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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2013-12-05   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   December 5, 2013   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  Regulatory: ARRL Files Erratum to "Symbol Rate" Petition for Rule Making   
    *  Regulatory: Plans Announced to Update the Communications Act of 1934   
    *  ARRL Centennial: ARRL Granted Use of W1OOAW for League's Centennial   
    *  Public Service: Amateur Radio Disaster Response in Philippines Winds   
       Down   
    *  Public Service: SKYWARN Recognition Day is December 7   
    *  On the Air: The 2013 ARRL 160 Meter Contest is This Weekend!   
    *  On the Air: Canada Issues Short-Term 472-479 kHz Experimental License   
    *  Ham Radio in Space: High Schooler Returns to Her Elementary Alma Mater   
       to Lead ISS Contact   
    *  Ham Radio in Space: Happy Birthday to AO-7!   
    *  Youth: December is YOTA Month!   
    *  People: Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, Receives Radio Club of America's   
       Sarnoff Citation   
    *  Milestones: Former FMRE President Carlos Levy, XE1YK, SK   
    *  Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events   
      
   Regulatory: ARRL Files Erratum to "Symbol Rate" Petition for Rule Making   
      
   The ARRL has filed an Erratum with the FCC to correct an error in its "symbol   
   rate" Petition for Rule Making (PRM), filed November 15 with the FCC and put   
   on public notice for comment as RM-11708 a few days later. The League's   
   petition asks the FCC to delete the symbol rate limit in 97.307(f) of its   
   Amateur Service rules and replace it with a maximum bandwidth for data   
   emissions of 2.8 kHz on amateur frequencies below 29.7 MHz. The Erratum, filed   
   November 26, removes an erroneous reference in the appendix at 97.307(f)(3) to   
   "unspecified digital codes" and includes a corrected appendix.   
      
      
   ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ.   
      
   "In one respect the criticism being voiced about our RM-11708 petition has   
   some merit," said ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ. "This is with regard to the   
   addition of 'unspecified digital codes' language to 97.307(f)(3). This change   
   is not discussed at all in the body of the petition and was not intended to be   
   included in the proposal." The Erratum "relates only to the Appendix as   
   originally filed, and only with respect to the proposed revised text of   
   97.307(f)(3)," The League said. "The remainder of the Petition was correct as   
   filed."   
      
   The revised proposed 97.307(f)(3) will read: "Only a RTTY or data emission   
   using a specified digital code listed in 97.309(a) of this part may be   
   transmitted. The authorized bandwidth is 2.8 kHz." Sumner pointed out that in   
   1995 the FCC clarified that "specified digital code" is any digital code that   
   has its technical characteristics publicly documented.   
      
   "All of us who reviewed the draft and missed this are deeply sorry for the   
   confusion thus caused," Sumner said.   
      
   In its petition, the ARRL said that the changes it is proposing "would, in the   
   aggregate, relieve the Amateur Service of outdated, 1980s-era restrictions   
   that presently hamper or preclude Amateur Radio experimentation with modern   
   high frequency (HF) and other data transmission protocols."   
      
   Regulatory: Plans Announced to Update the Communications Act of 1934   
      
   The US House Communications and Technology Subcommittee has announced plans   
   for a multi-year effort to examine and update the Communications Act of 1934,   
   the overarching law under which the FCC functions. The subcommittee, part of   
   the US House Energy and Commerce Committee, is chaired by Oregon Republican   
   Greg Walden, W7EQI. Walden and Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Fred Upton   
   of Michigan made the announcement December 3.   
      
   "Today we are launching a multi-year effort to examine our nation's   
   communications laws and update them for the Internet era," Upton said. "The   
   United States has been the global leader in innovation and growth of the   
   Internet, but unfortunately, our communications laws have failed to keep pace."   
      
   ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, noted that the most recent significant update of   
   the Communications Act was in 1996. "Under the leadership of Greg Walden, the   
   subcommittee and its staff are well equipped to take up the challenge," Sumner   
   said. "The ARRL will be monitoring the work closely as it goes forward next   
   year and beyond."   
      
   US Representatives Greg Walden, W7EQI (left), and Fred Upton announce plans   
   via Google Hangout to update the Communications Act.   
      
