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N9PMO > LETTER 23.12.16 09:08l 668 Lines 29509 Bytes #999 (0) @ ARRL
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National Parks on the Air Contact Tally Tops 1 Million!
The Digital Edition of January QST Now Available on New PageSuite
Platform
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to Step Down in January
The Doctor Will See You Now!
National Parks on the Air Update
Hawaii Amateur Radio Volunteers Assist Honolulu Marathon
Commemorative Fessenden Christmas Eve 600-Meter Transmissions Set
Christmas Eve SAQ Alexanderson Alternator Transmission Set
Santa Turns to Remote Operating to Boost Radio Coverage of North
America
Eleven US Schools, Organizations vance to Next Stage of ARISS Ham
Contact Selection
German Radio Amateurs Gain Access to 60-Meter Band
Chinese Over-the-Horizon Radar QRMing Low End of 40 Meters
Past AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, SK
In Brief...
The K7RA Solar Update
Just Ahead in Radiosport
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
ARRL Holiday Closings: ARRL Headquarters will be closed for the
holidays on December 26 and January 2. There will be no W1AW code
practice or bulletin transmissions on those days. This is the final
edition of The ARRL Letter for 2016. The ARRL Letter will not publish
on December 29. ARRL Audio News will be on holiday hiatus on December
23 and 30. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!
National Parks on the Air Contact Tally Tops 1 Million!
Participants in ARRL's National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) program have
completed more than 1 million contacts! Activators operating from
National Park Service units across the US and Chasers around the world
pushed the contact tally over its goal this week. ARRL sponsored NPOTA
to help the National Park Service celebrate its centennial.
"National Parks on the Air has become one of the most popular events
in the history of the League," NPOTA ministrator Sean Kutzko, KX9X,
said. "It's been fun seeing so many hams take part."
Anthony Wiese, KG6LHW, operates from John Day Fossil Beds National
Monument in Oregon, accompanied by his wife, Aleda Cloud.
Kutzko said the NPOTA Facebook group really helped drive
participation, especially in the last 3 months, when it became clear
that the 1 million-QSO goal was within reach. "Some 25,000 NPOTA
contacts were uploaded to Logbook of The World (LoTW) every week since
October," he noted. "The entire group came together and simply willed
the 1 million-contact mark to be broken. It was incredible to watch!"
He said some real friendships developed among those who frequented the
NPOTA Facebook page.
Those taking part in NPOTA made nearly 20,000 visits to 460 of the 489
NPS units eligible for NPOTA credit, including portions of the
National Trails System and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Nearly 150 Chasers completed contacts with more than 400 of the 489
NPOTA units this year, while one Activator transmitted from more than
250 different NPS units in 2016. Kutzko said the activations
effectively transported those National Park Service units via radio to
all 50 states and more than 100 countries during 2016.
Kutzko said NPOTA garnered interest from hams at all proficiency
levels, but he was especially gratified to see how it encouraged
less-experienced hams to acquire new skills, such as operating a
portable station on battery power, learning CW, or discovering digital
modes. "Pileups from some activations rivaled those during a major
DXpedition -- if only for a few hours at a time," he added.
Fernando Ramirez-Ferrer, NP4JV, enjoyed the majesty of Grand Canyon
National Park while handing out some NPOTA contacts via satellite.
Jim Clark, Jr., an NPS Ranger at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National
Historic Site in Vermont, said NPOTA helped to generate greater
awareness of his unit. "National Parks on the Air has afforded us the
opportunity to connect with a much larger and more diverse audience
than we could have ever imagined," he told ARRL. "We are pleased and
proud that the world of Amateur Radio helped us to celebrate 100 years
of service to the nation."
Kutzko said being able to blend Amateur Radio with the history and
scenery offered by the National Park Service was a wonderful gift. "We
heard from countless amateurs who learned something about our country
while operating from an NPS unit and experiencing 'the other side' of
a pileup. There will be other on-air events from ARRL, but National
Parks on the Air was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I don't think
there will ever be anything quite like it in Amateur Radio again. I
will miss it."
NPOTA ends on December 31 at 2359 UTC!
The Digital Edition of January QST Now Available on New PageSuite
Platform
The digital edition of the January 2017 issue of QST is now available
on the new PageSuite platform. The new viewing platform brings a
number of changes, so members are advised to download and read the QST
PageSuite Manual.
