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The ARRL Letter, April 23, 2015
Posted: 23 Apr 2015 12:09 PM PDT
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...5&goto=newpost
The ARRL Letter
April 23, 2015
Rick Lindquist, WW1ME, Editor
[Note: Clicking on the story links below will take you to the news article
as it appears in The ARRL Letter on the ARRL website.]
Amateur Radio Heads into WRC-15 "With Every Possibility of Success"FCC
Proposes to Make Past Amateur Radio Address Information PrivateAmateur
Radio Volunteers Activate Emergency Nets Following Chile Volcano
EruptionARRL "Ham Aid" HF Gear Arrives in Micronesia in Wake of Tropical
CycloneSpratlys DX0P DXpedition Participant Evacuated for Medical
EmergencyParticipants May Apply Anytime for Centennial Points Challenge,
W1AW WAS AwardsARRL 600 Meter Experiment Coordinator Recommends Renewing
Experimental LicenseAustralian Ham's "PicoSpace" Balloon Circumnavigates
the GlobeIEEE 2015 International Microwave Symposium to Include Amateur
Radio PresenceCQ DQs Two Dozen CQ World Wide DX Contest SSB
ParticipantsARRL Teachers Institute Sessions Still Accepting
ApplicationsAmateur Radio Special Events to Mark International Marconi
DayNCDXF Announces Major DXpedition GrantsThe K7RA Solar UpdateJust Ahead
in RadiosportUpcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and
Events
Amateur Radio Heads into WRC-15 "With Every Possibility of Success"
The recently ended second World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15)
Conference Preparatory Meeting (CPM15-2) left Amateur Radio "with every
possibility of success" heading into WRC-15 this fall, said ARRL Chief
Technology Officer Brennan Price, N4QX. Price was on the US delegation at
CPM15-2, which wrapped up on April 2. The 2-week-long meeting addressed a
variety of spectrum-related matters, including several dealing with Amateur
Radio. Its Report to WRC-15 focuses on technical, operational, and
regulatory matters that ITU member-states will consider in developing their
proposals to WRC-15. More than 1250 participants from 105 ITU member-states
attended.
"Through our combined efforts, methods favorable to Amateur Radio were
included in all appropriate places within the CPM report," Price said this
week. "Amateur Radio will enter WRC-15 with every possibility -- although
no assurance -- of success."
In addition to Price, those representing Amateur Radio at CPM15-2 included
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA;
Bryan Rawlings, VE3QN (Canada); Ulrich Mueller, DK4VW (Germany); Ken
Yamamoto, JA1CJP (Japan); Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T (The Netherlands),
and IARU Vice President Ole Garpestad, LA2RR (Norway).
Delegates to CPM15-2 okayed text for WRC-15 agenda item 1.4, dealing with a
secondary Amateur Radio allocation at 5 MHz. "The methods proposed in the
text, as expected, are all over the map -- ranging from no change to an
expansive allocation of 5275-5450 kHz, with explicit suggestions of 15 kHz
and 100 kHz in between, and a few methods with details to be filled in
later," Price explained. "In short, there is a wide divergence of opinion,
and no certainty as to the outcome."
Text for other Amateur Radio-related agenda items "appropriately reflects
our concerns," Price said. "Text for agenda item 1.1 correctly notes that
no compatibility studies between Amateur Radio and mobile broadband
applications have been conducted for the bands under consideration in which
there is an Amateur Radio allocation." He said a method for agenda item
1.6, proposing to authorize Fixed-Satellite Service operation in the
10-10.5 GHz band, was removed from the final text, while a method was added
to agenda item 1.12 at the request of the US to provide appropriate
protections to the Amateur Satellite Service at 10 GHz, "to supplement the
high degree of compatibility that proposed Earth Exploration Satellite
Service operation has demonstrated in the band," he added.
WRC-15 will get under way on November 2 in Geneva, and will conclude on
November 27. World Radiocommunication Conferences are mandated to review
and revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the
use of RF spectrum and satellite orbit resources.
