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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2016-07-28   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   July 28, 2016   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  FCC Proposes Rule Changes in Response to ARRL's "Symbol Rate" Petition,   
       Seeks Comment   
    *  ARRL Appoints Panel to Study License Requirements, Implements New UHF   
       and Above Contest   
    *  The ARRL Board Announces Award Winners   
    *  FCC Notice of Violation Alleges Malicious Interference, Transmitting   
       Music, Failure to Identify   
    *  Updated Android Digital QST App Now Available   
    *  National Parks on the Air Update   
    *  The Doctor Will See You Now!   
    *  Amateur Radio Alive and Well in Turkey   
    *  Ham Radio 2016 in Friedrichshafen Attracts a Bumper Crowd   
    *  UK Astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI/GB1SS, Heads Ham Contingent to 10 Downing   
       Street   
    *  Past AMSAT President Doug Loughmiller, W5BL, SK   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
      
      
   FCC Proposes Rule Changes in Response to ARRL's "Symbol Rate" Petition, Seeks   
   Comment   
      
   The FCC has proposed to revise the Amateur Service Part 97 rules in response   
   to the ARRL's so-called "Symbol Rate" Petition for Rule Making (RM-11708),   
   filed in late 2013, and it has invited comments on its recommended changes.   
   The Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in WT Docket 16-239, released on   
   July 28, had been making the rounds at the FCC since May. ARRL had asked the   
   FCC [FCC%20seal%20(on%20white).jpg] to change the Part 97 rules to delete the   
   symbol rate limit in ?97.307(f) and replace it with a maximum bandwidth for   
   data emissions of 2.8 kHz on amateur frequencies below 29.7 MHz.   
      
   "[W]e believe that the public interest may be served by revising the Amateur   
   Service rules to eliminate the current baud rate limitations for data   
   emissions, consistent with ARRL's Petition, to allow Amateur Service licensees   
   to use modern digital emissions, thereby furthering the purposes of the   
   Amateur Service and enhancing the usefulness of the service," the FCC said in   
   its NPRM. "We do not, however, propose a bandwidth limitation for data   
   emissions in the MF and HF bands to replace the baud rate limitations, because   
   the rules' current approach for limiting bandwidth use by amateur stations   
   using one of the specified digital codes to encode the signal being   
   transmitted appears sufficient to ensure that general access to the band by   
   licensees in the Amateur Service does not become unduly impaired."   
      
   The ARRL staff was still reviewing the NPRM at publication deadline, and we   
   will report further on this proceeding.   
      
      
      
   ARRL Appoints Panel to Study License Requirements, Implements New UHF and   
   Above Contest   
      
   An ARRL Board of Directors-appointed ad hoc committee will study the current   
   Technician license exam requirements and recommend possible changes, which may   
   eventually find their way into an FCC petition for rule making. These could   
   include consideration of a new entry-level license class. The panel's   
   recommendations to the Board would be aimed at developing "a more targeted   
   examination with a more limited set of privileges that would attract a new   
   generation of amateurs."   
      
   The motion at the July 15-16 Board meeting by New England Division Director   
   Tom Frenaye, K1KI, noted that the Novice license was discontinued in 2000, and   
   the Morse code requirement lifted from all licenses a few years later, with   
   the Technician ticket becoming the new entry point into Amateur Radio. It also   
   cited "a considerable increase in difficulty for the new entry point" and new   
   licensees who have been granted "extensive privileges not appropriate for all   
   newcomers."   
      
   "[W]e need to improve upon our efforts to attract newcomers to Amateur Radio   
   and pass along the tradition of emergency and communication support,   
   developing interest in hands-on projects, and improving on science,   
   technology, engineering, and mathematics education," the motion asserted.   
      
   With the International Amateur Radio Union Region 2 (IARU-R2) band plan set   
   for review by delegates to the IARU Region 2 General Assembly this fall, the   
   Board adopted recommendations of the ARRL HF Band Planning Committee, for ARRL   
   to present at the conference for possible inclusion in the Region 2 band plan.   
   These include:   
      
    *  Changing references to the 660 meter band to 630 meters, to more   
       accurately describe the wavelength of the spectrum actually allocated   
       for Amateur Radio use.   
    *  Updating the 160 meter band plan to acknowledge AM operations commonly   
       encountered within the band.   
    *  Adding an exception to the band plan -- appended to the definition of   
       "USB/LSB" or appended elsewhere -- to specify that, in the event a 60   
       meter Amateur Radio allocation is added to the band plan, upper sideband   
       (USB) is permissible.   
      
