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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2013-12-12   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   December 12, 2013   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
       
      
    *  Ham Radio in Space: NASA's Juno Spacecraft Hears Hams Say "HI"   
    *  Regulatory: Deadline Looms to Comment on ARRL's "Symbol Rate" Petition   
    *  Radiosport: The 2013 ARRL 10 Meter Contest is This Weekend!   
    *  Radiosport: Contest University 2014 to Include Sessions at ARRL National   
       Centennial Convention   
    *  Your League: ARRL Southeastern Division to Get New Vice Director   
    *  Events: Amateur Radio Direction Finding Enthusiasts Enjoy National,   
       Regional Competition   
    *  Public Service: Plaque Lists Amateur Radio Club Among Superstorm Sandy   
       Volunteers, First Responders   
    *  On the Air: Mandela Special Event Station on the Air   
    *  DX: VU7AG Leader Tells Youngsters about Telecommunications, Ham Radio   
    *  DX: Storm Topples Amateur Radio Contest Club Towers in Northern Europe   
    *  DX: 9X0XA Operation Approved for DXCC Credit   
    *  DX: International Reply Coupon Redemption Deadline Looms   
    *  Youth: Boy Scouts Report Third Year of Growth for JOTA   
    *  People: Former Ham-Astronaut Gets Back into Ham Radio   
    *  Milestones: RAYNET Marks 60 Years   
    *  Getting It Right!   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events   
      
   Ham Radio in Space: NASA's Juno Spacecraft Hears Hams Say "HI"   
      
   In a first-of-a kind for an interplanetary spacecraft, NASA's Juno   
   spacecraft in October was able to detect Amateur Radio signals transmitting   
   "HI" in coordinated, very slow-speed CW. More than a thousand radio amateurs   
   around the globe greeted Juno October 9 as it looped past Earth for a   
   gravity-assisted boost on its way to Jupiter. Participants were invited to   
   spread out across 10 meters to transmit "HI" in very slow speed CW (1/25   
   WPM), sending 30 second dits punctuated by 30 second spaces and 90 seconds   
   between the two characters.   
      
   "The second 'HI' was detected clearly," University of Iowa researcher and   
   Waves Principal Engineer Don Kirchner, KD0L, told ARRL, noting that the   
   distance to the spacecraft was about 37,500 kilometers (23,250 miles). "The   
   signals were usually just at or above the noise level, although at closest   
   approach the first three dits of the 'H' had significantly higher signal   
   levels," Kirchner continued. "A possible explanation is that for a short   
   time we were inside the ionospheric waveguide and, as we increased in   
   altitude, went back above it for the last dit." Shortly after that, Kirchner   
   said, the spacecraft went into safe mode, so outbound data were lost.   
      
   The experiment involved 16 identical transmission rounds or cycles and ran a   
   bit longer than 2-1/2 hours all told (1800 to 2040 UTC). The object of the   
   experiment was to see if Juno's onboard "Waves" experiment would be able to   
   detect the collaborative RF. Spreading out participants on a wide range of   
   10 meter frequencies was intended to improve the chance of the Waves   
   instrument's hearing the ham signals. The detector has a bandwidth of 1 MHz.   
      
   According to the University of Iowa, after the flyby the Juno team evaluated   
   the Waves instrument data containing the messages. Kirchner notes that while   
   previous space missions -- Galileo on its way to Jupiter, and Cassini headed   
   for Saturn -- were able to detect shortwave radio transmissions during their   
   Earth encounters, it was not possible to decode intelligent information   
   using the data from those spacecraft.   
      
   "We believe this was the first intelligent information to be transmitted to   
   a passing interplanetary space instrument, as simple as the message may   
   seem," said Bill Kurth, a University of Iowa Researcher and Lead   
   Investigator for the Waves instrument. "This was a way to involve a large   
   number of people -- those not usually associated with Juno -- in a small   
   portion of the mission."   
      
   Among stations participating were operators at the Virginia Tech Amateur   
   Radio Club's K4KDJ, who posted video of their activity on YouTube.   
      
