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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2016-12-22   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   December 22, 2016   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  National Parks on the Air Contact Tally Tops 1 Million!   
    *  The Digital Edition of January QST Now Available on New PageSuite   
       Platform   
    *  FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to Step Down in January   
    *  The Doctor Will See You Now!   
    *  National Parks on the Air Update   
    *  Hawaii Amateur Radio Volunteers Assist Honolulu Marathon   
    *  Commemorative Fessenden Christmas Eve 600-Meter Transmissions Set   
    *  Christmas Eve SAQ Alexanderson Alternator Transmission Set   
    *  Santa Turns to Remote Operating to Boost Radio Coverage of North America   
    *  Eleven US Schools, Organizations Advance to Next Stage of ARISS Ham   
       Contact Selection   
    *  German Radio Amateurs Gain Access to 60-Meter Band   
    *  Chinese Over-the-Horizon Radar QRMing Low End of 40 Meters   
    *  Past AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, SK   
    *  In Brief...   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   ARRL Holiday Closings: ARRL Headquarters will be closed for the holidays on   
   December 26 and January 2. There will be no W1AW code practice or bulletin   
   transmissions on those days. This is the final edition of The ARRL Letter for   
   2016. The ARRL Letter will not publish on December 29. ARRL Audio News will be   
   on holiday hiatus on December 23 and 30. We wish everyone a safe and happy   
   holiday season!   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   National Parks on the Air Contact Tally Tops 1 Million!   
      
   Participants in ARRL's National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) program have   
   completed more than 1 million contacts! Activators operating from National   
   Park Service units across the US and Chasers around the world pushed the   
   contact tally over its goal this week. ARRL sponsored NPOTA to help the   
   National Park Service celebrate its centennial.   
      
   "National Parks on the Air has become one of the most popular events in the   
   history of the League," NPOTA Administrator Sean Kutzko, KX9X, said. "It's   
   been fun seeing so many hams take part."   
      
   Kutzko said the NPOTA Facebook group really helped drive participation,   
   especially in the last 3 months, when it became clear that the 1 million-QSO   
   goal was within reach. "Some 25,000 NPOTA contacts were uploaded to Logbook of   
   The World (LoTW) every week since October," he noted. "The entire group came   
   together and simply willed the 1 million-contact mark to be broken. It was   
   incredible to watch!" He said some real friendships developed among those who   
   frequented the NPOTA Facebook page.   
      
   Those taking part in NPOTA made nearly 20,000 visits to 460 of the 489 NPS   
   units eligible for NPOTA credit, including portions of the National Trails   
   System and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Nearly 150 Chasers   
   completed contacts with more than 400 of the 489 NPOTA units this year, while   
   one Activator transmitted from more than 250 different NPS units in 2016.   
   Kutzko said the activations effectively transported those National Park   
   Service units via radio to all 50 states and more than 100 countries during   
   2016.   
      
   Kutzko said NPOTA garnered interest from hams at all proficiency levels, but   
   he was especially gratified to see how it encouraged less-experienced hams to   
   acquire new skills, such as operating a portable station on battery power,   
   learning CW, or discovering digital modes. "Pileups from some activations   
   rivaled those during a major DXpedition -- if only for a few hours at a time,"   
   he added.   
      
   Jim Clark, Jr., an NPS Ranger at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic   
   Site in Vermont, said NPOTA helped to generate greater awareness of his unit.   
   "National Parks on the Air has afforded us the opportunity to connect with a   
   much larger and more diverse audience than we could have ever imagined," he   
   told ARRL. "We are pleased and proud that the world of Amateur Radio helped us   
   to celebrate 100 years of service to the nation."   
      
   Kutzko said being able to blend Amateur Radio with the history and scenery   
   offered by the National Park Service was a wonderful gift. "We heard from   
   countless amateurs who learned something about our country while operating   
   from an NPS unit and experiencing 'the other side' of a pileup. There will be   
   other on-air events from ARRL, but National Parks on the Air was a   
   once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I don't think there will ever be anything   
   quite like it in Amateur Radio again. I will miss it."   
      
   NPOTA ends on December 31 at 2359 UTC!   
      
      
      
   The Digital Edition of January QST Now Available on New PageSuite Platform   
      
   The digital edition of the January 2017 issue of QST is now available on the   
   new PageSuite platform. The new viewing platform brings a number of changes,   
   so members are advised to download and read the QST PageSuite Manual.   
      
