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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2015-08-20   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   August 20, 2015   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  ARISS International Delegates Meet in Tokyo   
    *  Ad Hoc Subcommittee on VHF and Above Revitalization Seeks August UHF   
       Contest Suggestions   
    *  Home of Well-Known Contester K0RF Badly Damaged by Fire   
    *  Talk of Pending P5 Operations So Far Remains Just Talks   
    *  ARRL Summer Section Manager Election Results Announced   
    *  Employment Opportunity -- Chief Executive Officer   
    *  ARES Supports 60,000 Runners for Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta   
    *  Undergrad Radio Amateur Uses Reverse Beacon Network in Research Project   
    *  International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend Registration Topped 500   
       this Year   
    *  World Digital ATV QSO Party to Mark 5th Year   
    *  In Brief...   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events   
      
      
   ARISS International Delegates Meet in Tokyo   
      
   ARISS International delegates, officers, and team members have convened this   
   week in Tokyo for what is being called "a critical meeting" to discuss   
   strategy, teamwork, hardware, and operations. Delegates to the August 20-23   
   gathering represent the five ARISS member regions -- the US, Russia, Japan,   
   Canada, and Europe. Keigo Komuro, JA1KAB, of ARISS-Japan and the Japan Amateur   
   Radio League (JARL) delivered opening remarks, and ARRL First Vice President   
   Rick Roderick, K5UR, in Tokyo for the JARL Ham Fair, spoke briefly.   
   ARISS-International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, is heading up the meeting.   
      
   The Japanese Space Agency JAXA will welcome the group and offer an overview of   
   its Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program.   
      
   Agenda items include:   
      
    *  ARISS working group business discussions and reports, including regional   
       reports, ARISS terms of reference updates, space agency coordination   
       status, sustainability and fund raising, and future projects.   
    *  Technical discussions on current and future hardware developments,   
       including next-generation ARISS radio systems, and an update on the Ham   
       TV system.   
    *  Operations discussions, including presentations on educational   
       activities, international expansion and planning of SSTV, school   
       selection and regional scheduling procedures, and plans for the ISS   
       mission of UK astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI, and the Astro Pi Project   
       during his mission.   
      
   Astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI, will head to the ISS in November.   
      
   The UK's first European Space Agency astronaut, Peake plans to share his   
   "Principia" mission space adventure with students on Earth via Amateur Radio,   
   and he's invited youngsters in his country to contact him while he's on   
   station. Peake is scheduled to head to the ISS in November for a 6-month duty   
   tour.   
      
   In addition to their ambitious agenda, ARISS delegates will begin each day   
   with an opportunity for informal discussion and will have the opportunity to   
   visit the Tsukuba Space Center. Read more. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service and   
   ARISS International   
      
   Ad Hoc Subcommittee on VHF and Above Revitalization Seeks August UHF Contest   
   Suggestions   
      
   The ARRL Ad Hoc Subcommittee on VHF and Above Revitalization is exploring ways   
   to expand participation in the ARRL August UHF Contest. This year's event took   
   place August 1-2. The objective of the event is to work as many stations in as   
   many 2 x 1 grid squares as possible on amateur frequencies above 222 MHz,   
   using any authorized modes. The panel is inviting responses to these questions:   
      
    *  Are you now active on UHF?   
    *  How often do you presently operate in the ARRL UHF Contest -- never,   
       occasionally, or always?   
    *  If you do not presently participate, why not?   
    *  If you do not presently participate, what changes might compel you to   
       participate in the future?   
    *  What are your ideas for attracting more amateurs to UHF operation in   
       general?   
      
   The subcommittee has requested that participants submit their comments by   
   October 1. The members of ARRL's Ad Hoc Subcommittee on VHF and Above   
   Revitalization also expressed their gratitude for the many comments they   
   received during the initial round of VHF+ contest rule changes.   
      
