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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2016-11-17   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   November 17, 2016   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  ARRL Calls on Members to Press for US Senate Passage of Amateur Radio   
       Parity Act   
    *  Work Continues to Strengthen Relationship between Amateur Auxiliary, FCC   
    *  Mark Twain Birthday Special Event Set   
    *  "An Amazing Night" Reported for Special Activity on 630 Meters   
    *  The Doctor Will See You Now!   
    *  National Parks on the Air Update   
    *  ARRL November Sweepstakes -- Part 2 is November 19-21   
    *  New ARRL Repeater Directory Will Leverage Crowdsourcing Technology   
    *  Hamvention(R) Countdown: With 6 Months to Go, Plans Proceed Apace at New   
       Venue   
    *  ARRL Honorary Vice President, Director Emeritus Tod Olson, K0TO, SK   
    *  In Brief...   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   ARRL Headquarters Will Be Closed on November 24-25: ARRL Headquarters will be   
   closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, November 24-25.   
   The ARRL Letter will not publish on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24,   
   and there will be no ARRL Audio News on Friday, November 25. In addition,   
   there will be no W1AW bulletins or code practice on those days. We wish all   
   our members a safe and enjoyable holiday!   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   ARRL Calls on Members to Press for US Senate Passage of Amateur Radio Parity   
   Act   
      
   ARRL once again is calling on its members to urge their US Senators to support   
   the Amateur Radio Parity Act (H.R. 1301) when it comes up in the Senate during   
   the "lame duck" session of Congress that adjourns in mid-December. The House   
   of Representatives approved the bill in September, but if the Senate does not   
   follow suit, the bill will die, and the entire process will have to be   
   repeated. ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, who chairs the   
   ARRL Board's Legislative Advocacy Committee and has been heavily involved in   
   efforts to move H.R. 1301 forward, said today, "The clock is ticking!"   
      
   "We begin the e-mail campaign once again, as the US Senate returns to work   
   this week after a month-long hiatus," Lisenco said. "We were just beginning to   
   build momentum in the Senate following the unanimous passage of the Parity Act   
   in the House when Congress shut down for the 4 weeks prior to Election Day."   
      
   The task is simple: Go to our Rally Congress page, enter your ZIP code, fill   
   in your name and address, press enter, and e-mails will go directly to your   
   Senators. Members may do this, even if they have already contacted their US   
   Senators for support.   
      
   "We have to remind our legislators that we are still here and that we need the   
   Amateur Radio Parity Act to become law," Lisenco stressed. "We must do this   
   now as we have, at most, only 4 weeks left in the session to get the bill   
   passed this year. Otherwise, we will have to begin the entire process in 2017   
   with a new 115th Congress."   
      
   There are no guarantees, Lisenco said, and we are subject to the political   
   bickering that goes on daily between the parties, despite the fact that the   
   bill is truly a bipartisan effort. "In order to have a chance at overcoming   
   political obstacles that have little or nothing to do with the legislation, we   
   need our voices to be heard," he said. "And we need that input today!"   
      
   September's victory in the US House was the culmination of many years of   
   effort on ARRL's part to gain legislation that would enable radio amateurs   
   living in deed-restricted communities to erect efficient outdoor antennas that   
   support Amateur Radio communication. The measure calls on the FCC to amend its   
   Part 97 rules "to prohibit the application to amateur stations of certain   
   private land-use restrictions, and for other purposes." While similar bills   
   have gained some traction on Capitol Hill in the past, it was not until the   
   overwhelming grassroots support from the Amateur Radio community for H.R. 1301   
   and ARRL's relentless and strident efforts on Capitol Hill that this bill made   
   it this far.   
      
      
      
   Work Continues to Strengthen Relationship between Amateur Auxiliary, FCC   
      
   Work continues to promote the visibility of Amateur Radio enforcement within   
   the FCC, the ARRL Executive Committee (EC) was told recently. The EC met on   
   October 22 in Rosemont, Illinois. ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, chaired   
   the session.   
      
   ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, reported that meetings have been held   
   with the FCC concerning more effective FCC use of the volunteer resources of   
   the Amateur Auxiliary (Official Observers) program, the current FCC-ARRL   
   Amateur Auxiliary Agreement, and the development of a new Memorandum of   
   Understanding that better incorporates the Amateur Auxiliary program --   
   especially in light of the FCC's recent closing of field offices and reduction   
   of Spectrum Enforcement Division staff.   
      
