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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2016-06-16   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   June 16, 2016   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  ARRL Now Offering New "Radio and Wireless Technology" Patch Program for   
       Girl Scouts   
    *  FCC Turns Away Petition to Permit Experimental Operation on Amateur   
       Bands   
    *  Polish DXer 3Z9DX Reported Ready to Return to North Korea on a Moment's   
       Notice   
    *  Three Radio Amateurs on the ISS Head Home on June 18   
    *  National Parks on the Air Update   
    *  The Doctor Will See You Now!   
    *  Gear Up for ARRL Field Day with Official Merchandise   
    *  Kids Day is Saturday, June 18   
    *  "The Magic Band" Lives Up to its Name in ARRL June VHF Contest   
    *  White House Honors Limor Fried, AC2SN, Among "Champions of Change for   
       Making"   
    *  Well-Known DXer, DXpeditioner Milt Jensen, N5IA, Dies in Fall from Tower   
    *  Nepal Radio Amateur Describes Earthquake Response Effort at West Coast   
       Gathering   
    *  Europe's "Dayton" -- Ham Radio 2016 (Friedrichshafen) -- Takes Place   
       June 24-26   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  This Week in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
      
   ARRL Now Offering New "Radio and Wireless Technology" Patch Program for Girl   
   Scouts   
      
   The ARRL has begun offering a new Girl Scouts "Radio and Wireless Technology"   
   patch program that offers opportunities for participants to learn about   
   wireless technology, including Amateur Radio. Scout leaders and Amateur Radio   
   volunteers associated with the Greater Atlanta Girl Scout Council and Girl   
   Scouts of the Green and White Mountains developed the program to incorporate   
   information and exploratory activities that provide a backdrop for   
   understanding radio communication. The program will encourage Girl Scouts to   
   take on activities to gain knowledge and skills, as well as kindle an interest   
   in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects and careers.   
      
   "The initiative for the program came about through my conversations with hams   
   who wanted to work with Girl Scouts as well as Boy Scouts and wanted a patch   
   program that would introduce ham radio, as the 'Radio' merit badge does in the   
   Boy Scouts," said ARRL Education Services Manager Debra Johnson, K1DMJ. "I was   
   introduced to a group of leaders with the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta who   
   wanted to work in developing a new, fun patch program for radio that would fit   
   with the Girl Scout Leadership Experience structure. This group was joined by   
   Jill Galus, KB1SWV, of the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains in New   
   Hampshire. We collaborated on this over the course of several years." Galus's   
   father, "Skip" Youngberg, K1NKR, and a team from the Nashoba Valley Radio Club   
   helped test-drive the new patch program with Girl Scouts in New Hampshire,   
   during "Thinking Day on the Air" this past February.   
      
   The program defines the requirements for Girl Scouts to earn the patch at the   
   Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador levels. Girl Scouts can learn   
   the fundamentals of radio communication and wireless technology, from   
   broadcasting to smartphones, and apply what they learn to connect people,   
   enhance safety, and explore related careers. In addition to acquiring the   
   fundamentals, participants can explore radio science through hands-on learning   
   with Amateur Radio, and use radio to talk around the world and for public   
   service. They also can learn about the role of wireless technology in everyday   
   life and in careers.   
      
      
   FCC Turns Away Petition to Permit Experimental Operation on Amateur Bands   
      
   The FCC has denied the 2015 petition of a Missouri radio amateur seeking to   
   have the Commission authorize low-power experimental activity on Amateur Radio   
   frequencies. James Edwin Whedbee, N0ECN, of Gladstone, sought to amend FCC   
   Part 97 Amateur Service rules to let radio amateurs conduct experiments on all   
   Amateur Radio bands, subject to certain limits on duration, power, and   
   bandwidth. The FCC declined to put his petition on public notice and invite   
   comments.   
      