      
   Home of Well-Known Contester K0RF Badly Damaged by Fire   
      
   A late afternoon fire on August 18 badly damaged the Boulder County, Colorado,   
   home of well-known contester Chuck Cullian, K0RF. George Schultz, W0UA, who   
   has operated frequently from K0RF, explained that the building is roughly   
   divided into a residential side and a garage/ham radio shack side. He said   
   Cullian told him that the fire pretty thoroughly gutted the residence, leaving   
   Cullian and his family temporarily homeless.   
      
   "I'm still kind of in shock over it myself," Schultz told ARRL. "I've spent   
   more time up there over the past 30 years than anyone, I think, besides his   
   immediate family."   
      
   Schultz said on August 19 that he had not yet been to the house and could not   
   speak directly as to the extent of the damage, although according to media   
   accounts, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office has deemed the house a total   
   loss. No one was injured. Schultz said those in the house at the time --   
   Cullian's wife, his daughter, and her boyfriend -- called 911 and tried in   
   vain to put out the fire as soon as they realized what was happening.   
      
   Schultz said the fire appears to have started in a laundry room, then moved   
   into the residential wing -- away from the end of the long, angular   
   ranch-style home where a finished radio room occupies two bays of a six-bay   
   garage.   
      
   "Apparently, the fire smoldered for some time," Schultz told ARRL. "They were   
   in the living room, quite a ways away, and blocked from the laundry room by   
   the kitchen. Suddenly, it just exploded. I'm just thankful they got out of   
   there." Schultz said the theory at this point is that the fire began in a   
   clothes dryer or in related venting.   
      
   "As of now, we think there was no direct effect from the fire on the   
   'radio-wing,'" Schultz said. "Under the circumstances, this is of small   
   consolation, of course." He also did not discount the possibility of water or   
   smoke damage to those parts of the structure not directly affected by the   
   flames.   
      
      
   Talk of Pending P5 Operations So Far Remains Just Talks   
      
   Persistent optimism continues to prop up the hopes of several individual radio   
   amateurs and groups to mount a DXpedition to the most-wanted and elusive DXCC   
   entity on the globe -- the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea (P5).   
   To date, no recent efforts have succeeded. The latest to announce that plans   
   for a P5 operation are on the verge of success are Antonio Gonzalez, EA5RM,   
   and Manuel German, EA7AJR, both DXpedition veterans. On their fourth trip to   
   North Korea since 2013, Gonzalez and German met on August 17 with what they   
   described as "high-level officials" in North Korea's telecommunications   
   ministry. In an August 17 news release, Gonzalez and German said that the   
   officials in Pyongyang -- North Korea's capital -- "were very kind, receptive,   
   and cooperative. They knew everything about ham radio, so it was really easy   
   to talk with them about our ham radio operation project." The pair began   
   efforts to secure permission for a North Korea operation more than 2 years ago.   
      
   "If everything goes as it is going up [until] today, I can tell that we are   
   very close to get[ting] permission," the news release concluded.   
      
   Gonzalez and German are not alone in attempting to be the next to activate   
   North Korea since Ed Giorgadze of the Republic of Georgia operated as P5/4L4FN   
   in 2001 and 2002, making more than 16,000 contacts before being asked abruptly   
   to cease transmitting and pack up his gear. The ARRL subsequently accredited   
   his SSB and RTTY operation for DXCC. Giorgadze, who was working for the UN   
   World Food Program in Pyongyang at the time, had tried for more than 2 years   
   before obtaining oral permission from North Korean authorities to operate.   
      
   Earlier this year, Polish radio amateur Dom Grzyb, 3Z9DX, announced that he   
   had secured written permission to operate from North Korea in January or   
   February 2016. He is supposed to go to Pyongyang for a final meeting to   
   discuss guidelines for the operation, which would be for 5 days, SSB only, on   
   20, 15, and 10 meters from a secured location with 24/7 government supervision.   
      