   The EC directed Second Vice President Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, to continue   
   work on the review and revitalization of the Amateur Auxiliary, in cooperation   
   with the FCC, to ensure active use of the Amateur Auxiliary program.   
      
   In other FCC-related issues. The EC provided guidance in the domestic   
   implementation of the worldwide Amateur Radio allocation at 5 MHz, agreed upon   
   at World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) last fall: 5351.5-5366.5   
   kHz, with stations limited to 15 W EIRP.   
      
   Imlay, in conjunction with ARRL International Affairs Vice President Jay   
   Bellows, K0QB, and Midwest Division Director Rod Blocksome, K0DAS, will review   
   the National Broadband Plan, with an eye toward determining any impact it   
   might have on Amateur Radio allocations.   
      
   In addition, Imlay and West Gulf Division Director Dr. David Woolweaver,   
   K5RAV, will meet with officials of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)   
   and congressional offices to address the effect of new painting and lighting   
   requirements required under the FAA Reauthorization Act (H.R. 636) on Amateur   
   Radio antenna systems between 50 and 200 feet tall.   
      
   ARRL CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, told the panel that several new educational   
   initiatives are under way, and, as those pilot programs are assessed and   
   refined, the programs will be made available to the Amateur Radio community.   
      
   In his report, Bellows told the EC that the IARU Administrative Council has   
   begun preparations to represent Amateur Radio at various meetings being held   
   in advance of World Radiocommunication Conference 2019.   
      
   Minutes of the October 22 meeting are available on the ARRL website.   
      
      
      
   Mark Twain Birthday Special Event Set   
      
   Members of ARRL Headquarters staff will be on the air as W1T, November   
   28-December 4, in honor of Mark Twain's 181st birthday. On November 30,   
   Twain's actual birthday, the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford,   
   Connecticut has granted permission for a special event station to be set up in   
   the front yard of the house from 9 AM until 4 PM EST (1400-2100 UTC).   
      
   Born in Missouri in 1835, Twain lived in Hartford from 1874 to 1891 and wrote   
   many of his greatest works during that time, including The Adventures of Tom   
   Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and A Connecticut Yankee in King   
   Arthur's Court.   
      
   "We are so excited to have our neighbors at ARRL with us on Mark Twain's 181st   
   birthday!" said Betsy Maguire, Manager of Living History at the Mark Twain   
   House and Museum. "This is a rare treat for the Museum staff, our visitors   
   and, hopefully, many amateur operators across the country who make contact   
   with the station. As a lover of the science and technology of his day, Samuel   
   Clemens would definitely approve of a 'special event station' on the grounds   
   of 'the loveliest home that ever was.'"   
      
   W1T activity on November 30 will be exclusively from the Mark Twain House and   
   Museum; all other W1T activity during the week will be conducted from other   
   sites, as ARRL staff time permits. All bands and modes will be considered,   
   including satellite operation. A special W1T QSL card will be available to   
   commemorate the event. Complete information is available on the W1T listing at   
   qrz.com.   
      
      
      
   "An Amazing Night" Reported for Special Activity on 630 Meters   
      
   Texas radio amateur and FCC Part 5 Experimental licensee John Langridge,   
   KB5NJD/ WG2XIQ, reported "an amazing night" for the 630-meter special event on   
   November 12-13. One highlight was a North America-to-Europe Amateur Radio   
   contact on the medium-wave band, to which US operators are still awaiting   
   access.   
      
   "Last night is what it is all about, and I had a front row seat for the   
   festivities," Langridge said in his lengthy post-event report, adding that the   
   activity represented "a significant moment in 630-meter lore." The weekend   
   event featured participation by the Marine Radio Historical Society's KPH,   
   Canadian radio amateurs making cross-band contacts with US stations, and Part   
   5 Experimental stations either beaconing or contacting other experimental   
   stations.   
      
   Langridge credited radio amateurs in Canada, who already have access to the   
   427-479 kHz band, with playing "a massive role" in providing cross-band QSOs;   
   advance publicity also helped, he said. Newfoundland MW enthusiast Joe Craig,   
   VO1NA, completed a contact on CW with Kees Nijdam, PE5T, in the Netherlands.   
   Langridge said the contact was among only a handful of transatlantic CW   
   contacts completed so far on 630 meters. Others in Europe reported hearing   
   VO1NA.   
      
   Mitch Powell, VE3OT, worked several other North American stations cross-band,   
   with all contacts -- from Maine to Iowa to Alabama -- taking place on 80   
   meters. Many stations in the western US were also successful in working or   
   hearing stations in British Columbia.   
      