   "[T]he Commission's rules contain numerous provisions for experimentation and   
   development of new radio equipment and techniques," the FCC said in a June 9   
   letter to Whedbee. "The Experimental Radio Service (ERS) rules contained in   
   Part 5 permit a broad range of experiments, including in the Amateur Service,   
   and prescribe the manner in which the radio spectrum may be made available to   
   experiment with new radio technologies, equipment designs, characteristics of   
   radio wave propagation, or service concepts related to the use of the radio   
   spectrum."   
      
   The letter pointed out that the FCC "recently revised and streamlined" its   
   Part 5 rules "to provide additional flexibility to innovators" and noted that   
   Whedbee did not discuss in his petition whether those rule changes might   
   address his concerns.   
      
   In the same stroke of the pen, the FCC denied a 2016 petition from Whedbee   
   seeking to delegate to the chiefs of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau   
   (WTB) and the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) the authority to   
   dispose of certain requests for exemptions, waivers, and rulemaking regarding   
   new technologies or new application of existing technologies.   
      
   "The Commission has already delegated to WTB and OET authority to act on   
   applications, waiver requests, petitions, and even some rulemaking matters, so   
   long as they do not raise novel questions of law or policy which cannot be   
   resolved under outstanding Commission precedents and guidelines," the FCC told   
   Whedbee.   
      
   "[W]e conclude that [both] petitions present no evidence of an existing   
   problem or other evidence meriting a rule change, and we dismiss the   
   petitions," the FCC concluded.   
      
   Whedbee is no stranger to the FCC petition process. Earlier this year he   
   petitioned the FCC to designate Morse (radiotelegraphy) Amateur Radio band   
   segments as "symbol communication" subbands, and the FCC invited public   
   comment on that request (RM-11769). In 2012, the FCC turned down Whedbee's   
   request that the FCC declare homeowners associations' covenants, conditions,   
   and restrictions (CC&Rs) unenforceable.   
      
      
   Polish DXer 3Z9DX Reported Ready to Return to North Korea on a Moment's Notice   
      
   In the wake of a surprise "demonstration" operation from North Korea --   
   officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) -- in December,   
   Polish DXer Dom Grzyb, 3Z9DX, is eagerly awaiting the call that will allow him   
   to return to the most-wanted DXCC entity for another brief activation. Just   
   when that will come could be anytime, however. DX-World and The Daily DX   
   report that Grzyb has received confirmation that North Korea will authorize a   
   5-day operation, and he is ready to roll as soon as he gets word, which will   
   be on short notice -- just enough time for him to book his flight, grab his   
   gear, and head off. DX World reported that no notice would be given prior to   
   the P5/3Z9DX activation itself.   
      
   There are other conditions: He may only operate on SSB and on one band, 20,   
   15, or 10 meters. No decisions will be made until Grzyb gets to the DPRK,   
   however.   
      
   Over the course of his unanticipated December 20-21, 2015, activation -- the   
   first in more than a decade -- P5/3Z9DX made nearly 785 SSB contacts, most of   
   them on 15 meters. Nearly 600 of the contacts were with stations in Asia;   
   P5/3Z9DX worked just 26 stations in North America. He has posted his log on   
   ClubLog. The ARRL DXCC Department subsequently approved the P5/3Z9DX operation   
   for DXCC. -- Thanks to The Daily DX and DX-World   
      
      
   Three Radio Amateurs on the ISS Head Home on June 18   
      
   Three radio amateurs on board the International Space Station (ISS) will   
   depart the orbiting outpost at the end of the week. Expedition 47 Commander   
   Tim Kopra, KE5UDN; Flight Engineer Tim Peake, KG5BVI/GB1SS, and Yuri   
   Malenchenko, RK3DUP, will undock from the space station early on Saturday   
   morning, June 18 (the evening of Friday, June 17, in US time zones) in a Soyuz   
   TMA-19M spacecraft commanded by Malenchenko, after having spent 186 days in   
   space since their December launch. NASA Television will provide coverage   
   starting on June 17.   
      
   When the Soyuz undocks, ISS Expedition 48 will begin under the command of Jeff   
   Williams, KD5TVQ. Williams and crewmates Oleg Skripochka, RN3FU, and Alexey   
   Ovchinin will operate the station for 3 weeks until the arrival of the next   
   crew increment. NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, KG5FYJ; Russian cosmonaut Anatoly   
   Ivanishin, and Takuya Onishi, KF5LKS, of the Japan Aerospace Exploration   
   Agency are scheduled to launch on July 6 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.   
      
