ARRL OFFICIAL OBSERVER PROGRAM
South Texas Section
Official
Observer Appointment Application Information
This information is important for amateur
radio operators who desire to be appointed as an Official Observer (OO) in the
South Texas of ARRL. The Official Observer appointment isn't a job for
everybody: An OO will observe some operating that will fill him
or her with a sense of frustration. There's also no room in the program
for amateur radio operators who want to be "band cops." OOs
are not enforcers of FCC rules and regulations. OOs gain their
rewards when they're able to call an undesirable situation or practice to
the attention of an amateur radio operator who honestly wasn't aware of
it, and who is genuinely appreciative of the assistance.
There are several ways to apply for an
appointment as an ARRL Official Observer. The following is the most
efficient means of applying to become an Official Observer in the South
Texas Section:
1. Click on the Menu selection "Official Observer Information" on the Main Page of this website (or on the blue underlined words in this sentence) and read the information on the Official Observer Program. Then click "BACK" on your internet browser and return to this page.
2. Click on the Menu selection "Amateur Auxiliary of the FCC" on the Main Page of this website (or on the blue underlined words in this sentence) and read the information contained there. Then click "BACK" on your internet browser and return to this page for additional information.
3. Additional qualification requirements for new Official Observers in the South Texas Section include having at least four years as a licensed amateur radio operator and hold a General, Advanced or Extra Class amateur radio operator license.
4. New Official Observers in the South Texas Section are appointed with a probationary period. The reason for this is to assist the new OO in some areas that are sometimes misunderstood from the OO Manual. The normal probationary period in the South Texas Section is one year. During that time the new OO sends all OO cards (FSD-213) "Official Observer Advisory Notice" and FSD-15 "Good Operator Report" to the Official Observer Coordinator (OOC) to look at them and offer any possible suggests on the wording of the message, if applicable. The OOC will then mail the card(s) to the individual(s). However, when an OO has demonstrated that he/she understands the appropriate requirements (to include the monthly reporting activity which is mandatory between the first and the 10th of each month) the probation may be removed early and the OO can begin to send the cards directly to the individual(s) concerned. During the probationary period, either the OOC or the new OO may decide that the OO program isn't really workable for the new OO and the appointment can be discontinued by either party. Of course, upon approval you will be sent a Manual and a comprehensive 20 question multiple choice examination for an open book test which you must pass before receiving your Official Observer materials. Once an OO has been certified, there is a section on this website for OOs-only that is password protected to which only STX OOs have access. You will be contacted and sent your Username and asked to select a Password of at least 6 characters (that does not include your call sign) that will allow you to enter that particular section. This restricted Directory on the STX OO website contains the roster of STX OOs, monitoring tips, violation issues and much more that is not available to the general public. You will also be added to the South Texas Official Observers (STOO) Reflector on "Yahoo" so you can receive activity report reminders and other information. This Reflector is restricted to STX OOs only.
5. In order to continue an appointment as an Official Observer in the South Texas Section, OOs must comply with the policies of the ARRL Official Observer Program and the South Texas Section Official Observer policies and submit the monthly OO monitoring activity report (preferably as an attachment to an email) to the OOC. (An MS WORD report template is available in the OO-Only Directory of this website.)
6. Although an application could
be obtained from ARRL that you could could complete and mail to ARRL
Field Services, the fastest method of application is
to make application through the ARRL "On-Line" Application
Form. The ARRL then sends the application information to the Section
Manager and Official Observer Coordinator for
possible approval. The South Texas Section Manager has
delegated approval to the STX OOC. If you choose make
application, click on the
following link to the application:
Main
Page