[SFDXA] The ARRL Letter for May 5, 2016

Thu May 5 18:58:39 EDT 2016

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The ARRL Letter

May 5, 2016
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=2016-05-05&t=t>

  * FCC Action Anticipated on ARRL's "Symbol Rate" /Petition for Rule
    Making/ <#toc01>
  * ARRL Contest Advisory Committee Conducting Youth in Amateur
    Radiosport Survey <#toc02>
  * Deadline is June 1 for US Radio Amateurs to Submit IARU Region 2 HF
    Band Plan Suggestions <#toc03>
  * ARRL EXPO at Dayton Hamvention^® to Incorporate International
    Interests <#toc04>
  * ARRL Aims to Connect Engineers, Educators, Students at IEEE
    International Microwave Symposium <#toc05>
  * The Doctor Will See You Now! <#toc06>
  * National Parks on the Air Update <#toc07>
  * Carole Perry, WB2MGP, to Moderate Hamvention^® Forums Focusing on
    Youth <#toc08>
  * No Need for Panic Regarding Synthetic Aperture Radars on 70
    Centimeters, ARRL CTO Says <#toc09>
  * /RFinder/ -- The Worldwide Repeater Directory Now Lets Users File
    Jamming Reports <#toc10>
  * Romania Puts Toe in the 5 MHz Waters with Scheduled Amateur Radio
    Testing <#toc11>
  * In Brief... <#toc12>
  * The K7RA Solar Update <#toc13>
  * Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc14>
  * Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions <#toc15>

FCC Action Anticipated on ARRL's "Symbol Rate" /Petition for Rule Making/

The FCC has put "on circulation 
<http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/circ_items.cgi>" its decision on the 
ARRL's /Petition for Rule Making/ (RM-11708 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/media/News/Petition%20for%20Rule%20Making%20AS-FILED%2011%2015%202013.pdf>), 
seeking to change the Amateur Service Part 97 rules to delete the symbol 
rate limit in §97.307(f) and replace it with a maximum bandwidth for 
data emissions of 2.8 kHz on amateur frequencies below 29.7 MHz. 
Proceedings on circulation are pending action by the full Commission, 
although there is a current backlog, and FCC action is not likely in the 
near future. ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, said the League has 
remained patient.

"While we had hoped for more responsive handling, it is understood that 
the large number of comments from radio amateurs on the /Petition/ took 
some time to sort out," he said. "It was good to note that the Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau has circulated a draft of what we presume to 
be a /Notice of Proposed Rule Making/ responsive to our /Petition/ to 
the Commissioners for their consideration. We hope to see the proposal 
released soon."

In its petition, the League asserted that the changes proposed would 
"relieve the Amateur Service of outdated, 1980s-era restrictions that 
presently hamper or preclude Amateur Radio experimentation with modern 
high frequency (HF) and other data transmission protocols" and would 
"permit greater flexibility in the choice of data emissions."

Symbol rate represents the number of times per second that a change of 
state occurs, and should not be confused with data (or bit) rate. 
Current FCC rules limit digital data emissions below 28 MHz to 300 baud, 
and between 28.0 and 28.3 MHz to 1200 baud. At one point, the 2013 
petition topped the FCC's list of "Most Active Proceedings 
<http://www.fcc.gov/rulemaking/most-active-proceedings>," attracting 
hundreds of comments. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-action-anticipated-on-arrl-s-symbol-rate-petition-for-rule-making>.

ARRL Contest Advisory Committee Conducting Youth in Amateur Radiosport 
Survey

The ARRL Contest Advisory Committee (CAC 
<http://www.arrl.org/arrl-staff-cac>) has been looking into how to 
attract more youngsters and youth into Amateur Radio contesting, and it 
has invited all hams, and especially young people, whether or not 
they're already radio amateurs, to take the Youth in Amateur Radiosport 
Survey 
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Txs_pjho6yAzwDZCZb5pbJvjf9ljcrPn2rMp_Kxr4kg/viewform?c=0&w=1>.

