[K3CAL] Fw: The ARRL Letter for June 25, 2015

[Bob N3PPH]

Two of our local hams Shawn N3AE and Steve N3IDX coauthored a paper on 
NVIS antennas that was used and referenced in an article on today's ARRL 
Letter. Click the below link and then the AS-2259 link in the article
Ohio ARES "NVIS Antenna Day" Concludes: The Truth is Up There
Congratulations to both of you!

73,
Bob N3PPH



------ Forwarded Message ------
From: "ARRL Web site" <memberlist at www.arrl.org>
To: president at k3cal.org
Sent: 6/25/2015 4:52:33 PM
Subject: The ARRL Letter for June 25, 2015

If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original 
at:
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2015-06-25


June 25, 2015
Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME
ARRL Home PageARRL Letter ArchiveAudio News



League Continues Efforts to Secure Senate Sponsorship for Amateur Radio 
Parity Act of 2015States, Counties, Communities Recognize the Value of 
Amateur RadioNew World Distance Records Set on 2.3 and 3.4 GHz Ham 
BandsOJ0B on Market Reef Logs Hundreds of 2 Meter Moonbounce, Meteor 
Scatter ContactsARRL 2015 Hurricane Season Webinar Set for July 20ARRL 
Offering 20 Percent Off on Select Antenna PublicationsOhio ARES "NVIS 
Antenna Day" Concludes: The Truth is Up ThereEO-80 (QB50p2) FM 
Transponder Testing is SuccessfulAMSAT-NA Announces 2015 Board of 
Directors CandidatesARRL NTS Confers Special Service AwardsIn 
Brief...The K7RA Solar UpdateJust Ahead in RadiosportUpcoming ARRL 
Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
League Continues Efforts to Secure Senate Sponsorship for Amateur Radio 
Parity Act of 2015
ARRL representatives are continuing efforts on Capitol Hill to secure 
sponsorship for a Senate companion bill to the Amateur Radio Parity Act 
of 2015 -- H.R. 1301. ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, 
N1ND, is optimistic that Amateur Radio Parity Act legislation will be 
active in both the US House and Senate this summer. The proposed 
legislation, which has bipartisan support, would direct the FCC to 
extend its rules relating to reasonable accommodation of Amateur Service 
communications to private land-use restrictions.

"Progress has been made on a US Senate version of the bill," Henderson 
said this week. "We've had some very positive feedback on the Senate 
side, and we believe a companion bill will be submitted there soon."

Henderson stressed that when a companion US Senate bill is "dropped" -- 
submitted, in congressional parlance -- it will have a completely 
different number than the current House bill, H.R. 1301. Once that 
happens, ARRL members will be urged to contact their two US senators to 
encourage them to cosponsor the Senate bill. Until then, he stressed, 
League members should refrain from contacting any US Senators, because 
the only active bill is the one in the US House -- H.R. 1301.

"You can't ask US Senators to cosponsor a bill in the US House," 
Henderson said, "and you can't ask US House members to cosponsor a bill 
in the US Senate."

Henderson has been sorting through letters from ARRL members for 
hand-delivery to Capitol Hill. He advised that letter writers must 
include their name and address on their correspondence, because members 
of Congress are interested in voters. He said letters that are not 
signed, that don't include the constituent's address, or that are 
directed to the wrong Member of Congress cannot be used.

Henderson has spent a lot of his time recently meeting with 
congressional staffers and occasional US House members, in an effort to 
gain additional cosponsors for the bill. As of June 25, there were 79 
cosponsors of H.R. 1301, and Henderson said he anticipates a few more 
House members will sign onto the bill soon.

The latest cosponsors of H.R. 1301 are Rep David Rouzer (NC) and Rep 
Janice Hahn (CA).


ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND.

"The bill is being well received," Henderson said, "and we anticipate a 
mark-up session in the House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, 
and the Internet after the August recess, and following that, hearings 
will be scheduled." US Rep Greg Walden, W7EQI, chairs the subcommittee 
that will consider the bill.

