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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2015-05-14   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   May 14, 2015   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015: 55 Cosponsors -- and Climbing   
    *  ARRL Will Mark 100 Years of QST at Hamvention®   
    *  Oklahoma Amateur Radio Volunteers Rally as Severe Weather Strikes   
    *  Amateur Radio Nets Are Crucial Link in Maritime Rescues   
    *  New ARRL General Class License Manual Available as Softcover, Spiral   
       Bound, or E-Book   
    *  US Navy-Marine Corps MARS Program to End   
    *  New Nepal Earthquake Keeps Amateur Radio Relief Effort Going   
    *  Colorado ARES Volunteers Support Grueling Race   
    *  Brian Moran, N9ADG, Named as New Editor of The ARRL Contest Update   
    *  US Naval Academy CubeSat Launch to Include Next APRS Satellite   
    *  In Brief...   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events   
      
   Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015: 55 Cosponsors -- and Climbing   
      
   The Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 -- also known as H.R.1301 -- has   
   attracted 55 cosponsors as of May 14. The bill, introduced earlier this year   
   in the US House by Rep Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), would direct the FCC to extend   
   its rules relating to reasonable accommodation of Amateur Service   
   communications to private land-use restrictions. This weekend's Dayton   
   Hamvention will offer an opportunity for ARRL to meet with individual radio   
   amateurs and encourage them to seek their House member's support. ARRL   
   Regulatory Information and Legislative Action Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND,   
   said those stopping by his booth at ARRL EXPO, can -- in about a minute --   
   have a letter, addressed to their representative and personalized with their   
   contact information, printed and ready to sign.   
      
   "The ARRL will collect these signed letters and have them hand-delivered to   
   the various Congressional offices by our DC legislative action team,"   
   Henderson explained. "This easy-to-use process has succeeded at several major   
   hamfests already this year and helped generate several hundred letters."   
      
   Henderson said that the typically high number of attendees at Dayton   
   Hamvention presents an excellent opportunity for Amateur Radio operators to   
   get involved in the H.R. 1301 grassroots legislative effort.   
      
   The latest lawmakers to sign aboard H.R. 1301 include Representatives Pete   
   Olson of Texas, Ed Perlmutter of Colorado, John Shimkus of Illinois, Dr Brad   
   Wenstrup of Ohio, and Roger Williams of Texas.   
      
   Henderson said the League is also working on securing an original sponsor and   
   co-sponsor for a companion Amateur Radio Parity Act bill in the US Senate. He   
   encouraged all who may not be attending Hamvention to visit the ARRL's H.R.   
   1301 page, where they can download a letter that can be personalized for your   
   member of Congress.   
      
   "Once you have printed and signed the letter, send it to ARRL Grassroots   
   Letter program, 225 Main St, Newington CT 06111," Henderson said. "Once   
   received, these will be sorted and sent to the ARRL DC team for hand delivery   
   on Capitol Hill."   
      
   "We have gotten off to a good start on H.R. 1301, but we have a long way to   
   go," Henderson said. "We need every ARRL member to get involved with this   
   important fight."   
      
   ARRL Will Mark 100 Years of QST at Hamvention®   
      
   The ARRL will join 20,000 or more of its closest friends this week, as the   
   Amateur Radio world turns its attention to Dayton Hamvention® 2015, Friday   
   through Sunday, May 15-17. Hamvention is the world's largest Amateur Radio   
   gathering. As it has for the past several years, ARRL will showcase its   
   products and activities at the ARRL EXPO in the Hara Arena Ballarena. This   
   year, the League will celebrate the centenary of its membership journal, QST.   
      
   "To help celebrate 100 years of QST, ARRL will introduce a commemorative   
   reissue of the first QST -- the December 1915 issue -- during Dayton   
   Hamvention®," said ARRL Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R. "The special   
   reprint is free when you join, renew, or extend your ARRL membership at ARRL   
   EXPO." Inderbitzen said ARRL Life Members may obtain a free copy just by   
   stopping in at the ARRL EXPO store. Those unable to attend Hamvention may   
   obtain copies directly from ARRL for $9.95 each.   
      
