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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2016-11-03   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   November 3, 2016   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  ARRL President Emeritus Jim Haynie, W5JBP, SK   
    *  IARU General Assembly Adopts Revisions to Region 2 Band Plan   
    *  Rule Making Petition to FCC Calls for Vanity Call Sign Rule Changes   
    *  The Doctor Will See You Now!   
    *  National Parks on the Air Update   
    *  National Geographic Channel Ham Radio Guide Supports Before MARS Prequel   
    *  ARISS-International to Mark 20 Years at Houston "Face-to-Face" Meeting   
    *  Two Radio Amateurs among Three Returning ISS Crew Members   
    *  Hawaiian Islands "Grid Madness" Grows   
    *  RSGB Criticizes TV Broadcast Portraying Radio Amateur as "Nightmare   
       Neighbour"   
    *  New Russian Over-the-Horizon Radars Set for 2017 Startup   
    *  Two Arrested in Georgia for Planning to Attack HAARP Facility in Alaska   
    *  Fall 2016 Issue of Radio Waves Announces New Instructor Recognition   
       Program   
    *  Maybe a Solar Minimum Can Be Too Deep for 160 Meters   
    *  "Spark" Behind Queen Mary W6RO Amateur Station Nate Brightman, K6OSC, SK   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
      
   ARRL President Emeritus Jim Haynie, W5JBP, SK   
      
   ARRL President Emeritus Jim Haynie, W5JBP, of Dallas, Texas, died on November   
   1, following a period of ill health. He was 73. Haynie was elected as the 13th   
   President of ARRL on January 21, 2000, succeeding Rod Stafford, W6ROD   
   (ex-KB6ZV).   
      
   "Jim was a remarkable individual who made a huge personal commitment to   
   Amateur Radio and the ARRL," said ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR. "He had   
   a great sense of humor that was often quite helpful as we addressed some   
   serious matters when Jim was President. His vision guided us to try new things   
   that are helping Amateur Radio and the League to this day."   
      
   A radio amateur for more than 40 years, Haynie was twice re-elected by the   
   ARRL Board to ARRL's top volunteer office, serving until January 2006, when   
   Joel Harrison, W5ZN, succeeded him. Prior to assuming the ARRL presidency,   
   Haynie was ARRL West Gulf Division Director during two different periods --   
   from 1987 until 1990 and from 1997 until 2000, and an ARRL Vice President from   
   1990 until 1992.   
      
   During his 6 years as president, Haynie focused on promoting Amateur Radio in   
   the classroom, and his ARRL Amateur Radio Education Project -- which he dubbed   
   the "Big Project" -- was an initiative to offer schools a turnkey Amateur   
   Radio curriculum as well as radio equipment. His project eventually grew into   
   the ARRL Education & Technology Program (ETP).   
      
   A gregarious and accessible individual, Haynie was also skilled at promoting   
   Amateur Radio as often as he could, frequently on the road to attend as many   
   ham radio gatherings as he could squeeze into his schedule, including Dayton   
   Hamvention(R) each spring.   
      
   Haynie often traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with FCC and other government   
   officials and with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to promote Amateur Radio issues   
   and to communicate concerns. Those included the League's position on deed   
   restrictions or CC&Rs. During his tenure, the Amateur Radio Spectrum   
   Protection Act and the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Consistency Act   
   -- an early bill to address the CC&R issue -- were introduced in Congress. In   
   2003, Haynie testified on Capitol Hill on behalf of the Spectrum Protection   
   Act.   
      
   In 2007, after he had left the presidency, Dayton Hamvention(R) named Haynie   
   as its Amateur of the Year. Hamvention said Haynie's League leadership "helped   
   define Amateur Radio's role in emergency communication."   
      
      
      
   IARU General Assembly Adopts Revisions to Region 2 Band Plan   
      
   Delegates to the 19th International Amateur Radio Union Region 2 (IARU-R2)   
   General Assembly in mid-October adopted ARRL-proposed changes to the Region 2   
   (the Americas) band plan, as well as other recommended revisions.   
   Representatives of 24 IARU member societies took part in the General Assembly,   
   held in Vi¤a del Mar, Chile, either in person or by proxy. ARRL President Rick   
   Roderick, K5UR, headed the League contingent. Alternate head of delegation and   
   ARRL Second Vice President Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, chaired the IARU Region 2   
   B/C Committee, which handled LF/MF/HF and VHF+ band-planning matters and   
   proposals and made recommendations to the full assembly -- or plenary.   
      
