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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2016-10-06   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   October 6, 2016   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  Statewide ARES Activation Declared in Florida for Hurricane Matthew   
    *  ARRL Gauging Impact of Revised California Distracted Driving Law   
    *  ARRL to be Represented at IARU Region 2 Conference, Emergency   
       Communications Workshop   
    *  The Doctor Will See You Now!   
    *  National Parks on the Air Update   
    *  LoTW Password Checking Change Causes Problems for Some Users   
    *  Sarratt and Tiritilli Declared Elected in ARRL Southeastern Division   
    *  Interim Section Manager Appointed in Eastern Pennsylvania   
    *  "Overview of Army and Air Force MARS" Webinar Set for October 25   
    *  New England Forum to Demystify Tax-Exempt Status for Ham Radio Clubs   
    *  AO-7 Still Going Strong after Almost 42 Years in Space   
    *  Shore Station KPH Call Sign to Return to the Airwaves on October 8   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
      
   Statewide ARES Activation Declared in Florida for Hurricane Matthew   
      
   The entire State of Florida was placed under an Amateur Radio Emergency   
   Service (ARES) Level 1 -- or full -- activation on October 6, as Hurricane   
   Matthew headed for landfall in the US. The category 4 storm has already caused   
   more than 100 deaths, most of them in Haiti, as it moved northward through the   
   Caribbean. The Northern Florida ARES Net was called up on 3950 or 7252 kHz --   
   depending upon propagation -- and will remain operational for the duration of   
   the threat.   
      
   "This net is for life safety communications," ARRL Northern Florida Section   
   Manager Steve Szabo, WB4OMM, stressed. "This net is not for collecting weather   
   data, idle conversations, or 'chit chat.'" The Statewide Amateur Radio Network   
   (SARnet) also has been activated for statewide use for life safety   
   communications, continuing until terminated. SARnet is a network of linked UHF   
   repeaters serving Florida.   
      
   "Hurricane Matthew relentlessly pounding the Bahamas...potentially disastrous   
   impacts for Florida," is how the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami   
   characterized the storm, which, at 1800 UTC, was about 65 miles    
   outh-southeast of Nassau, the Bahamas, and 125 miles east-southeast of West   
   Palm Beach, Florida. Matthew has maximum sustained winds of 140 MPH and is   
   moving northwest at 14 MPH.   
      
   The NHC has predicted that Hurricane Matthew is expected to first reach   
   hurricane warning areas in Florida by late today and will spread northward   
   within the warning area through Friday. Tropical storm conditions are first   
   expected in Florida within the next several hours. Hurricane conditions are   
   possible in the hurricane watch area in northeast Georgia and South Carolina   
   by early Saturday, with tropical storm conditions possible on Friday night.   
      
   More than 3,000 Florida residents already had evacuated to shelters by October   
   6, according to FEMA. Florida Gov Rick Scott said residents should prepare for   
   a direct hit on the state. "This is serious," he said. "Don't take a chance."   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit the Ready.gov website or   
   read the American Red Cross "Hurricane Safety Checklist."   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   The ARRL Headquarters Emergency Response Team met on October 5. "We will be   
   placing W1AW into emergency standby starting Friday morning, October 7,   
   following the 8 AM ET bulletin," said ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike   
   Corey, KI1U. "We will have W1AW staffed and ready to go on the air through   
   late Friday night and on Saturday morning through evening. Saturday evening we   
   will reassess the need to keep W1AW staffed over the weekend." Corey said that   
   W1AW would monitor the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN), the SATERN Net, and the VoIP   
   Hurricane Net. ARRL has been in touch with Field Organization volunteers in   
   the US Virgin Islands and along the US Eastern Seaboard and will respond as   
   needed.   
      
   Hurricane Matthew information updates will be posted to the ARRL website.   
      
   National SATERN Liaison Bill Feist, WB8BZH, reported on October 5 that Haiti   
   was hit hard by Hurricane Matthew, and Jean-Robert Gaillard, HH2JR, in Port au   
   Prince told SATERN that southern Haiti was "in bad shape." SATERN will remain   
   active at a DELTA II (extended monitoring) status on 14.265 MHz at least   
   through Friday, October 7.   
      
