If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:   
   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2015-02-12   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
   February 12, 2015   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
     * FCC Seeks Comment on Radar Sharing Schemes that Could Displace Amateur   
   Radio at 76-81 GHz   
     * Word From Navassa: Turn Off Those Speech Processors! K1N Tops 100,000   
   Contacts   
     * John Bigley, N7UR, Appointed as Nevada Section Manager   
     * ARRL Field Day 2015 Field Day Packet Now Online   
     * ARRL International DX Contest 2015 CW Event is February 21-22   
     * Another Round of International Space Station SSTV Activity Set for Late   
   February   
     * Polish Radio Amateurs Receive 3D-Printed ARTSAT2: DESPATCH QSL Card   
     * Denying Permission for FCC Station Inspection Nets Florida CBer a $3000   
   Fine   
     * RadioShack Enters Chapter 11 "Debtor-in-Possession" Bankruptcy   
     * "Gray Radio Gang" Reactivates Vintage Battleship Iowa HF Transmitter   
     * Hamvention Week AuxComm Course Registration Now Open   
     * In Brief...   
     * The K7RA Solar Update   
     * Just Ahead in Radiosport   
     * Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events   
      
   FCC Seeks Comment on Radar Sharing Schemes that Could Displace Amateur Radio   
   at 76-81 GHz   
      
   The FCC is seeking comment on issues involving expanded use of various radar   
   applications in the 76-81 GHz band, which Amateur Radio shares with other   
   services. The band 77.5-78 GHz is allocated to the Amateur and Amateur   
   Satellite services on a primary basis, and to the Radio Astronomy and Space   
   Research services on a secondary basis.   
      
   "We undertake this proceeding to expand the available spectrum for radar   
   operations in the 76-81 GHz band," the FCC said in a detailed Notice of   
   Proposed Rulemaking and Reconsideration Order (NPRM&RO), released February 5   
   in ET Docket 15-26. The Commission said the proposals include allocation   
   changes as well as provisions "to ensure that new and incumbent operations can   
   share the available frequencies in the band."   
      
   The FCC NPRM&RO is in response to a Petition for Rulemaking (RM-11666) filed   
   in 2012 by Robert Bosch LLC and to two petitions for reconsideration of the   
   Commission's 2012 Report and Order (R&O) addressing vehicular radar systems in   
   the 76-77 GHz band. ET 15-26 incorporates earlier proceedings.   
      
   Among many issues, the FCC seeks comment on the possibility of reallocating   
   the Amateur Radio and Amateur Satellite services from 76-81 GHz, and it asks   
   for suggestions on "alternative spectrum that we might make available in this   
   general region."   
      
   Bosch's 2012 Petition sought to modify the FCC's Part 15 rules to expand the   
   operation of unlicensed vehicular radar systems from 76-77 GHz to the 76-81   
   GHz band to develop short-range radar (SRR) applications. The Bosch petition   
   received "general support from the automotive industry," the Commission said.   
   In its petition, Bosch said that it anticipated no interference issues between   
   Amateur Radio operations and vehicular radar operations at 77-81 GHz. "It   
   notes that it is unconvinced after several meetings with the technical staff   
   of ARRL that there is any 'significant incompatibility,'" the FCC NPRM&RO   
   recounted, "and describes how amateur operations in the band 'tend to be   
   largely experimental, occurring in geographic areas such as mountaintops and   
   other rural areas where motor vehicle operation is not typical.'"   
      
   The FCC noted, however, that it "has previously recognized evidence of   
   potential interference conflicts" between Amateur Radio and vehicular radar   
   systems in the 76-77 GHz band, and believes the potential for "similar   
   compatibility issues" could exist above 77 GHz. More than 10 years ago the FCC   
   suspended Amateur Radio and Amateur Satellite operation in the 76-77 GHz   
   segment and recently extended the suspension.   
      
   "Our goal is to adopt rules that address amateur use, including Amateur   
   Satellite use, within the 76-81 GHz band in a comprehensive and consistent   
   manner," the FCC asserted.   
      
