[OFARC] Fwd: The ARRL Letter for July 27, 2023

Fri Jul 28 09:21:42 EDT 2023

If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2023-07-27

[image: The ARRL Letter]
July 27, 2023
John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, Editor <news at arrl.org>
ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/> *ARRL Letter* Archive
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/> Audio News
<http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> [image: Ad]
<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2023-07-27&t=t>

   - ARRL and NASA Team Up to Help Teachers <#m_-8919946173883455779_toc01>
   - Hurricane Watch Net Seeks Bilingual Net Control Operators
   <#m_-8919946173883455779_toc02>
   - A Quick 2023 Field Day Reminder <#m_-8919946173883455779_toc03>
   - Amateur Radio in the News <#m_-8919946173883455779_toc04>
   - ARRL Podcasts <#m_-8919946173883455779_toc05>
   - Announcements <#m_-8919946173883455779_toc06>
   - In Brief... <#m_-8919946173883455779_toc07>
   - The K7RA Solar Update <#m_-8919946173883455779_toc08>
   - Just Ahead in Radiosport <#m_-8919946173883455779_toc09>
   - Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions
   <#m_-8919946173883455779_toc10>

ARRL and NASA Team Up to Help Teachers

A radio experiment held on July 26, 2023, to decode a slow-scan TV (SSTV)
message sent via the ham radio station on the International Space Station
(ISS) was successful.

The image transmitted from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to the ARRL
Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology participants via the ISS repeater.

The image was received by a group of educators at ARRL Headquarters in
Newington, Connecticut through the voice repeater on the ISS. Teachers from
around the United States were on hand for the ARRL Teachers Institute on
Wireless Technology
<http://www.arrl.org/teachers-institute-on-wireless-technology>, a program
that empowers educators to incorporate amateur radio into their science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum. As part of the
professional development program, the group received and decoded the image
sent by volunteers with Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS). The transmitted image said, "ARRL Teachers Institute: ensuring a
space for radio in the next generation."

The teachers made tape measure Yagi antennas for the experiment. [Sierra
Harrop, W5DX, photo]

The teachers thought it was cool. "Amateur radio is so important to the
future of engineering and STEM in our country," said Kristen Kucko, KQ4ECP,
one of the institute participants. The group gathered outside ARRL
Headquarters with antennas they had made earlier in the day. As the pass
happened, the educators tracked the ISS by hand. A warble of SSTV
transmission filled the air, and the group was excited. After the pass,
they used laptops to decode the audio stream into an image, while they sat
on picnic tables and enjoyed pizza and wings.

Teachers decode the SSTV image over a picnic of pizza and wings while a
photojournalist from WFSB-TV shot video of them. [Sierra Harrop, W5DX,
photo]

For ARRL Education and Learning Manager Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, the
experiment was a way to allow teachers to engage with the power of radio.
"When teachers can pull an image off the ISS via amateur radio, it gives a
sense of accomplishment that gets them excited. We want to get them fired
up about radio, so they can carry that energy back to their classrooms and
do the same thing with their students," said Goodgame.

Each of the teachers on hand for the second phase of the institute, --
"TI-2: Remote Sensing and Data Analysis," -- have already been through the
introductory course and they are all licensed radio amateurs. The institute
costs teachers nothing to attend, thanks to funding from the ARRL Education
& Technology Program. <http://www.arrl.org/education-technology-program>

Several local television stations from the Hartford-New Haven market
covered the event. See coverage from WTNH News 8 (ABC)
<https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/hartford/teachers-in-newington-build-antennas-to-decode-message-from-international-space-station/>
and WFSB Eyewitness News 3 (CBS) <http://my.tvey.es/m9B8E>.
Hurricane Watch Net Seeks Bilingual Net Control Operators

The Hurricane Watch Net <http://www.hwn.org/> (HWN) is looking for new
members who are willing to train to become Net Control Operators. HWN is
especially interested in recruiting bilingual operators who are fluent in
Spanish and English or French/Creole and English. Net Control
responsibilities can entail hours of duty to ensure all received
ground-truth weather reports are forwarded directly to the National
Hurricane Center in Miami.

The net generally activates whenever a system has achieved hurricane status
and is within 300 statute miles of a populated landmass. This can vary,
however, due to the forward speed and intensity of a storm, or at the
request of the forecasters at the National Hurricane Center. Once
activated, the HWN continuously operates until a storm is no longer a
threat to life and property.

