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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2016-02-18   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   February 18, 2016   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  Amateur Radio Parity Act Gets Favorable Subcommittee Report   
    *  Enthusiasm, Friendly Faces Abound at Orlando HamCation, Host of 2016   
       ARRL National Convention   
    *  Retiring ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, "Passionate about Amateur Radio"   
    *  National Parks on the Air Update   
    *  W1AW Will Not Be on the Air on February 18   
    *  New Amateur Extra Question Pool Puts Greater Emphasis on Digital, SDRs,   
       Propagation   
    *  "Ham TV" System Used for First Time During ARISS Contact with UK School   
    *  ARISS Opens Window to Invite School and Group Proposals for ISS Ham   
       Radio Contacts   
    *  Joel Hallas, W1ZR, Wins the 2015 Bill Orr, W6SAI, Technical Writing   
       Award   
    *  Antonio Gonzalez, EA5RM, to Receive 2015 ARRL International Humanitarian   
       Award   
    *  IARU President Touts Amateur Radio's Relevance in Emergency   
       Communication   
    *  Randy Thompson, K5ZD, Stepping Down as CQ World Wide Contest Director   
    *  Arkansas VHFer Claims "Mathematically Impossible" AO-7 Mode B Distance   
       Record   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events   
      
      
   Amateur Radio Parity Act Gets Favorable Subcommittee Report   
      
   On a February 11 voice vote, the US House Subcommittee on Communications and   
   Technology sent the Amateur Radio Parity Act, H.R. 1301, to the full House   
   Energy and Commerce Committee with a favorable report for further   
   consideration. The measure was among three bills the Subcommittee considered   
   during a February 11 "markup" session. The Subcommittee is chaired by Rep Greg   
   Walden, W7EQI (R-OR).   
      
   "I'm optimistic that we can put the finishing touches on these bills in the   
   weeks ahead and once again produce important, bipartisan legislation that   
   protects consumers, small businesses, and access to the latest communications   
   services," Walden said after the hearing.   
      
   During the markup session, Walden and the bill's sponsor, Rep Adam Kinzinger   
   (R-IL) made impassioned statements in favor of the legislation. Kinzinger said   
   that while he can appreciate some of the concerns expressed by those who do   
   not agree with his bill, he believes that the time has come to adopt a   
   "reasonable accommodation standard" with respect to the erection of outdoor   
   antennas in neighborhoods governed by private land-use restrictions.   
      
   Walden agreed. "You don't necessarily need to have a giant tower blocking   
   everybody's view," he pointed out to the Subcommittee. He suggested that more   
   modest antenna systems often are sufficient. He and Kinzinger noted that there   
   is common ground between proponents and opponents of the measure and that   
   "it's important to get this done." Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA) also spoke to   
   recognize the work all parties have been doing to ensure the bill's passage in   
   the House.   
      
   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 120 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. An identical US   
   Senate measure, S. 1685, has attracted three 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.   
      
      
   Enthusiasm, Friendly Faces Abound at Orlando HamCation, Host of 2016 ARRL   
   National Convention   
      
   New ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, led members of the ARRL team in   
   greeting visitors to the ARRL Expo during Orlando HamCation February 12-14.   
   HamCation hosted the 2016 ARRL National Convention. The event marked President   
   Roderick's inaugural ARRL National Convention appearance since his election in   
   January. The weather was pleasant, and the ample crowd friendly and   
   enthusiastic.   
      
   Incoming ARRL CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, also was on hand, and the ARRL team   
   that was helping members to write letters to members of Congress in support of   
   the Amateur Radio Parity Act recruited him to sign a letter to his   
   representative.   
      
   During a packed ARRL National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) forum, ARRL Media and   
   Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, and Field Services and Radiosport   
   Assistant Manager Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, outlined the ins and outs of the   
   year-long operating event.   
      
   Kutzko stressed three main points for National Park "Activators" to remember   
   when venturing out to National Park units to operate:   
      
    *  Cooperate with National Park Service staff   
    *  Don't disturb other visitors   
    *  Leave no trace.   
      
   In the Amateur Radio Public Service and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)   
   forum, ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, emphasized the   
   value of keeping ARES volunteers engaged throughout the year. "ARES must   
   constantly adapt," he said. "We can't keep doing things the same ways we've   
   always done them." Even in times of calm, he advised, ARES team leaders must   
   keep their members motivated, and team building is important.   
      