   The ARRL HF Band Planning Committee, chaired by Second Vice President Brian   
   Mileshosky, N5ZGT, had issued two calls "inviting thoughtful feedback" from   
   the Amateur Radio community regarding the current Region 2 band plan. The   
   committee expressed its gratitude to everyone who provided input.   
      
   In his report, ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, summarized "a very   
   productive meeting" with FCC Special Counsel Laura Smith. Their discussion   
   focused on improvements in the Amateur Auxiliary/Official Observer program,   
   especially in light of the FCC's closure of several field offices. Imlay also   
   noted that a recently enacted FAA reauthorization bill directs the FAA to   
   develop new rules regulating the marking of certain antenna support structures   
   between 50 and 200 feet. He told the Board that ARRL will participate in the   
   FAA rulemaking proceeding, in an effort to minimize or eliminate any impact on   
   Amateur Radio antennas.   
      
   The Board approved the ARRL 222 MHz and Up Distance Contest to replace the   
   August UHF Contest, which was dropped from the contest calendar last year. The   
   new ARRL 222 MHz and Up event will debut in 2017. Details are pending, but   
   responding to suggestions from the contest community, the event will use a   
   scoring format that puts a premium on the distance spanned in each contact.   
      
   The Board approved a Mobile DXCC Award as a "one-time, non-endorsable DXCC   
   Award." Similar to the QRP DXCC, this award will be offered for contacts made   
   from vehicles. In addition, the Board okayed an optional paper certificate to   
   those achieving DXCC Honor Roll or #1 Honor Roll, in addition to the plaque   
   and lapel pin already available to those individuals.   
      
   As a temporary measure, pending development of the Second Century Public   
   Service Communications Delivery Plan, the Board agreed that National Traffic   
   System(TM) Area chairmen "shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of   
   the ARRL President, aligned and consistent with the manner by which all other   
   voluntary ARRL chairmen and coordinators of regional or national scope are   
   authorized," and that NTS(TM) Area staff members shall be appointed by and   
   serve at the pleasure of their respective Area chairman. The Board also   
   expressed its thanks and congratulations to the National Traffic System(TM)   
   for its outstanding service and assured the NTS(TM) of a continued role in the   
   League's public service communications plans.   
      
   In his inaugural Board meeting report, ARRL CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, told the   
   Board that his current focus is on prioritizing resources to work within the   
   recently adopted Strategic Plan. Gallagher said his goal is to position ARRL   
   to address a new demographic of potential new licensees in the changing   
   Amateur Radio market landscape.   
      
      
      
   The ARRL Board Announces Award Winners   
      
   At its second annual meeting on July 15-16, the ARRL Board of Directors   
   conferred several League awards.   
      
   The winner of the 2015 Hiram Percy Maxim Award is 13-year-old Christopher   
   "Chris" Brault, KD8YVJ. Licensed since 2014 and active in a wide range of   
   Amateur Radio-related activities, including antenna building and bicycle   
   mobile operation, Brault, of Liberty Township, Ohio, is active in the   
   recruitment and training of new amateurs by participating in such events as   
   Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) and activities at the West Chester Amateur Radio   
   Association/Voice of America Museum (WC8VOA), where he serves as a volunteer.   
   Brault was involved in developing an Amateur Radio on the International Space   
   Station (ARISS) contact proposal, in cooperation with iSPACE and the WCARA/VOA   
   Museum.   
      
   The League's top award to a young radio amateur, the Hiram Percy Maxim   
   Memorial Award goes annually to a current full ARRL member under the age of   
   21. The nominee's accomplishments and contributions to both the community of   
   Amateur Radio and the local community should be of the most exemplary nature.   
   Candidates are nominated by their Section Manager, and an award panel reviews   
   the nominations received and selects the winner. The award carries a cash   
   award of $1500 and a suitably engraved plaque.   
      
