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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2016-09-01   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   September 1, 2016   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  FCC Proposes Substantial Fine for Unlicensed Amateur Operation, False   
       Police Call   
    *  Hurricane Watch Net Activates for Hermine, Hawaii Dodges Madeline,   
       SKYWARN Eyes Lester   
    *  Team USA Attending World Amateur Radio Direction Finding Championships   
    *  The Doctor Will See You Now!   
    *  National Parks on the Air Update   
    *  ARRL CEO Urges New York City-Area Hams to Join Him as Marathon Volunteer   
    *  Application Window Now Open for Prospective ISS Ham Radio Contact Hosts   
    *  Nominations Open for the George Hart Distinguished Service Award   
    *  Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) Stations Encouraged to Register and File   
       Post-Event Reports   
    *  FO-29 Satellite Turns 20   
    *  Ham Radio Outlet Refurbishes, Reopens Former AES Milwaukee Location   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
      
      
   FCC Proposes Substantial Fine for Unlicensed Amateur Operation, False Police   
   Call   
      
   A New York City man faces a fine of $23,000 for operating on Amateur Radio   
   frequencies without a license and for transmitting a false officer-in-distress   
   call on a New York City Police Department (NYPD) radio channel. The FCC issued   
   a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) on August 31 to Daniel   
   Delise of Astoria. It details a history of complaints and alleged illegal   
   radio operation on Delise's part that dates back to 2012.   
      
   "The Commission previously warned Mr Delise that unlicensed operation of this   
   station was illegal," the FCC said in the NAL, adding that his deliberate   
   disregard of the Communications Act and the Commission's warning "warrants a   
   significant penalty."   
      
   ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, credited the intervention   
   earlier this year of New York Rep Peter King with getting the case "off the   
   back burner and up to the front of the line." Lisenco and ARRL General Counsel   
   Chris Imlay, W3KD, met with the Republican congressman in January to discuss   
   ongoing interference issues in the Greater New York City/Long Island area.   
   King subsequently wrote FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to urge "timely and visible   
   enforcement."   
      
   Lisenco also praised the direct involvement of FCC Enforcement Bureau Region 1   
   Director David C. Dombrowski as well as "a system of grass-roots reporting,"   
   coordinated by Richie Cetron, K2KNB, an Official Observer and Assistant Hudson   
   Division Director. Lisenco said FCC Special Counsel Laura Smith "has been a   
   great help in keeping us informed and in the loop."   
      
   The FCC reported receiving "numerous complaints" that Delise was transmitting   
   on different frequencies, and issued him two official warnings in 2012. The   
   Commission said complaints about Delise continued through 2013 and 2014, but,   
   the FCC said, an investigating agent "was not able to confirm a rule   
   violation." Still more complaints alleged that Delise was transmitting without   
   authority on 461.225 MHz, a frequency licensed to NYC City Wide Disaster   
   Services, the FCC recounted. In 2014, the FCC received 10 more complaints   
   identifying Delise by name, plus another nine in 2015 and one more in 2016.   
      
   Last April, field agents monitoring in Delise's Astoria neighborhood detected   
   a strong voice transmission on 147.96 MHz. They were able to track the signal   
   to the building where Delise resided, and, ultimately, went to his apartment   
   and confronted him.   
      
   The FCC said Delise admitted making the transmissions on 147.96 MHz and   
   acknowledged that he did not have an Amateur Radio license. As a result, the   
   FCC's New York Field office issued a Notice of Unlicensed Operation.   
      
   A couple of weeks later, the NYPD informed an FCC field agent that it had   
   taken Delise into custody for "sending out false radio transmissions" over the   
   NYPD radio system and for possessing radios capable of operating on NYPD   
   frequencies, in violation of state law. According to the NYPD, a call had gone   
   out reporting an officer in need, and the responding officer spotted Delise   
   speaking into a radio. The police report said Delise admitted to making the   
   transmission, and that he told officers that he had more radios and would   
   continue to transmit on police frequencies. After obtaining a warrant, the   
   NYPD confiscated all radio transmitting equipment from Delise's apartment,   
   including 14 radios capable of operating on NYPD frequencies.   
      