"Please spread the word about the survey among your ham friends and 
local radio and contest clubs," said CAC Chair George Wagner 
<mailto:K5KG at arrl.net>, K5KG, adding that the CAC would like to see more 
young people engaged in "the thrill and challenge of competitive ham 
radio contesting -- also called 'radiosport.'" Wagner and fellow CAC 
member Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, plan to hand out survey announcement cards 
at Dayton Hamvention <http://www.hamvention.org/>^® -- Johnson at the 
NCDXF booth and Wagner at Carole Perry's, WB2MGP, Youth Forum and at the 
ARRL Youth Rally <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-youth-rally>.

As an initial step, the CAC is gathering information about where and how 
young people are currently involved in radiosport. It's contacting ham 
radio clubs, contest clubs, private schools, international youth ham 
radio organizations, and the general public. The committee is using 
surveys, focus groups, and even face-to-face meetings to check "the lay 
of the land" about youth and radiosport in today's world, Wagner said.

Radio contests grew out of attempts in the early 1900s to transmit and 
receive signals across the Atlantic, essentially the beginning of the 
use of the "short waves" to span such long distances. Contests have 
allowed hams to practice message handling -- used during emergency 
communication -- as well as to gauge their own operator proficiency and 
their station's performance. Over time, contests grew and flourished to 
the point where many hams today pursue contests as their primary ham 
activity.

"For those who participate in radiosport, it provides a thrill that's 
often compared to roller coaster rides or video gaming or big game 
hunting," commented CAC member Don Daso, K4ZA. "There's just something 
about contacting a great number of people all over the world as fast as 
possible, or talking to someone -- just like yourself, at a station like 
your own -- on the opposite side of the world, and doing it without 
using a giant infrastructure or even a huge outlay of money."

Like many types of competitions, this "sport," Daso said, can be addictive.

The survey will continue to accept input until August 31. Scan the QR 
code above, or visit the online survey <tinyurl.com/YouthHamRadio> to 
participate.

Deadline is June 1 for US Radio Amateurs to Submit IARU Region 2 HF Band 
Plan Suggestions

US radio amateurs have until June 1 to submit suggestions to the ARRL 
Board of Directors' HF Band Planning Committee regarding possible 
changes to the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU 
<http://www.iaru.org/>) Region 2 Band Plan 
<http://www.iaru-r2.org/band-plan/>. That band plan and other 
significant Amateur Radio spectrum issues will be on the agenda for the 
IARU Region 2 General Assembly in Chile this fall. The ARRL joins other 
IARU member societies in the Americas in seeking input from the amateur 
community on the Region 2 HF Band Plan. The HF Band Planning Committee 
will review the current plan, consider comments from US radio amateurs, 
and recommend any changes to the ARRL Board for submission to IARU Region 2.

"The ARRL HF Band Planning Committee wants to stress that the IARU 
Region 2 Band Plan is a voluntary guideline and does not supersede FCC 
regulations related to spectrum usage," Committee Chairman and ARRL 
Second Vice President Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, noted. He also pointed 
out two other issues for radio amateurs to consider.

  *

    Most Region 2 countries outside the US do not have the sort of
    detailed subband regulations contained in the FCC's Part 97. For
    radio amateurs in these countries, the Region 2 Band Plan may serve
    as the only source of guidance on spectrum usage.

  *

    The designation of a calling frequency or band segment for a
    particular purpose or mode in any IARU band plan does not convey any
    special rights or exclusivity of use. On the other hand, the
    /absence/ of a calling frequency or band segment associated with a
    particular purpose or mode should not suggest that these have been
    overlooked or are viewed negatively.

The Committee urges US radio amateurs who are considering suggesting 
revisions to the IARU Region 2 Band Plan first to study the existing 
IARU Region 2 Band Plan <http://www.iaru-r2.org/band-plan/>. They then 
should formulate a clear statement of any proposed changes, including a 
brief explanation of why each particular change would benefit all IARU 
Region 2 spectrum users. Participants should include their name and call 
sign.