   During their stay, Kopra and Peake scored some milestones for the Amateur   
   Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program. On March 10, Kopra   
   conducted the 1000th ARISS school group contact with students in North Dakota.   
   The first contact occurred in December of 2000. Peake made use of Amateur   
   Radio in his "Principia Mission" outreach, which aimed to directly engage   
   students with communication technologies, inspiring them to pursue careers in   
   science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.   
      
   During his stay in space, Peake hosted 10 ARISS school group contacts,   
   including the first to take advantage of the HamTV digital Amateur Radio   
   television (DATV) system when he spoke with students in England on February   
   11. The DATV system in the Columbus module of the ISS allowed students at   
   Royal Masonic School, home of GB1RSM, to see as well as to listen, as Peake,   
   operating as GB1SS, answered their questions about life in space.   
      
      
   National Parks on the Air Update   
      
   One of the rarest locations in the National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) program   
   will be activated on Saturday, June 18. The HacDX Amateur Radio Club, W3HAC,   
   has secured permission to operate from the White House Visitor Center (DZ10),   
   during ARRL Kids Day. Announced frequencies are 14,270, 7270, 14,042, and 7042   
   kHz from 1800 to 2300 UTC.   
      
   The group, which has secured the call sign W3H for this activity, plans other   
   NPOTA Activations on August 25 -- the actual date of the National Park   
   Service's 100th anniversary -- and in October for Scouting's Jamboree On the   
   Air (JOTA).   
      
   There are 55 NPOTA activations on the calendar for June 16-22, including Mesa   
   Verde National Park in Colorado, and the James Garfield National Historic Site   
   in Ohio. 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).   
      
      
   The Doctor Will See You Now!   
      
   "Grounding" is the topic of the latest (June 16) episode of the "ARRL The   
   Doctor is In" podcast. Listen...and learn!   
      
   Sponsored by DX Engineering, "ARRL The Doctor is In" is an informative   
   discussion of all things technical. Listen on your computer, tablet, or   
   smartphone -- whenever and wherever you like!   
      
   Every 2 weeks, your host, QST Editor in Chief Steve Ford, WB8IMY, and the   
   Doctor himself, Joel Hallas, W1ZR, will discuss a broad range of technical   
   topics. You can also e-mail your questions to doctor@arrl.org, and the Doctor   
   may answer them in a future podcast.   
      
   Enjoy "ARRL The Doctor is In" on Apple iTunes, or by using your iPhone or iPad   
   podcast app (just search for "ARRL The Doctor is In"). You can also listen   
   online at Blubrry, or at Stitcher (free registration required, or browse the   
   site as a guest) and through the free Stitcher app for iOS, Kindle, or Android   
   devices.   
      
   If you've never listened to a podcast before, download our beginner's guide.   
   Just ahead: "Are Linear Amplifiers Really Worthwhile?"   
      
      
   Gear Up for ARRL Field Day with Official Merchandise   
      
   ARRL Field Day -- the most popular operating event of all -- is June 25-26.   
   There's still time to show your support for ARRL Field Day with official   
   merchandise. Shirts hats, pins, patches, and coffee mugs are a great way to   
   acknowledge -- and commemorate -- your participation in this annual event.   
   Encourage family, friends, and fellow hams to take part in ARRL Field Day with   
   recruitment posters and attractive "Get on the Air" (GOTA) pins for newcomers.   
   Get out...get on the air...and leave nothing but footprints!   
      
   Order your 2016 ARRL Field Day merchandise from the ARRL online store or call   
   (888) 277-5289 in the US, Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern   
   Time. Outside the US, call (860) 594-0355). While supplies last.   
      