   The League will conduct several forums during Hamvention weekend. On Friday,   
   2:30 until 3:45 PM in Room 2, the League will present "Ham Radio and the Law:   
   Getting Antennas Up and Keeping Them Up," moderated by ARRL Regulatory   
   Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND. Discussion will focus on legal issues   
   of interest to hams, including how to avoid or work around restrictive   
   covenants, presenting your case for a tower permit, and the latest court   
   rulings on PRB-1 and towers. Henderson will also provide an update on The   
   Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015 -- H.R.1301.   
      
   The League's membership forum will take place on Saturday, 9:15-11 AM, in Room   
   5. ARRL Great Lakes Division Director Dale Williams, WA8EFK, will moderate.   
      
   The "doctor" will make a house call this year for the "The Doctor is In" forum   
   on Saturday, noon until 1 PM, in Room 3. Joel Hallas, W1ZR, will field   
   questions from visitors. Hallas edits the popular "The Doctor is In"   
   question-and-answer column in QST.   
      
   NASA Astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, will be the guest of honor at a   
   meet-and-greet opportunity on Saturday, 1:45 until 3 PM, in Room 5. Fincke was   
   part of the International Space Station expedition 9 and 18 crews and, through   
   the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, he was   
   among the more active radio amateurs to serve on the station. In June 2004, he   
   delighted many radio amateurs by taking part in ARRL Field Day from the ISS.   
      
   Icom America will live stream the Youth Forum at Hamvention, May 16, 9:15   
   until 12:15 PM EDT, which Fincke will attend. Carole Perry, WB2MGP, will   
   moderate.   
      
   Oklahoma Amateur Radio Volunteers Rally as Severe Weather Strikes   
      
   As storms swept into Central Oklahoma on May 6, radio amateurs -- in their   
   role as SKYWARN storm spotters -- became active, confirming observations and   
   reporting the effects of the damaging weather. Oklahoma Section Emergency   
   Coordinator Mark Conklin, N7XYO, reports that the Grady County bedroom   
   community of Bridge Creek -- some 30 miles south-southwest of Oklahoma City --   
   took a direct hit, and ham radio volunteers have been on the job ever since,   
   providing needed communication. Tornado victims have only been able to assess   
   property damage in the past few days, and residents are now working to clean   
   up. The storm destroyed many homes, and a volunteer center has been set up at   
   the local elementary school.   
      
   In addition to causing structural damage, the dangerous storms also took out   
   portions of the power grid. The Bridge Creek Volunteer Fire Department was   
   among those losing power, and a back-up generator failed. Matt Garcia, N5PTV,   
   arrived with a generator and got the department's repeater and base station   
   gear up and running again, so that firefighters were able to respond to calls,   
   Conklin said.   
      
   Mike Rockey, KE5EQC, vice president of the Aeronautical Center Amateur Radio   
   Club, alerted Conklin that the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief had   
   requested Amateur Radio assistance to help support the Bridge Creek   
   communications effort. Conklin sent word out to all ARES-OK-registered radio   
   operators to help fill this communications need.   
      
   "Amateur Radio operators are volunteering in Bridge Creek to assist with   
   communications efforts," an Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management May 13   
   update noted. "Operators have worked to support communication between Oklahoma   
   Baptist Disaster Relief's chain saw and debris teams. The communication   
   support is especially useful since cell service in the area has often been   
   unreliable due to the storms. The Amateur Radio volunteers are expected to   
   continue to assist through the weekend." Read more. -- Thanks to Mark Conklin,   
   N7XYO, Oklahoma Section Emergency Coordinator   
      