François Rancy, Director of ITU's Radiocommunication Bureau, said the
outcome of CPM15-2 "represents a major step in the preparations for WRC-15."
FCC Proposes to Make Past Amateur Radio Address Information Private
The FCC is seeking comments on a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) in
WT Docket 15-81 that would restrict routine public inspection of an Amateur
Radio licensee's address history. The proposal, released March 31, calls
for removing from public view in the Universal Licensing System (ULS)
Amateur Radio licensee address information not associated with a current
license or pending application.
"We believe that these steps will enhance Amateur Radio operators' privacy
without undermining the public interest in knowing who is authorized to
operate on amateur spectrum," the FCC said in the NPRM.
The proposed change would not affect public access to a licensee's current
address information, which would remain available.
"We believe that publicly available licensee address information
facilitates the Amateur Radio community's self-regulation and maintains the
distinction between the Amateur Service and other radio services," the FCC
said in the NPRM.
The Wireless Bureau also solicited public input on whether it should extend
the same approach to individual licensees in any other radio services.
The FCC said that it has, in recent years, received occasional requests
from amateur licensees to remove their address information from public
access in the ULS. "These requests are not granted, because Section
0.453(d)(4) requires that the information be available for public
inspection in ULS," the Commission explained.
The FCC noted in the NPRM that the ULS includes not only current
authorizations and pending applications, but expired, canceled, or
terminated licenses; archived versions of active licenses, and applications
that have not been processed. "Information available on ULS includes a
licensee's name and address, and technical information about the
authorization requested or granted," the NPRM explained.
The FCC pointed out that an Amateur Radio licensee is not required to
provide a home address, just a valid mailing address. "Those who are
concerned about their residential address appearing in ULS may use, among
other alternatives, a post office box, a business address, the address of
another property the licensee owns, or the address of a friend or relative
as their mailing address," the NPRM suggested.
The FCC acknowledged that for a licensee whose residential address may
already appear in ULS, this approach "offers only a partial solution," the
NPRM said, "because replacing the address on a current license does not
remove the old address information from archived licenses and processed
applications, and it remains publicly viewable even if the license expires
or is canceled or otherwise terminated."
Comments are due in the proceeding by June 16, with reply comments due on
July 16.
Amateur Radio Volunteers Activate Emergency Nets Following Chile Volcano
Eruption
Southern Chile's Calbuco volcano erupted this week for the first time in
more than 40 years, forcing the evacuation of an area of some 12 miles
around the volcano. Approximately 5000 residents have been relocated, and
ash has been reported from as far away as Argentina.
"Nature strikes our Chilean brothers one more time," said International
Amateur Radio Union Region 2 news editor JoaquÃ*n Solana, XE1R. IARU Region
2 reports that emergency nets are in operation on 7050 kHz, 14,250 kHz
(alternate), and 3,738 kHz (alternate), and requests that other users keep
those frequencies clear for emergency traffic.
According to Chile's National Mining and Geology Service, the column of ash
measures nearly 7 miles. The agency said volcanic activity was diminishing
but that the state of emergency remains for the affected region.
NPR quoted correspondent Lourdes Garcia-Navarro, who reported that local
officials are saying people are very frightened. "The immediate concern is
the volcano's eruption could trigger snow melts and cause flooding," she
said.
According to NPR, the volcanic activity "seems to have caught Chile's
geologists by surprise." No injuries have been reported so far.
ARRL "Ham Aid" HF Gear Arrives in Micronesia in Wake of Tropical Cyclone
An ARRL "Ham Aid" kit of HF gear has arrived in Federated States of
Micronesia (FSM) as part of a relief effort in the wake of Tropical Cyclone
Maysak. The Ham Aid equipment accompanied a shipment of radio gear, tools,
and supplies that John Bush, KH6DLK/V63JB, took from Hawaii to FSM last
week. Tropical Cyclone Maysak ravaged many of the nation's islands in late
March and early April, wreaking major damage and causing some deaths. ARRL
Hawaii Section Manager Bob Schneider, AH6J, said he spoke with Bush via a
phone patch established through the station of Richard Darling, AH7G, and
Barbara Darling, NH7FY.