   The plan was made public via Google Hangout, where the committee leaders were   
   joined by former FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell, who said he was "delighted"   
   to learn of the update plans. Upton explained that the process, to start in   
   2014, will involve a series of white papers and hearings focusing on what   
   might be done "to improve the laws surrounding the communications marketplace   
   as well as a robust conversation utilizing all platforms of digital media." He   
   suggested a bill would be ready by 2015.   
      
   Walden said, "A lot has happened since the last update" and that the   
   Communications Act is "now painfully out of date." He said he wants to open   
   the discussion to input from everyone, and that interested parties may follow   
   the plan's progress via Twitter. "It's important for people to have an   
   opportunity to weigh in," he said. "This is really a public process to get   
   better public policy."   
      
   ARRL Centennial: ARRL Granted Use of W1OOAW for League's Centennial   
      
   The FCC has authorized the Maxim Memorial Station W1AW to also use the call   
   sign W1OOAW during 2014, the ARRL's centennial year. Contacts made from the   
   Maxim Memorial Station in Newington, from regional Centennial conventions, and   
   during the IARU HF Championship will use W1OOAW, with portable designators as   
   appropriate. The "W1AW WAS" operations throughout 2014 from each of the 50   
   states will use W1AW, not W1OOAW. Bulletins and code practice transmissions   
   during 2014 also will still use W1AW.   
      
   Contacts with W1OOAW will be worth 100 points in the ARRL Centennial QSO   
   Party. To help kick off the ARRL Centennial, special W1OOAW activity will   
   begin at 0500 UTC on January 1, 2014 (midnight in Newington), and will include   
   participation in ARRL's Straight Key Night; one CW station will use Hiram   
   Percy Maxim's straight key. Activity will continue throughout New Year's Day.   
      
   Public Service: Amateur Radio Disaster Response in Philippines Winds Down   
      
   After weeks of deployment, the Philippines Amateur Radio Association (PARA)   
   HERO (Ham Emergency Radio Operations) Network stood down November 27, although   
   some activity continues during the disaster cleanup. PARA Vice Chief Operating   
   Officer Ramon Anquilan, DU1UGZ, said that four stations -- DU1IVT, DU1VHY,   
   DV1SMQ, and DU1EQ -- remain in operation to monitor for any assistance from   
   local HERO stations. Much remains to be done in the devastating aftermath of   
   Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which injured more than 26,000 people, displaced   
   some four million residents, destroyed 1.2 million houses, and wreaked   
   extensive damage and destruction to agriculture and to the Philippine   
   infrastructure.   
      
   Anquilan said that while PARA and its HERO Network stations realize that   
   rescue and relief agencies now are handling the bulk of vital emergency   
   communication traffic, his organization still has plenty to do. He said this   
   includes accurately documenting what the HERO Network was able to accomplish,   
   gaining visibility by authorities and communities, and furthering HERO's role   
   in disaster preparedness. He said authorities already are taking greater   
   notice of HERO, and PARA wants to make sure its role is not forgotten within   
   the enormity of the disaster.   
      
   In the hard-hit Tacloban area and the rest of Eastern Visayas, an ACCESS-5   
   Amateur Radio team continues to be embedded with the Command Post National   
   Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Tacloban City. Three   
   operators are on duty there. ACCESS-5 Tacloban is now augmented by some 35   
   ACCESS-5 members from Catbalogan, Samar, and Burauen, Leyte. PARA   
   Secretary-General Butch Pacana, DU1RP, drove from Davao City to visit HERO   
   stations in Borongan, Eastern Samar and Tacloban City. While in Borongan, he   
   served as courier for the situation report from Eastern Samar to Tacloban City   
   -- the first official situation report from Eastern Samar. This helped   
   provincial officials find a suitable means of transport to Tacloban. He   
   reported that HERO operators were coping well and up to the task. Don Bosco   
   Technical College (DX1DBT) officials maintain their HF link between Borongan,   
   Eastern Samar, Cebu and Mandaluyong in metropolitan Manila.   
      
   Fernando Arroyo, EA4BB/DU6 (left), in Roxas City found DV6WAV and DV6ILA   
   providing emergency communications at the Governor's Palace.   
      
