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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2016-01-14   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   January 14, 2016   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  ARRL Asks FCC for "Minimal but Necessary Changes" to Correct   
       Reapportioning Error   
    *  Subcommittee Chair, H.R. 1301 Sponsor Testify on Behalf of Amateur Radio   
       Parity Act   
    *  ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, Concluding Nearly 3 Decades as a   
       League Official   
    *  National Parks on the Air Update   
    *  New Section Manager Appointed in Missouri   
    *  Orlando Amateur Radio Club Donates to ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund   
    *  UK Astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI, Notes Death of Space Oddity's "Major   
       Tom"   
    *  Hamvention Seeks 2016 Award Nominations   
    *  Yasme Foundation Announces Supporting Grants   
    *  GlobalSET 2015 is a Wrap, with Lessons Learned   
    *  In Brief...   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   ARRL Asks FCC for "Minimal but Necessary Changes" to Correct Reapportioning   
   Error   
      
   The ARRL has petitioned the FCC to fix a "shortfall in available RTTY/data   
   spectrum" the regulator created when it reapportioned 80 and 75 meters a   
   decade ago. The League's January 8 Petition for Rule Making asks the FCC to   
   shift the boundary between the 80 meter [ARRL%20logo%20type_17.jpg] RTTY/data   
   subband and the 75 meter phone/image subband from 3600 kHz to 3650 kHz. The   
   ARRL's Petition points out that the proposed change has received strong   
   support from the ARRL membership and was adopted as policy by the League's   
   Board of Directors in July 2015. At that time the Board also agreed to seek   
   RTTY and data privileges for Technician and Novice licensees within the   
   portion of the 15 meter band where they now may operate CW and to do the same   
   on 80 meters, contingent upon the 80/75 meter subband revision.   
      
   Specifically, the petition asks the FCC to make the following changes, with   
   regard to 80/75 meters:   
      
    *  Modify the 80 meter RTTY/data subband, so that it extends from 3500 kHz   
       to 3650 kHz.   
    *  Modify the 75 meter phone/image subband, so that it extends from 3650   
       kHz to 4000 kHz.   
    *  Make 3600-3650 kHz available for General and Advanced Class licensees,   
       as was the case prior to 2006.   
    *  Make 3600-3650 kHz available to Novice and Technician licensees for   
       telegraphy -- consistent with existing rules permitting Novices and   
       Technicians to use telegraphy in the General and Advanced RTTY/data   
       subbands on 80, 40, and 15 Meters.   
    *  Modify the rules governing automatically controlled digital stations   
       (ACDS), to shift the 80 meter ACDS segment from 3585-3600 kHz to   
       3600-3615 kHz, consistent with the IARU Region 1 and 2 band plans   
      
   The FCC's 2006 "Omnibus" Report and Order in WT-140 addressed a number of   
   other non-Amateur Radio related issues.   
      
   The ARRL contended that the FCC Report and Order in Docket 04-140 released in   
   2006 made "a very substantial" and unjustifiable departure from what the   
   so-called "Omnibus" Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) had proposed, with   
   respect to 75 and 80 meters. The resulting R&O in that proceeding, among other   
   actions, expanded voice privileges on additional frequencies in various bands,   
   including 75 meters. The FCC shifted the phone/image subband from 3750-4000   
   kHz to 3600-4000 kHz, trimming the 80 meter RTTY/data subband from 3500-3750   
   kHz to 3500-3600 kHz and changing "the entire dynamic of this band   
   substantially," the League said.   
      
   The League said that, while the Omnibus R&O indicated that incumbent licensees   
   would lose no operating privileges, some licensees "clearly" did. The ARRL   
   said the most substantial adverse effect of the "unexpected and vast   
   expansion" of the 75 meter phone/image was the elimination of access to   
   3620-3635 kHz by ACDS.   
      
   The Omnibus R&O rule changes limited 80 meters to 3500-3600 kHz, and no longer   
   authorized RTTY and data emissions above 3600 kHz. The R&O also did not modify   
   ? 97.221 of the rules, "so its provision for automatically controlled digital   
   stations in the subband 3620-3635 kHz was rendered a nullity," the League   
   said. "This was clearly an oversight by the Commission at the time."   
      
