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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2017-01-05   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   January 5, 2017   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  FEMA Interoperability Exercise Deemed a Success, Monthly Exercises Set   
       for 2017   
    *  630 Meters Becoming a "Mainstream" Amateur Band, Experiment Coordinator   
       Says   
    *  FCC Denies Expert Linears' Request for Waiver of 15 dB Rule, Petition   
       Pending   
    *  Philippines' Ham Emergency Radio Operations Net Activates for Super   
       Typhoon   
    *  The Doctor Will See You Now!   
    *  Boy Scouts' Radio Merit Badge Requirements to Include Amateur Radio   
       Direction Finding Option   
    *  QCWA Donation to Support ARISS Hardware Upgrade   
    *  ARRL Education & Technology Program Offers Grants to Four Schools   
    *  HamSCI Members Showcase Amateur Radio-Related Research at AGU Fall   
       Meeting   
    *  In Brief...   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead on Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
      
   FEMA Interoperability Exercise Deemed a Success, Monthly Exercises Set for 2017   
      
   Laura Goudreau, KG7BQR, Regional Emergency Communications Coordinator for FEMA   
   Region X, said a December 21 Region X interoperability communications exercise   
   on 60 meters went well. FEMA Region X, which consists of Alaska, Idaho,   
   Oregon, and Washington, now has announced that it will hold similar exercises   
   each month in 2017, with all radio amateurs welcome to participate.   
      
   "We had 48 check-ins, of which 42 were amateurs," Goudreau said of the   
   December event. "It was very successful and also included our first digital   
   test." The "COMMEX" event consisted of check-ins from authorized state,   
   tribal, federal, and Amateur Radio stations to test HF interoperability in   
   case of an emergency or disaster response. The interoperability aspect between   
   federal stations and Amateur Radio licensees was coordinated and authorized by   
   the NTIA and the FCC.   
      
   The net included a digital component, intended as a one-way broadcast to test   
   FEMA's ability to send messages and for remote stations to receive them.   
   Goudreau said that while there's still room for improvement in the digital   
   area, overall, she was happy with how the exercise played out.   
      
   During 2017, FEMA Region X will hold a communication exercise (COMMEX) on the   
   third Wednesday of each month, 1500-2100 UTC. The initial exercise will take   
   place on January 18.   
      
   "The intent of [each] COMMEX is to test and exercise interoperable   
   communications (federal/state/local/tribal/amateur) during a major disaster,   
   where communications infrastructure would be significantly damaged or   
   destroyed," a FEMA Region X announcement said. FEMA Region X will use the call   
   sign WGY910. Others taking part in these exercises will include, but are not   
   limited to, other FEMA stations, SHARES stations, and Air Force and Army MARS   
   stations. All stations are encouraged to participate.   
      
   The COMMEX will use the five 60-meter channels: 5,330.5 kHz, 5,346.5 kHz,   
   5,357.0 kHz, 5,371.5 kHz, and 5,403.5 kHz. The area of operation is the   
   Continental US. -- Thanks to FEMA Region X Regional Emergency Communications   
   Coordinator Laura Goudreau, KG7BQR, and FEMA Spectrum Manager Dave Adsit,   
   KG4BIR   
      
      
      
   630 Meters Becoming a "Mainstream" Amateur Band, Experiment Coordinator Says   
      
   The coordinator of ARRL's WD2XSH 600-Meter Experimental Group -- Fritz Raab,   
   W1FR -- said in his latest quarterly report that 630 meters is becoming quite   
   active, with both Amateur Radio and Part 5 Experimental stations taking   
   advantage of the band, which is still not available in the US.   
      
   "Band activity has been very high, and there are often more WSPR stations --   
   more than 110 stations -- on 472 kHz than on 80 or 160 meters!" Raab said.   
   WSPR, which stands for "Weak Signal Propagation Reporter," is software   
   designed for transmitting and receiving low-power transmissions to test   
   propagation paths on MF and HF.   
      
   "In a sense, 630 meters has become a mainstream ham band, in spite of not   
   being authorized in the US," Raab said. To boost activity, a second annual   
   Midwinter 630-Meter Operating Activity Night will take place on February 4-5.   
   Details will be announced.   
      