"John is now on Falalop Island, which is part of Ulithi Atoll, in Yap
state," Schneider reported. "John said the Ham Aid kit was next to him in
the shack, so it made the trip all the way. He plans to deploy it at the
dispensary." Bush serves as technology coordinator for the Federai
Elementary School in Ulithi.
Schneider said Bush stopped first on Yap Island, spending a couple days
talking to government and civil authorities concerning recovery planning
and the school situation. Bush told Schneider that Yap Island suffered
little damage. Bush reported that the airport on Falalop Island was damaged
but operational. "He reports most buildings -- including his own -- were
destroyed," Schneider said. "The operations building at the airport, high
school, and a couple others had damage but were stronger than most
buildings. The high school lost its roof and the computer lab was flooded,
along with all the computers." Bush told Schneider that there is a massive
amount to debris all around.
Bush was able to borrow two 60 Ah batteries on Falalop, and replacements
are in one of the cargo shipments coming from Guam. He also has two small,
sealed batteries that he was able to transport on his flight. Suitcase
solar panels that Bush transported from Hawaii have worked very well,
Schneider said, adding that Bush suggested that the ARRL obtain a couple of
these units as power backup in isolated areas, as part of the Ham Aid
package.
Bush told Schneider that the HF equipment was working well and that he
prefers to operate during daylight, since electrical power has not yet been
restored on the island. "The power company is replacing poles, and it may
take some time to get commercial power back," Schneider said.
Schneider said Bush had not yet made his way to any of the other islands in
Ulithi Atoll, such as Federai. "Second-hand reports from those are grim,"
he said, and responders have been in short supply.
With a population of about 103,000, FSM is comprised of four states over
600 islands -- about 1800 miles from end to end. Typhoon Maysak struck
Ulithi Atoll with 160 MPH winds, with gusts to 195 MPH -- a Category 5
storm. A major storm surge of unknown height also hit, and infrastructure
on most islands, including schools, homes, and the power and
telecommunication systems, suffered major damage or were destroyed
altogether.
Schneider has requested that the Amateur Radio community listen for relief
traffic on HF, but not to interrupt if vital communications are in
progress. Ham Aid kits containing both HF and VHF/UHF gear had been shipped
to Hawaii last fall, as the massive Puna volcanic lava flow threatened some
communities on the Big Island of Hawaii. It includes both HF and VHF gear.
Only the HF gear was sent to FSM. Read more.
Spratlys DX0P DXpedition Participant Evacuated for Medical Emergency
One of the participants in the just-ended DX0P DXpedition to the disputed
Spratly Islands was airlifted from Pag Asa Island after suffering a medical
emergency. Chito Pastor, WW6CP, became ill just as the DXpedition was
starting to wrap up on April 20.
"The Medevac just arrived half an hour ago!" DXpedition leader Leo Almazan,
WA6LOS, told ARRL early on April 23. "Chito is on his way to the hospital!"
Almazan said that he and four other team members were able to return to the
Philippines on another flight. The remaining team members will remain on
Pag Asa until a Philippines Navy Nomad aircraft picks them up on April
24. "From what I heard, they were all busy snorkeling all day," said
Almazan, who is now at his Angeles City home in the Philippines. He said he
plans to fly stateside next month for Dayton Hamvention®.
According to Amateur Radio DX.com, an Adventist Medical Aviators Services
aircraft that picked up Pastor landed safely in Puerto Princesa without
incident.
Members of the Mabuhay DX Group went to Pag Asa Island earlier this month
and operated for about 5 days, logging some 5000 contacts. All of the
DXpedition participants have roots in or reside in the Philippines.
