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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2017-01-12   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   January 12, 2017   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  Illegal Drone Transmitters Could Interfere with Air Traffic Control,   
       ARRL Complaint Asserts   
    *  FCC Dismisses Two Petitions from Radio Amateurs   
    *  President Obama Renominates FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel   
    *  Nevada ARES Stand Down as Flood Threat Abates   
    *  The Doctor Will See You Now!   
    *  New Digital Modes Gain Traction for Moonbounce, but Occasionally Show Up   
       on HF   
    *  Radio Club of America Announces New "Wireless Women" Section on Website   
    *  The Yasme Foundation Announces Excellence Awards, Supporting Grants   
    *  Warm Up with the January VHF Contest, January 21-23   
    *  Winter Field Day is Just Ahead   
    *  In Brief...   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Getting It Right!   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
      
   Illegal Drone Transmitters Could Interfere with Air Traffic Control, ARRL   
   Complaint Asserts   
      
   In what it calls an "extremely urgent complaint" to the FCC, ARRL has targeted   
   the interference potential of a series of audio/video transmitters used on   
   unmanned aircraft and marketed as Amateur Radio equipment. In a January 10   
   letter to the FCC Spectrum Enforcement Division, ARRL General Counsel Chris   
   Imlay, W3KD, said the transmitters use frequencies intended for navigational   
   aids, air traffic control radar, air route surveillance radars, and global   
   positioning systems.   
      
   "This is, in ARRL's view, a potentially very serious interference problem, and   
   it is respectfully requested that the products referenced...be investigated   
   and removed from the marketplace immediately and that the importers be   
   subjected to normal sanctions," ARRL's letter said. Some of the transmitters   
   operate on frequencies between 1,010 and 1,280 MHz. "These video transmitters   
   are being marketed ostensibly as Amateur Radio equipment," the League said,   
   "but of the listed frequencies on which the devices operate, only one, 1,280   
   MHz, would be within the Amateur Radio allocation at 1,240-1,300 MHz." Even   
   then, ARRL said, operation there would conflict with a channel used for radio   
   location.   
      
   ARRL said the use of 1,040 and 1,080 MHz, which would directly conflict with   
   air traffic control transponder frequencies, represented the greatest threat   
   to the safety of flight. The use of 1,010 MHz, employed for aeronautical   
   guidance, could also be problematic.   
      
   ARRL cited the Lawmate transmitter and companion 6 W amplifier as examples of   
   problematic devices being marketed in the US. Each costs less than $100 via   
   the Internet. The device carries no FCC identification number.   
      
   "[T]he target market for these devices is the drone hobbyist, not licensed   
   radio amateurs. The device, due to the channel configuration, has no valid   
   Amateur Radio application," ARRL told the FCC. "While these transmitters are   
   marked as appropriate for amateur use, they cannot be used legally for Amateur   
   Radio communications." In the hands of unlicensed individuals, the   
   transmitters could also cause interference to Amateur Radio communication in   
   the 1.2 GHz band, ARRL contended.   
      
   The League said it's obvious that the devices at issue lack proper FCC   
   equipment authorization under FCC Part 15 rules, which require such low-power   
   intentional radiators to be certified.   
      
   "Of most concern is the capability of the devices to cripple the operation of   
   the [air traffic control] secondary target/transponder systems," ARRL said.   
   "These illegal transmitters represent a significant hazard to public safety in   
   general and the safety of flight specifically."   
      
   The surge in sales of drones has been dramatic. The FAA has predicted that   
   combined commercial and hobby sales will increase from 2.5 million in 2016 to   
   7 million by 2020.   
      
   In Exhibit A of the January 10 letter, "Illegal Drones Threaten Public   
   Safety," the League noted that some of the drones and associated equipment it   
   has come across "are blatantly illegal at multiple levels," with some drone TV   
   transmitters described as "particularly alarming."   
      
   "Rated at six times over the legal power limit, and on critical air navigation   
   transponder frequencies, these devices represent a real and dangerous threat   
   to the safety of flight, especially when operated from a drone platform that   
   can be hundreds of feet in the air," the exhibit narrative asserted.   
      