   Paul Ewing, N6PSE, and David Flack, AH6HY, of the Intrepid DX Group have   
   visited North Korea several times since announcing intentions in 2013 to   
   operate from P5 for 2 weeks with two groups of 12 operators. In an August 10   
   blog post that he has since removed from the web "in solidarity with other   
   efforts to activate P5," Ewing seemed pessimistic that anyone would be allowed   
   to operate from the secretive communist enclave anytime soon. For now, though,   
   he's extending "best of luck to all efforts to activate the DPRK."   
      
   In addition to the 2001-2002 P5/4L4FN operation, the only other approved   
   operations occurred in 1995, when Martti Laine, OH2BH, and two other Finnish   
   radio amateurs demonstrated ham radio by making 20 contacts as P5/OH2AM. In   
   1999, Laine operated briefly as P51BH, making just 263 contacts.   
      
   In 2005, David Borenstein, KA2HTV, a physician, received advance permission   
   from a cultural affairs official to operate while in Pyongyang, but he   
   apparently did not have clearance from the Ministry of Telecommunications and   
   Posts, and he was never allowed to get on the air once he arrived. -- Thanks   
   to The Daily DX, DxCoffee, North Korea Tech, and the Intrepid DX Group   
      
      
   ARRL Summer Section Manager Election Results Announced   
      
   An incumbent Section Manager has won his bid for a new term of office. Ballots   
   were counted August 18 at ARRL Headquarters in the only contested race in the   
   summer election cycle. In addition, one new Section Manager will come onboard   
   this fall. All new 2-year terms of office begin on October 1.   
      
   In the Los Angeles Section, incumbent SM David Greenhut, N6HD, was re-elected   
   over challenger Philip A. Minch, K6MUG, of Long Beach, California, 601 to 213.   
   Greenhut, of Woodland Hills, California, has served as the Los Angeles SM   
   since 2009.   
      
   The Sacramento Valley Section will have a new Section Manager starting this   
   fall. Dr Carol Milazzo, KP4MD, of Citrus Heights, California, was the only   
   nominee for the position. She currently serves as an Assistant Section   
   Manager. Incumbent SM Ron Murdock, W6KJ, of Yuba City, decided not to run for   
   another term of office after serving since July of 2007.   
      
   These incumbent Section Managers did not face opposition in this election   
   cycle, and they will continue with 2-two year terms of office starting on   
   October 1: Mark Tharp, KB7HDX (Eastern Washington); Monte Simpson, AF7PQ   
   (Western Washington); Bill Hillendahl, KH6GJV (San Francisco); Jack Ciaccia,   
   WM0G (Colorado); Gene Clark, W4AYK (Georgia), and Lee Cooper, W5LHC (South   
   Texas).   
      
      
   Employment Opportunity -- Chief Executive Officer   
      
   The American Radio Relay League (ARRL), a non-profit membership organization   
   with the objectives of promoting and advancing the art, science, and enjoyment   
   of Amateur Radio, seeks a full-time Chief Executive Officer in Newington,   
   Connecticut, to direct its day-to-day activities. The League has 167,000   
   members, an annual budget of $15 million, 100 paid employees, a nationwide   
   network of volunteers, and an elected board of 15 directors. The League   
   publishes a monthly magazine and many books on radio topics, and it oversees   
   training and assistance programs for Amateur Radio activity. It also serves as   
   Amateur Radio's primary interface to society, especially government.   
      
   The CEO will report to the President and the Board of Directors and work   
   collaboratively with them in leading the ARRL in accordance with its Articles   
   of Association, Bylaws, and Board Policies. Specifically, s/he will ensure the   
   day-to-day management of the League and the League's fiscal operation. In   
   addition, s/he will oversee and make certain that the fund-raising, marketing,   
   human resources, technology, advocacy, and governance strategies of the League   
   are effectively implemented across all segments of the organization.   
      
   Interested candidates will find additional information concerning the position   
   and the application process on the ARRL website.   
      
