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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2016-08-18   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   August 18, 2016   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  Amateur Radio Volunteers Respond to Louisiana Flooding Catastrophe   
    *  ARRL Encourages Comprehensive Noise Floor Study   
    *  The Doctor Will See You Now!   
    *  National Parks on the Air Update   
    *  Comments in FCC "Symbol Rate" Rule Making Proposal Due by October 11   
    *  Come One, Come All: The ARRL Rookie Roundup RTTY is August 21!   
    *  FEMA Teaming with Amateur Radio Clubs to Present Preparedness   
       Information   
    *  Now Free of HAARP, US Air Force Still Wants to Tinker with the   
       Ionosphere   
    *  BIRDS CubeSat Constellation to Launch in 2017   
    *  Es'hailSat-2 Launch Reset for 2017   
    *  RSGB "Deeply Disappointed" in Regulator's Attitude toward Amateur Radio   
       in 5 GHz Proceeding   
    *  Annual IOTA DXpedition Morphs into Visit to Rare One -- Aves Island   
    *  In Brief...   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
      
   Amateur Radio Volunteers Respond to Louisiana Flooding Catastrophe   
      
   Amateur Radio volunteers this week responded to help, after flooding of   
   historic proportions struck parts of Louisiana and Mississippi over the   
   weekend in the wake of torrential rainfall. States of emergency were declared   
   in both states, the federal government has declared Louisiana a major disaster   
   area, and the Louisiana Emergency Operations Center was at full activation.   
   FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, visited the stricken region on August   
   16. Louisiana Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) activated, and Section   
   Emergency Coordinator Adam Tamplain, KD5LEH, put out a call for volunteers to   
   support communication at Red Cross shelters in the hard-hit Livingston Parish   
   and Baton Rouge area. On August 16, the Red Cross was still requesting shelter   
   operators. Although some residents were being allowed to return home at   
   mid-week, about 4000 people remain in shelters.   
      
   "While we have had an increase in response from the Southeastern area, it's   
   still not quite enough," Tamplain said on Tuesday. "Alabama ARES is attempting   
   to put together a team for us. We have seen support from Southwest Mississippi   
   as well. We had Operators at Red Cross New Orleans, Lafayette, and Baton Rouge   
   today." Tamplain said a dozen or so operators were staffing eight shelters;   
   nearly 30 remained open at mid-week. He asked additional volunteers to check   
   in at Red Cross Headquarters in Baton Rouge.   
      
   Red Cross Vice President of Disaster Services, Operations, and Logistics Brad   
   Kieserman called the Louisiana flooding the worst natural disaster to strike   
   the US since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Area waterways have reached record flood   
   levels, affecting some 135,000 households and displacing thousands of   
   residents. More than a dozen have died. Roads, including parts of Interstates   
   10 and 12, had to be closed, and some highways remain impassable. Most   
   conventional telecommunication systems have remained operational.   
      
   "Significant river flooding persists this week across portions of southern   
   Louisiana," FEMA said in its August 18 Daily Operations Briefing. "Major   
   flooding will continue along portions of the Amite, Vermilion, Mermentau, and   
   Calcasieu rivers." FEMA said flood conditions were "likely to persist into   
   next week."   
      
   Noting the "desperate need" for ham radio volunteers in Louisiana, ARES   
   volunteers in Mississippi have been asked to provide assistance. Prospective   
   Mississippi should not self-deploy to Louisiana, but coordinate through   
   Mississippi Section Manager Malcolm Keown, W5XX.   
      
   Primary operating frequencies are 444.950 MHz (107.2 Hz), 146.940 MHz (107.2   
   Hz), and 146.790 MHz (107.2 Hz). Louisiana ARES HF Frequencies now designated   
   for use are 7.255 MHz and 3.873 MHz LSB. Digital operation is on 3.595 MHz.   
   These should be kept clear of non-emergency traffic.   
      