   Raab also said in his report that MF propagation appears to be improving as   
   the solar cycle declines. "The paths to VK and JA have remained good," Raab   
   said. "This was not the case last year, so perhaps it is an effect of the   
   coming solar minimum. Many reports have been received for WSPR transmissions   
   with relatively moderate power. There have been a number of polar and   
   high-latitude openings to LA2XPA from North America. Many long-time operators   
   say that they have never seen anything like that. There have also been a   
   number of openings from the US west coast deep into Europe."   
      
   Countries now permitting Amateur Radio access to the 630-meter band include   
   Germany, Greece, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Philippines, Czech Republic, Ireland,   
   Switzerland, New Zealand, Finland, Spain, France, Poland, Bulgaria, Canada,   
   Vietnam, Japan, Cayman Islands, Reunion Island, and Hungary. "It appears that   
   more than 100 DXCC entities have permission to operate on 630 meters," Raab   
   said in his report.   
      
   In April 2015, the FCC proposed a new secondary 630-meter allocation at 472 to   
   479 kHz to Amateur Radio, implementing decisions made at World R   
   diocommunication Conference 2012 (WRC-12). At the same time, the FCC allocated   
   a new LF band, 135.7 to 137.8 kHz (2,200 meters), to the Amateur Service on a   
   secondary basis, in accordance with the Final Acts of WRC-07.   
      
   No US Amateur Radio operation will be permitted in either band until the FCC   
   determines the specific Part 97 rules it must frame to permit operation in the   
   new bands. That process is ongoing at the FCC, but the change in   
   administration and the consequent resignation of the current FCC chairman has   
   put FCC action on any proceeding on hold, at least until a new chairman is in   
   place.   
      
      
      
   FCC Denies Expert Linears' Request for Waiver of 15 dB Rule, Petition Pending   
      
   The FCC has denied a request by Expert Linears America LLC to waive   
   ?97.317(a)(2) of the Amateur Service rules limiting amplifier gain. Expert, of   
   Magnolia, Texas, distributes linears manufactured by SPE in Italy. Its waiver   
   request, filed in June, would have allowed Expert to import an amplifier   
   capable of exceeding the current 15 dB gain limitation as it awaits FCC action   
   on its April petition (RM-11767) to revise the same Amateur Service rules.   
   That petition remains pending. Expert has asserted that there should be no   
   gain limitation on amplifiers sold or used in the Amateur Service. Most   
   commenters supported Expert's waiver request, but a couple of commenters --   
   including FlexRadio, which supports a rule change -- expressed concerns about   
   granting a waiver to Expert alone.   
      
   "In light of the conflicting comments regarding the desirability of   
   eliminating the 15 dB limitation, we conclude that waiving the limitation at   
   this stage of the rulemaking proceeding would prejudice the rulemaking   
   proceeding and prematurely dispose of commenters' concerns," the FCC said in   
   denying the waiver. "Moreover, we agree with FlexRadio that granting Expert's   
   waiver request while the rulemaking petition remains pending would provide an   
   unfair market advantage for one equipment model over other manufacturers' RF   
   power amplifiers that would still be limited by [the existing rules]."   
      
   The FCC said it would rather give full consideration to "the pending issues"   
   and apply the result of the rulemaking proceeding to all Amateur Radio Service   
   equipment. The Commission said rule waivers "generally" are not warranted   
   "merely to accommodate technical parameters that are based solely on   
   harmonization with the manufacturer's products available abroad."   
      
   In its April rulemaking petition, Expert maintained that the 15 dB gain   
   limitation is an unneeded holdover from the days when amplifiers were less   
   efficient and the FCC was attempting to rein in the use of Amateur Service   
   amplifiers by Citizens Band operators.   
      
   Although the FCC had proposed in 2004 to delete the requirement that   
   amplifiers be designed to use a minimum of 50 W of drive power -- and   
   subsequently did so -- it did not further discuss the 15 dB limit in the   
   subsequent Report and Order in that proceeding.   
      
      
      
   Philippines' Ham Emergency Radio Operations Net Activates for Super Typhoon   
      
   Super Typhoon Nock-Ten (called "Nina" locally) interrupted Christmas for radio   
   amateurs in the Philippines, who responded to provide communication for the   
   disaster. The category 4 storm claimed six lives, and more than 380,000   
   residents were evacuated as the storm cut a path through the Philippines.   
   Warnings were posted for flooding and mudslides. The slow-moving typhoon made   
   landfall seven times from Sunday evening until mid-day on Monday. The   
   Philippines Amateur Radio Association's (PARA) Ham Emergency Radio Operations   
   (HERO) net activated in advance of the storm, which cut power to five   
   provinces, downed trees, caused widespread damage, and dimmed the festive   
   occasion in Asia's largest Roman Catholic nation.   
      