   Cuban radio amateurs were reported active in the eastern provinces of that   
   island nation, with operation on 2, 40, and 80 meters. IARU Region 2, Area C   
   Emergency Coordinator Arnie Coro, CO2KK, reported that HF radio equipment was   
   dispersed throughout eastern Cuba in advance of the storm.   
      
   Poor propagation has hampered emergency communication on HF bands.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   All radio amateurs are asked to avoid transmitting on or near any emergency   
   net frequencies. In addition, stations should not check into any emergency or   
   weather information net unless they have something to contribute.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   The Hurricane Watch Net has been active all week on 14.325 and 7.268 MHz,   
   gathering real-time "ground truth" weather data and storm-related information   
   from affected areas. The net relays the information it compiles to forecasters   
   via WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center.   
      
   The VoIP Hurricane Net is supporting the NHC on the WX-Talk Conference, Node   
   #7203 on Echolink and IRLP Reflector 9219. IRLP Reflector 9553 is the backup.   
   (Due to the limited number of routes to the Echolink node for mobile devices,   
   monitor WX-Talk on a desktop computer if possible.)   
      
   The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced it may use   
   several 60 meter frequencies for interoperability with other authorized   
   stations, federal government stations, and Amateur Radio stations during the   
   Hurricane Matthew response. It is requested that all stations stay clear of   
   these frequencies unless they have emergency traffic relative to Hurricane   
   Matthew. The Amateur Radio Service has secondary status on 60 meters.   
      
   The suppressed-carrier frequencies (dial frequencies) are 5330.5 kHz, 5346.5   
   kHz, 5357.0 kHz, 5371.5 kHz, and 5403.5 kHz (USB).   
      
   FEMA Region 4 in Atlanta (Southeastern US) will be using the Amateur Radio   
   call sign KF4EMA to allow FEMA-licensed amateurs to provide situational   
   awareness on various Amateur Radio nets within Region 4 relative to the   
   Hurricane Matthew response. -- Thanks to Mike Corey, KI1U, Bill Feist, WB8BZH,   
   National SATERN Liaison, and Dave Adsit, KG4BIR, FEMA Spectrum Manager   
      
      
      
   ARRL Gauging Impact of Revised California Distracted Driving Law   
      
   California has upped its game in cracking down on distracted driving, and   
   radio amateurs there are concerned that a recent revision to the state's Motor   
   Vehicle Code could affect Amateur Radio mobile operation. The old law, which   
   included an Amateur Radio exemption, already prohibited motorists from using   
   electronic wireless communication devices to write, send, or read a text-based   
   communication while in motion, unless the device was configured for   
   voice-operated and hands-free operation. The revised law does not exempt   
   Amateur Radio.   
      
   Assembly Bill 1785, signed into law on September 26 by Governor Jerry Brown,   
   prohibits a motorist from driving "while holding and operating" a handheld   
   wireless telephone or a wireless electronic communication device, as defined   
   by the code. But it authorizes a driver to operate such devices mounted on a   
   vehicle's windshield like a GPS or on the dashboard or center console "in a   
   manner that does not hinder the driver's view of the road," if the driver can   
   activate or deactivate a feature or function "with the motion of a single   
   swipe or tap of the finger."   
      
   The language defining devices covered by the law does not accurately specify   
   what activity is prohibited, leaving its application subject to    
   isinterpretation by individual law enforcement officers, but it does not   
   specifically proscribe use of mobile Amateur Radio equipment for voice   
   communication. The list of covered devices includes, but is not limited to, "a   
   broadband personal communication device, a specialized mobile radio device, a   
   handheld device or laptop computer with mobile data access, a pager, or a   
   two-way messaging device." A first offense would incur a $20 base fine and $50   
   for subsequent offenses.   
      
   Initial wording of the legislation was not considered to be a threat to   
   Amateur Radio operation, but the measure's language changed substantially as   
   it worked its way through the California General Assembly.   
      
   ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, said there are two principal ways to   
   protect Amateur Radio in this type of legislation. "One is by sufficiently   
   narrowly defining prohibited activity so as to exclude Amateur Radio," he   
   said. "The other is to create specific exemptions where the definitions are   
   confusing. This new statute is an example of bad legislative draftsmanship. It   
   creates a motor vehicle law with citations issued for certain activity that   
   includes the words 'but is not limited to' in the language defining the   
   violation."   
      