      
      
   FCC Dismisses Two Petitions from Radio Amateurs   
      
   The FCC has turned down two petitions filed in 2016, each seeking similar   
   changes in the Part 97 Amateur Service rules. James Edwin Whedbee, N0ECN, of   
   Gladstone, Missouri, had asked the Commission to amend the rules to reduce the   
   number of Amateur Radio operator classes to Technician, General, and Amateur   
   Extra by merging remaining Novice class licensees into the Technician class   
   and all Advanced class licensees into the Amateur Extra class. In a somewhat   
   related petition, Jeffrey H. Siegell, WB2YRL, of Burke, Virginia, had   
   requested that the FCC grant Advanced class license holders Morse code   
   operating privileges equivalent to those enjoyed by Amateur Extra class   
   licensees.   
      
   "Thus, Mr. Siegell's proposed rule change is subsumed within the changes Mr.   
   Whedbee requests, so our analysis is the same for both proposals," the FCC   
   said in dismissing the two petitions on January 5.   
      
   The FCC streamlined the Amateur Radio licensing system into three classes --   
   Technician, General, and Amateur Extra -- in 1999. While it no longer issues   
   new Novice or Advanced class licenses, existing licenses can be renewed, and   
   Novice and Advanced licensees retained their operating privileges.   
      
   "The Commission concluded that the three-class structure would streamline the   
   licensing process, while still providing an incentive for licensees to advance   
   their communication and technical skills," the FCC recounted in its dismissal   
   letter to Whedbee and Siegell. It specifically rejected suggestions that   
   Novice and Advanced class licensees be automatically upgraded to a higher   
   class, concluding that it would be inappropriate for these licensees to   
   "receive additional privileges without passing the required examination   
   elements." The FCC cited the same reason in 2005, when it denied requests to   
   automatically upgrade Technician licensees to General class and Advanced   
   licensees to Amateur Extra class, as part of a wide-ranging proceeding.   
      
   The FCC said the two petitions "do not demonstrate, or even suggest, that any   
   relevant circumstances have changed that would merit reconsideration of those   
   decisions."   
      
      
      
   President Obama Renominates FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel   
      
   President Barack Obama has renominated FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, a   
   Democrat, for a new term. She joined the FCC in 2012, and her tenure ended on   
   January 3. Rosenworcel's renomination last fall failed to gain Senate approval   
   before adjournment, and it had been thought that Rosenworcel would depart the   
   Commission by the end of 2016.   
      
   With FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler stepping down on January 20, the FCC will be   
   left with two Republicans -- Ajit Pai and Michael O'Rielly -- and, unless   
   Rosenworcel is confirmed, one Democrat -- Mignon Clyburn, whose term ends in   
   mid-2017. The FCC can have up to five commissioners, and no more than three   
   may belong to the same political party. Wheeler applauded Rosenworcel's   
   reappointment and said he hoped Congress would "act quickly to confirm her   
   nomination." With President Obama leaving on January 20, however, action on   
   reconfirming Rosenworcel for a new term is not expected until President-Elect   
   Donald Trump takes office.   
      
      
      
   Nevada ARES Stand Down as Flood Threat Abates   
      
   Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES(R)) volunteers and emergency operations   
   centers (EOCs) in Nevada stood down this week as the threat of additional   
   widespread flooding damage diminished. Over the weekend, ARES members in   
   Nevada stood ready to support the disaster response effort. Recent heavy   
   rainfall, sparked by a weather system called the Pineapple Express, caused   
   flooding along rivers and forced evacuations in some areas of Nevada and   
   neighboring California. The flooding prompted Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval to   
   declare a state of emergency. In Reno, the Truckee River crested above 12 feet   
   on January 9, and at 19.5 feet in Sparks.   
      
   Carrying moisture-laden warm air from Hawaii, the Pineapple Express   
   "atmospheric river" flowing across a narrow band of the Sierra Nevadas brought   
   snow followed by rainfall of up to 15 inches to northern Nevada and   
   California. While the rainfall may have broken the back of the region's   
   lengthy drought, it caused the snowpack in the Sierras to melt, initiating   
   avalanches and mudslides, washing out roadways, and causing heavy flooding.   
      
   Because forecasters were able to detect and predict the magnitude of the storm   
   well in advance, the Reno area had time to prepare, and sandbagging and other   
   operations were in full force last Friday. County EOCs such as the Regional   
   Emergency Operations Center (REOC), which serves as a joint facility for   
   Washoe County and the cities of Reno and Sparks, began activating early on   
   Friday morning.   
      