   In the Central Visayas, Iver Astronomo, DV6ILA, is still active from the Capiz   
   Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Roxas City. The   
   DV6ILA signal got a big boost through the donation of an HF transceiver by   
   Bing Rodriguez, DU6RCR, and a microphone loaned by Bob Garcia, DU6BG. Arnel,   
   DV6WAV, reports that power is back on at the Capiz State University where he's   
   a professor, and that he has activated another VHF/HF station. The HERO   
   station DV6ILA and DW6WAV were staffing in Roxas City earlier got a surprise   
   visit from the bureau chief of the UN Office for the Coordination of   
   Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), Fernando Arroyo EA4BB, who "had a few short   
   QSOs on the spot." Arroyo later appointed DV6WAV to head his convoy team to   
   meet international aid volunteers at the airport. Other HERO stations also   
   remain active, occasionally reporting on their activities and providing   
   progress updates on the restoration of services.   
      
   Anquilan said that PARA now has a permit to import equipment, and its Board   
   will meet on its placement and use. He acknowledged donations by Patrick   
   Prescott, KC1AJT, who sent an HF transceiver, and Stanley Jungleib, WA6LVC,   
   who sent an antenna tuner.   
      
   Media Hits   
      
   On November 17, Anquilan appeared on both the BBC World Service radio and   
   National Public Radio, in interviews arranged with ARRL assistance. "We are   
   just hobbyists, and we are converted into this public service role when there   
   are emergencies," he told the BBC, calling public service work on ham radio   
   "uplifting and fulfilling."   
      
   Anquilan told NPR's Rachel Martin on "Weekend Edition Sunday" that the   
   Secretary Defense was one of the first people to use the Amateur Radio link   
   set up in Tacloban. He explained that the Secretary of Defense and the   
   Secretary of the Interior had been dispatched to Tacloban before the storm,   
   and after the hurricane hit, the central government in Manila did not know   
   their whereabouts. "Even the president could not contact his cabinet on the   
   ground in Tacloban," Anquilan said. "So, one of the first messages for us to   
   relay was the message of the Secretary Defense."   
      
   Anquilan and Nathan Eamiguel, DU5AOK, were featured in radio interviews on   
   November 23. "The program's host, Francis 'Kiko' Flores, welcomed the   
   participation of Amateur Radio in the emergency," Anquilan said. "He recalled   
   his own experiences in the 1991 Baguio earthquake, where he personally   
   experienced the usefulness of Amateur Radio emergency communications." -- Jim   
   Linton, VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee   
      
      
   Public Service: SKYWARN Recognition Day is December 7   
      
   WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in   
   Miami, will be on the air for SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD), Saturday,   
   December 7, 1400 until 2300 UTC. Hurricane season officially ended November 30.   
      
   "This will be our 15th year of participation in the SRD, and our 33rd year of   
   public service at NHC," said Julio Ripoll, WD4R, the WX4NHC Amateur Radio   
   assistant coordinator. "The purpose of this event is to test the Amateur Radio   
   Station operations and equipment between NWS Office nationwide and is   
   sponsored by NOAA. This event is excellent practice for ham radio operators as   
   well as NWS staff to become familiar with the unique communication skills   
   available during times of severe weather. It is also a fun event."   
      
   WX4NHC will take advantage of the occasion to conduct operator training. The   
   station will make contacts on various frequencies and modes, to exchange   
   signal reports and basic weather data, such as "sunny" or "rainy" between   
   WX4NHC, ham stations at other NWS offices, and stations throughout the US.   
      
   WX4NHC will be on HF, VHF, UHF, APRS (2 meters and 30 meters), and Winlink   
   (subject should contain //WL2K). "We will try to stay on the recognized   
   Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) frequency 14.325 MHz most of the time and announce   
   when we QSY," Ripoll said.   
      
   Ripoll said that due to space and equipment limitations at the NHC, plans call   
   for having two to three operators on duty per shift. "We cannot be everywhere   
   and on every mode at the same time," he explained. "You may be able to find us   
   on HF by using one of the DX spotting networks, such as the DX Summit website."   
      
   WX4NHC operators also will be active on the VoIP Hurricane Net, from 2100   
   until 2300 UTC (IRLP node 9219 / EchoLink WX-TALK Conference node 7203). South   
   Florida area VHF and UHF repeaters will be part of the mix as well.   
      