Submit <mailto:bandplan2016 at arrl.org> input via e-mail by June 1, 2016. 
Messages will be automatically acknowledged. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/deadline-is-june-1-for-us-radio-amateurs-to-submit-iaru-region-2-hf-band-plan-suggestions>.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2016-05-05&p=0>
ARRL EXPO at Dayton Hamvention^® to Incorporate International Interests

ARRL EXPO <http://www.arrl.org/expo> -- the ARRL's "show within a show" 
-- at Dayton Hamvention <http://www.hamvention.org/>^® 2016 will 
incorporate the interests of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU 
<http://www.iaru.org/>) and of several IARU Member Societies. These will 
include the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL), which will be accepting 
applications for JARL awards; the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club (DARC 
<http://www.darc.de/>); the Qatar Amateur Radio Society (QARS 
<http://www.qsl.net/a71a/>), and the Radio Society of Great Britain 
(RSGB <http://rsgb.org/>). Hamvention takes place May 20-22 at Hara 
Arena, near Dayton, Ohio.

Visitors also may have cards checked to qualify for various JARL awards, 
and, once you've completed an application 
<http://www.arrl.org/jarl-award-forms>, JARL representatives can issue 
some popular JARL awards (AJD 
<http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/4_Library/A-4-2_Awards/Aw_ajd.htm>, WAJA 
<http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/4_Library/A-4-2_Awards/Aw_waja.htm>, ADXA 
<http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/4_Library/A-4-2_Awards/Aw_adxa.htm>) on 
the spot. JARL also will be accepting applications for the IARU Region 3 
Operating Award 
<https://www.nzart.org.nz/assets/awards/iaru-region-iii-log.pdf>. 
Certificates will be mailed to applicants after Hamvention.

ARRL staff and DXCC <http://www.arrl.org/dxcc-forms> volunteer card 
checkers will offer DXCC card checking and award application processing. 
Use the Online DXCC <https://p1k.arrl.org/onlinedxcc/> tool and save 
money on your application! Bring a printout of your application, card 
list, and cards -- in the order entered into the Online DXCC. ARRL 
members also may drop off their QSL cards to be sent through the ARRL 
Outgoing QSL Bureau <http://www.arrl.org/outgoing-qsl-service>. Sort 
cards by DXCC entity.

Greeting visitors on behalf of the IARU will be President Tim Ellam, 
VE6SH/G4HUA; and Secretary Rod Stafford, W6ROD; IARU and ARRL President 
Emeritus Larry Price, W4RA, and technical representative Peter Chadwick, 
G3RZP.

ARRL International Affairs Vice President Jay Bellows, K0QB, will also 
be on hand at ARRL EXPO.

Hamvention will host an International Relations booth within ARRL EXPO's 
international row to welcome and greet convention visitors from abroad.

For full details <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-expo> about ARRL activities 
and programs at Hamvention 2016, visit the ARRL EXPO web page.

ARRL Aims to Connect Engineers, Educators, Students at IEEE 
International Microwave Symposium

For the fourth consecutive year, the ARRL will be represented at the 
IEEE International Microwave Symposium (IMS <http://www.ims2016.org/>). 
The theme of the May 23-27 event in San Francisco is, "Connecting Minds. 
Exchanging Ideas." The IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society 
sponsors the conference and hosts meetings of its various technical 
committees. Dubbed "The World Series of RF," the IMS annually attracts 
some 10,000 wireless industry professionals, university educators, and 
STEM students. Hundreds of companies exhibit RF-related products. The 
IMS features 3 days of technical presentations along with continuous 
mini-presentations on the exhibit floor, including a panel session on 
Amateur Radio in Education at the university level. The League is 
encouraging industry professionals to visit the ARRL booth in the 
University area.