   In addition to scrutinizing the language of the revision, ARRL will be   
   consulting with Field Organization officials in California to determine its   
   next steps.   
      
      
      
   ARRL to be Represented at IARU Region 2 Conference, Emergency Communications   
   Workshop   
      
   ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, will head a contingent of League   
   representatives at the 19th International Amateur Radio Union Region 2   
   (IARU-R2) General Assembly in Vi¤a del Mar, Chile. The conference, hosted by   
   the Radio Club of Chile, gets under way on October 10 and continues through   
   October 14. An emergency communications workshop will be held on October 11 in   
   conjunction with the IARU event. Attending on behalf of ARRL, in addition to   
   President Roderick, will be Technical Relations Specialist Jon Siverling,   
   WB3ERA; ARRL Second Vice President Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, and Emergency   
   Communications Manager Mike Corey, KI1U. ARRL International Affairs Vice   
   President Jay Bellows, K0QB, also will attend in his role as IARU Region 2   
   Area B Director.   
      
   The IARU Region 2 Band Plan and other Amateur Radio spectrum issues will be on   
   the agenda at this month's meeting. The ARRL and other IARU member societies   
   in the Americas sought comments and suggestions earlier this year from their   
   respective Amateur Radio communities regarding the Region 2 HF Band Plan. At   
   its July meeting, the ARRL Board of Directors adopted recommendations of the   
   ARRL HF Band Planning Committee, for ARRL to present at the conference for   
   possible inclusion in the Region 2 band plan. These include:   
      
    *  Changing references to the 660-meter band to 630 meters, to more   
       accurately describe the wavelength of the spectrum actually allocated   
       for Amateur Radio use.   
    *  Updating the 160-meter band plan to acknowledge AM operations commonly   
       encountered within the band.   
    *  Adding an exception to the band plan to specify that, in the event a   
       60-meter Amateur Radio allocation is added to the band plan, upper   
       sideband (USB) is permissible.   
      
   Mexico's IARU member society FMRE plans to ask the Region 2 General Assembly   
   to request that CITEL and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)   
   assist FMRE in its efforts to convince the Mexican government to allow foreign   
   amateurs to operate in Mexico.   
      
   Conference delegates also will elect IARU Region 2 officers and directors.   
      
   At the Emergency Communications Workshop on October 11, IARU Region 2   
   emergency coordinators and other national-level Amateur Radio emergency   
   communications experts will gather to share information and discuss how to   
   increase the capacity for amateurs in Region 2 to respond to large-scale,   
   multinational communication emergencies. The conference also will offer an   
   opportunity for national-level Amateur Radio emergency communications leaders   
   to network and increase the level of cooperation and collaboration within   
   Region 2.   
      
   Special event station XR2IARU will be on the air from the Hotel O'Higgins, the   
   conference venue.   
      
      
      
   The Doctor Will See You Now!   
      
   "Bits vs. Baud" is the topic of the latest (October 6) 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 on October 20, "HF Mobile Antennas."   
      
      
      
   National Parks on the Air Update   
      
   ARRL's National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) program remains on track to break   
   800,000 contacts from eligible NPS units before the end of the year! Some   
   1,200 Activators have made just over 700,000 contacts from nearly 460 of the   
   489 NPOTA units. With just under 3 months to go, there is still time for you   
   to get in on the NPOTA hunt or to plan your own activation! The NPOTA page on   
   the ARRL website has all the information you need to get started.   
      
   There are 30 activations scheduled between October 6 and 12, including the   
   Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site in Arizona and the first   
   activation of Coral Reef National Monument in the US Virgin Islands.   
      
   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).   
      
      
      
   LoTW Password Checking Change Causes Problems for Some Users   
      
   An upgrade to the password checking mechanism that authenticates Logbook of   
   The World (LoTW) users has caused log-in problems for some clients. Under the   
   system in place prior to approximately 2300 UTC on September 19, the LoTW   
   log-in system ignored the case of any characters in a password when checking   
   for a match, storing them all as lowercase. The new system is case-sensitive,   
   however. While passwords once were randomly generated, the ARRL IT staff   
   recently implemented a new LoTW password mechanism that lets users choose   
   their own passwords. Under this new system, when users first log in, their   
   passwords are encrypted.   
      