      
   ARES Supports 60,000 Runners for Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta   
      
   For the past 45 years, residents of Atlanta, Georgia, have celebrated   
   Independence Day by closing one of the city's busiest thoroughfares and   
   allowing 60,000 runners to take part in the Peachtree Road Race, sponsored by   
   the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Atlanta Track Club. Supporting the   
   runners are some 5000 volunteers, including more than 50 Amateur Radio   
   operators. Nearly 200,000 spectators enjoyed this year's event. Coordinating   
   the Amateur Radio response were race Communications Director David Ziskind,   
   KE4QLH, and Chris Balch, KS4MM, an ARRL Volunteer Counsel and Atlanta ARES   
   Assistant Emergency Coordinator. Volunteer operators came from ARES groups and   
   Amateur Radio clubs throughout the Atlanta metro area.   
      
   "This year provided a particularly challenging environment as July 4 saw   
   Atlanta hit by a long line of severe and dangerous thunderstorms just as the   
   race got under way," Balch recounted. "As the storms intensified, Track Club   
   officials made the decision to hold the [remaining] runners and move those   
   waiting to start indoors for safety. After a 30 minute delay, the other 25,000   
   race participants emerged into the rainy late morning and completed their   
   annual jog down Peachtree Street."   
      
   Working closely with the Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Management Agency   
   (AFCEMA), the Atlanta Police and Fire departments, and federal and state law   
   enforcement and public safety agencies, the Amateur Radio contingent provided   
   crucial on-course intelligence and safety reports for injured runners, race   
   conditions, and even the occasional suspicious package. Learning from the 2013   
   Boston Marathon experience, net control operations for the race are located at   
   AFCEMA's underground Emergency Operations Center. AFCEMA Director Matthew   
   Kallmayer worked with Atlanta ARES EC Ken Reid, KG4USN, to stock the EOC with   
   three dualband radios. This let the ham volunteers run and respond to three   
   separate nets (as well access a D-STAR link to the Atlanta Police   
   Headquarters), providing coordination among public safety, Atlanta Track Club   
   organizers and media outlets.   
      
   Race communications benefited from the use of repeaters owned by the Atlanta   
   Radio Club, the Metropolitan Atlanta Telephone Pioneers Amateur Radio Club,   
   and the Georgia Tech Amateur Radio Club. -- Thanks to Chris Balch, KS4MM, AEC   
   Atlanta ARES, via The ARES E-Letter   
      
      
   Undergrad Radio Amateur Uses Reverse Beacon Network in Research Project   
      
   A Virginia Tech undergraduate researcher and radio amateur has used Super Dual   
   Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) and Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) data to   
   study how solar flares impact HF radio propagation over the entire dayside --   
   the time Earth is in sunlight -- with communication loss related to both flare   
   intensity and distribution. Carson Squibb, KM4MBQ, recently summarized his   
   findings in a poster presentation, "Dayside Ionospheric Response to X-Class   
   Solar Flare Events Observed with Reverse Beacon Network High Frequency   
   Communication Links." As most HF operators understand, higher-intensity flare   
   events can cause complete signal loss on HF, while weaker flares may only   
   partly inhibit radio propagation.   
      
   According to Squibb's poster, a solar flare is an event in which the Sun emits   
   high levels of ultraviolet and X-ray radiation, resulting in increased   
   photoionization in the ionosphere, primarily in the D-layer, which is largely   
   responsible for absorption of HF radio waves. So, as ionization increases   
   during flare events, communication can be diminished or lost completely. Such   
   fadeouts can occur in minutes, while subsequent recovery can take hours,   
   "which is why understanding these flare effects is of critical importance,"   
   Squibb said.   
      
   According to Squibb, the rate of communication loss is related to the increase   
   in X-ray intensity, and the period of recovery is influenced by both flare   
   intensity and the rate of decline in X-ray flux after peaking. Squibb   
   determined that lower frequencies experience fades in propagation prior to the   
   flare peak, with recovery taking longer, while the degree of loss is more   
   severe as frequency decreases.   
      