   The FCC denied a subsequent ARRL Petition for Reconsideration seeking a   
   partial stay of the new rules and instead replaced the inadvertently deleted   
   3620-3635 kHz ACDS segment with 3585-3600 kHz.   
      
   "Far from fixing the problem created by the error in the Omnibus R&O, the   
   moving of the inadvertently deleted digital subband downward in frequency   
   below 3600 kHz made the situation in the 80 meter RTTY/data subband even worse   
   than it was," the ARRL said. The result has been a shortfall in available   
   RTTY/data spectrum at 80 meters. Read more.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Subcommittee Chair, H.R. 1301 Sponsor Testify on Behalf of Amateur Radio   
   Parity Act   
      
   During a January 12 Capitol Hill hearing, US House Subcommittee on   
   Communications and Technology Chair Rep Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR), called the   
   Amateur Radio Parity Act "a commonsense bill" and urged his colleagues to   
   support it. H.R. 1301 was one of four telecoms bills to come before his panel.   
   Walden told the subcommittee that, as a ham, he's "acutely aware" of the   
   passion Amateur Radio possess for the service.   
      
   "Despite its widespread use and importance in times of emergencies, land-use   
   restrictions in some areas have prioritized esthetics over the rights of hams.   
   H.R. 1301 seeks to ensure that Amateur Radio operators get a fair shake and   
   protection from unnecessary bans on their equipment by instructing the FCC to   
   adopt rules to this end."   
      
   Walden said he's aware of suggestions that the bill would open the door to 40   
   foot towers in townhome backyards. "That's not the case," he assured his   
   subcommittee colleagues. "Ham equipment can be as small as over-the-air   
   digital television antennas becoming popular with 'cord cutters.' I'm sure   
   that Amateur Radio operators' communications deserve no less protection than   
   access to prime time television."   
      
   In his remarks, the bill's sponsor, Rep Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), pointed out   
   that most House members have a few hundred radio amateurs living in their   
   districts. He explained that hams in some neighborhoods "are outright   
   prohibited" from erecting antennas on their properties, "even as small as a 4   
   millimeter diameter wire that might be placed under an awning or laid flat   
   against the house."   
      
   Kinzinger cited Amateur Radio's role in emergency communication support and   
   noted the comments of FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, to the effect   
   that when conventional communications go down, Amateur Radio is often the last   
   line of defense.   
      
   Kinzinger said his bill's "reasonable accommodation standard" would not   
   mandate placement, size, or esthetics regarding an outdoor antenna, leaving   
   ham radio operators and homeowners associations to decide those issues.   
      
   "We just simply add the same standard that has been used successfully in   
   municipal areas to other areas," he concluded.   
      
   H.R. 1301 would direct the FCC to extend its rules relating to reasonable   
   accommodation of Amateur Service communications to private land-use   
   restrictions, such as deed covenants, conditions, and restrictions. The bill   
   has attracted 118 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. An identical US   
   Senate measure, S. 1685, has attracted 3 cosponsors. It cleared the Senate   
   Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation last November.   
      
   More information about the legislation is on the ARRL Amateur Radio Parity Act   
   web page.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, Concluding Nearly 3 Decades as a League   
   Official   
      
   Now completing her third term, ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, will be   
   handing off the baton to her successor this week. The ARRL Board of Directors   
   will elect the League's next president -- its 16th -- when it meets January   
   15-16. President Craigie said it has been her privilege to serve during the   
   ARRL Centennial in 2014 and to help usher in Amateur Radio's second century.   
      
   "The operating events, the convention, the whole year!" she said. "To be ARRL   
   President during this celebration was my great good luck, and I'll never   
   forget all the members who told me how much they appreciate what the ARRL does   
   for them and Amateur Radio."   
      
   President Craigie was first elected as a volunteer League official in 1986,   
   when she became the ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Manager. The ARRL Board   
   of Directors chose her as the League's 15th president in January 2010.   
      
