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N9PMO > LETTER 16.01.16 02:43l 659 Lines 30084 Bytes #999 (0) @ ARRL
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Sent: 160116/0039Z 6484@N9PMO.#SEWI.WI.USA.NOAM BPQ1.4.65
ARRL Asks FCC for "Minimal but Necessary Changes" to Correct
Reapportioning Error
Subcommittee Chair, H.R. 1301 Sponsor Testify on Behalf of Amateur
Radio Parity Act
ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, Concluding Nearly 3 Decades as a
League Official
National Parks on the Air Update
New Section Manager Appointed in Missouri
Orlando Amateur Radio Club Donates to ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund
UK Astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI, Notes Death of Space Oddity's "Major
Tom"
Hamvention Seeks 2016 Award Nominations
Yasme Foundation Announces Supporting Grants
GlobalSET 2015 is a Wrap, with Lessons Learned
In Brief...
The K7RA Solar Update
Just Ahead in Radiosport
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
ARRL Asks FCC for "Minimal but Necessary Changes" to Correct
Reapportioning Error
The ARRL has petitioned the FCC to fix a "shortfall in available
RTTY/data spectrum" the regulator created when it reapportioned 80 and
75 meters a decade ago. The League's January 8 Petition for Rule
Making asks the FCC to shift the boundary between the 80 meter
RTTY/data subband and the 75 meter phone/image subband from 3600 kHz
to 3650 kHz. The ARRL's Petition points out that the proposed change
has received strong support from the ARRL membership and was adopted
as policy by the League's Board of Directors in July 2015. At that
time the Board also agreed to seek RTTY and data privileges for
Technician and Novice licensees within the portion of the 15 meter
band where they now may operate CW and to do the same on 80 meters,
contingent upon the 80/75 meter subband revision.
Specifically, the petition asks the FCC to make the following changes,
with regard to 80/75 meters:
Modify the 80 meter RTTY/data subband, so that it extends from 3500
kHz to 3650 kHz.
Modify the 75 meter phone/image subband, so that it extends from 3650
kHz to 4000 kHz.
Make 3600-3650 kHz available for General and Advanced Class licensees,
as was the case prior to 2006.
Make 3600-3650 kHz available to Novice and Technician licensees for
telegraphy -- consistent with existing rules permitting Novices and
Technicians to use telegraphy in the General and Advanced RTTY/data
subbands on 80, 40, and 15 Meters.
Modify the rules governing automatically controlled digital stations
(ACDS), to shift the 80 meter ACDS segment from 3585-3600 kHz to
3600-3615 kHz, consistent with the IARU Region 1 and 2 band plans
The FCC's 2006 "Omnibus" Report and Order in WT-140 addressed a number
of other non-Amateur Radio related issues.
The ARRL contended that the FCC Report and Order in Docket 04-140
released in 2006 made "a very substantial" and unjustifiable departure
from what the so-called "Omnibus" Notice of Proposed Rule Making
(NPRM) had proposed, with respect to 75 and 80 meters. The resulting
R&O in that proceeding, among other actions, expanded voice privileges
on additional frequencies in various bands, including 75 meters. The
FCC shifted the phone/image subband from 3750-4000 kHz to 3600-4000
kHz, trimming the 80 meter RTTY/data subband from 3500-3750 kHz to
3500-3600 kHz and changing "the entire dynamic of this band
substantially," the League said.
The League said that, while the Omnibus R&O indicated that incumbent
licensees would lose no operating privileges, some licensees "clearly"
did. The ARRL said the most substantial adverse effect of the
"unexpected and vast expansion" of the 75 meter phone/image was the
elimination of access to 3620-3635 kHz by ACDS.
The Omnibus R&O rule changes limited 80 meters to 3500-3600 kHz, and
no longer authorized RTTY and data emissions above 3600 kHz. The R&O
also did not modify § 97.221 of the rules, "so its provision for
automatically controlled digital stations in the subband 3620-3635 kHz
was rendered a nullity," the League said. "This was clearly an
oversight by the Commission at the time."
The FCC denied a subsequent ARRL Petition for Reconsideration seeking
a partial stay of the new rules and instead replaced the inadvertently
deleted 3620-3635 kHz ACDS segment with 3585-3600 kHz.
"Far from fixing the problem created by the error in the Omnibus R&O,
the moving of the inadvertently deleted digital subband downward in
frequency below 3600 kHz made the situation in the 80 meter RTTY/data
subband even worse than it was," the ARRL said. The result has been a
shortfall in available RTTY/data spectrum at 80 meters. Read more.