      
   Kids Day is Saturday, June 18   
      
   Kids Day is Saturday, June 18, from 1800 to 2400 UTC. The twice-yearly   
   (January and June) event, sponsored by the ARRL and The Boring (Oregon)   
   Amateur Radio Club, is an excellent opportunity to showcase Amateur Radio to   
   youngsters and even to hand over the keys, so they can get some hands-on   
   hamming experience. Share the excitement with your own children or grandkids,   
   or with youngsters in the neighborhood! For youngsters, their positive ham   
   radio experience may foster an interest that may lead them to become radio   
   amateurs. For veterans, it's a chance to share their stations and affection   
   for Amateur Radio with the next generation.   
      
   To solicit contacts, call "CQ Kids Day." The suggested exchange is name, age,   
   location, and favorite color. There is no limit on operating time, and   
   stations may work each other more than once if the operator has changed.   
   Repeater contacts (with permission of the repeater's sponsor) are okay too,   
   and satellite contacts may provide a real thrill. Observe third-party traffic   
   restrictions when making DX contacts.   
      
   All participants are encouraged to post stories and photos to the Kids Day   
   Soapbox page and are eligible for a colorful certificate. You can download the   
   free certificate, customized with the youngsters' names, after filling out the   
   Kids Day Survey found on the same page as the certificate generator.   
   Alternatively, you can send a 9 x 12 SASE to Kids Day Certificate Request,   
   ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.   
      
      
   "The Magic Band" Lives Up to its Name in ARRL June VHF Contest   
      
   Six meters sounded more like an HF band during the ARRL June VHF Contest over   
   the June 11-12 weekend, as sustained sporadic E (also known as E-skip or Es)   
   openings greeted participants. Some found 6 meter contacts so bountiful that   
   they tended to neglect the other VHF/UHF bands, where conditions were more   
   typical.   
      
   "As for why the contest weekend was so good, all I can say is that June can be   
   good for E-skip," said Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, the former "Propagation"   
   editor for National Contest Journal (NCJ). "I think the term 'sporadic' in its   
   name is well suited. We just don't understand the detailed processes of 6   
   meter Es."   
      
   For many, it was a 6-meters-only event, with the best conditions in several   
   years and much of the action on CW. "This was the consummate 50 MHz festival,   
   with wide-open bands throughout most of the contest," Bill Schwantes, W7QQ, in   
   New Mexico, posted in his soapbox comments on the 3830 website. "For the first   
   time in my memory I felt like a rate junkie, often reaching 200 per hour. What   
   fun on 6, while ignoring long-haul, weak signal contacts on 144, 222, and 432."   
      
   Bob Striegl, K2DRH, who boasts some serious VHF-UHF antennas in upstate   
   Illinois, said the band "was going crazy" in the evening from the East Coast   
   to Europe, and to Japan from the Midwest and South. "In a lull I tuned up   
   JA7QVI, who was the strongest, and worked him on CW with low power!"   
      
   Mike Smith, VE9AA, in New Brunswick called it, "A VHF (6 meter) contest I can   
   write home about." He was one station's first 6 meter contact, and "was   
   tickled to do that."   
      
   Top-tier HF contester Dan Street, K1TO, in Florida, made his first 6 meter   
   contact with Japan during ARRL VHF, only the third time he's operated in the   
   event. "Conditions were amazingly different for all of us," Street said in his   
   soapbox post. "I watched in awe as the W1s seemed to have a contest-long   
   opening to somewhere. EA8DBM's skimmer made an incredible number of US spots,   
   and he worked stations out to the West Coast. Yet here in Florida, I never   
   heard him once, nor even one European."   
      
   Eric Gruff, NC6K, in California also didn't get in on the excitement. "Another   
   frustrating VHF contest from DM13," he posted. "[T]he majority of the time, I   
   spent listening to the same local stations calling CQ incessantly, while the   
   rest of the country was enjoying a huge opening."   
      
   Charlie Panek, KX7L, in Washington, summed things up this way: "Every few   
   years the planets line up right, and we get a good Es opening during the   
   contest," he said. "This was one of those years!"   
      