   ARES volunteers took up positions at the REOC as well as in Storey, Lyon, and   
   Douglas counties. Under the direction of Section Emergency Coordinator Glenn   
   Hale, KB7REO, ARES volunteers in the rest of Nevada's counties began   
   monitoring emergency activations on HF, Echolink, IRLP, and DMR. Shelters were   
   opened in two Reno high schools, and voluntary evacuations were begun.   
      
   Throughout the weekend, ARES communicators remained on duty. On Sunday, the   
   fire station at Truckee Meadows experienced a power failure and lost   
   communication. Washoe County Emergency Coordinator Bob Miller, WA6MTY,   
   dispatched an ARES volunteer to the station to provide communication.   
      
   A statewide ARES resource net supported the response, with 60 meters and   
   Winlink added to the toolbox. The statewide net included the California   
   counties of Alpine, Mono, and Inyo, which operate by prior agreements within   
   the Nevada Section as the Sierra East District because the Sierra Nevada   
   mountain range makes it impossible for them to communicate with their own   
   California sections. Read more. -- Thanks to John Bigley, N7UR/The Nevada   
   Amateur Radio Newswire   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   The Doctor Will See You Now!   
      
   "Long Delayed Echoes" is the topic of the latest (January 12) 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.   
      
      
      
   New Digital Modes Gain Traction for Moonbounce, but Occasionally Show Up on HF   
      
   In December, Joe Taylor, K1JT, released the latest version (1.7) of his WSJT-X   
   software suite, designed to facilitate basic Amateur Radio communication using   
   very weak signals ("WSJT" stands for "Weak Signal communication by K1JT").   
   Version 1.7 included the new modes MSK144 and QRA64, as well as ISCAT   
   (ionospheric scatter). MSK144 and QRA64 (and QRA64A) are finding a home within   
   the VHF Earth-Moon-Earth (EME, or moonbounce) and meteor-scatter communities,   
   but QRA64A signals also have turned up on 160 meters, which poses its own   
   challenges to weak signals.   
      
   "QRA64A QSOs are being made nightly on 160 meters, of all places, and QRA64   
   activity on 2-meter EME is becoming significant, especially on weekends,"   
   Taylor remarked in a January 9 update posted to the Moon-Net reflector,   
   pointing out that QRA64 is decoding signals down to about -28 dB   
   signal-to-noise.   
      
   But Taylor does not advise a wholesale shift to the use of QRA64 on the HF   
   bands -- at least just yet. "It's okay to play with and test QRA64 at HF, if   
   you wish," he commented recently on the WSJT Development discussion group.   
   "Some of our earliest tests of the mode were done on the 20-meter and 30-meter   
   bands." He suggested, though, that HF operators stick with JT65, "not least   
   because, at present, we have included no 'multi-decode' capability for the   
   QRA64 decoder. It's made to decode just one signal in the passband."   
      
   In the WSJT-X Version 1.7 User Guide, Taylor pointed out QRA64's several   
   advantages over JT65, including better performance on the very weakest   
   signals. "We imagine that, over time, it may replace JT65 for EME use," he   
   wrote. "JT9 was originally designed for the LF, MF, and lower HF bands. Its   
   submode JT9A is 2 dB more sensitive than JT65, while using less than 10% of   
   the bandwidth."   
      
   Taylor told ARRL that he expects JT65 and JT9 to remain the preferred modes   
   for making "minimal QSOs" at HF for some years to come. "QRA64 is 1-3 dB more   
   sensitive than JT65 or JT9; this is important for EME, but much less so at HF,   
   because one can usually run 20 W instead of 10 W, when the going gets rough."   
      
   These modes use 1-minute timed sequences of alternating transmission and   
   reception, so a basic contact can take up to 6 minutes -- two or three   
   transmissions by each station, one transmitting on odd UTC minutes and the   
   other on even. A typical contact uses canned message text to exchange grid   
   squares and signal reports.   
      