   Amateur Radio Nets Are Crucial Link in Maritime Rescues   
      
   Amateur Radio played a crucial role in two recent at-sea rescues. On April 8,   
   sailors Randy (VA3ORT) and Dawn (VA3PBT) Ortiz of Ontario, Canada, ran into   
   heavy seas that led them to abandon their 42-foot sailing yacht Nirvana Now in   
   a remote portion of the South Pacific while en route to the Marquesas. The   
   Ortizes were able to summon help via the Pacific Seafarer's Net on 14.300 MHz,   
   and the North Carolina-based Continuum, skippered by Bob Jankowski, KJ4ZFP,   
   and his wife Mona, were able to come to their rescue, some 1200 miles from the   
   nearest landfall. The Ortizes were last reported to be safe in Tahiti. Pacific   
   Seafarer's Net member Fred Moore, W3ZU, in Florida, was able to coordinate the   
   request for help.   
      
   "I would like to impress upon all that it was the communications allowed us   
   through the SSB radio giving us access to the land-based ham networks and   
   other boats that saved our lives," Randy Ortiz told Latitude 38. "I think it   
   is still prudent for all persons voyaging offshore to be skilled in the use of   
   the SSB radio."   
      
   On April 16, members of the Maritime Mobile Service Network (MMSN) assisted   
   with a mayday call on 14.300 MHz, which NCS William Sturridge, KI4MMZ,   
   handled. Skipper Andrew Fleming, KC4VOA, on board the sailing yacht Seaquel,   
   reported his vessel taking on water due to a mechanical failure some 95 miles   
   northwest of Puerto Rico, and headed to Florida. Fleming reported that he had   
   been unable to raise the US Coast Guard or other agencies on the radio.   
   Sturridge notified the Coast Guard and also contacted Moore to assist in   
   handling the crisis.   
      
   "They had a short window of opportunity in which to communicate," Assistant   
   MMSN Net Manager Jeff Savasta, KB4JKL, reported. "It was only approximately 5   
   minutes before contact was lost with the vessel, and any other information   
   that they obtained was via an in-house database program which the MMSN   
   utilizes for its contacts. KC4VOA has checked in to the MMSN many times prior,   
   so there was a vast amount of information on the vessel."   
      
   The US Coast Guard was dispatched, the vessel was located, and a Coast Guard   
   Paramedic was lowered via helicopter to treat a head injury that Fleming had   
   sustained. Fleming and his wife Sally, KA3RUJ, later expressed their gratitude   
   to Sturridge.   
      
   "I had worried lately that ham radio might be overtaken by technology, but you   
   proved that it still has a significant place," Andrew Fleming said. -- Thanks   
   to John Procter, W1HFG, and Bobby Graves, KB5HAV   
      
   New ARRL General Class License Manual Available as Softcover, Spiral Bound, or   
   E-Book   
      
   The new ARRL General Class License Manual (8th edition) is now available in   
   softcover, spiral-bound, and e-book versions. The optional academic-style   
   spiral-bound edition (ARRL Item No 1904, retail $32.95) lies flat, making it   
   more convenient for both students and instructors. It includes everything you   
   need to prepare for the 35-question General class Amateur Radio license exam,   
   so you won't have any surprises on test day.   
      
   The exam questions and answer key are built from the latest General class   
   question pool, which goes into effect on July 1, 2015. You can use the General   
   Class License Manual in conjunction with ARRL's online Exam Review for Ham   
   Radio. It includes detailed explanations for all test questions as well as FCC   
   Amateur Service (Part 97) rules.   
      
   The ARRL General Class License Manual is also available in traditional   
   softcover format (ARRL Item No 8119, retail $29.95). Both spiral-bound and   
   softcover editions are available from the ARRL Store or from your ARRL   
   Publications Dealer, or call 860-594-0355 or toll-free in the US 888-277-5289   
   to order.   
      
   In addition to the hard-copy manuals, ARRL has just released a digital edition   
   of The ARRL General Class License Manual in Kindle format from Amazon.   
      