If you view the digital edition of QST on an Apple smartphone or
tablet, update your current QST app. In the App Store app, tap the
Updates icon in the menu along the bottom, scroll until you see the
QST app, and then tap UPDATE. This will overwrite the older app with
the new PageSuite version.
If you are an Android user, you will also need to update your current
QST app. For both Apple and Android devices, updating to the new
PageSuite app will clear your device of all previously downloaded QST
issues.
Finally, Kindle Fire users will be pleased to learn that there is a
now a QST app for their device. Search for the QST app in the Kindle
Fire app store.
Important note: If prompted to enter an e-mail address upon signing
into either the desktop version of Digital QST or the app, enter your
ARRL website username instead.
In the January issue . . .
Build a high-voltage, lightweight power supply.
Put a Yaesu FT-817 transceiver on 222 MHz.
d squelch delay lights to your station.
Try an Arduino CW IDer.
Build a motorized telescoping mast.
d software-defined radio technology to your existing transceiver.
...and much more!
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to Step Down in January
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has announced that he will step down in
January, when President Barack Obama's term ends. An Obama appointee,
Wheeler has headed the Commission for 3 years.
Outgoing FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler.
"Sitting in this chair has been the greatest privilege of my
professional career," Wheeler said on December 15, during his final
FCC monthly open meeting. "I'm grateful to President Obama for the
opportunity to serve and for the confidence he placed in me....It has
been a privilege to work with my fellow Commissioners to help protect
consumers, strengthen public safety and cybersecurity, and ensure
fast, fair, and open networks for all Americans."
Wheeler was a staunch proponent of the FCC's net neutrality policy,
which has been opposed by conservatives as government overreach.
When Wheeler departs on January 20, the FCC will be left with two
Republicans -- Ajit Pai and Michael O'Rielly -- and one Democrat --
Mignon Clyburn, whose term ends in mid-2017. Democratic commissioner
Jessica Rosenworcel failed to gain confirmation for another term
before Congress adjourned and is expected to depart by year's end. The
FCC's five commissioners are appointed by the president, the political
balance favoring the party holding the White House.
The Doctor Will See You Now!
"Antenna System Troubleshooting" is the topic of the latest (December
15) episode of the "ARRL The Doctor is In" podcast. Listen...and
learn!
Sponsored by DX Engineering, "ARRL The Doctor is In" is an informative
discussion of all things technical. Listen on your computer, tablet,
or smartphone -- whenever and wherever you like!
Every 2 weeks, your host, QST Editor-in-Chief Steve Ford, WB8IMY, and
the Doctor himself, Joel Hallas, W1ZR, will discuss a broad range of
technical topics. You can also e-mail your questions to
doctor@arrl.org, and the Doctor may answer them in a future podcast.
Enjoy "ARRL The Doctor is In" on Apple iTunes, or by using your iPhone
or iPad podcast app (just search for "ARRL The Doctor is In"). You can
also listen online at Blubrry, or at Stitcher (free registration
required, or browse the site as a guest) and through the free Stitcher
app for iOS, Kindle, or Android devices.
If you've never listened to a podcast before, download our beginner's
guide. Just ahead on December 29, "Restoring Old Radios."
National Parks on the Air Update
With 1 million contacts now in the log for ARRL's National Parks on
the Air program, the NPOTA community has its eyes focused on a new
target: 20,000 activations of NPS units. With 19,200 already in the
books, NPOTA Activators will make a big push to get on the air from
NPS units all across the country in a final dash to the finish line.
Get in on the action as NPOTA ends with a roar on December 31!
More than 80 activations are scheduled for the days remaining,
including more than 20 on New Year's Eve, and the number is expected
to grow. Listen for activations from Fort Matanzas National Monument
in Florida, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park in Ohio, Castle
Mountains National Monument in California, and Weir Farm National
Historic Site in Connecticut, among many others. Don't miss your last
chance to get involved with National Parks on the Air!
Details about all upcoming activations are on the NPOTA activations
calendar. Keep up with the latest NPOTA news on Facebook. Follow NPOTA
on Twitter (@ARRL_NPOTA).
Hawaii Amateur Radio Volunteers Assist Honolulu Marathon
Nearly 3 dozen Amateur Radio volunteers in Hawaii were up bright and
early on Sunday, December 11, to support the 44th running of the
Honolulu Marathon. The fourth largest marathon in the US attracts
around 30,000 participants each year. The ham volunteers communicate
vital information among race organizers, aid stations, transportation
vehicles, and law enforcement, as well as at the finish line.