   Delise could have faced a penalty of more than $140,000, under the provisions   
   of the Communications Act. The NAL gave Delise 30 days to pay the fine or to   
   file a written statement seeking a reduction or cancellation of the proposed   
   forfeiture. According to Lisenco, Delise is now serving prison time resulting   
   from the false police call and his guilty pleas to other charges.   
      
      
      
   Hurricane Watch Net Activates for Hermine, Hawaii Dodges Madeline, SKYWARN   
   Eyes Lester   
      
   The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) activated for Tropical Storm Hermine on   
   September 1. The storm was expected to develop into a hurricane before making   
   landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast. The net operates on 14.325 MHz until 0100   
   UTC, then shifts to 7.268 MHz, although it may operate on both frequencies   
   simultaneously.   
      
   "It seems we've been tracking this system, which began as a tropical   
   disturbance, for nearly 2 weeks," HWN Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, said on   
   September 1.   
      
   A Hurricane Warning went into effect along parts of Florida's Gulf Coast. The   
   National Weather Service (NWS) said interests along the US East Coast should   
   monitor the progress of this system. Florida's Emergency Operations Center was   
   at full activation, and evacuation shelters were put on standby.   
      
      
      
   SKYWARN Tracking Pacific Hurricane Lester   
      
   ARRL Pacific Section Emergency Coordinator Clement Jung, KH7HO, said the NWS   
   would activate SKYWARN for Hurricane Lester at 1800 UTC on Saturday, September   
   3, continuing until 2400 UTC on Sunday, September 4. All four Amateur Radio   
   Emergency Service (ARES) districts on the Big Island of Hawaii remained in   
   active status for Hurricane Lester, to support each other and served agencies.   
   KH6SW has been active from the NWS Honolulu Forecast Office on HF, VHF, and   
   UHF.   
      
   The NWS reported that a weakening Madeline, now a tropical storm, passed "well   
   south of the Big Island," with maximum sustained winds of 50 MPH, but the   
   storm dumped a lot of rain on the Big Island, and a flood advisory was in   
   effect for some areas. Predictions called for up to 10 inches of rain, and   
   possibly more.   
      
   Hurricane Lester, now a category 2 storm, continued its westward movement   
   toward the Hawaiian Islands, boasting maximum sustained winds of 110 MPH and   
   moving at 14 MPH. Some weakening was forecast through late Friday. No watches   
   or warnings were in effect.   
      
   ARES teams remained ready to initiate local repeater nets, holding 146.52 MHz   
   simplex in reserve in case repeaters go down.   
      
      
      
   Team USA Attending World Amateur Radio Direction Finding Championships   
      
   Fifteen top US on-foot hidden transmitter hunters have joined more than 400   
   other competitors representing 39 nations taking part in the 18th World   
   Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF) Championships in the Black Sea resort   
   of Albena, Bulgaria. Competitors are divided into six age categories for males   
   and five for females, in accordance with International Amateur Radio Union   
   (IARU) rules for ARDF competition. Team USA includes nine men and six women   
   from six states. Ranging in age from 26 to 74, they won their places on the   
   team by their excellent performances in the 2016 USA ARDF Championships in   
   Texas and the 2015 USA ARDF Championships in Colorado.   
      
   "This is the 10th time that the US has fielded a team for the World   
   Championships, which take place in even-numbered years in various countries,"   
   said ARRL ARDF Coordinator Joe Moell, K0OV. "The last time that Bulgaria   
   hosted was in 2006, when Team USA won its first World Championships medal."   
   That year, Nadia Scharlau of North Carolina captured bronze in the 80 meter   
   classic event, which required her to find four transmitters scattered within   
   2700 acres of forest.   
      
   Team USA picked up two medals in the optional ARDF World Cup competition,   
   which precedes the World Championships. In the 80 meter classic competition,   
   Vadim Afonkin, KB1RLI, of Newton, Massachusetts, placed third in the M40   
   category, capturing a bronze medal. The next day, Alla Mezhevaya of Rockford,   
   Illinois, took the silver in the 2 meter classic competition in the W35   
   category. "We're off to a great start!" Moell allowed. Five Team USA members   
   are participating in the 3 days of World Cup events.   
      