   "A truly commendable job was done by many radio amateurs, who not only gave up   
   their traditional Christmas activities, but some had to stop transmissions   
   because they were in the storm path," Jojo   
   Vicencio, DU1VHY, said. Amateur Radio volunteers used both HF and VHF during   
   the storm response.   
      
   Vicencio said that as the typhoon first made landfall in Catanduanes, some   
   network stations were forced off air by high winds in excess of 120 MPH.   
   Stations gradually returned to the air to report extensive damage in their   
   areas. HERO reported that as the typhoon swept along the Southern Tagalog   
   region, it made landfall several times. Marinduque also was badly hit.   
      
   "It created a large swath of destruction and debris -- uprooted and fallen   
   trees and posts, landslides, impassable roads, and other damage," Vicencio   
   said. "Even our own HEROs were not spared." Net participants were able to   
   compile damage reports and relay them to authorities, some of which had tuned   
   to the HERO net.   
      
   "It has now become a reality that our emergency calling frequency is the most   
   listened to during disaster," Vicencio said. "Government operators listened   
   in...armed forces station Peacemaker in Catarman, for example, broke into the   
   frequency looking for a counterpart station also in Northern Samar." The HERO   
   net also heard from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management   
   Council and the Office of Civil Defense. Vicencio said the HERO HF net on   
   7.095 MHz never faltered. -- Thanks to Jim Linton, VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region   
   3 Disaster Communications Committee   
      
      
      
   The Doctor Will See You Now!   
      
   "Restoring Old Radios" is the topic of the latest (December 29) 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.   
      
      
      
   Boy Scouts' Radio Merit Badge Requirements to Include Amateur Radio Direction   
   Finding Option   
      
   The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have updated the requirements for the Radio   
   Merit Badge for 2017, although a formal announcement is pending the   
   publication of the 2017 Boy Scouts Requirements pamphlet. A new option for the   
   Radio Merit Badge is Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF). ARRL ARDF   
   Coordinator Joe Moell, K0OV, said he's "really excited" about the move, and he   
   credited Jamboree on the Air Coordinator (JOTA) and K2BSA trustee Jim Wilson,   
   K5ND, with being the "spark plug" behind the ARDF addition.   
      
   "Jim visited a training session at the USA ARDF Championships in Texas last   
   April and realized what an excellent activity that on-foot hidden transmitter   
   hunting can be for Scouts," Moell recounted. "Working with Brian Coleman,   
   KB0MAP, Jim authored the new ARDF Radio Merit Badge syllabus, which was then   
   reviewed by several leaders of US ARDF community."   
      
   A first draft of the new merit badge pamphlet is anticipated later this month   
   or in early February. Moell said the new merit badge requirements should   
   become effective just in time for the July 2017 National Scout Jamboree in   
   West Virginia, where an ARDF course and equipment will be available to Scouts   
   of all ages. He also hopes there could be a role for ARDF in JOTA.   
      
   The Radio Merit Badge ARDF option combines orienteering and foxhunting, and   
   opens a new interactive component to this program. Other new Radio Merit Badge   
   options include cellular telephones and different types of radio modulation.   
      
   Key requirements being dropped from the Radio Merit Badge include open,   
   closed, and short circuits, as well as schematic symbols and components,   
   because these are covered in the Electricity and Electronics Merit Badges.   
      
   The BSA also made some minor editorial changes and reordered requirements for   
   the Amateur Radio option. The radio broadcasting option now includes internet   
   streaming, regulations, and power levels. A medium-wave and shortwave   
   listening option includes both types of listening, as well as listening via   
   streaming services on a smartphone.   
      
   The BSA has posted a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs). Scouts are   
   encouraged to follow the new requirements, although the guidelines may allow   
   use of the previous requirements in some cases.   
      
      
      
   QCWA Donation to Support ARISS Hardware Upgrade   
      
   Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) in late December   
   announced a "notable contribution" from the Quarter Century Wireless   
   Association (QCWA) to help support the development and certification of new   
   radio hardware for the International Space Station. ARISS-International Chair   
   Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, thanked the QCWA for its contribution and said that it   
   arrived at a most critical time.   
      