   If you view the digital edition of QST on an Apple smartphone or tablet,   
   update your current QST app. In the App Store app, tap the Updates icon in the   
   menu along the bottom, scroll until you see   
   the QST app, and then tap UPDATE. This will overwrite the older app with the   
   new PageSuite version.   
      
   If you are an Android user, you will also need to update your current QST app.   
   For both Apple and Android devices, updating to the new PageSuite app will   
   clear your device of all previously downloaded QST issues.   
      
   Finally, Kindle Fire users will be pleased to learn that there is a now a QST   
   app for their device. Search for the QST app in the Kindle Fire app store.   
      
   Important note: If prompted to enter an e-mail address upon signing into   
   either the desktop version of Digital QST or the app, enter your ARRL website   
   username instead.   
      
   In the January issue . . .   
      
    *  Build a high-voltage, lightweight power supply.   
    *  Put a Yaesu FT-817 transceiver on 222 MHz.   
    *  Add squelch delay lights to your station.   
    *  Try an Arduino CW IDer.   
    *  Build a motorized telescoping mast.   
    *  Add software-defined radio technology to your existing transceiver.   
      
   ...and much more!   
      
      
      
   FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to Step Down in January   
      
   FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has announced that he will step down in January, when   
   President Barack Obama's term ends. An Obama appointee, Wheeler has headed the   
   Commission for 3 years.   
      
   "Sitting in this chair has been the greatest privilege of my professional   
   career," Wheeler said on December 15, during his final FCC monthly open   
   meeting. "I'm grateful to President Obama for the opportunity to serve and for   
   the confidence he placed in me....It has been a privilege to work with my   
   fellow Commissioners to help protect consumers, strengthen public safety and   
   cybersecurity, and ensure fast, fair, and open networks for all Americans."   
      
   Wheeler was a staunch proponent of the FCC's net neutrality policy, which has   
   been opposed by conservatives as government overreach.   
      
   When Wheeler departs on January 20, the FCC will be left with two Republicans   
   -- Ajit Pai and Michael O'Rielly -- and one Democrat -- Mignon Clyburn, whose   
   term ends in mid-2017. Democratic commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel failed to   
   gain confirmation for another term before Congress adjourned and is expected   
   to depart by year's end. The FCC's five commissioners are appointed by the   
   president, the political balance favoring the party holding the White House.   
      
      
      
   The Doctor Will See You Now!   
      
   "Antenna System Troubleshooting" is the topic of the latest (December 15)   
   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 December 29, "Restoring Old Radios."   
      
      
      
   National Parks on the Air Update   
      
   With 1 million contacts now in the log for ARRL's National Parks on the Air   
   program, the NPOTA community has its eyes focused on a new target: 20,000   
   activations of NPS units. With 19,200 already in the books, NPOTA Activators   
   will make a big push to get on the air from NPS units all across the country   
   in a final dash to the finish line. Get in on the action as NPOTA ends with a   
   roar on December 31!   
      
   More than 80 activations are scheduled for the days remaining, including more   
   than 20 on New Year's Eve, and the number is expected to grow. Listen for   
   activations from Fort Matanzas National Monument in Florida, Hopewell Culture   
   National Historical Park in Ohio, Castle Mountains National Monument in   
   California, and Weir Farm National Historic Site in Connecticut, among many   
   others. Don't miss your last chance to get involved with National Parks on the   
   Air!   
      
   Details about all upcoming activations are on the NPOTA activations calendar.   
   Keep up with the latest NPOTA news on Facebook. Follow NPOTA on Twitter   
   (@ARRL_NPOTA).   
      
      
      
   Hawaii Amateur Radio Volunteers Assist Honolulu Marathon   
      
   Nearly 3 dozen Amateur Radio volunteers in Hawaii were up bright and early on   
   Sunday, December 11, to support the 44th running of the Honolulu Marathon. The   
   fourth largest marathon in the US attracts around 30,000 participants each   
   year. The ham volunteers communicate vital information among race organizers,   
   aid stations, transportation vehicles, and law enforcement, as well as at the   
   finish line.   
      
   "I participated in the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Honolulu Marathons as a ham radio   
   operator," said volunteer Clem Jung, KH7HO. "I thought this year was the best   
   run, and we had the most hams participating." The 35 Amateur Radio volunteers   
   supported communication on 2 meters and 70 centimeters, and some served as   
   operators for non-amateur digital systems.   
      