Glenn Martinez, AH6VF, was on the scene at 3:15 AM to set up at the
finish line.
"I participated in the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Honolulu Marathons as a
ham radio operator," said volunteer Clem Jung, KH7HO. "I thought this
year was the best run, and we had the most hams participating." The 35
Amateur Radio volunteers supported communication on 2 meters and 70
centimeters, and some served as operators for non-amateur digital
systems.
Radio amateurs provided vital communication from vans and aid stations
to the medical tent, where concerns ranged from a head injury to
cramps and stomach pains. Amateur Radio volunteers ensured that the
aid station and medical teams were ready to treat anyone needing help.
Ralph Toyama, NH6PY, handled the critical role of net control station
(NCS), and the ham radio volunteers kept him apprised of medical van
locations, so the NCS could dispatch them where and when needed.
Some Amateur Radio volunteers put in an 18-hour day for the marathon,
remaining on duty until the last participant completed the 26.2-mile
run. -- Thanks to ARRL PIO Stacy Holbrook, KH6OWL
Commemorative Fessenden Christmas Eve 600-Meter Transmissions Set
Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, of Forest, Virginia, will once again put his
600-meter experimental station on the air for a Christmas Eve
commemorative transmission. The transmissions from WI2XLQ on 486 kHz
will mark the 110th anniversary of Reginald Fessenden's audio
broadcast on the airwaves, which may have been the first ever.
Historical accounts say Fessenden played the violin -- or a recording
of violin music -- and read a brief Bible verse. It's been reported
that other radio experimenters and shipboard operators who heard
Fessenden's broadcast were astounded to hear speech and music on their
radios.
Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, built this replica of a 1920s MOPA transmitter
using mostly vintage parts. [Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, photo]
Justin will use a MOPA-design transmitter built largely with vintage
parts to replicate early vacuum-tube equipment; not a Fessenden-period
transmitter, it uses a UV-202 tube for the power amplifier. He will
conduct a run-up to the event starting at around midday Eastern Time
on Friday, December 23. The "official" event will begin on Christmas
Eve, Saturday, December 24, at 0001 UTC (the evening of December 23 in
US time zones) and will continue for at least 24 hours. Justin plans
to repeat the commemorative transmissions on New Year's Eve and New
Year's Day.
For his transmitter in 1906, Fessenden used an ac alternator modulated
by placing carbon microphones in series with the antenna feed line.
Justin's homebuilt station is slightly more modern, based on a 1921
vacuum tube master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) design. The
transmitter also uses Heising AM modulation, developed by Raymond
Heising during World War I.
Justin's WI2XLQ on-air operations coincide with dates in early radio
history as a way to recognize and honor some of the earliest wireless
pioneers and their achievements. Send listener reports directly to
Brian Justin, WA1ZMS.
Christmas Eve SAQ Alexanderson Alternator Transmission Set
The Alexander Association plans to have Alexanderson alternator
transmitter SAQ on the air for its traditional Christmas Eve
transmission. The 200 kW Alexanderson alternator will transmit on 17.2
kHz on the morning of Christmas Eve, December 24, with tune-up at
around 0730 UTC, and the message transmission following at 0800 UTC.
"Since the plant is old, there is always the risk that the
transmission will be cancelled on short notice," the Association said
in an announcement. Repairs following an early October fire in the
long-wave antenna (attributed to arcing) had put this year's Christmas
Eve transmission in jeopardy. Dating from the 1900s, the Alexanderson
alternator -- essentially an ac generator run at extremely high speed
-- can put out 200 kW but typically is operated at much lower power.
Once providing reliable transatlantic communication, it is now a
museum piece and only put on the air on special occasions. It was
built in the 1920s.
Christmas Eve activity will also take place on Amateur Radio
frequencies from SK6SAQ on or about 7.035 and 14.035 MHz (CW). Send
reception reports of SAQ or SK6SAQ. -- Thanks to Lars Kalland, SM6NM
Santa Turns to Remote Operating to Boost Radio Coverage of North
America
The word from Santa Claus World near the North Pole in Finland is that
the elves at OF9X will try remote operating to generate more contacts
in North America. So far, OF9X has logged more than 20,000 contacts,
but only 1,200 of them have been with US radio amateurs.