   In Australia, Roger Crofts, VK4YB, reported "horrid conditions," with just a   
   single transpacific report. Laurence Howell, KL7L/WE2XPQ, in Wasilla, Alaska,   
   reported a lot of noise on VLF and warble on HF signals, with periods of total   
   blackout overnight. Merv Schweigert, K9FD/WH2XCR, in Hawaii, experienced a   
   spectacular night with stations in Japan.   
      
   "We live in a time when a lot of people want the easy way out, and there is   
   nothing easy about 630 meters, even when the band is in good shape," Langridge   
   said.   
      
      
      
   The Doctor Will See You Now!   
      
   "Stealth Antennas" is the topic of the latest (November 17) 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   
      
   Participants in ARRL's National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) continue to push   
   toward 1 million two-way contacts from eligible NPOTA units before the program   
   ends on December 31. For the fourth straight week, more than 25,000 NPOTA   
   contacts were uploaded to Logbook of The World from some 16,000 activations of   
   NPS units.   
      
   Time is running out for you to get in on the NPOTA fun! Get on the air and   
   give some of the Activators a contact toward the 1 million-contact goal, or   
   try activating an NPOTA unit yourself; many units can be activated using a   
   mobile station in the parking lot.   
      
   Twenty activations are slated for November 17-23, including the Ana Kahakai   
   National Scenic Trail in Hawaii, and Biscayne 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).   
      
      
      
   ARRL November Sweepstakes -- Part 2 is November 19-21   
      
   The second half of the 2016 ARRL November Sweepstakes -- the phone weekend --   
   is November 19-21. The event begins on November 19 at 2100 UTC and continues   
   through 0259 UTC on November 21. ARRL Sweepstakes Manager Larry Hammel, K5OT,   
   advises SS newcomers to learn the required, lengthy exchange in the correct   
   sequence.   
      
   "Write the exchange down on a card in front of the rig if necessary," he said.   
   "There is no need to repeat it all twice; say it clearly one time, and the   
   other station will let you know if they need any 'fills' of information they   
   missed."   
      
   He also said not to invest too much time trying to work a rare multiplier that   
   has attracted a pileup. "Put that frequency in your rig's memory -- or second   
   VFO, or your logger's bandmap -- and pop back later when things slow down a   
   bit," he said. "You can use that waiting time productively to look for other   
   stations to work."   
      
   He further advised that newcomers to SS should not be afraid to attempt   
   "running" (calling CQ) on a clear frequency. But most of all, he said, "Have   
   fun!" -- Thanks to The ARRL Contest Update   
      
      
      
   New ARRL Repeater Directory Will Leverage Crowdsourcing Technology   
      
   ARRL partner RFinder, the creator of a web and app-based directory of Amateur   
   Radio repeaters worldwide, will supply all data for the 2017-2018 ARRL   
   Repeater Directory(R). RFinder will employ its crowdsourcing technology to   
   aggregate timely and accurate information for the Directory, marking the first   
   time crowdsourcing has been put to use in the production of an ARRL   
   publication. "Crowdsourcing," in this case, means repeater owners and   
   frequency coordinators. Including RFinder's data in The Repeater Directory   
   will help users seeking the most complete listing of on-air repeaters. The   
   Repeater Directory will continue to publish listings by state, city,   
   frequency, and mode.   
      
   Although RFinder's data is primarily user supplied, ARRL has invited volunteer   
   frequency coordinators to contribute their coordination data to RFinder.   
   RFinder has set up an online portal to accept coordinator input. Every   
   coordinator supplying repeater data to RFinder will have its listings credited   
   as coordinated repeaters in both the RFinder smartphone apps and web listings,   
   and in the hard-copy Repeater Directory.   
      
   As part of this program, RFinder will make the RFinder database available to   
   all frequency coordinators free of charge, with the exception of the Apple iOS   
   version app, which requires a $9.99 license. The Android-compatible database   
   is a free download.   
      
   "We believe this will help you in your coordination activities, as it will   
   provide you with a complete map of machines, both coordinated or not," RFinder   
   said. "It will also assist coordinators to bring uncoordinated machines into   
   coordination."   
      
   RFinder's steadily growing worldwide repeater database now includes more than   
   60,000 repeaters in some 170 countries around the globe. RFinder listings are   
   dynamic, regularly reflecting new, updated, revised, and deleted information.   
      