   Radio amateurs provided vital communication from vans and aid stations to the   
   medical tent, where concerns ranged from a head injury to cramps and stomach   
   pains. Amateur Radio volunteers ensured that the aid station and medical teams   
   were ready to treat anyone needing help.   
      
   Ralph Toyama, NH6PY, handled the critical role of net control station (NCS),   
   and the ham radio volunteers kept him apprised of medical van locations, so   
   the NCS could dispatch them where and when needed.   
      
   Some Amateur Radio volunteers put in an 18-hour day for the marathon,   
   remaining on duty until the last participant completed the 26.2-mile run. --   
   Thanks to ARRL PIO Stacy Holbrook, KH6OWL   
      
      
      
   Commemorative Fessenden Christmas Eve 600-Meter Transmissions Set   
      
   Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, of Forest, Virginia, will once again put his 600-meter   
   experimental station on the air for a Christmas Eve commemorative   
   transmission. The transmissions from WI2XLQ on 486 kHz will mark the 110th   
   anniversary of Reginald Fessenden's audio broadcast on the airwaves, which may   
   have been the first ever.   
      
   Historical accounts say Fessenden played the violin -- or a recording of   
   violin music -- and read a brief Bible verse. It's been reported that other   
   radio experimenters and shipboard operators who heard Fessenden's broadcast   
   were astounded to hear speech and music on their radios.   
      
   Justin will use a MOPA-design transmitter built largely with vintage parts to   
   replicate early vacuum-tube equipment; not a Fessenden-period transmitter, it   
   uses a UV-202 tube for the power amplifier. He will conduct a run-up to the   
   event starting at around midday Eastern Time on Friday, December 23. The   
   "official" event will begin on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, at 0001   
   UTC (the evening of December 23 in US time zones) and will continue for at   
   least 24 hours. Justin plans to repeat the commemorative transmissions on New   
   Year's Eve and New Year's Day.   
      
   For his transmitter in 1906, Fessenden used an ac alternator modulated by   
   placing carbon microphones in series with the antenna feed line. Justin's   
   homebuilt station is slightly more modern, based on a 1921 vacuum tube master   
   oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) design. The transmitter also uses Heising AM   
   modulation, developed by Raymond Heising during World War I.   
      
   Justin's WI2XLQ on-air operations coincide with dates in early radio history   
   as a way to recognize and honor some of the earliest wireless pioneers and   
   their achievements. Send listener reports directly to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS.   
      
      
      
   Christmas Eve SAQ Alexanderson Alternator Transmission Set   
      
   The Alexander Association plans to have Alexanderson alternator transmitter   
   SAQ on the air for its traditional Christmas Eve transmission. The 200 kW   
   Alexanderson alternator will transmit on 17.2 kHz on the morning of Christmas   
   Eve, December 24, with tune-up at around 0730 UTC, and the message   
   transmission following at 0800 UTC.   
      
   "Since the plant is old, there is always the risk that the transmission will   
   be cancelled on short notice," the Association said in an announcement.   
   Repairs following an early October fire in the   
   long-wave antenna (attributed to arcing) had put this year's Christmas Eve   
   transmission in jeopardy. Dating from the 1900s, the Alexanderson alternator   
   -- essentially an ac generator run at extremely high speed -- can put out 200   
   kW but typically is operated at much lower power. Once providing reliable   
   transatlantic communication, it is now a museum piece and only put on the air   
   on special occasions. It was built in the 1920s.   
      
   Christmas Eve activity will also take place on Amateur Radio frequencies from   
   SK6SAQ on or about 7.035 and 14.035 MHz (CW). Send reception reports of SAQ or   
   SK6SAQ. -- Thanks to Lars Kalland, SM6NM   
      
      
      
   Santa Turns to Remote Operating to Boost Radio Coverage of North America   
      
   The word from Santa Claus World near the North Pole in Finland is that the   
   elves at OF9X will try remote operating to generate more [Santa%   
   0at%20Radio.jpg] contacts in North America. So far, OF9X has logged more than   
   20,000 contacts, but only 1,200 of them have been with US radio amateurs.   
      
   "Efforts are continuing toward doubling that number, and more firepower is   
   being added to the OF9X US script," a statement said this week. "Santa will   
   arrive on American soil, activating W1/OF9X from New Hampshire. When finally   
   boarding his sleigh, he will say goodbye to America as W7/OF9X from Tacoma,   
   Washington. Working Santa from these two sites adds 25 points each to the   
   Santa Award program, to compensate for Mother Nature's poor propagation."   
      