"Efforts are continuing toward doubling that number, and more
firepower is being added to the OF9X US script," a statement said this
week. "Santa will arrive on American soil, activating W1/OF9X from New
Hampshire. When finally boarding his sleigh, he will say goodbye to
America as W7/OF9X from Tacoma, Washington. Working Santa from these
two sites adds 25 points each to the Santa Award program, to
compensate for Mother Nature's poor propagation."
More information is on the OF9X QRZ.com profile. -- Thanks to Martti
Laine, OH2BH
Eleven US Schools, Organizations vance to Next Stage of ARISS Ham
Contact Selection
ARRL and AMSAT -- the US managing partners of the Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station (ARISS) program -- have announced that 11
schools or organizations submitting proposals have been selected to
advance to the next stage of planning to host scheduled Amateur Radio
contacts with ISS crew members next year. ARISS's primary goal is to
engage young people in science, technology, engineering, and math
(STEM) activities and raise awareness of space exploration, radio
communications, and related areas of study and career possibilities.
ARISS anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling
opportunities for these US host organizations during the second half
of 2017. The 11 candidate schools/organizations must now complete an
acceptable equipment plan that demonstrates their ability to execute
the ham radio contact. Once their equipment plan is approved by the
ARISS technical team, the final selected schools/organizations will be
scheduled as their availability and flexibility match up with NASA
scheduling opportunities.
The schools and organizations are:
2017 Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree, Glen Jean, West Virginia
Antietam Elementary School, Woodbridge, Virginia
Bishop Hendricken High School, Warwick, Rhode Island
Chiddix Junior High School, Normal, Illinois
Fleet Science Center, BE WiSE Program, San Diego, California
Frontiers of Flight Museum, Dallas, Texas
Heart of America Council, Boy Scouts of America, Kansas City, Missouri
Los Angeles Academy Middle School, Los Angeles, California
Meadows Elementary School, Manhattan Beach, California
South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, West Palm Beach, Florida
West Virginia University, Lane Department of Computer Science &
Electrical Engineering, Morgantown, West Virginia
German Radio Amateurs Gain Access to 60-Meter Band
On December 21, Amateur Radio operators in Germany gained access to
the band 5.351.5 to 5.366.5 MHz with 15 W EIRP, and a maximum
bandwidth of 2.7 kHz. Access applies to Class A licensees. Amateur
Radio is secondary on 60 meters.
The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) called users' attention to the
IARU Region 1 band plan for 60 meters, which recommends CW and digital
modes, maximum bandwidth of 200 Hz, from 5.351.5 to 5.354.0 MHz; all
modes, maximum bandwidth of 2. 7 kHz (use USB for SSB), from 5.354.0
to 5.366.0 MHz, and all modes, maximum bandwidth of 20 Hz "with the
least power," from 5.366.0 to 5.366.5 MHz.
"Because a lot of radio amateurs must share this narrow 15 kHz band,
everyone should keep transmissions short and avoid lengthy ragchews,"
the DARC advised in announcing access to the new allocation.
Other countries are expected to grant access to the new, 15 kHz
60-meter band when the Final Acts of World Radiocommunication
Conference 2015, which made the allocation available to Amateur Radio,
go into effect on January 1, but the US will not be among them; the
FCC has yet to allow Amateur Radio access to 60 meters beyond the five
discrete channels already available.
Chinese Over-the-Horizon Radar QRMing Low End of 40 Meters
The IARU Region 1 (IARU-R1) Monitoring System newsletter reports that
one of China's HF Over-the-Horizon radars (OTH-R) has been
transmitting on 6.999 MHz, impinging on the very low end of the
40-meter band.
Waveform of the Chinese OTH radar on 6.999 MHz, taken by Wolf Hadel,
DK2OM.
As the newsletter reported: "A jumping Chinese OTH radar covered the
CW DX-edge of our exclusive 7 MHz band on November 17 at about 1500
UTC and later (long lasting)." The signal was 67 sweeps per second
with a 10 kHz bandwidth.
Elsewhere on 40 meters, military ALE transmissions have been heard
from Kyrgyzstan on 7050.0 kHz. IARUMS also reports that the Australian
Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) has been heard on 10.131 MHz
in the amateur 30-meter band; Amateur Radio is secondary on 30 meters.
Radio Eritrea appeared in November on 7180 kHz together with white
noise from Ethiopia. The frequencies 7146.5, 7175, and 7185 kHz were
reported to be still in use as well.
Reports of Amateur Radio band intruders may be logged on the IARU
Region 1 Monitoring System logger.