   Paul Andrews, W2HRO, said in a January 10 post to the Moon-Net reflector that   
   he develops "free-form" QRA64 messages to make his contacts more like   
   ragchews. "Tonight I was able to ragchew via 2-meter EME," he said. "My QRA64   
   free-form messages actually confused monitoring stations, because they have   
   never seen ragchew free form." Andrews said he likes the idea of taking   
   advantage of good conditions to carry out a conversation via EME, rather than   
   just validating the exchange of signals.   
      
      
      
   Radio Club of America Announces New "Wireless Women" Section on Website   
      
   In an effort to encourage more participation of women and girls in the   
   wireless industry, the Radio Club of America (RCA) has created a new "Wireless   
   Women" section on its website, designed to assist women considering careers in   
   wireless and encouraging them to get involved in technology. Information   
   includes resources such as "Notable Women in Wireless," "RCA's Vivian Carr   
   Award," and "Professional Wireless Organizations for Women," as well as web   
   resources for women and girls interested in wireless. There's also a list of   
   universities that have an engineering focus and significant enrollment by   
   women.   
      
   "RCA has a long history of recognizing the achievements of women in wireless,"   
   RCA President Tim Duffy, K3LR, said. "Three former RCA presidents are women,   
   and we have many female officers, directors, and committee members. We created   
   the Vivian Carr award in 2014 to recognize women who have contributed   
   significantly to the wireless industry, and Director Carole Perry [WB2MGP] has   
   led RCA's effort to educate youth about wireless for decades."   
      
   Duffy credited the efforts of several female RCA members, including Secretary   
   Margaret Lyons P.E., Executive Committee member and Marketing & Development   
   Committee Chair Elaine Walsh, former RCA president Mercy Contreras, and   
   others, for assembling the information that might be useful to women and girls   
   who are interested in wireless. "We welcome additional ideas or input from the   
   wireless community to help this section of our website become more useful,"   
   Duffy said.   
      
      
      
   The Yasme Foundation Announces Excellence Awards, Supporting Grants   
      
   The Yasme Foundation has announced excellence awards to two individuals and   
   supporting grants to six organizations.   
      
   The Yasme Excellence Award honors individuals who have made significant   
   contributions to Amateur Radio in terms of technical, operating, or   
   organizational achievement. Recipients are:   
      
    *  Pekka Ketonen, OH1TV, in recognition of his many innovations, such as   
       the Opposite Voltage Feed concept for Amateur Radio antennas, and for   
       documenting his work in English to make it more widely available.   
    *  Hani Raad, OD5TE, in recognition of his work in advancing Amateur Radio   
       in Lebanon and the Arab World, and his efforts to reintroduce Amateur   
       Radio examinations in Lebanon.   
      
   The Yasme Excellence Award is in the form of a cash grant and an engraved   
   crystal globe.   
      
   The Yasme Foundation supporting grants recognize furtherance of the   
   Foundation's goal of supporting the development of Amateur Radio. These   
   organizations received grants:   
      
    *  Radio Club d'Haiti, to acquire radios for use in emergency communication   
       (further grant).   
    *  The Mongolian Radio Sport Federation, to acquire laptop computers for   
       use in the Federation's High Speed Telegraphy competition.   
    *  LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, to acquire Amateur Radio   
       equipment for the station at its new headquarters in San Francisco,   
       California.   
    *  The Amateur Radio Society of Dominica, to acquire Amateur Radio training   
       materials; the grant includes a transceiver, power supply, antenna   
       tuner, and headset.   
    *  World Radiosport Team Championship 2018, to sponsor the event's "Ham   
       Widows' Ball."   
    *  The Radio Amateur Society of Thailand, to support its HS0AC club   
       station.   
      
   For additional information about The Yasme Foundation, visit its newly updated   
   website. -- Thanks to Ward Silver, N0AX   
      
      
      
   Warm Up with the January VHF Contest, January 21-23   
      
   If you're feeling a chill in the air, it must be time for the January VHF   
   Contest! Those in the northern tier of the US (or in a good part of the US   
   this winter) are experiencing brisk winds, temperatures dipping southward,   
   piles of snow or ice, or heavy rain. This means the ARRL January VHF Contest   
   is near. What a great way to warm up for the 2017 VHF+ contest season, even if   
   it's already warm where you live. This annual event begins at 1900 UTC on   
   Saturday, January 21, and it wraps up at 0359 UTC on Monday, January 23.   
      