   The Board named Thomas D. Ritter, WY7KY, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, as the 2016   
   Philip J. McGan Silver Antenna Award recipient. Ritter was cited for   
   demonstrating outstanding volunteer public relations success on behalf of   
   Amateur Radio throughout the state of Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain Division.   
   He has promoted licensing classes for the Shy-Wy Amateur Radio Club and others   
   and actively sought to unify the Public Information Officers in their public   
   relations efforts on behalf of Amateur Radio in the state of Wyoming. Ritter   
   also was recognized for regularly promoting Amateur Radio to the general   
   public through print and radio interviews as well as through social media, and   
   he routinely engages in public relations outreach during public service events   
   and ARRL Field Day. The award's namesake, journalist Philip J. McGan, WA2MBQ   
   (SK), served as the first chairman of the ARRL's Public Relations Committee.   
   Andrew J. Buckler, K2OP, of Wenham, Massachusetts, was honored with the Doug   
   De Maw W1FB Technical Excellence Award for his article "A Solid State 1.25 kW   
   Linear Amplifier," which appeared in the January 2015 issue of QST. The award   
   is based on the recommendation of a committee of QST Technical Advisors.   
      
   Donald Ohse, W5DRO, of Midwest City, Oklahoma, was named to receive the 2015   
   ARRL Technical Service Award. The Board credited Ohse with playing a leading   
   role in advancing the art and science of Amateur Radio in his local community   
   by teaching licensing classes, as well as monthly night classes that focus on   
   in-depth continuing education on technical topics. He is active in organizing   
   operating activities and community service events, including serving as   
   liaison to local officials in maintaining their outdoor emergency alert   
   warning systems, and he is an Official Observer. Ohse has also served as a   
   resource to amateurs in his community on RFI and related problems. His   
   recognition came on the recommendation of the ARRL Laboratory.   
      
   The Board also adopted a Programs and Services Committee recommendation to   
   revise the terms of reference for the ARRL Joe Knight Distinguished Service   
   Award, presented to a Section Manager of distinction. The terms of reference   
   for the award were revised to stipulate a minimum of 8 years of service as a   
   Section Manager in order to be eligible for the award.   
      
      
      
   FCC Notice of Violation Alleges Malicious Interference, Transmitting Music,   
   Failure to Identify   
      
   The FCC has issued a Notice of Violation (NoV) to a California Amateur Radio   
   licensee, alleging that he caused willful and malicious interference,   
   transmitted music, and failed to identify properly. The FCC Enforcement Bureau   
   said in the Notice, issued on July 13 to Philip J. Beaudet, N6PJB, of Burney,   
   that agents from the San Francisco, California, and Portland, Oregon, offices   
   observed the violations on four occasions in August and October 2015. A   
   General class licensee, Beaudet formerly held the call sign WD6FGE.   
      
   FCC agents responding to an interference complaint used direction-finding   
   techniques to pin down the source of an interfering signal on 3908 kHz to   
   Beaudet's residence. They also observed and recorded transmissions of music on   
   3908 kHz from Beaudet's amateur station. The agents said that while they were   
   monitoring and recording, the station's assigned call sign was not transmitted   
   at the end of each communication.   
      
   The Enforcement Bureau said the Notice does not preclude it from taking   
   further action, if warranted, including issuing a Notice of Apparent Liability   
   for Forfeiture with respect to the cited violations.   
      
   The Bureau gave Beaudet 20 days to respond in writing to "fully explain each   
   violation, including all relevant surrounding facts and circumstances."   
      
      
      
   Updated Android Digital QST App Now Available   
      
   A completely rebuilt digital QST app for the Android platform is now available   
   from publisher Nxtbook Media, which responded to readers' frustrations about   
   getting the app to work properly. The fix took longer than expected, but it is   
   finally here! Members who have enabled automatic updates on their devices will   
   not have to do anything; the application will update automatically.   
      
   Readers who have automatic updates turned off can obtain the new version by   
   visiting the Google Play Store. Functionality in the new app remains the same,   
   although the layout is slightly different -- displaying the most recent   
   magazine at the top and two or three issues per row, instead of in a single   
   column. Download times should be faster as well.   
      
   For optimal performance, it is recommended that Android users have the most   
   up-to-date Android operating system, which is Marshmallow 6.0.   
      