   "Our radio system design is nearly complete, and we're about to start   
   fabrication and the very expensive hardware certification effort," he said.   
   "It is fantastic to see Amateur Radio groups like QCWA donating to ARISS, as   
   it demonstrates to our larger benefactors and potential sponsors that the   
   Amateur Radio community has 'skin in the game' and is willing to sacrifice to   
   further the ARISS cause."   
      
   QCWA President Ken Oelke, VE6AFO, expressed the hope that the donation might   
   inspire other groups and individuals to follow suit. ARISS reports its   
   hardware team has made good progress over the past year in developing the new   
   radio system. But the October failure of the 17-year-old Ericsson VHF handheld   
   in the ISS Columbus module made completion of the project far more urgent. The   
   failure shut down 2-meter APRS operation, and ARISS operations must   
   [QCWA%20logo.gif] now be carried out using an Ericsson UHF handheld in the   
   Russian Service Module. This requires astronauts to make a round trip from one   
   end of the ISS to the other in order to carry out 10-minute school contacts.   
      
   ARISS-International Treasurer Rosalie White, K1STO, said, "QCWA members now   
   understand it's important to hams to have the ARISS radio for APRS and other   
   modes, and it's caused a number of hams and their local clubs to donate toward   
   helping to get the radio system upgraded."   
      
   ARISS welcomes donations toward the hardware upgrade project via the AMSAT   
   website. Click on the "ARISS Donate" button, or visit the donation page on the   
   ARISS website. Contributions may be tax deductible. Those contributing $100 or   
   more will receive an ARISS Challenge Coin. Contact Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, if you   
   or your organization wishes to make a more substantial contribution.   
      
      
      
   ARRL Education & Technology Program Offers Grants to Four Schools   
      
   The ARRL Board of Directors' Executive Committee has approved Education and   
   Technology Program (ETP) grants to schools in Illinois, California, Ohio, and   
   Connecticut. The funds will help three of the schools to establish Amateur   
   Radio club stations by providing the necessary equipment, and aid one school   
   in getting its radio club off the ground.   
      
   Zeigler-Royalton High School in rural Zeigler, Illinois; Sato Academy in Long   
   Beach, California, and Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center in   
   Chillicothe, Ohio, will receive station grants, while E.O. Smith High School   
   in Mansfield, Connecticut, will receive a progress grant, enabling it to build   
   upon the school's burgeoning Amateur Radio program. Sponsors for all four   
   grants are alumni of the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology, who   
   are implementing Amateur Radio as part of their school's curriculum.   
      
   Teacher Miroslaw Klapyk, KC1GBT, at E.O. Smith High School, took his initial   
   Amateur Radio license test during a Teachers Institute session this past   
   summer, and promptly upgraded to Amateur Extra. Klapyk teaches physics to more   
   than 50 students, and he plans to spend a week or two toward the end of the   
   school year focusing on wireless communication, with an eye toward getting   
   more students interested in the radio club. But, he told ARRL, that interest   
   is already there. "I never advertised our club," he said. "Yet since the start   
   of the school year, we went from one to eight members. They just keep coming."   
   The school currently has some Amateur Radio station gear and the beginnings of   
   an antenna system.   
      
   The Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center in Chillicothe, Ohio, requested   
   Amateur Radio station equipment to augment the school's engineering program   
   and to attract other interested students to wireless and related technology.   
   "The establishment of an Amateur Radio station would give impetus for students   
   to become radio amateurs," with a view toward getting them involved in public   
   service communication, teacher David Pentecost, KC8WEB, said in the school's   
   application. Pickaway-Ross, he said, is "committed to helping underserved   
   students in the Appalachian region of southern Ohio achieve success in a   
   variety of technical fields."   
      
   The Sato Academy Amateur Radio Emergency Communication team's project in part   
   focuses on establishing a demonstration station to train youngsters in using   
   Amateur Radio for emergency communication. The school, which received a   
   station grant, also wants "to help students learn to build and create circuit   
   boards, such as those used in the Teachers Institute," teacher Devon Day,   
   KF6KEE, said in her school's application.   
      
   At Zeigler-Royalton, teacher Lance Newman, KD9GOY, said he's hoping to see   
   more students become interested, pass their license exams, and spend time on   
   the radio and working with the equipment. Newman said in the school's   
   application that he began the process of establishing a ham radio station at   
   the school this fall, "to provide an extracurricular outlet for students   
   interested in radio communication technologies." But he's hoping that Amateur   
   Radio will offer other educational opportunities as well.   
      
