[SFDXA] The ARRL Letter for October 24, 2013

Bill bmarx at bellsouth.net
Thu Oct 24 18:50:55 EDT 2013


Preview

If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2013-10-24

The ARRL Letter

October 24, 2013
Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME <mailto:ww1me 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/>

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2013-10-24&t=t>

  * /Regulatory/: FCC Readjusts Dates, Deadlines As Shutdown Ends <#toc01>
  * /Regulatory/: FCC Turns Away Petition to Expand Technician 10 Meter
    Privileges <#toc02>
  * /Radiosport/: Teams Are Set for WRTC-2014 Competition <#toc03>
  * /Public Service/: Colorado Radio Amateurs Recognized for Fires,
    Floods Response <#toc04>
  * /Public Service/: Australia's WICEN Activates to Support Bushfires
    Emergency <#toc05>
  * /Public Service/: Ham Radio Volunteers in India, Philippines Wrap Up
    Disaster Responses <#toc06>
  * /Your League/: ARRL On-Line Auction Now Underway! <#toc07>
  * /Your League/: ARRL Board Rectifies Award Miscue <#toc08>
  * /Your League/: Southeastern Division Election in Progress <#toc09>
  * /Your League/: New Free /QST/ App Available for Android Devices!
    <#toc10>
  * /Milestones/: Former Western Washington SM Harry Lewis, W7JWJ, SK
    <#toc11>
  * /Milestones/: Small Wonder Labs Closes <#toc12>
  * /DX/: Wake Island K9W DXpedition Attempting to Reschedule <#toc13>
  * /DX/: Operation Approved for DXCC Credit <#toc14>
  * Getting It Right! <#toc15>
  * Solar Update <#toc16>
  * This Week in Radiosport <#toc17>
  * Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
    <#toc18>

/Regulatory/: FCC Readjusts Dates, Deadlines As Shutdown Ends

The FCC has extended or adjusted filing dates and deadlines in the wake 
of the partial government shutdown, during which Commission systems went 
dark. For radio amateurs, the biggest impact is for those with vanity 
call sign applications in the hopper. The Commission said in a October 
17 /Public Notice/ 
<http://www.fcc.gov/document/revised-filing-deadlines-following-resumption-normal-fcc-operations> 
that because the Universal Licensing System (ULS 
<http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=home>) was unavailable for 
Amateur Service licensees to file vanity call sign applications, the 
Commission established October 22 as the receipt date for all vanity 
applications filed between October 1 and October 22.

"Ordinarily, vanity call sign applications are processed on a day-by-day 
basis, with a random selection procedure used to determine the 
processing order for applications filed on the same day," the FCC said. 
"In order to accommodate the orderly resumption of business, however, 
vanity call sign applications filed /via ULS/ between October 17 and 
October 22 will all be processed as if they were filed on October 22, 
2013. In addition, any vanity call sign applications that were filed /by 
mail/ between October 1 and October 22 also will be treated as if they 
were filed on October 22, 2013."

The FCC went on to say, "All ULS applications and notifications filed in 
accordance with the Commission's rules...that were originally due on 
October 1, 2013, through and including November 4, 2013, are now due on 
November 4, 2013." With the ULS again available, the FCC was encouraging 
applicants and licensees to file any applications and notifications "as 
soon as practicable." Filings due between October 1 and October 6 were 
due on October 22, 2013, the FCC said. Filings due between October 7 and 
October 16 will be due 16 days after the original filing date, an 
extension equivalent to the period of the FCC closure.

This means, for example, that if a filing was due October 8, it now will 
be due October 24 -- an extension of 16 days. "To the extent the revised 
due dates for filings under this /Public Notice/ fall on a weekend or 
other Commission holiday," the FCC continued, "they will be due on the 
next business day. [A]ny regulatory and enforcement filings that would 
otherwise be required to be filed between October 17 and November 
4...will be due for filing on November 4, 2013 (the first business day 
following a 16-day period after the Commission's October 17 reopening)."

The FCC said it would not consider the Commission open for the filing of 
documents with statutory deadlines until Tuesday, October 22, 2013.

