional
capacities. -- Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, Director, ARRL Southeastern
Division

+ State of Connecticut Recognizes Operator

Derby, Connecticut, June 28 -- The Connecticut State General Assembly
recognized Kevin W. Cellini, N1KGM, with an Official Citation for
leadership and commitment to Emergency Management communications.
During her visit to the Derby Office of Emergency
Management-sponsored 2008 Field Day site, State Representative Linda
M. Gentile and Derby Emergency Management Director Vincent Vizzo
presented the citation.

Cellini is the Chief Communications Officer for both the Region 1
Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
(DEMHS) and the Derby Office of Emergency Management. He is the
Trustee for the CT Region 1 OEM Amateur Radio station KC1EOC. Cellini
is the founder and manager of the Connecticut Regional Test Center,
located in Trumbull. Since its inception in 1992, he has overseen the
licensing of more than 2500 Amateur Radio operators. He is a founding
member of the Greater Bridgeport ARC.

Cellini is an owner of the 441.700 MHz repeater system, a key link in
the State of Connecticut Emergency Amateur Radio Communications
Network. He is the Secretary of the Emergency Disaster Planning
Committee and a member of the Grant Writing Board for the State of
Connecticut ESF-11 Committee. He has received numerous FEMA ISC
Certifications, as well as being an American Red Cross Disaster
Response Team member. Cellini is also certified in the Management and
Planning module of the National Center for Biomedical Research and
Training Academy of Counter-Terrorism Computer Aided Management of
Emergency Operations (CAMEO) software suite, which utilizes the
latest computer techniques to model disaster site management. He was
a participant in the 2008 Hurricane Disaster Council held at Savin
Rock Conference Center, West Haven. At the request of the Director of
the Region 1 DEMHS EOC, Cellini and other key GBARC members organized
and delivered an Amateur Radio Technician course, which successfully
licensed nine Police, Fire, Animal Control, State Animal Response
Team (SART), and Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) First
Responders.

+ LETTERS: Care Needed When Speaking to Public

While it doesn't seem to be a problem in true ARES situations, too
many times in training exercises or public displays of Amateur Radio,
the "spokesman" quoted in the media reports apparently has a death
wish for ham radio.

As a member of the national ARRL PR Committee, I see far too many
reports of people saying that ham radio is "dying out," is a
"graying" hobby, we are "losing licensees," etc.  The facts simply do
not bear this out. Amateur Radio is as vibrant and living as the ham
who is doing the talking. As a community, we are adding more licenses
each year than are not being renewed, and this during the absolute
bottom of the sunspot cycle.  

Jeff Reinhart, AA6JR, coined the phrase, "Every ham is a PIO," since
every ham MAY be approached during an exercise. It is vital that
everyone understand the licensing situation and be aware of what they
say can and will be used in the paper or on TV.  

The League's PR Committee is very aware of the situation and works
hard to stay on top of the situations as they pop up, but if everyone
would just use the knowledge that we are still growing and learning
and serving, this misinformation would dwindle or stop.

I commend the ARES people who have, so far, kept this from being a
topic of discussion. It is unfortunate that others have such a
negative view of our wonderful hobby/service.

Any hobby is like a garden: You must tend it to keep the weeds away
and let it grow. We are the stewards of Amateur Radio and must look
out of the seed bed. -- Jim McDonald, KB9LEI, ARRL PR Committee,
Muncie, Indiana Public Information Officer. When All Else
Fails...Amateur Radio. Please visit: <http://www.emergency-radio.org/>

+ LETTERS: What is a Ham?

I saw an interesting poster at the recent Duke City Hamfest. It was
an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper on which was printed the following:
"Echolink is a nail in the coffin of amateur radio!" Juxtapose that
with Bob Bruninga's fascinating article in the September, 2008 QST,
entitled Maximizing the Mobile Motorist Mission. As he talks about
all the things we can do with an APRS enabled radio (Yup, I sold most
of my VHF gear and will be buying a Kenwood 710 this week), the
aggregation of wired and wireless communications to facilitate
amateur communications is breathtaking.

These two divergent opinions exemplify the debate about what our
hobby is and should be.

There are self-described purists who still believe that we should
withhold operating privileges from those who can't demonstrate Morse
proficiency. They share our precious bandwidth with people who can
communicate internationally on a hand held via IRLP.