   "The IARU Region 2 has established this band plan as the way to better   
   organize the use of our bands efficiently," the introduction to the updated   
   document states. "To the extent possible, this band plan is harmonized with   
   those of the other regions. It is suggested that member societies, in   
   coordination with the authorities, incorporate it in their regulations and   
   promote it widely with their radio amateur communities."   
      
   General Assembly delegates approved minor modifications to band segments and   
   modes of operation within 160, 80, and 15 meters, to align the Region 2 band   
   plan with the Region 1 and 3 band plans, where appropriate. Changes also   
   acknowledged AM operation within band plans where it commonly occurs (e.g.,   
   160 meters), and added narrowband (i.e., 200 Hz bandwidth or less) digital   
   operation to accommodate such modes as WSPR.   
      
   The revisions adopted also called for changing references to 660 meters to 630   
   meters, to more accurately describe the wavelength of the spectrum actually   
   allocated to Amateur Radio; adding 60 meters to the Region 2 band plan, and   
   making minor modifications to bands at 13 centimeters and above, with respect   
   to Amateur-Satellite operation -- again, to bring the Region 2 band plan into   
   alignment, as appropriate, with the Region 1 and 3 band plans.   
      
   The General Assembly unanimously approved the formation of a region-level   
   working group that will interact with Region 2 member societies in order to   
   become better informed of and to track band planning issues, challenges, and   
   opportunities. The working group would interact with corresponding Region 1   
   and 3 groups toward developing a more global approach to band planning.   
   Driving formation of the working group was a desire to transition Region 2   
   band planning to an ongoing process, rather than addressing it every 3 years   
   -- especially given the rapid pace of technological development within Amateur   
   Radio.   
      
   Elected members of the IARU Region 2 Executive Committee for new 3-year terms   
   were Reinaldo Leandro, YV5AM, president; Ram¢n Santoyo, XE1KK, vice president;   
   Jose Arturo Molina, YS1MS, secretary and Area D director; Jay Bellows, K0QB,   
   treasurer and Area B director; George Gorsline, VE3YV, Area A director; Noel   
   Donawa, Area E director; Gustavo de Faria Franco, PT2ADM, Area F director, and   
   Ernesto Syriani, LU8AE, Area G director.   
      
   The proposal of Radio Club Peruano for Lima to be the venue of the 20th   
   General Assembly in 2019 was adopted unanimously.   
      
      
      
   Rule Making Petition to FCC Calls for Vanity Call Sign Rule Changes   
      
   The FCC is inviting comments on a Petition for Rule Making (RM-1775) from a   
   Nevada radio amateur that seeks changes to the rules governing the Amateur   
   Radio Vanity Call Sign Program. Christopher LaRue, W4ADL, of North Las Vegas,   
   is proposing that any licensee obtaining a vanity call sign be required to   
   keep it for the full license term. LaRue contends in his petition that   
   excessive and frequent vanity call sign filings are hampering the ability of   
   other qualified licensees to obtain vanity call signs in one of the more   
   desirable 1 x 2 or 2 x 1 formats. LaRue said that since the FCC dropped the   
   fee to file for a vanity call sign, some applicants are taking advantage by   
   regularly obtaining new call signs, thereby keeping them out of circulation.   
      
   "Some are changing call signs almost monthly, just to keep the newer code-free   
   Extra class operators from obtaining a shorter call sign," he said in his   
   petition. "I even saw an older operator that said he does it all the time and   
   has not even owned a radio in over 6 years. When I looked him up, he has had   
   16 different [call signs] in 18 months."   
      
   LaRue said his proposed minor rule change would require any licensee applying   
   for and obtaining an Amateur Radio vanity call sign "be required to keep it   
   for the duration of the license, which is currently 10 years."   
      
   He said this would "alleviate a lot of the stress on the ULS system and   
   manpower requirements" at the FCC. "It will also keep inactive amateurs from   
   changing call signs regularly, thereby tying up call signs for 2 years after   
   dismissal of said call."   
      
   Interested parties may comment using the FCC Electronic Comment Filing System   
   (ECFS). Comments are due within 30 days of the October 26 posting date.   
      
      
      
   The Doctor Will See You Now!   
      
   "Anderson Powerpole Connectors, and Antenna Polarization" are the topics of   
   the latest (November 3) 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.   
      
      
      
   National Parks on the Air Update   
      
   With just 2 months left in the ARRL National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) program,   
   the push for 1 million contacts from eligible NPS units remains strong.   
   November 1 saw the 800,000th contact uploaded to Logbook of the World,   
   breaking 25,000 contacts for the second straight week.   
      
   ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, and QST Managing   
   Editor Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY, were interviewed by NPS Ranger Bill Urbin   
   during their September NPOTA activation of Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic   
   Site (NS14). Video of that interview is available on the ARRL Facebook page.   
      
   Thirty-two activations are on tap for November 3-9, including Big Bend   
   National Park in Texas, and Everglades National Park in Florida.   
      
   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).   
      
      
      
   National Geographic Channel Ham Radio Guide Supports Before MARS Prequel   
      
   The National Geographic has produced A Guide to Ham Radio to support its   
   recently released digital short, Before MARS -- a prequel to its upcoming MARS   
   series. The 33-minute prequel, which has a heavy Amateur Radio theme, provides   
   the backstory of two principal characters in the upcoming MARS global event   
   series.   
      
   In the prequel, twin teenaged sisters Hana and Joon Seung are the new kids in   
   town, after their single mother relocates. In due course, they come across old   
   ham radio transceivers -- one in an attic, the other in a thrift shop -- and   
   use them to communicate with each other and with an older, local ham.   
      
   Tuning about, Hana -- whose character gets most of the attention -- hears an   
   astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS) on her radio and eventually   
   makes contact, as Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)   
   program participants do. In a touch of realism, the female astronaut uses the   
   NA1SS call sign.   
      
   The Amateur Radio researcher on the film was veteran electrical engineer   
   Michael Gilmer, N2MG, who said the producers contacted him through his   
   connection with the eHam.net website. Patrick J. Kiger authored the online   
   guide.   
      
   Gilmer concedes that the depictions of Amateur Radio in the production take a   
   few liberties, although he believes that non-hams will likely overlook these   
   and focus instead on the story arc of self-discovery and relationships within   
   a theme of young women becoming interested in science and scientific careers.   
      
   The sisters' exposure to ham radio helps to inspire them to pursue careers in   
   space exploration, become astronauts, and take part in a 2033 mission to Mars.   
   MARS, which premieres on November 14, will include documentary sequences about   
   real-life efforts to travel to and colonize Mars.   
      
      
      
   ARISS-International to Mark 20 Years at Houston "Face-to-Face" Meeting   
      
   ARISS-International will celebrate its 20th anniversary when it meets in   
   Houston on November 15. ARISS International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, noted   
   that an international group interested in installing and operating an Amateur   
   Radio station on the International Space Station first met in November 1996 at   
   the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, and the Amateur Radio on the   
   International Space Station (ARISS) program was born. "And the rest is   
   history!" he said.   
      
   The ARISS-I meeting agenda has been divided into three categories -- Hardware   
   Development, Education, and Sustainability and Funding, with concurrent   
   sessions in two categories. Plenary sessions attended by the entire ARISS team   
   will offer opportunities to discuss broader topics.   
      
   A draft agenda for the ARISS meeting in Houston is available. "It is amazing   
   what we have accomplished in 20 years!" Bauer said. "It will be exciting to   
   see what we will do in the next 20!" Those interested in attending the Houston   
   gathering should contact Bauer. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service   
      
      
      
   Two Radio Amateurs among Three Returning ISS Crew Members   
      
   Three crew members on the International Space Station (ISS) -- two of them   
   radio amateurs and ARISS contact participants -- said farewell to the orbital   
   outpost on October 29. Expedition 49 Commander Anatoly Ivanishin and Flight   
   Engineers Kate Rubins, KG5FYJ, and Takuya Onishi, KF5LKS, returned to Earth on   
   October 30, landing safely in Kazakhstan, after wrapping up 115 days in space   
   since their July launch.   
      
   Together, the Expedition 49 crew members pursued hundreds of experiments in   
   biology, biotechnology, physical science, and Earth science aboard the   
   orbiting laboratory. Rubins became the first person to sequence DNA in space,   
   and she contributed to several new studies taking place aboard the ISS. The   
   ability to sequence the DNA of living organisms in space could enable   
   astronauts to diagnose an illness, or identify microbes growing in the space   
   station and determine whether they represent a health threat, NASA said.   
      
   Expedition 50 Commander Shane Kimbrough, KE5HOD, and crewmates Sergey Ryzhikov   
   and Andrey Borisenko will operate the station for 3 weeks until the arrival of   
   Peggy Whitson, KC5ZTD; Thomas Pesquet, KG5FYG, and Oleg Novitsky. They are   
   scheduled to launch on November 17 from Kazakhstan.   
      