   QSL cards are available via WD4R, with an SASE. Do not send QSLs directly to   
   the National Hurricane Center. Entry to the NHC will be restricted during this   
   event.   
      
      
   On the Air: The 2013 ARRL 160 Meter Contest is This Weekend!   
      
   Top Band stalwarts and newcomers will up the activity level on 160 meters this   
   weekend, as the ARRL 160 Meter Contest gets underway Friday evening. The event   
   offers an excellent opportunity for any station, regardless of size or antenna   
   system, to try their luck on 160. This popular, CW-only activity each year   
   attracts operators of all experience levels.   
      
   Multipliers in the contest are ARRL/RAC Sections and DXCC entities. Alaska   
   (KL7) and Hawaii (KH6) can be worked by both DX and W/VE stations, as can   
   Caribbean US possessions (KP1-KP5) and Pacific Ocean territories (KHO-KH9).   
   Even stations with limited antennas for 160 should find many multipliers   
   within range.   
      
   Previous years have seen inventive antenna solutions from those with limited   
   space. Some interesting antennas have included flagpoles, house gutters, and   
   even 40 meter dipoles. If you don't have room for a dedicated 160 meter   
   antenna, you can make contacts with just about anything; many Top Band   
   devotees have outstanding ears and will be eager to work you.   
      
   The 2013 ARRL 160 Meter Contest runs from 2200 UTC Friday, December 6, until   
   1600 UTC Sunday, December 8. Complete rules and entry forms may be found   
   online. Logs must be e-mailed to 160meter@arrl.org or postmarked no later than   
   1600 UTC January 7, 2014. Send paper logs to ARRL 160 Meter Contest, 225 Main   
   St, Newington, CT 06111. Soapbox comments and photos can be uploaded on the   
   Soapbox page.   
      
      
   On the Air: Canada Issues Short-Term 472-479 kHz Experimental License   
      
   Industry Canada has issued an experimental radio license to the Marconi Radio   
   Club of Newfoundland (VO1MRC). Experimental station VX9MRC has been endorsed   
   to conduct transmissions on 472-479 kHz for just two days -- December 14 and   
   15 -- to call attention to the potential new Amateur Radio band there and to   
   the role ham radio plays in emergency communication.   
      
   "A special message from Bauline, Newfoundland, Mayor Christopher Dredge will   
   be sent on CW on 478 kHz as a beacon transmission on these days," said Joe   
   Craig, VO1NA, a low-frequency enthusiast and MRC leader. "Those receiving the   
   message are invited to forward it to their respective municipal    
   epresentative." Craig said the ERP should be about 2 W on 478 kHz, with the   
   message sent at approximately 12 WPM.   
      
   VO1NA says this tower serves as a monopole antenna for 2200, 1600, 600, 160,   
   80 and 60 meters and holds up the far end of a wire that also is used on these   
   bands.   
      
   Delegates attending the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12)   
   approved the secondary allocation between 472-479 kHz for the Amateur Radio   
   Service. Industry Canada has proposed creating a new MF Amateur Radio band at   
   472-479 kHz on a secondary basis. Last year the ARRL asked the FCC to carve   
   out the same band for US hams.   
      
   In November 2012 the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order   
   (ET Docket 12-338) proposing the creation of a new LF ham band at 135.7 to   
   137.8 kHz. Canadian hams already have such an allocation.   
      
   Ham Radio in Space: High Schooler Returns to Her Elementary Alma Mater to Lead   
   ISS Contact   
      
   Sixteen-year-old Rebecca "Becca" Rubsamen, KJ6TWM, recently returned to her   
   elementary school alma mater to help youngsters there speak via Amateur Radio   
   with astronaut Mike Hopkins, KF5LJG, at the helm of NA1SS aboard the   
   International Space Station. The November 13 event at Rancho Romero Elementary   
   School in Alamo, California, was sponsored by the Amateur Radio on the   
   International Space Station (ARISS) program.   
      
   Becca Rubsamen, KJ6TWM, holds the mic as pupils at Rancho Romero Elementary   
   School take turns asking questions of astronaut Mike Hopkins, KF5LJG, aboard   
   the ISS.   
      