   RFinder is integrated directly with EchoLink on both Android and iPhone and   
   provides the ability to share repeater check-ins on Facebook, Twitter, and   
   APRS. RFinder is integrated with RT Systems and CHIRP radio programming   
   applications and has a routing feature that lets users find repeaters   
   worldwide over a given route. Video demos of RFinder features are available on   
   YouTube.   
      
   RFinder also includes the ability to report radio jamming anywhere. Those   
   without a device or subscription can file reports online. Those responsible   
   for coordinating anti-jamming activities also can request access to view   
   jamming reports for their area.   
      
   ARRL previously discontinued its own products that supported digital listings   
   of repeater data including the TravelPlus for Repeaters(TM) software and its   
   own apps.   
      
   RFinder is $9.99 per year. Subscribe to RFinder from your iPhone, iPad, iPod   
   Touch, or from your Android smartphone or tablet.   
      
   RFinder recently collaborated with the BrandMeister network of Amateur Radio   
   digital voice systems to include a daily data feed of digital repeaters.   
   Digital repeaters are now categorized in RFinder by network, and RFinder's   
   Android and iOS apps can provide information on BrandMeister networked   
   repeaters worldwide. The daily data feed from BrandMeister includes both   
   repeaters and talk groups.   
      
   RFinder also now supports automated repeater coverage maps for the newly   
   released BrandMeister dashboard, active once repeaters sysops enter their   
   repeater information on BrandMeister. RFinder generates its coverage maps   
   using CloudRF technology, developed by Alex Farrant, M6ZUJ.   
      
      
      
   Hamvention(R) Countdown: With 6 Months to Go, Plans Proceed Apace at New Venue   
      
   With just 6 months to go until Hamvention(R) debuts at its new Greene County   
   Fairgrounds and Event Center venue in Xenia, Ohio, May 19-21, General Chair   
   Ron Cramer, KD8ENJ, and Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) Board Member   
   Mike Kalter, W8CI, assure that all is progressing smoothly. Cramer and Kalter   
   made another appearance this week on Amateur Radio Roundtable, hosted by Tom   
   Medlin, W5KUB, to update progress on preparations for the all-new Hamvention.   
   Cramer and Kalter said they continue to be bombarded with questions, concerns,   
   and rumors regarding how the event will be staged.   
      
   "You have to remember, we're starting from the ground up," Cramer said. "So   
   it's taken a while to get things going." He asked for patience from   
   prospective visitors, but he and Kalter told Medlin that the vast   
   all-volunteer team has everything well in hand, and that plans are coming   
   together. Both maintained that those attending Hamvention 2017 "will be very   
   impressed."   
      
   Cramer predicted parking would not be an issue, and that there would be plenty   
   of room for the anticipated number of vehicles, with overflow parking   
   available and transportation to the buildings housing the vendors and events   
   from the parking areas, as needed.   
      
   Traffic and transportation logistics are being addressed, Cramer said, and   
   Hamvention is working with four police departments as well as a professional   
   traffic planner to ensure that all goes smoothly.   
      
   Cramer said Hamvention 2017 tickets will become available starting in December   
   -- a bit earlier than in past years. The cost of admission will rise by $2   
   from the 2016 price of $20 for advanced tickets, and $25 for those purchased   
   at the gate. But, he pointed out, there will be no parking charges on site.   
      
   The Hamvention website is yet to be updated to reflect the 2017 event, but   
   Cramer and Kalter said that both indoor and outdoor layout maps will be made   
   available online in advance of the show, and these will be included in the   
   Hamvention program as well.   
      
   Hamvention announced in August that it would be relocating to Xenia, following   
   the closure of Hara Arena, where the show took place for more than 50 years.   
      
   The Amateur Radio Roundtable show included a DX Engineering-produced video   
   taken from a drone operated by Greg Ordy, W8WWV, and narrated by DX   
   Engineering's Tim Duffy, K3LR.   
      
      
      
   ARRL Honorary Vice President, Director Emeritus Tod Olson, K0TO, SK   
      
   ARRL Honorary Vice President and Director Emeritus Tod Olson, K0TO (ex-W0IYP),   
   of Minnesota and Idaho, died on November 12 after battling cancer for several   
   years. An ARRL Life Member, he was 83. He began his volunteer service to ARRL   
   in 1974 as the Minnesota Section Communications Manager. He became Dakota   
   Division Vice Director in 1976, and then Director in 1982. In 1986, the ARRL   
   Board of Directors elected him as ARRL Vice President of International   
   Affairs, a post he held until 1990. He again served as Dakota Division   
   Director from 1994 until 1999. The ARRL Board of Directors named him an ARRL   
   Director Emeritus in 2000. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions,   
   the Board elected him as Honorary Vice President in 2003.   
      