"This is an opportunity to share ideas on encouraging students and 
educators to become involved in Amateur Radio to further their personal 
and professional development," ARRL Contributing Editor Ward Silver, 
N0AX, said.

*A student design competition team at work during IMS 2015.*

"At the IMS, there is a student design competition 
<http://www.ims2016.org/students-main/student-design-competition> with a 
wide variety of challenges, ranging from wideband baluns to 
computer-aided design for microwave semiconductors," Silver pointed out. 
"Students also have paper and poster presentations. Universities have 
booths that present information on their wireless and RF programs." 
Silver will be managing the ARRL booth at IMS and helping to represent 
Amateur Radio.

A Ham Radio Social will be held on Tuesday, May 24. "It's a great 
opportunity to make connections and explore ideas after a busy day on 
the convention floor," Silver said. He invited IMS attendees to visit 
the ARRL booth to contribute their ideas and suggestions. Contact 
<mailto:n0ax at arrl.org> Silver if you're willing to assist at the ARRL 
booth. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-aims-to-connect-engineers-educators-students-at-ieee-international-microwave-symposium>.

The Doctor Will See You Now!

"Open Wire Feed Lines" is the focus of the current (May 5) episode of 
the "ARRL The Doctor is In <http://www.arrl.org/doctor>" podcast. 
Listen...and learn!

Sponsored by DX Engineering <http://www.dxengineering.com/>, "ARRL The 
Doctor is In" is an informative discussion of all things technical. 
Listen on your computer, tablet, or smartphone -- whenever and wherever 
you like!

Every 2 weeks, your host, /QST/ Editor in Chief Steve Ford, WB8IMY, and 
the Doctor himself, Joel Hallas, W1ZR, will discuss a broad range of 
technical topics. You can also e-mail your questions to doctor at arrl.org 
<mailto:doctor at arrl.org>, and the Doctor may answer them in a future 
podcast.

Enjoy "ARRL The Doctor is In" on Apple iTunes 
<https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/arrl-the-doctor-is-in/id1096749595?mt=2>, 
or by using your iPhone or iPad podcast app (just search for "ARRL The 
Doctor is In"). You can also listen online at Blubrry 
<https://www.blubrry.com/arrl_the_doctor_is_in/>, or at Stitcher 
<https://www.stitcher.com/> (free registration required, or browse the 
site as a guest) and through the free Stitcher app for iOS, Kindle, or 
Android devices.

If you've never listened to a podcast before, download our beginner's 
guide <http://www.arrl.org/doctor>.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2016-05-05&p=1>
National Parks on the Air Update

ARRL has an opportunity for those traveling to Dayton Hamvention 
<http://www.hamvention.org/>® who want to activate an NPS unit for 
National Parks on the Air (NPOTA <https://npota.arrl.org/>)! ARRL has 
secured an operating permit with the Dayton Aviation Heritage National 
Historic Park in downtown Dayton. The special NPOTA activity will be 
available for visiting operators to enjoy activating an NPOTA unit 
without having to bring their own gear. The event will run from Friday, 
May 20, until Sunday, May 22, at the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center. 
Operations will be from 9 AM-5 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 9 AM-noon 
on Sunday.

ARRL Ohio Section Affiliated Club Coordinator John Myers, KD8MQ, is 
coordinating on-site operations for the event. He is looking for 
volunteers on Friday and Saturday who would be able to help visiting 
operators and/or explain NPOTA and Amateur Radio to non-ham park 
visitors. Even an hour or two of time as a volunteer would be helpful. 
Contact John Myers <mailto:kd8mq at arrl.net> to volunteer or to sign up 
for a 15-minute operating slot. All slots are available on a first-come, 
first-served basis and all operators are limited to one slot, to make 
this opportunity available to as many visitors as possible.

There are 47 activations scheduled for May 5-12, including the 
first-ever activation of Buck Island Reef National Monument in the US 
Virgin Islands, and the George Rogers Clark National Historic Site in 
Indiana.