      
      
   Hawaiian Islands "Grid Madness" Grows   
      
   "Grid Madness" in Hawaii -- where radio amateurs operate VHF and UHF simplex   
   to work as many others as they can reach -- is growing. The number of logs for   
   the 2016 event on September 18 was double last year's figure. Twenty-three   
   more stations took part, and they made 150 more contacts than in 2015.   
      
   "This has proven to be a popular event in the islands," said a news release   
   from ARRL PIO Darren Holbrook, KH6OWL. "Grid Madness is about islands,   
   mountains, ocean, and radio signals."   
      
   Sponsored by the Aulani Hui Amateur Repeater Club, the 4-hour event is open to   
   all, from mobiles and fixed stations to those operating with a handheld. The   
   first place mobile this year was operated by Steve Kawamae, KH6WG, from his   
   truck on Mauna Kapu on Oahu at an elevation of 1,800 feet. He also set the   
   record for the longest simplex contact at 211 miles on 2 meters and 70   
   centimeters, from Oahu to the Big Island -- the longest contact in the 3-year   
   history of Grid Madness. Peggy Gentle, KE6TIS, placed first in the   
   fixed-station category.   
      
   Event manager Stan Froseth, AH6KO, said he never heard so many stations on   
   146.52 MHz from his mobile perch at the Mauna Loa Weather Observatory, some   
   11,000 feet above sea level.   
      
   Todd Wilson, WH6DWF, operated from Tantalus Lookout on Oahu, powering his   
   station with golf cart batteries charged by solar panels and a wind turbine.   
   "Other hams were checking out my setup, and so did visitors to the park where   
   [two other operators] and I had set up," Wilson said. "We are also getting the   
   public thinking more positively toward Amateur Radio when we do events in   
   public places."   
      
      
      
   RSGB Criticizes TV Broadcast Portraying Radio Amateur as "Nightmare Neighbour"   
      
   The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) has weighed in following the airing   
   of a Channel 5 TV Nightmare Neighbour Next Door episode [The program may have   
   been removed from the website -- Ed.] that featured an Amateur Radio operator.   
   In the program, neighbors of 75-year-old Armando Martins, M0PAM, of Kent, made   
   unsubstantiated claims that RF radiating from his 30-foot vertical antenna was   
   detrimental to their health.   
      
   "Unfortunately, the RSGB was not invited to be part of Channel 5's Nightmare   
   Neighbour Next Door programme or to verify any facts," the RSGB said. "We   
   have, of course, contacted Channel 5 about our concerns and have highlighted   
   the positive aspects of Amateur Radio. We have also offered our expertise and   
   input for future programmes where Amateur Radio is mentioned."   
      
   Channel 5 broadcast the offending episode on October 27, and it drew criticism   
   from radio amateurs across the UK, some of whom may have used a program   
   complaint service form provided by telecommunications regulator Ofcom. Critics   
   complained that the program was replete with false claims and noted that Ofcom   
   has never found any problems with Martins' station.   
      
   A radio amateur for more than 60 years, Martins was first licensed as CR6IL in   
   Portuguese West Africa (Angola).   
      
      
      
   New Russian Over-the-Horizon Radars Set for 2017 Startup   
      
   According to media accounts, more long-range, new over-the-horizon (OTH)   
   radars that can identify aerial and sea targets hundreds of miles away are   
   scheduled to begin operation next year in the Russian Arctic. It's doubtful,   
   however, that the news heralds the return of interference on the level of that   
   generated by the so-called "Russian Woodpecker" OTH radar, which plagued   
   Amateur Radio HF bands in the 1970s and 1980s.   
      
   Over the past couple of years, OTH radars, sans woodpecker, have become   
   increasingly commonplace intruders on Amateur Radio bands, according to the   
   International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 (IARU R1) Monitoring System   
   (IARUMS), which has noted OTH radars in Russia, China, Cyprus, Iran, and   
   Turkey. The Russian systems-intelligence "Konteyner RLS" OTH radar,   
   transmitting from the Nizhny Novgorod region, is frequently spotted on 20   
   meters. While no woodpecker, it transmits a broad, frequency-modulated CW   
   signal at 50 sweeps per second with a bandwidth of 80 kHz or greater,   
   accompanied by signal splatter, IARUMS Coordinator Wolfgang Hadel, DK2OM,   
   reported recently.   
      