   "Becca approached Rancho Romero Elementary School, her alma mater, with the   
   idea to do an ARISS contact there," her dad, Reid Rubsamen, N6APC, told ARRL.   
   "She drafted the application, helped develop the curriculum, and convinced   
   astronaut James Van Hoften to come to Science Night to help promote the   
   contact. Becca and I were very excited about the whole thing!"   
      
   Becca assembled from a kit the Elecraft K3 and 2 meter transverter she used   
   for the ARISS contact. "I built the antennas in my backyard," she explained on   
   her website, which includes audio of the contact. "It took a flat bed truck   
   and a fork lift to put them on the roof at Rancho!"   
      
   During the approximately 8 minute contact, the youngsters at the school posed   
   a wide array of questions to Hopkins, who, responding to one student's query,   
   explained that the ISS orbits Earth 16 times a day, making it hard to keep   
   track of time. "We have a great group on the ground that helps up keep track   
   of time and lets us know when it's time to go to bed," he said.   
      
   Hopkins told the students that the crew members are "the guinea pigs" for some   
   of the science experiments in space that are aimed at determining how humans   
   fare in the spacecraft's microgravity environment, which, he pointed out,   
   takes a toll on muscles and bones. "We exercise about 2 hours a day to try to   
   counteract that bone loss," he said. But, he added, "You're never going to   
   forget what it's like to float."   
      
   Becca's is a nearly all-ham family. Her mother, Amy, is KJ6WMF, and her   
   13-year-old brother Mike is KJ6WMG. Only her 7-year-old brother is not yet   
   licensed. According to her dad, Becca believes the CubeSats may be "the next   
   big thing" to promote ham radio and STEM (science, technology, engineering,   
   mathematics) education. "She is going to install a permanent UHF/VHF ground   
   station at Rancho Romero to help this happen," he told the League.   
      
   As for the future, her dad said Becca -- a sophomore at Bentley School in   
   Lafayette, California -- sees a career in health care or technology. "Maybe   
   she'll do both," he added.   
      
   Tim Bosma, W6MU, served as the ARISS mentor for the contact. He told the   
   Contra Costa Times newspaper that Becca was among the youngest people to act   
   as a lead operator" for a school contact. "It's very impressive," he said,   
   adding that it was something he had not seen in his 30 years as a mentor for   
   the program. He is working with Becca as they plan the installation of a   
   VHF/UHF ground station at Rancho Romero to work Amateur Radio satellites.   
      
   ARISS is an international educational outreach with participation from ARRL,   
   NASA, ESA, the Russian Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS), CNES, JAXA, CSA and AMSAT.   
      
   Ham Radio in Space: Happy Birthday to AO-7!   
      
   The AO-7 Amateur Radio satellite turned 39 years old on November 15. Launched   
   in 1974 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California as the second AMSAT Phase   
   2 ham satellite, AO-7 continues to amaze.   
      
   AO-7 made the cover of the April 1974 edition of QST.   
      
   After its batteries succumbed to old age, AO-7 went silent in 1981, only to   
   spring back to life in 2002, although some believe it may have resurrected   
   itself as much as a year earlier. AMSAT describes the Mode A/B bird as   
   "semi-operational" and "almost certainly" running solely from its solar panels.   
      
   The ham satellite organization theorizes that AO-7's batteries shorted when   
   they failed, but the short circuit subsequently opened, allowing the satellite   
   regain some functionality. This means AO-7 only works when it receives direct   
   sunlight, and it shuts down when in eclipse. Since the satellite returned,   
   terrestrial users have enjoyed numerous contacts via AO-7.   
      
   AMSAT-NA this week offered its congratulations to all involved in the   
   designing, building, launching, and operating the satellite, adding, "It's an   
   amazing achievement that, other than the batteries, most of the circuitry   
   continues to function normally 39 years after launch."   
      
   AMSAT newsletters from the 1970s and early 1980s are available, courtesy of   
   KA9Q. N4HY offers a photo gallery depicting AO-7's construction and launch of   
   AO-7. -- Thanks to Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, via AMSAT News Service   
      
      
   Youth: December is YOTA Month!   
      
   During December several European countries will promote ham radio to youth as   
   part of a Youngsters On The Air (YOTA) event, on all bands and modes. Stations   
   will be on the air with "YOTA" as a call sign suffix or appendage.   
      