      
      
   ARRL Encourages Comprehensive Noise Floor Study   
      
   Anticipating an FCC Technological Advisory Council (TAC) investigation into   
   changes and trends in the radio spectrum noise floor, ARRL has asserted that   
   such a study is long overdue. In part, the study would determine if there is   
   an increasing noise problem. The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology   
   (OET) announced plans for the TAC study in mid-June and invited comments and   
   answers to questions that the TAC posed concerning the methodologies for such   
   a study. The League's comments also praised the TAC -- an advisory group to   
   the FCC -- for tackling the issue and expressed the hope that the noise study   
   might, for the first time, provide a useful, objective basis for spectrum   
   overlays and other future allocation decisions. ARRL allowed that while a   
   noise floor problem exists, "The magnitude of this problem and the extent of   
   it in the 21st century is virtually unknown."   
      
   "The TAC and the leadership in this study initiative are to be congratulated   
   for finally undertaking what has been universally determined to be necessary   
   for well more than 2 decades," ARRL said. "The Commission should not have made   
   spectrum management decisions without this noise information, and it is   
   unfortunate that the initiative has been delayed this long."   
      
   The ARRL said League members could be of use in gathering data for the TAC   
   noise study, but advised that any urgency in initiating the study "be tempered   
   by the prerequisite need to develop a standardized and valid methodology for   
   conducting the study," in order to "obtain quantitative data regarding the   
   noise floor in various environments and trends over time," ARRL said.   
      
   ARRL said the focus of the TAC noise study "should be an accurate   
   determination of what noise levels exist in as wide a range of indoor and   
   outdoor environments as possible. It should, to the extent possible, determine   
   what types of noise are being found: Broadband, non-specific noise; broad   
   noise spectral peaks; broadband digital noise; and noise occurring on discrete   
   frequencies."   
      
   "We also hope that these comments will serve as a stimulus for the Commission   
   to re-evaluate its 'hands-off' policy with respect to the most recalcitrant   
   and unhelpful operators of incidental and unintentional radiators which are   
   causing long-term interference problems, such as electric utilities," ARRL   
   concluded. "The unwillingness of the Commission to issue meaningful sanctions   
   has led to the virtual absence of any incentive to comply with the   
   Commission's Part 15 non-interference obligations."   
      
   ARRL pointed out that the TAC urged the Commission in 1998 to immediately   
   undertake a multi-part noise floor study and cautioned it against implementing   
   new spectrum management techniques or initiatives without first concluding   
   one. "Yet, 16 years later, no such study has been conducted," ARRL said.   
      
   "Because the Commission's resources are woefully inadequate to address RF   
   noise through widespread enforcement of Part 15 and Part 18 rules governing RF   
   emitters after the devices are deployed, the only reasonable means of dealing   
   with them is to enact and enforce, ex ante, appropriate rules for RF emitters   
   that are based on actual knowledge of the noise floor and trends over time,"   
   ARRL said. "The growing number of interference complaints indicates that any   
   increase in noise levels will result in harmful interference, so these rules   
   may need to require a decrease in the permitted   
   limits for emission, to balance the aggregate noise potential of a growing   
   number of noise emitting devices."   
      
      
      
   The Doctor Will See You Now!   
      
   "SWR" is the topic of the current (August 11) 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: "Software Defined Radio."   
      
      
      
   National Parks on the Air Update   
      
   The 100th anniversary of the National Park Service -- known as Founders Day --   
   is August 25. NPS units across the country have planned special activities on   
   that day. Many units also will include Amateur Radio and NPOTA activity during   
   all of next week. One of these will be Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National   
   Historical Park in Vermont, where some ARRL staffers will team up with members   
   of the West River Radio Club on Saturday, August 27, to help showcase the NPS   
   unit and Amateur Radio to the general public. Unless you're visiting an NPS   
   unit next week as part of the official Centennial celebration, stay close to   
   your radio and see how many NPOTA units you can work!   
      
   There are 39 Activations slated for the week of August 18-24, including Fort   
   Frederica National Monument in Georgia, and the Maggie L. Walker National   
   Historic Site in Virginia.   
      
   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).   
      
      
      
   Comments in FCC "Symbol Rate" Rule Making Proposal Due by October 11   
      
   The FCC will accept public comments in response to a July FCC Notice of   
   Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in WT Docket 16-239 -- the "Symbol Rate"   
   proceeding -- until October 11. Reply comments -- ie, comments on comments   
   already filed -- are due by November 10. The NPRM now has been published in   
   The Federal Register, thus opening the respective 60-day and 30-day   
   comment/reply comment windows.   
      