Subcommittee Chair, H.R. 1301 Sponsor Testify on Behalf of Amateur
Radio Parity Act
During a January 12 Capitol Hill hearing, US House Subcommittee on
Communications and Technology Chair Rep Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR),
called the Amateur Radio Parity Act "a commonsense bill" and urged his
colleagues to support it. H.R. 1301 was one of four telecoms bills to
come before his panel. Walden told the subcommittee that, as a ham,
he's "acutely aware" of the passion Amateur Radio possess for the
service.
Rep Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR), speaks in favor of H.R. 1301, calling
it a "commonsense bill."
"Despite its widespread use and importance in times of emergencies,
land-use restrictions in some areas have prioritized esthetics over
the rights of hams. H.R. 1301 seeks to ensure that Amateur Radio
operators get a fair shake and protection from unnecessary bans on
their equipment by instructing the FCC to adopt rules to this end."
Walden said he's aware of suggestions that the bill would open the
door to 40 foot towers in townhome backyards. "That's not the case,"
he assured his subcommittee colleagues. "Ham equipment can be as small
as over-the-air digital television antennas becoming popular with
'cord cutters.' I'm sure that Amateur Radio operators' communications
deserve no less protection than access to prime time television."
In his remarks, the bill's sponsor, Rep Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), pointed
out that most House members have a few hundred radio amateurs living
in their districts. He explained that hams in some neighborhoods "are
outright prohibited" from erecting antennas on their properties, "even
as small as a 4 millimeter diameter wire that might be placed under an
awning or laid flat against the house."
Kinzinger cited Amateur Radio's role in emergency communication
support and noted the comments of FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate,
KK4INZ, to the effect that when conventional communications go down,
Amateur Radio is often the last line of defense.
Rep Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) testified in support of his bill on January
12.
Kinzinger said his bill's "reasonable accommodation standard" would
not mandate placement, size, or esthetics regarding an outdoor
antenna, leaving ham radio operators and homeowners associations to
decide those issues.
"We just simply add the same standard that has been used successfully
in municipal areas to other areas," he concluded.
H.R. 1301 would direct the FCC to extend its rules relating to
reasonable accommodation of Amateur Service communications to private
land-use restrictions, such as deed covenants, conditions, and
restrictions. The bill has attracted 118 cosponsors from both sides of
the aisle. An identical US Senate measure, S. 1685, has attracted 3
cosponsors. It cleared the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation last November.
More information about the legislation is on the ARRL Amateur Radio
Parity Act web page.
ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, Concluding Nearly 3 Decades as a
League Official
Now completing her third term, ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, will
be handing off the baton to her successor this week. The ARRL Board of
Directors will elect the League's next president -- its 16th -- when
it meets January 15-16. President Craigie said it has been her
privilege to serve during the ARRL Centennial in 2014 and to help
usher in Amateur Radio's second century.
"The operating events, the convention, the whole year!" she said. "To
be ARRL President during this celebration was my great good luck, and
I'll never forget all the members who told me how much they appreciate
what the ARRL does for them and Amateur Radio."
ARRL's 15th President, Kay Craigie, N3KN, has served since 2010.
President Craigie was first elected as a volunteer League official in
1986, when she became the ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Manager.
The ARRL Board of Directors chose her as the League's 15th president
in January 2010.
President Craigie said she also was proud to represent the ARRL at
international conferences and events during her time at the League's
helm. "As President I represented the ARRL at the Radio Society of
Great Britain's 100th anniversary observance, led the ARRL delegation
at two International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 2 conferences,
and was part of ARRL teams at Friedrichshafen and Tokyo," she said.
She also attended part of World Radiocommunication Conference 2012 as
an observer. "For years, I have heard about the work done by IARU
volunteers and the hams serving on their national delegations at the
WRCs," she said, "but until I saw their efforts firsthand, I really
didn't comprehend exactly how hard and how well they work together to
protect and advance Amateur Radio for the rest of us."
President Craigie said she was happy to sign the first formal
agreement between the ARRL and the Boy Scouts of America. "One of my
best friends in Amateur Radio got his start as a Scout," she noted,
adding that she hopes the agreement will lead to welcoming "even more
talented young people into our ranks."