Henderson said the Congress's upcoming August recess would be a good 
time to meet with lawmakers while they are in their home states and 
districts. He suggested contacting a House member's local constituent 
office to arrange a visit. "It is not too early," he added. "Perhaps you 
could convince the member of Congress to visit your club meeting." He 
also recommended that those interested in following the trajectory of 
H.R. 1301 should sign up to receive the ARRL's free Legislative Update 
Newsletter.

ARRL members are encouraged to contact their member of Congress by 
writing personalized, signed letters on paper, based on the sample 
letter available on the ARRL HR 1301 web page. Letters should include 
the constituent's address. Send letters to ARRL Headquarters for hand 
delivery to the appropriate House members to: ARRL, ATTN HR 1301 
Grassroots Campaign, 225 Main St, Newington CT 06111.

States, Counties, Communities Recognize the Value of Amateur Radio
Several US states, counties, and communities have taken the opportunity 
to formally recognize the value of Amateur Radio and the occasion of 
ARRL Field Day.

Connecticut Gov Dannel Malloy has proclaimed June 22-28 as Amateur Radio 
Week. His proclamation noted that the ARRL is headquartered in 
Connecticut and has been "promoting and advancing the art, science, and 
enjoyment of Amateur Radio" for more than 100 years. Gov Malloy cited 
Amateur Radio's public service contributions as well as its role in 
providing "a bridge between peoples, societies, and countries."

This fanciful "Podunk Hollow Radio Club" Field Day depiction by Gil 
Gildersleeve graced the June 1956 cover of QST.

Florida Gov Rick Scott has proclaimed June 21-27 as Amateur Radio Week 
in his state. Scott cited Amateur Radio as a "critical communication 
link in the event of a disaster," noting the services that Amateur Radio 
Emergency Service volunteers provide in Florida's three ARRL sections. 
Gov Scott also expressed appreciation for SKYWARN volunteers, many of 
them radio amateurs, who serve as weather spotters to assist the 
National Weather Service.

Indiana Gov Mike Pence has declared June 22-28 as Amateur Radio Week in 
his state. Indiana Section Public Information Coordinator Joe March, 
KJ9M, said Field Day-oriented public service announcements are airing on 
radio stations throughout the Hoosier State. Efforts have been under way 
in Indiana to disseminate media releases on Field Day.

Iowa Gov Terry Branstad has proclaimed June 22-28 as Amateur Radio Field 
Week. He cited Amateur Radio's contributions in times of emergency and 
natural disaster, and its role in moving forward radio communication and 
the science of electronics. His proclamation also noted the role of many 
radio amateurs as volunteer weather spotters. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is the 
home of Rockwell Collins Radio Company, where employees will take part 
in a "Take Your Radio to Work Day" on June 26, with tours of the 
company's two Amateur Radio club stations, N0CXX and W0CXX.

Kansas Gov Sam Brownback has recognized June 27-28 as Kansas Amateur 
Radio Field Day and encouraged all with an interest in Amateur Radio to 
visit a Field Day site. The governor's proclamation cited the role of 
Field Day in emergency preparedness.

New Hampshire Gov Maggie Hassan proclaimed June as Amateur Radio Month. 
She cited Amateur Radio's role in serving as "a bridge between peoples, 
societies, and countries by creating friendships and the sharing of 
ideas" as well as its value in public service during emergencies and 
public events. She encouraged New Hampshire citizens to recognize Field 
Day weekend as a "demonstration of the radio amateur's skills and 
readiness to provide self-supporting communications without further 
infrastructure required."


(L-R) Oklahoma Section Public Information Coordinator Michael Dean, 
K5MFD; Oklahoma Gov Mary Fallin; Oklahoma Section Manager Lloyd Colston, 
KC5FM, and Oklahoma Assistant Section Manager Thomas Webb, WA9AFM.