ARR: VEC staffers Amanda Grimaldi, KB1VUV (left), and China Chaney work 
through the stacks of exam session paperwork that had piled up during 
the shutdown. [Maria Somma, AB1FM, photo]

Because Amateur Radio testing was able to continue during the shutdown, 
exam session paperwork continued to flow into the ARRL VEC. Once the FCC 
was up and running again, it was not long before application processing 
resumed, and grants started showing up again, much to the delight of 
those who had been waiting for new licenses, upgrades, and vanity call 
sign grants.

"We had approximately 250 sessions and over 1500 forms in the queue," 
ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, said as the FCC reopened. By the 
end of the day, the VEC staff had dispatched its entire backlog to the 
FCC for processing.

/Regulatory/: FCC Turns Away Petition to Expand Technician 10 Meter 
Privileges

The FCC has dismissed a /Petition for Rule Making/ 
<http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7022421955> that sought to 
expand Technician privileges in the 10 meter band. The Toledo Mobile 
Radio Association (TMRA <http://www.tmrahamradio.org/>) had asked the 
Commission last June to expand the spectrum available to Technician 
licensees on 10 meters to include operating privileges in the FM portion 
of the band, from 29.520 to 29.700 MHz. Novice and Technician licensees 
now may operate on 10 meters from 28.000 to 28.500 MHz.

"We conclude that TMRA has not presented grounds for the Commission to 
revisit the question of operating privileges for Technician class 
licensees," the FCC said October 17 in denying the petition. The FCC 
said that Technicians may transmit through repeaters licensed to a 
General class or higher licensee that have an output channel in the 29.5 
to 29.7 MHz segment, as long as the repeater has a 2 meter or 70 
centimeter input.

Further, the FCC pointed out that the current licensing structure was 
developed "with the expressed desire of the amateur community to provide 
an incentive, ie, additional frequency privileges, to motivate Amateur 
Radio operators to advance their communication and technical skills." 
The FCC noted that it increased Technician privileges in 2006 to include 
Novice and Technician Plus privileges. "A Technician class licensee can 
upgrade to a General class operator license and receive significantly 
more frequency privileges (including those at issue here) by answering 
correctly a minimum of twenty-six questions on a thirty-five question 
written examination," the FCC said. TMRA, the Commission concluded, had 
submitted no evidence that the FCC should depart from its "long-standing 
policy of providing additional frequency privileges as an incentive" for 
license advancement.

TMRA had asserted that amending §97.301(e) of Part 97 would extend 
Technician voice privileges on 10 meters to "coincide with today's 
technical advancement of the Amateur Radio Service."

/Radiosport/: Teams Are Set for WRTC-2014 Competition

World Radiosport Team Championship 2014 (WRTC-2014 
<http://www.wrtc2014.org/>) has announced 
<http://www.wrtc2014.org/teams-are-set-for-wrtc2014-competition/> the 55 
two-operator teams that will be invited to compete next July in New 
England. Team leaders, selected earlier from each qualifying region 
based on 3 years of qualifying scores, can pick any operator as a 
teammate. Three-time WRTC gold medalist Dan Street, K1TO, managed and 
completed the selection process 
<http://www.wrtc2014.org/qualifying/team-selection/>.

"We are very pleased with the quality of operators selected as 
teammates," he said. "Although team leaders could select a partner from 
anywhere in the world, very few opted to choose outside their own 
selection area." Street predicted the field will be "very competitive." 
They will include the top four teams from WRTC-2010 in Russia.

WRTC-2014 will take place July 8-14, 2014, in New England.

WRTC-2014 Chairman Doug Grant <mailto:k1dg at wrtc2014.org>, K1DG, said the 
sponsors were pleased to see a mix of WRTC veterans and first-time 
participants. The Teams represent more than 30 countries and represent a 
wide range of personal backgrounds. "While the focus will be on the 
competition, we are looking forward to hosting the teams as they share 
and spread the international goodwill of the ham radio community in the 
Team Village during WRTC Week," Grant said.

Some interesting stories are hidden within the team pairings. Two teams 
are made up of family members. VY2ZM/K1ZM chose his son, KK6ZM, and 
KU1CW chose his cousin EA5GTQ. This WRTC will have a female team, with 
DL1QQ selecting DL8DYL as her partner. E77DX declined his spot as team 
leader to become OE3DIA's teammate, enabling 9A5K to gain entry as a 
team leader. The teams of ES5TV and ES2RR and 5B4WN and 5B4AFM will be 
operating together in their third consecutive WRTC. Four sponsored teams 
are yet to be announced. A team sponsor donation earns the right to 
select a team.