   Kurth said the activity raised awareness of the mission, adding that the   
   University of Iowa already has heard from some who plan to follow Juno   
   through its science mission at Jupiter. On December 10 during the fall   
   meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco, Kurth and Juno   
   Principal Investigator Scott Bolton of the Southwest Research Institute of   
   San Antonio took part in a news conference to discuss the science gathered   
   during the Juno flyby as well as the success of the "Say HI to Juno"   
   project.   
      
   University of Iowa Amateur Radio Club President Tony Rogers, AD0EN, sits in   
   the operator's chair of club station W0IO, which was among the stations   
   greeting the Juno spacecraft in October. [Tim Schoon/University of Iowa,   
   photo].   
      
   Kirchner said the project originated when public outreach staff at NASA's   
   Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, wanted to know if the UI   
   receiver was able to pick up a voice message. Kurth and Kirchner came up   
   with the idea that a slow Morse code message might work, and Kirchner   
   enlisted the University of Iowa Amateur Radio Club to get involved,   
   spreading the word via ham radio to raise awareness of the project.   
      
   Plans call for Juno to orbit Jupiter 33 times. Among a variety of   
   investigations, Juno will explore Jupiter's northern and southern lights by   
   flying directly through the electrical current systems that generate them.   
   NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which manages the Juno mission for the   
   principal investigator, posted a mini-documentary about the "Say HI to Juno"   
   event on YouTube.   
      
   "We would again like to thank all amateurs who participated," Kirchner told   
   ARRL. "At last report about 1400 had sent in a request for a Juno QSL."   
   Anyone who took part can request a QSL card that acknowledges their help.   
      
   Regulatory: Deadline Looms to Comment on ARRL's "Symbol Rate" Petition   
      
   The deadline is December 21 to file comments on the ARRL's "Symbol Rate"   
   Petition for Rule Making (PRM). The ARRL filed the Petition last month, and   
   the FCC has put it on public notice for comment as RM-11708. The League   
   subsequently filed an Erratum to correct an incorrect appendix included   
   within the Petition. The Petition already has attracted more than 70   
   comments.   
      
   The ARRL has asked the FCC to delete the symbol rate limit in 97.307(f) of   
   its Amateur Service rules and to replace it with a maximum data emission   
   bandwidth of 2.8 kHz on frequencies below 29.7 MHz. The ARRL contends that   
   the changes it proposes would "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" and "permit greater flexibility in the choice of data emissions."   
   Symbol rate represents the number of times per second that a change of state   
   occurs, not to be confused with data (or bit) rate.   
      
   Current FCC rules limit digital data emissions below 28 MHz to 300 baud, and   
   between 28.0 and 28.3 MHz to 1200 baud. The League's petition points out   
   that other radio services use transmission protocols in which the symbol   
   rate exceeds the present limitations set forth in 97.307(f), while staying   
   within the bandwidth of a typical HF single sideband channel (3 kHz).   
      
   "The symbol rate restrictions were created to suit digital modes that are no   
   longer in favor," the ARRL noted in its petition. "If the symbol rate is   
   allowed to increase as technology develops and the Amateur Service utilizes   
   new data emission types, the efficiency of amateur data communications will   
   increase."   
      
   Radiosport: The 2013 ARRL 10 Meter Contest is This Weekend!   
      
   A perennial favorite with many operators, the ARRL 10 Meter Contest is again   
   poised to make a splash on the highest of the HF bands. Conditions on 10   
   meters already look much better than they did in 2012, according to early   
   predictions. In fact, the recent CQ World Wide contests provided many   
   operators with outstanding rates on 10, where the band was busy nearly from   
   end to end.   
      
   During the 2012 ARRL 10 Meter Contest, Dave, W8NF, tunes for mults on CW,   
   while Chuck, AF8Z, runs on SSB, and Ron, KD7VIK, directs the Tualatin Valley   
   Contesters W7TVC low-power multiop in Oregon.   
      