Oklahoma Gov Mary Fallin has proclaimed the week of June 21 as Amateur 
Radio Week and urged all Oklahomans "to pay tribute to the Amateur Radio 
operators of our state." Fallin's proclamation cites ham radio's 
"significant role in the development of worldwide radio communication as 
well as its public service contribution. It notes that Field Day 
"promotes the honing of radio amateurs' emergency preparedness skills." 
Speaking with ARRL Oklahoma Section Manager Lloyd Colston, KC5FM, Gov 
Fallin cited recent severe weather that Oklahoma has experienced in 
recent months, including tornadoes and flooding.

Washington Gov Jay Inslee has proclaimed the week of June 21 as Amateur 
Radio Week. He cited Amateur Radio's contributions to the public in 
times of emergencies and disasters. "Amateur Radio operators deserve our 
recognition and a salute for hundreds of jobs well done," the 
proclamation said.

Wisconsin Gov Scott Walker has proclaimed June 27-28 as Amateur Radio 
Week. Gov Walker recognized Amateur Radio's public service role and 
Field Day as "a 24-hour emergency preparedness exercise and 
demonstration" of skill and readiness to provide "self-supporting 
communication."

The Butts County, Georgia, Board of Commissioners has declared June 
22-28 as Amateur Radio Week in the county.

Crossville, Tennessee, Mayor James Mayberry has proclaimed the week of 
June 22-28 as Ham Radio Week, in advance of Field Day.

In Idaho, the Kamiah City Council has proclaimed the week of June 22-28 
as Amateur Radio Week. The Council also waived the fee for use of the 
city park for the Three Rivers Amateur Radio Club's Field Day operation. 
Local broadcasters are airing Amateur Radio promotional announcements.

New World Distance Records Set on 2.3 and 3.4 GHz Ham Bands
Two California radio amateurs -- one of them in Hawaii -- have set new 
world distance records on the 2.3 and 3.4 GHz microwave amateur bands. 
Wayne Overbeck, N6NB, operating from a radio-equipped rental car on the 
Big Island of Hawaii, worked Gregory Campbell, W6IT, operating from 
Overbeck's own fixed station near Orange, California, on both bands -- a 
distance of more than 4024 km (2495 miles). The contacts blew away 
records that had stood for more than 20 years, and more than doubled the 
previous distance records for a two-way voice (SSB) contact at those 
frequencies, Overbeck said, adding that most previous microwave distance 
records have been set using CW.

"Ours was the first-ever SSB contact between Hawaii and the mainland on 
2304," Overbeck noted. He said Chip Angle, N6CA, and KH6HME (SK) made 
the first transpacific SSB contact on 3.4 GHz in the 1990s.

The record-setting contacts occurred on June 19 (June 18 in Hawaii) on 
2.3 GHz at 0257 UTC and at on 3.4 GHz at 0300 UTC. W6IT was in grid 
square DM13cs, while N6NB/KH6 was in BK29hq. According to the database 
of distance records maintained by Al Ward, W5LUA, the old records were 
3982 km, set on by N6CA and KH6ME on July 14, 1994, on 2.3 GHz (CW) and 
on July 28, 1991, on 3.4 GHz (SSB).

N6NB's rover-type station at 8000 feet elevation on Mauna Loa, with 
Mauna Kea, the Big Island's other 13,000 foot mountain, in the 
background. [Photo courtesy of Wayne Overbeck, N6NB]

Overbeck flew to Hawaii carrying gear for all bands from 144 MHz through 
10 GHz "in two large suitcases, plus a roll-aboard and a backpack" -- 
weighing about 150 pounds in all. In Hawaii, he rented a small SUV and 
built a rover-style station that included a rotating roof platform, 
constructed using parts obtained from a home improvement store.

Overbeck said that when a tropospheric duct formed that could convey 
signals thousands of miles across the Pacific, he drove around the 
slopes of Mauna Loa -- 13,000 feet up --and selected several promising 
sites for long-haul DX, "not necessarily the highest possible sites," he 
added. "By Thursday, June 18, the duct seemed to be peaking," he said.

W6IT activated N6NB's fixed station and quickly worked N6NB/KH6 on six 
bands, including 2304 and 3456 MHz for world records. Overbeck said he 
also heard W6IT on 902 MHz and 5.7 GHz, but local, non-amateur 
interference in California -- likely from Part 15 Wi-Fi devices -- 
prevented W6IT from hearing N6NB/KH6 on those bands.