The mission of the net is to disseminate the latest advisories issued by
the National Hurricane Center, and to obtain real-time, ground-level
weather conditions and initial damage assessments from amateur radio
operators in the affected areas. The net then relays that information to
the National Hurricane Center by way of WX4NHC, and when required, the
Canadian Hurricane Centre. It also functions as a backup communication link
for the National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service Forecast
Offices, the Canadian Hurricane Centre, Emergency Operations Centers,
emergency management agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other
vital interests that can involve military relief operations. Such
operations can be involved in the protection of life and property before,
during, and after a hurricane event.

HWN Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, says training will be provided and each
candidate will go through a probationary period with a mentor. Graves, an
ARRL member, says an applicant's station must be reliable. "While having a
tower, beam, and/or amplifier is not a requirement, your station must allow
you to hear and be heard. Therefore, directional antennas and amplifiers
are preferred," he said.

The net coverage area includes the hurricane-prone areas of eastern Canada,
the US East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
The net specifically seeks applicants in the middle-to-western sections of
the US, Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean. "As always, the HWN is
hoping for a quiet season, yet [we are] prepared for the worst," said
Graves.

Those interested in learning more can visit the HWN Net Control Information
web page at https://hwn.org/about-us/ncs_info.html
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A Quick 2023 Field Day Reminder

The final day to submit entries for ARRL Field Day 2023 was July 25.
Currently, more than 4,500 entries have been submitted, but entrants are
encouraged to check their submitted logs to make sure they are complete and
that no additional documents are needed. Entries can be checked at Field
Day Entries Received (arrl.org)
<https://field-day.arrl.org/fdentriesrcvd.php>. Check the Entries Received
column for the status of your submission. A notification stating "pending
documents" will appear if you need to send additional documents. The
deadline to complete your submission is Friday, August 25, 2023, and any
questions should be emailed to fieldday at arrl.org.
------------------------------
Amateur Radio in the News

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other
member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news
<http://www.arrl.org/media-hits>.

"Nonprofit uses Shavano Park event to educate public on amateur radio
<https://communityimpact.com/san-antonio/north-san-antonio/nonprofit/2023/07/19/nonprofit-uses-shavano-park-event-to-educate-public-on-amateur-radio/>"
/ Community Impact (Texas) July 20, 2023 -- T*he San Antonio Radio Club is
an ARRL Affiliated Club*.

"Amateur HAM Radio Operators Serve as Vital Link in Times of Crisis
<https://mountainlake.org/amateur-ham-radio-operators-serve-as-vital-link-in-times-of-crisis/>"
/ Mountain Lake PBS (New York) July 21, 2023 --*The **Champlain Valley
Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club*.

"Teaching a new generation: Amateur radio group holds summer class
<https://www.paducahsun.com/news/teaching-a-new-generation-amateur-radio-group-holds-summer-class/article_2b483bbb-2e21-53bc-b7a9-468aa8d3883c.html>"
The Paducah Sun (Kentucky) July 22, 2023 -- *The Paducah Amateur Radio
Association is an ARRL Affiliated Club.*

"Demonstration of Ham Radio and its modern capabilities, July 25
<https://www.theloopnewspaper.com/story/2023/07/22/happenings/demonstration-of-ham-radio-and-its-modern-capabilities-july-25/11054.html>"
/ The Loop (California) July 26, 2023 -- *The Tehachapi Amateur Radio
Association is an ARRL Affiliated Club.*

"Teachers in Newington build antennas to decode message from International
Space Station
<https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/hartford/teachers-in-newington-build-antennas-to-decode-message-from-international-space-station/>"
/ WTNH-TV (Connecticut) July 26, 2023 -- *ARRL® The National Association
for Amateur Radio.*

Share <newsmedia at arrl.org> any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.
------------------------------
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ARRL Podcasts

*On the Air*
* Sponsored by **Icom* <http://www.icomamerica.com/en/>

Passing traffic is a ham radio activity that's nearly as old as ham radio
itself, and getting accurate messages to their destination in a timely
manner takes training and skill. In addition to participating in nets, hams
also have the opportunity to take on ARRL Field Organization positions that
are responsible for traffic. In this episode, "When Messages Matter:
Passing Traffic," we talk to Ethan Hansen, KC1OIP, who fulfills one such
position, Official Relay Station, in ARRL's National Traffic System. Listen
in to learn about what it takes to become an Official Relay Station, how
the position makes a difference in the community, and how it benefits your
amateur radio skills and experience.