      
      
   HamSCI Members Showcase Amateur Radio-Related Research at AGU Fall Meeting   
      
   Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) scientists were among those   
   taking part in the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in San   
   Francisco earlier this month. The December 11-17 gathering, which attracted   
   some 24,000 geoscientists, offered an opportunity for HamSCI scientists to   
   present Amateur Radio-based research, discuss possibilities for upcoming   
   experiments, and network with members of the citizen science and space science   
   communities. Two young university-affiliated radio amateurs -- Nathaniel   
   Frissell, W2NAF, a post-doctoral research associate at the New Jersey   
   Institute of Technology (NJIT), and Virginia Tech (VT) undergraduate   
   researcher Magda Moses, KM4EGE -- offered poster presentations at the AGU   
   meeting. Frissell said he feels the radio amateurs made a good impression.   
      
   "As I go to these meetings and tell different people about the HamSCI work, I   
   find people that either want to contribute or that I think would have   
   something important to say," Frissell told ARRL. "Once I identify these   
   people, I invite them to our HamSCI Google e-mail group, where we can discuss   
   possible experiments or ways to use ham radio for science. We now have almost   
   60 scientists and ham radio operators in the group."   
      
   Frissell's poster presentation, "HamSCI: The Ham Radio Science Citizen   
   Investigation," discussed Amateur Radio and HamSCI's objectives and   
   demonstrated how the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) can serve as a scientific   
   instrument. It also outlined plans for the Solar Eclipse QSO Party (SEQP) next   
   August. (An introductory Solar Eclipse QSO Party article is set to appear in   
   the February 2017 issue of QST; final SEQP rules will be available by   
   Hamvention in May.)   
      
   Moses called the Fall AGU Meeting "the most scientifically diverse conference"   
   she's ever attended, with many sessions and presentations encompassing a   
   variety of disciplines. "This diversity was especially evident in the citizen   
   science sessions and offered a unique opportunity for networking before the   
   eclipse," she told ARRL. "It was also interesting to see similarities to   
   HamSCI in some aspects of other citizen science projects."   
      
   Moses's poster presentation, "Characterizing the Ionosphere Using a Commercial   
   Off the Shelf Software Defined Radio System," described propagation   
   experiments between Blacksburg, Virginia, and Newark, New Jersey, aimed at   
   better understanding the use of HF links for characterizing the ionosphere   
   during the total solar eclipse later this year. Moses first presented   
   ray-trace diagrams through an eclipsed ionosphere, and then used propagation   
   test data to show that 80 meters was most useful for identifying diurnal   
   variations along the southwest Virginia-to-New Jersey signal path.   
      
   During a general HamSCI meeting, members talked about rules for the upcoming   
   SEQP, installation of additional RBN receivers, use of data from other   
   networks such as WSPRNet, the design of better measurement techniques, and   
   possibilities for future HamSCI experiments. Plans for Hamvention 2017 include   
   a display table and the program for a 90-minute ARRL-sponsored forum.   
      
      
      
   In Brief...   
      
   Logbook of The World to No Longer Accept Contacts Signed by TQSL Versions   
   Earlier Than 2.0: As of 1400 UTC on January 16, ARRL Logbook of The World   
   (LoTW) no longer will accept contacts that have been digitally signed by   
   versions of TQSL earlier than version 2.0. Users of earlier versions are   
   encouraged to upgrade as soon as possible, as older TQSL versions contain   
   uncorrected defects and display inaccurate error messages. The current   
   versions of TQSL for Windows, OS X, and Linux are available online at   
   https://lotw.arrl.org/lotw-help/installation/. This action does not affect   
   data already uploaded to LoTW; all QSOs remain in the LoTW database in   
   perpetuity. -- Thanks to Norm Fusaro, W3IZ   
      
      
   Registration is Now Open for Contest University at Dayton: Student   
   registration is now open for 2017 Dayton Contest University (CTU), all day on   
   Thursday, May 18, 2017, at the Crowne Plaza hotel in downtown Dayton, Ohio.   
   CTU sessions have been held in 11 countries over its 11-year history, and more   
   than 5,000 students have attended to learn the ins and outs of Amateur Radio   
   contesting from CTU's "professors." Scholarships to cover the registration fee   
   are available from CTU through a grant from the Northern California DX   
   Foundation (NCDXF) for students 25 years old and younger. Click the "Contact   
   Us" button on the CTU website for more information. Student registration   
   information is available on the CTU website. Anyone who has given (or will   
   give at Hamvention 2017) a talk about Amateur Radio to any club, hamfest, or   
   group since May 17, 2016, qualifies for a $10 registration fee discount. Use   
   the "Registration with Club Talk Discount" option on the CTU website, which   
   has much more information. -- Thanks to Tim Duffy, K3LR, Contest University   
   Chairman   
      