A Philippines TV news account posted on the InterAksyon.com website on
April 22 reported that Pastor developed kidney problems from drinking from
the highly saline water supply on Pag Asa after the DXpedition's drinking
water supply ran short. According to the InterAksyon report, a Chinese
naval vessel had "harassed a Philippine Air Force patrol flight in the
Spratlys" by firing an illumination round on April 21. Almazan told ARRL
that the Philippines military later backed away from that account, but the
incident caused the postponement of future flights to Pag Asa Island,
including the Philippine Navy flight that was to evacuate Pastor. The
aircraft set to pick up Pastor later developed mechanical problems, causing
further delay, and the Adventist flight was subsequently cleared to make
the medical mission on April 23.
The InterAksyon report noted that China "has embarked on an aggressive
reclamation and construction spree" in the Spratlys, which are claimed in
whole or in part by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and other countries.
The Philippines National Telecommunications Commission issued the DX0P
license.
Spratly Island is number 75 on the ClubLog DXCC Most Wanted List. Almazan
headed a nine-member team to Pag Asa Island.
"I can write a novel about this DXpedition!" Almazan told ARRL.
Participants May Apply Anytime for Centennial Points Challenge, W1AW WAS
Awards
The window to apply for ARRL Centennial Points Challenge and W1AW Worked
All States awards has been open for a month now, and the initial rush of
applications has been processed. Participants' Centennial Points Challenge
logs must already have been submitted via Logbook of The World (LoTW) --
the cut-off date was January 22 -- but the League will continue to accept
award applications indefinitely. With little to no backlog in the queue,
it's anticipated that processing will be prompt.
The ARRL Centennial QSO Party and W1AW/portable activities in 2014
represented the biggest on-the-air operation in the history of Amateur
Radio, with more than 3.5 million Centennial event contacts recorded in
LoTW. W100AW operation accounted for some 70,000 contacts.
Most applicants will find the process simple and largely automated. The
form will auto-populate, if ARRL has the applicant's information on file.
The form may be edited to update name and address information only. The
system will select the awards for which the applicant qualifies.
Certificates will be printed daily. Plaques will be shipped directly from
the supplier.
Certificates will be available for the Centennial Points Challenge Award,
while W1AW WAS Award participants can order a certificate, a plaque, or
both -- ordered separately on the website. Certificates are $16, and
plaques are $60.
Qualifying for the Top Level Centennial Points Challenge Award requires
15,000 points. The Third Level Award requires 7500 points, while the Second
and First Level awards require 3000 and 1000 points, respectively. Point
totals will be printed on certificates.
ARRL 600 Meter Experiment Coordinator Recommends Renewing Experimental
License
ARRL 600 Meter Experiment Coordinator Fritz Raab, W1FR, said the mission of
the multi-station experimental operation "has actually been accomplished,"
but since the US still has no medium-frequency (MF) Amateur Service
allocation, he believes the Experimental license ought to be renewed. Raab
commented in his most recent quarterly status report on the experiment,
prepared with John Langridge, KB5NJD, and Warren Ziegler, K2ORS. The
interim report said the WD2XSH operations have demonstrated that the
Amateur Radio community is interested in MF operation.
"Amateurs with ordinary facilities can use the band; exotic antennas are
not required," the report said, adding "QSOs from 500 to 1000 miles are
routinely achieved, and longer distances are possible." According to the
report, WD2XSH operations continued throughout the winter, although
transatlantic reception reports "seem[ed] to be down slightly from the
previous winter."
The FCC has yet to act on the ARRL's 2012 Petition for Rulemaking asking it
to create a domestic Amateur Radio allocation at 472-479 kHz, known
variously as 600 meters and 630 meters. Delegates to the 2012 World
Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12), approved a 7-kilohertz-wide
secondary Amateur Radio allocation at 472-479 kHz, with a power limit of 5
W EIRP (or 1 W EIRP, depending on location). Radio amateurs in Canada and
in several other countries already have allocations there. Canadian 630
meter operators held a cross-band event on February 14, listening on 160
and 80 meters for US stations.