   Olson held a BS from the University of Minnesota, and an MPH from the   
   University of Michigan. He belonged to the Minnesota Wireless Association and   
   the Eagle Rock Amateur Radio Club. An active contester, he was inducted last   
   May into the CQ Contest Hall of Fame.   
      
   "Even through his entire illness, he was a positive force for everyone who   
   knew him," ARRL First Vice President and immediate past Dakota Division   
   Director Greg Widin, K0GW, said. On the CQ-Contest reflector, former Dakota   
   Division Vice Director Hans Brakob, K0HB, called Olson "my mentor, my teacher,   
   sometimes my critic, and always a true and steady friend," and said, "I feel   
   like I have lost my brother." Former ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, knew Olson   
   well and offered these reflections (abbreviated here):   
      
   "A lifelong interest in technology influenced Tod's career as well as his   
   choice of avocation; he retired in 1991 as Director of the Information   
   Technology Department at General Mills. As he opened the envelope from the FCC   
   containing his first license [in 1952], it is unlikely that even Tod could   
   imagine where Amateur Radio would take him, but he tackled his new avocation   
   with the same energy and devotion as to family, career, and community. The   
   Amateur Radio community was enriched by his selfless efforts, and his life was   
   enriched in return.   
      
   "As W0IYP, Tod soon began making his mark through local radio clubs and   
   on-the-air activity. His passion for competitive operating, particularly in   
   the ARRL November Sweepstakes, led him in 1973 to be the founding editor of   
   National Contest Journal (NCJ). He was inducted into the CQ Contest Hall of   
   Fame largely on the strength of his vision for NCJ.   
      
   "Tod served on every standing committee of the ARRL Board and twice was   
   chairman of the Administration & Finance Committee.   
      
   "In retirement, Tod and Jackie divided their time between Minnesota and Idaho,   
   and it was in Idaho Falls that Tod chose to enter hospice and to spend his   
   final weeks with Jackie and other family members. His countless friends in   
   Amateur Radio send their condolences to the family and our thanks for having   
   shared him with us for so many years."   
      
   A memorial service will be held in Minnesota.   
      
      
      
   In Brief...   
      
   Two Radio Amateurs Set to Join ISS Crew: Astronauts Peggy Whitson, KC5ZTD, and   
   Thomas Pesquet, KG5FYG, and Cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy head into space on   
   November 17 for a 6-month stay aboard the International Space Station. It will   
   take the Expedition 50/51 crew members 2 days to reach the ISS in their Soyuz   
   vehicle. Welcoming the new crew increment will be Expedition 50 Commander   
   Shane Kimbrough, KE5HOD, and crew members Sergey Ryzhikov and Andrey   
   Borisenko, who have been aboard the complex since October. Whitson will become   
   the first woman to command the space station twice. Her first tenure as   
   commander was in 2007, when she became the first woman to hold this post.   
      
      
   Amateur Radio Holds Fascination for Two Nonagenarians: Radio amateurs Merle   
   Taylor, VE1VCI, and Loretta Smith, KG5QCH, both are in their 90s -- but one of   
   the women is a veteran CW operator, while the other is a newcomer to ham   
   radio. According to a CBC report, Taylor, 93, of Antigonish, Nova Scotia,   
   Canada, learned Morse code as a young woman, when she signed on to help her   
   country's World War II effort, then taught the code to pilots through the   
   British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Today, she still enjoys Morse code on   
   the air. Newcomer Smith, 91, who lives in an assisted living facility in Gun   
   Barrel City, Texas, was inspired by the Rev. George Yarger, W5BRG, who spoke   
   of Amateur Radio's role in disasters and emergencies. Smith worked with the   
   activity director at her residence, Cedarview Place, to get her license, along   
   with three other residents, according to an Athens Daily Review report. She   
   passed her Technician exam on November 2.   
      
