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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2016-08-25   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   August 25, 2016   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  Amateur Radio Volunteers Assisting in Italian Earthquake Response   
    *  Louisiana Amateur Radio Emergency Service Volunteers Stand Down   
    *  DX Engineering's Tim Duffy, K3LR: New Fairgrounds Venue "Perfect for   
       Hamvention"   
    *  Leadership Challenges Set in ARRL Rocky Mountain, Southeastern Divisions   
    *  Summer ARRL Section Manager Election Results Announced   
    *  The Doctor Will See You Now!   
    *  National Parks on the Air Update   
    *  NPOTA Event at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park Will Include   
       Space Station Contact   
    *  California RACES and CERT Volunteers Team Up to Assist Seniors during   
       Blackout   
    *  Three Companies Agree to Plead Guilty for Fixing Prices of Electrolytic   
       Capacitors   
    *  "Come, Let Us Talk Together" -- Ham Contact Recalls Royal Telegraph   
       Exchange   
    *  In Brief   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
      
   Amateur Radio Volunteers Assisting in Italian Earthquake Response   
      
   Radio amateurs are taking part in the response to the 6.2 magnitude earthquake   
   on August 24 in central Italy, International Amateur Radio Union Region 1   
   (IARU-R1) President Don Beattie, G3BJ, reports. IARU Region 1 Emergency   
   Communications Coordinator Greg Mossop, G0DUB, has requested that 7060 kHz   
   (LSB ñ10 kHz) be kept clear of non-emergency traffic, as well as any other   
   center-of-activity (COA) frequencies that may be in use for emergency   
   communication within Italy. (On 80 meters, the COA frequency is 3760 kHz).   
   Other frequencies reported to be active include 7045, 3643, and 3580 kHz (PSK).   
      
   The earthquake claimed some 240 lives, although rescue operations are still   
   under way. According to the IARU Region 1 website, Italian radio amateurs are   
   active in the emergency response, and no outside assistance has been requested   
   at this time.   
      
   According to Beattie, the Italian Amateur Radio volunteers are "following   
   their planned response with their government" and that any requests for   
   information on missing persons should be made via the Red Cross or other   
   recognized relief organizations.   
      
   The worst loss of life was in the town of Amatrice, where more than 180 people   
   died. Tremors in the aftermath of the initial quake were felt as far away as   
   Rome. Survivors are staying in tents or otherwise out of doors. A reported   
   4300 people were said to be active in rescue operations in the region.   
      
      
      
   Louisiana Amateur Radio Emergency Service Volunteers Stand Down   
      
   Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) volunteers responding to the Louisiana   
   flood emergency stood down on August 20. Assistant Section Manager Matt   
   Anderson, KD5KNZ, reported over the weekend that Louisiana ARES was in the   
   process of deactivating from the recent flood response, and that there was no   
   longer a need for additional volunteers. Anderson served as the Incident Point   
   of Contact in Baton Rouge.   
      
   "Several amateurs will remain on site, reporting directly to the Red Cross as   
   they begin to transfer to recovery operations," Anderson said. "We greatly   
   appreciate all the assistance from ARRL HQ and the many Sections who provided   
   support to the operation."   
      
   ARES volunteers in Louisiana deactivated after 6 days of operations in   
   response to the flooding catastrophe, which also affected parts of   
   Mississippi. ARES provided communication support to the Red Cross in five   
   Louisiana parishes following the record flooding. At the height of the crisis,   
   several shelters and Red Cross chapter offices were operating at full   
   capacity, although the shelter population has diminished considerably.   
      
   Amateur Radio volunteers from Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi volunteered   
   to serve at multiple Red Cross chapters and shelters throughout the affected   
   area. With local and parish resources stretched to the limit, ham radio   
   volunteers served as the communication link between Red Cross shelters and   
   command centers, relaying information on the needs at each shelter back to Red   
   Cross offices.   
      
      
      
   DX Engineering's Tim Duffy, K3LR: New Fairgrounds Venue "Perfect for   
   Hamvention"   
      
   DX Engineering Chief Operating Officer Tim Duffy, K3LR, says he's enthusiastic   
   about the new Dayton Hamvention(R) venue at the Greene County Fairgrounds in   
   Xenia, Ohio -- both as a vendor and as an individual radio amateur. DX   
   Engineering recently produced a short video tour of the new Hamvention   
   location, which includes an interview with Hamvention spokesperson Mike   
   Kalter, W8CI.   
      