A video of the record-setting 2304 GHz contact between N6NB/KH6 and W6IT 
(recorded from the Hawaii end of the circuit) is online.

OJ0B on Market Reef Logs Hundreds of 2 Meter Moonbounce, Meteor Scatter 
Contacts
The recent Market Reef OJ0B expedition resulted in 462 contacts via 2 
meter Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) and meteor scatter activity with stations 
on all continents. The activity this month was a somewhat belated 50th 
anniversary celebration of the historic first 2 meter EME contact in 
1964. More than 50 hams from the US and Canada were among those that 
worked OJ0B on 2 meter EME. The OJ0B activity shut down on June 15 after 
making more than 8200 contacts on all bands and modes.

Project leaders dedicated the activity to VHF pioneer Lenna Suominen, 
OH1NL (SK), who had experimented with EME in the 1960s and made the 
first-ever 2 meter EME contact, as well as the first transatlantic 
(Europe-US) on any band above 50 MHz, with Bill Conkel, W6DNG, in 1964. 
OJ0B used JT65B mode, developed by Joe Taylor, K1JT. Former ARRL 
President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, was one of the lucky US stations to work 
OJ0B, and Harrison served as one of the pilots for the activity.

All contacts have been uploaded to ClubLog and OQRS.

Suominen, an early VHF pioneer, was deeply involved in the science of 
VHF communication and strongly believed that 2 meter EME contacts

Next to the Market Reef EME array: (L-R) OH6ZZ, OH2BH, OH8MSM, OH6KZP, 
OH2TA, and OH2GEK. [Photo courtesy of Martti Laine, OH2BH]

-- dismissed by experts as being out of reach for radio amateurs -- were 
indeed possible. His 2 meter EME contact with W6DNG in California proved 
the skeptics wrong, scoring more than one VHF "first."

Market Reef (JP90nh) is located between Finland and Sweden. The Finnish 
Lighthouse Society has been restoring the Market Reef Lighthouse there, 
which is now fully automated. Dedicated quarters on the reef are 
available for Amateur Radio operation, with power from generators and 
solar arrays. -- Thanks to Martti Laine, OH2BH, and Jarmo Jaakola, OH2BN

ARRL 2015 Hurricane Season Webinar Set for July 20
The ARRL will host a 2015 Hurricane Season webinar Monday, July 20, 
getting under way at 8 PM EDT (July 21, 0000 UTC). The approximately 
90-minute session will address the role of Amateur Radio during the 2015 
Hurricane Season.

Anyone interested in hurricane preparedness and response is invited to 
attend this online presentation. Topics will include a meteorological 
overview of the upcoming season; Amateur Radio station WX4NHC at the 
National Hurricane Center: Who We Are and What We Do; ARRL Media and 
Public Relations; the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN); the VoIP Hurricane Net, 
and ARRL coordination and interface.

The program will include presentations by representatives of the 
National Hurricane Center and WX4NHC, the VoIP Hurricane Net, the HWN, 
the Canadian Hurricane Centre, and the ARRL. Webinar registration is 
open to all, but should be of particular interest to radio amateurs in 
hurricane-prone areas. The webinar will conclude with a Q&A session.

Register online. -- Thanks to Mike Corey, KI1U, ARRL Emergency 
Preparedness Manager

ARRL Offering 20 Percent Off on Select Antenna Publications
Summertime is antenna time! To celebrate, ARRL is rolling back prices on 
some of the hottest antenna publications in Amateur Radio. Save 20 
percent on select ARRL antenna-themed publications when you order online 
through July 31, 2015. No coupon code is necessary to receive the 
savings, and discounted titles may be combined with one coupon code 
offer.

For a complete list of discounted publications, visit ARRL's "Antenna 
Books Price Rollback" page online.

ARRL publications are available from the ARRL Store or from your ARRL 
Publication Dealer, or call 860-594-0355 (toll-free in the US, 
888-277-5289) to order. E-mail ARRL Publication Sales for more 
information.