   Corey said that in 2015, the ARES program had 17,756 participants, up from   
   10,471 the previous year. They took part in more than 25,000 events -- most of   
   them not emergencies but public service events.   
      
   ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, told the ARRL Member Forum that he's   
   excited about the future and wants to "grow the hobby and grow the League."   
      
   "Getting on the air is the most important thing you can do as a radio   
   amateur," Corey told his audience. "Amateur Radio requires constant learning   
   and improving."   
      
   At the ARRL Member Forum, ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, said he was looking   
   forward to the arrival of incoming CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, at ARRL   
   Headquarters on February 29, and "raising ARRL to a new level."   
      
   ARRL President Rick Roderick said the League's new Strategic Plan "is going to   
   be our roadmap to the future." He said he wants to grow the League and Amateur   
   Radio, and he challenged those in attendance to to come up with incentives to   
   attract younger people to ham radio. ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike   
   Lisenco, N2YBB, updated the forum on the progress of the Amateur Radio Parity   
   Act and its prospects on Capitol Hill. Lisenco, who chairs the Legislative   
   Advocacy Committee, said that although the bill's opponents have somewhat   
   toned down their rhetoric, they still disagree with "reasonable accommodation."   
      
      
   Retiring ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, "Passionate about Amateur Radio"   
      
   Retiring ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, took the opportunity   
   as keynote speaker at the Orlando HamCation(R) banquet on February 13 to   
   deliver his valedictory. He steps down on April 18. A sometimes-emotional   
   Sumner told his audience about the role that Amateur Radio has played in his   
   life, and he expressed optimism that it will mean as much to future   
   generations as it has to him and to his.   
      
   "I am passionate about Amateur Radio," Sumner said. "Our challenge is to   
   explain our passion, how to convey it to younger generations that have grown   
   up at a time when instant global communication is taken for granted. Can we do   
   it? Can we explain the allure of acquiring the knowledge and skill to   
   communicate anywhere on -- or in orbit around -- the planet without relying on   
   any infrastructure whatsoever? I believe we can."   
      
   Over the course of his remarks, Sumner spoke far less about himself than of   
   the various radio amateurs who were significant influences on his life and his   
   career, and who made substantial contributions.   
      
   One of his paragons was Nobel laureate Joe Taylor, K1JT, who developed the   
   WSJT software suite that spawned the popularity of JT65, JT9, and other   
   "weak-signal" modes. At World Radiocommunication Conference 2012, Taylor   
   received the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) gold medal --   
   introduced as a radio astronomer who got there through Amateur Radio. "If you   
   think we don't have respect, I can tell you we do," Sumner said. "It was   
   probably the proudest moment I've had in Amateur Radio."   
      
   Taylor turned his interest in Amateur Radio into his field of radio astronomy,   
   Sumner observed, and he was able to turn his knowledge of radio astronomy back   
   to Amateur Radio through his various contributions.   
      
   Taylor and Russell Hulse won the Nobel Prize in physics for spotting a binary   
   pulsar generating what they determined to be gravitational waves, just as   
   Einstein had predicted decades earlier. Last week, in a landmark discovery, US   
   scientists observed gravitational waves.   
      
   "Think about that: 1.3 billion years ago this thing happened, 42 years ago Joe   
   Taylor theorized that it would happen eventually, and now it has been   
   observed," Sumner said. "So Joe Taylor gets mentioned in the same sentence as   
   Einstein."   
      
   Sumner noted that in 1982 when he became ARRL's General Manager, he felt that   
   he had experienced everything Amateur Radio had to offer, but his attitude has   
   since changed. "Amateur Radio is expanding just like the universe," he said.   
   "It is not possible for one person to be doing everything there is available   
   to do in our avocation. It's going in so many different directions."   
      
   "I have cherished the privilege of being able to turn a passion into a career   
   and to not have lost the passion along the way," Sumner said, speaking of his   
   lengthy tenure at ARRL Headquarters, including 34 years guiding the   
   Headquarters staff. "And I can tell you, I have never wanted any other job."   
   He said defending Amateur Radio spectrum has been the main focus of his years   
   at ARRL.   
      
   Sumner reminded his listeners of the ARRL's mission: "To advance the art,   
   science, and enjoyment of Amateur Radio. It's a three-legged stool," he said.   
   "Please continue to support the mission of the ARRL."   
      
