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   http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2017-01-19   
      
   The ARRL Letter   
      
   January 19, 2017   
   Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME   
      
    *  New "Amateur Radio Parity Act" Bill Introduced in US House of   
       Representatives   
    *  ARRL Asks FCC to Allocate New 5 MHz Band, Retain Channels and Current   
       Power Limit   
    *  ARRL Board of Directors to Meet in Connecticut   
    *  Hamvention Ready to Deal with Anticipated Traffic Flow at New Venue   
    *  Hams Upset as New Hotel Owner Wants Repeaters Removed from Roof   
    *  The Doctor Will See You Now!   
    *  ARRL Reintroduces a Popular Classic -- Experimental Methods in RF Design   
    *  Maxim Memorial Station W1AW Receives Equipment Donations   
    *  Nebraska Sesquicentennial Celebration QSO Party Set for February, March   
    *  German Regulator Acts on More than 6,000 Instances of Radio Interference   
       in 2016   
    *  Ulrich Rohde, N1UL, Recognized for Pioneering Work on SDR   
    *  Harry K. Wolf, W6NKT, SK at 107; May Have Been World's Oldest Active   
       Radio Amateur   
    *  In Brief...   
    *  The K7RA Solar Update   
    *  Just Ahead in Radiosport   
    *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
      
   New "Amateur Radio Parity Act" Bill Introduced in US House of Representatives   
      
   H.R. 555 -- a new "Amateur Radio Parity Act" bill -- has been introduced in   
   the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill's language is identical to that of   
   the 2015 measure, H.R. 1301, which passed in the House late last summer but   
   failed to gain the necessary support in the waning days of the US Senate.   
      
   As with H.R. 1301, the new measure introduced on January 13 in the 115th   
   Congress was sponsored by Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), with initial   
   co-sponsorship by Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Rep. Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR).   
   Walden now chairs the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, to which the new   
   bill has been referred. H.R. 555 will get an initial airing in the   
   Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. When H.R. 1301 came up in   
   committee, Walden spoke forcefully in favor of the measure, which ultimately   
   attracted 126 House cosponsors.   
      
   "Rep. Kinzinger has again stepped forward to introduce this important   
   legislation," said ARRL CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF. "His commitment stems from   
   exposure to what the Amateur Radio community brings to the service of all   
   communities. ARRL and radio amateurs nationwide owe Rep. Kinzinger a   
   resounding 'Thank You!' for his efforts on their behalf."   
      
   H.R. 555 calls on the FCC to establish rules prohibiting the application of   
   deed restrictions that preclude Amateur Radio communications on their face or   
   as applied. Deed restrictions would have to impose the minimum practicable   
   restriction on Amateur Radio communications to accomplish the lawful purposes   
   of homeowners associations seeking to enforce the restriction.   
      
      
      
   ARRL Asks FCC to Allocate New 5 MHz Band, Retain Channels and Current Power   
   Limit   
      
   ARRL has asked the FCC to allocate a new, secondary contiguous band at 5 MHz   
   to the Amateur Service, while also retaining four of the current five 60-meter   
   channels and current operating rules, including the 100 W PEP effective   
   radiated power (ERP) limit. The federal government is the primary user of the   
   5 MHz spectrum. The proposed action would implement a portion of the Final   
   Acts of World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15) that provided for a   
   secondary international allocation of 5,351.5 to 5,366.5 kHz to the Amateur   
   Service; that band includes 5,358.5 kHz, one of the existing 5 MHz channels in   
   the US.   
      
   "Such implementation will allow radio amateurs engaged in emergency and   
   disaster relief communications, and especially those between the United States   
   and the Caribbean basin, to more reliably, more flexibly, and more capably   
   conduct those communications [and preparedness exercises], before the next   
   hurricane season in the summer of 2017," ARRL said in a January 12 Petition   
   for Rule Making. The FCC has not yet acted to implement other portions of the   
   WRC-15 Final Acts.   
      
   The League said that 14 years of Amateur Radio experience using the five   
   discrete 5 MHz channels have shown that hams can get along well with primary   
   users at 5 MHz, while complying with the regulations established for their   
   use. In recent years, Amateur Radio has cooperated with federal users such as   
   FEMA in conducting communication interoperability exercises.   
      