Direct questions regarding WRTC-2014 team selection by e-mail to 
teamleader at wrtc2014.org <mailto:teamleader at wrtc2014.org>. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/teams-are-set-for-wrtc-2014-competition> 
(includes list of teams).

/Public Service/: Colorado Radio Amateurs Recognized for Fires, Floods 
Response

ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Director Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, earlier 
this month presented the radio amateurs of Colorado with a plaque in 
appreciation of their assistance in the aftermath of the wildfires and 
flash floods that struck that state earlier this year.

(L-R) ARRL Colorado Section Manager Jack Ciaccia, WMØG; ARRL Rocky 
Mountain Director Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, and ARRL Colorado SEC Robert 
Wareham, NØESQ. [Kay Craigie, N3KN, photo]

"Director Mileshosky and other members of the ARRL Executive Committee, 
which was meeting in Aurora, Colorado, invited Colorado Section Manager 
Jack Ciaccia, WMØG, and SEC Robert Wareham, NØESQ, to join us for 
dinner, so we could thank the amateurs in Colorado, through them, for 
all their work during the fires and floods," explained ARRL President 
Kay Craigie, N3KN.

The inscription on the plaque reads, "Presented to the leaders, members 
and volunteers of Colorado ARES and the entire Colorado Section field 
organization. In appreciation for your service and dedication during and 
following the wildfires and flooding of 2013." It was signed by Rocky 
Mountain Director Mileshosky and Vice Director Dwayne Allen, WY7FD.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2013-10-24&p=0>
/Public Service/: Australia's WICEN Activates to Support Bushfires 
Emergency

Australian Amateur Radio volunteers, operating under the WICEN 
<http://www.wicen.org.au/%E2%80%8E> banner, were activated to support 
communication in the aftermath of bushfires in the Blue Mountains of New 
South Wales. WICEN is Australia's equivalent of ARES/RACES. The incident 
controller has since asked WICEN volunteers to remain on standby until 
further notice.

"Thank you to the many WICEN members who have responded to the 
activation," said WICEN NSW President Compton Allen, VK2HRX. The 
official activation was to support the declared state of emergency in 
the Lithgow area, west of Sydney, leading to mandatory evacuations.

Some 200 homes have been lost have been lost in the dozens of fires, 
which have caused smoke to overspread the City of Sydney. The NSW Rural 
Fire Services had feared that up to four separate blazes could come 
together to form a huge fire front, but by midweek the crisis had eased, 
and evacuees were being allowed to return to their homes. New South 
Wales has been badly hit by bushfires after the hottest September on 
record, and officials predict conditions will worsen this week.

WICEN operates as a specialist support squad under the NSW State 
Disaster Plan. /-- Jim Linton, VK3PC, chairman of the IARU Region 3 
Disaster Communications Committee; BBC/

/Public Service/: Ham Radio Volunteers in India, Philippines Wrap Up 
Disaster Responses

India's National Coordinator for Disaster Communication Jayu Bhide, 
VU2JAU, has expressed appreciation to the Amateur Radio community for 
keeping 7145 kHz clear so that ham radio volunteers could pass emergency 
traffic in the wake of a cyclone. Teams of radio amateurs responded 
October 13 to assist in the aftermath of powerful Cyclone Phailin, which 
came ashore at Odisha and Andhra Pradesh in the Bay of Bengal. The storm 
generated gusting winds and heavy rain, forcing the advance evacuation 
of some 500,000 residents.

Jayu Bhide, VU2JAU

"The main effect of the wind was seen in coastal areas, which were 
evacuated before the cyclone," Bhide said. "In spite of wind speed, all 
the telephone lines and mobile towers were working, and communication 
was not affected as we thought earlier." Bhide had asked that 7145 kHz 
be kept clear, as Dilip, VU2DPI; Mithilesh, VU3BHI, and Sameer, VU2AOR 
worked around the clock, passing essential messages and doing what they 
could to help.

The latest cyclone revived memories of a monster storm that hit the same 
region 14 years ago, killing 10,000 people. Better preparation and early 
evacuations kept the death toll to 21 this time. Thousands took shelter 
in public buildings ahead of the cyclone. Many mud homes and farms were 
destroyed, and uprooted trees blocked roads. Agricultural activity was 
expected to take a long time to recover.