   "Thanks again, and see you on the air!" he concluded. He received a standing   
   ovation.   
      
   Before Sumner spoke, International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) President Tim   
   Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, presented him with the IARU's prestigious Michael J. Owen,   
   VK3KI, Memorial Award. Owen, a towering figure in the IARU, died in 2012.   
   Ellam cited Sumner's "skill, diplomacy, and encyclopedic knowledge" of Amateur   
   Radio, and his role on the international scene, starting with his service at   
   the watershed World Administrative Radio Conference in 1979, which yielded the   
   so-called "WARC bands," 30, 17, and 12 meters.   
      
      
   National Parks on the Air Update   
      
   President Barack Obama has designated three new national monuments -- all in   
   California. The NPS will administer one of them, Castle Mountains National   
   Monument (MN82), making it eligible to become the newest NPOTA unit. This   
   means that there are now 484 NPOTA units to activate!   
      
   Before registering a NPOTA activation, be sure to check the sensitivity of the   
   unit you want to activate. Some units are listed as "extremely sensitive" on   
   the list of NPOTA units and require advance coordination with National Park   
   Service administrators well before your activation. This is especially the   
   case for units that are very small or in an urban area. Nobody wants an   
   activation to be denied. Proper coordination with NPS staff at units listed as   
   "extremely sensitive" will increase your chance of success.   
      
   There are 36 activations on tap between February 17-24, including the San   
   Antonio Missions National Historical Park (HP39) in Texas and San Juan   
   National Historic Site (NS63) in Puerto Rico.   
      
   Details about these and other upcoming activations can be found on the NPOTA   
   Activations calendar.   
      
   Keep up with the latest NPOTA news on Facebook. Follow NPOTA on Twitter   
   (@ARRL_NPOTA).   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   W1AW Will Not Be on the Air on February 18   
      
   Due to unforeseen circumstances, Maxim Memorial Station W1AW will not be on   
   the air on Thursday, February 18, for its regular evening bulletin and code   
   practice transmissions. W1AW will return to its normal operating schedule on   
   Friday, February 19. We apologize for any inconvenience.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   New Amateur Extra Question Pool Puts Greater Emphasis on Digital, SDRs,   
   Propagation   
      
   The new Amateur Extra class license examination question pool, effective from   
   July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2020, now is available at the National   
   Conference of Volunteer Coordinators (NCVEC) website. The latest revision   
   contains a few minor corrections that had been [ncveclogo-new.gif] released in   
   a February 5 errata of the initial January 8 release. NCVEC Question Pool   
   Committee Chair Rol Anders, K3RA, said the new pool represents a fairly   
   significant change relative to the current question pool, which expires on   
   June 30.   
      
   "The primary change is modernization of the pool to place more emphasis on   
   digital communications, digital test equipment, software defined radios, and   
   propagation/space weather," he said. "Also, a number of other topics were   
   added, including questions on some additional antenna types commonly used by   
   radio amateurs." Anders said that room to cover the new topics was made in the   
   question pool by dropping some questions that had been in the expiring pool.   
      
      
   "Ham TV" System Used for First Time During ARISS Contact with UK School   
      
   The "Ham TV" digital Amateur Radio television system onboard the International   
   Space Station was used for the first time ever this month for an Amateur Radio   
   on the International Space Station (ARISS) school contact. UK and ESA   
   Astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI, inaugurated the system as he spoke on February 11   
   with students at a school in Rickmansworth, England. The DATV system in the   
   Columbus module of the ISS allowed students at Royal Masonic School, home of   
   GB1RSM, to see as well as listen, as Peake, operating as GB1SS, answered their   
   questions about life in space. The one-way DATV downlink took place near 2.4   
   GHz, while the two-way FM audio component was maintained on 2 meters. The   
   IK1SLD ground station received the Ham TV signal.   
      
   "It was a historic event!" enthused past ARISS-EU Chair Gaston Bertels, ON4WF,   
   who helped shepherd the DATV system into existence after it was first proposed   
   more than 15 years ago.   
      
   As students at the all-girls school looked on, Peake's image appeared on a   
   large viewing screen before a fully packed auditorium. Peake's Principia   
   Mission has been aimed at engaging students on Earth in science, technology,   
   engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.   
      