   World Cup competitors get a day of rest on Saturday, September 3, as the   
   remaining World Championships participants arrive. The following day is   
   devoted to foxoring, the first official World Championships event.   
   Participants in all events seek medals both as individuals and as members of   
   national teams, which are limited to three participants per age/gender   
   category from each country.   
      
   The World Championships continue with the sprint on Monday, September 5, and   
   classic events on Tuesday and Thursday; Wednesday is set aside as a free day   
   and cultural tour, offering a break between the classics. Banquets and medal   
   award ceremonies follow each day's competition, and everyone goes home on   
   Friday, September 9.   
      
   The latest information on how Team USA is faring in Bulgaria will be posted on   
   Moell's "Homing In" website. The Bulgarian Federation of Radio Amateurs (BFRA)   
   is hosting the event. Visit Moell's Homing In website for more information on   
   ARDF.   
      
      
      
   The Doctor Will See You Now!   
      
   "Software Defined Radio" is the topic of the latest (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   
      
   The National Park Service Centennial last week was a great celebration of our   
   National Parks. Amateur Radio operators played their part, transmitting from   
   an amazing 174 units during the Centennial Week, as part of ARRL's National   
   Parks on the Air (NPOTA) program. There were 77 units active on August 25, the   
   actual date of the NPS Centennial, and 286 activations resulted in 14,559 QSOs   
   between August 22-28. Thanks to all the NPOTA activators who made this   
   possible!   
      
   The first activation of the newly-created Katahdin Woods and Rivers National   
   Monument (MN84) in Maine occurred on August 30, just 6 days after President   
   Obama created the monument. Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, and his wife Anita, AB1QB,   
   had to work "split" to handle the pileups. They will return to MN84 on   
   September 3, and others are planning to activate this new one as well.   
      
   There are 41 activations are scheduled for September 1-7, including Hovenweep   
   National Monument in Utah, and Weir Farm National Historic Site in Connecticut.   
      
   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).   
      
      
      
   ARRL CEO Urges New York City-Area Hams to Join Him as Marathon Volunteer   
      
   ARRL CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF -- a New York City Marathon volunteer since 1981   
   -- is urging radio amateurs in the New York metropolitan area to join him on   
   the race course this fall to, as he put it, "participate in one of the world's   
   most important public service events."   
      
   On Sunday, November 6, Amateur Radio volunteers will provide communication   
   support for the 46th running of the TCS New York City Marathon. The Marathon   
   starts near the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on   
   Staten Island and continues through Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx before   
   finishing 26.2 miles later in Manhattan's Central Park. Amateur Radio   
   volunteers provide emergency medical and logistics communication support   
   throughout the course, working in concert with the New York Police Department   
   and Fire Department of New York Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to aid the   
   more than 50,000 athletes expected to take part this year.   
      
   "Additional ham radio operators are still needed to staff some mile points   
   along the course as well as some post-finish locations inside Central Park,"   
   said TCS NYC Marathon Amateur Radio Communications Director Deborah Kerr,   
   KC2GPV.   
      
   Radio amateurs interested in serving the 2016 TCS New York City Marathon   
   should register online.   
      
   The New York City Marathon originated in 1970 as a low-budget event confined   
   to Central Park. That first marathon attracted 127 entrants. In 1976 -- the US   
   Bicentennial Year -- the marathon was expanded to encompass the city's five   
   boroughs.   
      
   For many years, Steve Mendelsohn, W2ML (SK), served as the Marathon's   
   communications director, overseeing the approximately 400 ham radio volunteers   
   supporting race communications. Inducted into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of   
   Fame a week before he died in 2012, Mendelsohn had served as ARRL Hudson   
   Division Director and as ARRL First Vice President.   
      
   "I feel as though I have been given this amazing opportunity to continue   
   Steve's legacy and continue to give other hams the opportunity to enjoy an   
   event that I hope will continue in the years to come," Kerr said.   
      
      
      
   Application Window Now Open for Prospective ISS Ham Radio Contact Hosts   
      
   The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is   
   seeking proposals from schools and formal or informal educational institutions   
   and organizations -- individually or working in concert -- to host Amateur   
   Radio contacts next year with ISS crew members. The window to accept proposals   
   opened on September 1, and the deadline to submit a proposal is November 1.   
   ARISS anticipates that contacts will take place between July 1 and December   
   31, 2017. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact   
   dates. The ARRL website includes proposal information and documents.   
      