   Digital QST is available on or about the 10th of each month.   
      
      
      
   National Parks on the Air Update   
      
   With more than 525,000 QSOs uploaded for ARRL's National Parks on the Air   
   (NPOTA) event, Activators are teaming up to share the experience of being at a   
   park and creating new friendships at the same time. We've seen a lot of   
   Activators joining forces recently, such as veteran activator Bill Jourdain,   
   AB4BJ, who got together with 17-year-old Ruth Willet, KM4LAO, and her mom,   
   Sharon, KM4TVU, to activate Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park   
   earlier this month. Ruth also shared an activation with NPOTA Activator   
   extraordinaire Stuart, KB1HQS (see the video).   
      
   If you are an Activator, reach out to others in your club and share the fun of   
   an NPOTA activation. If you're interested in activating but don't know where   
   to start, join the NPOTA Facebook group and ask for assistance in getting   
   started, or drop a note to NPOTA administrators for assistance. There's a ton   
   of friendly activators willing to help you to get on the air from an NPOTA   
   unit.   
      
   For July 28-August 3, the schedule shows 43 activations, including the rare   
   Channel Islands National Park in California, and the even rarer Denali   
   National Park in Alaska.   
      
   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!   
      
   "Magnetic Loops" is the topic of the latest (July 28) 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 in August: "SWR."   
      
      
      
   Amateur Radio Alive and Well in Turkey   
      
   Contrary to erroneous reports making the rounds on various Internet sites, no   
   Amateur Radio licenses were suspended or revoked in Turkey in the wake of the   
   failed July 15 coup.   
      
   "There is no ham radio license revoked in Turkey, and ham radio operators are   
   operating normally," said Aziz Sasa, TA1E, the president of Turkey's   
   International Amateur Radio Union member society TRAC. "The reports on ham   
   radio licenses being revoked by the Supreme Council of Radio and Television   
   (RTUK) are unconfirmed and speculative. RTUK is not a regulatory body of ham   
   radio," Sasa added. His entire statement has been posted to the TRAC website.   
      
   The erroneous reports cite a release from RTUK, which oversees broadcasting.   
   Amateur Radio and other wireless industries are regulated by BTK, a separate   
   agency. Three stations in Turkey were reported heard on 10 meters last week   
   during an opening to Central Europe -- TA1BM, TA1PB, and YM7TEN/B.   
      
   IARU member society TRAC has not been closed, nor has its website been blocked   
   or shut down.   
      
      
      
   Ham Radio 2016 in Friedrichshafen Attracts a Bumper Crowd   
      
   Attendance was up slightly this year at Europe's largest Amateur Radio   
   gathering -- the 41st annual international Ham Radio 2016 in Friedrichshafen,   
   Germany. Officials at the venue -- Die Messe Friedrichshafen -- say   
   "everything went perfectly" as hams joined "makers" for the June 24-26   
   weekend. The "double feature" exposition attracted 17,230 visitors, up from   
   17,080 last year. Die Messe officials did not break out numbers for radio   
   amateurs and those attending the Maker Faire Bodensee.   
      
   ARRL CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, who attended Ham Radio for the first time this   
   year, said the gathering was a good opportunity to meet his counterparts in   
   Europe. He pointed out the "nice location" and that there was a higher   
   concentration of youngsters attending than typically seen at US events.   
      
   ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, headed the League's contingent to   
   Friedrichshafen, which, in addition to Gallagher, included International   
   Affairs Vice President Jay Bellows, K0QB; Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen,   
   NQ1R; Assistant Field Services and Radiosport Manager Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, and   
   retired CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ.   
      
   Nearly 200 exhibitors and vendors from 3 dozen countries were on hand at   
   Friedrichshafen. Like Hamvention, Ham Radio is better known by its location.   
   "Friedrichshafen is like Europe's Dayton for us," said Yaesu Technical Sales   
   Manager Paul Bigwood, G3WYW. "The Ham Radio is extremely international.   
   Everyone here comes from all over the world -- we even had visitors from   
   Australia at our stand. The show has an excellent reputation; it is very   
   important for us to be here."   
      