   "The idea for this is to break the ice for some youngsters," said Bjorn   
   Dettmaring, ON5CFG. "This is not a contest but a shout out to the world of ham   
   radio. Try to get as many youngsters as you can on the air this month," he   
   urged.   
      
   Awards are available for operators or SWLs working or monitoring YOTA   
   stations. Dettmaring said the December event follows up on the success of the   
   Youngsters On The Air events last summer. Awards are free and will be   
   distributed electronically. Only contacts during December 2013 are valid. Each   
   station may be counted only one time. -- Thanks to Bjorn Dettmaring, ON5CFG   
      
   People: Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, Receives Radio Club of America's Sarnoff   
   Citation   
      
   Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH   
      
   Retired FCC Special Counsel for the Spectrum Enforcement Division Riley   
   Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is the 2013 recipient of   
   the Sarnoff Citation. The Radio Club of America established the award in 1973   
   to recognize an individual or club member for "significant contributions to   
   the advancement of electronic communications." The Sarnoff Citation has been   
   made to RCA members "who have contributed to advancement of electronic   
   communications in any significant manner, including nontechnical support of   
   the wireless industry," the club's website states.   
      
   Hollingsworth's engraved award, dated November 23, says, "For your significant   
   contributions and outstanding achievements in wireless communications."   
      
   "I could never adequately thank the Radio Club of America for this award,   
   Hollingsworth said in a statement conveyed to those attending the awards   
   banquet in Orlando. "To receive this -- and it is still hard to believe --   
   from such a prestigious organization is an amazing journey for a 13 year old   
   in South Carolina just learning to appreciate the magic of radio. Thank you   
   all, and thank you very much for benefiting the entire nation by helping so   
   many people choose a career in wireless."   
      
   Other Sarnoff Citation laureates include US Senator Barry Goldwater, K7UGA   
   (SK), ARRL Roanoke Division Director Dennis Bodson, W4PWF, and two-way radio   
   pioneer Fred M. Link, ex-W2ALU (SK).   
      
   In his FCC Enforcement Bureau position, Hollingsworth, who retired in 2008,   
   revived enforcement of Amateur Service rules and regulations.   
      
   Milestones: Former FMRE President Carlos Levy, XE1YK, SK   
      
   Carlos Eduardo Levy Vazquez, XE1YK, of Mexico City -- a well-known radio   
   amateur and academic who served from 2004 until 2008 as president of the   
   Federaci¢n Mexicana de Radio Expermentadores (FMRE) -- Mexico's IARU member   
   society -- has died. He was 62.   
      
      
   Carlos Levy, XE1YK.   
      
   Levy led a successful campaign to unite most of Mexico's major Amateur Radio   
   clubs behind FMRE. Licensed in 1973, he was a DXpeditioner, activating   
   Revillagigedo in 1973 and 2007 as XF4YK.   
      
   "Carlos was a friendly, but strong, leader who tried very hard to improve   
   Amateur Radio in Mexico and the FMRE," said ARRL Membership and Volunteer   
   Programs Manager Dave Patton, NN1N. "He was the right guy at the right time   
   for FMRE, and he will be missed."   
      
   Levy was a professor of international communications at the University   
   Nacional Aut¢noma de M‚xico, where he'd worked for 26 years. He held a PhD in   
   political and social sciences and a master's in international relations, and   
   his academic interests focused on globalization of media, freedom of   
   information, and international politics.   
      
   Survivors include his brother Pepe, XE1J, who serves as ARRL's DXCC card   
   checker in Mexico.   
      
      
   Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, in Seattle, Washington, reports: Due to the Thanksgiving   
   holiday in the United States (Canada celebrates the same holiday on the second   
   Monday in October, Columbus Day in the US), we had a short bulletin last   
   Wednesday and a catch-up bulletin on Monday, December 2.   
      
   Solar activity bounced back this week, with average daily sunspot number   
   increasing from 63.6 to 102.9, and average daily solar flux from 130 to 132.9.   
   There were no periods of disruptive geomagnetic activity, although November 30   
   and December 1 were slightly unsettled.   
      
   Predicted solar flux for December 5-9 is 140, 145, 140, 135 and 130, then 125   
   on December 10-11, 130 on December 12, 135 on December 13-14, 130 on December   
   15-16, 135 on December 17, 130 on December 18-19, 125 and 130 on December   
   20-21, 125 on December 22-23, 130 on December 24-26, and 125 on December 27-28.   
      