   Sputnik, a Russian government-controlled radio service, cited a Rossiiskaya   
   Gazeta newspaper report that six OTH radar installations will operate in the   
   region. Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Buklgakov, who visited the construction   
   site, said a runway capable of handling all types of combat aircraft was   
   simultaneously being reconstructed nearby, the report continued. Other reports   
   have indicated that similar systems will be deployed in the far east in 2018.   
      
      
      
   Two Arrested in Georgia for Planning to Attack HAARP Facility in Alaska   
      
   Authorities in Georgia recently arrested two men who said they were planning   
   to attack the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility   
   near Gakona, Alaska. Michael Vickers, a detective with the Coffee County   
   Sheriff's Office, told Alaska Dispatch News that the pair explained to   
   authorities "that God told them to go and blow this machine up that kept   
   souls, so souls could be released."   
      
   "Yes, that news caused a bit of a stir," said Chris Fallen, KL3WX, a faculty   
   member at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks (UAF), which now operates the   
   HAARP facility. "I can also confirm that no souls are stored at HAARP."   
      
   Long of interest to the Amateur Radio community as well as a target of various   
   mind- and weather-control conspiracies, HAARP is now operated as an   
   ionospheric research facility by UAF, which took it over last year from the US   
   Air Force.   
      
   Police seized a "massive" arsenal of weapons the individuals had apparently   
   planned to use in attacking the remote facility. According to a WALB TV news   
   account, investigators discovered the plot after they began looking into   
   possible drug sales by one of the men. A local gun shop also alerted   
   authorities that the same individual was attempting to buy a large number of   
   weapons. The two men, who face domestic terrorism charges, also were charged   
   with selling drugs, and they could face other charges.   
      
   UAF spokesperson Marmian Grimes told Alaska Dispatch News that HAARP has been   
   the target of previous threats, and she thanked the Georgia authorities for   
   heading off this one. -- Thanks to Alaska Dispatch News and WALB TV   
      
      
      
   Fall 2016 Issue of Radio Waves Announces New Instructor Recognition Program   
      
   The Fall 2016 edition of Radio Waves now is available. The ARRL publication   
   focuses on news and articles of interest to educators and instructors. The   
   fall issue announces the launch of the new Instructor Recognition Program.   
      
   A tutorial explaining the management information features of the program is   
   available on YouTube, and Section Managers are encouraged to check it out.   
      
   Other highlights of the fall issue are "Building Blocks Illustrate Basic   
   Electronics," "Ham Radio Flies High as Summer Camp at Kopernik Observatory,"   
   an update on recent ARISS activities, Instructor Corner -- News, Ideas,   
   Support, ARRL Education & Technology Program news, and a report on the 2016   
   summer Teachers Institutes.   
      
   To receive Radio Waves, register as an ARRL Instructor or Teacher, or edit   
   your personal profile and select Radio Waves as one of your e-mail   
   subscriptions.   
      
      
      
   Maybe a Solar Minimum Can Be Too Deep for 160 Meters   
      
   Propagation observer Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, recently offered some "deep   
   thoughts" on the Top Band Reflector. As he explained, while less geomagnetic   
   field activity heading into winter bodes favorable 160-meter propagation, more   
   galactic cosmic rays entering our atmosphere could become a factor.   
      
   "The Sun's magnetic field is weakening, probably to the lowest levels in our   
   lifetimes," Luetzelschwab said. "With a weak solar magnetic field, more   
   galactic cosmic rays will be able to get into Earth's atmosphere. We are now   
   seeing unprecedented high neutron counts (neutrons are one of the byproducts   
   of cosmic rays). Since galactic cosmic rays are mostly very energetic protons,   
   they can get down to low atmospheric altitudes, causing collisional ionization   
   in the D region and lower E region."   
      
   He said a cursory estimate using cosmic ray ionization rates confirms greater   
   ionization in the lower atmosphere, and 160 meters is not too tolerant of more   
   absorption.   
      
   "Many of us think that 'solar min is solar min is solar min,'" Luetzelschwab   
   said in his post, "but maybe a solar minimum can be too deep for 160 meters."   
   He said a good question to ask in the early 2020s may be, "How was 160   
   meters?" -- Thanks to the ARRL Contest Update   
      
      
      
   "Spark" Behind Queen Mary W6RO Amateur Station Nate Brightman, K6OSC, SK   
      
   Nate Brightman, K6OSC, called the "spark" behind W6RO, the Amateur Radio   
   station aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, died on October 29.   
   He was 99. An ARRL member, Brightman, who lived in Long Beach, had served as   
   the W6RO Wireless Room Manager for 34 years, plus another 10 years arranging   
   for the GB5QM "Last Voyage" Amateur Radio operation and establishing W6RO,   
   which is licensed to the Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach.   
      