      
   White House Honors Limor Fried, AC2SN, Among "Champions of Change for Making"   
      
   The White House will honor Adafruit founder Limor "Ladyada" Fried, AC2SN, on   
   June 17 as one of 10 "Champions of Change for Making." According to the   
   announcement, while an engineering student at MIT, Fried became determined to   
   create a company that focused on supporting the learning of electronics for   
   makers of all ages and skill levels.   
      
   "These individuals were selected by the White House for their personal passion   
   and tireless efforts to make advances in technology and platforms, educational   
   opportunities, or spaces that empower even more Americans to become tinkerers,   
   inventors, and entrepreneurs," the announcement said.   
      
   Fried founded Adafruit in 2005, and it has grown to now employ more than 100   
   individuals in a 50,000 square foot factory in New York City. As the company's   
   sole owner, she has committed to building both innovation and community, and   
   is known for creating resources for learning.   
      
   "When Limor Fried looks at a circuit board, she sees it as a series of   
   aesthetic choices -- a vehicle for self-expression, rather than simply the   
   product of rational optimization," Nicola Twilley wrote in the March 3 edition   
   of The New Yorker magazine. Twilley quoted Fried as saying, "I want to show   
   people that engineering isn't something cold and calculated. Thinking like an   
   engineer is a beautiful and fascinating way to see the world, too."   
      
   Fried was the first female engineer on the cover of WIRED magazine, and she   
   was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012 by Entrepreneur magazine. She also   
   served on the NYC Industrial Business Advisory Council.   
      
   Adafruit has expanded its offerings to include tools, equipment, and   
   electronics, which Fried personally selects, tests, and approves before they   
   go into the Adafruit store.   
      
   The White House will live stream the recognition ceremony on Friday, June 17,   
   at 1700 UTC.   
      
      
   Well-Known DXer, DXpeditioner Milt Jensen, N5IA, Dies in Fall from Tower   
      
   Well-known DXer and DXpeditioner Milt Jensen, N5IA, of Virden, New Mexico,   
   died on June 10 after falling from an Amateur Radio tower. An ARRL Life   
   Member, he was 73. According to the Pima County Sheriff's Department, Jensen   
   was working on a tower on Arizona's Mount Lemmon when he fell. He was   
   pronounced dead at the scene. The mishap is still under investigation.   
      
   "Milt was on one of his many tower climbing adventures, and, by no choice of   
   his, it became his last," his oldest son, Jason, wrote in a QRZ.com post.   
      
   Licensed in 1960, Jensen had lived in Virden for his entire life. Especially   
   well known for his 160 meter activity, he spent several years constructing an   
   "8-circle array" of full-sized 160 meter verticals -- each 125-foot towers --   
   at his station site south of Safford, Arizona, near the New Mexico border, Lee   
   Finkel, KY7M, wrote in an article set to appear in the July/August issue of   
   NCJ. Jensen operated his "dream station" remotely from his home, often using   
   the call sign N7GP in contests. In addition to his Top Band operation, Jensen   
   was heavily involved in designing, installing, and maintaining VHF and UHF   
   mountaintop repeaters, remotely controlled base stations, and linking systems.   
   As a contester, he often landed in the Top 10 standings.   
      
   Jensen participated in three DXpeditions. He and his wife Rulene, KB5VTM, were   
   part of the 1998 XZ1N team in Myanmar. In 2000, he returned to Myanmar as part   
   of the XZ0A multinational team. In 2008, he was part of the Ducie Island VP6DX   
   DXpedition team.   
      
      
   Nepal Radio Amateur Describes Earthquake Response Effort at West Coast   
   Gathering   
      
   Amateur Radio's "vital role" in the 2015 Nepal earthquake response was the   
   topic on June 2 as the City of Santa Clara, California, hosted Sanjeeb Panday,   
   9N1SP, of Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu Nepal. Given that the Silicon   
   Valley and the Kathmandu Valley share the common geography of multiple, nearby   
   earthquake fault lines, the subject was relevant. The Santa Clara Fire   
   Department sponsored the presentation, with an eye toward applying the lessons   
   learned in the wake of the Nepal earthquake to better prepare for a similar   
   disaster in the Silicon Valley.   
      