   The FCC said that to the extent commenters believe Amateur Radio can continue   
   to use the 4 millimeter band, it seeks comments on "what additional rule   
   modifications we would have to adopt to realize successful shared use of the   
   entire band." One possibility the FCC raised was altering current amateur   
   power limits in that portion of the spectrum. The Commission said it also   
   wants to "develop a record on the types of amateur use, and the extent of such   
   use, that is currently undertaken" at 4 millimeters.   
      
   The ARRL plans to comment in the FCC proceeding.   
      
   Word From Navassa: Turn Off Those Speech Processors! K1N Tops 100,000 Contacts   
      
   The pressure to work K1N on Navassa Island continues. The DXpedition has   
   topped 100,000 contacts, but demand seems insatiable, as it enters its final   
   few days. The pileups continue to be   
   fierce with little letup, K1N team member Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, said in a   
   February 10 media release. A day earlier, during a satellite telephone   
   interview with Wolf Harranth, OE1WHC, Johnson advised phone operators to turn   
   off their speech processors when trying to break the pileups. He said the   
   splatter generated when phone ops max out their audio in an effort to be heard   
   "makes it almost impossible" to pick out individual callers.   
      
   "If we could somehow magically eliminate all speech processors, we could   
   probably double or triple our rate, particularly in working Europeans,"   
   Johnson told OE1WHC.   
      
   Johnson said the distribution of K1N contacts forms "almost a bell-shaped   
   curve centered on 20 and 30 meters," although, he added, 40 meters has been   
   "very productive" as well. On the outer edges, K1N had logged more than 2500   
   contacts on 160 as of February 9 and has been working stations in Oceania and   
   Europe on 6 meters, where K1N has been maintaining a beacon on 50.103 MHz.   
      
   Johnson said the team will continue to operate full bore into the early   
   weekend but will start closing down on Friday, February 13, sending unneeded   
   supplies back to Jamaica.   
      
   "We'll probably be in full swing through Friday evening (local time)," Johnson   
   explained. Operations will proceed through Saturday, but "at the break of   
   dawn" on Sunday, February 15, the team will have to depart Navassa, and it   
   could be another decade before anyone is able to activate Navassa Island.   
      
   "Everyone is still healthy and in good spirits," Johnson said in the team's   
   February 10 news release. "We really thank everyone for standing by while we   
   work our propagation windows, especially to Japan."   
      
   The K1N logs have been posted.   
      
   John Bigley, N7UR, Appointed as Nevada Section Manager   
      
   John Bigley, N7UR, of Las Vegas, has been appointed ARRL Nevada Section   
   Manager, succeeding the late Gary Grant, K7VY, of Reno, who   
   died February 1 after a period of ill health. Field Services and Radiosport   
   Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, consulted with Pacific Division Director Bob   
   Vallio, W6RGG, and made the appointment effective on February 5.   
      
   Bigley has been serving as an Assistant Section Manager and as the Public   
   Information Coordinator for Nevada. He edits the Nevada Amateur Radio   
   Newswire. Bigley will complete Grant's remaining term of office, which   
   concludes on June 30. Bigley was selected as the 2014 ARRL Pacific Division   
   "Ham Of The Year."   
      
   ARRL is now soliciting nominations for the next 2-year term of office for   
   Nevada Section Manager, which starts on July 1. Nominating petitions are due   
   at ARRL Headquarters by March 6, 2015. Details are available on the ARRL   
   website.   
      
   ARRL Field Day 2015 Field Day Packet Now Online   
      
   The complete 2015 ARRL Field Day packet is now online. There are no rule   
   changes for 2015. Field Day 2015 takes place June 27-28.   
      
   "Following a successful Centennial QSO Party with on-the-air activity at an   
   all-time high, we are very excited for this year's event and hope that   
   individuals and clubs will carry their enthusiasm over to Field Day," said   
   ARRL Contest Branch Manager Matt Wilhelm, W1MSW.   
      
   ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air event held annually in the US   
   and Canada. On the fourth weekend of June, more than 35,000 radio amateurs   
   gather with their clubs, groups, or simply with friends to operate from remote   
   locations.   
      
   Participants are encouraged to register their Field Day operations using the   
   FD Site Locator. Field Day gear will be available by March 1. If you have   
   questions about Field Day, e-mail them, or call 860-594-0232.   
      
   ARRL International DX Contest 2015 CW Event is February 21-22   
      
   CW, DXing, and contesting come together and go global February 21-22 for the   
   2015 ARRL International DX CW contest. This HF contest season has seen   
   incredible high-band conditions and record entry numbers, and as it draws to a   
   close, this is a terrific opportunity to get on the air and get in on the fun.   
   It's the US and Canada working the world in this event.   
      
   If you have never operated in a CW contest, the event's short and simple   
   exchange, combined with abundant stations on the air, makes it an ideal   
   opportunity to try something new. Participating in the ARRL DX CW is a   
   fantastic way to hone your CW operating skills and expand your knowledge of HF   
   propagation. DX stations around the world will be looking to work US and   
   Canadian stations, so don't miss this chance to put a "new one" in your log.   
      
   Think your station is too small to operate in one of the largest contests of   
   the year? Think again. There are Low Power and QRP categories, and, if the   
   improved solar conditions we saw at the end of 2014 continue, there will be   
   plenty of stations for "Little Pistols" to work. Keep an eye on 10 meters,   
   which can be a great place to find a quiet slice of spectrum to run on low   
   power.   
      
   Stations in the US and Canada work only DX stations (Alaska and Hawaii are   
   considered DX for this contest), while DX stations work only the US and   
   Canada. The contest exchange is simple: US and Canadian stations send a signal   
   report and their state or province, while DX stations send a signal report and   
   their power output.   
      
   The contest gets under way at 0000 UTC on Saturday, February 21 (the evening   
   of Friday, February 20, in US time zones) and continues through through 2359   
   UTC on Sunday, February 22, 2015.   
      
   Complete rules and forms are on the ARRL website. E-mail electronic logs   
   (Cabrillo format). Mail paper logs to ARRL DX CW Contest, 225 Main St,   
   Newington, CT 06111. Logs must be received or postmarked no later than 2359   
   UTC on Tuesday, March 24, 2015.   
      
   Another Round of International Space Station SSTV Activity Set for Late   
   February   
      
   The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program has   
   announced another round of Amateur Radio slow-scan television (SSTV) activity   
   from the International Space Station will take place later this month.   
   Transmissions will be from RS0ISS.   
      
   The images transmitted will reprise the first series commemorating Russian   
   space history, previously sent last December and again earlier in late January   
   and early February. Non-stop SSTV transmissions from   
      
   RS0ISS will begin on February 21 at 1000 UTC and end on February 23 at 2130   
   UTC. The SSTV mode will be PD180, which can produce high-quality images with a   
   frame scan of 187 seconds. Twelve different images depicting Soviet space   
   pioneer Yuri Gagarin -- the first human to orbit Earth -- will be sent on   
   145.800 MHz, with a 3-minute off time between transmissions.   
      
   Received images may be uploaded to the image gallery.   
      
   During the last round of SSTV transmissions from RS0ISS, a Polish radio   
   enthusiast, 22-year-old Radoslaw Karwacki, used an RTL-SDR "dongle" to pick up   
   the SSTV signals from the ISS. The tiny software-defined receiver, which plugs   
   into a computer USB port and includes an antenna port, cost about $15. He used   
   a basic dipole and free software to receive and display the images. "I blindly   
   tuned in on that frequency during ISS flyby and happened to receive the   
   signal," he told Daily Mail Science and Technology reporter Jonathan   
   O'Callaghan.   
      
   "This is an excellent example of how low cost systems can be employed by   
   students to copy pictures directly from the ISS," said ARISS International   
   President Frank Bauer, KA3HDO. "We are working on additional picture downlinks   
   over the course of the year using images from our international team. Our next   
   initiative is a series of pictures of 'spaceflight inventors,' including   
   Tsiolkovsky, Goddard, Oberth, Von Braun, and others."   
      