Power remained out this week in the Ganjam District of Odisha, where the 
entire power system reportedly was blown away. The power outage has 
caused an acute water shortage.

Two days later in the Philippines a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the 
islands of Bohol and Cebu, causing casualties and severe infrastructure 
damage. Philippine Amateur Radio Association volunteers responded. Ramon 
Anquilan, DU1UGZ, said the earthquake occurred just as work crews were 
about to clean up the debris left by Typhoon Santi. He asked that 7095 
kHz be kept clear for emergency traffic.

According to messages via HF, on 2 meters and via /EchoLink/, many 
buildings were damaged, bridges collapsed, power knocked out and schools 
closed. Hams also passed reports on weather conditions and aftershocks. 
The earthquake hit on a national holiday in the Philippines, at the 
beginning of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. Media accounts reported 
landslides in some areas, with more than 8500 homes destroyed. The death 
toll topped 180 by week's end. /-- Jim Linton, VK3PC, IARU Region 3 
Disaster Communications Committee chair; media reports/

/Your League/: ARRL On-Line Auction Now Underway!

Let the bidding begin! The 8th annual ARRL On-Line Auction 
<http://www.arrl.org/auction> is now underway. The 2013 Auction will run 
through October 31.

This year's auction offers 229 items, including transceivers, 
amplifiers, antenna tuners, test gear, hand-held transceivers, and /QST/ 
"Product Review" equipment. A number of items were donated by many of 
our business partners. The selection also includes some vintage ham gear 
as well as several rare books.

Proceeds from the yearly On-Line Auction benefit ARRL education programs 
including activities to license new hams, strengthen Amateur Radio's 
emergency service training, offer continuing technical and operating 
education, and create instructional materials.

Bidders need to register. If you have participated in a past ARRL 
On-Line Auction, you will be able to retrieve your auction user ID and 
password. If you are new to the ARRL On-Line Auction, you will need to 
follow the simple registration process.

In order to fully enjoy the ARRL On-Line Auction, bidders should read 
the auction policies 
<http://arrl.auctionanything.com/ClientInfo.taf?_function=info>.

/Your League/: ARRL Board Rectifies Award Miscue

At its July 2013 meeting the ARRL Board of Directors gave the wrong 
award to the right person. Brian D. Justin, WA1ZMS/4, was recommended by 
the Programs and Services Committee to receive the 2013 ARRL Technical 
Innovation Award, but a drafting error crept in that changed the name of 
the award used in the motion during the board meeting. The error has 
been corrected by unanimous e-mail vote of the 15 directors.

The Technical Innovation Award honors accomplishments and contributions 
"of the most exemplary nature within the framework of technical 
research, development and application of new ideas and future systems in 
the context of Amateur Radio activities." Justin earned the award 
through "a distinguished lifelong Amateur Radio career" during which he 
has orchestrated expeditions that garnered the first VUCC on 47 GHz, 76 
GHz, 122 GHz, 145 GHz, and 241 GHz.

The Board also recognized Justin's accomplishments in building several 
homebrew millimeter-wave equipped stations, for continuing to operate a 
transatlantic, high-power 2 meter CW beacon, and for operating repeaters 
from 146 to 1200 MHz. Justin, an ARRL Life Member, was the recipient of 
the 2003 Microwave Development Award.

At the same time the Board recognized James Klitzing, W6PQL, as the 
recipient of the 2012 Doug DeMaw, W1FB, Technical Excellence Award for 
his October 2012 /QST/ article "Solid State 1 kW Linear Amplifier for 2 
Meters." The Technical Excellence Award was established in 1975 and was 
renamed in 1997 to honor the late Doug DeMaw, W1FB, a former ARRL 
Headquarters technical editor and well-known Amateur Radio author.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2013-10-24&p=1>
/Your League/: Southeastern Division Election in Progress

Attention ARRL full members in the Southeastern Division (Alabama, 
Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands): An election 
is underway for Director and Vice Director of your division for the 3 
year term beginning January 1, 2014.

The candidates for Director are Doug Rehman, K4AC, and Greg Sarratt, 
W4OZK. The candidates for Vice Director are George Hawrysko, K4AWA, and 
Jim Millsap, WB4NWS.