   Some users attempting to log in with mixed-case passwords were rejected,   
   however, because the system had stored their passwords as all lowercase. A   
   subsequent modification allows the system to accept a user's mixed-case   
   password and changes the stored password to the user's mixed-case   
   specification. The issue also can present problems for applications, such as   
   logging programs, that employ a user's credentials to access a LoTW account.   
      
   Users who encounter trouble logging in to LoTW are being asked to enter their   
   passwords in all lowercase. If that doesn't work, contact the LoTW Help Desk   
   or explore other methods available for LoTW.   
      
   Any LoTW users who logged in before this modification was made -- at around   
   2300 UTC on September 19 -- had their passwords stored in lowercase, no matter   
   which case they used in entering them. These passwords now must be entered as   
   lowercase. Users who have changed to a new password with mixed-case letters   
   must continue to enter their passwords in mixed-case letters.   
      
   ARRL apologizes for underestimating the extent of the problems that would be   
   caused by the lack of password case-sensitivity in the previous LoTW   
   authentication mechanism.   
      
      
      
   Sarratt and Tiritilli Declared Elected in ARRL Southeastern Division   
      
   Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, has been declared elected as Director of the ARRL   
   Southeastern Division, to take office at noon Eastern Time on January 1, 2017.   
      
   Joe Tiritilli, N4ZUW, is also declared elected as Vice Director in the   
   Southeastern Division. He has been appointed by ARRL President Rick Roderick,   
   K5UR, to fill the vacant Southeastern Vice Director chair, effective   
   immediately.   
      
      
      
   Interim Section Manager Appointed in Eastern Pennsylvania   
      
   Bob Wiseman, WB3W, of Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, has been appointed as the   
   Interim Section Manager for the ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section. He is   
   fulfilling the current term of office that was declared vacant by the ARRL   
   Executive Committee of the ARRL [ARRL%20logo-and-logotype%20(2016).jpg] Board   
   of Directors this past June. Wiseman's interim appointment continues through   
   March 31, 2018.   
      
   According to the Rules and Regulations of the ARRL Field Organization, when a   
   vacancy occurs between Section Manager elections, the position shall be filled   
   by appointment by the ARRL Field Services and Radiosport Manager in   
   consultation with the respective ARRL Division Director. In this case, Dave   
   Patton, NN1N, Field Services and Radiosport Manager, consulted with Tom   
   Abernethy, W3TOM, Atlantic Division Director, before making the appointment,   
   which is effective October 5.   
      
   Wiseman brings to the helm of the Eastern Pennsylvania Section his past   
   experience as Section Emergency Coordinator, District Emergency Coordinator,   
   and Official Emergency Station.   
      
      
      
   "Overview of Army and Air Force MARS" Webinar Set for October 25   
      
   Registration is open for the webinar "Overview of Army and Air Force MARS,"   
   October 25 at 8 PM ET (0000 UTC on October 26).   
      
   US Air Force MARS Chief Dave Stapchuk, KD9DXM, will discuss the history of the   
   Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) program and membership requirements for   
   Amateur Radio operators. He also will highlight the Joint MARS Phone Patch   
   network, which provides daily support to US armed forces. The phone patch   
   network facilitates not only morale/welfare phone patches, but routinely   
   handles mission-related radio calls and occasionally assists US air crews with   
   in-flight emergency phone patches when air traffic control cannot be reached.   
      
   US Army MARS Program Manager Paul English, WD8DBY, will discuss the quarterly   
   US Department of Defense (DOD) contingency communication exercises, which   
   promote interoperability between the Amateur   
   Radio community and the DOD. English will also discuss initiatives for   
   promoting the use of 60 meters between Amateur Radio and the federal   
   government, as well as the types of information MARS operators will request   
   from the Amateur Radio community during the upcoming quarterly DOD   
   communications exercise (COMEX), October 30-November 1.   
      
   Registrants will receive a confirming e-mail that contains information about   
   joining the webinar.   
      
      
      
   New England Forum to Demystify Tax-Exempt Status for Ham Radio Clubs   
      
   Most radio clubs are set up as non-profit corporations, but this does not mean   
   that they are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue   
   Service (IRS) tax code. Some changes that took place in 2014 simplified the   
   process for smaller organizations with less than $50,000 in annual gross   
   revenues and reduced the amount of red tape.   
      