   In 2013, Brightman reluctantly resigned as W6RO Wireless Room Manager, citing   
   recent illness and his advanced age as reasons for his decision. In his   
   farewell statement, Brightman said ham radio operations now aboard some 90   
   museum ships such as the Queen Mary have introduced Amateur Radio to millions   
   of people. "This means of introducing Amateur Radio to the public is the   
   biggest publicity stunt ever for Amateur Radio, and we should be proud that it   
   all started with W6RO!" he said.   
      
   In the process of spearheading Amateur Radio aboard the Queen Mary, Brightman   
   balanced the tasks of recruiting hundreds of operators, garnering equipment   
   donations from leading manufacturers, and maintaining excellent relations with   
   "The Queen's" management. He earned an ARRL Special Service Award for his   
   efforts in 2004.   
      
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Over the October 27-November 2 reporting   
   week, there were 2 days with no sunspots -- October 28 and November 2. The   
   average daily sunspot number was 9.1, down from 18.7 from the previous 7 days.   
   The average daily solar flux rose, but only slightly, from 76.9 to 77.5.   
      
   Geomagnetic indicators were slightly lower, with the average daily planetary A   
   index declining from 20.3 to 18.1, and the mid-latitude A index from 16.7 to   
   13.4.   
      
   Predicted solar flux is 75, 74, and 72 on November 3-5; 70 on November 6-7;   
   75, 80, and 78 on November 8-10; 80 on November 11-12; 78 and 75 on November   
   13-14; 73 on November 15-16; 78 on November 17-18; 77 and 75 on November   
   19-20; 78 on November 21-22; 80 on November 23-25; 78 on November 26; 80 on   
   November 27-29; 78 on November 30; 82 on December 1-3; 80 on December 4-5; 78   
   on December 6-7, and 80 on December 8-9.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 8, 10, 8, and 6 on November 3-6; 5 on November   
   7-10; 10, 15, 18, 10, and 8 on November 11-15; 5 on November 16-18; 8, 15, 54,   
   42, and 24 on November 19-23; 18, 22, 18, 15, and 12 on November 24-28; 8 on   
   November 29-December 1; 5 and 8 on December 2-3, and 5 on December 4-7.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for October 27 through November 2 were 12, 0, 16, 12, 12, 12,   
   and 0, with a mean of 9.1. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 78.9, 79.2, 79.1,   
   76.2, 76.7, 76.5, and 76, with a mean of 77.5. Estimated planetary A indices   
   were 28, 17, 27, 18, 11, 11, and 15, with a mean of 18.1. Estimated   
   mid-latitude A indices were 18, 16, 18, 13, 8, 9, and 12, with a mean of 13.4.   
      
   Send me your reports and observations.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  November 5 -- IPARC Contest (CW)   
    *  November 5-6 -- Ukrainian DX Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  November 5-6 -- RSGB International Sprint (SSB)   
    *  November 5-7 -- ARRL November Sweepstakes (CW)   
    *  November 6 -- IPARC Contest (SSB)   
    *  November 6 -- EANET Sprint (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  November 6 -- High Speed Club CW Contest   
    *  November 6 -- DARC 10 Meter Digital Contest   
    *  November 8 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)   
    *  November 9 -- RSGB 80 Meter Club Sprint (SSB)   
      
   See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. For in-depth reporting on   
   Amateur Radio contesting, subscribe to The ARRL Contest Update via your ARRL   
   member profile e-mail preferences.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
    *  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   
    *  January 8 -- New York City/Long Island Section Convention, Bethpage, New   
       York   
    *  January 14 -- TechFest 2017 Convention, Lawrenceville, Georgia   
    *  January 20-21 -- North Texas Section Convention, Forest Hill, Texas   
    *  January 21 -- Georgia ARES Convention, Forsyth, Georgia   
    *  January 22-28 -- QuartzFest Convention, Quartzsite, Arizona   
    *  January 27-28 -- Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi   
    *  January 27-29 -- Puerto Rico State Convention, Hatillo, Puerto Rico   
      
   Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
      
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   )\/(ark   
      
   Always Mount a Scratch Monkey   
   Do you manage your own servers? If you are not running an IDS/IPS yer doin' it   
   wrong...   
   ... "Oxy oxy oxen freeze!" - Gene   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)