Ohio ARES "NVIS Antenna Day" Concludes: The Truth is Up There
Ohio ARES NVIS Antenna Day on April 25 attracted participation from some 
100 Buckeye State stations in an effort to determine which 
configurations of near-vertical incidence skywave (NVIS) antenna offer 
the best results. ARRL Ohio Section Emergency Coordinator Stan Broadway, 
N8BHL, said that while the results of the unscientific test were 
inconclusive, some configurations did seem superior to others.

Delaware County ARES tried a number of different configurations, several 
of them using the ubiquitous military mast sections for support: (L-R) 
Larry Mittman, N9AUG; Emergency Coordinator Donn Rooks, K8AOK; Dave 
LeMay, WB2CWJ; Dale Bauer, W8KTQ, and Joe Penzera, N8DRZ.

"The goal was simple: Try different antennas, see which worked," 
Broadway explained. "Each station was responsible for providing accurate 
signal reports, so performance could be evaluated. Results would be 
tallied and digested in hopes of creating a short list of winners that 
ARES teams could keep in their toolboxes."

Most operation was Field Day-style on 40 meters. "This was not a 
contest," Broadway pointed out, "so, groups gathered not only to test 
antennas, but to cook out and enjoy each other's company." He said one 
group had so much fun making contacts with their first dipole that they 
abandoned any further antenna work and just had fun.

Groups most frequently deployed simple dipoles. End-fed and longwires 
were popular too, as well as a handful of loops. A half-dozen antennas 
were based on the military AS-2259 design -- crossed inverted Vs with 
about 10 feet of elevation in the middle. Other designs included 
antennas erected above ponds, inverted Ls, and even a Moxon aimed 
straight up.

"For our operation, there just wasn't that much difference between the 
more specialized NVIS designs and any good antenna," Broadway concluded. 
The longwire was among those at the bottom of the list, with signal 
reports uniformly 2 or 3 S-units below other choices, according to 
Broadway. "But contacts were made, and communication took place," he 
added. "It's a very portable antenna, too."

The Shelby County ARES team fielded a 2259 military-type antenna that 
worked very well. The center mast was inexpensive conduit, about 12 feet 
tall, with each of the four legs anchored within a parking lot -- 
typical of what might be set up in an emergency.

Determining the "best" antenna turned out to be harder. Dipoles -- 
flattops or inverted Vs -- installed at lower heights in keeping with 
NVIS concepts, provided reasonable reports, but erecting them at a low 
height didn't seem to make much difference. If any antenna topped the 
list, it was those fashioned after the AS-2259 configuration.

"These all performed very satisfactorily for their owners, and were 
uniformly given good signal reports," Broadway said. "They weren't 40 dB 
above the competition, but they were solid."

While the NVIS antenna experiment had inconclusive results, "we did 
prove that our hobby can be a lot of fun, even for the old heads, when 
we get back to some basics -- experimenting, equipment and team 
building, and trying our stuff out," Broadway said. Concluded Jefferson 
County participant Gregory Day, N8GD, "After 34 years, ham radio is 
still fun!"

Ohio ARES is planning an even bigger NVIS event next April, and will 
extend an invitation to neighboring ARRL sections to join in.

EO-80 (QB50p2) FM Transponder Testing is Successful
AMSAT-Francophone has reported successful testing of the FM transponder 
on EO-80 (QB50p2). Two 2U CubeSats, QB50p1 and QB50p2, launched in June 
of 2014 into a polar orbit at an altitude of approximately 420 miles. 
QB50p2 is equipped with a secondary FM transponder payload developed by 
AMSAT-F.

On June 16, the primary ground control station in the Netherlands 
activated the transponder on QB50p2 for one orbit. AMSAT-F reports that 
CW telemetry was received at the École Polytechnique near Paris, and the 
FM transponder, with an output of 1.5 W, was activated, with strong 
signals heard on Earth.