   Squibb's poster explains that SuperDARN detects a ground-scatter band that   
   results from waves reflecting from the ionosphere and ground, and that this   
   band is degraded during solar flare events. To determine the spatial   
   distribution of flare effects, Squibb used data from four radars across North   
   America. He used the RBN -- an array of passive receivers which detects   
   Amateur Radio signals and posts identifiable call signs on the Internet -- to   
   measure HF communication. Squibb chose 3.5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 MHz for study.   
   Xƒ??ray flux data within the 0.05-0.4 nm and 0.1-0.8 nm ranges were taken from   
   the GOES-15 geostationary weather satellite.   
      
   Squibb said future research should focus on quantifying the relationship   
   between flare characteristics and HF signal fadeout.   
      
   Squibb conducted his research under the guidance of graduate student Nathaniel   
   Frissell, W2NAF, and SuperDARN group supervisors Jo Baker and Mike Ruohoniemi,   
   as part of his participation in the Research Experiences for Undergraduates   
   (REU) program sponsored by the National Science Foundation and hosted by the   
   Center for Space Science and Engineering Research (Space@VT). His co-authors   
   included Magda Moses, KM4EGE, of Virginia Tech, and Robyn Fiori of the   
   Canadian Space Weather Forecast Center.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend Registration Topped 500 this   
   Year   
      
   The number of registrations in the International Lighthouse and Lightship   
   Weekend (ILLW) reached 506, with 32 countries represented. Activity for the   
   August 15-16 event was higher this year from the major seafaring nations of   
   Australia, England, and Germany, adding to growth from Bulgaria, Canada, Cuba,   
   France, Portugal and Scotland, ILLW organizers reported That was down from   
   2014, however, when there were 544 entrants for the operating event.   
      
   Michael Sealfon, WA2OCG, put the number of 2015 registrations over the 500   
   mark, when he signed up to operate from Alki Point Lighthouse marking the   
   southern entrance to Seattle's Elliott Bay in Washington. More than 70 US   
   lighthouses and lightships were activated for the 2015 event, some identifying   
   with 1 x 1 special event call signs. Cuba this year had 13 registered sites,   
   possibly a reflection of the normalization of diplomatic relations with the US.   
      
   The operation of Glenn Alford, VK3ILW/VK7, was typical of the DX available. On   
   the air from Cape Wickham Lighthouse on King Island, he logged contacts in the   
   Canary Islands, Cuba, Baltic Islands, Guatemala, Europe, the US, Alaska,   
   Australia, and New Zealand.   
      
   Australia Broadcasting Corporation informed listeners that visitors to the   
   red-and-white candy-striped Point Moore Lighthouse, some 400 km north of Perth   
   and dominating the Geraldton skyline in West Australia, had claimed a   
   new world record for the most people hugging a lighthouse. The lighthouse --   
   built in 1878 and one of Australia's oldest steel lighthouses -- hosted the   
   ILLW operation of Maarten Plug, VK6MP. More than 1000 turned out for the world   
   record-attempting embrace. During ILLW, the doors of the lighthouse were   
   opened to allow a glimpse inside.   
      
   Retired physician Jerry Metz, N1QLL, camped out on Mistake Island to activate   
   Moose Peak light, built in 1851 and still in operation on Maine's foggy Down   
   East coast.   
      