   At the New England Amateur Radio Festival (NEAR-Fest) Friday and Saturday,   
   October 14-15, in Deerfield, New Hampshire, Certified Public Accountant Lynn   
   Baxter, W0LTB, will explain how clubs and non-profits can attain 501(c)(3)   
   status under the new rules and how to file a simple online annual report to   
   maintain that status.   
      
   This means that, under some circumstances, Amateur Radio clubs would be able   
   to accept donations and issue receipts for tax purposes, as well as enjoy   
   other benefits. The forum will take place on Friday, October 14, at 3 PM.   
   Clubs are invited to send one representative, as seating is limited.   
      
   "This special forum is being presented by NEAR-Fest as a service to the   
   Amateur Radio community," said Mike Crestohl, W1RC. "NEAR-Fest anticipates a   
   high response rate to this special presentation. Clubs are advised to send   
   their treasurer. Seating will be first come, first served." Crestohl asks   
   those planning to attend to e-mail him and let him know. -- Thanks to Mike   
   Crestohl, W1RC   
      
      
      
   AO-7 Still Going Strong after Almost 42 Years in Space   
      
   In a little more than a month, the venerable AO-7 Amateur Radio satellite will   
   mark 42 years in space. AMSAT says AO-7, the oldest ham radio satellite still   
   in operation, is now switching between Mode A and Mode B on a daily basis,   
   after coming up in Mode A on September 30.   
      
   "That suggests that the satellite is now in constant sunlight and receiving   
   enough power from the solar cells for the 24-hour timer to stay on throughout   
   its entire orbit," AMSAT-NA Secretary Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, said. "Expect daily   
   mode switches between Mode A and Mode B to occur for the next 3 months or so.   
   As AO-7's orbit precesses and the periods of constant sunlight become fewer   
   and fewer, there will be less of an opportunity to use Mode A on a yearly   
   basis, so enjoy it while it lasts!"   
      
   In Mode A, earthbound amateurs transmit on 2 meters and receive on 10 meters.   
   Stoetzer said the type of 10-meter antenna isn't fussy. "Try whatever you   
   can," he said. When continuously illuminated, AO-7's mode will alternate   
   between Modes A and B (70 centimeters up/2 meters down) every 24 hours.   
      
   November 15 will mark 42 years since AO-7 was launched into space from   
   Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. AO-7 was the second so-called "Phase   
   2" Amateur Radio satellite that AMSAT-NA constructed and launched into   
   low-Earth orbit. It remained in operation until a short circuit occurred in a   
   battery in 1981. More than 20 years later, however, AO-7 unexpectedly returned   
   to life, its 2-meter beacon showing up on 145.9775 MHz. Satellite experts   
   speculate that AO-7's resurrection occurred when the short circuit in the   
   battery opened up for some reason, allowing the solar cells to power the   
   spacecraft. When the satellite goes into eclipse, it powers down.   
      
   Last February Dave Swanson, KG5CCI, of Arkansas achieved a distance milestone   
   on AO-7 using Mode B to work Eduardo Erlemann, PY2RN (GG66lw), in Brazil -- a   
   path of 8030.895 kilometers. -- Thanks to AMSAT-NA, AMSAT News Service   
      
      
      
   Shore Station KPH Call Sign to Return to the Airwaves on October 8   
      
   Nearly 20 years after shore station KPH in California went dark, that call   
   sign will be back on the air on Saturday, October 8, for a commemorative   
   transmission, opening its doors to the public for the occasion. KPH will be   
   operating from its original home on its original frequencies using its   
   original transmitters, receivers, and antennas, "and even some of the original   
   operators!" said Richard "RD" Dillman, W6AWO, of the Maritime Radio Historical   
   Society (MRHS). Dillman explains that KPH began as station "PH" in San   
   Francisco's Palace Hotel in 1905.   
      
   "It moved to several locations after the earthquake, ending up in Marin County   
   north of San Francisco," Dillman said. "[KPH] continued to provide radiogram   
   service to ships at sea until June 30, 1997, when the license was sold to a   
   competitor. With the license went the iconic call KPH."   
      
   Dillman said the MRHS began restoring the station in 1999 and obtained another   
   commercial call sign, KSM, continuing to operate the KPH facility on KSM   
   frequencies to provide service to ships. "But, of course, we wanted to get   
   back the KPH call and the KPH frequencies, so the station would be exactly as   
   it was when they closed the doors in 1997," Dillman told ARRL. That became a   
   reality a few months ago, when the MRHS concluded an agreement with the   
   current KPH licensee to add the Bolinas and Point Reyes sites to the license.   
   That gave the MRHS authority to once again use the KPH call sign and   
   frequencies.   
      