Past AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, SK
Past AMSAT-NA President Frank Robert "Robin" Haighton, VE3FRH, of
Burlington, Ontario, died on December 2, after suffering a stroke in
late November. A Life Member of Radio Amateurs of Canada and a member
of ARRL, he was 79. Haighton served as AMSAT-NA president from 2000
until 2004, succeeding Keith Baker, KB1SF. Prior to that, he was an
AMSAT executive vice president and a longtime member of the Board of
Directors. As a founding member of the Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station (ARISS) project, he was one of two
delegates from Canada.
"Robin contributed significantly to ARISS through his ideas, guidance,
and wise counsel," said AMSAT Vice President for Human Spaceflight and
ARISS-International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO. "He challenged members
of our team to look at things in a different perspective. As a result
of his sage advice, we were able to work through these issues and
arrive at a common approach, both in developing and delivering ARISS
hardware as well as supporting the technical mentoring of schools and
local hams."
During his tenure as AMSAT president and Board member, Haighton guided
the organization through the launch -- and subsequent anomalies --
with the Phase 3D satellite, later AO-40 -- the most expensive and
elaborate amateur satellite project in history. He was also
instrumental in the subsequent development and launch of AO-51, one of
the so-called "easy sats." Read more. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service
for some information
In Brief...
Ring in the New Year with Straight Key Night: Every day is a good day
to operate on CW, but set some time aside on New Year's Eve and Day to
enjoy Straight Key Night (SKN). The annual event begins at 0000 UTC on
January 1, 2017 (New Year's Eve in US time zones). The 24-hour event
is not a contest, but a day dedicated to celebrating Amateur Radio's
CW heritage. Participants are encouraged to get on the air and simply
enjoy conversational CW contacts, preferably using a straight (hand)
key or a semi-automatic key (bug). Activity traditionally centers on
CW segments in the HF bands. There are no points or obligatory
exchange. The only requirement is to have fun! Send a SKN list of
stations worked and your vote for "Best Fist" and "Most Interesting
QSO" by January 31.
AMSAT CW Activity Day is January 1 (UTC): AMSAT CW Activity Day --
formerly Satellite Straight Key Night -- will take place on January 1,
2017 (UTC) and run for 24 hours. As with the old Straight Key Night,
this is a fun event, not a contest, and there is no required exchange.
All forms of CW are welcome, from straight keys, bugs, and keyers to
keyboards and decoders. Working the same station on more than one
satellite is permitted. All participants are asked to post their
results, including any "Soapbox" comments, to AMSAT-BB. Include the
satellites you used and the number of CW contacts you made on each.
Participants may post their full logs, although this is not required.
WSJT Development Group Releases WSJT-X Version 1.7.0: The WSJT
Development Group has released WSJT-X version 1.7.0. The WSJT-X
software suite is designed to facilitate basic Amateur Radio
communication using very weak signals (WSJT stands for Weak Signal
communication by K1JT). Joe Taylor, K1JT, recommends reading the
extensively updated WSJT-X version 1.7 User Guide, which describes new
features and capabilities (relative to version 1.6). WSJT-X version
1.7.0 includes new modes ISCAT, MSK144, and QRA64; newly implemented
submodes JT65B-C and JT9B-H; a new Franke-Taylor decoder to replace
the Koetter-Vardy decoder previously used for JT65; improvements to
the JT4, JT9, and JT65 decoders; multi-pass decoding for JT65 and
WSPR, and improved convenience features for EME Doppler tracking.
ARRL CEO is Featured Speaker at New York City/Long Island Section
Convention Ham Radio University: ARRL CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, will
be the keynote speaker at the 18th Annual ARRL New York City/Long
Island Section Convention Ham Radio University (HRU) on January 8,
2017, at Briarcliffe College in Bethpage, New York. The event is
described as "a day of education to share ideas, experiences,
knowledge, and fellowship among Amateur Radio operators." On the
schedule are 30 forums, with topics including "Safety in the Ham
Shack," "DXing (Propagation, History, Techniques)," "Transmitter
Hunting," "Kids World," "The Military Auxiliary Radio System,"
"Amateur Radio Solar/Jupiter Observation using a Radio Receiver
System," and "Working Satellites with your HT." Presenter Peter
Portanova, W2JV, will attempt some satellite contacts as time and
weather permit. AMSAT representatives will be on hand to answer
questions. Amateur Radio licensing exams will be offered, and special
event W2HRU will be on the air. For more information, visit the Ham
Radio University website or e-mail HRU. -- Thanks to AMSAT News
Service, Ham Radio University
KH6LC Planning Multi-Multi Kids Day on Saturday, January 7: Lloyd
Cabral, KH6LC, reports he plans to have his station on the air for
Kids Day as a multi-multi on 20, 15, and -- if it opens -- 10 meters.