   The next and 19th annual Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend on August 20-21,   
   2016, already has 30 registrations. The annual Amateur Radio event was   
   initiated in Scotland by John Forsyth, GM4OOU, and the Mike Dalrymple, GM4SUC   
   (SK). Lighthouses and lightships in some 85 countries have been represented in   
   the annual event since its inception. -- Thanks to Jim Linton, VK3PC, ILLW,   
   Gerry Metz, N1QLL   
      
      
   World Digital ATV QSO Party to Mark 5th Year   
      
   The World Digital Amateur Television (DATV) QSO Party will celebrate its 5th   
   year when it gets under way August 21-22. Organizer and anchor Peter Cossins,   
   VK3BFG, has been busy planning for another successful event. While the event   
   is centered on the VK3RTV Melbourne-Geelong DATV repeater, stations in the US,   
   the UK, and elsewhere are welcome to join via a local ATV repeater or via   
   Skype.   
      
   August 21 will focus on Australian ATV enthusiasts, with participation   
   available via the VK3RTV digital repeater east of Melbourne, the first in   
   Australia to go 100 percent digital. On Saturday morning (Friday evening in US   
   time zones), the rest of the world will join the Digital ATV QSO Party.   
      
   The first overseas session will be with users of the Amateur Television in   
   Central Ohio (ATCO) WR8ATV repeater, followed by the W6ATN Southern California   
   Coordinated ATV Repeater Network Southern California. Later there will be   
   video of ATVers using the Home Counties ATV group repeater GB5HV in the UK.   
   Art, WA8RMC, will oversee the Ohio operation, while Don, KE6BXT, will handle   
   the Southern California operation.   
      
   Cossins said any station not in range of VK3ATV repeater may use the Skype   
   name, "DATV QSO Party." He has suggested that participants prepare a couple of   
   short videos.   
      
   All inbound Skype calls, including those from interstate and international   
   repeaters, will be transmitted to VK3RTV. The output will be sent to the   
   British Amateur TV Club (BATC) for streaming as well as to YouTube.   
      
   For more information, contact Cossins. -- Thanks to Jim Linton, VK3PC, via   
   Southgate ARC   
      
      
   In Brief...   
      
   Prices Reduced on ARRL Operating Books and Resources: The ARRL is rolling back   
   prices once again! Save 20 percent on select ARRL operating-themed   
   publications and resources when you order online now through August 31, 2015.   
   No coupon code is necessary, and discounted titles may be combined with one   
   coupon code offer. For a complete list of discounted publications, visit   
   ARRL's "Operating Books & Resources Price Rollback" page. ARRL publications   
   are available from the ARRL Store or from your ARRL Publication Dealer, or   
   call (860) 594-0355, toll-free in the US, (888) 277-5289, to order. E-mail   
   ARRL Publication Sales for more information.   
      
   South Texas Balloon Launch to Fly Amateur Radio Payload: The South Texas   
   Balloon Launch Team announced that its BLT-42 balloon and payload will launch   
   on August 22 at 1500 UTC from the Wharton Intergalactic Spaceport in Texas   
   (EL19wg). The flight payload is scheduled to include a DTV-B color ATV camera,   
   0.3 W; cross-band FM repeater (147.435 up/446.000 down); digital camera;   
   balloon-burst camcorder; APRS (AB5SS-11, W5ACM-9), two GoPro HD cameras;   
   down-pointing micro-camcorder, and an SSTV system transmitting on 144.5 MHz.   
   For more information, contact John Maca, AB5SS, or Andy MacAllister, W5ACM.   
   w5acm@amsat.org. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service   
      
   FCC Releases Online Table of Frequency Allocations: The FCC released an   
   updated online, downloadable Table of Frequency Allocations on August 15. The   
   FCC notes that the Table "as published by the Federal Register and codified in   
   the Code of Federal Regulations, remains the legal source material." The   
   online Table may display amendments that have been adopted by the FCC but are   
   not yet in effect, the FCC said.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar activity declined over the August   
   13-19 reporting week. Average daily sunspot numbers went from 82.3 during the   
   previous 7 days, to 37.4 in the most recent period.   
      
   Average daily solar flux also declined over the same 2 weeks, from a mean of   
   112.4 to 91. Average planetary A index went from 11.7 in the previous week to   
   21.4 in the recent 7 days. Activity over the August 15-17 period drove these   
   numbers higher, with planetary A index at 44, 36 and 27 during the 3-day   
   period -- the result of a coronal mass ejection (CME).   
      