   AMSAT-UK has posted a report on the last round of SSTV transmissions in late   
   January and early February.   
      
   Polish Radio Amateurs Receive 3D-Printed ARTSAT2: DESPATCH QSL Card   
      
   Micha�? Zawada, SQ5KTM, and a Polish team of radio amateurs who received   
   signals from the ARTSAT2: DESPATCH (FO-81) spacecraft while it was more than   
   1.68 million miles from Earth have been rewarded with a QSL generated by a 3D   
   printer. Zawada reported that the team heard FO-81 on December 9. One half of   
   the "card" is a 3D depiction of the sculpture ARTSAT2 carried into deep space;   
   the other half is a printed reception confirmation.   
      
   "The last signals received by us from ARTSAT2: DESPATCH were very weak, but   
   clearly stood out on the waterfall diagram of the monitoring program," he   
   reported. "To avoid misinterpretation we asked for confirmation directly from   
   the creators of the space probe -- Tama Art University and The University of   
   Tokyo." Zawada said the data he and his team reported were analyzed, compared   
   with the model and successfully authenticated, "and we have received   
   confirmation with thanks."   
      
   He said the team sent "gigabytes of data" to the operators of the ARTSAT2 and   
   Shin'en-2 space probes for further analysis.   
      
   The Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements (PIAP)   
   loaned the use of its 4.5 meter parabolic mesh dish and the help of some   
   employees to the project; the team used its own Amateur Radio equipment.   
   "Preparations of our ground station took us almost 2 weeks, including some   
   hours on a roof at freezing weather conditions," Zawada reported.   
      
   ARTSAT2: DESPATCH and Shin'en 2 (FO-82) were launched on December 3 with the   
   Hayabusa 2 asteroid sample-return mission. ARTSAT2: DESPATCH carried a 7 W CW   
   transmitter on 437.325 MHz and included the first sculpture ever to be carried   
   into deep space. The spacecraft transmitted for approximately 1 month before   
   going silent. Read more.   
   ______________________________________________________________________________   
      
   Denying Permission for FCC Station Inspection Nets Florida CBer a $3000 Fine   
      
   The FCC Enforcement Bureau has imposed a reduced fine of $3000 on a Florida,   
   CB operator for failing to allow FCC agents inspect his station. The   
   Commission issued Tommie Salter of Jacksonville a Forfeiture Order on February   
   5. Last August the FCC had proposed fining Salter $14,000 for denying agents   
   from the FCC's Tampa Office permission to check out his station in the wake of   
   renewed complaints of interference to a neighbor's "home electronic   
   equipment." In March 2014, agents monitored radio transmissions on 27.245 MHz   
   and used radio direction-finding techniques to track the signal's source to   
   Salter's residence. The FCC said it agreed to reduce the proposed forfeiture   
   based on Salter's financial circumstances.   
      
   "Mr Salter does not deny that he refused to allow the agents to inspect his CB   
   station but alleges he could not stay for the inspection, because he had a   
   doctor's appointment," the FCC Forfeiture Order said. The Enforcement Bureau   
   said it was unable to substantiate Salter's appointment claim but said that he   
   could have asked to reschedule the inspection in such a situation. The Bureau   
   concluded that it could "find no reason to reduce the forfeiture based on his   
   alleged appointment."   
      
   The FCC said financial documents that Salter provided offered "sufficient   
   basis" to reduce the forfeiture to $3000. "We have previously rejected   
   inability to pay claims in cases of repeated or otherwise egregious   
   violations," the Commission added. "Therefore, future violations of this kind   
   may result in significantly higher forfeitures that may not be reduced due to   
   Mr Salter's financial circumstances."   
      