During her tenure as the League's President, she also has been deeply
involved in efforts to achieve "reasonable accommodation" for all US
hams, regardless of zoning and land-use regulation, and especially the
current Amateur Radio Parity Act campaign. She said she's "certain
that the ARRL's leadership and membership will continue to press this
essential issue until the job is done."
President Craigie said she finds Amateur Radio still relevant, even in
an era when technology seems to be advancing at lightning speed.
"University students in scientific and technical programs get the
point of Amateur Radio and see how it fits with their career plans and
their talents," she said, adding that she has see this firsthand in
her community of Blacksburg, Virginia, the home of Virginia Tech.
"Very bright students are not just getting licensed but are getting
active."
"These are the young people who will drive Amateur Radio technology
into the future, and their energy and intelligence make me absolutely
reject the idea that Amateur Radio is irrelevant and on its way out,"
the ARRL President said.
National Parks on the Air Update
Although the ARRL's year-long National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) event
began just 2 weeks ago, Larry Burke, K5RK, of Alvin, Texas, already
has confirmed more than 120 NPOTA units.
"It speaks volumes, not only about Larry being a dedicated chaser,"
ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, said,
adding that 25 hams had already confirmed more than 50 units. Kutzko
also called it "pretty amazing" that more than 100 NPOTA units were on
the air this soon.
Throughout 2016, Amateur Radio will help the National Park Service to
mark its 100th anniversary. In the process, hams ("activators") from
across the country will activate NPS units, promote the National Park
Service, and showcase Amateur Radio to the public. "Chasers" like
Burke will attempt to work as many of them as possible. Logbook of The
World (LoTW) is being use to record and confirm contacts among
Activators and Chasers.
ARRL has added NPOTA to the "soapbox" area of the ARRL website, so
people can share photos and stories of their NPOTA activations.
The deadline for the March NPOTA photo contest is January 15. The
winner will get his/her photo published in the March QST NPOTA column
and receive NPOTA swag too.
Activators will operate from more than a dozen NPOTA units during the
week of January 15-21. Details are available on the NPOTA Activations
calendar. Love NPOTA? Join the ARRL NPOTA Facebook Group.
New Section Manager Appointed in Missouri
The ARRL's Missouri Section has a new leader. Cecil Higgins, AC0HA, of
Pittsburg, Missouri, has been appointed as ARRL Missouri Section
Manager, effective January 11. Dale Bagley, K0KY, had stepped down
because of family commitments after having served as Missouri's SM
since June 1999. Bagley recommended Higgins for the post.
ARRL Manager of Field Services and Radiosport Dave Patton, NN1N, made
the appointment after reviewing Bagley's recommendation and consulting
with ARRL Midwest Division Director Rod Blocksome, K0DAS.
A ham for more than 20 years, Higgins has served previously as an
Assistant Section Manager, an Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator,
and the District Emergency Coordinator for ARES District D in
Missouri. He is retired from a career in law enforcement and in
emergency management.
Higgins will complete the current SM term of office, which continues
until December 31, 2016.
Orlando Amateur Radio Club Donates to ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund
At the January meeting of the Orlando Amateur Radio Club (OARC),
President John Knott, N4JTK, presented ARRL Southeastern Division
Orlando ARC President John Knott, N4JTK (left), present the club's
sybolic donation to ARRL Southeastern Division Director Doug Rehman,
K4AC. [Photo courtesy of Bob Nocero, W4KBW]
Director Doug Rehman, K4AC, with a check for $2500, designated for the
ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund. OARC sponsors the Orlando HamCation, which
will host the 2016 ARRL National Convention February 12-14 in Orlando,
Florida.
"ARRL is very pleased to start 2016 with such a wonderful gift to the
Spectrum Defense Fund, and we deeply appreciate OARC's generosity and
commitment to helping ARRL in our advocacy efforts," said ARRL
Development Manager Lauren Clarke, KB1YDD. "ARRL is very fortunate to
have so many dedicated clubs that support this important work. As we
prepare for HamCation and the 2016 ARRL National Convention, I look
forward to the opportunity to thank all of OARC's members in person."
Clubs and individuals may contribute to the League via the ARRL
website.
UK Astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI, Notes Death of Space Oddity's "Major
Tom"
In his Twitter feed, UK/ESA Astronaut and ISS crew member Tim Peake,
KG5BVI, tipped his space helmet to rock legend David Bowie, whose 1969
hit single "Space Oddity" was covered in space by Canadian Astronaut
Chris Hadfield, VA3OOG/KC5RNJ. Bowie died on January 10. In the somber
"Space Oddity," Bowie assumes the character of "Major Tom," an
astronaut who becomes stranded in space.