   To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS seeks proposals from   
   schools and organizations that can draw large numbers of participants and   
   integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. Each FM-voice   
   contact lasts about 10 minutes -- the length of a typical overhead ISS pass   
   from horizon to horizon.   
      
   Scheduled ham radio contacts with ISS crew members allow students to interact   
   with an astronaut or cosmonaut through a question-and-answer format.   
   Participants and the audiences alike can learn firsthand from the astronaut or   
   cosmonaut what it's like to live and work in space and learn about space   
   research on the ISS. Students will be able to observe and learn about   
   satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science.   
      
   Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling   
   activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to   
   accommodate changes in contact dates and times.   
      
   To help organizations prepare proposals, ARISS offers 1-hour online   
   information sessions, designed to provide more information regarding US ARISS   
   contacts and the proposal process, as well as provide an avenue for interested   
   organizations to ask questions. Attending an online Information Session is not   
   required, but is strongly encouraged.   
      
   Information Sessions for the current application window will take place on   
   Tuesday, September 20, at 4 PM ET (2000 UTC), and Wednesday, September 28, at   
   7 PM ET (2300 UTC). Contact ARISS to sign up and take part.   
      
      
      
   Nominations Open for the George Hart Distinguished Service Award   
      
   The ARRL will accept nominations until November 1 for the George Hart   
   Distinguished Service Award. The award honors long-time ARRL Communications   
   Manager George Hart, W1NJM (SK), the chief developer of the National Traffic   
   System(TM) (NTS). An ARRL Charter Life Member, Hart spent more than 4 decades   
   as a member of the ARRL Headquarters staff and continued to be an active radio   
   amateur and regular Field Day participant in his retirement. In 1984, the ARRL   
   Board of Directors named Hart as an ARRL Honorary Vice President. He died in   
   2013 at the age of 99.   
      
   Established by the ARRL Board of Directors in 2009, the George Hart   
   Distinguished Service Award is given annually to an ARRL member for exemplary   
   service to the League's Field Organization. Selection criteria include NTS   
   operating record, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) participation, or   
   service to the ARRL Field Organization in terms of appointments and/or   
   leadership positions held.   
      
   Nominations should thoroughly document the nominee's lifetime activities and   
   achievements with the ARRL Field Organization. Nominees are expected to have   
   at least 15 years of distinguished service.   
      
   The Programs and Services Committee will serve as the Review Committee, and   
   the ARRL Board of Directors will make the final decision at its Annual Meeting   
   in January.   
      
   Submit nominations and related supporting material and letters of   
   recommendation via e-mail or USPS mail to ARRL Field Organization Team   
   Supervisor Steve Ewald, WV1X, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.   
      
   Recipients receive an engraved plaque and will be profiled in QST.   
      
      
      
   Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) Stations Encouraged to Register and File Post-Event   
   Reports   
      
   Scouting's Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) officials are asking JOTA 2016   
   participants not only to register for this year's event, but to follow up with   
   a post-JOTA report. As an incentive, all stations filing reports will   
   automatically be entered to win an Icom ID-51A handheld transceiver. The 59th   
   annual JOTA takes place October 14-16.   
      
   "Last year we had 400 stations register but only 200 stations file a report,"   
   said JOTA Coordinator Jim Wilson, K5ND. "We're going to improve that this   
   year. Icom America and Ray Novak, N9JA, have   
   stepped up to help us with a considerable incentive."   
      
   Wilson pointed out that only BSA stations will be eligible to win. "These   
   prizes are for the station. It's up to you to determine who gets it or how you   
   share it," he said. "Of course, everyone who files a report will receive the   
   2016 Jamboree on the Air Certificate."   
      
   More than 1 million Scouts in 150+ countries -- at nearly 18,000 stations --   
   are expected to take part in JOTA 2016, engaging with other Scouts to talk   
   about Amateur Radio and their Scouting experiences. "JOTA is about   
   conversations across town and around the world, rather than about contacts,"   
   Wilson said.   
      