With Fay bearing down on my kids in Florida, I'm listening to the
hurricane net on 14.325 (nothing heard), watching the Ham generated
spotting information pop up in real time on my WXSpots application
and listening to Amateur manned EOCs talk to the NHC on the WX_TALK
conference room on Echolink. Licensed Amateurs are donating their
time, talent and treasure via all of these applications. And as the
technological arts continue to evolve, Hams will likely be at the
forefront, even as the radio-only crowd contends that anything that
doesn't involve an RF carrier isn't Amateur Radio.

So here's my definition of a Ham: 

We are Communications Solutions Specialists who serve the public good
by deploying robust, survivable telecommunications systems in time of
need.

What does this mean? It means that when disaster strikes, Amateurs
are among the first on the scene to set up emergency FM repeaters,
long range low band (and satellite) communications systems and
wireless broadband networks to seamlessly interconnect emergency
services personnel and impacted citizens with the critical resources
they need to ensure health and welfare. We are the common
communication mechanism that can interconnect diverse emergency
services organizations. We can provide expertise on everything from
prorogation to CAT-5 and we have a McGyver can-do spirit that keeps
the information flow going, no matter what.

In almost all disaster situations, the traditional communications and
utility infrastructure is compromised. Hams have the technology and
the expertise to quickly deploy applications that can re-connect
effected areas with the telecom grid. It may start with FM and HF,
but our HSMM laptops can relay email, pictures, video, data and voice
communications even more effectively, using interfaces that are
familiar and easy to operate. As WB4APR reminds us, we have our own
unique text messaging infrastructure that can mirror the button
punching we do on our cell phones. With an IGate, those messages
seamlessly move from our spectrum to the light speed fiber optic
networks that are the backbone of the Internet.

When Dennis Dura, K2DCD spoke to our hamfest banquet, The ARRL's
Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager cautioned us that the
frequencies we use are worth billions to a government who likes to
sell our resources to the highest bidder. The foundation of our small
foothold in this space, he said, is Amateur Radio's unparalleled
record of community service.

This is the story we need to keep telling over and over.

Just as spark evolved to modulated carrier, Amateur Communications in
the 21st century must inevitably become an ever expanding suite of
wired and wireless applications, aggregated to best serve the public
interest, convenience and necessity.

Our hobby has room for everyone and this definition should not stop
you from banging the Vibroplex, if that's your passion. But we should
change our mindset of who we are, from Amateur Radio to Amateur
Telecom.

Hams have been connected with every technological innovation from CW
to the Internet. We will invariably be at the forefront as the
paradigms of amateur telecommunications continue to shift.

This is the magic that attracts new blood to the hobby. And it can be
the secret sauce preserves and expands the five pillars that are the
foundation of the American Radio Relay League: Public service,
advocacy, education, fellowship (membership) and technology.

Just as our neighbors call us first for advice on how to set up the
security on their Internet routers, they can also depend on us to be
there with radios, routers, antennae, solar panels, batteries and
brainpower, "when all else fails". Scott Westerman, W9WSW

+ TIPS: PocketMod

Absolutely brilliant tool! Pocketmod takes up to 8 full size pages,
turns them into a single sheet of paper, which folds into a pocket
sized booklet. <http://www.pocketmod.com/> -- Jerry Reimer, KK5CA

+ Frequency Planning for ARES

With your ARES/RACES members having their radios programmed alike,
you can count on everyone--even newcomers--to be able to get on a
particular repeater or simplex frequency in a hurry. Net control can
then direct operators to tune to a particular channel number or name,
just like the public safety agencies do, rather than announcing a
frequency, perhaps repeated two or three times, along with an offset
and a PL tone. As a net control, I find names much easier to remember
than frequency pairs.
 
We have a large number of inexperienced hams. In order to standardize
their radios and make operation easier for everyone, I developed a
frequency plan for my county's ARES group. The document, titled "The
San Joaquin County ARES VHF Frequency Plan," includes 58 channels of
which 15 channels are mission critical. The other channels include 18
regional frequencies and all two-meter simplex frequencies.

Channels 21-35 include three wide-coverage repeaters, designated ARES
1, 2, and 3. These are followed by 146.520 MHz, designated "CALL."
There are five simplex channels, SJS1-5, the initials standing for
San Joaquin Simplex. REDX is the designation for 147.420 MHz, the
informal Red Cross simplex frequency. Local club repeaters round out
the group. These 15 channels cover all the frequencies we are likely
to use during a local emergency. I selected them after asking the
clubs, talking to served agencies, and finding quiet simplex channels
through computerized monitoring. Each frequency is assigned a channel
number and name, never more than five characters in length, a
limitation necessary for alphanumeric displays.