The WD2XSH license is set to expire in August, Raab noted in his
report. "This is therefore a good time to look at what WD2XSH has
accomplished and to consider whether it should be renewed," he said.
"Following the WRC-12 decision to create an amateur 630-meter band, most of
us expected the FCC to approve access for US amateurs," Raab's report
said. "Had this happened, there would not be further need for the WD2XSH
license. Over 2 years have passed since the ARRL petitioned the FCC to
consider this band, and the FCC does not appear to be in any hurry to do
so."
According to the report, which covered WD2XSH operations through February
28, the experiment also has demonstrated reliable regional ground-wave
communication. "This will make possible regional beyond-line-of-sight
emergency communications that is available at all times of day and is not
subject to whims of the ionosphere," the report added.
The report also pointed out that in 179,000 hours of operation, "there has
not been one complaint of harmful interference from either other radio
services or utility power-line communications." The FCC cited concerns
about possible interference to utility power-line carrier (PLC) systems in
deciding not to adopt its own 2002 proposal for an LF allocation in the
vicinity of 137 kHz.
Raab said the ARRL "should have a continued presence in our quest for a 630
meter amateur band" and recommended renewing the license. Read more.
Australian Ham's "PicoSpace" Balloon Circumnavigates the Globe
A foil, party-type balloon carrying a ham radio payload has circumnavigated
the globe. Launched on April 6 by Australian radio amateur Andy Nguyen,
VK3YT, of Kensington, Victoria, Australia, the balloon, designated PS-41,
completed its round-the-world journey on April 16. It remained aloft until
April 22, when Nguyen reported that it had gone down near South America.
Along the way, it has been tracked by a network of Amateur Radio operators.
Nguyen has been trying since early last year to have one of his launches go
full circle.
"PS-41 crossed the starting longitude of 144.903 at 11:20 AM AEST (0120
UTC) this morning, completing the first PicoSpace around-the-world trip,"
Nguyen posted on April 16. "Thanks to everyone for assistance with tracking
and providing encouragement for the project; the trip would not have been
possible without you." In January, Nguyen's PS-30 balloon went down in
suspected poor weather off the east coast of Africa near Madagascar.
The solar-powered, helium-filled PS-41 balloon carried an HF payload,
sending WSPR spots and JT9 telemetry on 30 and 20 meters from a 25 mW
transmitter. The high-attitude PS-41 took a path over Tasmania, then south
of New Zealand, the southern tip of South America, directly over the South
Georgia and South Sandwich islands, well south of Africa, and back across
to Australia.
Nguyen's companion PS-42 balloon made its way to the South Pacific between
New Zealand and South America, but it went down at about the same time
PS-41 completed its round trip.
The balloons were extensively tracked via JT9 by a network in Australia,
New Zealand, South America, South Africa, and Ireland. WSPR spots were
received from all over the world. -- Thanks to Jim Linton, VK3PC
IEEE 2015 International Microwave Symposium to Include Amateur Radio
Presence
If Dayton Hamvention® doesn't satisfy your need for wireless exuberance,
the so-called "World Series of RF" will convene in Phoenix, Arizona, the
following week -- May 17-22. The annual IEEE International Microwave
Symposium (IMS) attracts thousands of professional and academic RF
specialists every year -- many of them radio amateurs. And ARRL will have a
seat at the table, so to speak.
For the third year, the ARRL exhibit will be in "student row" to introduce
Amateur Radio to conference attendees. The potential audience includes
students of all interests, as well as educators interested in applying the
hands-on nature of ham radio to help students gain practical experience.
This year, ARRL will focus on the three themes: Gaining experience, career
development, and the wealth of spectrum that ham radio offers to anyone
interested in RF and RF technologies.