   As the leading publisher of Amateur Radio licensing and training materials,   
   ARRL is expanding beyond traditional printed books to meet the increasing   
   demand from readers who prefer digital publications. The ARRL also offers   
   Kindle editions of The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual and its que   
   tion-and-answer study guides, ARRL's Tech Q&A, ARRL's General Q&A, and ARRL's   
   Extra Q&A.   
      
   US Navy-Marine Corps MARS Program to End   
      
   The US Department of Defense is phasing out the US Navy-Marine Corps Military   
   Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) program. Its operational mission will transition   
   to the other MARS service branches by the end of September. MARS volunteers   
   are Amateur Radio operators who provide auxiliary or emergency communications   
   to local, national, and international emergency and safety organizations, as   
   an adjunct to normal communications.   
      
   "The intent of the transition is to best align the program to support national   
   mission requirements," the announcement said. Chris Jensen of Naval Computer   
   and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic (NCTAMS LANT) told ARRL   
   that the Navy no longer has any service-specific requirements for Navy-Marine   
   Corps MARS and is working within DoD to transition the program into Army and   
   Air Force MARS by September 30.   
      
   The announcement encouraged current Navy-Marine Corps MARS members and clubs   
   to submit applications to the US Army MARS or US Air Force MARS programs as   
   soon as possible.   
      
   "The US Navy greatly appreciates the thousands of MARS volunteers, past and   
   present, who have been integral to the success of MARS," the announcement   
   concluded.   
      
   An individual very familiar with the MARS program said the change was not   
   unexpected and came to a head as the US Strategic Command embraced Army MARS   
   as the lead branch for contingency communication and Air Force MARS began   
   partnering with the US Army program on the operations side.   
      
   "The Army and Air Force MARS branches have an obvious role in providing   
   contingency communications for the 50 states," said the individual, who   
   preferred not to be identified by name. "Members are everywhere 'on the   
   ground,' and experience in Afghanistan and Iraq has proven the tactical   
   usefulness of HF on land. There was no similar role for the landlocked   
   membership of Navy-Marine Corps MARS."   
      
   He said the MARS program can use all the volunteers it can attract.   
      
   New Nepal Earthquake Keeps Amateur Radio Relief Effort Going   
      
   Amateur Radio relief activity in Nepal had begun to wind down before a   
   magnitude 7.3 earthquake shook parts of the Himalayan nation on May 12,   
   collapsing buildings and killing dozens in a region that's still trying to   
   recover from the much stronger earthquake on April 25. The latest quake   
   revived the ham radio effort. Centered some 50 miles east-northeast of the   
   Nepalese capital of Kathmandu and near the border with Tibet, the temblor was   
   felt in India and Bangladesh. The US Geological Survey considers the May 12   
   tremor as an aftershock of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on April 25.   
      
   "Immediately after the first tremor, I turned on my station and gave a call on   
   14.210 MHz," said Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI) National Disaster   
   Communication Coordinator Jayu Bhide, VU2JAU. He subsequently made contact   
   with Satish Kharel, 9N1AA, who reported that power as well as Internet and   
   cell phone service were out, although text messaging was still possible. 9N1AA   
   was operating from battery power at the time, but later got his power back.   
   Other parts of Kathmandu are still without electricity, however.   
      
   Bhide said he learned that some multi-story structures that had suffered   
   cracks in the initial earthquake collapsed, killing several people.He said on   
   May 14 that people were returning home from temporary shelters. He continues   
   to receive missing person inquiries from abroad. About 300 people are still   
   missing in Langtang Valley.   
      
   Bhide said he would continue monitoring 14.210 MHz.   
      
   The Computer Association of Nepal-USA (CAN-USA) project "Radio Mala" reported   
   that equipment it deployed in 2013 continues to function in the aftermath of   
   the latest tremor. Radio Mala team member Rick Santina, W6IFA, said that   
   Sanjeeb Panday, 9N1SP, had e-mailed the CAN-USA team that the HF station was   
   still working. Panday has installed the antenna for the second CAN-USA UHF/VHF   
   repeater, but the installation was not able to be completed before this week's   
   aftershock.   
      