   IARU Region 1 Emergency Coordinator Greg Mossop, G0DUB, said two meetings at   
   Friedrichshafen for radio amateurs involved in emergency communication were   
   well received. On Friday, June 24, the first IARU Region 1 Emergency   
   Communication meeting attracted some 20 attendees from 10 countries. Topics   
   covered a wide range and included reports from other regions, proposals to   
   change the IARU Emergency Message procedure, and information on emergency   
   communication groups in Germany, Poland, and Slovenia. The presentations are   
   available on the IARU Region 1 website (click on "Order by Submit Date" to see   
   the 2016 documents).   
      
   Two veteran International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 (IARU-R1) volunteers   
   were honored at Friedrichshafen. Christian Verholt, OZ8CY, the former Chair of   
   the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Working Group and former EMC Advisor   
   to the IARU International Secretariat, was presented with the IARU President's   
   Diamond Award by IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, and Vice President Ole   
   Garpestad, LA2RR. This new award recognizes exceptional contributions over   
   many years.   
      
   Verholt also received the IARU Region 1 Medal from Region 1 President Don   
   Beattie, G3BJ, in recognition of his work on EMC matters in Region 1 for more   
   than 20 years. Beattie presented Wolfgang Hadel, DK2OM, with the Region 1   
   Medal in recognition of his ongoing, exceptional leadership of the successful   
   IARU Region 1 Monitoring System (IARUMS).   
      
   Due to a scheduling difficulty, Ham Radio 2017 will take place July 14-16,   
   2017. Read more. -- Thanks to Ham Radio, Southgate Amateur Radio News, and   
   IARU Region 1   
      
      
      
   UK Astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI/GB1SS, Heads Ham Contingent to 10 Downing Street   
      
   UK Astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI/GB1SS -- just back from a duty tour on the   
   International Space Station -- headed a contingent of radio amateurs and   
   youngsters invited to visit new Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing   
   Street earlier this month. The July 18 reception at the PM's residence   
   celebrated the success of Peake's "Principia Mission" and his time in space.   
   Sandringham School student Jessica Leigh, M6LPJ, and her head teacher Alan   
   Gray, G4DJX, were among those also on hand, along with students from the   
   Principia Mission schools.   
      
   Jessica, then a brand-new ham, was the first student in the UK to speak with   
   Peake during an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) ham   
   radio contact with the ISS. Peake inaugurated the use of the ISS Ham TV system   
   when he spoke on January 8 with Jessica and other students at Sandringham   
   School in Hertfordshire, England.   
      
   Also attending the reception at 10 Downing Street were Italian astronaut   
   Samantha Cristoforetti, IZ0UDF, and the UK's first astronaut, Helen Sharman,   
   GB1MIR, who traveled to the Russian Mir space station in 1991. Cristoforetti   
   was among those responsible for configuring the Ham TV digital Amateur Radio   
   TV (DATV) system on the space station.   
      
   Peake dedicated part of his 6 months in space to educational activities for   
   youngsters on Earth. He described his Principia Mission as the largest and   
   most ambitious educational outreach program of any European space mission. It   
   was supported by ARISS, the UK Space Agency, the ESA, and others on a long   
   list of educational institutions and organizations.   
      
   The July 29-31 AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium in Guildford will   
   feature presentations about Peake's Principia Mission, and Sandringham School   
   students will talk about their ARISS experience.   
      
      
      
   Past AMSAT President Doug Loughmiller, W5BL, SK   
      
   Past AMSAT President and AMSAT Journal Editor Doug Loughmiller, W5BL   
   (ex-KO5I), of McKinney, Texas, died on July 22. An ARRL Life Member, he was 60   
   and had been suffering from cancer.   
      
   Loughmiller was probably best known in recent years as a high-altitude Amateur   
   Radio ballooning enthusiast, and he evangelized on that topic at the ARRL   
   Centennial Convention in 2014 as well as at Dayton Hamvention(R). He was the   
   co-moderator of the BalloonSat Forum at Hamvention, and the co-founder of   
   ARBONET (Amateur Radio Balloon over North East Texas) -- described as "a poor   
   man's space program." He also held a pilot's license and was interested in   
   motor sports, fishing, and scuba diving.   
      
   He also was an active Amateur Radio instructor, and he was the recipient of   
   the 2008 Herb S. Brier Award bestowed by ARRL to recognize a volunteer Amateur   
   Radio instructor.   
      