   In response to a 2013 ARRL Petition for Rule Making (RM-11708), the FCC   
   proposed to revise the Amateur Service Part 97 rules to eliminate current baud   
   rate limitations for data emissions, consistent with ARRL's Petition, but it   
   declined to propose a bandwidth limitation for data emissions in the MF and HF   
   bands to replace the baud rate limitations.   
      
   ARRL had asked the FCC to change the Part 97 rules to delete the symbol rate   
   limits in Section 97.307(f) and replace them with a maximum bandwidth for data   
   emissions of 2.8 kHz on amateur frequencies below 29.7 MHz.   
      
   Interested parties may comment via the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing Service   
   (EFCS), as well as by mail.   
      
      
      
   Come One, Come All: The ARRL Rookie Roundup RTTY is August 21!   
      
   The ARRL Rookie Roundup is back, with the RTTY event set for Sunday, August   
   21, 1800 UTC through 2359 UTC. The Rookie Roundup is aimed at helping recently   
   licensed amateurs to build their HF operating skills. Specifically aimed at   
   those who are new to Amateur Radio, the Rookie Roundup brings the fun and   
   Elmering of the old Novice Roundup into the 21st century.   
      
   A Rookie is anyone first licensed during the current calendar year or during   
   the previous 2 calendar years, regardless of license class. If you were   
   licensed in 2014, 2015, or 2016, you may compete as a Rookie. Non-Rookies may   
   only work Rookies, while Rookies may work everybody.   
      
   Entry categories include Single Operator Rookie, Multioperator Rookie, and   
   Team. All Rookies are limited to a maximum of 100 W. Spotting assistance or   
   using call sign and frequency alerting systems is allowed, but self-spotting   
   or asking somebody to spot you is not. All Rookies must identify themselves as   
   Rookies. Rookie stations call "CQ RR" on RTTY.   
      
   The exchange is call sign, first name, two-digit number of the year first   
   licensed ("check"), and state, Canadian province, Mexican call area, or DX.   
   For example: N0AX de KB1QAW Carol 08 CT.   
      
   More information is on the ARRL Rookie Roundup web page.   
      
      
      
   FEMA Teaming with Amateur Radio Clubs to Present Preparedness Information   
      
   September is National Preparedness Month. As part of its focus on educating   
   and getting prepared, FEMA is offering a "Family Emergency Communications   
   Plan," which helps families work out their communication strategies in the   
   event of an emergency. ARRL is partnering with FEMA to offer this material to   
   interested Amateur Radio clubs that are willing to present it in their   
   localities during National Preparedness Month.   
      
   While the FEMA presentation focuses on the Family Communications Plan and   
   doesn't specifically mention ham radio, the material offers Amateur Radio   
   clubs a great opportunity to raise their visibility in their communities.   
      
   A webinar with FEMA Region 1 Preparedness Liaison Sara Varela will take place   
   on Tuesday, August 23, at 8 PM EDT (Wednesday, August 24, at 0000 UTC), to   
   offer background and training for any club wishing to present FEMA's Family   
   Emergency Communications Plan material in September. Registration is requested.   
      
   Presentation of the FEMA material to local communities should take   
   approximately 1 hour. It will include a PowerPoint presentation and links to   
   worksheets that families can discuss and fill out together.   
      
   Clubs are free to offer additional presentations on their activities following   
   the program covering the FEMA material.   
      
      
      
   Now Free of HAARP, US Air Force Still Wants to Tinker with the Ionosphere   
      
   A lot of radio amateurs bemoaning the recent spate of poor HF conditions would   
   love to have a way to improve propagation -- perhaps without even having to   
   rely on the whims of the Sun. The US Department of Defense has been thinking   
   along the same lines. An August 9 article in New Scientist reports that the US   
   Air Force is exploring a plan to bombard Earth's upper atmosphere with ionized   
   gas dispersed from CubeSats. According to the New Scientist article by David   
   Hambling, the Air Force hopes to improve long-distance radio communication by   
   "detonating plasma bombs" in the upper atmosphere, and the military branch has   
   contracted with corporate and university researchers to figure out how to make   
   this a reality.   
      