He is anticipating a half-dozen young visitors to his Keaau, Hawaii,
home. Kids Day begins on Saturday, January 7, at 1800 UTC and
concludes at 2359 UTC. "We'll be spotting ourselves on DX Summit,"
Cabral said. "I'm not sure who has more fun, the kids operating or the
adults 'coaching' them. We must be on to something good because
everyone wants to come back year after year. Please consider inviting
some young people in to operate." Sponsored by the Boring (Oregon)
Amateur Radio Club, this event has a simple exchange, suitable for
younger operators: first name, age, location, and favorite color.
Details are on the ARRL website.
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: On December 22 at 0002 UTC, the
Australian Space Forecast Centre forecast enhanced geomagnetic
activity until December 24, with minor storms likely and some major
storm periods possible.
December 15-21 solar activity was little changed from the previous 7
days, although no sunspots were visible on December 16 and 17. Average
daily sunspot numbers declined from 13 to 11, and average daily solar
flux bumped up 1 point to 73.2. Average planetary A index dipped from
13.3 to 7.9, and average mid-latitude A index from 9 to 5.7.
The outlook shows daily solar flux at 75 and 80 on December 22-23; 85
on December 24-28; 75 on December 29; 77 on December 30-31; 79 on
January 1-3; 77 on January 4-5; 75 on January 6-10; 77 on January
11-12; 75 on January 13-14; 73 on January 15-17; 75 on January 18-23;
77 on January 24-27, and 79 on January 28-30.
Predicted planetary A index is 30 on December 22; 12 on December
23-24; 8 on December 25; 5 on December 26-January 1; 8, 10, 20, 22,
16, 14, and 6 on January 2-8; 5 on January 9-13; 10 on January 14; 15
on January 15-16; 25 and 28 on January 17-18; 12 on January 19-20; 8
on January 21, and 5 on January 22-28.
Sunspot numbers for December 15 through 21 were 12, 0, 0, 13, 12, 25,
and 15, with a mean of 11. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 72.5, 72.6,
72.1, 72.3, 72.8, 74.9, and 75, with a mean of 73.2. Estimated
planetary A indices were 3, 3, 6, 9, 5, 6, and 23, with a mean of 7.9.
Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 2, 2, 3, 6, 5, 4, and 18, with a
mean of 5.7.
Send me your reports or observations.
Just Ahead in Radiosport
December 25 -- RAEM Contest (CW)
December 26 -- DARC Christmas Contest (CW, phone)
December 28 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)
January 1 -- Straight Key Night (SKN)
January 1 -- AMSAT CW Activity Day
January 1 -- AGB New Year Snowball Contest (CW, phone, digital)
January 1 -- SARTG New Year RTTY Contest
January 1 -- AGCW Happy New Year Contest (CW)
January 1 -- AGCW VHF/UHF Contest (CW)
January 3 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
January 4 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (Phone)
See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. For in-depth
reporting on Amateur Radio contesting, subscribe to The ARRL Contest
Update via your ARRL member profile e-mail preferences.
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
January 8 -- New York City/Long Island Section Convention, Bethpage,
New York
January 14 -- TechFest 2017 Convention, Lawrenceville, Georgia
January 20-21 -- North Texas Section Convention, Forest Hill, Texas
January 21 -- Georgia ARES Convention, Forsyth, Georgia
January 22-28 -- QuartzFest Convention, Quartzsite, Arizona
January 27-28 -- Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi
January 27-29 -- Puerto Rico State Convention, Hatillo, Puerto Rico
February 3-4 -- Southern Florida Section Convention, Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida
February 4 -- South Carolina State Convention, North Charleston, South
Carolina
February 4 -- Virginia State Convention, Richmond, Virginia
February 10-12 -- Southeastern Division Convention (HamCation),
Orlando, Florida
February 17-18 -- Arizona Section Convention, Yuma, Arizona
February 18 -- Arkansas Section Convention, Hoxie, Arkansas
February 25 -- West Central Florida Section Technical Conference,
Sarasota, Florida
February 25 -- 2017 New Mexico Tech Fest, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Find conventions and hamfests in your area.
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