   Loughmiller grew up in Indiana and, after graduating from high school there,   
   he attended Paris Junior College in Texas. His first career was as a baker,   
   but from there he jumped to a job in the Satellite Communications Department   
   at the University of Surrey in England, as a payload supervisor. Subsequently   
   he pursued a successful career in the electronics component industry, working   
   for Arrow Electronics, Future Electronics/FAI, and RAM Electronic Sales.   
      
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: We have fallen back to a period of zero   
   sunspots that, so far, has lasted for 3 days. This followed a brief uptick in   
   solar activity in the July 15-21 period. But the STEREO spacecraft website   
   shows sunspots on the side of the Sun facing away from Earth, and these should   
   drift back into view as our Sun rotates.   
      
   Comparing the July 21-27 period to the previous 7 days, the average daily   
   sunspot number declined from 58.1 to 19.3, and the average daily solar flux   
   dipped from 103.6 to 82.5. The average daily planetary A index went from 10.6   
   to 8.7, while the mid-latitude A index declined from 11.1 to 8.9.   
      
   Predicted solar flux from USAF and NOAA space weather observers is 70 on July   
   28 to August 4; 80 and 95 on August 5-6; 105 on August 7-16; 100, 90, 85, and   
   80 on August 17-20; 75 on August 21-22, and 70 on August 23-31. Solar flux   
   then rose to 105 on September 3-10.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 12, 10, and 8 on July 28-30; 5 on July   
   31-August 2; 8, 20, and 15 on August 3-5; 10 on August 6-7; 20, 8, 12, 10, and   
   8 on August 8-12; 5 on August 13-14; 8, 12, and 5 on August 15-17; 8 on August   
   18-19; 5, 8, 15, 12, 8, 20, 12, and 8 on August 20-27; 5 on August 28-29; 20   
   on August 30-31; 15 on September 1, and 10 on September 2-3.   
      
   On July 28, 2016 the Australian Space Forecast Centre issued a geomagnetic   
   disturbance warning, predicting the possibility of elevated geomagnetic   
   activity due to the expected arrival of a high-speed solar wind stream from a   
   coronal hole. The Center predicted unsettled to active, possible minor storm   
   periods for July 28, and quiet to unsettled for July 29, with possible active   
   periods.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for July 21 through 27 were 49, 36, 34, 16, 0, 0, and 0, with   
   a mean of 19.3. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 100.1, 90.4, 86.2, 82.2, 73.6,   
   73.5, and 71.6, with a mean of 82.5. Estimated planetary A indices were 5, 8,   
   8, 14, 18, 5, and 3, with a mean of 8.7. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were   
   6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 7, and 4 with a mean of 8.9.   
      
   Send me your reports and observations.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  July 30 -- RSGB IOTA Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  August 1 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)   
    *  August 1 -- ARS Flight of the Bumblebees (CW)   
    *  August 4 -- NRAU 10 Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  August 6 -- European HF Championship (CW, phone)   
    *  August 6 -- WAB 144 MHz Low Power Phone   
    *  August 6 -- TARA Grid Dip Shindig (digital)   
    *  August 6-7 -- 10-10 International Summer Contest (SSB)   
    *  August 6-7 -- North American QSO Party (CW)   
    *  August 6-7 -- August UHF Contest (CW, phone, digital   
    *  August 7 -- SARL HF Phone Contest   
    *  August 10 -- NAQCC CW Sprint (CW)   
    *  August 10 -- RSGB 80 Meter Club Sprint (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   
      
    *  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   
    *  September 16-17 -- W9DXCC Convention, Schaumburg, Illinois   
    *  September 16-18 -- ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference, St   
       Petersburg, Florida   
    *  September 17-18 -- Illinois State Convention, Peoria, Illinois   
    *  September 23-24 -- W4DXCC Convention, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee   
    *  September 24 -- North Dakota State Convention, West Fargo, North Dakota   
    *  September 24 -- Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington   
    *  September 24 -- San Joaquin Valley Section Convention, Modesto,   
       California   
      
   Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
   Always Mount a Scratch Monkey   
      
   ... In spring, the salmon swim upstream to spoon.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)