If you were an ARRL member as of September 10 and your ARRL membership 
record includes a valid e-mail address, on October 1 you were sent an 
invitation to vote electronically. Otherwise, you should have received a 
paper ballot in the mail. If you received a paper ballot you also have 
the option of voting electronically, as explained in the mailing. As a 
Southeastern Division member, if you are logged into the ARRL website 
you will see a link to "Election News" below the "Your Favorites" 
window. That is your path leading to the candidates' statements and 
electronic ballot.

If you have difficulty contact Lisa Kustosik <mailto:ka1ufz at arrl.org>, 
KA1UFZ, at ARRL Headquarters. The deadline for receipt of ballots is 
noon Eastern Time Friday, November 15, 2013. /-- David Sumner, K1ZZ, 
Secreta//ry/

/Your League/: New Free /QST/ App Available for Android Devices!

ARRL members using Android tablets and phones now can download a 
dedicated app to access the digital edition of /QST/. The app gives ARRL 
members access to read /QST/ online or choose to download individual 
issues of the journal for offline reading. The /QST/ app is free in the 
Google Play Store 
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.branded.arrl> (search 
for "QST").

The digital edition of /QST/ includes every article, every column, every 
ad, everything in the printed magazine and more! After you've tried it, 
tell us what you think and share 
<http://www.arrl.org/digital-qst-feedback-form> your feedback.

Members now have three great ways to access the current digital edition 
of /QST/ and archives:

 1.

    Web edition <http://www.arrl.org/qst>**(laptops, desktop computers,
    and many mobile devices)

 2.

    Apple iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch), available free
    from Apple's App Store
    <https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/qst/id531766442?mt=8>

 3.

    Android devices (tablets, phones, and more), available free from the
    Google Play Store
    <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.branded.arrl>

Members must have a valid ARRL website login to access digital editions 
of /QST/. Need help? Visit the digital edition help page 
<http://www.arrl.org/digital-qst-faq> for frequently asked questions. 
Need more help? Contact Member Services by telephone (860) 594-0200 or 
(888) 277-5289 (US only) or e-mail <mailto:circulation at arrl.org>.

/Milestones/: Former Western Washington SM Harry Lewis, W7JWJ, SK

Former ARRL Western Washington Section Manager Harry Lewis, W7JWJ, of 
Seattle, died October 19. He was 90. Lewis served as WWA Section Manager 
from 1991 until 2003.

Harry Lewis, W7JWJ (left), receives the Mentor/Instructor Award from 
then-ARRL Northwestern Division Director Greg Milnes, W7OZ (SK) in 2005.

"Harry was very active in ARRL for many years and held many positions in 
the organization," said current Western Washington SM Monte Simpson, K2MLS.

His late wife, former Northwestern Division Director and Western 
Washington SM Mary Lewis, W7QGP, died last March. Survivors include a 
daughter, Diana, K7ETY, and a son, Gary, WA7BBJ. In addition to Section 
Manager, Lewis served as an ARRL Technical Coordinator, Official 
Emergency Station, Official Bulletin Station, and ARRL Registered 
Instructor who mentored hundreds of prospective and new hams. In 2005 
Lewis and Connecticut Section Manager Betsey Doane, K1EIC, were honored 
as the co-recipients of the ARRL Certification and Continuing Education 
Mentor/Instructor of the Year Award.

Born in British Columbia, Canada, and first licensed in 1941, Lewis was 
a Life Member of ARRL and QCWA. He was a broadcast engineer and, 
earlier, a Morse telegrapher. Lewis was a crack high-speed CW operator 
who could copy code in excess of 75 WPM. Services will be announced.

/Milestones/: Small Wonder Labs Closes

Small Wonder Labs <http://www.smallwonderlabs.com/%E2%80%8E>, a stalwart 
in the QRP arena since the mid-1990s, is closing its doors.

"There comes a time in everyone's career when they've 'had enough!' I've 
reached that point," SWL founder Dave Benson, K1SWL, announced October 
10 on his website. "Effective immediately, I am closing Small Wonder 
Labs. I have discontinued sales of the RockMite and will ship out the 
last several dozen orders shortly."

Dave Benson, K1SWL, enjoying life in New Hampshire.