      
   Special Call Sign Prefixes Available to Celebrate Canada's Sesquicentennial:   
   Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) has secured permission for all Canadian radio   
   amateurs to use special call sign prefixes to celebrate the 150th anniversary   
   of Canada's Confederation during 2017. Starting on January 1, radio amateurs   
   and clubs with VA-prefix call signs may use CF instead, and those with   
   VE-prefix call signs may use CG instead. Amateurs and clubs with VO-prefix   
   call signs may substitute CH instead, while those holding VY-prefix call signs   
   may substitute CI. Use of the special prefixes is optional, and Canadian radio   
   amateurs may choose if and when to use the special prefix at any time during   
   the year. VY1AAA, the Yukon Canam Contest Club, will mark the sesquicentennial   
   with special call sign XK150YUKON from January 1 until March 1. For the rest   
   of 2017, VY1AAA will operate using either CI1AAA or VY1AAA.   
      
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: The sun was quieter this week compared to   
   the previous 7 days, and there were no sunspots on Thursday, Sunday, Monday,   
   and Wednesday. Geomagnetic numbers were also lower.   
      
   The average daily sunspot number decreased from 7.6 to 4.7, average daily   
   solar flux declined from 73.6 to 73.1, and the average daily planetary A index   
   went from 17.3 to 9.3. The average mid-latitude A index dipped from 11.6 to   
   6.3.   
      
   The latest forecast sees solar flux at 72 on January 5; 71 on January 6-10; 72   
   on January 11-12; 76 on January 13-14; 77 on January 15-19; 75 on January   
   20-24; 74 on January 25-27; 73 on January 28-February 2; 75 on February 3-7;   
   76 on February 8-10, and 77 on February 11-15.   
      
   The prediction for planetary A index sees 25, 18, 15, 10, and 6 on January   
   5-9; 5, 12, 10, 5, and 10 on January 10-14; 5 on January 15-16; 25, 20, 25,   
   and 18 on January 17-20; 20 on January 21-22; 10 on January 23; 5 on January   
   24-26; 12, 15, 10, 12, and 18 on January 27-31; 24, 22, 15, and 8 on February   
   1-4, and 5 on February 5-9.   
      
   F.K. Janda, OK1HH, delivered his geomagnetic predictions a day early this   
   week, for January 6-February 1: The geomagnetic field will be: Quiet on   
   January 8-10, 16, 24-25; mostly quiet on January 11-12, 15, 26, 30; quiet to   
   unsettled on January 23, 27, 29; quiet to active on January 6-7, 13-14, 17-18,   
   28, 31; active to disturbed on January 19-20, (21-22), February 1.   
      
   Amplifications of the solar wind from coronal holes are expected on January   
   6-8, 17-20, 25, (27-31) and February 1. Numbers in parentheses mean lower   
   probability of activity enhancement.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for December 29-January 4 were 0, 11, 11, 0, 0, 11, and 0,   
   with a mean of 7.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 73.4, 73.6, 73.5, 72.5, 73,   
   73.4, and 72.4, with a mean of 73.6. Estimated planetary A indices were 5, 4,   
   12, 14, 7, 12, and 11, with a mean of 17.3. Estimated mid-latitude A indices   
   were 2, 2, 10, 9, 5, 8, and 8, with a mean of 11.6.   
      
   Send me your reports or observations.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead on Radiosport   
      
    *  January 7 -- Kids Day (Phone)   
    *  January 7 -- PODXS 070 Club PSKFest   
    *  January 7-8 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)   
    *  January 7-8 -- WW PMC Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  January 7-8 -- Original QRP Contest (CW)   
    *  January 7-8 -- ARRL RTTY Roundup   
    *  January 7-8 -- EUCW 160-Meter Contest (CW)   
    *  January 8 -- DARC 10-Meter Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  January 11-15 -- AWA Linc Cundall Memorial (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   
      
    *  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   
    *  February 25 -- Vermont State Convention, South Burlington, Vermont   
      
   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 real friend remembers only the birthday.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)