   The 10 meter band, of course, is special in that it features Technician   
   class phone privileges from 28.300 to 28.500 MHz. This means that many more   
   operators, including some who are new to contesting or even to HF operating,   
   can take part in the contest and even be competitive. This is a tremendous   
   opportunity for veteran operators to serve as Elmers to the contesters of   
   tomorrow.   
      
   The 2012 running of the 10 Meter Contest saw an increase in multioperator   
   stations. A few teams were comprised entirely of new operators, a trend   
   indicative of the continued popularity of HF across the US. If you are set   
   up to operate on 10 meters, consider inviting some friends to share the fun   
   by hosting a multioperator effort.   
      
   NG3K's very useful Announced DX Operations page shows which DX operations,   
   some from rare entities, plan to be on the air during the contest. This   
   should offer plenty of opportunities to fill some 10 meter band slots, or   
   even work a "new one!"   
      
   The 2013 ARRL 10 Meter Contest starts at 0000 UTC on Saturday, December 14,   
   and runs through 2359 UTC on Sunday, December 15. Logs should be e-mailed to   
   10meter@arrl.org or postmarked by 0000 UTC Wednesday, January 14, 2014. Mail   
   paper logs to ARRL 10 Meter Contest, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.   
   Upload soapbox comments and photos to the Soapbox page.   
      
   Radiosport: Contest University 2014 to Include Sessions at ARRL National   
   Centennial Convention   
      
   Contest University Chairman Tim Duffy, K3LR, is predicting a great year in   
   2014 for Contest University (CTU). For the first time, CTU in 2014 will hold   
   two different all-day sessions, with no overlap or repeats between the two.   
   Each CTU event will feature unique and updated presentations.   
      
   The first US CTU will be the Dayton Contest University on Thursday, May 15,   
   2014, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Dayton -- the day before Dayton   
   Hamventionr. The Dayton session will offer four classrooms presenting more   
   than 20 all-new presentations by top contesters and station builders. CTU   
   Dayton registration will open soon, and space is limited. The CTU website   
   has more information.   
      
   In July, the ARRL National Centennial Convention will host the second US   
   CTU. It will take place at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford,   
   Connecticut, on July 17, 2014. The ARRL Centennial Convention CTU will be an   
   all-day event with six all-new CTU presentations (no duplication from   
   Dayton) in one classroom.   
      
   The ARRL is handling registrations for the Centennial CTU. Registration for   
   the ARRL National Centennial Convention and the Convention CTU begins in   
   January.   
      
   Your League: ARRL Southeastern Division to Get New Vice Director   
      
   The ARRL Southeastern Division will have a new Vice Director as well as a   
   new Director on January 1. Following balloting in November, Doug Rehman,   
   K4AC, of Mount Dora, Florida, was declared elected to a three-year term as   
   Director, and incumbent Vice Director Jim Millsap, WB4NWS, an appointee,   
   defeated one challenger to win a new, full term.   
      
   A subsequent change in Vice Director Millsap's job responsibilities has made   
   it necessary for him to resign, effective January 1. In accordance with the   
   ARRL Articles of Association and after consultation with the Director-elect,   
   ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, has appointed Michael Lee, AA6ML, of Palm   
   Coast, Florida, to fill the Vict Director vacancy. Lee currently serves as   
   the Northern Florida Section Emergency Coordinator.   
      
   Events: Amateur Radio Direction Finding Enthusiasts Enjoy National, Regional   
   Competition   
      
   Nearly 50 radio direction finding enthusiasts took part in the 13th USA   
   Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) national championships, held in the   
   Uwharrie National Forest near Asheboro, North Carolina, in October. This   
   year's weeklong US competition was combined with the Seventh ARDF   
   Championships of IARU Region 2 (the Americas). ARDF competition rules are   
   established by the IARU.   
      
   "The object is always to find as many of the required transmitters as   
   possible in the shortest time and then navigate to the finish line, using   
   only one's own direction-finding equipment plus a compass and the provided   
   map," explained ARRL ARDF Coordinator Joe Moell, KOOV. "There are classic   
   competitions on separate days on the 2 meter and 80 meter bands, with up to   
   five transmitters in an area of about 1000 acres."   
      