More than 500 exhibitors will be at IMS 2015, along with materials and
services vendors, top of the line equipment manufacturers, and exotic new
startups looking to publicize their technology. Don't let the
word "microwave" intimidate you. There is something of interest starting
below the AM Standard Broadcast band all the way to the millimeter
wavelengths.
Part of the IMS fun is a significant academic presence. Hundreds of
students and educators participate in workshops, design competitions, and
the presentation of papers and posters. Along the way, they exchange ideas
and get acquainted with other programs from universities and colleges
around the world.
This year's 16 design competitions range from wideband baluns to SDRs to
high-efficiency power amplifiers and high-sensitivity receivers.
Post-secondary interest in communications and wireless technology has never
been higher.
If you're an RF professional and plan to attend IMS 2015, the ARRL invites
your help to explain and promote Amateur Radio to show visitors. Contact
the ARRL's IMS booth manager, Ward Silver, N0AX, and find out how you can
share your stories of how ham radio has helped spark your interest and
sustain the arc of your RF career! -- Thanks to Ward Silver, N0AX
CQ DQs Two Dozen CQ World Wide DX Contest SSB Participants
The CQ World Wide Contest Committee has disqualified 2 dozen entrants in
the 2014 CQ World Wide DX Contest (SSB) last October. Another six received
warnings. The committee said that it has warned contesters to play fairly
and to obey the rules. The vast majority of the disqualifications were
for "unclaimed assistance."
"The CQ WW Contest Committee takes its job as referee for the contest very
seriously," the Committee said in a web blog post. "Each year a group of
dedicated members spends many hours poring over logs, listening to SDR
recordings, and following up on input from the contest community. We do not
always have perfect information, and it is difficult when each entrant is
operating from their own station without any outside observer. Even so, the
logs and recordings often tell us a clear story. It is our job as referees
to call them as we see them."
Disqualified entrants are given 5 days to respond. "We do this to allow
everyone the opportunity to present an explanation of what appears in the
log," the Committee said.
CQ received 8283 logs containing more than 5.2 million contacts for the CQ
WW SSB. Contest participants represented 223 different countries.
Log checking for the 2014 CQ WW DX Contest CW is now complete and have been
sent to CQ Magazine. Official results will appear in the May 2015 issue of
CQ.
ARRL Teachers Institute Sessions Still Accepting Applications
The ARRL Education & Technology Program is still accepting applications for
all four sessions of the ARRL Teachers Institute this summer. Apply now!
The deadline is May 1.
ARRL is offering three sessions of its "Introductory Teachers Institute on
Wireless Technology" (TI-1) during the summer of 2015. Topics covered in
the TI-1 course include basic electronics, radio science, microcontroller
programming, and basic robotics. ARRL will also offer an advanced Teachers
Institute (TI-2), "Remote Sensing and Data Gathering," open to applicants
who have completed TI-1.
"If you are a past participant of the Teachers Institute we hope that you
have found many ways to use the ideas, training and resources you received
and are interested in spreading the word to other teachers," said ARRL
Education Services Manager Debra Johnson, K1DMJ. "Consider signing up for
the advanced TI-2, 'Remote Sensing and Data Gathering.'"
The March QST article, "The ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless
Technology," includes the schedule and course descriptions. More
information is on the ARRL website.
Amateur Radio Special Events to Mark International Marconi Day
April 25 is International Marconi Day (IMD), organized by the Cornish Radio
Amateur Club in Cornwall, UK. IMD recognizes the anniversary of the birth
of wireless pioneer Guglielmo Marconi, born on April 25, 1874.
Participating stations are expected to be on the air during the period 0000
to 2400 UTC (ie, starting the evening of Friday, April 24, in US time
zones). The occasion offers an opportunity to contact historic
Marconi-related radio sites around the world on HF.
Among stations planning to be on the air is VP8VPC in the Falkland Islands.
The VPC suffix recalls the call sign of the Marconi spark transmitters in
Stanley. The 150 kW transmitter built in 1915 fed seven 305-foot masts and
operated on 60-70 kHz. It was the most remote and most powerful station in
the Royal Navy's First World War network of stations. After the war, VPC
handled commercial message traffic to South America.