      
   ARISS Opens Window to Invite School and Group Proposals for ISS Ham Radio   
   Contacts   
      
   The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is   
   seeking proposals from schools and formal or informal educational institutions   
   and organizations -- individually or working together -- to host an Amateur   
   Radio contact next year with an ISS crew member. The window to accept   
   proposals opened on February 15, and the deadline to submit one is April 15.   
   ARISS anticipates that contacts would take place between January 1 and June   
   30, 2017. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact   
   dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS seeks proposals   
   from schools and organizations [ARISS.jpg] that can draw large numbers of   
   participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan.   
   Each FM-voice contact lasts about 10 minutes.   
      
   ARISS contacts offer the opportunity for students and educators to interact   
   with an ISS crew member in a question-and-answer format, so participants can   
   learn firsthand from the astronaut or cosmonaut what it's like to live and   
   work in space and to learn about space research on the ISS. Students also will   
   get a chance to observe and learn about satellite communication, wireless   
   technology, and radio science.   
      
   Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling   
   activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to   
   accommodate changes in contact dates and times.   
      
   Contact ARISS for more information.   
      
      
   Joel Hallas, W1ZR, Wins the 2015 Bill Orr, W6SAI, Technical Writing Award   
      
   Former ARRL staffer Joel Hallas, W1ZR, is the winner of the 2015 Bill Orr,   
   W6SAI, Technical Writing Award. Hallas was recognized for his March 2015 QST   
   article, "Standing Wave Ratio -- What Does It Really Mean?"   
      
   "I am surprised, pleased, and honored to receive this award and hope to   
   continue to be able to contribute and give back to this wonderful hobby that   
   has had such a big impact on my life," said Hallas. "I started in ham radio at   
   age 13, and it provided a focus for the rest of my life."   
      
   The Bill Orr, W6SAI, Technical Writing Award is bestowed each year to the   
   author who writes an outstanding QST article or series on new or existing   
   technologies or on methods or means of amateur communication. Articles must be   
   written in an easily understood style, worthy of the Bill Orr "stamp of   
   approval," and encourage interest and expand the knowledge and understanding   
   of amateurs who may lack a strong technical background.   
      
   The QST editorial staff serves as the selection panel and recommends the   
   winner from a review of the year's QST articles to the ARRL Foundation Board   
   for final approval at its Annual Meeting.   
      
   "Joel is one of those people who 'retire,' but just can't stop working," said   
   ARRL Publications Manager and QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY. "He may be one of   
   the most prolific QST writers ever."   
      
   Hallas, who lives in Westport, Connecticut, joined the ARRL Headquarters staff   
   in 2003. By the time he retired as the Technical Editor of QST in 2013, he was   
   responsible for the magazine's technical content, the "Doctor is IN" and   
   "Product Review" columns, as well as for short articles aimed at beginners. In   
   addition he has written some 150 QST articles and several books published by   
   ARRL.   
      
   The Bill Orr Award comprises an engraved plaque and $250, to be presented at   
   an ARRL convention. Read more.   
      
      
   Antonio Gonzalez, EA5RM, to Receive 2015 ARRL International Humanitarian Award   
      
   The winner of the 2015 ARRL International Humanitarian Award -- Antonio   
   Gonzalez, EA5RM -- has been active as a volunteer with the non-governmental   
   organization Radioaficionados Sin Fronteras (RSF), Radio Amateurs Without   
   Borders, that stresses the importance of radio in projects involving groups of   
   geographically separated collaborators.   
      
   Gonzalez has made six visits to the Bolivian Amazon in support of Solidaridad   
   M‚dica Espa¤a, an NGO that works to bring sanitation and medical assistance to   
   places in need around the world. He's also been instrumental in the building,   
   testing, and maintenance of solar-powered HF Amateur Radio stations in remote   
   locations in Bolivia on behalf of RSF since 2007, to facilitate communication   
   into the remote locations he visits.   
      
   The ARRL Programs & Services Committee recommended Gonzalez for the award at   
   the ARRL Board of Directors annual meeting in mid-January.   
      
   "What a surprise!" was Gonzalez's reaction when learning he would be the   
   recipient of the award. "I don't have words to express myself." Gonzalez said   
   the only aim of his group's volunteer efforts is to improve the lives of   
   others.   
      