   "I can tell you that I have been hearing from all over the world a sigh of   
   relief after [people] see the video we did at the Fairgrounds," Duffy told   
   ARRL. "The new venue is huge, and it is clean -- it will be perfect for   
   Hamvention." Duffy said he likes the Greene County Fairgrounds so much that he   
   thinks that Hamvention will be even better at its new site than it had been   
   for the past 10 years or so at Hara Arena in Trotwood, Ohio.   
      
   Duffy, who is also ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Manager, encouraged the   
   Amateur Radio community to support and encourage Hamvention's sponsor -- the   
   Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) as it makes the myriad arrangements   
   for the big show. "This is a very tough job for an all-volunteer staff," he   
   added.   
      
   In the approximately 8-minute video, Kalter, who is DARA's treasurer, said he   
   was happy that Duffy, as a Hamvention vendor, could see the new venue   
   firsthand. "We consider this a collaboration," Kalter told Duffy. "We want   
   everybody to be happy."   
      
   For his part, Duffy was enthusiastic about the size of the new site. "This   
   place is so big!" he said. The Fairgrounds covers more than 100 acres, and   
   Duffy said he checked out every building. He told Kalter that he was impressed   
   to see DARA volunteers showing up at the new Hamvention site every day as they   
   prepare for their Xenia debut in 2017.   
      
   "What I saw here today -- I think you're well on your way," Duffy told Kalter.   
   "Things are on the right track."   
      
   Kalter expressed the hope that DARA will be able to take Hamvention to "a   
   whole new level" at its new location.   
      
      
      
   Leadership Challenges Set in ARRL Rocky Mountain, Southeastern Divisions   
      
   ARRL members in the Rocky Mountain and Southeastern Divisions will choose   
   between incumbents and challengers in balloting for Division leadership   
   positions this fall. In the Rocky Mountain and Southeastern Divisions,   
   contests exist for the Director's seat. In the Southwestern Division, the   
   incumbent Vice Director is not seeking another term, and no other candidates   
   came forward, setting the stage for a separate nomination and election   
   process. Other candidates for the 2017-2019 term in the affected Divisions are   
   running unopposed. All candidates have been found to be eligible by the Ethics   
   and Elections Committee to run for office.   
      
   In the Rocky Mountain Division, incumbent Director Dwayne Allen, WY7FD, faces   
   a challenge from Garth Crowe, WY7GC (ex-N7XKT). Allen has served as Rocky   
   Mountain Division Director since January. As Vice Director, he succeeded   
   Director Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, who was elected ARRL Second Vice President   
   at the January ARRL Board meeting. Allen was Wyoming Section Manager from 2005   
   until 2007. Crowe served as Wyoming SM from 2009 until 2015, and he is now an   
   Assistant SM and an Emergency Coordinator.   
      
   In the Southeastern Division, former Director Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, will   
   attempt to regain that position from sitting Director Doug Rehman, K4AC.   
   Sarratt served as Southeastern Division Director from 2008 until 2013 and is a   
   past Alabama Section Manager.   
      
   The sole candidate for the Southeastern Division Vice Director's slot is   
   Joseph Tiritilli, N4ZUW, of Deerfield Beach, Florida, who has been declared   
   elected. Tiritilli has served as an Official Observer and Official Emergency   
   Station since November 2009. He's also a Volunteer Examiner and an ARRL   
   Registered Instructor.   
      
   In the Southwestern Division, sitting Vice Director Martin Woll, N6VI, has   
   decided not to run for another term, after serving since 2008. He has been a   
   member of the Board's Amateur Radio Legal Defense, and Assistance and   
   Legislative Advocacy committees. Since there were no other candidates for the   
   Vice Director's seat, nominees for Southwestern Division Vice Director will be   
   resolicited and voted upon in a separate election, to be announced.   
      
   In Divisions where there is a contested race, all ARRL members living in the   
   Division and in good standing as of September 10, 2016, will have the   
   opportunity to vote. While electronic voting has been available in the past,   
   the League now has returned to using only paper ballots.   
      