Details <https://npota.arrl.org/nps-events.php> about these and other 
upcoming activations can be found on the NPOTA Activations calendar.

Keep up with the latest NPOTA news on Facebook 
<https://www.facebook.com/groups/NPOTA/>. Follow NPOTA on Twitter 
<http://www.twitter.com/> (@ARRL_NPOTA).

Carole Perry, WB2MGP, to Moderate Hamvention^® Forums Focusing on Youth

Noted Amateur Radio teacher and mentor Carole Perry, WB2MGP, will once 
again moderate Dayton Hamvention <http://www.hamvention.org>^® forums 
focusing on youth and youth activities. She will lead the League's 
Instructors' Forum on Friday, May 20, 10:30 AM-12 PM, and the Youth 
Forum on Saturday, May 21, 9:15 AM-12 PM. Among the Youth Forum 
presenters will be 9-year-old Hope Lea, KM4IPF, who will talk about her 
experiences in satellite work in "Talking Through the Birds."

*Carole Perry, WB2MGP. [QCWA photo]*

"The Youth Forum is where we showcase our best and brightest young 
hams," Perry said. "Eleven young hams will give presentations about 
their accomplishments and the fun they have in a variety of ham radio 
venues and experiences. Come support the future of our hobby and 
service! This is where young people will get to meet with other youngsters."

One young speaker, 17-year-old ARRL member Maria Lysandrou, KD9BUS, will 
appear at both the Youth Forum and the Instructors' Forum, but will 
deliver her "Attracting Females into Ham Radio" presentation -- about 
getting more women and girls interested in ham radio -- only at the 
Instructors' Forum.

"This year I have a record-breaking 11 young presenters at the Youth 
Forum," Perry explained. "So, in the interest of time, Maria has 
consented to speak at the Instructors' Forum and to be recognized along 
with the others at the Youth Forum."

Other Youth Forum speakers will include:

  *

    Kelsey Seymour, K3LSY, 17: "Preparing Yourself: An In-Depth Look at
    Go-Kits for Emergencies"

  *

    Brandon Geik, WA9REV, 16: "ARISS Contact" and "Cell Phones Down and
    Radios Up"

  *

    Eli Musgrave, KM4HFZ, 15, and Zach Haidari, KM4QIV, 14: "Discover
    the Fun and Magic of Digital Radio Communications"

  *

    Skyler Fennell, KD0WHB, 17: "Home Brewing on a Budget"

  *

    Jacob Nagel, AD0JA, 16: "Programming New Radios"

  *

    Marty Sullaway, KC1CWF, 14: "Home Brewing Fun"

  *

    William Ferguson, KJ4EYZ, 14: "Setting up a Radio Station to Chase DX"

  *

    Dhruv Rebba, KC9ZJX, 11: "Helping Communities in US and India with
    Radio Communications"

Perry said the Instructors' Forum is the meeting place for teachers, 
instructors, scoutmasters, youth club leaders, and others to network and 
share ideas about working with young people and ham radio.

Instructors' Forum speakers will include:

  *

    Bob Roschewsk, KA2PBT, "How to Advance Amateur Radio in the School
    System."

  *

    Lukas Purasson, KD2ISB, and Nick Roschewsk, KD2HBR, "Antennas and
    the Engineering Design Competition."

  *

    Sam Rose, KC2LRC, "Advantages of College Ham Radio Clubs."

A past Hamvention Ham of the Year, Perry has moderated the Dayton Youth 
Forum for 29 years.