   "While the Amateur Radio community is grateful to the Commission and to NTIA   
   for the accommodation over the past 14 years of some access to the 5-MHz band,   
   the five channels are, simply stated, completely inadequate to accommodate the   
   emergency preparedness needs of the Amateur Service in this HF frequency   
   range," ARRL said, adding that the five 2.8-kHz wide channels "have not   
   provided sufficient capacity to enable competent emergency preparedness and   
   disaster relief capability."   
      
   Access even to the tiny 15-kHz wide band adopted at WRC-15 would "radically   
   improve the current, very limited capacity of the Amateur Service in the   
   United States to address emergencies and disaster relief," ARRL said.   
      
   In its Petition, ARRL also called upon the FCC to retain the same service   
   rules now governing the five channels for the new band. The WRC-15 Final Acts   
   stipulated a power limit of 15 W effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP),   
   which the League said "completely defeats the entire premise for the   
   allocation in the first place."   
      
   "For precisely the same reasons that the Commission consented to a power   
   increase on the five channels as recently as 2011 [from 50 W PEP ERP to 100 W   
   PEP ERP], the Commission should permit a power level of 100 W PEP ERP,   
   assuming use of a 0 dBd gain antenna, in the contiguous 60-meter band," ARRL   
   said.   
      
   ARRL pointed out that the ITU Radio Regulations permit assignments that are at   
   variance with the International Table of Allocations, provided a   
   non-interference condition is attached.   
      
   The FCC will not invite comments on the League's Petition until it puts it on   
   public notice and assigns a Rule Making (RM) number.   
      
      
      
   ARRL Board of Directors to Meet in Connecticut   
      
   The ARRL Board of Directors will convene January 20-21 in Windsor,   
   Connecticut. The full Board gathering will be preceded by new Director and   
   Vice Director orientation and meetings of the Programs and Services and   
   Administration and Finance committees.   
      
   The prime topic on the agenda will be the new Amateur Radio Parity Act bill,   
   H.R. 555, just introduced in the US House.   
      
   In addition to discussing a wide range of FCC and regulatory issues, the Board   
   will vote on the 2017 financial plan, elect members to the Executive Committee   
   and to the ARRL Foundation Board of Directors, and designate new committee   
   assignments. Second Vice President Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, will report on a   
   study addressing revitalization of the Official Observers program.   
      
   The Board also will hear a report from the Entry Level License Committee,   
   chaired New England Division Director Tom Frenaye, K1KI.   
      
   Radio Amateurs of Canada President Glenn MacDonell, VE3XRA, and International   
   Amateur Radio Union President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, will attend as guests of   
   the Board.   
      
      
      
   Hamvention Ready to Deal with Anticipated Traffic Flow at New Venue   
      
   Hamvention(R) is ready to deal with the anticipated heavy traffic flow when   
   the event opens on May 19 at its new location, the Greene County Fairgrounds   
   and Expo Center in Xenia, Ohio. Mike Kalter, W8CI, said the all-volunteer   
   Hamvention organizers have turned to professionals to address this aspect of   
   the event. Kalter, who is treasurer of the sponsoring Dayton Amateur Radio   
   Association (DARA), was interviewed last week by DX Engineering's Tim Duffy,   
   K3LR.   
      
   "We recognized that we needed to reach out to a professional engineering firm   
   that does this all over the country to help us to work with the local   
   government officials, so that we can have a good solid plan to keep the people   
   flowing in," Kalter told Duffy.   
      
   Kalter said arrangements have been made to have staging areas for those   
   needing to either offload or load equipment from the indoor exhibit areas or   
   the flea market.   
      
   He also pointed out that on-site parking would be free, and that no one will   
   have to park in the mud. Kalter said areas set aside for parking are well   
   drained, and he doesn't anticipate any problems, even if it rains during   
   Hamvention. That goes for the flea market area as well, he said, noting that   
   the arena infield area is used for events in good and bad weather alike.   
      
   Kalter said Hamvention expects to be able to post the plan for flea market   
   spaces on its website soon. The layout for indoor vendor and exhibitor booths   
   is already available on the Hamvention website. Kalter said that if everyone   
   who attended Hamvention 2016 at Hara Arena shows up again this year, they will   
   find plenty of room at the new venue. Maps are available on the website.   
      
   Turning to traffic of a different sort, Kalter noted that Greene County has   
   brought in a high-speed Internet "pipe" to the new venue, and that AT&T will   
   drop telephone lines wherever they're needed.   
      