   "We are still deploying ham radio equipment to Nepal in response to this   
   humanitarian crisis," said CAN-USA Disaster Preparedness Committee Chairman   
   Suresh Ojha, W6KTM.   
      
   Colorado ARES Volunteers Support Grueling Race   
      
   Pikes Peak Amateur Radio Emergency Service (PP ARES) volunteers provided   
   communication support on May 2 for the 2015 Falcon 50 Ultra-Marathon.   
   Competitors in the "military-heavy" 50-mile event carry 35-pound rucksacks   
   while wearing boots and uniforms, said Pikes Peak ARES PIO John Bloodgood,   
   KD0SFY. He said 170 runners tested their mettle on the rugged terrain and high   
   altitude of the marathon course at the United States Air Force Academy in   
   Colorado Springs.   
      
   "They were not alone," he said. "Supporting them was a volunteer team of   
   Amateur Radio operators from the Pikes Peak District Amateur Radio Emergency   
   Service. Twenty-two operators, one of whom was also a participant in the   
   marathon, set up six stations around the course to track and report runner   
   progress, coordinate supplies and transportation, and report any emergencies   
   on the course."   
      
   Bloodgood said this meant having everything up and running before the race   
   start time of 6 AM and operating through the 8 PM finish line cut-off time.   
   "Using radios in areas where cell phones often have spotty reception and the   
   same techniques that make ham radio a huge asset in disasters, the ARES   
   operators passed runner progress messages, tracking each bib number as it   
   passed through an aid station," he explained. The ARES volunteers used Fldigi   
   in MT63 2000L mode, with Flmsg sending Incident Command System Form 213   
   messages over UHF FM radios. "This digital system is exactly the same as hams   
   might use to support incident commands during disasters and emergencies,"   
   Bloodgood said.   
      
   Messages were automatically compiled into the Bib Track software developed by   
   Al Glock, KC0PRM, that was originally designed to track patients during a mass   
   casualty event. "This software can even predict when a runner should arrive at   
   the next aid station," Bloodgood added. More than 1070 runner position reports   
   were passed. The hams also used voice modes and APRS.   
      
   Bloodgood said the Falcon 50 gives Pikes Peak ARES members a valuable   
   opportunity to hone their skills in preparation for emergencies and disasters.   
   Pikes Peak ARES has supported the event every year from its start 4 years ago.   
   Read more. -- Thanks to Pikes Peak ARES PIO John Bloodgood, KD0SFY   
      
   Brian Moran, N9ADG, Named as New Editor of The ARRL Contest Update   
      
   Brian Moran, N9ADG, will take over as editor of The ARRL Contest Update,   
   starting with the May 20 issue. Current editor Ward Silver, N0AX, is stepping   
   away after 13 years as the radiosport newsletter's editor in order to   
   concentrate on other ARRL projects. Moran, who lives in Kirkland, Washington,   
   has been in Amateur Radio for more than 35 years.   
      
   "My vision for the Contest Update is to continue to provide the timely   
   event-specific information and other technical or operating information   
   relevant to the interests of traditional contesters," he said, "and explore   
   ways to continue informing and broadening the readership, considering the   
   evolving nature of the hobby."   
      
   Moran got his ham ticket in the late 1970s, while in high school. His interest   
   in electronics and radio led him to pursue a degree in computer science, and   
   then a career in software development -- "while ham radio was on pause," he   
   said. Moran became consistently active again in 1999, after he joined the   
   Western Washington DX Club. In addition to DXing and contesting, he enjoys   
   restoring and building equipment.   
      
   Other radio amateurs in his household include his wife Caroline, KA7MOM, and   
   children Emma, KE7MAM, and Sam, KE7MAN.   
      
   An e-newsletter, The ARRL Contest Update publishes every other Wednesday, 26   
   times a year.   
      