   There is an odd peak at 165 predicted for January 8, but this seems to be a   
   remnant of a prediction issued from November 25 through December 1, when there   
   were many days in mid-December, late December, and early January with solar   
   flux predicted at 160 to 165. On December 2 these predictions were radically   
   revised downward, with the exception of January 8.   
      
   From November 25 to December 1 the solar flux prediction was 165 for January   
   4-10, but starting on December 2 that prediction was revised to solar flux at   
   130 on January 4-7, and 135 on January 9-10 and 130 on January 11-12, with   
   January 8 standing alone at 165.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 5 and 8 on December 5-6, 12 on December 7-8, 5   
   on December 9-12, then 10 and 8 on December 13-14, 5 on December 15-25, then   
   12, 10, 8, 12, and 10 on December 26-30.   
      
   This weekend is the ARRL 160 Meter Contest, which starts at 2200 UTC Friday,   
   December 6, and ends at 1600 UTC Sunday, December 8 -- a 42 hour period with   
   no time limitation. We will have an updated geomagnetic forecast for the   
   contest in Friday's bulletin. Given recent quiet geomagnetic conditions and   
   longer hours of darkness in the Northern Hemisphere, 160 meters should be in   
   great shape.   
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Dec 6 -- NCCC Sprint, CW   
    *  Dec 6 -- QRP Fox Hunt (80 meters)   
    *  Dec 6-8 -- ARRL 160 Meter Contest, CW   
    *  Dec 7 -- TARA RTTY Melee   
    *  Dec 7 -- Wake-Up! QRP Sprint, CW   
    *  Dec 7-8 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, CW   
    *  Dec 7-8 --TOPS Activity Contest, CW   
    *  Dec 7-8 -- EPC Ukraine DX Contest, PSK   
    *  Dec 7-8 -- VU International DX Contest (CW/SSB/Mixed)   
    *  Dec 7-8 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon   
    *  Dec 7-8 -- TOPS Activity Contest   
    *  Dec 7-8 -- EPC Ukraine DX Contest   
    *  Dec 7-8/14-15 -- AWA Bruce Kelley Memorial CW Contest   
    *  Dec 8 -- Ten Meter RTTY Contest   
    *  Dec 8 -- CQC Great Colorado Snowshoe Run, CW   
    *  Dec 11 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint   
    *  Dec 11 -- QRP Fox Hunt (40 meters)   
    *  Dec 11-12 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  Dec 13 -- QRP Fox Hunt (80 meters)   
    *  Dec 13 -- NCCC Sprint   
    *  Dec 14-15 -- ARRL 10 Meter Contest   
    *  Dec 14-15 -- International Naval Contest, CW+SSB   
    *  Dec 15 -- QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Homebrew Sprint, CW   
      
   Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events   
      
    *  December 6-7 -- West Central Florida Section Convention, Plant City,   
       Florida   
    *  January 5 -- NYC/LI Section Convention, Bethpage, New York   
    *  January 17-18 -- North Texas Section Convention, Fort Worth, Texas   
    *  January 19-26 - Quartzfest Convention, Quartzsite, Arizona   
    *  January 24-25 -- Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi   
    *  January 25-26 -- Puerto Rico State Convention, Hatillo, Puerto Rico   
    *  January 31-February 1 -- Southern Florida Section Convention, Miami,   
       Florida   
    *  Feb 7-9 -- Northern Florida Section Convention (Orlando HamCationr --   
       Regional ARRL Centennial Event), Orlando, Florida   
    *  Feb 14-15 -- Arizona Section Convention, Yuma, Arizona   
    *  March 1-2 Alabama Section Convention (BirmingHAMfest 2014), Birmingham,   
       Alabama   
    *  March 7-8 North Carolina Section Convention (Charlotte Hamfest),   
       Concord, North Carolina   
    *  March 7-8 West Gulf Division Convention, Claremore, Oklahoma   
    *  March 22-23 Communications Academy, Seattle, Washington   
    *  Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
   Not only is the Universe stranger than we think, it is stranger than we can   
   think. - Werner Heisenberg   
      
   --- FMail/Win32 1.60   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.71)