   Kalter said there will be plenty of picnic tables as well as a temporary   
   structure dedicated for socializing. He also promised that Hamvention 2017   
   will offer "a wide variety of great things to eat." That will include food   
   vendors and food trucks.   
      
   Kalter said it takes some 600 volunteers to make Hamvention happen each year,   
   and the leadership team consists of 86 individuals.   
      
   Reflecting its new venue, "Hamvention -- Same Friends, New Home" will be the   
   theme for the 2017 event. Last summer's closure of Hara Arena forced the move   
   to the new location more than 20 miles to the southeast.   
      
   The price of admission to Hamvention has gone up slightly; tickets will now   
   cost $22 for all 3 days ($27 at the door). Accompanied minors age 12 or   
   younger may attend free. Online ordering is not yet available, but those   
   planning to attend can order tickets by mail. Hamvention, which runs from   
   Friday, May 19, until Sunday, May 21, is expected to attract upward of 25,000   
   people to the greater Dayton area. Visit the Hamvention website or e-mail for   
   more information.   
      
      
      
   Hams Upset as New Hotel Owner Wants Repeaters Removed from Roof   
      
   A controversy has erupted on New York's Long Island, where the owner of the   
   Islandia Marriott -- soon to become a casino -- wants two Amateur Radio   
   repeaters and antennas removed from the roof of the hotel that's been their   
   home for nearly 30 years. Town of Babylon ARES Emergency Coordinator and RACES   
   Radio Officer John Melfi, W2HCB, said removing the repeaters would severely   
   hamper the ability of Long Island radio amateurs to support communication in   
   the event of a disaster or emergency.   
      
   "People don't understand what these [repeaters] mean to the community," Melfi   
   told ARRL. An ARRL Hudson Division Assistant Director, Melfi is also the   
   president of the Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club (GSBARC), and club members   
   pressed the two repeaters into service a year ago after a major snowstorm shut   
   down Greater New York City. The club said removing them will be a "devastating   
   blow" to Amateur Radio emergency communications. The WR2UHF repeater is part   
   of the Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP), Melfi said, while WD2NY is a   
   D-STAR machine. Owned by Preston Waterman, W2PW, both are affiliated with   
   GSBARC. Melfi said that Waterman had an agreement in place with the hotel to   
   use the site.   
      
   The hotel's new owner, Delaware North, has expressed concerns about safety and   
   security at the casino and said it wants the equipment off the hotel roof   
   sooner rather than later.   
      
   Melfi said it would be "almost impossible" to find another comparable   
   location, and that, in any event, relocating the repeaters would prove costly   
   and difficult. The equipment is expected to be moved in February, but the club   
   has begun an online petition drive that has already collected some 350   
   signatures.   
      
   Melfi told ARRL that he's hoping that the GSBARC and Delaware North will be   
   able to reach a formal memorandum of understanding that spells out access   
   guidelines, so the repeaters and antenna can remain in place atop the   
   soon-to-be casino.   
      
   In a statement, Delaware North told Long Island News 12, "We are not aware of   
   any agreement that the previous hotel owner had in place to allow the antenna   
   to be housed on the property, and we will no longer permit the use of the   
   equipment or access to the roof. The area needs to be secure due to safety and   
   security concerns, so we have taken steps to limit access. We asked the leader   
   of the Amateur Radio group who approached us to find another location for the   
   antenna, and we offered our assistance in moving the equipment."   
      
      
      
   The Doctor Will See You Now!   
      
   "Meteor Scatter" 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.   
   Just ahead: "AM and SSB."   
      
      
      
   ARRL Reintroduces a Popular Classic -- Experimental Methods in RF Design   
      
   ARRL has reintroduced the popular title Experimental Methods in RF Design as a   
   classic reprint edition. Immerse yourself in the communications experience.   
   Build equipment while understanding basic concepts and circuits.   
      
   "This is a...classic, extremely good text on designing circuits for the ham,"   
   ARRL Life Member Bob DeVarney, W1ICW, a professional radio communication   
   technician and avid experimenter said. "If you do any building at all and want   
   to know the 'why' behind things, this is a very worthwhile addition to your   
   bookshelf."   
      
   Experimental Methods in RF Design classic reprint edition is available from   
   the ARRL Store or your ARRL Dealer (ARRL Item no. 0574), ISBN: 9   
   8-8-87259-9239-9, $49.95 retail. Contact ARRL Publication Sales or call   
   860-594-0355 (toll-free in the US, 888-277-5289).   
      