   The US Air Force is no stranger to ionospheric tinkering, having just last   
   year transferred the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Project (HAARP)   
   facility to the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), which hopes to restart   
   it next year. HAARP's super-power RF in the high-frequency spectrum has been   
   used to stimulate the ionosphere and create a plasma cloud that could support   
   HF radio propagation; it also has been used to study how the ionosphere   
   functions.   
      
   The trick with using CubeSats to disperse ionizing gas above Earth is coming   
   up with a plasma generator small enough to fit within a CubeSat, and   
   controlling how the plasma will disperse. New Scientist said General Sciences   
   of Souderton, Pennsylvania, and Enig Associates of Bethesda, Maryland, are   
   working with scientists at Drexel University and at the University of   
   Maryland, respectively, on separate methods to produce plasma.   
      
   The New Scientist article said the better approach will be selected for a   
   second phase, which will involve testing plasma generators in vacuum chambers   
   and exploratory space flights.   
      
      
      
   BIRDS CubeSat Constellation to Launch in 2017   
      
   AMSAT-UK reports that four CubeSats comprising the BIRDS (Joint Global   
   Multi-Nation Birds) constellation are set to deploy from the International   
   Space Station (ISS) in 2017. The 1U CubeSats -- BIRD-B, BIRD-J, BIRD-G, and   
   BIRD-M -- have identical designs, will use the same Amateur Radio frequencies,   
   and will be deployed as a group. The main mission of the 2-year project is to   
   use the constellation to carry out radio communication experiments via a   
   network of UHF/VHF Amateur Radio ground stations around the world.   
      
   Four faculty members -- including Yasuhiro Tokunaga, JG6YBW -- and 15 students   
   at Japan's Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) are coordinating the   
   experiment, with participation from student engineering teams at universities   
   in Bangladesh, Ghana, Mongolia, Nigeria, Thailand, and Taiwan. Project   
   literature and news releases describe the BIRDS project as a five-satellite   
   constellation, but the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) reports   
   frequency coordination requests for only four.   
      
   The challenges will be to distinguish each CubeSat from its companion   
   spacecraft transmitting on the same frequency, hand over operation of a   
   satellite from one ground station to another, and assemble the satellite data   
   obtained at different ground stations.   
      
   Radio amateurs have been invited to join the network to assist in the data   
   downlink and reconstruction of patchy satellite data into meaningful data.   
   Orbit information and the operational plan of each satellite will be made   
   available to the Amateur Radio community, along with software to decode the   
   satellite data.   
      
      
      
   Es'hailSat-2 Launch Reset for 2017   
      
   The Es'hailSat Qatar Satellite Company has announced that the launch of   
   Es'hail-2, which will carry the first "Phase 4" geostationary Amateur Radio   
   transponder, has been shifted to the 3rd quarter of 2017. Es'hail-2 had been   
   scheduled to launch in December. Coverage of the Amateur Radio narrowband (NB)   
   and wideband (WB) transponders should extend from Brazil to Thailand.   
      
   Es'hail-2 will carry two P4 non-inverting Amateur Radio transponders operating   
   in the 2.4 GHz and 10.45 GHz bands. A 250-kHz bandwidth linear transponder is   
   intended for conventional analog operation, and an 8 MHz bandwidth transponder   
   is designed for experimental digital modulation schemes and DVB amateur   
   television.   
      
   For the X band (10 GHz) downlink, receiving stations will need anywhere from a   
   75 centimeter to an 89 centimeter dish. The narrowband transponder will be   
   vertically polarized, while the digital transponder will be horizontally   
   polarized.   
      
   For the S band (2.4 GHz) uplink, narrowband modes such as CW and SSB should be   
   able to access the satellite with a nominal power of 5 W into a 22.5 dBi   
   antenna (75 centimeter dish) with right-hand circular polarization. For the WB   
   uplink on S band, using such modes as DVB, a peak EIRP of 53 dBw (2.4 meter   
   dish and 100 W) will be needed, with RHCP. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service via   
   AMSAT-UK, and AMSAT-DL   
      
      
      
   RSGB "Deeply Disappointed" in Regulator's Attitude toward Amateur Radio in 5   
   GHz Proceeding   
      
   In comments filed in July, the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) has told   
   telecommunications regulator Ofcom that it was "deeply disappointed" that it   
   failed to recognize Amateur Radio's innovational activity at 5 GHz and that it   
   did not engage the Amateur Radio community in its proceeding, Improving   
   Spectrum Access for Consumers in the 5 GHz Band. The proceeding (or   
   "consultation") proposes an expansion of the 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands that could   
   affect so-called "weak-signal" narrowband and moonbounce users as well as   
   satellite downlinks, while also inhibiting innovation of Amateur Radio mesh   
   and other data systems.   
      