   Ballots and candidates' statements will go out to members eligible to vote in   
   the Rocky Mountain and Southeastern Divisions no later than October 1, 2016.   
   Completed ballots are due back at ARRL Headquarters by noon Eastern Time on   
   Friday, November 18, 2016; they will be counted on that day, and the results   
   announced as soon as all are available.   
      
   Incumbent Directors and Vice Directors who are running unopposed for   
   re-election and have been declared elected are:   
      
   Pacific Division Director Robert Vallio, W6RGG, and Vice Director James   
   Tiemstra, K6JAT; Rocky Mountain Division Vice Director Jeff Ryan, K0RM;   
   Southwestern Division Director Richard Norton, N6AA, and West Gulf Division   
   Director Dr David Woolweaver, K5RAV, and Vice Director John Stratton, N5AUS.   
      
      
      
   Summer ARRL Section Manager Election Results Announced   
      
   Two incumbent Section Managers were declared re-elected in balloted elections   
   that concluded on August 23, when ballots were counted at ARRL Headquarters.   
      
   In Minnesota, incumbent SM Skip Jackson, KS0J, of Inver Grove Heights,   
   Minnesota, received 452 votes to 396 for challenger Ann Foster, K0ANN, of St   
   Anthony. Jackson has served as Minnesota Section   
   Manager since 2004.   
      
   In Ohio, Scott Yonally, N8SY, earned a new term as SM, outpolling Matt Welch,   
   W8DEC, of Windsor, 1392 to 483. Yonally, of Mansfield, has been Ohio's SM   
   since 2014.   
      
   After 25 years, Connecticut will be getting a new Section Manager. Charles   
   Motes Jr, K1DFS, of Plainville, will take the reins from Betsey Doane, K1EIC,   
   of Shelton. Doane decided not to run for another term of office after leading   
   the Connecticut Section since 1991. Motes has served as Connecticut's Official   
   Observer Coordinator since 2008. He's also been an Emergency Coordinator.   
      
   Oscar Resto, KP4RF, will become Puerto Rico's new SM this fall. Resto, from   
   Vega Alta, was the only nominee to replace incumbent SM Rene Fonseca, NP3O,   
   who decided not to seek a new term after serving since 2012.   
      
   In Oklahoma, Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW, returns as the leader of the Oklahoma Field   
   Organization this fall. He was the sole nominee. The sitting SM, Lloyd   
   Colston, KC5FM, of Altus, decided not to run for a new term. O'Dell served   
   previously as Oklahoma SM, from 2010 to 2014.   
      
   These incumbent Section Managers were unopposed during the nomination period   
   and were declared elected: Laura Mueller, N2LJM (Western New York); Jeff   
   Beals, WA4AW (Southern Florida); Fred Kleber, K9VV (Virgin Islands); Lynn   
   Nelson, W0ND (North Dakota), and Ed Stuckey, AI7H (Idaho).   
      
   New terms for all successful candidates will begin on October 1.   
      
      
      
   The Doctor Will See You Now!   
      
   "Software Defined Radio" is the topic of the new (August 25) 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.   
   Coming up on September 8: "Coaxial Connectors."   
      
      
      
   National Parks on the Air Update   
      
   Happy 100th Anniversary to the National Park Service! President Woodrow Wilson   
   created the NPS on August 25, 1916, as a new bureau within the Department of   
   the Interior. Today, NPS oversees many parks and monuments of cultural or   
   historical significance. This celebration is the reason for the ARRL National   
   Parks on the Air program.   
      
   NPS celebrated in grand style. On August 24, President Barack Obama created   
   the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in northern Maine. It is the   
   413th official National Park Service unit, and NPOTA Chasers and Activators   
   will know it as MN84. Who will be the first NPOTA Activator to hand out this   
   new one?   
      
   Hams across the country are activating more than 80 units during the NPS   
   Centennial week, including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii, and Pecos   
   National Historical Park in New Mexico. Get on the air and help the National   
   Park Service celebrate!   
      
   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).   
      