   US Naval Academy CubeSat Launch to Include Next APRS Satellite   
      
   Sometime on or about May 20, the next US Naval Academy satellites and Brno   
   University PSK31 transponders head into space from Cape Canaveral on an Atlas   
   5 launcher and into an approximately 50° orbit. The launch will include the   
   Psat APRS satellite -- a pair of identical 1.5 U cubesats (A and B) -- as well   
   as the BRICsat and USS Langley (Unix Space Server Langley) nanosatellites.   
      
   "Psat is a Naval Academy student satellite project named in honor of one of   
   our graduates, Bradford Parkinson, of GPS fame, which contains an APRS   
   transponder for relaying remote telemetry, sensor, and user data from remote   
   users and Amateur Radio environmental experiments or other data sources back   
   to Amateur Radio experimenters via a global network of Internet-linked ground   
   stations," explained APRS developer Bob Bruninga, WB4APR. In addition to the   
   data transponder, a secondary Brno University transponder will support   
   multi-user PSK31 text messaging. The APRS downlink will be 145.825 MHz (1200   
   baud AX.25 APRS).   
      
   "We welcome radio amateurs worldwide to tune into the downlinks and either   
   IGate packets into the global APRS-IS system or to e-mail me," Bruninga said.   
   "After launch, the next several orbits will be over USA and Europe." Bruninga   
   said Psat, including the PSK31 transponder, would not be available for use   
   until all on-orbit checks are complete, a process he said could take "many,   
   many days." He also requested reports on any PSK31 (FM) heard on 435.350 MHz   
   (the PSK31 uplink is 28.120 MHz).   
      
   The PSK31 multi-user FDMA transponder experiment on Psat, BRICsat, and USS   
   Langley is similar to the one on RAFT and PCSAT2.   
      
   BRICsat will carry a PSK31 transponder with a 28.120 MHz uplink (2.5 kHz   
   bandwidth) and a UHF FM downlink on 435.350 MHz. Gunter's Space Page describes   
   USS Langley as "a proof-of-concept mission for providing global Internet   
   access via a nanosatellite constellation."   
      
   Bruninga said satellite experiments such as Psat "serve our educational and   
   outreach goals for student projects encouraging young people to be interested   
   in science, technology, engineering, and math." He said he hopes other schools   
   will build either additional 145.825 MHz relay satellites or experimental   
   sensors. "We hope that Psat will be the 'egg' in this chicken-egg conundrum,"   
   he added. Read more.   
      
   In Brief...   
      
   Ham Radio to the Rescue: Jeff Allbright, N5JEF, on May 3 reported a vehicle   
   fire in an RV towing an SUV. He was able to alert emergency services. "The   
   location was eastbound I-80 in Auburn, California," Allbright said. "The   
   people from the RV had tried and failed to reach 911 on their cell phone. I   
   also tried, and, although cell phone service was working, I too got an 'unable   
   to connect' message." Allbright was able to contact Jim Griffith, KI6AZH, on   
   the W6EK 2 meter repeater and confirm that he was calling emergency services.   
   Firefighters responded, but Albright said he believes both vehicles were   
   destroyed. -- Thanks to ARRL Sacramento Valley SM Ron Murdock, W6KJ [Jeff   
   Allbright, N5JEF, photo]   
      
   4U1ITU to Mark ITU's 150th Anniversary: Members of the International Amateur   
   Radio Club 4U1ITU in Geneva will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the   
   International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on May 17 by using the special   
   call sign 4U150ITU. Operation will be from 0800 to 1600 UTC. ITU Secretary   
   General Houlin Zhao will sign all QSL cards. QSL via 4U1ITU. On May 17, 1865,   
   the first International Telegraph Convention was signed, and the ITU was   
   created. -- Thanks to The Daily DX   
      
   Past New Mexico SM Bill Weatherford, KM5FT, SK: Former ARRL New Mexico Section   
   Manager William O. "Bill" Weatherford, KM5FT, of Albuquerque, died April 5. He   
   was 78. Weatherford, a retired US Foreign Service communications officer, was   
   New Mexico SM from 2003 until 2007 and was an Assistant SM from 2001 until   
   2003. Weatherford spent 35 years with the US Department of State, serving in   
   10 countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America.   
   First licensed as a Novice in the early 1950s, Weatherford returned to ham   
   radio in 1965 and operated from several of his overseas postings. He retired   
   in 1995. Weatherford was a US Air Force Veteran. Survivors include his wife,   
   Judith. The family has invited memorial donations to Roadrunner Food Bank or   
   Heifer International.   
      