Although the transponder was turned off at the end of that single orbit, 
it is anticipated that it will be activated permanently within a few 
weeks, possibly at the 500 mW or 1 W level.

EO-80 frequencies: 145.880 MHz, 1200 bps BPSK or CW telemetry; FM 
transponder, 435.080 MHz (210.7 Hz tone) uplink; 145.840 MHz downlink 
(also 9600 bps FSK data).

QB50p1 (EO-79), also known as FUNcube-3, is equipped with a linear 
transponder for SSB and CW. Initial testing was successfully completed 
in April, and its transponder should also be enabled full-time in a few 
weeks. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service via Gerard Auvray, F6FAO, and 
AMSAT-UK

AMSAT-NA Announces 2015 Board of Directors Candidates
AMSAT-NA has announced the slate of candidates for the 2015 Board of 
Directors election. The candidates are Barry Baines, WD4ASW; Jerry 
Buxton, N0JY; Steve Coy, K8UD; Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA; Mark Hammond, 
N8MH; EMike McCardel, KC8YLD; Bob McGwier, N4HY, and Bruce Paige, KK5DO.

This year AMSAT-NA members will elect four voting members of the Board 
of Directors. These seats will go to the four candidates who receive the 
highest number of votes received. Two alternates will be chosen, based 
on the next highest number of votes received.

Ballots will be mailed to the AMSAT-NA members by July 15, 2015. 
Completed ballots must be received at the AMSAT office by September 15, 
2015, in order to be counted.

Ballots sent to AMSAT members living outside North America will go by 
air mail. If you have not received your ballot package within a 
reasonable period, contact AMSAT.

AMSAT urges members to review the candidate statements that will 
accompany the ballot and to vote. Members may choose up to four 
candidates. -- Thanks to AMSAT News Service

ARRL NTS Confers Special Service Awards
The National Traffic System (NTS) conferred its prestigious Special 
Service Award upon two radio amateurs at the 2015 Dayton Hamvention® in 
May. The Special Service Award recognizes volunteers for outstanding, 
selfless, and lengthy service to the National Traffic System. The 
Pacific, Central, and Eastern Area NTS committees determine award 
recipients. Award winners receive the Special Service Award Plaque. Jim 
Wades, WB8SIW, the editor of QNI -- An NTS Newsletter, announced the 
award winners at Dayton. Honored were:

Kenneth W. Jacobs, KD6PGI, Hood River, Oregon, for technical supervision 
and migration support of the NTS Digital NetworkBPQ32 Modernization 
Project. The BPQ32 migration provides the NTS with a modern, multimode, 
packet-switching environment capable of seamless integration with all 
AX.25 and IP-based networks. According to the announcement, Jacobs 
"donated countless hours consulting to NTS on BPQ32 migration strategy, 
environment installation, operator support, and implementation of custom 
NTS functionality in collaboration with developer John Wiseman, G8BPQ."

Joseph F. Tracey, KB3LNM, Finksburg, Maryland, for his development and 
rollout of the NTSD Parser application, intended for use by ARES and 
other radio operators originating messages to format ARRL Radiograms for 
submission into the NTS Digital network via Winlink 2000. The software 
will generate appropriate message headers and footers, based on address 
information in each message, and place the messages in output files, 
sorted by precedence. An NTS Winlink Target Station receives the 
messages and delivers them via RF paths, typically within 1 hour.

Founded in 1949 by ARRL Communications Manager George Hart, W1NJM (SK), 
the National Traffic System, more than 2000 traffic handlers strong, 
operates more than 100 organized nets.

In Brief...
Work at ARRL Headquarters! ARRL has an opening for a receptionist at 
League Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. The individual in this 
position is responsible for handling incoming telephone calls and 
messages; greeting and attending to visitors, members, and customers; 
overseeing the operation and presentation of the lobby greeting area; 
data entry, and handling other clerical duties as needed. Applicants 
should have a high school diploma or GED, and be proficient in Microsoft 
Office for Windows software, especially Word and Outlook. An experienced 
radio amateur is preferred, and foreign language proficiency is a plus. 
The complete Job Description and application information are on the ARRL 
website.