   More information is on the OF9X QRZ.com profile. -- Thanks to Martti Laine,   
   OH2BH   
      
      
      
   Eleven US Schools, Organizations Advance to Next Stage of ARISS Ham Contact   
   Selection   
      
   ARRL and AMSAT -- the US managing partners of the Amateur Radio on the   
   International Space Station (ARISS) program -- have announced that 11 schools   
   or organizations submitting proposals have been selected to advance to the   
   next stage of planning to host scheduled Amateur Radio contacts with ISS crew   
   members next year. ARISS's primary goal is to engage young people in science,   
   technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities and raise awareness of   
   space exploration, radio communications, and related areas of study and career   
   possibilities.   
      
   ARISS anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling opportunities   
   for these US host organizations during the second half of 2017. The 11   
   candidate schools/organizations must now complete an acceptable equipment plan   
   that demonstrates their ability to execute the ham radio contact. Once their   
   equipment plan is approved by the ARISS technical team, the final selected   
   schools/organizations will be scheduled as their availability and flexibility   
   match up with NASA scheduling opportunities.   
      
   The schools and organizations are:   
      
    *  2017 Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree, Glen Jean, West Virginia   
    *  Antietam Elementary School, Woodbridge, Virginia   
    *  Bishop Hendricken High School, Warwick, Rhode Island   
    *  Chiddix Junior High School, Normal, Illinois   
    *  Fleet Science Center, BE WiSE Program, San Diego, California   
    *  Frontiers of Flight Museum, Dallas, Texas   
    *  Heart of America Council, Boy Scouts of America, Kansas City, Missouri   
    *  Los Angeles Academy Middle School, Los Angeles, California   
    *  Meadows Elementary School, Manhattan Beach, California   
    *  South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, West Palm Beach, Florida   
    *  West Virginia University, Lane Department of Computer Science &   
       Electrical Engineering, Morgantown, West Virginia   
      
      
      
   German Radio Amateurs Gain Access to 60-Meter Band   
      
   On December 21, Amateur Radio operators in Germany gained access to the band   
   5.351.5 to 5.366.5 MHz with 15 W EIRP, and a maximum bandwidth of 2.7 kHz.   
   Access applies to Class A licensees. Amateur Radio is secondary on 60 meters.   
      
   The Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC) called users' attention to the IARU   
   Region 1 band plan for 60 meters, which recommends CW and digital modes,   
   maximum bandwidth of 200 Hz, from 5.351.5 to 5.354.0 MHz; all modes, maximum   
   bandwidth of 2. 7 kHz (use USB for SSB), from 5.354.0 to 5.366.0 MHz, and all   
   modes, maximum bandwidth of 20 Hz "with the least power," from 5.366.0 to   
   5.366.5 MHz.   
      
   "Because a lot of radio amateurs must share this narrow 15 kHz band, everyone   
   should keep transmissions short and avoid lengthy ragchews," the DARC advised   
   in announcing access to the new allocation.   
      
   Other countries are expected to grant access to the new, 15 kHz 60-meter band   
   when the Final Acts of World Radiocommunication Conference 2015, which made   
   the allocation available to Amateur Radio, go into effect on January 1, but   
   the US will not be among them; the FCC has yet to allow Amateur Radio access   
   to 60 meters beyond the five discrete channels already available.   
      
      
      
   Chinese Over-the-Horizon Radar QRMing Low End of 40 Meters   
      
   The IARU Region 1 (IARU-R1) Monitoring System newsletter reports that one of   
   China's HF Over-the-Horizon radars (OTH-R) has been transmitting on 6.999 MHz,   
   impinging on the very low end of the 40-meter band.   
      
   As the newsletter reported: "A jumping Chinese OTH radar covered the CW   
   DX-edge of our exclusive 7 MHz band on November 17 at about 1500 UTC and later   
   (long lasting)." The signal was 67 sweeps per second with a 10 kHz bandwidth.   
      
   Elsewhere on 40 meters, military ALE transmissions have been heard from   
   Kyrgyzstan on 7050.0 kHz. IARUMS also reports that the Australian Jindalee   
   Operational Radar Network (JORN) has been heard on 10.131 MHz in the amateur   
   30-meter band; Amateur Radio is secondary on 30 meters.   
      
   Radio Eritrea appeared in November on 7180 kHz together with white noise from   
   Ethiopia. The frequencies 7146.5, 7175, and 7185 kHz were reported to be still   
   in use as well.   
      