   Nearing the finish line is Jay Hennigan, WB6RDV, who was the top USA   
   competitor in the category for men over age 60 in the 2 meter, 80 meter, and   
   sprint events. [Joe Moell, KOOV, photo]   
      
   Moell said the competition included two new events, both on 80 meters. "The   
   sprint is a shortened course with 10 transmitters and a faster transmitter   
   cycle," he explained. "Foxoring is a combination of orienteering and   
   foxhunting, in which competitors receive maps marked with the approximate   
   locations of a dozen very low-power transmitters that they are to find.   
   Competitors are divided into six age categories for males and five for   
   females, with medals awarded to winners in each category."   
      
   As in many European countries, the US national championships are open,   
   meaning that visitors from other countries are welcome. Visitors compete for   
   individual medals in an overall division that includes everyone. This year,   
   visiting competitors came from China, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine and   
   United Kingdom. Stateside radio-orienteers enjoyed comparing notes with them   
   on ARDF equipment and techniques.   
      
   Complete results of all events are available on the Backwoods Orienteering   
   Klub (BOK) website. More than 90 photos have been posted on Moell's Homing   
   In website, which includes much more information about the growing sport of   
   ARDF.   
      
   Plans are already underway for next year's national championships. These are   
   expected to take place in early June, in time for selection of ARDF Team   
   USA, which will travel to Kazakhstan for the 17th ARDF World Championships   
   in September 2014. "A maximum of three competitors in each age-gender   
   category may be on a nation's team," Moell pointed out. "They will be   
   selected from the best performers at the 2013 and 2014 USA Championships."   
   Read more.   
      
   Public Service: Plaque Lists Amateur Radio Club Among Superstorm Sandy   
   Volunteers, First Responders   
      
   The Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club (GSBARC) earned a spot on a plaque   
   honoring first responders and other volunteers who assisted in the wake of   
   the devastating Superstorm Sandy and the nor'easter that followed in the   
   fall of 2012. The Town of Babylon, a township consisting of several   
   communities on Long Island, New York, erected the plaque earlier this fall   
   in Tanner Park in the village of Copiague. The park, which faces Great South   
   Bay on Long Island's south shore, suffered serious damage from the storms.   
      
   The plaque reads, "When the Town of Babylon was struck by Superstorm Sandy   
   in the fall of 2012, many residents were exposed to dangerous storm   
   conditions; some of whom were rescued from their homes. These brave men and   
   women were the first to answer the call when their neighbors needed them the   
   most. We thank them for their service and dedicate this plaque to them."   
      
   According to GSBARC spokesman Bob Myers, K2TV, the recognition "came as a   
   complete surprise" to the club, most of whom also belong to the local ARES   
   organization. "They were only carrying out what they felt was expected after   
   the many hours of training and emergency preparedness," he said. "Having   
   recognition like this serves as validation that they were doing their job."   
      
   ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, thanked the town "for   
   recognizing our efforts" as well as all those GSBARC and ARES members who   
   helped after the storms. "May we keep ever vigilant and prepared as   
   communicators, helping out any way we can," Lisenco added. He pointed out   
   that GSBARC is the first volunteer organization the plaque lists.   
      
   On the Air: Mandela Special Event Station on the Air   
      
   To commemorate the life of the late former president of South Africa Nelson   
   Rolihlahla Mandela, the South African Radio League (SARL) is sponsoring   
   special event station ZS9MADIBA for a period of 30 days. "Madiba" is   
   Mandela's Xhosa tribal name. Mandela, who served from 1994 until 1998 as   
   South Africa's first black president, died December 5 at the age of 95.   
      
   "The South African Radio League, its council and members join the world in   
   mourning the loss of South Africa's greatest statesman, Nelson Rolihlahla   
   Mandela," the SARL said on its website. "Let us continue to remember and be   
   encourged by the so many positive things for which he stood. While we mourn   
   his passing, we celebrate his life and the lessons he taught us and the   
   world."   
      