   This classic reprint ddition of a previous ARRL publication contains dated   
   content and references that may no longer be relevant or valid. Software   
   referenced throughout the book is not included and not available.   
      
      
      
   Maxim Memorial Station W1AW Receives Equipment Donations   
      
   Maxim Memorial Station W1AW has received equipment donations from Heil Sound   
   and Radiohaus/America.   
      
   Heil Sound recently gave W1AW a Gold Grill PR781G Studio Microphone, a PR40   
   Gold microphone, two PRO7-DY headsets (pink and red), a Pro Set Elite 6   
   headset with HC6 element, three FS-3 single footswitches, two "topless" mic   
   booms, and replacement Pro Set Plus cords and PS3 cables.   
      
   W1AW Manager Joe Carcia said most of the gear will repair or replace items at   
   the station that have seen a lot of visitor use over the years.   
      
   W1AW has also received a "Callsight" lighted call sign display from Erwin   
   H�bsch Neto, PY2QI/KK4CGD, at Radiohaus/America in Brazil. A remote control   
   allows the user to change the display color as well as choose flashing or   
   strobe display mode.   
      
   "We're extremely grateful to Bob Heil and Erwin Neto for their generous   
   donations," Carcia said.   
      
      
      
   Nebraska Sesquicentennial Celebration QSO Party Set for February, March   
      
   Radio amateurs in Nebraska will celebrate the state's 150th anniversary during   
   the Sesquicentennial Anniversary Celebration Week QSO Party, starting on   
   Saturday, February 25, and continuing until Sunday, March 6. That time period   
   includes the actual anniversary date, March 1.   
      
   Nebraska radio amateurs may operate from their own stations or as part of   
   Nebraska historical site activations, appending "/NE150" to their call signs.   
   Nebraska stations transmit name, signal report, and Nebraska county (plus   
   historical site, if appropriate). Non-Nebraska stations transmit name, signal   
   report, and state, Canadian province, or DXCC entity.   
      
   A special QSL card will be available with a self-addressed, stamped envelope   
   and QSL to the Nebraska station contacted. Contact ARRL Midwest Division Vice   
   Director Art Zygielbaum, K0AIZ, or ARRL Nebraska Section Manager Matt   
   Anderson, KB0BOJ, for additional information.   
      
   The Nebraska Sesquicentennial Amateur Radio Commemorative QSO Party is an   
   official Nebraska Sesquicentennial event sanctioned by the Nebraska   
   Sesquicentennial Commission.   
      
      
      
   German Regulator Acts on More than 6,000 Instances of Radio Interference in   
   2016   
      
   German telecoms regulator the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur --   
   BNetzA) reports that it investigated and resolved more than 6,000 cases of   
   radio interference in 2016. The agency reported that the caseload was about   
   the same as 2015's.   
      
   "Our Testing and Measurement Service tracks down and determines the cause of   
   radio interference and remedies them," explained Jochen Homann, president of   
   the Federal Network Agency. "Ever more diverse wireless applications are   
   increasing the complexity of investigating and resolving interference cases."   
      
   The agency noted that the causes of radio interference have changed   
   significantly in recent years, but incidents of interference are continuing to   
   decline overall. New and innovative wireless applications in particular make   
   it difficult to isolate and eliminate the causes of interference, it said.   
      
   Interference to safety-related radio services -- such as rescue services, fire   
   departments, and law enforcement -- or to aircraft radio systems present a   
   public danger, the agency continued. The Federal Network Agency has deployed   
   specialists and specialized equipment at 19 locations around Germany, giving   
   the agency round-the-clock ability to detect radio interference. The agency   
   advises and clarifies in each instance whether an interference case can be   
   handled on site and if a fee must be assessed.   
      
   In addition to handling radio interference, the Test and Measurement Service   
   oversees spectrum usage and maintains electromagnetic compatibility limits,   
   among other functions. -- Thanks to Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC)   
      
      
      
   Ulrich Rohde, N1UL, Recognized for Pioneering Work on SDR   
      
   Ulrich L. Rohde, N1UL, of Synergy Microwave Corp was invited to deliver the   
   sixth Sir J.C. Bose Memorial Lecture at the IEEE Hyderabad Section on December   
   2 during a joint session of the IEEE MTT, AP, and EMC Societies in Hyderabad,   
   India. Rohde's talk was "Next Generation Networks: Software Defined Radio --   
   Emerging Trends." (Click here to view a collection of slides used in the   
   lecture.)   
      