   Reports of Amateur Radio band intruders may be logged on the IARU Region 1   
   Monitoring System logger.   
      
      
      
   Past AMSAT-NA President Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, SK   
      
   Past AMSAT-NA President Frank Robert "Robin" Haighton, VE3FRH, of Burlington,   
   Ontario, died on December 2, after suffering a stroke in late November. A Life   
   Member of Radio Amateurs of Canada and a member of ARRL, he was 79. Haighton   
   served as AMSAT-NA president from 2000 until 2004, succeeding Keith Baker,   
   KB1SF. Prior to that, he was an AMSAT executive vice president and a longtime   
   member of the Board of Directors. As a founding member of the Amateur Radio on   
   the International Space Station (ARISS) project, he was one of two delegates   
   from Canada.   
      
   "Robin contributed significantly to ARISS through his ideas, guidance, and   
   wise counsel," said AMSAT Vice President for Human Spaceflight and   
   ARISS-International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO. "He challenged members of our   
   team to look at things in a different perspective. As a result of his sage   
   advice, we were able to work through these issues and arrive at a common   
   approach, both in developing and delivering ARISS hardware as well as   
   supporting the technical mentoring of schools and local hams."   
      
   During his tenure as AMSAT president and Board member, Haighton guided the   
   organization through the launch -- and subsequent anomalies -- with the Phase   
   3D satellite, later AO-40 -- the most expensive and elaborate amateur   
   satellite project in history. He was also instrumental in the subsequent   
   development and launch of AO-51, one of the so-called "easy sats." -- Thanks   
   to AMSAT News Service for some information   
      
      
      
   In Brief...   
      
   Ring in the New Year with Straight Key Night: Every day is a good day to   
   operate on CW, but set some time aside on New Year's Eve and Day to enjoy   
   Straight Key Night (SKN). The annual event begins at 0000 UTC on January 1,   
   2017 (New Year's Eve in US time zones). The 24-hour event is not a contest,   
   but a day dedicated to celebrating Amateur Radio's CW heritage. Participants   
   are encouraged to get on the air and simply enjoy conversational CW contacts,   
   preferably using a straight (hand) key or a semi-automatic key (bug). Activity   
   traditionally centers on CW segments in the HF bands. There are no points or   
   obligatory exchange. The only requirement is to have fun! Send a SKN list of   
   stations worked and your vote for "Best Fist" and "Most Interesting QSO" by   
   January 31.   
      
      
   AMSAT CW Activity Day is January 1 (UTC): AMSAT CW Activity Day -- formerly   
   Satellite Straight Key Night -- will take place on January 1, 2017 (UTC) and   
   run for 24 hours. As with the old Straight Key Night, this is a fun event, not   
   a contest, and there is no required exchange. All forms of CW are welcome,   
   from straight keys, bugs, and keyers to keyboards and decoders. Working the   
   same station on more than one satellite is permitted. All participants are   
   asked to post their results, including any "Soapbox" comments, to AMSAT-BB.   
   Include the satellites you used and the number of CW contacts you made on   
   each. Participants may post their full logs, although this is not required.   
      
      
   WSJT Development Group Releases WSJT-X Version 1.7.0: The WSJT Development   
   Group has released WSJT-X version 1.7.0. The WSJT-X software suite is designed   
   to facilitate basic Amateur Radio communication using very weak signals (WSJT   
   stands for Weak Signal communication by K1JT). Joe Taylor, K1JT, recommends   
   reading the extensively updated WSJT-X version 1.7 User Guide, which describes   
   new features and capabilities (relative to version 1.6). WSJT-X version 1.7.0   
   includes new modes ISCAT, MSK144, and QRA64; newly implemented submodes   
   JT65B-C and JT9B-H; a new Franke-Taylor decoder to replace the Koetter-Vardy   
   decoder previously used for JT65; improvements to the JT4, JT9, and JT65   
   decoders; multi-pass decoding for JT65 and WSPR, and improved convenience   
   features for EME Doppler tracking.   
      