   The FCC's Forfeiture Policy Statement and its rules set a base forfeiture   
   amount of $7000 for failure to permit inspection. Salter had previously   
   received a Notice of Violation for refusing an inspection request in 2004, the   
   Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) in the case noted, and he   
   also had been fined for operating with a non-certificated transmitter during   
   restricted hours the Commission had imposed following similar interference   
   complaints. Read more.\   
      
   RadioShack Enters Chapter 11 "Debtor-in-Possession" Bankruptcy   
      
   Electronics retailer RadioShack, which once supplied Amateur Radio equipment   
   and has continued to maintain an inventory of electronics components, has   
   reached an asset purchase agreement with General Wireless Inc, an affiliate of   
   RadioShack creditor Standard General, to acquire up to 2400 of RadioShack's   
   more than 4000 company-owned stores.   
      
   Many, but not all, RadioShack stores will close, as the Fort Worth,   
   Texas-based company attempts to restructure under Chapter 11 bankruptcy   
   following 11 quarterly losses.   
      
   General Wireless has agreed in principle on terms with Sprint to establish a   
   new dedicated mobility "store-within-a-store" retail presence in up to 1750 of   
   the acquired stores. Stores that are closing are expected to sell remaining   
   inventory.   
      
   Discussions are under way with interested parties to sell all of the company's   
   remaining assets. -- RadioShack news release, media accounts   
   "Gray Radio Gang" Reactivates Vintage Battleship Iowa HF Transmitter   
      
   It's a massive project on a number of levels, but the so-called "Gray Radio   
   Gang" that's been working to restore some of the vintage US Navy radio gear on   
   board the Battleship Iowa (BB-61), docked in Los Angeles, recently fired up   
   one of the vessel's transmitters for the first time in about 25 years.   
   Restoration team member Jim Jerzycke, KQ6EA, recounted on his "Every Blade of   
   Grass" blog how the group was finally able to get 950 W into a dummy antenna   
   from one transmitter on 20 meters.   
      
   "We still have quite a way to go before we attempt to put one [transmitter] on   
   the air, but the results were quite encouraging for at transmitter that was   
   last powered up sometime in 1990," Jerzycke said in his blog. "BB-61 should be   
   on the air later this year with a big voice!"   
      
   He told ARRL that, once transmitters are deemed operational, they probably   
   would not be used very often on the ham bands. The Iowa already has a ham   
   radio station, NI6BB, under the auspices of the Battleship Iowa Amateur Radio   
   Association (BIARA), an ARRL-affiliated club. BIARA's president is Doug Dowds,   
   W6HB. NI6BB has more modern gear but makes use of the ship's own antennas.   
      
   The BIARA is active from the Iowa most Wednesdays and for many national   
   holidays, such as Veterans Day, Pearl Harbor Day, and Memorial Day, and for   
   operating events such as the Museum Ships Weekend and International   
   Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend. The station also has hosted Boy Scouts' Jamboree   
   On The Air (JOTA) groups each fall.   
      
   Jerzycke said the Gray Radio Gang is composed of about 10 individuals with   
   experience on various types of US Navy radio gear dating from the 1950s to the   
   1980s, when most of them served in the Navy. "At 63 years old, I'm one of the   
   'youngsters' in that group," he added. The team has been trying to get the   
   original receivers, transmitters, RTTY gear, and antennas working again,   
   Jerzycke said. "We are very fortunate in having the guys from the aircraft   
   carrier Midway in San Diego and the Battleship New Jersey in Camden, New   
   Jersey, who have provided us with technical help, documents, and spare parts."   
      
   The AN/URT-23(C) transmitters, he joked, are "built like a battleship," with a   
   pair of 4CX1500Bs in the final and nominally capable of putting out a couple   
   of kilowatts. He noted that once the Gray Radio Gang has confirmed the signal   
   paths for the various shipboard transmitters and receivers, it will be able to   
   put a transmitter/receiver pair in operation for certain special events. "At   
   this time it's unlikely that we will use the original radio equipment for   
   'routine' Amateur Radio operations, as it's very manpower intensive, requiring   
   at least six people to operate," Jerzycke explained.   
      