   "The Nepali people have gone through a tremendous ordeal," Panday told the   
   audience. "If our experience can help others in different parts of the world   
   [to] better prepare for disasters, then this can be regarded as a positive   
   outcome."   
      
   Nearly 100 spectators attended Panday's presentation, including firefighters,   
   emergency response officials, City of Santa Clara ARES/RACES members, Bay-Net   
   participants, and members of the Nepali-American Community. Scout leader   
   Richard Silkebakken, KM6CPH, and members of Cub Scout Pack 32 (Monterey Bay   
   Council) presented Panday with two handheld transceivers for delivery to   
   Scouts in Nepal. Also during the event, the office of US Rep Mike Honda   
   presented the Global Nepali Professional Network (GNPN or CAN-USA) with a   
   "Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition." Through its Radio Mala   
   program, GNPN funded and helped to construct the only two Amateur Radio   
   repeaters available in Nepal during the earthquake.   
      
   Panday was in the US to attend the International Microwave Symposium (IMS),   
   where he addressed a panel on Amateur Radio in post-secondary education. On   
   June 1, he also spoke to the US Geological Survey.   
      
   Second-generation Nepali-American Suresh Ojha, W6KTM, said he was gratified   
   that the academic community and US jurisdictions are looking at Nepal's   
   earthquake experience with an eye to applying the lessons learned to the   
   challenges faced in the US.   
      
      
   Europe's "Dayton" -- Ham Radio 2016 (Friedrichshafen) -- Takes Place June 24-26   
      
   ARRL will be well represented this month at Europe's premier Amateur Radio   
   gathering -- Ham Radio 2016. The 3-day event, in Friedrichshafen, Germany, on   
   the shores of Lake Constance, gets under way on June 24. ARRL President Rick   
   Roderick, K5UR, will head the League's contingent to Friedrichshafen, which   
   also will include International Affairs Vice President Jay Bellows, K0QB; CEO   
   Tom Gallagher, NY2RF; Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R; Assistant Field   
   Services and Radiosport Manager Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, and retired CEO David   
   Sumner, K1ZZ. The annual show attracts upward of 15,000 visitors from around   
   the globe. The co-sponsoring Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) has set a   
   theme of "Amateur Radio -- On land, on water, and in the air" for this   
   summer's event. Some 200 exhibitors from 34 countries will be on hand for this   
   41st "Friedrichshafen."   
      
   "There are as many different ways to operate Amateur Radio as there are places   
   from which you can send radio transmissions: On land, on water, and in the   
   air," DARC spokesperson Stephanie Heine, DO7PR, said.   
      
   This year's program includes a "foxhunt" in woods near the fairgrounds, a   
   youth camp, and the Ham Rally, where the next generation of radio amateurs can   
   explore the world of technology and wireless. It's open to young people   
   between the ages of 8 and 18.   
      
   A Contest University (CTU) sponsored by the DARC will take place for   
   radiosport beginners on Friday, June 24, and experienced contesters on   
   Saturday, June 25, with sessions aimed at how to improve contesting   
   performance.   
      
   IARU Region 1 will host a meeting of those interested in emergency   
   communication on Friday, June 24. The session will include an open forum for   
   national coordinators to report on activities in their respective countries.   
   Also up for discussion will be GlobalSet and changes to the IARU emergency   
   message procedure.   
      
   International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA,   
   will head the IARU team to Friedrichshafen, along with IARU Vice President Ole   
   Garpestad, LA2RR, and IARU Secretary Rod Stafford, W6ROD, a past ARRL   
   president.   
      
   Next year's big show in Friedrichshafen will take place July 14-16, owing to a   
   scheduling conflict.   
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: It was a little scary to see the daily   
   sunspot number at zero for 4 days -- June 3-6 -- but conditions seem to have   
   recovered nicely. The average daily sunspot number for our June 9-15 reporting   
   week was 29.1, up from 7.7 the previous week.   
      