   ARRL CEO is Featured Speaker at New York City/Long Island Section Convention   
   Ham Radio University: ARRL CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, will be the keynote   
   speaker at the 18th Annual ARRL New York City/Long Island Section Convention   
   Ham Radio University (HRU) on January 8, 2017, at Briarcliffe College in   
   Bethpage, New York. The event is described as "a day of education to share   
   ideas, experiences, knowledge, and fellowship among Amateur Radio operators."   
   On the schedule are 30 forums, with topics including "Safety in the Ham   
   Shack," "DXing (Propagation, History, Techniques)," "Transmitter Hunting,"   
   "Kids World," "The Military Auxiliary Radio System," "Amateur Radio   
   Solar/Jupiter Observation using a Radio Receiver System," and "Working   
   Satellites with your HT." Presenter Peter Portanova, W2JV, will attempt some   
   satellite contacts as time and weather permit. AMSAT representatives will be   
   on hand to answer questions. Amateur Radio licensing exams will be offered,   
   and special event W2HRU will be on the air. For more information, visit the   
   Ham Radio University website or e-mail HRU. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service,   
   Ham Radio University   
      
      
   KH6LC Planning Multi-Multi Kids Day on Saturday, January 7: Lloyd Cabral,   
   KH6LC, reports he plans to have his station on the air for Kids Day as a   
   multi-multi on 20, 15, and -- if it opens -- 10 meters. He is anticipating a   
   half-dozen young visitors to his Keaau, Hawaii, home. Kids Day begins on   
   Saturday, January 7, at 1800 UTC and concludes at 2359 UTC. "We'll be spotting   
   ourselves on DX Summit," Cabral said. "I'm not sure who has more fun, the kids   
   operating or the adults 'coaching' them. We must be on to something good   
   because everyone wants to come back year after year. Please   
   consider inviting some young people in to operate." Sponsored by the Boring   
   (Oregon) Amateur Radio Club, this event has a simple exchange, suitable for   
   younger operators: first name, age, location, and favorite color. Details are   
   on the ARRL website.   
      
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: On December 22 at 0002 UTC, the Australian   
   Space Forecast Centre forecast enhanced geomagnetic activity until December   
   24, with minor storms likely and some major storm periods possible.   
      
   December 15-21 solar activity was little changed from the previous 7 days,   
   although no sunspots were visible on December 16 and 17. Average daily sunspot   
   numbers declined from 13 to 11, and average daily solar flux bumped up 1 point   
   to 73.2. Average planetary A index dipped from 13.3 to 7.9, and average   
   mid-latitude A index from 9 to 5.7.   
      
   The outlook shows daily solar flux at 75 and 80 on December 22-23; 85 on   
   December 24-28; 75 on December 29; 77 on December 30-31; 79 on January 1-3; 77   
   on January 4-5; 75 on January 6-10; 77 on January 11-12; 75 on January 13-14;   
   73 on January 15-17; 75 on January 18-23; 77 on January 24-27, and 79 on   
   January 28-30.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 30 on December 22; 12 on December 23-24; 8 on   
   December 25; 5 on December 26-January 1; 8, 10, 20, 22, 16, 14, and 6 on   
   January 2-8; 5 on January 9-13; 10 on January 14; 15 on January 15-16; 25 and   
   28 on January 17-18; 12 on January 19-20; 8 on January 21, and 5 on January   
   22-28.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for December 15 through 21 were 12, 0, 0, 13, 12, 25, and 15,   
   with a mean of 11. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 72.5, 72.6, 72.1, 72.3, 72.8,   
   74.9, and 75, with a mean of 73.2. Estimated planetary A indices were 3, 3, 6,   
   9, 5, 6, and 23, with a mean of 7.9. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 2,   
   2, 3, 6, 5, 4, and 18, with a mean of 5.7.   
      
   Send me your reports or observations.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  December 25 -- RAEM Contest (CW)   
    *  December 26 -- DARC Christmas Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  December 28 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)   
    *  January 1 -- Straight Key Night (SKN)   
    *  January 1 -- AMSAT CW Activity Day   
    *  January 1 -- AGB New Year Snowball Contest (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  January 1 -- SARTG New Year RTTY Contest   
    *  January 1 -- AGCW Happy New Year Contest (CW)   
    *  January 1 -- AGCW VHF/UHF Contest (CW)   
    *  January 3 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)   
    *  January 4 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (Phone)   
      
   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   
      
    *  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 18 -- Arkansas Section Convention, Hoxie, Arkansas   
    *  February 25 -- West Central Florida Section Technical Conference,   
       Sarasota, Florida   
    *  February 25 -- 2017 New Mexico Tech Fest, Albuquerque, New Mexico   
      
   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...   
   ... A steak without salt is like sex without an orgasm.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)