   President Craigie said she also was proud to represent the ARRL at   
   international conferences and events during her time at the League's helm. "As   
   President I represented the ARRL at the Radio Society of Great Britain's 100th   
   anniversary observance, led the ARRL delegation at two International Amateur   
   Radio Union (IARU) Region 2 conferences, and was part of ARRL teams at   
   Friedrichshafen and Tokyo," she said.   
      
   She also attended part of World Radiocommunication Conference 2012 as an   
   observer. "For years, I have heard about the work done by IARU volunteers and   
   the hams serving on their national delegations at the WRCs," she said, "but   
   until I saw their efforts firsthand, I really didn't comprehend exactly how   
   hard and how well they work together to protect and advance Amateur Radio for   
   the rest of us."   
      
   President Craigie said she was happy to sign the first formal agreement   
   between the ARRL and the Boy Scouts of America. "One of my best friends in   
   Amateur Radio got his start as a Scout," she noted, adding that she hopes the   
   agreement will lead to welcoming "even more talented young people into our   
   ranks."   
      
   During her tenure as the League's President, she also has been deeply involved   
   in efforts to achieve "reasonable accommodation" for all US hams, regardless   
   of zoning and land-use regulation, and especially the current Amateur Radio   
   Parity Act campaign. She said she's "certain that the ARRL's leadership and   
   membership will continue to press this essential issue until the job is done."   
      
   President Craigie said she finds Amateur Radio still relevant, even in an era   
   when technology seems to be advancing at lightning speed. "University students   
   in scientific and technical programs get the point of Amateur Radio and see   
   how it fits with their career plans and their talents," she said, adding that   
   she has see this firsthand in her community of Blacksburg, Virginia, the home   
   of Virginia Tech. "Very bright students are not just getting licensed but are   
   getting active."   
      
   "These are the young people who will drive Amateur Radio technology into the   
   future, and their energy and intelligence make me absolutely reject the idea   
   that Amateur Radio is irrelevant and on its way out," the ARRL President said.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   National Parks on the Air Update   
      
   Although the ARRL's year-long National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) event began   
   just 2 weeks ago, Larry Burke, K5RK, of Alvin, Texas, already has confirmed   
   more than 120 NPOTA units.   
      
   "It speaks volumes, not only about Larry being a dedicated chaser," ARRL Media   
   and Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, said, adding that 25 hams had   
   already confirmed more than 50 units. Kutzko also called it "pretty amazing"   
   that more than 100 NPOTA units were on the air this soon.   
      
   Throughout 2016, Amateur Radio will help the National Park Service to mark its   
   100th anniversary. In the process, hams ("activators") from across the country   
   will activate NPS units, promote the National Park Service, and showcase   
   Amateur Radio to the public. "Chasers" like Burke will attempt to work as many   
   of them as possible. Logbook of The World (LoTW) is being use to record and   
   confirm contacts among Activators and Chasers.   
      
   ARRL has added NPOTA to the "soapbox" area of the ARRL website, so people can   
   share photos and stories of their NPOTA activations.   
      
   The deadline for the March NPOTA photo contest is January 15. The winner will   
   get his/her photo published in the March QST NPOTA column and receive NPOTA   
   swag too.   
      
   Activators will operate from more than a dozen NPOTA units during the week of   
   January 15-21. Details are available on the NPOTA Activations calendar. Love   
   NPOTA? Join the ARRL NPOTA Facebook Group.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   New Section Manager Appointed in Missouri   
      
   The ARRL's Missouri Section has a new leader. Cecil Higgins, AC0HA, of   
   Pittsburg, Missouri, has been appointed as ARRL Missouri Section Manager,   
   effective January 11. Dale Bagley, K0KY, had stepped down because of family   
   commitments after having served as Missouri's SM since June 1999. Bagley   
   recommended Higgins for the post.   
      
   ARRL Manager of Field Services and Radiosport Dave Patton, NN1N, made the   
   appointment after reviewing Bagley's recommendation and consulting with ARRL   
   Midwest Division Director Rod Blocksome, K0DAS.   
      