Astronaut Tim Peake, KB5BVI.
"Saddened to hear David Bowie has lost his battle with cancer," Peake
tweeted from the International Space Station. "His music was an
inspiration to many."
Hadfield also remarked on Bowie's death. His own rendition of "Space
Oddity," performed as he floated in microgravity during his 2012/2013
duty tour on the ISS and uploaded to YouTube, became a hit in its own
right. Hadfield accompanied himself on acoustic guitar.
Hadfield joined Peake and the European Space Agency (ESA) in paying
tribute to Bowie on Twitter. "Rest in peace, Starman," Hadfield
tweeted. "The stars look very different today," the ESA remarked in
re-tweeting Peake's message, which was accompanied by lyrics from
"Space Oddity." Read more.
First "Principia Mission" ARISS Contact
Meanwhile, a brand-new ham was the first to speak with Peake when
students at Sandringham School in Hertfordshire, England, enjoyed a
January 8 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
contact. Peake, whose "Principia Mission" is focusing on educational
activities, used the special GB1SS call sign for his first ARISS
contact; the school obtained permission to use GB1SAN. Year 10 pupil
Jessica Leigh, M6LPJ, who passed her Foundation class exam just before
Christmas, was first in line to talk with Peake.
Sandringham Head Teacher Alan Gray, G4DJX, takes a selfie with Jessica
Leigh, M6LPJ. [Sandringham School image]
"When I get home, I'll be completely in shock," Leigh told the BBC
after the contact, noting that the "amazing experience" of talking to
someone in space had yet to sink in.
A week-long Sandringham School Space Festival culminated with the live
VHF contact with Peake. With an enrollment of 1300, Sandringham School
students range in age from 11 to 19, with 100 faculty members. Head
teacher Alan Gray, G4DJX, called the event "an extraordinary
experience for the school."
The week leading up to the contact included a wide range of activities
aimed at engaging the students in space and space travel, including a
presentation from a spacecraft engineer, mobile planetariums, an
Amateur Radio "buildathon," rocket workshops, and talks on Mars and
cosmonauts. Read more.
Hamvention Seeks 2016 Award Nominations
Dayton Hamvention® 2016 is soliciting nominations for Amateur of the
Year, Special Achievement, Technical Excellence, and Club of the Year
awards. All Amateur Radio operators/clubs are eligible, with winners
recognized at Hamvention® 2016, May 20-22 at Hara Arena.
The Amateur of the Year Award goes to an individual who has made a
long-term, outstanding commitment to the advancement of Amateur Radio.
The Special Achievement Award honors someone who has made an
outstanding contribution to the advancement of Amateur Radio,
typically by spearheading a significant project.
The Technical Excellence Award recognizes an individual who has made
an outstanding technical advancement in Amateur Radio.
The Club of the Year Award honors a club that has made a significant
contribution to the advancement of Amateur Radio. Nominations must be
received by February 1.
Additional details and nomination forms are available on the Dayton
Hamvention® website. Send nominations via e-mail or to Dayton
Hamvention Awards, PO Box 1446, Dayton, OH 45401-1446.
Yasme Foundation Announces Supporting Grants
The Yasme Foundation Board of Directors has announced several grants
to Amateur Radio organizations and activities. Beneficiaries include
the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program,
the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology, and the Reverse
Beacon Network (RBN). The ARISS US Team said its $5000 grant will
support the development of power converters, needed as a part of an
extensive upgrade to the entire Amateur Radio system on the ISS.
"The Yasme grant will jump-start the project by allowing the ARISS
hardware team to build a prototype converter, purchase critical parts
for the flight converters, and further develop the design," ARISS
International President Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, said. A group of ARISS US
team members convened at Johnson Space Center last month to solidify
plans for the design of the next-generation radio system.
Yasme Foundation President Ward Silver, N0AX, said the Yasme Board
hopes the grant will serve as a catalyst for individuals and other
groups to follow suit.
In support of scholarships and youth programs, the Yasme Foundation
funded the Yasme Foundation scholarship through the ARRL Foundation.
It also designated grants to the Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR) in
support of its 2016 scholarship program, to the Youngsters on the Air
(YOTA) program to support programs aimed at promoting Amateur Radio
among those under age 26 throughout IARU Region 1, and to the ARRL
Teacher's Institute to fund one teacher's attendance at a 2016
Teachers Institute session.