*ARRL Audio News *Listen to ARRL Audio News
<http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>, available every Friday. ARRL Audio
News is a summary of the week's top news stories in the world of amateur
radio and ARRL, along with interviews and other features.

The On the Air podcast is available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android).
The On the Air podcast and ARRL Audio News are also on blubrry -- On the Air
<https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/> | ARRL Audio News
<https://blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/>.
------------------------------
Announcements

*The San Max Patronal Celebration 2023 will take place on August 1 - 31. *This
is an annual event that radio amateurs in Mexico participate in to
celebrate San Maximilian Maria Kolbe, patron saint of radio amateurs. The
special event call sign, 4A2MAX, will be activated on August 1 at 00:00 XE
Central Time, and it will stay active through August 31 at 23:59 XE Central
Time. All amateur radio operators are invited to participate*.* Official
rules and additional information are available at QRZ.com
<https://www.qrz.com/db/4A2MAX>, on the 4A2MAX web page.
------------------------------
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In Brief...

*The ARRL Board of Directors met for their Second Meeting, July 21 - 22,
2023, and approved increasing the regular membership dues rate to $59 a
year starting January 1, 2024.* Included with the new dues rate was a
decision to separate the printed, mailed magazine from membership. A
summary of the dues changes and related fees, effective January 1, 2024,
are available on the ARRL website <http://www.arrl.org/2024-dues-rates>.
Read more about the decision in a Member Bulletin
<http://www.arrl.org/member-bulletin?issue=2023-07-23> from ARRL President
Rick Roderick, K5UR.

*The New Jersey QRP Club will hold their 12th annual Skeeter Hunt on August
27, 2023. *The objective is to get QRP operators out of their shacks and
into the fresh air encouraging them to spread their wings and fill the
airwaves with "Skeeters." While commercial equipment can be utilized, bonus
points will be awarded to those who homebrewed or kit-built their own
transceiver or separate transmitter/receiver. Equipment not built by the
operator will not qualify for bonus points, as it will be considered
commercial equipment. The event will be a 4-hour sprint beginning at 17:00
UTC and running until 21:00 UTC (1:00 to 5:00 PM EDT). The next event will
be held on the third Sunday of August 2024. QRP operators who wish to be
designated Skeeters can request a Skeeter number by sending an email with
their name, call sign, and state/province from which they will be operating
to w2lj at arrl.net. You do not have to operate portable to be a Skeeter.
Please indicate if you intend to operate from a state other than your home
state listed on QRZ. Skeeter numbers are being issued now, and will be
issued until the day before the event. For more information and the
official rules, visit the Official NJQRP Skeeter Hunt web page
<https://www.qsl.net/w2lj/>.
------------------------------
The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, of Seattle, Washington, reports for this week's ARRL
Propagation Bulletin, ARLP030:

Solar disk image taken July 27, 2023, courtesy of NASA SDO/HMI.

Average daily sunspot numbers declined from 130.6 to 128.1 over the past
week of July 20 - 26.

Average daily solar flux declined significantly from 190.5 to 172.2.

The solar flux forecast sees values at 168, 165, and 162 on July 27 - 29;
158 on July 30 - 31; 155 and 158 on August 1 - 2; 165 on August 3 - 4; 170
and 175 on August 5 - 6; 180 on August 7 - 10; 175 on August 11 - 13; 180
on August 14 - 15; 175 on August 16 - 18; 170 on August 19; 165, 165, and
160 on August 20 - 22, and 155 on August 23 - 26.

Predicted planetary A index is 20, 10, 5, 10, and 8 on July 27 - 31; 5, 5,
10, and 8 on August 1 - 4; 5 on August 5 - 9; 10 on August 10; 8 on August
11 - 13; 5 on August 14 - 19, and 10, 8, and 5 on August 20 - 22.

Read about sunspots, flares, and aurora at the following link:

https://bit.ly/44JxcRp

Check out a story about the Mars rover seeing the far side of the sun at
the link below:

https://bit.ly/3KbRV8b

Also, see the report of a rocket punching a hole in the ionosphere at:

https://bit.ly/3KceBFB

Nearly 5 decades ago in Marin County, California, I, too, witnessed a
rocket penetrating the ionosphere. It was a huge, dramatic display. My
friend had seen a similar thing before, and said it was created by a rocket
launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Southern California.