   "Despite some unjustified UK-specific amateur licensing restrictions, the 5   
   GHz band is home to a significant and growing amount of innovation which   
   should be allowed to prosper and not suffer from harmful interference," the   
   RSGB said. "[W]e are deeply disappointed that Ofcom has so far failed to   
   recognize this and that it would have been prudent to engage with us more   
   fully, so that both technical and impact assessments could have been far more   
   accurate."   
      
   RSGB said it is "deeply opposed" as well to outdoor Wi-Fi usage in the   
   5730-5850 MHz band, where "most sensitive" Amateur Radio applications operate   
   -- 5760 MHz narrowband usage and 5840 MHz satellite downlinks.   
      
   The RSGB contended that Ofcom "has deliberately not contacted the most   
   innovative incumbents/stakeholders" prior to the formal consultation period,   
   and that as incumbents, "we have been blocked from contact during the   
   consultation." The RSGB said it expects Ofcom "to make amends and engage," and   
   that the regulator's research "is badly flawed and belittles incumbents."   
      
   AMSAT-UK also commented in the consultation, disputing Ofcom's assertions   
   regarding the altitude of Amateur Radio satellites and pointing out which ham   
   satellites are using the 5 GHz band.   
      
      
      
   Annual IOTA DXpedition Morphs into Visit to Rare One -- Aves Island   
      
   An unexpected invitation from the Venezuelan Navy gave rise to a DXpedition   
   later this month to Aves Island -- Isla de Aves -- currently number 17 on the   
   ClubLog DXCC Most Wanted List. The departure date for the YX0V Aves Island   
   DXpedition has been moved up by a few days. The team now will depart Caracas   
   on Saturday, August 27. The YX0V team will include 14 operators.   
      
   Members of the Asociaci¢n de Radioaficionados de Venezuela (ARV) and Grupo DX   
   Caracas received the surprise Navy invite while trying to organize their   
   annual Islands on the Air (IOTA) DXpedition to Los Monjes Island (SA-015).   
   Aves Island (NA-020) was last activated in 2007.   
      
   The group will be on the air for up to 10 days as YX0V, with the full support   
   of the Navy. Tiny Aves Island is situated west of the Leeward Islands. It's   
   only about 1200 feet long and some 150 feet wide. -- Thanks to The Daily DX   
   for some information   
      
      
      
   In Brief...   
      
   W4DXCC DX and Contest Convention Set for September: The 12th annual W4DXCC DX   
   and Contest Convention is set for Friday and Saturday, September 23-24, in   
   Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The ARRL-approved operating specialty convention will   
   feature a "Ham Radio Bootcamp," which will cover the sorts of things every ham   
   should know -- kind of the Elmer you may not have had. The presentation   
   schedule is replete with DX and contest fare, including presentations on the   
   TX3X Chesterfield Island, K5P Palmyra Atoll, South Sandwich and South Georgia,   
   and Heard Island DXpeditions. Ward Silver, N0AX, will offer his contest   
   operating tips and tricks. There will be a banquet Saturday evening. W4DXCC is   
   sponsored by the SouthEastern DX and Contesting Organization (SEDCO).   
   Registration is now open. -- thanks to Dave Anderson, K4SV   
      
      
   PA3WEG Receives Louis Varney Cup: Amateur Radio satellite enthusiast and   
   hardware designer Wouter Weggelaar, PA3WEG, has been awarded the Louis Varney   
   Cup for Advances in Space Communications in recognition of his outstanding   
   technical contributions to several Amateur Radio satellites and associated   
   outreach. RSGB Board Chair Steve Hartley, G0FUW, made the presentation on July   
   31 at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium in Guildford, England. The   
   award's namesake, Louis Varney, G5RV, was the inventor of the world-famous   
   G5RV antenna and an RSGB member for 74 years. He died in 2000. The award cited   
   Weggelaar's "enthusiasm, technical knowledge, and willingness to work for the   
   good of the Amateur Radio Satellite community around the world, together with   
   his commitment to STEM outreach." Weggelaar contributed to the Delfi and   
   FUNcube satellite projects. -- Thanks to AMSAT-UK   
      