   Gonzalez was nominated by Paul Ewing, N6PSE, the president of the Intrepid-DX   
   Group.   
      
   "I have known Antonio, EA5RM, since 2010. He is a devoted family man and   
   public servant in Spain. He is a keen DXer, and he regularly organizes   
   DXpeditions to remote and rare places. Antonio pays for all of this travel   
   from Spain to Bolivia," Ewing wrote. "Given his many missions in support of   
   the large humanitarian project, I feel that Antonio Gonzalez, EA5RM, is worthy   
   of this nomination for the 2015 ARRL Humanitarian Award."   
      
   Ewing is a co-leader of the VP8STI/VP8SGI DXpedition to South Sandwich and   
   South Georgia, and Gonzalez has served as Chief Pilot Station for the   
   DXpedition.   
      
      
   IARU President Touts Amateur Radio's Relevance in Emergency Communication   
      
   International Amateur Radio Union President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, says   
   Amateur Radio is "probably more relevant today than it was 25 years ago."   
   Ellam made the comment during an interview with Maximilian Jacobson-Gonzalez   
   at the 2nd Global Forum on Emergency Telecommunications (GET-2016), held in   
   late January in Kuwait and sponsored by the International Telecommunication   
   Union (ITU). The event's slogan was "Saving lives."   
      
   "We're so dependent now on all kinds of systems of communications -- everyone   
   has a cell phone, everyone is used to using the Internet -- but they're not   
   used to what happens when those systems go down," Ellam said. "Amateur Radio   
   is there. It relies on somewhat old fashioned technology, but there are also   
   advancements in technology that we rely on."   
      
   Ellam pointed out that hams can use computer-based digital techniques to pass   
   message traffic at very low power levels and under poor propagation   
   conditions. "Amateur Radio has kept pace by developing new ways to   
   communicate," he said.   
      
   Among the major challenges Amateur Radio is facing, Ellam cited the difficulty   
   in some countries to obtain an Amateur Radio license. In addition, he said,   
   some countries impose high duties on imported ham gear, and some make it   
   difficult to erect appropriate antennas and support structures.   
      
   Ellam reiterated his focus on the value of the Amateur Service today when he   
   spoke to two sessions at the GET-2016 gathering. "Amateur operators are on the   
   ground. If they're not close to the site of a disaster, they might even be in   
   it," he told a Leaders' Dialogue forum. "They're there. They're ready to go.   
   For the first 24 to 48 hours you have people on the ground, ready to assist.   
   They own their own equipment. They don't rely on commercial networks. If   
   cellular service goes down, we can assist by using HF or VHF or UHF   
   communications on a peer-to-peer basis."   
      
   Ellam pointed out that, although he's not an engineer and does not work in a   
   technical field, he knows enough to get on the air using alternate power   
   sources and a very simple wire antenna. "Don't forget the Amateur Radio   
   services," he implored those attending the forum. "They're a great asset to   
   you in times of crisis."   
      
      
   Randy Thompson, K5ZD, Stepping Down as CQ World Wide Contest Director   
      
   Randy Thompson, K5ZD, said February 9 that he will step down as director of   
   the CQ World Wide Contest as soon as his replacement can be found. His   
   announcement includes a job description for prospective applicants. Thompson   
   cited increasing professional responsibilities for his decision. Thompson   
   became director of the CQ WPX Contest in 2008, serving through the 2012   
   contest. He was appointed as CQ WW Contest Director in September 2012.   
      
   "I have enjoyed working on the CQ contests and hope to stay involved with the   
   websites and log checking," Thompson said. "The demands of a new job are   
   preventing me from dedicating the time that the role deserves. With WPX, WW,   
   and WRTC 2014 activities over the past 8 years, I am ready for a break."   
      
   Under his leadership, the CQ WPX and CQ WW contests have improved the   
   log-checking process and enforcement actions against rule violations. The web   
   sites for the two contests were enhanced to include a historical database of   
   all-time scores, records, results, and log submission tools. Read more.   
      
      
   Arkansas VHFer Claims "Mathematically Impossible" AO-7 Mode B Distance Record   
      
   Dave Swanson, KG5CCI, of Arkansas has achieved another distance milestone on   
   the venerable AO-7 satellite using Mode B (70 centimeters up/2 meters down).   
   On February 10, Swanson, on Shinnal Mountain west of Little Rock (EM34st),   
   completed a scheduled contact with Eduardo Erlemann, PY2RN (GG66lw), a   
   calculated distance of 8030.895 kilometers (approximately 4979.2 miles), which   
   Swanson said was "way beyond the theoretical range AO-7" and a feat that "the   
   math said shouldn't be possible."   
      