To support scientific and technical endeavors, the Yasme Foundation
made grants to the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) Beacon
Project to update the beacon station in Sri Lanka, and to the Reverse
Beacon Network, to build and install a node to provide coverage in an
unidentified underserved area that's of particular interest to
propagation studies.
The ARRL Teachers Institute also was a beneficiary of the Yasme
Foundation's recent grants. Here, teachers test their BoeBots in a
2015 California session with Instructor Tommy Gober, N5DUX.
To support HF operating around the world, the grants went to a
representative of the Haiti Amateur Radio Club for the purchase of
Amateur Radio training materials aimed at developing future licensees
in Haiti as well as donate a Kenwood TS-440S transceiver for use by
the new licensees; to the International Amateur Radio Club at
International Telecommunication Union Headquarters in Geneva (4U1ITU)
for station maintenance and the acquisition of needed equipment, and
to World Radiosport Team Championship 2018 (WRTC 2018) to support the
expense of mounting the contesting competition in Germany and to
encourage other organizations and individuals to contribute.
The Yasme Foundation also announced grants to the Ethiopian Amateur
Radio Society club station ET3AA to acquire a new computer,
interfaces, and programs for logging and operating digital modes and
to purchase new headsets; to the World Wide Radio Operators Foundation
(WWROF), and to Dokufunk, in support of its activities to preserve the
history of radio communication.
GlobalSET 2015 is a Wrap, with Lessons Learned
More than three dozen countries took part in the 2015 Global Simulated
Emergency Test (GlobalSET) last month, organized by IARU Region 1 and
designed in part to measure the disaster readiness of Amateur Radio.
IARU Region 1 Emergency Communications Coordinator Greg Mossop, G0DUB,
pointed out that the 2015 event differed from other GlobalSETs held
since 2006, which emphasized message handling and setting up stations
in the field.
"The IARU emergency communications coordinators decided that the best
way to achieve this would be to have an availability or 'call-out'
exercise," Mossop said. "It asked all countries with emergency
communications groups to contact their members and ask them how
quickly they could get on the air if required." The start of the
exercise was not announced in advance but propagated via a variety of
channels, including e-mail and social media. IARU regional
coordinators chose December 18 as being clear of most social and
cultural events. A time limit of up to 48 hours was set for potential
responding organizations to complete the local callout exercise and
submit results via a web form.
The survey results covered an estimated 8466 members worldwide, of
which 2048 reported they could be available in less than 1 hour.
"This exercise occurred on a normal business day in many countries,"
Mossop said. "An availability rate of 20-30 percent of stations is
very good and does seem reasonable as a planning assumption for future
exercises."
Mossop said the exercise identified a need to revise or improve
alerting procedures. "Where possible a mixture of methods should be
used for alerting members with automatic feedback of message delivery
or the response," he said, adding that reliance on any single system,
such as e-mail, was not the best approach. Read more. -- Thanks to Jim
Linton, VK3PC
In Brief...
Ramsey Kits Calls it Quits: After more than 40 years as a purveyor of
inexpensive electronics kits for hobbyists, the Ramsey Hobby Kits
group has announced that it's thrown in the towel, effective on
January 1. The Ramsey RF Test Equipment Group is unaffected by this
change. The Victor, New York, company sold a wide array of hobby kits
over the years, starting with its LED Blinky kit in the 1970s and
eventually including simple ham radio transmitters and receivers,
aircraft band receivers, and other devices. Ramsey kits were
frequently available at hamfests. The company said it will continue to
provide technical and warranty support for hobby kits purchased
through the end of 2015. Ramsey said its remaining hobby kit inventory
has been relocated to Amazon.
CWops Announces Award for Advancing the Art of CW: CWops has announced
a new, annual award to recognize individuals, groups, or organizations
that have made the greatest contribution(s) toward advancing the art
or practice of radio communication by Morse code. Eligible candidates
include the authors of publications related to CW; recruiters,
trainers, mentors, coaches, and instructors of Morse code; designers
and inventors who advance the art or practice of CW, and others
contributing to the art or practice of CW. The award is not limited to
Amateur Radio operators or organizations. Anyone can submit a
nomination (with a copy to secretary@cwops.org). Nominations must be
received by April 15, 2016. They should include the nominee's name and
applicable call sign, the nominee's contact information, including
e-mail and USPS addresses and a telephone number, and a detailed
explanation to support the nominee's qualifications. The individual
nominating should provide complete contact information too. A plaque
will be presented at the Dayton Hamvention, or mailed to the
recipient.