Benson says he'll continue to support existing customers' requests for 
replacement or missing RockMite parts "over the short term." Benson said 
he is coordinating with another QRP vendor to assume production and 
sales of the RockMite. "I'll keep the Small Wonder Labs website active 
for a year, and it'll maintain documentation for my earlier products," 
he added, noting that he does not keep parts inventory for 
long-discontinued products and that he does not have "/just one more 
board/" for any of his discontinued kits. "Please don't ask!" he 
stressed, directing customers to the Kits and Parts dot Com 
<http://www.kitsandparts.com> site.

SWL is also known for Benson's SW and DSW-II series of transceivers and 
his PSK Warblers, among others. Now ensconced in the woods of New 
Hampshire, Benson said his home is finished and "it's time for me to 
move on to other interests." An electrical engineer from Connecticut, 
Benson started SWL in 1996, although he's stepped back from his Amateur 
Radio activities in recent years. "I'd like to extend a heartfelt thanks 
to everyone who's purchased my kits over the years," he said. You've 
been great, and it was fun!"

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2013-10-24&p=2>
/DX/: Wake Island K9W DXpedition Attempting to Reschedule

The sponsors for the Wake Island K9W commemorative DXpedition that was 
derailed as a result of the partial government shutdown say they are 
continuing to work with the US Air Force to reschedule the operation.

The US Air Force manages Wake Island, and access is restricted.

"Once we have the new dates, we will post them here 
<http://www.wake2013.org/index.html> and through the normal Amateur 
Radio communication media," the group announced October 22. "Thank you 
for your patience and understanding."

The K9W postponement was attributed to a paperwork delay resulting from 
the October 1 partial government shutdown. Team member Craig Thompson, 
K9CT, told 
<http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-04/shutdown-upends-ham-radio-buffs-trip-marking-massacre.html> 
Bloomberg News early this month that all the paperwork was in place, 
except for final travel orders that needed one last Pentagon signature. 
The K9W team was to board a military flight to Wake Island October 4 but 
put its plans on hold after determining that it would not get final 
approval for the flight, which occurs every two weeks.

/DX/: Operation Approved for DXCC Credit

The ARRL DXCC Desk has approved the 2013 operation of T6JR -- 
Afghanistan for DX Century Club credit. If a request for DXCC credit for 
this operation has been rejected in a prior application, contact ARRL 
Awards Branch Manager Bill Moore <mailto:bmoore at arrl.org>, NC1L, to be 
placed on the list for an update to your record. Please note the 
submission date and/or reference number of your application in order to 
expedite the search for any rejected contacts.

DXCC is Amateur Radio's premier award that hams can earn by confirming 
on-the-air contacts with 100 DXCC "entities 
<http://www.arrl.org/country-lists-prefixes>," most of which are 
countries in the traditional sense. You can begin with the basic DXCC 
award and work your way up to the DXCC Honor Roll. Learn more 
<http://www.arrl.org/rules>. /-- ARRL Awards Branch Manager Bill Moore, 
NC1L/

Getting It Right!

The article "The ARRL Centennial QSO Party Starts January 1, 2014!" in 
/The ARRL Letter/, October 17, 2013, inadvertently omitted 20 meters 
from the list of qualifying bands.

Solar Update

Solar Sage Tad "House of the Rising Sunspot" Cook, K7RA, reports from 
Seattle: Solar activity, including sunspots, increased this week, 
suggesting that we are now in the midst of a second peak in cycle 24.

Sunspot numbers this week ran up all the way to 228, a level not seen 
since October 27 through November 1, 2003, when the daily sunspot 
numbers were 238, 230, 330, 293, 266, and 277. Prior to that, on January 
11, 2003, the daily sunspot number was 238.

Average daily sunspot numbers increased more than 35 points to 162 (when 
compared to the previous 7 day period, October 10-16).

Average daily solar flux increased more than 13 points to 139.6. 
Geomagnetic indices indicate a quiet geomagnetic field.

*Predicted solar flux this week:*

  *

    160, 165, 160, 155, and 150 on October 24-28

  *

    145 on October 29-30

  *

    135, 105, and 115 on October 31-November 2

  *

    120 on November 3-5

  *

    125 on November 6-10

  *

    130 on November 11

  *

    135 on November 12-13

*Predicted planetary A index:*

  *

    15, 25, 15 and 12 on October 24-27

  *

    8 on October 28-30

  *

    5 on October 31 through November 9

In Friday's bulletin look for an updated forecast as well as reader reports.