   Due to the way sunspots are counted, the minimum non-zero sunspot number is   
   11. A sunspot number of 11 means there is one sunspot (counting as one point)   
   in one sunspot group (adding 10 points). A second sunspot raises the sunspot   
   number to 12, unless that spot is on its own and not clustered with the other   
   spot, in which case the sunspot number would be 22. So, that average daily   
   sunspot number of 7.7 from the previous week is due to the fact that 4 out of   
   the 7 days had sunspot numbers of zero; you would never see a day with an   
   actual sunspot number of 7.7.   
      
   Average daily solar flux this week was 88.3, up from 80.7. Predicted solar   
   flux for the next month is pretty flat, at 85 on June 16-30; 80 on July 1-5;   
   85 on July 6-9; 92 on July 10-11; 95 on July 12-18; 92 and 90 on July 19-20,   
   and 85 on July 21-27.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 18, 12, and 8 on June 16-18; 5 on June 19-21;   
   8, 10, 12, and 8 on June 22-25; 1 on June 26-27; 5 on June 28-July 1; then 25,   
   20, and 8 on July 2-4; 5 on July 5-6; 8 and 10 on July 7-8; 8 on July 9-10; 5,   
   8, 12, and 8 on July 11-14; 5 on July 15-19; 10, 12, and 8 on July 20-22; 1 on   
   July 23-24, and 5 on July 25-28.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for June 9 through 15 were 22, 28, 40, 39, 27, 26, and 22,   
   with a mean of 29.1. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 85.2, 84.9, 88.2, 94.1, 91,   
   87.6, and 87.3, with a mean of 88.3. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 9,   
   11, 10, 9, 21, and 14, with a mean of 11.1. Estimated mid-latitude A indices   
   were 5, 9, 11, 9, 10, 15, and 15 with a mean of 10.6.   
      
   In Friday's bulletin look for reader reports on recent 6 meter propagation.   
      
   Send me your reports and observations at k7ra@arrl.net.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   This Week in Radiosport   
      
    *  June 18 -- Kids Day   
    *  June 18 -- Feld Hell Sprint   
    *  June 18 -- AGCW VHF/UHF Contest (CW)   
    *  June 18-19 -- SMIRK Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  June 18-19 -- All Asian DX Contest (CW)   
    *  June 18-19 -- Ukrainian DX Classic (RTTY)   
    *  June 18-19 -- IARU Region 1 50 MHz Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  June 18-19 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge (CW)   
    *  June 18-19 -- West Virginia QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  June 19 -- WAB 50 MHz Phone   
    *  June 20 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)   
    *  June 22 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)   
    *  June 23 -- NAQCC CW Sprint   
    *  June 23 -- RSGB 80 Meter Club Championship (SSB)   
      
   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   
      
    *  June 18 -- Tennessee State Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee   
    *  July 2 -- Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention, Harrisburg,   
       Pennsylvania   
    *  July 8-9 -- Northern Florida Section Convention, Milton, Florida   
    *  July 8-9 -- Utah State Convention, Sandy, Utah   
    *  July 15-17 -- Montana State Convention, East Glacier, Montana   
    *  July 22-23 -- Oklahoma Section Convention, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma   
    *  July 29-31 -- Central States VHF Conference, Rochester, Minnesota   
    *  August 5-6 -- Texas State Convention, Austin, Texas   
    *  August 5-7 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention, Portland, Oregon   
    *  August 12-14 -- New Mexico State Convention, Albuquerque, New Mexico   
    *  August 19-21 -- West Virginia State Convention, Weston, West Virginia   
    *  August 20-21 -- Southeastern Division Convention, Huntsville, Alabama   
    *  August 21 -- Kansas State Convention, Salina, Kansas   
    *  September 3-4 -- North Carolina State Convention, Shelby, North Carolina   
    *  September 9-11 -- New England Division Convention, Boxborough,   
       Massachusetts   
    *  September 10 -- Kentucky State Convention, Shepherdsville, Kentucky   
    *  September 10 -- Virginia Section Convention, Virginia Beach, Virginia   
      
   Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
   Always Mount a Scratch Monkey   
      
   ... It is impossible to enjoy idling unless there is plenty of work to do.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)