   A ham for more than 20 years, Higgins has served previously as an Assistant   
   Section Manager, an Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator, and the District   
   Emergency Coordinator for ARES District D in Missouri. He is retired from a   
   career in law enforcement and in emergency management.   
      
   Higgins will complete the current SM term of office, which continues until   
   December 31, 2016.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Orlando Amateur Radio Club Donates to ARRL Spectrum Defense Fund   
      
   At the January meeting of the Orlando Amateur Radio Club (OARC), President   
   John Knott, N4JTK, presented ARRL Southeastern Division   
      
   Director Doug Rehman, K4AC, with a check for $2500, designated for the ARRL   
   Spectrum Defense Fund. OARC sponsors the Orlando HamCation, which will host   
   the 2016 ARRL National Convention February 12-14 in Orlando, Florida.   
      
   "ARRL is very pleased to start 2016 with such a wonderful gift to the Spectrum   
   Defense Fund, and we deeply appreciate OARC's generosity and commitment to   
   helping ARRL in our advocacy efforts," said ARRL Development Manager Lauren   
   Clarke, KB1YDD. "ARRL is very fortunate to have so many dedicated clubs that   
   support this important work. As we prepare for HamCation and the 2016 ARRL   
   National Convention, I look forward to the opportunity to thank all of OARC's   
   members in person."   
      
   Clubs and individuals may contribute to the League via the ARRL website.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   UK Astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI, Notes Death of Space Oddity's "Major Tom"   
      
   In his Twitter feed, UK/ESA Astronaut and ISS crew member Tim Peake, KG5BVI,   
   tipped his space helmet to rock legend David Bowie, whose 1969 hit single   
   "Space Oddity" was covered in space by Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield,   
   VA3OOG/KC5RNJ. Bowie died on January 10. In the somber "Space Oddity," Bowie   
   assumes the character of "Major Tom," an astronaut who becomes stranded in   
   space.   
      
   "Saddened to hear David Bowie has lost his battle with cancer," Peake tweeted   
   from the International Space Station. "His music was an inspiration to many."   
      
   Hadfield also remarked on Bowie's death. His own rendition of "Space Oddity,"   
   performed as he floated in microgravity during his 2012/2013 duty tour on the   
   ISS and uploaded to YouTube, became a hit in its own right. Hadfield   
   accompanied himself on acoustic guitar.   
      
   Hadfield joined Peake and the European Space Agency (ESA) in paying tribute to   
   Bowie on Twitter. "Rest in peace, Starman," Hadfield tweeted. "The stars look   
   very different today," the ESA remarked in re-tweeting Peake's message, which   
   was accompanied by lyrics from "Space Oddity."   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   First "Principia Mission" ARISS Contact   
      
   Meanwhile, a brand-new ham was the first to speak with Peake when students at   
   Sandringham School in Hertfordshire, England, enjoyed a January 8 Amateur   
   Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. Peake, whose   
   "Principia Mission" is focusing on educational activities, used the special   
   GB1SS call sign for his first ARISS contact; the school obtained permission to   
   use GB1SAN. Year 10 pupil Jessica Leigh, M6LPJ, who passed her Foundation   
   class exam just before Christmas, was first in line to talk with Peake.   
      
   "When I get home, I'll be completely in shock," Leigh told the BBC after the   
   contact, noting that the "amazing experience" of talking to someone in space   
   had yet to sink in.   
      
   A week-long Sandringham School Space Festival culminated with the live VHF   
   contact with Peake. With an enrollment of 1300, Sandringham School students   
   range in age from 11 to 19, with 100 faculty members. Head teacher Alan Gray,   
   G4DJX, called the event "an extraordinary experience for the school."   
      
   The week leading up to the contact included a wide range of activities aimed   
   at engaging the students in space and space travel, including a presentation   
   from a spacecraft engineer, mobile planetariums, an Amateur Radio   
   "buildathon," rocket workshops, and talks on Mars and cosmonauts.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Hamvention Seeks 2016 Award Nominations   
      
   Dayton Hamvention(R) 2016 is soliciting nominations for Amateur of the Year,   
   Special Achievement, Technical Excellence, and Club of the Year awards. All   
   Amateur Radio operators/clubs are eligible, with winners recognized at   
   Hamvention(R) 2016, May 20-22 at Hara Arena.   
      