IMD certificate information and additional details are on the IMD website.
NCDXF Announces Major DXpedition Grants
The Northern California DX Foundation (NCDXF) has announced a $50,000 grant
to the VK0EK Heard Island DXpedition, planned for November 2015. In the
wake of the recent Navassa operation, Heard Island has moved up to number 5
on the ClubLog DXCC Most Wanted List.
The NCDXF also has donated $20,000 to the just-announced KH5 Palmyra Atoll
DXpedition, planned for January 2016. Palmyra is number 10 on the ClubLog
DXCC Most Wanted List.
Within the last year, NCDXF has given $175,000 in grants to DX operations
in Iran, Andaman, Navassa, Eritrea, Tromelin, South Sandwich, South
Georgia, Chesterfield, and Heard. -- Thanks to Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, NCDXF
Vice President
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Average daily solar flux increased from
132.5 to 150.4 over the forecast period. The day with the greatest
geomagnetic activity was April 16, when the mid-latitude A index hit 28,
the planetary A index was 43, and the high-latitude college A index in
Alaska was 57. These are high numbers!
Predicted solar flux for the near term is 150 and 145 on April 23-24, 140
on April 25-30, 135 on May 1, 130 on May 2-5, 135 and 140 on May 6-7, 145
on May 8-9, 140 on May 10, 135 on May 11-16, and 150 on May 17-18.
Predicted planetary A index is 15, 8, 12, and 5 on April 23-26, 8 on April
27-30, 12 on May 1, 8 on May 2, 5 on May 3-5, 8 on May 6-8, 5 on May 9-11,
then 8, 15, 20, 12, 8, and 12 on May 12-17, and 5 on May 18-19.
You can download and examine my archive of these forecasts, updated daily,
for flux values and Ap index (click the "Download this File" button; files
are Excel spreadsheets).
This weekly "Solar Update" in The ARRL Letter is a preview of
the "Propagation Bulletin" issued each Friday. The latest bulletin and an
archive of past propagation bulletins is on the ARRL website.
Look for reports from readers in Friday's bulletin. Send me your reports
and observations. -- Tad Cook, K7RA
Just Ahead in Radiosport
April 25 -- Florida QSO Party (SSB, CW)
April 25 -- QRP To The Field (CW)
April 25-26 -- Ten-Ten Spring Digital Contest
April 25-26 -- SP DX RTTY Contest
April 25-26 -- Helvetia Contest (SSB, CW, Digital)
April 26 -- BARTG 75 Sprint (RTTY)
April 29 -- VHF Spring Sprints (SSB, CW, Digital)
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
April 25 -- Aurora Conference, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
April 24-25 -- Southeastern VHF Society Conference, Morehead, Kentucky
May 1-2 -- West Coast Military Collectors Group Convention, San Luis
Obispo, California
May 1-3 -- Nevada State Convention, Verdi, Nevada
May 2 -- South Carolina Section Convention, Spartanburg, South Carolina
May 15-17 -- Dayton Hamvention®, Dayton, Ohio
June 5-7 -- Northwestern Division Convention (SeaPac), Seaside, Oregon
June 6 -- Georgia State Convention, Marietta, Georgia
June 12-13 -- West Gulf Division Convention (Ham-Com), Irving, Texas
June 13 -- Tennessee State Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee
July 4 -- Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
July 10-11 -- Northern Florida Section Convention, Milton, Florida
July 13-16 -- Mobile Amateur Radio Awards Club Convention, The Villages,
Florida
July 17-19 -- Montana State Convention, East Glacier, Montana
July 23-26 -- Central States VHF Society Conference, Westminster, Colorado
July 24-25 -- Oklahoma Section Convention, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
July 31-August 2 -- Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Bryce Canyon, Utah
Find conventions and hamfests in your area.
The ARRL Letter appreciates the support of these advertisers:
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