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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2015-01-22   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
   January 22, 2015   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
     * ARRL Board Okays Changes to DXCC Program, VHF and Above Contesting Rules   
     * ARRL Roanoke Division Director Dennis Bodson, W4PWF, Retires   
     * ARRL Executive Committee Approves Education & Technology Program Grants   
     * ARRL Submits Comments to FCC on WRC-15 Draft Recommendations   
     * ARES Volunteers in Ohio Activate Following Loss of 911, Telephone Services   
     * Michigan Passes, Governor Signs Antenna Accommodation Legislation   
     * Navassa DXpedition Team Poised to Offer "Once in 32 Years" Opportunity   
     * EP6T Team Pleads for "More Respect" from Operators   
     * Fox-1A Satellite Launch Date Launch Set for August   
     * Australian "Pico Balloon" Piques Ham Radio Interest   
     * In Brief...   
     * The K7RA Solar Update   
     * Just Ahead in Radiosport   
     * Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events   
      
   ARRL Board Okays Changes to DXCC Program, VHF and Above Contesting Rules   
      
   The ARRL Board of Directors has tweaked the DX Century Club (DXCC) rules to   
   clarify and expand their recognition of remotely controlled station   
   technology. It has also added a rule that puts greater ethical responsibility   
   on operators with respect to remotely controlled operation. In addition, the   
   Board adopted changes to the ARRL VHF/UHF contest rules that are aimed at   
   encouraging greater participation. The Board took the actions during its   
   annual meeting January 16-17 in Windsor, Connecticut.   
      
   The DXCC Rules changes, which affect Section I, subsections 8 and 9, explain   
   and extend how contacts with remotely controlled stations now may be applied   
   toward the DXCC award. According to ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, the changes   
   are subtle but significant. The modified rules make clear that contacts with   
   legally licensed, land-based, remotely controlled stations count for DXCC, but   
   the control point -- the operator's location -- of a remotely controlled   
   station no longer has to be land based; the operator can be literally anywhere.   
      
   "It has always been permitted for a QSO to count for both stations, if either   
   station was operated remotely from a control point within the same DXCC   
   entity," Sumner explained. "Now the location of the operator doesn't matter;   
   the operator could be on the far side of the Moon, if he or she could figure   
   out how to remotely control a station on land back on Earth from there."   
   Transmitter location continues to define a station's location, and, for DXCC   
   purposes, all transmitters and receivers must be located within a 500 meter   
   diameter circle, excluding antennas.   
      
   Under the old rules, if either station was operated from a control point in   
   another DXCC entity, the contact did not count for DXCC for either station.   
   "This was unenforceable unless someone was transparent about what they were   
   doing," Sumner said.   
      
   The Board further adopted a new rule, now Subsection 11 (subsequent rules have   
   been renumbered accordingly), that acknowledges the reality of the technology   
   enabling remote operation, and it puts greater responsibility on individuals   
   when it comes to applying that technology ethically and responsibly.   
      
   "Issues concerning remotely controlled operating and DXCC are best dealt with   
   by each individual carefully considering the ethical limits that he/she will   
   accept for his/her DXCC and other operating awards," the new rule states. It   
   adds, in part, "the owner of these achievements needs to be comfortable   
   standing behind his/her award and numbers. Peer attention has always been a   
   part of awards chasing, of course, but in these times with so many awards and   
   so many players, it is more important than ever to 'play the game ethically.'"   
      
   Subsection 11 acknowledges that technological advances "add to the difficulty   
   in defining rules for DXCC," but stresses that the intent of the rules is   
   what's important. "It will continue to be up to the operator to decide what   
   types of legal remote control operating he/she will use (if any) to contribute   
   to an operating award," the new rule concludes.   
      
   VHF and Above Contest Rules Revised   
      
   The Board also adopted amendments to the General Rules for ARRL Contests Above   
   50 MHz to encourage greater participation and band utilization. The changes   
   become effective with the 2015 June ARRL VHF Contest. The revisions stemmed   
   from recommendations offered by the Board's Programs and Services Committee's   
   ad-hoc VHF and Above Revitalization subcommittee, composed of active VHF/UHF   
   contesters, and they received strong support from the VHF/UHF community.   
      