   Contacts will be confirmed via Logbook of The World (LoTW), and the SARL   
   will issue a special QSL card. -- Thanks to The Daily DX; SARL   
      
   DX: VU7AG Leader Tells Youngsters about Telecommunications, Ham Radio   
      
   As the VU7AG Lakshadweep Islands DXpedition was winding down, its leader,   
   Krish Kumar, W4VKU, took time out to talk to students on Agatti Island about   
   telecommunications and Amateur Radio. The classroom presentation fulfilled a   
   goal of a Colvin Award, which helped to fund the DXpedition, to enhance the   
   condition of Amateur Radio in the DX location. The VU7AG operation has been   
   approved for DXCC credit. Kumar said his presentation covered the Internet,   
   the mobile phone system, and the role of radio and Amateur Radio.   
      
   "I have a PowerPoint [presentation] that talked about the Internet, the   
   routing of data, the way the phone systems are tied, and how the kids can   
   play with Amateur radio," Kumar told ARRL. He also left behind an "old, but   
   good" copy of the ARRL's Now You're Talking for the school library. "We did   
   two sessions for the 11th and 12th graders. This was followed by an   
   on-the-air demonstration."   
      
   Kumar also purchased a DVD of the PBS series "The Universe" for the school.   
   "The principal was very happy with the event," Kumar added.   
      
   The VU7AG DXpedition, which got underway November 20, wrapped up December   
   10. Logs will be uploaded to Logbook of The World (LoTW). The VU7AG team   
   logged 55,304 contacts.   
      
   DX: Storm Topples Amateur Radio Contest Club Towers in Northern Europe   
      
   Stormy weather has taken down major ham radio antenna towers in Finland and   
   Denmark. On December 6, Radio Arcala (OH8X) reported that its 330 foot tall   
   tower supporting massive 160 meter and 80 meter Yagis literally fell victim   
   to high winds that also took out power to some 200,000 homes in Finland.   
      
   "The mammoth structure collapsed peacefully, not hitting any of the other   
   six towers, not hurting people or damaging buildings," a report from Jarmo   
   J. Jaakola, OH2BN, described. "As professional engineering efforts had up to   
   now ensured the survival of this 5 year old structure, inspectors are busy   
   trying to evaluate the cause of the failure. It is suspected that automation   
   designed to enable the array to find its most comfortable position in high   
   winds somehow locked up and caused the structure to corkscrew."   
      
   In Denmark, the same storm bent over the top of the OZ5E contest station's   
   tower supporting a 20 meter OptiBeam and 3 element 40 meter Yagi -- "a total   
   loss," the Danish Contest Academy reports on its website.   
      
   The Daily DX this week relayed a report from Rick Dorsch, NE8Z, that Monk   
   Apollo, SV2ASP/A, lost all of his antennas, including a SteppIR beam, in the   
   windstorm. SV2ASP is the only station active on HF from the DXCC entity of   
   Mount Athos.   
      
   DX: 9X0XA Operation Approved for DXCC Credit   
      
   The ARRL DXCC Desk has approved the 2013 operation of 9X0XA -- Rwanda for DX   
   Century Club credit. If a request for DXCC credit for this operation has   
   been rejected in a prior application, contact ARRL Awards Branch Manager   
   Bill Moore, NC1L, to be placed on the list for an update to your record.   
   Please note the submission date and/or reference number of your application   
   in order to expedite the search for any rejected contacts.   
      
   DXCC is Amateur Radio's premier award that hams can earn by confirming   
   on-the-air contacts with 100 DXCC "entities," most of which are countries in   
   the traditional sense. You can begin with the basic DXCC award and work your   
   way up to the DXCC Honor Roll. Learn more. -- ARRL Awards Branch Manager   
   Bill Moore, NC1L   
      
   DX: International Reply Coupon Redemption Deadline Looms   
      
   The Nairobi design IRC.   
      