   The JOTA reporting system will open right after JOTA weekend; reports are due   
   on November 1, with the prize drawing held that week. "Designate someone on   
   your team to collect the information needed for your report," Wilson   
   recommended, pointing to a list of "best practices" to ensure a report that   
   "truly captures your event."   
      
   JOTA Guidelines for Amateur Radio Operators are available online. Among other   
   advice, the operating guide points out that US Scouts may speak directly with   
   Scouts in other countries as long as a third-party agreement exists between   
   that country and the US. A Scout station spotting cluster will also be   
   available this year, to show who's on the air and where. Dave Edwards, KD2E,   
   and Andy O'Brien, K3UK, have developed a Scout scheduling page for teams to   
   post their frequencies.   
      
   JOTA stations have been asked to avoid other operating activities taking place   
   over the October 14-16 weekend, including the Worked All Germany Contest. Four   
   state QSO parties are also taking place over JOTA weekend -- Illinois, Iowa,   
   New York, and South Dakota. Wilson also asked for the cooperation of   
   contesters.   
      
   "As you participate in these or other contests that weekend, please keep in   
   mind that Scouts will be on the air at the same time," Wilson advised   
   competitors. "For most, this will be their first experience with Amateur   
   Radio. Please be courteous and, where possible, provide some contest-free   
   space around their ongoing QSOs near the Scouting frequencies. After all, they   
   are the next generation of ham operators -- or not."   
      
      
      
   FO-29 Satellite Turns 20   
      
   It's been 20 years since the Fuji-OSCAR 29 (FO-29) satellite launched on   
   August 17, 1996, from Tanegashima Space Center. Its 100-kHz-wide analog Mode   
   V/U transponder continues to serve the Amateur Satellite community, although   
   its packet BBS and digitalker no longer function.   
      
   With an apogee of 1323 kilometers, FO-29 provides satellite operators with   
   excellent DX opportunities every few months. Intercontinental contacts are   
   regularly reported, including contacts between Japan and Alaska and between   
   North America and Europe. While the theoretical maximum range at apogee is   
   7502 kilometers, the transponder's excellent sensitivity and solid 1 W   
   downlink signal allow that distance to be stretched when conditions are right.   
   The longest distance covered via FO-29 was an unscheduled 7599.959 kilometer   
   (approximately 4712 mile) contact on August 27, 2015, between Dave Swanson,   
   KG5CCI, of Little Rock, Arkansas (on Shinnal Mountain in EM34), and Christophe   
   Lucas, F4CQA, in Trouy, France (NJ17). Swanson answered F4CQA's CQ.   
      
   The 2015 K1N DXpedition to Navassa Island made 29 contacts during two passes   
   of FO-29, activating that extremely rare DX entity on satellite for the first   
   time since 1993, when Don Roland, VE1AOE, reported logging between 400 and 500   
   contacts as part of the W5IJU DXpedition to Navassa -- making the bulk of them   
   on AO-13.   
      
   FO-29 remains the most widely used linear transponder satellite and an ideal   
   starting point for beginners.   
      
   Uplink for the mode V/U (J) inverting linear transponder is from 145.900 to   
   146.000 MHz, SSB or CW. The downlink is 435.800 to 435.900 MHz. The CW beacon   
   transmits on 435.795 MHz.   
      
   JARL offers an award for confirmed QSOs with 10 different stations via FO-29.   
   -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service   
      
      
      
   Ham Radio Outlet Refurbishes, Reopens Former AES Milwaukee Location   
      
   Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) opened its latest Amateur Radio retail outlet at the   
   site of the former Amateur Electronic Supply (AES) headquarters store at 5710   
   West Good Hope Road in Milwaukee on [HRO%20Milwaukee%20Exterior.JPG] August   
   27. AES closed its Milwaukee, Las Vegas, Cleveland, and Orlando outlets on   
   July 28, following a surprise announcement 4 weeks earlier that it was going   
   out of business after 59 years as a ham radio equipment supplier. A couple of   
   weeks later, HRO announced plans to make over the Milwaukee outlet and reopen   
   it as its latest "super store" -- now HRO's   
   largest. Several former AES Milwaukee employees are now working for HRO, which   
   undertook a rapid remodeling project to make the store over in its own brand.   
   Dan Vanevenhoven, N9LVS, visited the HRO Milwaukee location on opening day,   
   camera in hand, and he posted video of his brief tour on YouTube.   
      