   "It's an honor and a privilege to be able to work on the Iowa, and I enjoy   
   every minute of it!"   
   Hamvention Week AuxComm Course Registration Now Open   
      
   The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Emergency Communications will   
   offer its Auxiliary Communications (AuxComm) course May 12-14 prior to   
   Hamventionr 2015 in Dayton, Ohio. More than 1000 Amateur Radio operators have   
   completed the course, which trains qualified hams to assist local, county, and   
   state government with emergency backup communication. The AuxComm course   
   covers emergency communication in a public safety context within the National   
   Incident Management framework. It also introduces the auxiliary communicator   
   to the Communications Unit Leader function. Details and registration   
   requirements are available on the Hamvention website.   
      
   Applicants must meet all prerequisites and provide documentation to attend   
   this class. The class is limited to 50 qualified students. The intensive 3-day   
   course provides facilitated lectures, student exercises, and interactive   
   discussions.   
      
   The AuxComm workshop is designed for auxiliary emergency communicators who   
   volunteer to provide backup emergency radio communication support to public   
   safety and emergency response professionals and their agencies. Read more. --   
   Thanks to Henry Ruminski, W8HJR, Hamvention Media Chair   
      
   In Brief...   
      
   World Radio Day, February 13, Will See Inauguration of Special 4U0ITU Call   
   Sign: ITU International Amateur Radio Club station 4U1ITU in Geneva will mark   
   World Radio Day on Friday, February 13. This event also kicks off the   
   International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) 150th anniversary. International   
   Amateur Radio Union President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, will inaugurate special call   
   sign 4U0ITU at 0900 UTC. He will be accompanied by ITU Secretary General   
   Houlin Zhao, other elected officials, and VIPs. The IARC will use the 4U0ITU   
   call sign until World Radiocommunication Conference 2015, November 2-27, 2015.   
   World Radio Day commemorates the first broadcast of UN Radio in 1946. All   
   4U0ITU contacts will be confirmed. QSL information is available on QRZ.com.   
      
   Winter SWL Fest Set for February 27-28 near Philly: The North American Short   
   Wave Association's 28th Annual Winter SWL Fest will be held February 27-28 at   
   the Doubletree Guest Suites in Plymouth Meeting, near Philadelphia,   
   Pennsylvania. The Winter SWL Fest is a conference for all radio hobbyists, and   
   it attracts medium wave, scanning, satellite TV, and Amateur Radio   
   enthusiasts. ARRL Southern New Jersey Section Manager Skip Arey, N2EI, will   
   deliver a presentation, "Regenerative Receivers Past and Present," during the   
   gathering. Arey is the author of the Radio Monitoring: The How-To Guide. Other   
   forum topics will include "Pirate Radio," "Ultralight Medium-Wave DXing," and   
   "Crisis Communications." Additional information is on the NASWA website.   
      
   Worked All Wisconsin Counties Applicants May Claim Wisconsin QSO Party   
   Contacts: The West Allis Radio Amateur Club has announced that applicants for   
   its Worked All Wisconsin Counties (WAWC) award now may claim Wisconsin QSO   
   Party contacts for award credit. The West Allis Radio Amateur Club sponsors   
   both activities. The Wisconsin QSO Party takes place March 15-16 UTC). For   
   2015, WAWC applicants may claim Wisconsin QSO Party contacts without a QSL   
   card. Applicants must indicate QSO Party contacts on the entry form, and the   
   club will utilize the QSO Party database to confirm these.   
   Brazil Forms an AMSAT Organization: An AMSAT organization has been formed in   
   Brazil (AMSAT-BR), as a special-interest group under the Liga de Amadores   
   Brasileiros de Radio Emissao (LABRE), the national International Amateur Radio   
   Union member society. AMSAT-BR was established "to better organize Brazilian   
   Amateur Satellite activities, to better represent the Amateur Radio community   
   to organizations developing CubeSat projects, and to attract more amateurs in   
   different regions of the country to join our cause," LABRE Executive Director   
   Orlando Perez Filho, PT2OP, told AMSAT-NA. The primary missions of AMSAT-BR   
   will be to foster activities related to development, building, operating, and   
   monitoring Amateur Radio satellites and high-altitude balloons, as well as   
   activities using these in STEM education. Read more.   
      