   DXers or anyone who uses International Reply Coupons (IRCs) should redeem   
   the so-called "Nairobi" design IRCs that expire on December 31, 2013. The US   
   Postal Service no longer sells IRCs, and most USPS employees are unfamiliar   
   with them. The USPS's International Mail Manual (IMM) covers the topic in   
   Section 381, however. If the postal clerk can't help, ask for a supervisor.   
   Also, take along a copy of the appropriate IMM section. If you do need IRCs,   
   the new Czech design coupons do not expire until the end of 2017. -- Thanks   
   to The Daily DX   
      
   Youth: Boy Scouts Report Third Year of Growth for JOTA   
      
   The Boy Scouts of America reports the number of stations taking part in the   
   2013 Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) was up by 33 percent to 271, although the   
   number of Scouts reported on the air was down by 25 percent to nearly   
   14,000. All the statistics still may not be in, however.   
      
   The number of Amateur Radio operators involved in JOTA 2013 rose from 1000   
   last year to nearly 1300 in 2013.   
      
   "The number of stations that registered prior to the event hit a new record   
   of 419, but quite a few just didn't provide a report after the event," said   
   Jim Wilson, K5ND, the national JOTA organizer and chairman of the National   
   Radio Scouting Committee. "So, we're hopeful that the number of Scouts   
   actually continued to increase."   
      
   According to the JOTA report, some JOTA groups "made very creative use" of   
   two contests on the air that weekend, taking part in the events -- the   
   Worked All Germany Contest and the New York QSO Party. "They essentially   
   entered the contest, set up the exchange information, and allowed the Scouts   
   to work rapid-fire contacts in full contest style."   
      
   Worldwide last year, nearly 700,000 Scouts took part from more than 6000   
   Amateur Radio stations in 150 countries. The JOTA 2013 report and a summary   
   video are available on the K2BSA Radio Scouting website.   
      
   People: Former Ham-Astronaut Gets Back into Ham Radio   
      
   Former NASA Astronaut Susan J. Helms, KC7NHZ, has renewed her interest in   
   ham radio, and, as of November 26, has her old call sign back. A   
   lieutenant-general in the US Air Force, Helms now is the senior officer at   
   Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Due to pressing Air Force duties,   
   she allowed her license to expire in 2005, but when the Satellite Amateur   
   Radio Club (W6AB) hosted a 2013 Boy Scouts Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)   
   activity for several local Scout troops, Helms's interest returned, and she   
   took and passed the Technician examination during a test session at the   
   event, obtaining KK6HNZ -- which coincidentally contained the same three   
   letters as her old call sign's suffix.   
      
   In 2001 during her duty tour aboard the International Space Station, Helms   
   thrilled ARRL Field Day participants by getting on the air from NA1SS in the   
   first Field Day operation from space. She worked several dozen stations as   
   the ISS passed over the US. -- Thanks to Eric Lemmon, WB6FLY   
      
   Milestones: RAYNET Marks 60 Years   
      
   When England's east cost was struck by a devastating flood in 1953 that   
   claimed more than 300 lives, evacuations were hindered by a lack of   
   effective communication. Amateur Radio volunteers filled the gap, but at the   
   time the UK had no volunteer emergency communication corps, such as ARES in   
   the US. Previous attempts to establish such an organization ran into   
   governmental roadblocks, but after the East Coast Flood, RAYNET -- the Radio   
   Amateurs' Emergency Network was inaugurated in November 1953.   
      
   Today RAYNET's 2000 Amateur Radio members serve as the UK's premier   
   volunteer communication group. To advance emergency communication as well as   
   Amateur Radio, RAYNET and the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) have a   
   formal agreement to work together.   
      
   In a Yorkshire Post article, RAYNET Chairman Cathy Clark, G1GQJ, was quoted   
   as saying, "With our current unpredictable climate and the high risk of   
   failure of modern communications networks, RAYNET volunteers can make a   
   crucial difference." -- Thanks to John Bigley, N7UR, Nevada Amateur Radio   
   Newswire   
      
   Getting It Right!   
      