   "One of the first things that caught my eye was the radio demo area,"   
   Vanevenhoven says in his video. "They've actually got radios that you can try   
   out." A row of eight carrels, each with a different piece of gear ready to   
   use, stretches along part of one wall in the store.   
      
   The Milwaukee store is 5000 square feet of Amateur Radio equipment, antennas,   
   books, and accessories.   
      
   A family-owned business, HRO is the world's largest Amateur Radio dealership,   
   with 14 locations from New England to the West Coast. It opened a new outlet   
   in Plano, Texas, in early 2015 and relocated and expanded its Portland,   
   Oregon, store, which opened in late July.   
      
   HRO has planned the weekends of September 10, 17, 24 and October 1 for the   
   grand opening of its Portland store, and October 1, 8, 15, and 22 for the   
   grand opening of the new Milwaukee outlet.   
      
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Over the August 25-31 reporting week,   
   average daily sunspot numbers rose from 33.9 to 60.1, and average daily solar   
   flux increased from 79.6 to 87.9, compared to the previous 7 days. Over the   
   same period the average planetary A index declined from 9.7 to 8, and the   
   mid-latitude A index went from 8.7 to 6.9. That's a nice combination, lower   
   geomagnetic activity and higher solar activity. As solar activity declines   
   overall, there will be brief respites when sunspots increase, but only   
   temporarily.   
      
   Predicted solar flux is 105 on September 1-7; 95 on September 8; 78 on   
   September 9-10; 80 on September 11; 82 on September 12-16; 80 on September   
   17-21; 82 on September 22; 85 on September 23-25; 82 on September 26-27; 85 on   
   September 28-29; 80 on September 30 and October 1, and 78 on October 2-7.   
      
   The predicted planetary A index is 18 on September 1-2; 15 on September 3; 12   
   on September 4-7; 10 on September 8; 5 on September 9-12; 10 and 8 on   
   September 13-14; 5 on September 15-16; 8, 5, 15, 12, and 8 on September 17-21;   
   5 on September 22-24; 20, 18, 10, 15, 12, 10, and 8 on September 25-October 1,   
   and 15 on October 2-3.   
      
   The autumnal equinox is only 3 weeks away, so HF conditions are likely to   
   improve.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for August 25-31 were 39, 44, 52, 64, 67, 64, and 91, with a   
   mean of 60.1. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 78.7, 81.9, 83.9, 85.4, 87.8,   
   100.4, and 97.5, with a mean of 87.9. Estimated planetary A indices were 11,   
   7, 5, 3, 6, 16, and 8, with a mean of 8. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were   
   9, 5, 5, 4, 5, 12, and 8, with a mean of 6.9.   
      
   This weekly Solar Update in The ARRL Letter is a preview of the Propagation   
   Bulletin issued each Friday.   
      
   Send me your reports and observations.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  September 2 -- QRP Fox Hunt (CW)   
    *  Septembr 2-4 -- G3ZQS Memorial Straight Key Contest   
    *  September 3 -- CWOps CW Open   
    *  September 3 -- Russian RTTY WW Contest   
    *  September 3 -- Wake-Up! QRP Sprint (CW)   
    *  September 3 -- AGCW Straight Key Party   
    *  September 3-4 -- All Asian DX Contest (SSB)   
    *  September 3-4 -- Colorado QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  September 3-4 -- PODXS 070 Club Jay Hudak Memorial (Digital)   
    *  September 3-4 -- IARU Region 1 Field Day (SSB)   
    *  September 3-5 -- RSGB SSB Field Day   
    *  September 4 -- WAB 144 MHz QRO Phone   
    *  September 4 -- DARC 10 Meter Digital Contest   
    *  September 4-5 -- Tennessee QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  September 5-6 -- MI QRP Labor Day CW Sprint   
    *  September 6 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)   
    *  September 7 -- UKEICC 80 Meter Contest (phone)   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   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   
      
   ... You know you're in YK when: you have to break the smoke off your chimney.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)