   The latest predicted solar flux from NOAA/USAF over the near term is 100 on   
   August 20; 105 for August 21-23; 110 on August 24-25; 115 on August 26; 110 on   
   August 27; 95 for August 28-September 2; 100 on September 3-4; 105 on   
   September 5, and 100 on September 6-7. Solar flux then declines to 85 for   
   September 10-18 and rises to 100 after September 29.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 18 on August 20; 10 on August 21-22; 12, 10,   
   and 8 on August 23-25; 12 on August 26-27; 10 on August 28-29; 5 on August   
   30-September 1; 12, 22, 15, and 12 on September 2-5; 10 on September 6-7; 8 on   
   September 8-9; 5 on September 10-11, and 10, 20, and 15 for September 12-14.   
      
   At 0636 UTC on August 19 Australia's Space Weather Services released this   
   geomagnetic disturbance warning: "A large Coronal Hole (CH 683) is located in   
   the solar Northern Hemisphere and is taking geoeffective position. A   
   high-speed solar wind stream emanating from CH 683 is driving a Co-rotating   
   Interaction Region (CIR) and this will affect Earth's geomagnetic environment   
   over the next 1-2 days. Minor geomagnetic storms could occur in the   
   high-latitude regions and possibly extend into the mid latitudes. The aurora   
   may be visible from the southern parts of Australia at the local night hours   
   on 19 and 20 August."   
      
   In Friday's bulletin we'll have an updated forecast and reports from readers.   
   Send me your reports and observations.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  August 22-24 -- Hawaii QSO Party (CW, digital)   
    *  August 22-23 -- Ohio QSO Party (CW, SSB)   
    *  August 22-23 -- CVA DX Contest, SSB   
    *  August 26 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)   
    *  August 26-27 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test   
    *  August 27 -- RSGB 80 Meter Club Sprint, SSB   
      
   See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events   
      
    *  August 21-23 -- New England Division Convention, Boxborough,   
       Massachusetts   
    *  August 22 -- West Virginia State Convention, Weston, West Virginia   
    *  August 30 -- Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, New Kensington,   
       Pennsylvania   
    *  September 5-6 -- Roanoke Division Convention, Shelby, North Carolina   
    *  September 11-12 -- W9DXCC Convention, Schaumburg, Illinois   
    *  September 11-13 -- Southwestern Division Convention, Torrance,   
       California   
    *  September 12 -- Virginia Section Convention, Virginia Beach, Virginia   
    *  September 19 -- San Joaquin Valley Section Convention, Fresno,   
       California   
    *  September 25-26 -- W4DXCC/SEDCO Convention, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee   
    *  September 26 -- Iowa State Convention, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa   
    *  September 26 -- North Dakota State Convention, West Fargo, North Dakota   
    *  September 26 -- Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington   
    *  October 2-4 -- Mid-Atlantic States VHF Conference, Bensalem,   
       Pennsylvania   
    *  October 3 -- Delaware State Convention, Georgetown, Delaware   
    *  October 9-10 -- Florida State Convention, Melbourne, Florida   
    *  October 10-11 -- Pacific Northwest VHF Conference, Issaquah, Washington   
    *  October 16-18 -- Microwave Update Convention, San Diego, California   
    *  October 16-18 -- Pacific Division Convention (Pacificon), San Ramon,   
       California   
    *  October 17 -- Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference, Wisconsin Rapids,   
       Wisconsin   
    *  October 18 -- Connecticut State Convention, Meriden, Connecticut   
    *  October 23-24 -- Arizona State Convention, Kingman, Arizona   
    *  October 23-24 -- Oklahoma State Convention, Ardmore, Oklahoma   
      
   Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
   ... Man wanted to work in dynamite factory.  Must be willing to travel.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)