ARES1, for example, is the primary ARES repeater for my county. LODI1
is the repeater used by the Lodi Amateur Radio Club. Their simplex
channel is designated SJS3. The Manteca Amateur Radio Club's repeater
is designated MAN1.

The next group, the regional frequencies, uses channels 41-58. This
group was based on a list provided by California State OES that
includes the frequencies used in surrounding counties. These were
added so that we are ready to offer mutual aid, but also because they
provide a link to both San Francisco and the State EOC in Sacramento.
The last group, channels 71-95, includes all the 2-meter simplex
channels and was added mostly for convenience during training
exercises. 

If people are using the channel plan, it's easy to get newcomers onto
the right frequency simply by dialing up the right memory channel. 

All simplex frequencies in the plan encode a 100 Hz PL tone. I am not
decoding it, but could do so if needed. It also helps identify radios
programmed with our plan. I use tone encode/decode on repeaters, when
possible, to reduce interference.

Some ask why there are no UHF frequencies in the plan: Mostly because
of PAVE PAWS, the government RADAR system that has forced big changes
in our area's UHF repeater line-up. But also because, and this may be
sufficient reason by itself, new hams could purchase an inexpensive
one-band radio.

Lessons Learned

Before:
1. Does a plan already exist? If so, try to make the current plan
work or at least use it as a starting point for a new plan.
2. Are you the right person to create a new plan? You need at least a
constituency and, ideally, an official position (or several) to begin
this process. If not, you're likely to end up with a great plan that
nobody uses. 
3. Do your research. Absent an existing plan, what frequencies are
being used already? Get lists from clubs and served agencies.
4. Don't expect your plan to take a short time to complete. And once
it is completed, let it age a little, then go back and make changes
before releasing it. Provide for peer review. 
 
During:
1. Everything that anyone already uses needs to be included in the
plan. Make a list of these frequencies and who uses them. Invite
everyone to take part in creating the plan. You need as many
endorsers (and eventual users) as possible.
2. Make sure you have extra simplex channels designated in your plan.
Pick a PL and encode it on all your simplex channels.
3. Don't make mistakes. At least, don't make big ones, like the PL
tones of your local repeaters or (as I did) including 146.580 MHz as
a simplex voice channel when the band plan places digital users
there.
4. Check coverage to see what can be hit from where. Document this in
the plan notes.
5. Ask for permission. Local repeater owners are key supporters.
Establish Memorandums of Understanding with them, if appropriate.
6. Include version notes, known issues, planned changes, etc., in the
"paper" versions of your plan.
7. Build a plan with the expectation it will last for many years.

After:
1. Expect to spend forever promoting your plan. Get official
endorsement wherever and whenever possible.
2. Don't make changes if you can help it. I'd rather add a channel
than change or remove an existing channel.
3. Make the available programming files for popular radios. I am
starting to do this for a variety of mobile and portable radios. I
also keep programming software for popular radios on my laptop and
carry cables with me, so I can program radios for people whenever I'm
asked to do so.

I think it's useful for ARES/RACES groups to promote a frequency plan
such as this. I hope the concepts presented will work for your group
and look forward to your comments and questions so I can make my own
plan better. -- David Coursey, N5FDL, Emergency Coordinator for San
Joaquin County, California ARES and ACS/RACES Radio Officer for the
City of Tracy, California; EMT; Mentor/Instructor, ARRL Emergency
Communications Courses 

+ ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration: Emergency
Communications Level 1

Registration remains open through Sunday, August 24, 2008 for the
course Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 1 (EC-001)
session beginning on Friday, September 5, 2008. The on-line course
has been developed in segments -- learning units with objectives,
informative text, student activities and quizzes. Courses are
interactive, and some include direct communications with a
Mentor/Instructor. Students register for a particular session that
may be 8, 12 or 16 weeks (depending on the course) and they may
access the course at any time of day during the course period,
completing lessons and activities at times convenient for their
personal schedule. Mentors assist students by answering questions,
reviewing assignments and activities, as well as providing helpful
feedback. Interaction with mentors is conducted through e-mail; there
is no appointed time the student must be present allowing complete
flexibility for the student to work when and where it is convenient.
To learn more, visit the CCE Course Listing page
<http://www.arrl.org/cce/courses.html> or contact the Continuing
Education Program Coordinator <cce@arrl.org>;. 