Sunspot numbers for July 20 - 26, 2023, were 131, 121, 103, 117, 141, 137,
and 147, with a mean of 128.1. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 184.3, 172.8,
174.4, 172.5, 165.1, 169, and 167.4, with a mean of 172.2. Estimated
planetary A indices were 10, 13, 9, 6, 7, 11, and 21, with a mean of 11.
Middle latitude A index was 10, 11, 9, 5, 8, 12, and 23, with a mean of
11.1.

Send your tips, questions, or comments to k7ra at arrl.net.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL website.
For more information concerning radio propagation, visit
<http://arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals> the ARRL Technical Information
Service, read <http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere> "What the
Numbers Mean...," and check out <http://k9la.us/> the Propagation Page of
Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.

A propagation bulletin archive
<http://arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive-propagation> is available. For
customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio
<https://www.voacap.com/hf/> website.

Share <k7ra at arrl.net> your reports and observations.

A weekly, full report is posted on ARRL News <http://www.arrl.org/news>.
------------------------------
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Just Ahead in Radiosport

Yearlong -- ARRL Volunteers On the Air <https://vota.arrl.org/> (VOTA). See
the State Activations Schedule for weekly W1AW Portable Operations
<https://vota.arrl.org/w1awPortable.php>, including:

   -

   July 26 - August 1 -- Rhode Island W1AW/1
   -

   July 26 - August 1 -- Indiana W1AW/9
   -

   August 2 - August 8 -- Minnesota W1AW/0
   -

   August 2 - August 8 -- Kentucky W1AW/4

Upcoming Contests:

   -

   July 27 -- RSGB 80m Club Champ, Data (digital)
   -

   July 28 -- NCCC RTTY Sprint (digital)
   -

   July 28 -- NCCC Sprint (CW)
   -

   July 29 - 30 -- MARAC US Counties QSO Party (CW, phone)
   -

   July 29 - 30 -- RSGB IOTA Contest (CW, phone)
   -

   July 29 -- WAB 144 MHz Low Power Phone (phone)
   -

   July 30 -- ARS Flight of the Bumblebees (CW)
   -

   July 31 -- QCX Challenge (CW)

Visit the ARRL Contest Calendar <http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar> for
more events and information.
------------------------------
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Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

   -

   July 29 | CVARC 2023 Hamfest
   <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/cvarc-2023-hamfest-arrl-pennsylvania-state-convention>,
   hosting the ARRL Pennsylvania State Convention, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
   -

   July 29 | ARRL West Virginia State Convention and Ham Fest
   <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arrl-west-virginia-state-convention-and-ham-fest-1>,
   Sutton, West Virginia
   -

   August 11 - 13 | 2023 ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention
   <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/2023-arrl-rocky-mountain-division-convention>,
   Albuquerque, New Mexico
   -

   August 19 - 20 | Huntsville Hamfest
   <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/huntsville-hamfest-arrl-alabama-state-convention>,
   hosting the ARRL Alabama State Convention, Huntsville, Alabama
   -

   August 25 - 27 | Northeast HamXposition
   <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northeast-hamxposition-arrl-new-england-division-convention-1>,
   hosting the ARRL New England Division Convention, Marlborough, Massachusetts
   -

   September 1 - 3 | Shelby Hamfest
   <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/shelby-hamfest-arrl-north-carolina-section-convention-2>,
   hosting the ARRL North Carolina Section Convention, Shelby, North Carolina
   -

   September 10 | ARRL Southern New Jersey Section Convention and Hamfest
   <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arrl-southern-new-jersey-section-convention-and-hamfest-1>,
   Mullica Hill, New Jersey
   -

   September 22 - 23 | HRO Superfest
   <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/hro-superfest-arrl-wisconsin-state-convention>,
   hosting the ARRL Wisconsin State Convention, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
   -

   September 23 | Red River Radio Amateur's 2023 Hamfest
   <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/red-river-radio-amateur-s-2023-hamfest-arrl-dakota-division-convention>,
   sponsoring the ARRL Dakota Division Convention, West Fargo, North Dakota
   -

   September 23 | Spokane HAMFEST
   <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/spokane-hamfest-arrl-washington-state-convention-1>,
   sponsoring the ARRL Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington

Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests> to find events in your area.
------------------------------
Have News for ARRL?

Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to news at arrl.org.
-- *John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, ARRL News Editor <news at arrl.org>*
------------------------------

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

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