No Need for Panic Regarding Synthetic Aperture Radars on 70 Centimeters, 
ARRL CTO Says

A recent BBC news article 
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36195562> regarding a 
synthetic aperture radar (SAR) contract award for operation within the 
70 centimeter band has raised some concern within the Amateur Radio 
community. The contract to Airbus Space would involve determining the 
density of Earth's forests using a P-band (432-438 MHz) SAR. That band 
segment was allocated for use by the Earth Exploration Satellite 
(Active) Service (EESS Active) at World Radiocommunication Conference 
2003 (WRC-03). ARRL Chief Technology Officer Brennan Price, N4QX, said 
SAR activity has not been found to be a significant problem to Amateur 
Radio activity on the 70 centimeter band. Both EESS (Active) and Amateur 
Radio are secondary on the band in International Telecommunication Union 
(ITU <http://www.itu.int/>) Regions 2 and 3 (Amateur Radio is co-primary 
with the Radiolocation Service in ITU Region 1), and Price said SAR 
operation is subject to significant constraints.

"The interference potential from one orbiting SAR to one fixed Amateur 
Radio station is on the order of less than 1 minute over an orbital 
period of more than 10 days," Price said. "Practically speaking, nearby 
electrical lines and Part 15 devices are more likely to be bothersome."

Price said news items in articles aimed at the general public are "often 
notoriously short" on technical details. ITU-R /Recommendation/ 
RS.1260-11 -- incorporated by reference in the ITU /Radio Regulations/ 
and binding on EESS (Active) stations -- spells out the WRC-03 consensus 
on SARs operating at 70 centimeters. Among other things, RS.1260-1 
states that EESS (Active) instruments operation profile "shall be 
campaign-oriented, targeted to specific geographical areas and shall 
limit the instrument active time to the minimum required to achieve the 
campaign objectives." Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/no-need-for-panic-regarding-synthetic-aperture-radars-on-70-centimeters-arrl-cto-says>.

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2016-05-05&p=2>
/RFinder/ -- The Worldwide Repeater Directory Now Lets Users File 
Jamming Reports

/RFinder/, the creator of a web and app-based directory of Amateur Radio 
repeaters worldwide, now includes the ability to report radio jamming 
anywhere. This feature is already available in /RFinder/'s Android app 
and should be available for iOS devices by the time of Dayton Hamvention 
<http://www.hamvention.org>^® . Those without a device or subscription 
can file reports <http://jamming.rfinder.net> online. Individuals or 
entities responsible for coordinating anti-jamming activities can also 
request access <http://jamcoordinator.rfinder.net> to view jamming 
reports for their area.

"Repeater jamming is a problem worldwide, [and] we've created a way of 
organizing anti-jamming activities worldwide," says Bob Greenberg, 
W2CYK, creator of /RFinder/. "We are evaluating some automated 
monitoring technology to integrate in the near future. This new feature 
just extends /RFinder/'s social features even further."

/RFinder/ includes more than 60,000 repeaters in some 170 countries 
around the globe. /RFinder/ is integrated directly with /EchoLink/ on 
both Android and iPhone and provides the ability to share repeater 
check-ins on Facebook, Twitter, and APRS. /RFinder/ is integrated with 
RT Systems and CHIRP radio programmers and has a routing feature 
<http://routes.rfinder.net>, where users can find repeaters worldwide 
over a given route. Video demos <http://youtube.rfinder.net> of 
/RFinder/ features are available on YouTube.

In February, ARRL announced it had established an agreement with 
/RFinder/ to be its preferred online resource of repeater frequencies. 
Subscribe <http://subscribe.rfinder.net> to /RFinder/ from your iPhone, 
iPad, or iPod Touch, or from your Android smartphone or tablet. The 
annual $9.99 subscription provides access to repeater data worldwide 
through /RFinder/'s collection of apps for Android and Apple devices, 
and from nearly any web browser. /RFinder/ will have an exhibit in the 
ARRL EXPO <http://www.arrl.org/expo> at Dayton Hamvention, May 20-22.