   "The crack MRHS Transmitter Department has shifted all the KSM transmitters   
   back to their original KPH frequencies, retuned the antennas, tested the   
   keying, and advise that all will be in order for the resumption of KPH   
   service," Dillman said. Doors will open at the RCA receive site in the Point   
   Reyes National Seashore at 1900 UTC. It's hoped that Ray Smith -- the operator   
   who signed KPH Bolinas/Point Reyes off the air in June of 1997 -- will do the   
   honors. KPH will then pick up the thread and resume operations, just as it did   
   for so many decades. Dillman said KPH will provide the same services coast   
   stations always have -- radiograms to and from ships, high seas weather, and   
   news of interest to the maritime community.   
      
   Amateur Radio station K6KPH will be in operation too, listening for calls on   
   3550, 7050, 14.050, 18.097.5, and 21.050 kHz. K6KPH uses the original KPH   
   transmitters (throttled back to 1.5 kW), antennas, and receivers.   
      
   "When we began our project we would never have believed this day would come,"   
   Dillman said.   
      
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Over the September 29 through October 5   
   reporting week, the average daily sunspot number declined 9 points to 20.7,   
   and average daily solar flux increased from 81.4 to 86.7, relative to the   
   previous 7 days. Average daily planetary A index increased from 19.7 to 21.4,   
   and average mid-latitude A index increased from 12.3 to 15.1.   
      
   Think that was bad? At the University of Alaska's magnetometer, which supplies   
   us with the College A Index, the number rose to 73 on September 29, with the   
   average for the week at 35.9.   
      
   Predicted solar flux from the October 5 forecast shows 99 and 100 on October   
   6-7; 102 on October 8-12; 90 on October 13-14; 95 on October 15-18; 90 on   
   October 19-21; 85 on October 22-26; 80 On October 27-31; 85 on November 1-2;   
   90 on November 3-10, and 95 on October 11-14.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 6, 5, 5, 6 on October 6-9; 5 on October 10-14;   
   8, 10, 20, and 8 on October 15-18; 5 on October 19-22; 20 on October 23; 35 on   
   October 24-26; 20, 15, 15, 12, 15, and 10 on October 27-November 1; 5 on   
   November 2-10, and 10, 20, and 8 on November 11-14.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for September 29 through October 5 were 17, 12, 0, 13, 32, 33,   
   and 38, with a mean of 29.7. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 82.7, 80.6, 81,   
   82.3, 87.8, 93.1, and 99.3, with a mean of 81.4. Estimated planetary A indices   
   were 39, 21, 19, 18, 14, 26, and 13, with a mean of 19.7. Estimated   
   mid-latitude A indices were 22, 15, 14, 15, 12, 18, and 10, with a mean of   
   12.3.   
      
   Send me your reports and observations.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  October 8 -- FISTS Fall Unlimited Sprint (CW)   
    *  October 8 -- Microwave Fall Sprint (CW, phone)   
    *  October 8-9 -- Makrothen RTTY Contest   
    *  October 8-9 -- Oceania DX Contest (CW)   
    *  October 8-9 -- Scandinavian Activity Contest (SSB)   
    *  October 8-9 -- QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party (CW)   
    *  October 8-9 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)   
    *  October 8-9 -- Pennsylvania QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  October 8-9 -- Arizona QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  October 8-9 -- PODXS070 160 Meter Great Pumpkin Sprint (Digital)   
    *  October 9 -- North American SSB Sprint   
    *  October 9 -- UBA ON Contest (CW)   
    *  October 10 -- 10-10 International 10-10 Day Sprint (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  October 12 -- NAQCC CW Sprint   
    *  October 12 -- RSGB 80 Meter Club Sprint (CW)   
      
   See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. For in-depth reporting on   
   Amateur Radio contesting, subscribe to The ARRL Contest Update via your ARRL   
   member profile e-mail preferences.   
      
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   Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
    *  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 21-22 -- Florida State Convention, Melbourne, Florida   
    *  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   
    *  December 9-10 -- West Central Florida Section Convention, Plant City,   
       Florida   
      
   Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
      
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