      
   November Frequency Measuring Test Results Reported: The results are in, and   
   more than 90 stations submitted entries for the November 3 running of the   
   Frequency Measuring Test (FMT). Thirty stations were able to pull off a   
   "triple play" by correctly measuring the frequencies of all three transmitting   
   stations with an accuracy of less than 1 Hz. Measurement equipment ranged from   
   a standard transceiver calibrated against WWV or CHU to rubidium frequency   
   standards. Several reported building their own test equipment, and the use of   
   GPS-disciplined frequency references and oscillators is becoming more common   
   with every FMT. Measurement was taken using frequency counters, software   
   spectrum analysis, and even by ear -- sometimes by two people. The next FMT   
   will be in April 2017. -- Thanks to Ward Silver, N0AX   
      
      
   SKYWARN Recognition Day Webinar Set: A webinar will be offered on November 30   
   at 0100 UTC (the evening of November 29 in US time zones) in advance of the   
   18th SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) on December 3. Register online. Developed   
   in 1999 by the National Weather Service (NWS) and ARRL, SRD celebrates the   
   contributions that SKYWARN volunteers make to the mission of the NWS -- the   
   protection of life and property. During the SKYWARN Special Event, operators   
   visit NWS offices and contact other radio operators across the world. The   
   pre-event webinar will cover SKYWARN Recognition Day basics, explain how to   
   participate, and alert participants to a few changes in store for 2016. The   
   webinar will be recorded and posted to the ARRL YouTube channel afterward.   
      
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar flux and sunspot numbers went in   
   opposite directions over the past week, and differences were more extreme than   
   usual. Typically, we expect daily sunspot numbers to track solar flux, and   
   geomagnetic indices to track as well -- at least approximately.   
      
   Average daily sunspot numbers over the November 10-16 reporting week rose 10   
   points from 18.7 to 28.7 from the previous reporting week, while average daily   
   solar flux dropped from 76.9 to 45.8 over the same period.   
      
   Over the same dates, the average planetary A index increased from 6.4 to 12.7,   
   while the mid-latitude A index rose from 4.3 to 10.1.   
      
   Predicted solar flux values for the near future are 83 on November 17-18; 82   
   on November 19; 83 on November 20-21; 80 on November 22-23; 75 on November 24;   
   78 on November 25-26; 80 on November 27; 82 on November 28-December 1; 84 on   
   December 2; 82 on December 3-7; 80 on December 8-9; 78 on December 10; 75 on   
   December 11-15; 77 on December 16, and 75 on December 17-21.   
      
   The predicted planetary A index is 5 on November 17-18; 14, 18, 48, 36, and 28   
   on November 19-22; 28, 18, 25, 18, 12, 10, and 8 on November 23-29; 5 on   
   November 30-December 6; 15, 12, 18, 20, 15, and 10 on December 7-12; 5 on   
   December 13-15; 10, 15, 55, 45, and 25 on December 16-20, and 25, 18, 12, and   
   10 on December 21-24.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for November 10 through 16 were 13, 26, 51, 38, 26, 29, and   
   18, with a mean of 28.7. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 80.2, 78.4, 78.4, 77.8,   
   77.3, 76.5, and 80.9, with a mean of 45.8. Estimated planetary A indices were   
   14, 13, 19, 21, 11, 7, and 4, with a mean of 12.7. Estimated mid-latitude A   
   indices were 11, 10, 13, 19, 8, 7, and 3, with a mean of 10.1.   
      
   Spaceweather.com reports the solar cycle is currently at its lowest level in 5   
   years.   
      
   ARRL November Sweepstakes SSB is this weekend. Were you active in the CW   
   Sweepstakes?   
      
   Send me reports of your observations.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  November 18 -- YO International PSK31 Contest   
    *  November 19 -- Feld Hell Sprint   
    *  November 19 -- RSGB Second 1.8 MHz Contest (CW)   
    *  November 19-20 -- ARRL EME Contest (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  November 19-20 -- LZ DX Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  November 19-20 -- All Austrian 160 Meter Contest (CW)   
    *  November 19-21 -- ARRL November Sweepstakes (SSB)   
    *  November 20 -- Homebrew and Old Time Equipment Party (CW)   
    *  November 21 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)   
    *  November 23 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)   
    *  November 24 -- RSGB 80 Meter Club Sprint (CW)   
    *  November 26-27 -- CQ World Wide DX Contest (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.   
      
      
      
   Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
    *  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   
    *  February 3-4 -- Southern Florida Section Convention, Ft. Lauderdale,   
       Florida   
    *  February 4 - South Carolina State Convention, North Charleston, South   
       Carolina   
    *  February 4 -- Virginia State Convention, Richmond, Virginia   
    *  February 10-12 -- Southeastern Division Convention (HamCation), Orlando,   
       Florida   
    *  February 17-18 -- Arizona Section Convention, Yuma, Arizona   
    *  February 25 -- West Central Florida Section Technical Conference,   
       Sarasota, Florida   
      
   Find conventions and hamfests in your area.   
      
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