Romania Puts Toe in the 5 MHz Waters with Scheduled Amateur Radio Testing

Romania has tentatively joined the group of countries making a band at 5 
MHz -- as opposed to a set of discrete channels -- available to Amateur 
Radio. It has granted radio amateurs access to 5 MHz on a scheduled 
testing basis for approximately 1 year. Tests are aimed at ascertaining 
whether propagation is favorable for emergency communication. For now, 
the band is just 3 kHz wide -- 5363.5 to 5366.5 kHz. Permissible modes 
are CW, PSK, RTTY, and /WSJT/, at a maximum EIRP of 15 W. Romanian hams 
must register for the testing program. Initial testing in the sliver 
allocation will take place on Thursdays at around 1600 UTC.

Belgium recently made available to radio amateurs a 60 meter band that 
conforms with the allocation determined by World Radiocommunication 
Conference 2015 (WRC-15) -- 5351.5 to 5366.5 kHz (15 kHz) with an 
effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of up to 15 W, and all modes 
allowed.

Spain has renewed its temporary authorization at 5 MHz, which had ended 
last November, allowing the use of 5351.5 to 5366.5 kHz until the end of 
2016, with a maximum EIRP of 15 W, CW and SSB only. The band supplants 
six channels authorized previously.

Just days after WRC-15, the Netherlands opened a 100 kHz band for 
Amateur Radio use. Hams there may use 5350-5450 MHz at up to 100 W PEP. 
Article 4.4 of the ITU /Radio Regulations/ 
<http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-s/oth/02/02/S02020000244501PDFE.PDF> 
‎lets countries authorize frequency assignments contrary to the 
international /Table of Allocations/ only on a non-interference, 
non-protected basis.

The new 15 kHz worldwide band will not be available for use in the US 
until the FCC institutes a rule making proceeding and establishes 
operating parameters for the band. A set of five dedicated 5 MHz 
channels remains available to US radio amateurs. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/romania-puts-toe-in-the-5-mhz-waters-with-scheduled-amateur-radio-testing>.

In Brief...

*Digital Ops Invited to Take Part in 2016 Most Wanted DXCC Entities 
Survey:* Digital mode operators are invited to participate in the 2016 
Digital Mode Most Wanted Survey 
<http://survey.hamdocs.com/index.php/468764> -- previously known as the 
"RTTY Most Needed DXCC Entities 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/DXCC/dxcclist_mar_2016.txt> Survey." 
More than 350 digital mode operators took part in the last survey, 
conducted in 2011. Participants should read the "How to use the 2016 
Digital Mode DX Most Wanted Survey" at the top of the survey web page. 
The survey will be open until 2359 UTC on Friday, May 13, and results 
could be available prior to Dayton Hamvention 
<http://www.hamvention.org>^® . A new "Resume Later" feature has been 
added to the 2016 survey. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/digital-mode-operators-invited-to-take-part-in-2016-most-wanted-dxcc-entities-survey>.

*"Zorro" Miyazawa, JH1AJT, Receives "Intrepid Spirit Award" at Visalia:* 
The Intrepid-DX Group <http://www.intrepid-dx.com/> has named noted DXer 
and DXpeditioner Yasuo "Zorro" Miyazawa, JH1AJT, as the recipient of its 
4th annual Intrepid Spirit Award 
<http://www.intrepid-dx.com/awards.php>. The award recognizes his 
efforts in activating Eritrea, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. "We recognize 
Zorro's unselfish acts to activate these challenging and much needed 
entities," Intrepid-DX Group President Paul Ewing, N6PSE, said. "We 
acknowledge Zorro's pursuit of operating excellence and his quest to 
activate the rare and often difficult entities." The Intrepid Spirit 
Award was presented on April 16 at the International DX Convention in 
Visalia, California. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/zorro-miyazawa-jh1ajt-presented-with-intrepid-spirit-award-at-visalia>./-- 
Thanks to Paul S. Ewing, N6PSE/

*Meet the Author of /Contact Sport/ at Dayton:* Jim George, N3BB, the 
author of /Contact Sport/, which details the New England-based 2014 
World Radiosport Team Championship -- sometimes called "the Olympics of 
Ham Radio" -- will be at Dayton Hamvention <http://www.hamvention.org/>. 
George will be available to sign copies of his book, subtitled /a Story 
of Champions, Airwaves, and a One-Day race around the World/. Look for 
him at the Dayton Contest Dinner 
<http://www.northcoastcontesters.com/ncc-to-sponsor-contest-dinner-at-dayton-2016/> 
as well. A review of /Contact Sport/ appears in the May 2016 issue of 
/QST/. Buy the book at the ARRL Store 
<http://www.arrl.org/shop/Contact-Sport-Hardcover>.

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar activity increased last week -- 
one of those occasional upticks on the way down from the solar cycle peak.

Average daily sunspot numbers increased from 43.3 to 74.7, and average 
daily solar flux increased by 10 points to 91.9. The average planetary A 
index rose from 9.4 to 11.3, and the average mid-latitude A index went 
from 11.6 to 10.7.

The latest forecast has solar flux at 95 on May 5; 100 on May 6-9; 95 on 
May 10-15; 90 on May 16; 82 on May 17-22, and 85 on May 23. Solar flux 
is forecast to rise above 100 on May 31 through June 6.

The predicted planetary A index is 5 on May 5-6; 12 and 15 on May 7-8; 
25 on May 9-10; then 20, 15, 5, and 12 on May 11-14; 5 on May 15-18, and 
12, 15, 12, and 8 on May 19-22,

Sunspot numbers for April 28 through May 4 were 84, 82, 82, 76, 75, 57, 
and 67, with a mean of 74.7. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 94.9, 92.4, 
94, 92.2, 89.8, 90, and 90.1, with a mean of 91.9. Estimated planetary A 
indices were 5, 4, 7, 16, 31, 11, and 5, with a mean of 11.3. Estimated 
mid-latitude A indices were 6, 3, 9, 16, 26, 11, and 4, with a mean of 10.7.

Send <mailto:k7ra at arrl.net> me your reports and observations.

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------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just Ahead in Radiosport

  *

    May 5 -- NRAU 10 Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)

  *

    May 7 -- Microwave Spring Sprint (CW, phone, digital)

  *

    May 7 -- FISTS Spring Slow Speed Sprint (CW)

  *

    May 7-8 -- 7th Call Area QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

  *

    May 7-8 -- Delaware QSO Party (CW, phone)

  *

    May 7-8 -- Indiana QSO Party (CW, phone)

  *

    May 7-8 -- New England QSO Party (CW, phone)

  *

    May 7-8 -- 10-10 International Spring Contest (CW)

  *

    May 7-8 -- ARI International DX Contest (CW, phone, digital)

  *

    May 7-8 -- F9AA Cup (PSK)

  *

    May 7-8 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)

  *

    May 11 -- RSGB 80 Meter Club Championship (digital)

  *

    May 12 -- NAQCC CW Sprint

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

  *

    May 7 -- South Carolina Section Convention <http://brars.org/>,
    Spartanburg, South Carolina

  *

    May 13-15 -- Rocky Mountain Division Convention
    <http://www.hamconcolorado.org/>, Keystone, Colorado

  *

    May 14 -- Iowa State Convention <http://3900club.com/>, Boone, Iowa

  *

    May 20-22 -- Dayton Hamvention <http://www.hamvention.org/>, Dayton,
    Ohio

  *

    June 3-5 -- Northwestern Division Convention
    <http://www.seapac.org/>, Seaside, Oregon

  *

    June 4 -- Georgia Section Convention
    <http://www.atlantahamfest.com/>, Marietta, Georgia

  *

    June 5 -- Western Pennsylvania Section Convention
    <http://breezeshooters.org/>, Prospect, Pennsylvania

  *

    June 10-11 -- West Gulf Division Convention
    <http://www.hamcom.org/>, Irving, Texas

  *

    June 18 -- Tennessee State Convention <http://www.w4bbb.org/>,
    Knoxville, Tennessee

  *

    July 2 -- Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention
    <http://www.w3uu.org/>, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

  *

    July 8-9 -- