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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2015-10-15   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   October 15, 2015   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  "ARRL National Parks on the Air" Event to Mark National Park Service   
       Centennial   
    *  ARRL On-Line Auction to Mark 10th Anniversary; Bidding Starts on October   
       22!   
    *  ARRL Asks FCC to Clarify that Hams May Modify Non-Amateur Gear for   
       Amateur Use   
    *  AMSAT's Fox-1A CubeSat is Now AO-85!   
    *  Support ARRL through the Combined Federal Campaign   
    *  ARISS Window to Submit ISS Ham Radio Contact Proposals Closes on   
       November 1   
    *  IARU Administrative Council Stresses Importance of Antenna Systems for   
       Amateur Radio   
    *  ARRL Invites Nominations For 2015 International Humanitarian Award   
    *  IOTA Foundation to Manage RSGB's Islands on the Air Program   
    *  Parachute Mobile Group to Hold Jump in Conjunction with Pacificon   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events   
      
      
   "ARRL National Parks on the Air" Event to Mark National Park Service Centennial   
      
   In 2016, the National Park Service (NPS) will celebrate its 100th anniversary,   
   and radio amateurs will be able to help mark the occasion with the ARRL   
   National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) event. The event kicks off at 0000 UTC on   
   January 1, 2016.   
      
   "As ARRL just celebrated our own Centennial, and Amateur Radio is often   
   enjoyed in the great outdoors, it seemed fitting to devise a program to help   
   NPS celebrate their own 100th birthday," said ARRL Media and Public Relations   
   Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X. NPOTA will run throughout 2016, with activity   
   promoted and encouraged from each of the more than 430 official NPS   
   administrative units and affiliated areas across the US. This includes all 59   
   National Parks as well as National Battlefields, Historic Sites, Memorials,   
   Preserves, Reserves, Rivers, Seashores, National Scenic Trails,   
   and other units.   
      
   The program will have two participation tracks -- Chasers and Activators.   
   Chasers will simply attempt to make contact with operators in as many of the   
   NPS units as possible. Activators will attempt to activate as many of the   
   units as possible. NPOTA participants may serve in both roles. Chaser and   
   Activator totals will be tracked via an online Leader Board based on LoTW   
   data, just as was done during the Centennial QSO Party. Access the NPOTA   
   Leader Board directly at http://npota.arrl.org.   
      
   Modeled after the Mixed DXCC award, only one contact with any given NPS unit   
   will be required, and no tally will be kept of NPS units based on bands or   
   modes. NPOTA will be administered entirely through Logbook of The World   
   (LoTW). No paper logs or QSLs will be accepted for NPOTA credit. Each NPS unit   
   will be added to LoTW as a "location."   
      
   Chaser Award and Activator Award certificates will be available to any radio   
   amateur who has at least one confirmed contact with an NPS unit or who   
   activates at least one unit, respectively. A station's total number of   
   confirmed or activated units will be printed on the certificate. The National   
   Parks Honor Roll certificate will be available to any station confirming   
   contact with at least 75 percent of the 59 National Parks activated in 2016.   
      
   While there is no formal partnership between NPS and ARRL for this event, the   
   League has been in discussions with the NPS over the past year, and the   
   National Park Service is aware that increased Amateur Radio activity in their   
   parks is likely during 2016.   
      
   The NPOTA will use the official list of NPS Administrative Units and   
   Affiliated Areas as defined and maintained by NPS. Complete details on   
   National Parks on the Air are available on the ARRL website. Read more.   
      
      
   ARRL On-Line Auction to Mark 10th Anniversary; Bidding Starts on October 22!   
      
   The ARRL On-Line Auction will celebrate its 10th anniversary when it gets   
   under way next week. The auction preview opens on Monday, October 19, at 1400   
   UTC, and bidding begins on Thursday, October 22, at 1400 UTC. The auction   
   already has more than 260 items that will be up for bid, and new donations are   
   still coming in.   
      
   The 2015 auction will include QST "Product Review" gear (already ARRL   
   Lab-tested!), vintage books, pre-owed gear, one-of-a-kind finds, and, in honor   
   of the event's 10th anniversary, the ARRL Lab team will contribute five   
   "mystery boxes."   
      
   Some of the premier items up for bid from the QST "Product Review" inventory   
   will include a FlexRadio Systems FLEX-6700 transceiver, an Apache Labs   
   ANAN-100D SDR HF/6 meter transceiver, a M2 6M-1K2 6 meter amplifier, an ACOM   
   600S HF linear, and a Yaesu FT-991 transceiver.   
      
   Among the book offerings are three 1934 editions of R/9 Magazine, a special   
   defense edition of The Radio Amateur's Handbook from 1942, and Radio Tube   
   Fundamentals.   
      
   Proceeds from the yearly On-Line Auction benefit ARRL education programs.   
   These include activities to license new hams, strengthen Amateur Radio   
   Emergency Service training, offer continuing technical and operating   
   education, and create instructional materials.   
      
   All bidders need to register. If you have participated in a past ARRL On-Line   
   Auction, you will be able to retrieve your auction user ID and password.   
      
      
   ARRL Asks FCC to Clarify that Hams May Modify Non-Amateur Gear for Amateur Use   
      
   The ARRL has asked the FCC to make clear that Amateur Radio licensees may   
   modify non-amateur equipment for use on Amateur Radio frequencies. Some hams   
   have expressed concerns that recently proposed rules would inhibit post-sale   
   modification of Wi-Fi equipment, now sometimes altered for use on Amateur   
   Radio frequencies. The ARRL made its point in comments filed on October 8 on a   
   Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in ET Docket 15-170 and RM-11673. The   
   proceeding mostly addresses proposed amendments to FCC rules regarding   
   authorization of RF equipment.   
      
   "The Commission should clarify...that the ability of licensed radio amateurs   
   to modify and adapt non-amateur equipment for use in the Amateur Service is   
   beneficial, is permitted, and is not restricted by any rule of general   
   applicability adopted in this proceeding," the League said in its comments.   
   The ARRL said proposed rules requiring manufacturers to include security   
   features to prevent network devices from being modified were "problematic," to   
   the extent that they would preclude hams from adapting network equipment for   
   ham radio applications.   
      
   "The Amateur Radio Service has a very long tradition of modification and   
   adaptation of commercial communications equipment," the ARRL pointed out in   
   its comments, asserting that amateur licensees should be permitted to modify   
   any previously authorized equipment for use under Amateur Service rules. The   
   proceeding attracted many comments regarding this aspect of the proceeding,   
   although the proposed rules differ only slightly from the current rules.   
      
   The ARRL also urged the FCC not to apply any limitations proposed for software   
   defined radios to SDRs intended for use exclusively in the Amateur Radio   
   Service, "as has been the policy for the past 10 years."   
      
      
   Equipment Authorization   
      
   The League has also called on the Commission not to combine the Declaration of   
   Conformity (DoC) and Verification equipment authorization procedures into a   
   single, self-approval program. The League said the proposal could lead to   
   abuse by unscrupulous importers and manufacturers of unintentional emitters.   
   Under the proposed rules, the FCC would do away with its DoC authorization   
   program by combining it with equipment Verification to form a so-called   
   "Suppliers Declaration of Conformity" category of equipment authorization.   
   Testing in an accredited laboratory would not be required, nor would database   
   registration or third-party review. The ARRL expressed concerns that the new   
   regime would encourage and facilitate the introduction into the US of   
   "non-compliant unintentional emitters" and offer no oversight.   
      
   In its comments, the League said hams and AM broadcasters have been victims of   
   interference from such unintentional emitters as RF lighting ballasts "that   
   routinely exceed the Commission's conducted emission limits." The ARRL said   
   the solution is "not to loosen but to tighten the procedural controls over the   
   testing and affirmative confirmations of compliance" to ensure greater   
   compliance in conducted limits and other technical parameters that determine   
   how much such devices contribute to ambient noise levels.   
      
   The League said some RF devices, such as RF "grow lights," now subject to the   
   more informal Verification process, should be subject to Certification, owing   
   to their substantial interference potential.   
      
      
   Improved Labeling for Part 15 and Part 18 Devices   
      
   The ARRL also said there is "an urgent need" for improved labeling   
   requirements for certain Part 15 and Part 18 devices. "Necessitating change,   
   notably, is the fact that there are many industrial Part 18 devices sold that   
   are neither intended nor designed for use in residential environments, but   
   because there is no external labeling...the end user consumer is left without   
   guidance," the ARRL said, noting that, in most cases, equipment retailers are   
   not providing any either.   
      
   In July, the ARRL complained to the FCC about the marketing practices of   
   various "big box" retailers, where non-consumer-rated lighting ballasts have   
   been mixed in with consumer ballasts and other consumer products on display   
   with no explanatory signage. Ballasts intended for industrial applications   
   have higher permitted conducted emission limits in the Amateur Radio HF   
   spectrum. The League called on the FCC to include a definition in Part 18 for   
   the term "consumer RF lighting device," to provide a way to differentiate   
   consumer devices from those intended for industrial or commercial environments.   
      
   The League also said the FCC should consider reducing its Part 15 limits for   
   lighting devices to correspond with the Part 18 lighting device limits between   
   3 and 30 MHz to reduce the RFI potential of LED bulbs now being widely   
   marketed, "before they become an aggregate problem." LED lamps operate under   
   Part 15 rules.   
      
   The ARRL said the FCC should adopt the League's new equipment-labeling   
   proposals with respect to certain Part 15 and Part 18 equipment "in order to   
   stop the flood of such devices intended for commercial or industrial areas   
   only into residential areas." Read more.   
      
      
   AMSAT's Fox-1A CubeSat is Now AO-85!   
      
   In what may have been record speed, AMSAT's new Fox-1A satellite received its   
   OSCAR designation on the day of its launch. Although its FM transponder is not   
   yet routinely active while the CubeSat undergoes commissioning, it has been   
   operational on many passes. Right on schedule at 1249 UTC on October 8, the   
   Atlas rocket carrying Fox-1A and 12 others lifted off from Vandenberg Air   
   Force Base in California. AMSAT OSCAR Number Administrator Bill Tynan, W3XO,   
   announced later that day that going forward Fox-1A would be known as AO-85.   
   Fox-1A has been dedicated to the individual who had been at the helm of   
   AMSAT's CubeSat projects until his death last year.   
      
   "I have been informed of the successful launch today, October 8, 2015, of the   
   AMSAT-NA-built Fox-1A CubeSat. I am also informed that the satellite has been   
   heard by several amateurs in various countries," Tynan said in a news release.   
   "This successful launch comes after years of diligent and dedicated work on   
   the part of AMSAT-NA volunteers including Tony Monteiro, AA2TX, who became a   
   Silent Key in March 2014. It was Tony who spearheaded and guided the work on   
   all AMSAT-NA CubeSats until his untimely passing. Thus, it is only fitting   
   that this spacecraft be dedicated to his memory." As Tynan noted, Jerry   
   Buxton, N0JY, took over Monteiro's post of AMSAT-NA Vice President for   
   Engineering, and successfully completed the project through its preparation   
   for launch.   
      
   "All of those who had a part in designing, constructing, and testing Fox-1A   
   and its various subsystems are to be congratulated for jobs well done," Tynan   
   said.   
      
   The Fox-1A Mode B (U/V) FM transponder has an uplink frequency of 435.180 MHz   
   (67 Hz tone), and a downlink frequency of 145.980 MHz. AMSAT's Online   
   Satellite Pass Predictions utility can determine AO-85 passes over a given   
   location.   
      
   "A Great Day"   
      
   Telemetry and a distinctive voice ID from the new CubeSat have been heard   
   around the world, and numerous contacts have been completed during times the   
   transponder has been open. Fox-1A/AO-85 telemetry reports -- raw and decoded   
   -- are now available on the AMSAT website. Fox-1A employs Data Under Voice   
   (DUV) to send 200 bps FSK telemetry data at the same time as FM audio by   
   making use of sub-audible frequencies below 200 Hz. High-speed 9600 bps FSK   
   also can be transmitted when the transponder is not operating for   
   data-intensive experiments and is only active when commanded from the ground.   
   Free FoxTelem telemetry decoder software is available to decode both DUV and   
   high-speed telemetry. AMSAT has also posted a Fox Operating Guide.   
      
   "This was a great day for AMSAT, and for satellite operators around the   
   world," Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK/VA7EWK, posted to the AMSAT-BB shortly after   
   launch. "Almost 6 years to the day the AMSAT Fox project was unveiled at the   
   2009 AMSAT Space Symposium in Baltimore, we now have the first of a series of   
   Fox-1 satellites in orbit. Congratulations to all who have had a hand in   
   building and launching Fox-1A today, and thanks to everyone who has supported   
   the Fox project over the past 6 years!"   
      
   AMSAT has produced a free commemorative issue of the AMSAT Journal that   
   highlights the Fox-1A launch success.   
      
      
   Support ARRL through the Combined Federal Campaign   
      
   ARRL members who are federal employees can support the ARRL by participating   
   in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Pledges during the 2014 CFC topped   
   $45,000. CFC contributions support programs that are not funded by member   
   dues. The CFC has generated nearly $250,000 for ARRL programs since the League   
   became a program participant.   
      
   For the past 14 years, the US Office of Personnel Management has designated   
   the ARRL to participate in the CFC, the annual giving campaign for federal   
   employees. Federal civilian employees, US Postal Service workers, and members   
   of the military are eligible to take part. Similar to the United Way, the CFC   
   encourages individuals employed in all branches of the federal government to   
   pledge by payroll deduction to non-profit organizations of their choice. The   
   ARRL encourages eligible radio amateurs to consider the League when   
   designating campaign recipients.   
      
   Eligible federal employees who want the ARRL to receive all or part of their   
   payroll deductions should designate organization #10099 when completing their   
   CFC donor forms. To ensure proper acknowledgment of the CFC contribution, they   
   should complete a copy of the donor form to advise the CFC to release donor   
   information to ARRL. Donors may make an unrestricted contribution or designate   
   their contributions for any ARRL fund, including the ARRL Spectrum Defense   
   Fund, the ARRL Legislative Issues Advocacy Fund, the ARRL Education &   
   Technology Program, and the Historic Preservation Fund. Read more.   
      
      
   ARISS Window to Submit ISS Ham Radio Contact Proposals Closes on November 1   
      
   The deadline is looming for schools, educational organizations, and groups   
   willing and able to host an Amateur Radio contact with an International Space   
   Station crew member to submit proposals to Amateur Radio on the International   
   Space Station (ARISS). The window for formal and informal proposals closes on   
   November 1.   
      
   ARISS anticipates that contacts will be scheduled between July 1 and December   
   31, 2016. Crew schedules and ISS orbits determine exact contact dates.   
      
   ARISS is seeking organizations to sponsor events that will a draw large number   
   of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education   
   plan. Organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in   
   contact dates and times.   
      
   Full information on hosting an ARISS contact is available on the ARRL website.   
   Visit the ARISS website for more information. Contact ARISS with any questions.   
      
      
   IARU Administrative Council Stresses Importance of Antenna Systems for Amateur   
   Radio   
      
   The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Administrative Council (AC) has   
   adopted a resolution calling on IARU member societies to encourage governments   
   to recognize the importance of the Amateur Radio Service and of Amateur radio   
   antennas. The AC held its 38th meeting on October 9 and 10 in Bali, Indonesia,   
   in conjunction with the IARU Region 3 Conference there.   
      
   The antenna resolution also called on member societies "to advocate for   
   planning and development regulations that properly recognize the importance of   
   an Amateur Radio antenna and do not place undue restrictions on the erection   
   of antennas." It also urged member societies to discourage the imposition of   
   any fees related to ham antennas, "particularly in view of the non-pecuniary   
   nature of Amateur Radio and its popularity in the student and senior   
   communities."   
      
   The AC completed its preparations to represent Amateur Radio at World   
   Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15), which will take place during   
   November in Geneva. The AC reviewed IARU positions and strategies for each   
   WRC-15 agenda item that may affect ham radio. These included proposals for a   
   secondary amateur allocation near 5.3 MHz. The Council also looked ahead to   
   agenda items for the next WRC, which is anticipated for 2019. These would   
   include an amateur allocation at 50 MHz in Region 1 (Europe and Africa) and   
   "global harmonization" of the 1800-2000 kHz allocation.   
      
   "It is anticipated that a significant effort by IARU will be needed in   
   preparation for WRC-19 to defend the amateur allocations between 137 and 960   
   MHz, in light of the pressure for spectrum for small, non-amateur satellites,"   
   the AC said in a statement. "Close coordination of regional efforts will be   
   required."   
      