SAQ Alexanderson Alternator Christmas Eve Transmission Generates a
Host of Reports: The 2015 Christmas Eve transmission from SAQ, the
Alexanderson alternator station at the World Heritage Grimeton site in
Sweden, elicited more than 350 reports, according to a preliminary
accounting, many of them from hams. SAQ transmits on 17.2 kHz. The
lion's share of reports -- nearly 160 -- came from Germany. Listeners
in the US filed eight reports, with just five indicating they actually
heard SAQ. "The transmission appears to be our best so far," said Lars
Kalland, SM6NM, who distributed the report. Kjell Dahl, OH0KXJ,
reported hearing SAQ for the first time. "It is always a pleasure to
listen to this CW melody on 17.2 kHz," commented Manu Aft, F5ROL. The
vintage station began its holiday transmissions in 2006. Read more.
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Trends over the past week were just
as we like them, with average daily sunspot numbers and solar flux
increasing, and geomagnetic indices lower.
Average daily sunspot numbers rose from 41 to 55.7, and the average
daily solar flux increased from 98.2 to 106.5. The average daily
planetary A index declined from 16.6 to 11.1, while average daily
mid-latitude A index went from 10.6 to 8.4.
The predicted solar flux is 100 on January 14; 105 on January 15-17;
100 on January 18; 95 on January 19-20; 100 on January 21-22; 105 on
January 23-26; 110 on January 27-28; 105 on January 29-31; 110 on
February 1-7; 108, 105, and 100 on February 8-10; 105 on February
11-14, and 100 on February 15-18.
Predicted planetary A index is 8 on January 14, 6 on January 15-20; 8,
15, and 10 on January 21-23; 5 on January 24-27; 18, 12, and 8 on
January 28-30; 5 on January 31 through February 1; 15, 12, and 8 on
February 2-4; 5 on February 5-6; 6, 15, 12, and 8 on February 7-10; 6
on February 11-13, and 5 on February 14-16.
Be sure to check out the article "Radio Wave Propagation: How Waves
Attenuate with Distance," by KE4PT on page 37 in the February 2016
issue of QST.
Sunspot numbers for January 7 through 13 were 57, 80, 84, 73, 41, 29,
and 26, with a mean of 55.7. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 103.4,
108.5, 107, 108.9, 108, 105.5, and 104.1, with a mean of 106.5.
Estimated planetary A indices were 14, 8, 6, 7, 14, 15, and 14, with a
mean of 11.1. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 11, 6, 5, 7, 9,
10, and 11, with a mean of 8.4.
Send me your reports and observations.
Just Ahead in Radiosport
January 15 -- LZ Open Contest (CW)
January 16 -- Hungarian DX Contest (CW, SSB)
January 16-17 -- Feld Hell Sprint
January 17 -- North American QSO Party (SSB)
January 18 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
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 and Events
January 15-16 -- Southern Florida Section Convention, Fort Myers,
Florida
January 15-16 -- North Texas Section Convention, Forest Hill, Texas
January 17-23 -- Quartzfest, Quartzsite, Arizona
January 29-30 -- Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi
January 29-31 -- Puerto Rico State Convention, Hatillo, Puerto Rico
February 6 -- South Carolina State Convention, N. Charleston, South
Carolina
February 6 -- Virginia State Convention (Frostfest), Richmond,
Virginia
February 12-14 -- ARRL National Convention, Orlando, Florida
February 13 -- Georgia ARES Convention, Forsyth, Georgia
February 19-20 -- Southwestern Division Convention, Yuma, Arizona
February 20 -- Arkansas State Convention, Hoxie, Arkansas
February 27 -- WCF Section Technical Conference, Tampa, Florida
February 27 -- New Mexico TechFest, Albuquerque, New Mexico
February 27 -- Vermont State Convention, S. Burlington, Vermont
March 4-5 -- Alabama Section Convention, Birmingham, Alabama
March 11-12 -- Louisiana State Convention, Rayne, Louisiana
March 12 -- Santa Clara Valley Section Convention, Del Rey Oaks,
California
March 18-19 -- South Texas Section Convention, Rosenburg, Texas
March 19 -- MicroHAMS Digital Conference, Redmond, Washington
March 19 -- West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas
March 25-26 -- Maine State Convention, Lewiston, Maine
Find conventions and hamfests in your area.
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