   The objective is for amateurs in the US and Canada (and territories) to work   
   as many stations in as many different Maidenhead grid squares as possible,   
   using frequencies above 50 MHz -- often while trying to stay warm. Contest   
   contacts may be made using SSB, CW, digital modes, and even FM simplex.   
      
   The January VHF Contest offers Single Operator and Multioperator categories.   
   What's really cool about this contest are the three Single Operator   
   categories, inviting to newcomers and seasoned VHFers alike: FM-only, 3-Band   
   (50 MHz, 144 MHz, and 440 MHz), and Portable. The rules spell out the details   
   for these as well as for other Single Operator, Rover, and Multioperator entry   
   categories.   
      
   "We've seen some very strong numbers of participants and healthy scores   
   recently in the FM-only category," said ARRL Contest Branch Manager Bart   
   Jahnke, W9JJ. "The number of Portable and Rover stations -- and their   
   accomplishments -- has been amazing, even in the January event."   
      
   Getting on the VHF/UHF bands is not hard. Technician licensees have access to   
   all amateur bands above 50 MHz. Antennas for VHF/UHF frequencies are available   
   new or used, and you can even roll your own. Kent Britain, WA5VJB, offers   
   useful information on his website on how to make your own "cheap Yagis."   
   Another approach is the Quagi antenna. Wayne Overbeck, N6NB, provides an   
   overview on his website. For UHF+, loop Yagis are relatively simple to build,   
   and designs are readily available. Even some HF antennas will work on 6 meters.   
      
   All contest entries must be uploaded via the web app or e-mailed to the   
   contest robot by 0359 UTC on February 22. Mail paper logs to ARRL January VHF   
   Contest, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111. Contact the ARRL Contest Branch   
   for more information.   
      
      
      
   Winter Field Day is Just Ahead   
      
   Field Day is not just for summertime anymore. Winter Field Day, sponsored by   
   the Winter Field Day Association (WFDA), will take place over the January   
   28-29 weekend, and it can be a terrific time to prep for ARRL Field Day in   
   June. The annual event's stated purpose is to encourage emergency operating   
   preparedness in the winter, but it's also an excuse to get out of the house   
   and enjoy the great outdoors. According to the WFDA, getting ready for   
   emergency communication in a winter environment is just as important as the   
   preparations and practice that take place each June during ARRL Field Day, and   
   -- let's face it -- it's not cold and snowy everywhere during the winter   
   months. Your local climate could be quite the opposite.   
      
   "Don't let those winter doldrums keep you locked up in the house," the WFDA   
   says. "Get out and play some radio!" The WFDA said it believes that   
   maintaining operating skills should not be limited to fair-weather scenarios.   
      
   The event, which got its start in 2007, is not restricted to North America.   
   All Amateur Radio operators around the world are invited to participate, and   
   there are three entry categories -- indoor, outdoor, and home. The rules are   
   similar to those for ARRL Field Day. Operation will take place on all HF bands   
   except 12, 17, 30, and 60 meters, as well as on VHF, UHF, and satellite. The   
   event runs 24 hours. US and Canadian stations exchange call sign, operating   
   category, and ARRL or RAC section.   
      
   The WFDA encourages both group and solo operation, and if you're not up for an   
   outdoor winter adventure involving Amateur Radio, you can operate from the   
   comfort of your shack. As the WFDA says on its Facebook page, "The object is   
   winter fun!"   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   In Brief...   
      
   ARRL Foundation 2017-2018 Scholarship Application Deadline Looms: The deadline   
   is Tuesday, January 31 (at 11:59 PM ET), to receive completed ARRL Foundation   
   scholarship applications from eligible radio amateurs pursuing post-secondary   
   education in the 2017-2018 academic year. Individuals and clubs support many   
   of the more than 80 scholarships that the ARRL Foundation manages, with awards   
   ranging from $500 to $5,000. Applicants for all scholarships must be active   
   radio amateurs and must complete and submit the online application. Students   
   applying for 2017-18 academic year awards should review the eligibility   
   requirements and scholarship descriptions. One application per applicant is   
   required, but applicants may ask to be considered for as many of the   
   scholarships for which they are eligible (some scholarships have geographic   
   criteria or other requirements). Applications without accompanying transcripts   
   will not be considered. For more information, contact the ARRL Foundation   
   (860-594-0348).   
      