   In a departure from its practice of recent years, the Council adopted a   
   continuing theme for World Amateur Radio Day each April -- "Celebrating   
   Amateur Radio's Contribution to Society." The Council could adopt a special   
   theme in any given year, if appropriate. Read more.   
      
      
   ARRL Invites Nominations For 2015 International Humanitarian Award   
      
   Nominations are open for the 2015 ARRL International Humanitarian Award. The   
   award is conferred upon an amateur or group of amateurs who demonstrate   
   devotion to human welfare, peace, and international understanding through   
   Amateur Radio. The League established the annual prize to recognize Amateur   
   Radio operators who have used ham radio to provide extraordinary service to   
   others in times of crisis or disaster.   
      
   A committee appointed by the League's President recommends the award   
   recipient(s) to the ARRL Board, which makes the final decision. The committee   
   is now accepting nominations from Amateur Radio,   
   governmental, or other organizations that have benefited from extraordinary   
   service rendered by an Amateur Radio operator or group.   
      
   Amateur Radio is one of the few telecommunication services that allow people   
   throughout the world from all walks of life to meet and talk with each other,   
   thereby spreading goodwill across political boundaries. The ARRL International   
   Humanitarian Award recognizes Amateur Radio's unique role in international   
   communication and the assistance amateurs regularly provide to people in need.   
      
   Nominations should include a summary of the nominee's actions that qualify the   
   individual (or individuals) for this award, plus verifying statements from at   
   least two people having first-hand knowledge of the events warranting the   
   nomination. These statements may be from an official of a group (for example,   
   the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, a local or state emergency   
   management official) that benefited from the nominee's particular Amateur   
   Radio contribution. Nominations should include the names and addresses of all   
   references.   
      
   All nominations and supporting materials for the 2015 ARRL International   
   Humanitarian Award must be submitted in writing in English to ARRL   
   International Humanitarian Award, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 USA.   
   Nominations are due by December 31, 2015. In the event that no nominations are   
   received, the committee itself may determine a recipient or decide to make no   
   award.   
      
   The winner of the ARRL International Humanitarian Award receives an engraved   
   plaque, and a profile in QST as well as in other ARRL venues.   
      
      
   IOTA Foundation to Manage RSGB's Islands on the Air Program   
      
   A new entity -- the IOTA Foundation -- will assume management of the Radio   
   Society of Great Britain's (RSGB) Islands on the Air (IOTA) Program. Last year   
   the RSGB Board identified a number of challenges facing the program, including   
   the need to provide an online system to track and manage the submission of   
   island credits -- similar to the ARRL's Logbook of The World (LoTW). Since   
   then, a small group of IOTA enthusiasts has been working with the RSGB to   
   ensure that the IOTA program continues to grow in its role of fostering   
   Amateur Radio DXing and contest activity. The IOTA Foundation is the fruition   
   of that work.   
      
   "It will be run by IOTA enthusiasts and will manage the IOTA program in   
   partnership with the [RSGB]," the RSGB said in a news release. "One major task   
   for the new organization will be to develop a new online credit system that is   
   due to be completed in 2017."   
      
   The team of RSGB IOTA Manager Roger Balister, G3KMA; Bob Barden, MD0CCE; Cezar   
   Trifu, VE3LYC, and Johan Willemsen, PA3EXX, will implement the IT changes and   
   form the IOTA Foundation with representation from radio amateurs in the UK and   
   around the world.   
      
   "I am delighted with the news announced by the RSGB about the future of IOTA   
   -- that...terms of agreement have been fleshed out for the program to be run   
   by a new body in partnership with the RSGB," Balister said on October 12. "I   
   have to thank the RSGB Board for acknowledging that the future sustainability   
   of IOTA is of paramount importance to thousands of amateurs worldwide and that   
   this must be the overriding consideration." Read more.   
      
      
   Parachute Mobile Group to Hold Jump in Conjunction with Pacificon   
      
   As it has done in past years, the Parachute Mobile group -- "in the air, on   
   the air" -- has scheduled jumps for October 17 in association with Pacificon,   
   the ARRL Pacific Division Convention, in San Ramon, California.   
      
   "We do this every year, giving visiting hams a chance for a unique parachute   
   mobile QSO," said Mark Meltzer, AF6IM, who will be Jumper 1. This will be   
   Mission 22.   
      