   The Amateur of the Year Award goes to an individual who has made a long-term,   
   outstanding commitment to the advancement of Amateur Radio.   
      
   The Special Achievement Award honors someone who has made an outstanding   
   contribution to the advancement of Amateur Radio, typically by spearheading a   
   significant project.   
      
   The Technical Excellence Award recognizes an individual who has made an   
   outstanding technical advancement in Amateur Radio.   
      
   The Club of the Year Award honors a club that has made a significant   
   contribution to the advancement of Amateur Radio. Nominations must be received   
   by February 1.   
      
   Additional details and nomination forms are available on the Dayton   
   Hamvention(R) website. Send nominations via e-mail or to Dayton Hamvention   
   Awards, PO Box 1446, Dayton, OH 45401-1446.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Yasme Foundation Announces Supporting Grants   
      
   The Yasme Foundation Board of Directors has announced several grants to   
   Amateur Radio organizations and activities. Beneficiaries include the Amateur   
   Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, the ARRL Teachers   
   Institute on Wireless Technology, and the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN). The   
   ARISS US Team said its $5000 grant will support the development of power   
   converters, needed as a part of an extensive upgrade to the entire Amateur   
   Radio system on the ISS.   
      
   "The Yasme grant will jump-start the project by allowing the ARISS hardware   
   team to build a prototype converter, purchase critical parts for the flight   
   converters, and further develop the design," ARISS International President   
   Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, said. A group of ARISS US team members convened at   
   Johnson Space Center last month to solidify plans for the design of the   
   next-generation radio system.   
      
   Yasme Foundation President Ward Silver, N0AX, said the Yasme Board hopes the   
   grant will serve as a catalyst for individuals and other groups to follow suit.   
      
   In support of scholarships and youth programs, the Yasme Foundation funded the   
   Yasme Foundation scholarship through the ARRL Foundation. It also designated   
   grants to the Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR) in support of its 2016   
   scholarship program, to the Youngsters on the Air (YOTA) program to support   
   programs aimed at promoting Amateur Radio among those under age 26 throughout   
   IARU Region 1, and to the ARRL Teacher's Institute to fund one teacher's   
   attendance at a 2016 Teachers Institute session.   
      
   To support scientific and technical endeavors, the Yasme Foundation made   
   grants to the Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) Beacon Project to   
   update the beacon station in Sri Lanka, and to the Reverse Beacon Network, to   
   build and install a node to provide coverage in an unidentified underserved   
   area that's of particular interest to propagation studies.   
      
   To support HF operating around the world, the grants went to a representative   
   of the Haiti Amateur Radio Club for the purchase of Amateur Radio training   
   materials aimed at developing future licensees in Haiti as well as donate a   
   Kenwood TS-440S transceiver for use by the new licensees; to the International   
   Amateur Radio Club at International Telecommunication Union Headquarters in   
   Geneva (4U1ITU) for station maintenance and the acquisition of needed   
   equipment, and to World Radiosport Team Championship 2018 (WRTC 2018) to   
   support the expense of mounting the contesting competition in Germany and to   
   encourage other organizations and individuals to contribute.   
      
   The Yasme Foundation also announced grants to the Ethiopian Amateur Radio   
   Society club station ET3AA to acquire a new computer, interfaces, and programs   
   for logging and operating digital modes and to purchase new headsets; to the   
   World Wide Radio Operators Foundation (WWROF), and to Dokufunk, in support of   
   its activities to preserve the history of radio communication.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   GlobalSET 2015 is a Wrap, with Lessons Learned   
      
   More than three dozen countries took part in the 2015 Global Simulated   
   Emergency Test (GlobalSET) last month, organized by IARU Region 1 and designed   
   in part to measure the disaster readiness of Amateur Radio. IARU Region 1   
   Emergency Communications Coordinator Greg Mossop, G0DUB, pointed out that the   
   2015 event differed from other GlobalSETs held since 2006, which emphasized   
   message handling and setting up stations in the field.   
      