      
      
   NPOTA Event at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park Will Include Space   
   Station Contact   
      
   Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in Astoria, Oregon, will partner with   
   the Mouth of the Columbia Amateur Radio Club to provide park visitors with an   
   opportunity to see Amateur Radio up close over the Labor Day weekend. As part   
   of the ARRL National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) program, club members will set   
   up a station at the park's Netul Landing. The KF7TCG special event is set to   
   start on the evening of Friday, September 2, and continue through the   
   afternoon of Sunday, September 4. As a special highlight, an Amateur Radio on   
   the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been set for Saturday,   
   September 3, at 1821 UTC.   
      
   "This is an amazing cooperative effort between ARRL, the National Park   
   Service, and the ARISS team," said ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager   
   Sean Kutzko, KX9X -- who is also co-coordinator of the NPOTA program. "Using   
   the science and skill of Amateur Radio to bring astronauts into a National   
   Park Service unit devoted to the greatest scientific expedition in the history   
   of the US highlights how much all three organizations have in common. We are   
   all dedicated to public service, and exploration and education of the natural   
   resources in and around our world. We are proud to   
   use our skills and expertise to bring 21st century explorers to National Park   
   visitors."   
      
   This is the first NPOTA event to include an ARISS contact. ISS astronaut   
   Takuya Onishi, KF5LKS, will field the questions from NA1SS on the space   
   station. -- Thanks to Lewis and Clark National Historical Park Ranger Sally   
   Freeman   
      
      
      
   California RACES and CERT Volunteers Team Up to Assist Seniors during Blackout   
      
   When the power went out on June 4 at both the Huntington Gardens and Five   
   Points senior residences in Huntington Beach, California, Huntington Beach   
   RACES (HBRACES) and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers   
   promptly activated to help. Each residential structure stands 14 stories tall.   
   At Huntington Gardens, a generator supplied power to the hallways and   
   elevators, but not to individual living units or telephones; residents had no   
   way of calling 911 if an emergency occurred. Five Points, with no back-up   
   generator, was left in complete darkness.   
      
   RACES Radio Officer Dr Steve Graboff, W6GOS, and his assistant, Steve Albert,   
   KE6OCE, started a 2 meter net and logged in available communicators. Operators   
   checked into the net were advised to proceed to the staging at Huntington   
   Beach City Hall.   
      
   "[T]he response to the call to activation by HBRACES was impressive," Graboff   
   said. "The professional communications skills displayed by the operators were   
   outstanding. The quality of HBRACES training was clearly evident in all of our   
   responders, including those deployed in the field and others who were assigned   
   to the incident command post."   
      
   HBRACES communicators paired with a Huntington Beach CERT responder, and each   
   team was assigned to a floor of the two facilities to cover communication and   
   emergency calls. This marked the first time Huntington Beach RACES and CERT   
   members were deployed in pairs.   
      
   The volunteers patrolled the floors of the buildings in the dark, looking and   
   listening for people in need of help, or for anyone who might take advantage   
   of the situation. Residents thus had direct communication with the Huntington   
   Beach Fire and Police departments. Graboff said that having both organizations   
   working together created a safer environment for the volunteers, since they   
   were not alone. The Red Cross dispatched a canteen vehicle to support the   
   volunteers with snacks and coffee.   
      
   "RACES and CERT worked well together, and I believe this is a response model   
   we will use again in the future," Graboff said. Some 60 volunteers turned out,   
   and several residents of the affected facilities thanked the RACES and CERT   
   volunteers for being there. -- Thanks to Bob Zamalin, WA6VIP, via the ARRL   
   ARES E-Letter   
      
      
      
   Three Companies Agree to Plead Guilty for Fixing Prices of Electrolytic   
   Capacitors   
      
   The US Department of Justice announced this week that three companies have   
   agreed to plead guilty for their roles in a conspiracy to fix prices for   
   electrolytic capacitors sold to customers in the US and elsewhere. The   
   companies are Rubycon Corporation, Elna Co Ltd, and Holy Stone Holdings Co Ltd.   
      
   "The Antitrust Division has now charged five companies and one individual for   
   their participation in this international price-fixing conspiracy," Deputy   
   Assistant Attorney General Brent Snyder of the Justice Department's Antitrust   
   Division, said in an August 23 Justice Department news release. "The   
   electrolytic capacitors conspiracy affected millions of American consumers who   
   use electronic devices containing capacitors every day."   
      