   While working under a US Department of Defense contract at RCA in 1982,   
   Rohde's department developed the first SDR, which used the COSMAC   
   (Complementary Symmetry Monolithic Array Computer) chip. Introduced by RCA in   
   early 1976, the RCA CDP1802 eight-bit CMOS microprocessor -- a 40-pin LSI   
   integrated circuit chip -- was the company's first single-chip microprocessor.   
   Rohde was among the first to present publicly on this topic with his February   
   1984 talk, "Digital HF Radio: A Sampling of Techniques," at the Third   
   International Conference on HF Communication Systems and Techniques in London.   
      
   The Hyderabad lecture's namesake, Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose, was a Bengali   
   scientist who lived in British India in the late 19th and early 20th centuries   
   and was an expert in math, physics, biology, and archaeology. Bose pioneered   
   the investigation of radio and microwave optics, contributed significantly to   
   plant science, and laid the foundations of experimental science.   
      
   Much of Bose's original scientific work was in the area of microwaves. He   
   produced extremely short radio waves and was the first to use a semiconductor   
   junction to detect radio waves. Bose's research on the response of tissues to   
   microwaves and other stimuli led to many significant findings in that field,   
   and the IEEE named him one of the fathers of radio science. -- Thanks to   
   Microwave Journal   
      
      
      
   Harry K. Wolf, W6NKT, SK at 107; May Have Been World's Oldest Active Radio   
   Amateur   
      
   Harry K. Wolf, W6NKT, of Morro Bay, California, has died just a couple of   
   weeks short of his 108th birthday. Wolf may have been the oldest active radio   
   amateur in the US, if not in the world, although no official records are   
   maintained. Licensed since 1936, Wolf was an ARRL member and a Life Member of   
   the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA). Wolf was on the air daily,   
   mostly on 40-meter CW.   
      
   Born in Paso Robles, California, Wolf said in his QRZ.com profile that he   
   built his first radio as a young teenager in 1922. He got his ham ticket while   
   living in Arizona, and held the call sign W6NKT for his entire life.   
      
   While serving in the US Navy during World War II, Wolf taught navigation to   
   cadets in San Luis Obispo, California. Later, he served for 31 years as a   
   professor of electronics engineering at two University of California campuses,   
   retiring in 1973. Wolf was the founding advisor of the Cal Poly Amateur Radio   
   Club and signed the club's original charter in 1947; in 2009, he donated a   
   Yaesu FTDX-9000D transceiver to the club. After retiring, Wolf went to Hong   
   Kong Polytechnic for 4 years and operated as VS6GF. His nephew, Tim Bryan,   
   said his uncle also taught in Tanzania. After returning to the US, he lived in   
   Florida until 1994, when he returned to Morro Bay.   
      
   Bryan told ARRL that his uncle was raised on a ranch in the Geneseo area and   
   was once known as the fastest grain sack sewer in San Luis Obispo County,   
   demonstrating the by-then lost art into his hundreds.   
      
   Neal Swanberg, KG6AYI, who is secretary of the Estero Radio Club, said Wolf   
   last checked into the county net in late November. "We will all miss Harry's   
   bright smile and good humor," he said. A memorial service is set for Saturday,   
   January 28, at the Morro Bay Golf Course. -- Thanks to Tim Bryan, Neal   
   Swanberg, KG6AYI, and Marcel Stieber, AI6MS   
      
      
      
   In Brief...   
      
   VHF Propagation Guru, DXer Patrick J. Dyer, WA5IYX, SK: VHF DXer and   
   propagation expert Pat Dyer, WA5IYX, of San Antonio, Texas, died in   
   mid-December. Licensed in 1963 and an ARRL member, he was 69. "Pat contributed   
   greatly to our understanding of sporadic E propagation, through both his   
   professional research at the Office of Telecommunications in Boulder,   
   Colorado, and later through his personal observations," Les Rayburn, N1LF,   
   said in a post to the VHF Contesting reflector. Dyer's research led to   
   articles in both QEX and QST, and he delivered presentations at Central States   
   VHF Society (CSVHFS) conferences. He also contributed to Ham Radio, Popular   
   Electronics, CQ VHF, and CQ. Dyer posted an extensive archive of propagation   
   observations on YouTube. Dyer was a prominent TV and FM broadcast-band DXer.   
      
      
   Huntsville Hamfest Association President Charles Emerson, N4OKL, SK:   
   Huntsville Hamfest Association President Charles "Charlie" Emerson, N4OKL, of   
   Huntsville, Alabama, died on January 14. An ARRL member, he was 71. "Charlie   
   had come to be the face and voice of Huntsville Hamfest," said a statement   
   issued by the Huntsville Hamfest Board of Directors. "Huntsville Hamfest was   
   Charlie's pride and joy, and he never missed an opportunity to promote the   
   show or ham radio as a hobby. We look forward to honoring Charlie's memory in   
   August at the 2017 Huntsville Hamfest." Licensed for about 10 years, Emerson   
   also enjoyed bass fishing and took part in many tournaments over the years.   
      
      
   Southeastern VHF Society Issues Call for Papers: The Southeastern VHF Society   
   (SVHS) has issued a call for papers and presentations for delivery at its   
   convention, April 28-29, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Papers and   
   presentations are solicited on both technical and operational aspects of VHF,   
   UHF, and microwave "weak-signal" Amateur Radio. Suggested topic areas include   
   transmitters, receivers, transverters, RF power amplifiers, RF low-noise   
   preamplifiers, antennas, construction projects, test equipment and station   
   accessories, station design and construction, contesting, roving, DXpeditions,   
   EME, propagation (sporadic E, meteor scatter, troposphere ducting, etc.),   
   digital modes (WSJT, etc.), digital signal processing (DSP), software-defined   
   radio, amateur satellites, and amateur television. The submission deadline is   
   March 13. Those submitting papers or presentations should indicate if they   
   plan to present in person. Contact Jim Worsham, W4KXY, to submit papers and   
   presentations or for more information.   
      
      
      
   The K7RA Solar Update   
      
   Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Last week featured zero sunspots for the   
   entire 7 days. This week (January 12-18) the average daily sunspot number rose   
   to 22.6. The average daily solar flux went up as well -- from 72.5 to 77.1,   
   while the average planetary A index declined from 14.3 to 6.   
      
   Predicted solar flux is 78 on January 19-22; 76, 75, 74, and 78 on January   
   23-26; 77 on January 27-February 1; 76 on February 2; 75 on February 3-8; 76   
   on February 9; 77 on February 10-14; 78 on February 15, and 80 on February   
   16-21.   
      
   Predicted planetary A index is 20 on January 19; 18 on January 20-22; 12 on   
   January 23; 5 on January 24-26; 12, 15, 7, 10, 12 on January 27-31; 16, 18,   
   20, 16, 12, 10, and 8 on February 1-7; 5 on February 8-12; 8, 22, and 18 on   
   February 13-15, and 16 on February 16-18.   
      
   Sunspot numbers for January 12 through 18 were 11, 24, 25, 23, 24, 26, and 25,   
   with a mean of 22.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 75.5, 74.9, 76.6, 77.5,   
   78.3, 78.6, and 78.6, with a mean of 77.1. Estimated planetary A indices were   
   5, 4, 4, 5, 3, 4, and 17, with a mean of 6. Estimated mid-latitude A indices   
   were 3, 3, 3, 2, 2, 3, and 11, with a mean of 3.9.   
      
   Send me your reports or observations.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Just Ahead in Radiosport   
      
    *  January 20 -- LZ Open Contest (CW)   
    *  January 21-22 -- Hungarian DX Contest (CW, phone)   
    *  January 21-22 -- North American QSO Party (SSB)   
    *  January 21-22 -- WAB 1.8 MHz Phone   
    *  January 21-22 -- Feld Hell Sprint   
    *  January 21-23 -- ARRL January VHF Contest (CW, phone, digital)   
    *  January 25 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)   
    *  January 25 -- NAQCC CW Sprint (CW)   
    *  January 25 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (CW)   
      
   See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. For in-depth reporting on   
   Amateur Radio contesting, subscribe to The ARRL Contest Update via your ARRL   
   member profile e-mail preferences.   
      
   ____________________________________________________________________________   
      
      
   Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions   
      
    *  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 assume" makes an ass out of u and me.   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)