[Also recommended are FEMA courses IS-100, 200, 700 and 800, as
described in the last issue
<http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/IS/crslist.asp>. It is essential
that members be familiar with the ICS and NIMS environments. - ed.]

+ OEM Hosts Connecticut City Day Special Event Station

The Derby, Connecticut Office of Emergency Management (OEM), under
the direction of Vincent Vizzo, hosted the Greater Bridgeport Amateur
Radio Club (GBARC) Special Event Station at Derby Day in southwest
Connecticut. During the event, Vizzo displayed two of his mobile
emergency response communications vehicles. These vehicles provide
police, fire, remote television, emergency management command and
HF/UHF/VHF/Packet Amateur Radio communications capabilities. Members
of GBARC have been deputized as officials of the OEM's Special
Communications Unit. Together they form a partnership, which provides
seamless emergency communications throughout all of the first
responder and Amateur Radio frequencies. 

During the Derby Day event, GBARC operated a special event station
using their club call WA1RJI, and contacted 47 stations in 14 States.
During the event, Connecticut 3rd District U.S. Congresswoman Rosa
DeLauro visited the station and GBARC Public Information Officer John
G. Russo, KA1JXW, and WA1RJI Station Trustee, acted as control
operator and provided the congresswoman with a QSO to the state of
Georgia. The Congresswoman highlighted the importance of Amateur
Radio's critical public service role during natural and man made
disasters. She encouraged GBARC to continue to grow its partnership
with the Derby Office of Emergency Management, working to keep the
lines of communications open when they are most needed. -- John G.
Russo, KA1JXW, Greater Bridgeport ARC PIO

+ Simulated Emergency Test October 4-5

The venerable ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) is slated for
October 4-5 this year, although ARES groups are free to conduct their
exercises anytime between September and December for convenience. All
can participate. The exercise is not limited to ARES, but also RACES,
NTS, SKYWARN, SATERN, and other groups. 

Testing your plans and capabilities is mission critical, and the
annual SET is designed specifically for this purpose. Make sure to
participate. Individual operators should contact their ECs for
schedules and plans. 

See September 2008 QST, p. 82 for more information.

[See the September issue also for its theme of Emergency
Communications! The staff did an excellent job on this one - do not
miss it. - K1CE]

+ K1CE For a Final

My First 911 Call Ever -- As I was driving down a lonely county road
to last night's ARES meeting, I saw a billow of smoke in the woods
where a car had a second before crashed and ended up on its side
after sheering off a large pine tree. Two male passersby ran to the
car while I called 911: the dispatcher wanted to know if there were
injuries and should they send med-evac and fire assets? I glanced
again at the smoldering scene and told her to send everything they
had. The two men were panicky, trying to get the door open, while I
looked inside at the elderly couple jammed into the compacted
passenger compartment (with windshield smashed, airbags deployed).
The woman was moaning, and the man was bleeding at the forehead, but
both were awake and alert. The door was opened, we offered assurance
to the couple, and I gave my sweatshirt to the man with the
instruction to apply pressure with it to the bleeding site. I was
ready to assess the couple for the ABC's of CPR when EVAC and fire
units rolled up and took over. A horrific scene, but I was pleased
that I was able to keep calm, and think clearly about what needed to
be assessed and done: Was the vehicle stable? Was there bleeding to
be stopped? Were the victims' airway, breathing and circulation
intact?

I think the couple probably survived. Lesson Learned: ARES Operators
(and everybody, for that matter) should be certified in CPR, and
practice/train/practice and practice some more so that skills can be
effected with a cool head during the real thing.
______

A few readers expressed concerns over the announcement in the last
issue that the ARES E-Letter would be published in an HTML format.
Harold Kramer, WJ1B, the ARRL's Chief Operating Officer answered with
the following: "A plain text version of the newsletter will still be
available. The ability to run pictures, diagrams and graphics greatly
increase the amount of information that we can convey to the readers.
We do not embed the images in the newsletter. They are downloaded
separately. This is done to improve mailing and download time. Must
browsers render our HTML very consistently. If someone is running a
very old OS and browser, there might be a problem." 

Hope this allays some of the concerns! See you next month! 73, Rick
K1CE