   "The IARU emergency communications coordinators decided that the best way to   
   achieve this would be to have an availability or 'call-out' exercise," Mossop   
   said. "It asked all countries with emergency communications groups to contact   
   their members and ask them how quickly they could get on the air if required."   
   The start of the exercise was not announced in advance but propagated via a   
   variety of channels, including e-mail and social media. IARU regional   
   coordinators chose December 18 as being clear of most social and cultural   
   events. A time limit of up to 48 hours was set for potential responding   
   organizations to complete the local callout exercise and submit results via a   
   web form.   
      
   The survey results covered an estimated 8466 members worldwide, of which 2048   
   reported they could be available in less than 1 hour.   
      
   "This exercise occurred on a normal business day in many countries," Mossop   
   said. "An availability rate of 20-30 percent of stations is very good and does   
   seem reasonable as a planning assumption for future exercises."   
      
   Mossop said the exercise identified a need to revise or improve alerting   
   procedures. "Where possible a mixture of methods should be used for alerting   
   members with automatic feedback of message delivery or the response," he said,   
   adding that reliance on any single system, such as e-mail, was not the best   
   approach. Read more. -- Thanks to Jim Linton, VK3PC   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   In Brief...   
      
   Ramsey Kits Calls it Quits: After more than 40 years as a purveyor of   
   inexpensive electronics kits for hobbyists, the Ramsey Hobby Kits group has   
   announced that it's thrown in the towel, effective on January 1. The Ramsey RF   
   Test Equipment Group is unaffected by this change. The Victor, New York,   
   company sold a wide array of hobby kits over the years, starting with its LED   
   Blinky kit in the 1970s and eventually including simple ham radio transmitters   
   and receivers, aircraft band receivers, and other devices. Ramsey kits were   
   frequently available at hamfests. The company said it will continue to provide   
   technical and warranty support for hobby kits purchased through the end of   
   2015. Ramsey said its remaining hobby kit inventory has been relocated to   
   Amazon.   
      
      
   CWops Announces Award for Advancing the Art of CW: CWops has announced a new,   
   annual award to recognize individuals, groups, or organizations that have made   
   the greatest contribution(s) toward advancing the art or practice of radio   
   communication by Morse code. Eligible candidates include the authors of   
   publications related to CW; recruiters, trainers, mentors, coaches, and   
   instructors of Morse code; designers and inventors who advance the art or   
   practice of CW, and others contributing to the art or practice of CW. The   
   award is not limited to Amateur Radio operators or organizations. Anyone can   
   submit a nomination (with a copy to secretary@cwops.org). Nominations must be   
   received by April 15, 2016. They should include the nominee's name and   
   applicable call sign, the nominee's contact information, including e-mail and   
   USPS addresses and a telephone number, and a detailed explanation to support   
   the nominee's qualifications. The individual nominating should provide   
   complete contact information too. A plaque will be presented at the Dayton   
   Hamvention, or mailed to the recipient.   
      
      
   SAQ Alexanderson Alternator Christmas Eve Transmission Generates a Host of   
   Reports: The 2015 Christmas Eve transmission from SAQ, the Alexanderson   
   alternator station at the World Heritage Grimeton site in Sweden, elicited   
   more than 350 reports, according to a preliminary accounting, many of them   
   from hams. SAQ transmits on 17.2 kHz. The lion's share of reports -- nearly   
   160 -- came from Germany. Listeners in the US filed eight reports, with just   
   five indicating they actually heard SAQ. "The transmission appears to be our   
   best so far," said Lars Kalland, SM6NM, who distributed the report. Kjell   
   Dahl, OH0KXJ, reported hearing SAQ for the first time. "It is always a   
   pleasure to listen to this CW melody on 17.2 kHz," commented Manu Aft, F5ROL.   
   The vintage station began its holiday transmissions in 2006. Read more.   
      
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Trends over the past week were just as we   
   like them, with average daily sunspot numbers and solar flux increasing, and   
   geomagnetic indices lower.   
      