   Free Android Propagation Tool Available: WSPR World Watch is a free Android   
   app that plots real-time radio transmission paths on a world map and   
   incorporates a background display of the gray line or terminator. It was   
   developed by Derek Turner, G4SWY. Users may view paths of individual stations,   
   and there is an aurora plot option and display of space weather indices. WSPR   
   is designed for probing radio propagation paths using low-power, beacon-like   
   transmissions. WSPR signals convey only a call sign, Maidenhead grid locator,   
   and power level. Receiving stations with Internet access automatically upload   
   reception reports to a central database.   
   ______________________________________________________________________________   
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: We saw solar indices drop this week. Average   
   daily sunspot numbers dropped from 139 to 81.6, while average daily solar flux   
   went from 151.1 to 144.1.   
      
   Geomagnetic indices were more stable this week, with average daily planetary A   
   index going from 14.7 to 8.4, and average mid-latitude A index declining from   
   9.4 to 6.6.   
      
   Predicted solar flux for the near term is 140 for February 12-14, 130 for   
   February 15-16, then 125, 135, 150, and 145 for February 17-20, 140 for   
   February 21-22, 145 for February 23-26, 150 for February 27-28, 145 on March   
   1, 140 for March 2-7, and 135 for March 8-10. Solar flux then reaches a low of   
   125 for March 12-13, a high of 140 for March 16-17, and heads back to 125 for   
   March 21-22.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 8 for February 12-14, then 10, 12, 10, 8, and   
   10 for February 15-19, 5 for February 20-21, 15, and 12 for February 22-23, 10   
   for February 24-27, 20 for February 28 through March 1, 15 on March 2, 10 for   
   March 3-4, 5 for March 5-6, 8 on March 7, 10 on March 8, and 8 for March 9-12.   
      
   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.   
      
   For Friday's bulletin, expect an updated forecast for the near term and   
   reports from readers concerning 6 meters. Send me your reports and   
   observations. -- Tad Cook, K7RA   
   ______________________________________________________________________________   
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
     * February 14 -- Asia-Pacific Sprint (CW)   
      
     * February 14 -- FISTS CW Winter Sprint   
      
     * February 14 -- RSGB - First 1.8 MHz Contest (SSB, CW)   
      
     * February 14-15 -- PODXS 070 Club Valentine Sprint   
      
     * February 14-15 -- CQ WW RTTY WPX   
      
     * February 14-15 -- Dutch PACC Contest (SSB, CW)   
      
     * February 14-15 -- OMISS QSO Party (SSB)   
      
     * February 14-15 -- New Hampshire QSO Party   
      
     * February 15 -- Maine 2 Meter FM Simplex Challenge   
      
     * February 18 -- Semi-Automatic Key Evening   
      
   See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information.   
   ______________________________________________________________________________   
      
   Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events   
      
     * 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   
      
     * April 4 -- West Central Florida Technical Conference, Sebring, Florida   
      
     * April 4 -- North Carolina State Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina   
      
     * April 11-12 -- Communications Academy, Seattle, Washington   
      
     * April 17-19 -- International DX Convention, Visalia, California   
      
     * April 25 -- Aurora Conference, White Bear Lake, Minnesota   
      
   Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
   ______________________________________________________________________________   
      
   ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for   
   Amateur Radio News and Information   
      
     * Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most   
   popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.   
     * Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.   
      
   Subscribe to...   
      
     * NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles   
   by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO   
   Parties.   
     * QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly,   
   features technical articles, construction projects, columns, and other items   
   of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.   
      
   Free of charge to ARRL members...   
      
     * Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly public service and emergency   
   communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (bi-weekly contest newsletter),   
   Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!   
      
   Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter!   
   ______________________________________________________________________________   
      
   The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 48 times each year. ARRL members may   
   subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their Member Data Page as   
   described at http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/.   
      
   Copyright (c) 2015 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved   
   www.arrl.org   
      
      
      
      
   )\/(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)