   The article "Public Service: Amateur Radio Disaster Response in Philippines   
   Winds Down," in The ARRL Letter, December 5, 2013, contained incorrect   
   information regarding the donation of an HF transceiver to the Philippine   
   Amateur Radio Association (PARA). Stanley Jungleib, WA6LVC, donated the HF   
   transceiver and antenna tuner. Patrick Prescott, KC1AJT, who was mentioned   
   in the article, told the ARRL that he has been coordinating shipments for   
   anyone who wishes to donate. These include a hand-held transceiver and some   
   clothing items from Karen Trask, N1VI. -- Thanks to Patrick Prescott, KC1AJT   
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, in Seattle, Washington, reports: Solar indicators rose over   
   the past week, with the high points being a sunspot number of 169 and solar   
   flux of 175.2 -- both on Tuesday, December 10. In an otherwise quiet week,   
   the planetary A index reached 26 on Sunday, December 8, sparked by a strong   
   solar wind surging from a coronal hole. We could see a repeat this weekend,   
   although it is predicted to be weaker. The planetary A index during the ARRL   
   10 meter Contest this weekend may be a bit more active than contesters would   
   like, with predicted values of 10 and 18 on Saturday and Sunday.   
      
   Compared to the previous 7 days, from December 5 to December 11 the average   
   daily sunspot number rose from 102.9 to 122.1, and average daily solar flux   
   increased from 132.9 to 162.4.   
      
   The predicted values in the 45 day solar flux outlook took a substantial   
   leap on December 8. On December 7 the predicted average solar flux for   
   December 10 to December 15 was 141, but on December 8 the projected average   
   for the same period was 170. The predicted values for the following 45 days   
   increased across the board, but have since scaled back somewhat.   
      
   The latest prediction has solar flux at 168, 165 and 160 on December 12-14,   
   155 on December 15-16, 150 on December 17-18, 160 and 170 on December 19-20,   
   172 on December 21-22, 175 on December 23-25, 172 on December 26, 170 on   
   December 27-29, 165 on December 30, and 160 on December 31 through January   
   2, 2014.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 5 on December 12-13, and then 10, 18, and 8   
   on December 14-16, 5 on December 17-25, then 12, 10, and 8 on December   
   26-28, and 5 on December 29 through January 2, 2014.   
      
   Don't miss the ARRL 10 Meter Contest this weekend, getting underway at 0000   
   UTC on December 14 and continuing through 0259 UTC on December 15.   
      
   Predicted solar flux shows this year's 10 Meter Contest may benefit from the   
   highest solar activity since the 2002 event, when solar flux values were   
   about 25 points higher than now. Conditions may be similar to 1999, when   
   solar flux was about the same as it is now. This was before the peak of the   
   last solar cycle.   
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
   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   
      
   Dec 16 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest   
      
   Dec 16 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint   
      
   Dec 18 -- QRP Fox Hunt (40 meters)   
      
   Dec 20-Jan 1 -- Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party   
      
   Dec 20 -- QRP Fox Hunt (80 meters)   
      
   Dec 20 -- NCCC Sprint   
      
   Dec 20 -- Russian 160 Meter Contest   
      
   Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events   
      
   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 -- Georgia ARES Convention, Forsyth, Georgia   
      
   January 25-26 -- Puerto Rico State Convention, Hatillo, Puerto Rico   
      
   January 31-February 1 -- Southern Florida Section Convention, Miami, Florida   
      
   February 1 -- Virginia State Convention (Frostfest), Richmond, Virginia   
      
   February 7-9 -- Northern Florida Section Convention (Orlando HamCationr --   
   Regional ARRL Centennial Event), Orlando, Florida   
      
   February 14-15 -- Arizona Section Convention, Yuma, Arizona   
      
   February 22 -- Vermont State Convention, South Burlington, Vermont   
      
   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 14-15 -- Delta Division Convention, Rayne, Louisiana   
      
   March 15 -- Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska   
      
   March 15 -- West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas   
      
   March 22 -- South Texas Section Convention (Greater Houston Hamfest),   
   Rosenberg, Texas   
      
   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)