   As Jumper 1, Meltzer will be operating on 10 meters (28.425 MHz USB) and 2   
   meters (146.43 MHz FM simplex), hoping for a DX contact. Jumper 2, Michael   
   Gregg, KF6WRW, will be on 146.43 MHz FM simplex as well as 5 GHz ATV, which   
   will be streamed live. Jumper 3, Rob Fenn, KC6TYD, will be on 146.43 MHz FM   
   simplex. Jumper 4, Capt Jim Wilson, RCAF, will be shooting in-flight video and   
   photos. He is studying for his Canadian ham license and will be making radio   
   jumps soon.   
      
   Jumpers will also carry APRS gear that will broadcast GPS data, heart rate,   
   and blood oxygen level. The October 17 jumps over Byron, California, will take   
   place from a Beech King Air 90 twin turboprop jumpship, with jumpers exiting   
   at about 14,000 feet. Meltzer, who is 66, is enjoying his 47th year of   
   skydiving. -- Thanks to Mark Meltzer, AF6IM   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspot numbers over the past 7 days were   
   nearly the same as during the previous 7 days. Average daily sunspot numbers   
   went from 37 to 36.9, and average daily solar flux dropped from 93.8 to 87.5   
      
   Just as in previous solar cycles, geomagnetic indicators are high, as the   
   cycle trends downward. From last week to this, the average daily planetary A   
   index went from 24.3 to 25.1, and the average mid-latitude A index moved from   
   15.7 to 17.6.   
      
   Predicted solar flux is 90 on October 15; 100 on October 16; 110 on October   
   17-18; 115 on October 19; 110 on October 20-21; 120 on October 22-24; 125 on   
   October 25-26; then 130, 120, and 110 on October 27-29; 100, 90, and 85 on   
   October 30-November 1; 80 on November 2-6; 85 on November 7-8, and 90 on   
   November 9-11. Solar flux then rises to 130 on November 23 and drops below 100   
   after November 26.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 18 on October 15-16; then 15 and 12 on October   
   17-18; 8 on October 19-20; 5 on October 21-27; then 8, 12, and 10 on October   
   28-30; 8 on October 31-November 2; 20 on November 3; 15 on November 4-5; then   
   12, 8, 20, 15, and 18 on November 6-10; 20 on November 11-12; 15 on November   
   13, and 8 on November 14-18.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for October 8 through 14 were 24, 11, 22, 36, 51, 58, and 56,   
   with a mean of 36.9. The 10.7 cm flux was 79.7, 81.2, 81.4, 84.6, 89.1, 95.6,   
   and 100.7, with a mean of 87.5. Estimated planetary A indices were 56, 26, 12,   
   12, 22, 25, and 23, with a mean of 25.1. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were   
   41, 15, 9, 8, 16, 18, and 16, with a mean of 17.6.   
      
   Send me your reports and observations.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  October 16-18 -- Jamboree On The Air (JOTA)   
    *  October 17 -- Iowa QSO Party   
    *  October 17 -- Feld Hell Sprint   
    *  October 17-18 -- JARTS WW RTTY Contest   
    *  October 17-18 -- 10-10 International Fall Contest (CW)   
    *  October 17-18 -- New York QSO Party   
    *  October 17-18 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge (CW)   
    *  October 17-18 -- Worked All Germany Contest (CW, SSB)   
    *  October 17-18 -- South Dakota QSO Party   
    *  October 17-19 -- Telephone Pioneers QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  October 18 -- Asia-Pacific Fall Sprint (CW)   
    *  October 18 -- UBA ON Contest (2 meters, CW)   
    *  October 18-19 -- Illinois QSO Party   
    *  October 19 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)   
    *  October 19-23 -- ARRL School Club Roundup   
      
   See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events   
      
    *  October 16-18 -- Pacific Division Convention (Pacificon), San Ramon,   
       California   
    *  October 16-18 -- Microwave Update Convention, San Diego, 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   
    *  November 7 -- Fall TechFest, Lakewood, Colorado   
    *  November 7-8 -- Georgia Section Convention, Lawrenceville, Georgia   
    *  November 14 -- HamJam Convention, Alpharetta, Georgia   
    *  November 14-15 -- Indiana State Convention, Fort Wayne, Indiana   
    *  December 11-12 -- West Central Florida Section Convention, Plant City,   
       Florida   
      
   Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
      
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