This Week in Radiosport

  *

    Oct 26-27 -- CQ World Wide SSB Contest

  *

    Nov 1 -- NS Weekly Sprint, CW

  *

    Nov 2-3-- Ukranian DX Contest, SSB+CW

  *

    Nov 2-3 -- Himalayan Contest, SSB+CW

  *

    Nov 2-3 -- Radio Club of America QSO Party, SSB

  *

    Nov 2-4 -- ARRL November Sweepstakes, CW

  *

    Nov 2-4 -- Collegiate ARC Championship, CW

  *

    Nov 3 -- DARC 10-Meter Digital "Corona"

  *

    Nov 4 -- OK1WC Memorial Contest, SSB+CW

  *

    Nov 5 -- ARS Spartan Sprint, CW

Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events

  *

    October 26 -- Delaware State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delaware-state-convention-delmarva-radio-electronics-expo>,
    Georgetown, Delaware**

  *

    November 2 -- Fall TechFest
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/2013-fall-techfest>, Lakewood, Colorado

  *

    November 2-3 -- Georgia Section Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/georgia-section-convention-stone-mountain-hamfest-computer-expo-2013>,
    Lawrenceville, Georgia

  *

    November 8-9 -- Midwest Division Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/midwest-division-convention-1>,
    Lebanon, Missouri

  *

    November 9 -- Atlantic Division Virtual Convention
    <http://www.atldiv.org/convention.htm> (Webinar)

  *

    November 9 -- All-Ohio ARES Conference
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/all-ohio-ares-conference>,
    Reynoldsburg, Ohio

  *

    November 16-17 -- Indiana State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/indiana-state-convention-fort-wayne-hamfest-and-computer-expo-1>,
    Fort Wayne, Indiana

  *

    December 6-7 -- West Central Florida Section Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/west-central-florida-section-convention-tampa-bay-hamfest-3>,
    Plant City, Florida

  *

    January 5 -- NYC/LI Section Convention
    <http://hamradiouniversity.org/>, Bethpage, New York

  *

    January 17-18 -- North Texas Section Convention
    <http://www.cowtownhamfest.org/>, Fort Worth, Texas

  *

    January 19-26 - Quartzfest Convention <http://www.quartzfest.org/>,
    Quartzite, Arizona

  *

    January 24-25 -- Mississippi State Convention
    <http://hamfest.msham.org/>, Jackson, Mississippi

  *

    January 25-26 -- Puerto Rico State Convention
    <http://www.arrlpr.org/>, Hatillo, Puerto Rico

  *

    January 31-February 1 -- Southern Florida Section Convention
    <http://hamboree.org/>, Miami, Florida

Find conventions and hamfests in your area <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests>.

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

*ARRL *-- *Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information *

Join or Renew Today! <http://www.arrl.org/join> ARRL membership includes 
/QST <http://www.arrl.org/qst>/, Amateur Radio's most popular and 
informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.

Listen to /ARRL Audio News/ <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>, 
available every Friday.

Subscribe to...

/NCJ <http://www.ncjweb.com/>//-- National Contest Journal 
<http://www.ncjweb.com/>/. Published bi-monthly, features articles by 
top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO 
Parties.

/QEX <http://www.arrl.org/qex>//**-- A Forum for Communications 
Experimenters <http://www.arrl.org/qex>/. Published bi-monthly, features 
technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items of 
interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe 
<http://www.arrl.org/myarrl-account-management#%21/edit-info-email_subscriptions> 
to the /ARES E-Letter/ (monthly public service and emergency 
communications news), the /ARRL Contest Update/ (bi-weekly contest 
newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and much more!

Find us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org>. Follow us on 
Twitter <http://twitter.com/arrl>.

	Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2013-10-24&t=r&p=0>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2013-10-24&t=r&p=1>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2013-10-24&t=r&p=2>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2013-10-24&t=r&p=3>
Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2013-10-24&t=r&p=4>
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members 
may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their Member Data 
Page as described at http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/.

Copyright © 2013 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved

www.arrl.org <http://www.arrl.org/>





More information about the SFDXA mailing list