   ARRL 2014 Phone Sweepstakes Results Posted: The complete results of the ARRL   
   November Sweepstakes phone event for 2014 have been published, including the   
   expanded line scores and all log checking reports (LCRs). Steve London, N2IC,   
   prepared the contest summary. Results of the ARRL 160 Meter and ARRL 10 Meter   
   contests are expected soon.   
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: This week our quiet sun came to life, and   
   now the visible solar disc is crowded with sunspots. On May 11, the daily   
   sunspot number rose to 188, the highest number since January 30, when it was   
   193. We have to go back to November 17, 2013, to find a higher sunspot number.   
   It was 282 on that day, which was way over on the other side of the Cycle 24   
   peak, which happened in early 2014.   
      
   The average daily sunspot number increased 86 points from the previous week to   
   146.9 for the May 7-13 period, and the average daily solar flux rose from   
   115.4 to 156.3.   
      
   On May 12, the Australian Space Forecast Centre warned of "increased   
   geomagnetic activity" on May 13, due to a high-speed coronal hole wind stream.   
   The prediction was correct, and the planetary A index for May 13 was 45, while   
   the college A index reached 63.   
      
   The predicted planetary A index is 25, 12, and 8 for May 14-16, then 5, 15,   
   and 12 on May 17-19, then 5 on May 20-28, 8 on May 29-30, 5 on May 31, then 8,   
   15, and 10 on June 1-3, 5 on June 4-6, 12 on June 7, 25 on June 8-9, and 12   
   and 8 on June 10-11.   
      
   Predicted solar flux is 155 on May 14, 150 on May 15-16, then 145, 135, and   
   125 on May 17-19, 120 on May 20-21, 115 on May 22-23, 110 on May 24-27, 115 on   
   May 28, and 120 on May 29-31.   
      
   In Friday's bulletin look for reports from readers and an updated forecast.   
   Send me your reports and observations.   
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  May 16 -- Portuguese Navy Day (Digital)   
    *  May 16 -- Feld-Hell Hamvention Sprint   
    *  May 16-17 -- Worldwide EME Contest   
    *  May 16-17 -- His Majesty King of Spain Contest (CW)   
    *  May 17 -- Worked All Britain -- 7 MHz Phone   
    *  May 18 -- Run For the Bacon (CW)   
    *  May 21 -- NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint (CW)   
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
   Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events   
      
    *  May 15-17 -- Dayton Hamvention®, Dayton, Ohio   
    *  June 5-7 -- Northwestern Division Convention (SeaPac), Seaside, Oregon   
    *  June 6 -- Georgia State Convention, Marietta, Georgia   
    *  June 12-13 -- West Gulf Division Convention (Ham-Com), Irving, Texas   
    *  June 13 -- Tennessee State Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee   
    *  July 4 -- Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention, Harrisburg,   
       Pennsylvania   
    *  July 10-11 -- Northern Florida Section Convention, Milton, Florida   
    *  July 13-16 -- Mobile Amateur Radio Awards Club Convention, The Villages,   
       Florida   
    *  July 17-19 -- Montana State Convention, East Glacier, Montana   
    *  July 23-26 -- Central States VHF Society Conference, Westminster,   
       Colorado   
    *  July 24-25 -- Oklahoma Section Convention, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma   
    *  July 31-August 2 -- Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Bryce Canyon,   
       Utah   
    *  August 1 -- Great Lakes Division Convention, Columbus, Ohio   
      
   Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
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