   The division filed one-count felony charges against each of the three   
   companies in US District Court in San Francisco. In addition to pleading   
   guilty to the charges against them, each company has agreed to pay a criminal   
   fine and to cooperate with the Division's ongoing investigation. The plea   
   agreements are subject to court approval.   
      
   NEC TOKIN Corp and Hitachi Chemical Co Ltd already pleaded guilty earlier to   
   participating in the same worldwide conspiracy.   
      
      
      
   "Come, Let Us Talk Together" -- Ham Contact Recalls Royal Telegraph Exchange   
      
   An ARRL Radiogram sent via Amateur Radio to Queen Elizabeth II on August 16   
   commemorated the anniversary of an exchange of telegrams 158 years earlier   
   between Queen Victoria and US President James Buchanan. In August 1858,   
   President Buchanan -- staying at his summer White House in Bedford Springs,   
   Pennsylvania -- responded to a transatlantic telegraph invitation from Queen   
   Victoria at Buckingham Palace.   
      
   "Come, let us talk together," the Queen's message began in 1858.   
      
   The 21st Century contact, between Bedford County Amateur Radio Society (BCARS)   
   special event N3B at Omni Bedford Springs Resort and GB3RS at the RSGB   
   National Radio Centre Bletchley Park, was an effort to recreate the 19th   
   Century event. ARRL helped to broker the arrangement with RSGB to activate   
   GB3RS and make the contact possible.   
      
   "Greetings from Bedford County Penna. on the 158th anniversary of the first   
   transatlantic telegraph message between Queen Victoria and President Buchanan   
   in 1858," the Radiogram said. "The county commissioners wish her majesty and   
   Prince Philip best wishes." It was signed by Bedford County Commission Chair   
   Josh Lang.   
      
   The message to the UK was transmitted via CW on 20 meters by Lloyd B. Roach,   
   K3QNT, and Bernie Frank, W3DRW, from the BCARS communication van. "Signals   
   were marginal, but the message got through," Roach said. "Our HF antenna on   
   the van wasn't working too well," he added. "However, we were able to hear   
   each other." The operator at GB3RS was Trevor Hughes, G4WKJ, with Andy   
   Roberts, M0GYK, assisting.   
      
   Roach said the N3B special event station was a huge hit at the resort. "Guests   
   from the hotel visited the van and observed our operations," he told ARRL.   
   "This is a world-renowned destination. Eleven Presidents have used the   
   facility for their summer White House, including Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan,   
   and George W. Bush."   
      
   RSGB General Manager Steve Thomas, M1ACB, indicated that the Radiogram had   
   been forwarded to the Queen at Buckingham Palace. The special event received   
   wide media coverage from a local newspaper and two TV stations.   
      
   Participants at the Bedford Springs end, in addition to Frank and Roach,   
   included Steve Elliott, KA3UDR; Jay Williams, K3SCM; John Hogenmiller, KB3DFZ;   
   Mark Leibfreid, KC3CMF; Gary Metivier, KC3HKZ; Kenny Burtnett, WB3JEK, and   
   Robin Hogenmiller, KC3EXR.   
      
   Founded in 1959, BCARS is an ARRL Special Service Club. -- Thanks to Lloyd B.   
   Roach, K3QNT, ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section PIO   
      
      
      
   In Brief   
      
   ARRL Southeastern Division Vice Director Mike Lee, AA6ML, Resigns: ARRL   
   Southeastern Division Vice Director Mike Lee, AA6ML, of Palm Coast, Florida,   
   has resigned from office. Lee was appointed in 2014 to fill a vacancy created   
   by a resignation. He served previously as Northern Florida Section Emergency   
   Coordinator. "I regret Mike's decision to resign as Vice Director," said ARRL   
   CEO, Tom Gallagher, NY2RF. "Mike made a significant contribution to the   
   League's efforts in emergency communications, as well as serving on several   
   important committees over the years. We all wish him well, and we will miss   
   him."   
      