   The tricky part was that, given their respective locations in the Northern and   
   Southern hemispheres, the window allowing both to access the satellite at the   
   same time was on the order of 5 seconds. After several attempts, they agreed   
   to use quick call sign/grid square reports.   
      
   "At 2009 UTC, both stations clearly heard the other's call and grid,   
   completing the contact," Swanson said. "It was extremely rapid and very weak,   
   but clear...I think this is approaching the limits of what can be done on   
   AO-7." PY2RN has posted his side of the contact, which Swanson called "by far   
   the hardest sked I've ever attempted."   
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspot numbers and solar flux declined over   
   the past week relative to the previous 7 days. The average daily sunspot   
   number dipped from 86.6 to 56.7, while the average daily solar flux slid from   
   117.4 to 107.8. Geomagnetic indices were up. The average daily planetary A   
   index went from 9.4 to 17.7, and the mid-latitude A index jumped from 7.4 to   
   12.6.   
      
   Early this week Spaceweather.com was anticipating a CME, but instead we got a   
   stiff solar wind, causing the planetary A index to rise to 38 on February 16   
   and to 34 the next day.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 14, 12, and 8 on February 18-20; 5 on February   
   19-29; 15, 10, 12, and 8 on March 1-4; then 5, 15, 10, and 8 on March 5-8; 5   
   on March 9-10; 8, 5, 27, and 12 on March 11-14; 20, 12, 10, and 8 on March   
   15-18, and 5 on March 19-27.   
      
   Predicted solar flux is 95 on February 18-20; 100 on February 21-22; 105 on   
   February 23-24; 110 on February 25; 115 on February 26-28; 118 on February 29;   
   120 on March 1-3; 115 on March 4-5; 110 on March 6-7; 105 on March 8-12; 108   
   on March 13-14, and 105, 103, 106, and 107 on March 15-18.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for February 11 through 17 were 68, 74, 46, 52, 48, 49, and   
   60, with a mean of 56.7. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 112.8, 112.2, 110.3,   
   108, 107.3, 104, and 99.9, with a mean of 107.8. Estimated planetary A indices   
   were 11, 13, 7, 10, 11, 38, and 34, with a mean of 17.7. Estimated   
   mid-latitude A indices were 8, 11, 7, 6, 10, 25, and 21, with a mean of 12.6.   
      
   Send me your reports and observations.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  February 20 -- SARL Youth Day Sprint   
    *  February 20 -- Feld Hell Sprint   
    *  February 20-21 -- ARRL International DX Contest (CW)   
    *  February 20-21 -- Russian PSK WW Contest   
    *  February 20-21 -- Amplitude Modulation QSO Party   
    *  February 22 -- CQC Winter QSO Sprint (CW)   
    *  February 22 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)   
    *  February 24 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)   
    *  February 24 -- UKEICC 80 Meter 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   
      
    *  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 18-19 -- South Texas Section Convention, Rosenburg, Texas   
    *  March 19 -- West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas   
    *  March 19 -- MicroHAMS Digital Conference, Redmond, Washington   
    *  March 25-26 -- Maine State Convention, Lewiston, Maine   
    *  April 2 -- Delta Division Convention, Fort Smith, Arkansas   
    *  April 2 -- North Carolina Section Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina   
    *  April 8-9 -- Oklahoma State Convention, Claremore, Oklahoma   
    *  April 9-10 -- Communications Academy, Seattle, Washington   
    *  April 15-17 -- International DX Convention, Visalia, California   
    *  April 15-17 -- VHF Super Conference, Sterling, Virginia   
    *  April 16 -- Delaware State Convention, Georgetown, Delaware   
    *  April 22-24 -- Idaho State Convention, Boise, Idaho   
    *  April 23 -- Aurora '16 Conference, White Bear Lake, Minnesota   
    *  April 23 -- Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska   
    *  April 29-May 1 -- Nevada State Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada   
      
   Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
   Always Mount a Scratch Monkey   
      
   ... I need more wholesome, nutritious alcohol.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)