      
   IARU Honors Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV: The International Amateur Radio   
   Union (IARU) has bestowed its President's Award on retired IARU Satellite   
   Advisor Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV. He was recognized for his many years   
   of service to the IARU and the contributions he has made to the association,   
   especially in the area of satellite frequency coordination. Van de Groenendaal   
   served as IARU Satellite Advisor from 1994 until earlier this year. He   
   established many of the Amateur Satellite frequency coordination procedures   
   and was a critical contributor to the IARU coordination process. Hans Blondeel   
   Timmerman, PB2T, was appointed in April to succeed van de Groenendaal as IARU   
   Satellite Advisor. -- Thanks to the South African Radio League News via AMSAT   
   News Service   
      
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Conditions turned a little more favorable   
   since last week, with both solar flux and sunspot numbers up, and geomagnetic   
   indices substantially lower.   
      
   Average daily sunspot numbers for the August 11-17 period were 73.9, compared   
   to 52 for the previous 7 days. Average daily solar flux went from 87.9 to   
   89.2. The average daily planetary A index dropped from 14.6 to 16.9, and the   
   average mid-latitude A index went from 13.7 to 7.4.   
      
   Predicted solar flux for the near term is 85 on August 18-19; 80 on August 20;   
   75 on August 21-22; 80 on August 23-24; 75 on August 25-September 1; 80 and 85   
   on September 2-3, and 90 on September 4-14. Solar flux then pulls back to 75   
   for September 18-28.   
      
   The predicted planetary A index is 8, 10, 14, 10, and 6 on August 18-22; 5 on   
   August 23-24; 8 on August 25; 5 on August 26-28; 15, 25, and 18 on August   
   29-31; 15 on September 1-2; 12 on September 3-4; and 15 on September 5-6. The   
   predicted planetary A index is 25 on September 26, indicating high geomagnetic   
   activity.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for August 11 through 17 were 82, 86, 73, 61, 70, 81, and 64,   
   with a mean of 73.9. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 94.7, 94.8, 90.5, 87.2,   
   87.6, 86.5, and 82.9, with a mean of 87.9. Estimated planetary A indices were   
   9, 11, 5, 4, 4, 6, and 9, with a mean of 14.6. Estimated mid-latitude A   
   indices were 8, 11, 5, 4, 4, 8, and 12 with a mean of 13.7.   
      
   Send me your reports and observations.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  August 20-21 -- SARTG WW RTTY Contest   
    *  August 20 -- Feld Hell Sprint   
    *  August 20-21 -- North American QSO Party (SSB)   
    *  August 20-21 -- ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  August 20-21 -- Russian District Award Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  August 20-21 -- Himalayan Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  August 20-21 -- CVA DX Contest (CW)   
    *  August 21 -- SARL HF Digital Contest   
    *  August 21 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup (RTTY)   
    *  August 22 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)   
    *  August 24 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)   
    *  August 25 -- RSGB 80 Meter Club Sprint (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   
      
    *  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 -- San Joaquin Valley Section Convention, Modesto,   
       California   
    *  September 24 -- North Dakota State Convention, West Fargo, North Dakota   
    *  September 24 -- Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington   
    *  October 7-8 -- Florida State Convention, Melbourne, Florida   
    *  October 7-8 -- Pacific Northwest VHF Conference, Bend, Oregon   
    *  October 13-15 -- Microwave Update Conference, St Louis, Missouri   
    *  October 14-16 -- Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, California   
    *  October 16 -- Connecticut State Convention, Meriden, Connecticut   
    *  October 21-22 -- Arizona State Convention, Maricopa, Arizona   
    *  October 22 -- Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference, Wisconsin Rapids,   
       Wisconsin   
      
   Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
   Always Mount a Scratch Monkey   
      
   ... Do not attribute to malice what can be explained by ignorance.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)