      
   Inauguration Special Event Set: Radio amateurs in the Washington, DC, area,   
   will operate special event station W3T January 19-21 to mark the inauguration   
   of Donald J. Trump, Mike Lonneke, W4AAW, of Round Hill, Virginia, has   
   announced. A group of more than 20 operators will staff the operation, and a   
   commemorative QSL card will be available. Jim Nitzberg, WX3B -- who   
   participated in the 2009 inaugural commemorative station -- recalled the   
   special event was swamped by callers. Lonneke and Nitzberg are making their   
   own stations available for the operation, and teams of seasoned contesters   
   will be taking the helm for the W3T event. Richard Maylott, W2YE, will oversee   
   the distribution of the anticipated thousands of commemorative QSL card   
   requests. QSL direct with a self-addressed, stamped envelope ($2 for non-US   
   requests) to 20732 Furr Rd., Round Hill, VA 20141-1803 or via the W3 QSL   
   Bureau. -- Thanks to Mike Lonneke, W4AAW   
      
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: No sunspots are currently visible, and none   
   have been seen since January 3, when just one sunspot appeared. There were   
   none on January 1-2. The Daily Solar Data from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction   
   Center is full of zeroes.   
      
   Average daily solar flux this week was 72.5, down from 73.1 a week earlier.   
   The average planetary A index rose 5 points to 14.3, while the average   
   mid-latitude A index increased from 6.3 to 10.6.   
      
   Predicted solar flux is 74, 73, and 75 on January 12-14; 78 on January 15-19;   
   76 on January 20-25; 74 on January 26-28; 73 on January 29-February 1; 72 on   
   February 2-7; 74 on February 8, and 76 on February 9-21.   
      
   The predicted planetary A index is 10 on January 12; 8 on January 13-14; 5, 8,   
   and 16 on January 15-17; 12 on January 18-19; 18 on January 20; 20 on January   
   21-22; 10 on January 23; 5 on January 24-26; 12, 15, 7, 10, and 12 on January   
   27-31; 16, 18, 20, 16, 12, and 5 on February 1-6; 12, 15, 10, and 8 on   
   February 7-10; 5 on February 11-12; 25, 20, 25, and 18 on February 13-16, and   
   20 on February 17-18.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for January 5-11 were 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, and 0, with a mean of   
   0. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 73.3, 72, 72, 71.5, 71.2, 72.7, and 74.5, with   
   a mean of 72.5. The estimated planetary A indices were 18, 16, 20, 16, 12, 10,   
   and 8, with a mean of 14.3. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 15, 14, 14,   
   11, 8, 5, and 7, with a mean of 10.6.   
      
   Send me your reports or observations.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Getting It Right!   
      
   The story "Boy Scouts' Radio Merit Badge Requirements to Include Amateur Radio   
   Direction Finding Option," in the January 5 edition of The ARRL Letter,   
   included some errors. While requirements for the Radio merit badge have been   
   updated, ARDF is an option, not a requirement. Cellular telephones and   
   different types of radio modulation are required topics, however. The new   
   requirements became effective January 1, 2017. ARDF activities already take   
   place at Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) events and at summer camps.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  January 14 -- Old New Year Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  January 14-15 -- UBA PSK63 Prefix Contest   
    *  January 14-15 -- North American QSO Party (CW)   
    *  January 15 -- NRAU-Baltic Contests (SSB and CW)   
    *  January 16 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)   
    *  January 19 -- NAQCC CW Sprint   
      
   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 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   
    *  March 3-4 -- Alabama Section Convention, Birmingham, Alabama   
    *  March 4 -- Arkansas State Convention, Russellville, Arkansas   
    *  March 10-11 -- Louisiana State Convention, Rayne, Louisiana   
    *  March 11 -- Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska   
    *  March 18 -- West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas   
    *  March 18 -- MicroHAMS Digital Conference 2017, Redmond, Washington   
    *  March 24-25 -- Texas State Convention, Rosenberg, Texas   
    *  March 31-Apr 1 -- Maine State Convention, Lewiston, Maine   
    *  March 31-Apr 2 -- Nevada State Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada   
      
   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...   
   ... I DECLARE THAT MY MISSION IS TO CREATE CHILE-HEADS!   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)