      
   Aves Island YX0V DXpedition Put on Hold: The planned YX0V DXpedition to Aves   
   Island has been postponed. No new dates have been announced. A DXpedition team   
   was set to depart on August 31 for the 17th most-wanted DXCC entity. On August   
   24, the Amateur Radio Association of Venezuela, Santiago de Leon de Caracas   
   Group, announced that it has been notified by the Venezuelan Navy that the   
   DXpedition to Aves Island -- to be held in commemoration of Navy Day 2016 --   
   "has been put on hold until further notice." Aves Island was last activated on   
   February 13, 2007, by YW0DX. -- Thanks to YX0V Pilot Station Steve Romagni,   
   W4DTA   
      
      
   AMSAT Issues Call for 2016 Space Symposium Papers, Presentations: AMSAT has   
   invited proposals for papers, symposium presentations, and poster   
   presentations on any topic of interest to the Amateur Satellite community for   
   the 2016 AMSAT-NA Annual Meeting and Space Symposium. The Space Symposium will   
   be held November 10-14, 2016. Tentative presentation titles are requested as   
   soon as possible, but no later than September 15. Final papers and   
   presentations are due by October 15, in order to be included in the printed   
   proceedings. Send abstracts and papers to Dan Schultz, N8FGV. The 2016 AMSAT   
   Space Symposium and Annual Meeting will be held aboard the cruise ship   
   Carnival Liberty, which will depart from Galveston, Texas, on November 10. --   
   Thanks to AMSAT News Service via the 2016 AMSAT Space Symposium Committee for   
   the above information   
      
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar activity over the August 18-24   
   reporting period was down, compared to the previous week, with the average   
   daily sunspot number declining from 73.9 to 33.9, and average daily solar flux   
   from 89.2 to 79.6. The average planetary A index increased from 6.9 to 9.7,   
   while the mid-latitude number rose from 7.4 to 8.7.   
      
   Expected solar flux is 80 on August 25-26; 75 on August 27-September 1; 80 and   
   85 on September 2-3; 90 on September 4-10; 88 on September 11-12; 85 on   
   September 13; 80 on September 14-15; then 78   
   and 75 on September 16-17; 80 on September 18-20; 84 on September 21-22; 82,   
   80, and 78 on September 23-25; 75 on September 26-28; 80 and 85 on September   
   29-30, and 90 on October 1-7.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 10 and 6 on August 25-26; 5 on August 27-28;   
   14, 20, 12, 10, and 15 on August 29-September 2; 12 on September 3-4; 15 on   
   September 5-6; 8 and 10 on September 7-8; 5 on September 9-12; 10 and 8 on   
   September 13-14; 5 on September 15-16; 8, 7, 8, 12, and 8 on September 17-21;   
   5 on September 22-24; 15, 25, and 18 on September 25-27; 15 on September   
   28-29; 12 on September 30-October 1, and 15 on October 2-3.   
      
   NOAA released an interesting bulletin regarding a new site for watching Total   
   Electron Content (TEC) of the ionosphere. TEC is the total number of electrons   
   present along a path between a radio transmitter and a receiver. The Space   
   Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has deployed an updated and expanded version   
   of its US Total Electron Content (US-TEC) model.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for August 18 through 24 were 54, 37, 12, 11, 33, 47, and 43,   
   with a mean of 33.9. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 82.4, 80.8, 78.1, 76.7, 80,   
   81.3, and 78, with a mean of 79.6. Estimated planetary A indices were 7, 5, 4,   
   10, 5, 18, and 19, with a mean of 9.7. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were   
   8, 5, 4, 9, 6, 12, and 17, with a mean of 8.7.   
      
   Send me your reports and observations.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  August 27-28 -- Kansas QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  August 27-28 -- Ohio QSO Party (CW, phone)   
    *  August 27-28 -- ALARA Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  August 27-28 -- W/VE Islands QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  August 27-28 -- SCC RTTY Championship   
    *  August 27-28 -- YO DX HF Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  August 27-28 -- Keyman's Club of Japan Contest (CW)   
    *  August 27-28 -- CVA DX Contest (SSB)   
    *  August 27-29 -- Hawaii QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  August 28 -- SARL HF CW Contest (CW)   
      
      
      
   Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
    *  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   
    *  November 5 -- TechFest Convention, Lakewood, Colorado   
    *  November 5-6 -- Georgia State Convention, Lawrenceville, Georgia   
    *  November 12-13 -- Indiana State Convention, Fort Wayne, Indiana   
    *  November 19 -- Alabama State Convention, Montgomery, Alabama   
      
   Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
   Always Mount a Scratch Monkey   
      
   ... "Against the run of the mill" -RUSH   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)