   Average daily sunspot numbers rose from 41 to 55.7, and the average daily   
   solar flux increased from 98.2 to 106.5. The average daily planetary A index   
   declined from 16.6 to 11.1, while average daily mid-latitude A index went from   
   10.6 to 8.4.   
      
   The predicted solar flux is 100 on January 14; 105 on January 15-17; 100 on   
   January 18; 95 on January 19-20; 100 on January 21-22; 105 on January 23-26;   
   110 on January 27-28; 105 on January 29-31; 110 on February 1-7; 108, 105, and   
   100 on February 8-10; 105 on February 11-14, and 100 on February 15-18.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 8 on January 14, 6 on January 15-20; 8, 15, and   
   10 on January 21-23; 5 on January 24-27; 18, 12, and 8 on January 28-30; 5 on   
   January 31 through February 1; 15, 12, and 8 on February 2-4; 5 on February   
   5-6; 6, 15, 12, and 8 on February 7-10; 6 on February 11-13, and 5 on February   
   14-16.   
      
   Be sure to check out the article "Radio Wave Propagation: How Waves Attenuate   
   with Distance," by KE4PT on page 37 in the February 2016 issue of QST.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for January 7 through 13 were 57, 80, 84, 73, 41, 29, and 26,   
   with a mean of 55.7. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 103.4, 108.5, 107, 108.9,   
   108, 105.5, and 104.1, with a mean of 106.5. Estimated planetary A indices   
   were 14, 8, 6, 7, 14, 15, and 14, with a mean of 11.1. Estimated mid-latitude   
   A indices were 11, 6, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 11, with a mean of 8.4.   
      
   Send me your reports and observations.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  January 15 -- LZ Open Contest (CW)   
    *  January 16 -- Hungarian DX Contest (CW, SSB)   
    *  January 16-17 -- Feld Hell Sprint   
    *  January 17 -- North American QSO Party (SSB)   
    *  January 18 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)   
      
   See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. For in-depth reporting on   
   Amateur Radio contesting, subscribe to The ARRL Contest Update via your ARRL   
   member profile e-mail preferences.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events   
      
    *  January 15-16 -- Southern Florida Section Convention, Fort Myers,   
       Florida   
    *  January 15-16 -- North Texas Section Convention, Forest Hill, Texas   
    *  January 17-23 -- Quartzfest, Quartzsite, Arizona   
    *  January 29-30 -- Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi   
    *  January 29-31 -- Puerto Rico State Convention, Hatillo, Puerto Rico   
    *  February 6 -- South Carolina State Convention, N. Charleston, South   
       Carolina   
    *  February 6 -- Virginia State Convention (Frostfest), Richmond, Virginia   
    *  February 12-14 -- ARRL National Convention, Orlando, Florida   
    *  February 13 -- Georgia ARES Convention, Forsyth, Georgia   
    *  February 19-20 -- Southwestern Division Convention, Yuma, Arizona   
    *  February 20 -- Arkansas State Convention, Hoxie, Arkansas   
    *  February 27 -- WCF Section Technical Conference, Tampa, Florida   
    *  February 27 -- New Mexico TechFest, Albuquerque, New Mexico   
    *  February 27 -- Vermont State Convention, S. Burlington, Vermont   
    *  March 4-5 -- Alabama Section Convention, Birmingham, Alabama   
    *  March 11-12 -- Louisiana State Convention, Rayne, Louisiana   
    *  March 12 -- Santa Clara Valley Section Convention, Del Rey Oaks,   
       California   
    *  March 18-19 -- South Texas Section Convention, Rosenburg, Texas   
    *  March 19 -- MicroHAMS Digital Conference, Redmond, Washington   
    *  March 19 -- West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas   
    *  March 25-26 -- Maine State Convention, Lewiston, Maine   
      
   Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
   "So let me ask you a question about this brave new world of yours. When you've   
   killed all the bad guys, and when it's all perfect, and just and fair, and   
   when you have finally got it exactly the way you want it, what are you going   
   to do with the people like you? The trouble makers. How are you going to   
   protect your glorious revolution from the next one?" - The twelfth Doctor   
      
   ... As interested in life as a chronically depressed lemming.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)