   The subcommittee was charged with developing recommendations to increase the   
   level and breadth of ARRL VHF and Above contest participation and encourage   
   operation on lesser-used bands. As a start to the process, the Board approved   
   three changes that will permit the use of assistance for all operator   
   categories, with no effect on entry category; permit self-spotting for all   
   operator categories, and allow single operators to transmit on more than one   
   band at a time.   
      
   The changes will permit assistance in arranging contacts, but not in   
   conducting contacts. They will, for example, allow a station to announce its   
   location in a chat room, on a repeater, or even via e-mail.   
      
   In other actions, the Board instructed the HF Band Planning Committee -- which   
   will soon solicit members' comments on proposed changes to the ARRL HF Band   
   Plans -- to include the possibility of requesting that the FCC add RTTY and   
   data privileges for Novices and Technicians on 15 meters.   
      
   Other Business   
      
   The Board also   
      
     * Bestowed the 2014 George Hart Distinguished Service Award on David B.   
   Colter, WA1ZCN.   
      
     * Added "Assistant Section Traffic Manager" as a new field appointment.   
      
     * Authorized ARRL Headquarters staff to implement guidelines to expand   
   opportunities for field checking of 160 meter QSL cards for DXCC.   
      
     * Honored several professional journalists with the ARRL Bill Leonard Award   
   for their outstanding coverage of Amateur Radio in video, print, and audio   
   media.   
      
   ARRL Roanoke Division Director Dennis Bodson, W4PWF, Retires   
      
   ARRL Roanoke Division Director Dennis Bodson, W4PWF, has stepped down, and   
   Vice Director Dr Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, has succeeded him. Bodson announced his   
   retirement on January 16 -- before the official end of his term next January 1   
   -- at the Board of Directors' Annual Meeting in Windsor, Connecticut.   
      
   Fellow Board members gave Bodson a standing ovation in recognition of his   
   years of service to the League. The Board elected Bodson as an Honorary Vice   
   President.   
      
   Bodson served as Roanoke Division Vice Director from 1993 through 2000 and as   
   Director from 2001 until his retirement.   
      
   Earlier in the meeting, ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, had presented Bodson with   
   his 60-year ARRL membership certificate.   
      
   An ARRL Life Member, Boehner served as ARRL South Carolina Section Manager   
   from 2003 until 2009, when he was elected Roanoke Division Vice Director. He   
   was re-elected in 2013.   
      
   Boehner is an avid DXer and has achieved DXCC Honor Roll and 5-Band DXCC.   
   Originally from New York, Boehner is in private medical practice in Aiken,   
   South Carolina.   
      
   ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, has appointed Bill Morine, N2COP, of   
   Wilmington, North Carolina, to complete the remainder of Boehner's term as   
   Roanoke Division Vice Director, effective immediately.   
      
   An ARRL Life Member, Morine served as North Carolina Section Manager from 2010   
   until 2014, and is a past ARRL Public Relations Committee chairman. Morine was   
   the 2001 recipient of the ARRL Philip J. McGan award for public relations.   
      
   ARRL Executive Committee Approves Education & Technology Program Grants   
      
   The ARRL Executive Committee has approved Education & Technology Program (ETP)   
   station and progress grants to five schools. Two schools received ETP station   
   grants at an estimated total of $3600, while three others already enrolled in   
   the program received progress grants totaling $800.   
      
   Station grants will go to the Banning Lewis ranch Academy in Colorado Springs,   
   Colorado, and to Southport Elementary School in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Banning   
   Lewis Academy wants to set up an Amateur Radio station at the school for a   
   club formed within the past year. Eleven students already have become licensed   
   and have participated in the ARRL School Club Roundup and other on-air   
   activities using borrowed equipment. The school also offers a class in basic   
   electronics and radio. Southport Elementary plans to set up an Amateur Radio   
   station at the school, form a radio club, and integrate the ARRL wireless   
   technology curriculum into the classroom.   
      
   Receiving progress grants were Forest Knolls Elementary School in Silver   
   Spring, Maryland; Ankeny Centennial High School in Ankeny, Iowa, and South   
   Hopkins Middle School in Nortonville, Kentucky. Forest Knolls requested funds   
   for an additional antenna for a second school club station. Ankeny Centennial   
   High School asked for additional funds to purchase antenna supplies (wire and   
   coaxial feed line) for a student project to build a portable antenna for Field   
   Day and other activities. The school's Amateur Radio club boasts some 30   
   active student members. South Hopkins Middle School sought a progress grant to   
   fund the purchase of fox hunt transmitters and handheld transceivers to   
   conduct school Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) activities with the   
   support of local ham radio clubs.   
      
   The goal of the ARRL Education & Technology Program, directed by Mark Spencer,   
   WA8SME, is to facilitate the integration of wireless technology into   
   participating school curricula. The League provides curriculum development   
   support, resource libraries, ham station equipment grants and progress grants,   
   and ARRL Teachers Institute in-service training. The current -- and expanding   
   -- count of ETP schools/teachers stands at 663.   
      
   ARRL Submits Comments to FCC on WRC-15 Draft Recommendations   
      
   The ARRL has commented on two draft recommendations of the FCC's 2015 World   
   Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) Advisory Committee (WAC) as well as on   
   a draft proposal provided to the FCC by the National Telecommunications and   
   Information Administration (NTIA).   
      
   The ARRL expressed support for the status quo regarding an allocation to the   
   Mobile Service for broadband applications at 3400-4200 MHz and 4500-4800 MHz,   
   which is under consideration as part of Agenda Item 1.1 at WRC-15. The   
   3400-3500 MHz segment is allocated on a secondary basis to the Amateur Service   
   in ITU Regions 2 and 3, with a secondary allocation by footnote in some   
   countries in ITU Region 1. The League said advocates for the allocation have   
   failed to account for the protection of existing services.   
      
   "[The] failure to even superficially address the protection of all existing   
   services -- including the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite services -- is   
   glaring," the ARRL said. The WAC's so-called "View A" -- to make no change in   
   the allocation -- in part said, "The secondary nature of the Amateur Service   
   allocation requires flexibility in frequency selection to permit an Amateur   
   Service licensee to use the allocation and fulfill his or her obligation not   
   to cause harmful interference to the numerous primary services, including the   
   FSS [Fixed-Satellite Service]."   
      
   ITU-R Resolution 233, adopted at WRC-12, spelled out explicit requirements for   
   the studies of the candidate bands, including sharing and compatibility   
   studies with services already having allocations. As the League noted in its   
   comments, a relevant ITU-R Recommendation stated that additional sharing with   
   the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite services should not introduce high signal   
   density services in the spectrum at issue, and that sharing studies should   
   consider the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite services' needs for "weak-signal"   
   reception.   
      
   The ARRL supported the FCC WAC view on Agenda Item 1.12 that the US not be   
   added to international footnote 5.480 -- basically an exception -- to the   
   Table of Allocations that could make part of the 10.0-10.5 GHz segment   
   vulnerable to additional allocation for Fixed Service applications. The   
   Amateur and Amateur-Satellite services have a secondary allocation in the   
   band, and the Federal Radiolocation Service is primary. The proposed "footnote   
   amendment," the League argued, "plainly, clearly, and indisputably contradicts   
   existing United States regulations." The League's comments accused Mimosa   
   Networks, which has argued in favor of having the US sign on to the   
   international footnote, of advancing an "illogical construction to obtain the   
   result it desires."   
      
   Mimosa Networks has petitioned the FCC to permit unlicensed Part 15 wireless   
   broadband services in the 10.0-10.5 GHz band. In comments last year, the ARRL   
   called Mimosa's Petition "fatally flawed" and said it should be dismissed.   
   Among other things, the League told the FCC last year that Mimosa's Petition   
   was inconsistent with a US footnote in the domestic Table of Allocations, and   
   that alone was sufficient reason for the Commission to quash Mimosa's request.   
      
   In its comments on WRC-15 Agenda Item 1.12, the League said that Mimosa did   
   not raise an objection to the WAC's initially adopted position until months   
   after the comment deadline. The ARRL said the FCC should use its original   
   position -- and not a later one that includes Mimosa's arguments -- as the   
   baseline for any discussions with federal agencies to reconcile the agenda   
   item.   
      
   The League also said the NTIA was correct in proposing that regulatory changes   
   for nanosatellites and picosatellites be addressed under standing Agenda Item   
   7 at WRC-19. Read more.   
      
   ARES Volunteers in Ohio Activate Following Loss of 911, Telephone Services   
      
   ARES volunteers in northeast Ohio activated on January 13 after 911 and other   
   telephone services went down in six counties due to a power failure at a major   
   AT&T center in Akron. The outage was blamed on a burst steam pipe. Cell   
   telephones and the 800-900 MHz digital Multi-Agency Radio Communication System   
   (MARCS) remained functioning.   
      
   The Medina County Emergency Management Agency requested ARES communication   
   support with surrounding counties, with the Ohio Emergency Operations Center   
   (EOC) in Columbus as a backup. At the same time, EMA Directors in Stark,   
   Summit, Portage, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties alerted their ARES   
   organizations.   
      
   Ohio ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator Stan Broadway, N8BHL, also requested   
   activation of RACES station W8SGT at the Ohio EOC. Communication was   
   established on 75 meters with several county Emergency Coordinators. The EOC   
   also was able to link up with the Stark County 2 meter repeater, some 135   
   miles away.   
      
   The Amateur Radio activation terminated after 4 hours, once the 911 system was   
   brought back online. "My thanks to all who were involved!" Broadway said. "Our   
   response was quick and professional and was a great opportunity to show the   
   value of Amateur Radio." Read more.   
      
   Michigan Passes, Governor Signs Antenna Accommodation Legislation   
      
   Ten years of work within the ARRL Michigan Section have culminated in an   
   Amateur Radio antenna bill that mirrors the "reasonable accommodation"   
   provisions of the PRB-1 federal pre-emption policy. Michigan Governor Rick   
   Snyder signed the measure, Senate Bill 0493, into law on January 15, creating   
   Public Act 556. Senator Rick Jones sponsored the bill. ARRL Michigan Section   
   Manager Larry Camp, WB8R, said Michigan is the 31st state to have a PRB-1 bill   
   on its books.   
      
   "The current PRB-1 Team has been working for 3 years to get this   
   accomplished," he said. "Our bill endured four votes on its way to becoming   
   law -- Senate and House committees and the Senate and House floors. Each vote   
   was unanimous."   
      
   The most pertinent language in the new Michigan law, which comes directly from   
   97.15 of the FCC Amateur Service rules, states:   
      
   An Amateur Radio Service station antenna structure may be erected at heights   
   and dimensions sufficient to accommodate Amateur Radio Service communications.   
   Regulation of an Amateur Radio Service station antenna structure by a local   
   unit of government must not preclude Amateur Radio Service communications.   
   Rather, it must reasonably accommodate those communications and must   
   constitute the minimum practicable regulation to accomplish the local unit of   
   government's legitimate purpose.   
      
   The new law also provides for an advisory committee that may be established   
   jointly by the Michigan Section and other state organizations, such as the   
   Michigan Municipal League and the Michigan Township Association. Camp said the   
   PRB-1 Team believes the advisory committee will be an important tool in   
   situations where community officials know little or nothing about Amateur   
   Radio. Read more.   
      
   Find ARRL on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter!   
   ______________________________________________________________________________   
      
   Navassa DXpedition Team Poised to Offer "Once in 32 Years" Opportunity   
      
   The K1N Navassa DXpedition team hopes to be on the air with up to eight   
   stations in less than 2 weeks, offering a "once in 32 years" opportunity to   
   work the most-wanted DXCC entity. It's been 22 years since the last Navassa   
   operation, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), which is responsible   
   for the island, will not permit another operation for at least 10 more years.   
   The team said its exact departure date will not be determined until the last   
   minute and will depend on the USFWS and on weather conditions. The team will   
   arrive at its staging point a few days before the earliest possible departure   
   window and will be ready for rapid deployment to Navassa.   
      
   "As soon as the USFWS has landed on the island and declared it is safe to   
   proceed, we will start the helicopter flights and commence operations," the   
   K1N team said this week in a media release.   
      
   "We hope to have a basic camp established by the end of the first day, and, if   
   things go extremely well, we hope to have several stations on the air by   
   nightfall on the second day," the K1N media release said. The K1N team will   
   take along a VHF/UHF transceiver and an Arrow antenna in the hope of making   
   some satellite contacts via FO-29. AMSAT has provided the DXpedition with a   
   Yaesu FT-817 transceiver and associated equipment, as well as pass   
   predictions, an operational plan, and training.   
      
   The K1N stations will always operate split frequency, listening up or down,   
   depending upon the band plan. Stations should avoid transmitting on the   
   DXpedition's frequency. Read more.   
      
   EP6T Team Pleads for "More Respect" from Operators   
      
   The EP6T DXpedition team now on Iran's Kish Island (IOTA AS-166) has implored   
   operators hoping to work the rare DXCC entity to show more respect and exhibit   
   better operating manners. The EP6T team said it's aware that the majority of   
   contacts have been with Europe, North America, Oceania, and Asia, and the   
   operators are doing their best to work other regions, but that 10 days may not   
   be long enough to satisfy the surging demand, and "ham spirit" has been hard   
   to find.   
      
   "Jammers calling with fake calls and disrespecting the operators, sending   
   disgraceful e-mails, and calling us names is sometimes too much for us," the   
   EP6T team said. "Please, a little more respect is needed."   
      
   The operators report that many stations from Japan have made it through on the   
   low bands and some North American stations have gone into the log on 80   
   meters. So far, though, only KV4FZ and NP2X have been successful on 160, and   
   even Europe has been hard to work at sunrise.   
      
   The team has four receive antennas and has intended to focus on 160 meters,   
   but, they said, "when conditions are bad, there's nothing we can do."   
      
   The Rockall DX Group is sponsoring the DXpedition to Iran, which is #33 on   
   ClubLog's DXCC Most Wanted List. -- Thanks to The Daily DX   
      
   Fox-1A Satellite Launch Date Launch Set for August   
      
   AMSAT has announced that its Fox-1A satellite will launch on August 27 from   
   Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5   
   National Reconnaissance Office flight. Fox-1A will include an FM transponder   
   with an uplink frequency of 435.180 MHz, and a downlink frequency of 145.980   
   MHz. The first phase of the Fox series 1-Unit CubeSats will allow simple   
   ground stations using hand-held transceivers and simple dual-band antennas to   
   make contacts. The Fox-1 CubeSats also will be able to transmit continuous   
   telemetry during normal transponder operation. The satellites will feature 200   
   bps telemetry in the audio spectrum below 300 Hz.   
      
   AMSAT said other satellites in its Fox series will take advantage of   
   additional launch opportunities this year and next. The Fox-1B satellite is   
   scheduled to fly next year. Fox-1C will launch during the 3rd quarter of 2015.   
      
   AMSAT has purchased the Fox-1C launch opportunity, which was not funded by the   
   CSLI ELaNa program, and fundraising to cover the $125,000 cost is under way   
   via the AMSAT-NA website and the FundRazr crowdsourcing website. Read more. --   
   Thanks to AMSAT News Service via the Fox-1 Team   
      
   Australian "Pico Balloon" Piques Ham Radio Interest   
      
   A foil "party balloon" released in late December from Melbourne, Australia,   
   carrying an HF Amateur Radio payload, ended its journey on January 16 off the   
   east coast of Africa near Madagascar. Andy Nguyen, VK3YT, of Kensington,   
   Victoria, Australia, released his PS-30 "pico balloon" on December 27, hoping   
   that it might circle the globe. Its 13-gram Amateur Radio payload included a   
   solar-powered 25 mW transmitter, sending telemetry on 30 and 20 meters using   
   WSPR and JT9 digital modes. Many radio amateurs tracked the balloon's progress   
   during its 20-day flight.   
      
   "There was some bad weather in the region, but speculations also include the   
   possibility it was brought down (attacked) by the naughty penguins on the   
   Island," Nguyen quipped, referring to the 2014 animated movie comedy,   
   "Penguins of Madagascar." Several radio amateurs in South Africa reported that   
   PS-30 was down. Following its launch, the balloon had traveled east across the   
   southern tip of New Zealand, across the Pacific Ocean to South American and   
   then to southern Africa. To return home, PS-30 would have had to cross   
   Madagascar, the Indian Ocean, and part of Australia.   
      
   "The level of interest from all around the world has been amazing," Nguyen   
   said. "The trip would not have been so successful without the collective   
   effort of the like-minded community built up along the way."   
      
   Transmissions from the balloon at times were plagued by poor propagation, and   
   its progress was impeded by the fact that it circled on a few occasions along   
   the way. Nguyen said the balloon looped for an entire day at one point while   
   over the Pacific.   
      
   "HF propagation has been different from previous flights," he commented during   
   the flight, noting the lack of long-range WSPR spots. "Reception of JT9   
   packets so far generally requires some type of directional antenna with some   
   gain," he said.   
      
   Nguyen said planning for PS-31 is already under way. "See you at the next   
   trip," he said. -- Thanks to Jim Linton, VK3PC   
      
   In Brief...   
      
   VHF/UHF/Microwave Conference Seeks Speakers and Papers: The 41st Eastern   
   VHF/UHF/Microwave Conference has issued a call for speakers and papers at the   
   gathering or for inclusion in the conference Proceedings. The conference,   
   sponsored by the ARRL-affiliated North East Weak Signal Group, will take place   
   April 17-19 in Manchester, Connecticut. The conference sponsors are looking   
   for presentations, papers, and talks, both long and short. Topics can include,   
   but are not limited to, operating, contesting, construction, homebrewing, and   
   microwaves. Anyone considering a presentation or paper should contact Paul   
   Wade, W1GHZ, as soon as possible but no later than March 18. Conference   
   organizers are planning a Friday afternoon workshop and are seeking topic   
   suggestions. Visit the conference website for details and a schedule. --   
   Thanks to AMSAT News Service via Paul Wade, W1GHZ   
      
   ITU Management Team Inaugurated: The new management team of the International   
   Telecommunication Union (ITU), led by Secretary-General Houlin Zhao (photo),   
   of China, was formally inaugurated on January 15, at ITU Headquarters in   
   Geneva. Representatives of member states to the United Nations Office in   
   Geneva and the heads of UN agencies attended. Zhao was elected S   
   cretary-General at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference last October in South   
   Korea. He previously served as ITU Deputy Secretary-General and as director of   
   the ITU Standardization Bureau. The incoming Deputy Secretary-General is   
   Malcolm Johnson of the United Kingdom. Fran‡ois Rancy and Brahima Sanou were   
   re-elected as directors of the Radiocommunication Bureau and Telecommunication   
   Development Bureau, respectively, while Chaesub Lee of South Korea was elected   
   director of the ITU Standardization Bureau. 2015 marks the 150th anniversary   
   of the International Telecommunication Union.   
      
   Amateur Radio Newsline Assumes Low Profile as Editor Recuperates: The   
   long-running Amateur Radio Newsline -- a weekly audio report of ham radio news   
   -- has scaled back temporarily while its editor, Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF,   
   recuperates from injuries sustained in a fall at home and undergoes additional   
   testing and rehabilitation to address some chronic issues. Pasternak was   
   hospitalized on December 19 and initially scheduled to stay for a couple of   
   days. He told ARRL on January 22 that Tim Goodrich, N5ASH, now is serving as   
   interim producer, and Newsline could be back as early as this week. Don   
   Wilbanks, AE5DW, has been producing a shortened audio/video report that's   
   included in the weekly Ham Nation webcast, posted on YouTube, and linked from   
   the Amateur Radio Newsline website and Facebook page. The roughly 30-minute   
   weekly Newsline audio report and the text script, posted weekly on QRZ.com,   
   have been on hold.   
      
   Intrepid DX Group Announces Intrepid Spirit Award Recipient: The Intrepid DX   
   Group has announced that Dmitri Zhikharev, RA9USU, is the recipient of its 3rd   
   annual Intrepid Spirit Award. "This award is to recognize Dmitri's outstanding   
   efforts to activate Yemen from 2012 through 2014 as 7O6T and 7O2A," the   
   announcement said. "Dmitri is largely responsible for fulfilling the need for   
   7O contacts since 2012. Yemen is a place of much uncertainty and danger. We   
   recognize Dmitri's unselfish acts to activate this challenging and much-needed   
   entity. We acknowledge Dmitri's pursuit of operating excellence and his quest   
   to activate the rare and often dangerous entities." The Intrepid Spirit Award   
   will be presented at the International DX Convention, in Visalia, California,   
   on April 18. This Intrepid Spirit Award was made in memory of James   
   McLaughlin, T6AF, who died in Afghanistan in 2011. -- Thanks to Intrepid DX   
   Group President Paul Ewing, N6PSE   
   ______________________________________________________________________________   
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Average daily sunspot numbers for January 15-21 dropped by 50.7 points,   
   relative to the previous 7 days, to 61.9. Average daily solar flux declined   
   from 151.3 to 126.2. For the past 9 days sunspot numbers have been below 100.   
   This benchmark has no special significance, but the last time there were this   
   many consecutive days with double-digit sunspot numbers was October 5-20, 2014.   
      
   Geomagnetic numbers indicated more stable conditions, with the average daily   
   planetary A index declining from 9.6 to 6.4, and the average daily   
   mid-latitude A index dropping from 8 to 4.7.   
      
   The latest USAF/NOAA prediction has solar flux at 125, 130, and 135 for   
   January 22-24, 130 for January 25-26, 135, and 140 for January 27-28, 135 for   
   January 29-February 1, 130 for February 2-3, 125 for February 4-6, 130 for   
   February 7-9, and 125 for February 10-11. Solar flux reaches a low of 115 for   
   February 18, and peaks again at 135 for February 26-28.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 15 for January 22-24, 18 for January 25-26, 8   
   for January 27-28, then 10 and 12 for January 29-30, 15 for January 31 through   
   February 1, then 12, 15, 12, and 5 for February 2-5, 10 for February 6-7, 8   
   for February 8-9, 5 for February 10-12, then 8, 5 and 12 for February 13-15,   
   and 10 for February 16-18.   
      
   This weekly "Solar Update" in The ARRL Letter is a preview of the "Propagation   
   Bulletin" issued each Friday. The latest bulletin and an archive of past   
   propagation bulletins is on the ARRL website.   
      
   In the January 23 bulletin watch for a revised forecast, reports from readers,   
   and more about the National Radio Quiet Zone. Send me your reports and   
   observations.   
   ______________________________________________________________________________   
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
     * January 23-25 -- CQ World Wide 160 Meter Contest (CW)   
      
     * January 24-25 -- REF French Contest (CW)   
      
     * January 24-25 -- Winter Field Day (SSB, CW, digital)   
      
     * January 24-25 -- BARTG RTTY Sprint   
      
     * January 24-26 -- ARRL January VHF Contest   
      
     * January 24 -- WAB Top Band Phone Contest   
      
     * January 28 -- CWOps Weekly Mini-CWT Tests   
      
     * January 31 -- Feld-Hell WAAAEO Sprint   
      
     * January 31-February 1 -- UBA Contest (SSB)   
      
   See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information.   
   ______________________________________________________________________________   
      
   Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events   
      
     * January 23-24 -- Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi   
      
     * January 23-25 -- Puerto Rico State Convention, Hatillo, Puerto Rico   
      
     * January 24 -- Georgia ARES Convention, Forsyth, Georgia   
      
     * February 7 -- South Carolina State Convention, North Charleston, South   
   Carolina   
      
     * February 7 -- Virginia State Convention, Richmond, Virginia   
      
     * February 13-15 -- Southeastern Division Convention, Orlando, Florida   
      
     * February 20-21 -- Arizona Section Convention, Yuma, Arizona   
      
     * February 28 -- New Mexico Techfest Convention, Albuquerque, New Mexico   
      
     * February 28 -- Vermont State Convention, S Burlington, Vermont   
      
     * March 7 -- Santa Clara Valley Section Convention, Del Rey Oaks, California   
      
     * March 13-14 -- North Carolina Section Convention, Concord, North Carolina   
      
     * March 14 -- West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas   
      
     * March 20-21 -- Louisiana State Convention, Rayne, Louisiana   
      
     * March 21 -- MicroHAMS Digital Conference, Redmond, Washington   
      
     * March 21 -- Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska   
      
     * March 21 -- Southern Florida Section Convention, Stuart, Florida   
      
     * March 28 -- Texas State Convention, Rosenberg, Texas   
      
   Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
   ______________________________________________________________________________   
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
   If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until   
   you hire an amateur.   
      
   --- FMail/Win32 1.60   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.71)