Amateur Radio Added to Maritime Incident Response Team: The Tri-State 
Maritime Safety Association (TMSA) serving New Jersey, Delaware, and 
Pennsylvania, has added Amateur Radio to its Marine Incident Response 
Team (MIRT). TMSA is teaming up with Audubon-Barrington (NJ) OEM Radio 
Club for Amateur Radio support. The radio amateurs will use the TMSA 
MIRT bus, which features five dispatch consoles, incident command area, 
and meeting area. Amateur Radio operators not only will operate and 
maintain the vehicle for MIRT but will have the chance to use it at 
Field Day and other public events. It will make its Field Day debut at 
the club's Field Day site at the Woodland School in Barrington, New 
Jersey. -- Thanks to Rick Tighe, N2PHI, Camden County ARES PIO, via 
QRZ.com

Amateur Radio Volunteers to Support Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta: 
Amateur Radio Volunteers will again support communication during the 
Peachtree Road Race, an Atlanta 4th of July tradition for 46 years. More 
than 50 hams from throughout the Atlanta area will provide radio 
communication before and during the race to aid with organization and 
logistics. They will be stationed at the start and finish areas and 
along the race route, providing the primary communication network for 
race organizers and officials and supplementing the public safety 
networks. The Atlanta Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) unit will 
provide a command post net control station.

The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, in Seattle, reports: This was a very active week for 
solar flares and aurora. On Monday and Tuesday, the planetary A index 
was 55 and 76, indicating a geomagnetic storm.

It turns out that the magnetometer at Fredericksburg, Virginia, was 
knocked out on 5 of the 7 days, so the mid-latitude A index we are 
reporting for June 18-21 and June 24 are approximations -- or actually 
wild guesses -- based on magnetometers that were working.

Average daily sunspot numbers dropped from 99.9 during the week of June 
11-17 to 71.6 a week later. Average daily solar flux decline from 135.9 
to 130.8. Average daily planetary A index rose from 12.1 to 24.4.

As Field Day looms, the current outlook from NOAA/USAF has solar flux at 
100 on June 25-27; 105 on June 28-July 1; 115 on July 2, 125 on July 
3-4; 120 on July 5-6; 125 on July 7-10, and 130 on July 11-20.

Predicted planetary A index is 25 and 8 on June 25-26, 5 on June 27 
through July 4, then 25, 15 and 12 on July 5-7, then 10, 5 and 8 on July 
8-10, 18, 12 and 8 on July 11-13, 5 on July 14-17, 8 on July 18-19, and 
5 on July 20-31.

In Friday's bulletin look for reports from readers and an updated 
forecast. Send me your reports and observations.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just Ahead in Radiosport
Jun 26 -- NCCC RTTY Sprint

June 26 -- NCCC Sprint

June 27-28 -- ARRL Field Day

June 27-28 -- His Majesty the King of Spain Contest (SSB)

June 27-28 -- Ukrainian DX DIGI Contest

Jun 28 -- 10-10 Int'l Spirit of 76 QSO Party (CW, SSB, digital)

July 1 -- Canada Day Contest (CW)

July 1-2 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test

See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events
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

August 1 -- Great Lakes Division Convention, Columbus, Ohio

August 7-8 -- South Texas Section Convention, Austin, Texas

August 7-9 -- New Mexico State Convention, Albuquerque, New Mexico

August 7-9 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention, Everett, Washington

August 15-16 -- Alabama State Convention, Huntsville, Alabama

August 16 -- Kansas State Convention, Salina, Kansas

August 21-23 -- New England Division Convention, Boxborough, 
Massachusetts

August 22 -- West Virginia State Convention, Weston, West Virginia

August 30 -- Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, New Kensington, 
Pennsylvania

September 5-6 -- Roanoke Division Convention, Shelby, North Carolina

September 11-12 -- W9DXCC, Schaumburg, Illinois

September 11-13 -- Southwestern Division Convention, Torrance, 
California

September 12 -- Virginia Section Convention, Virginia Beach, Virginia

September 26 -- Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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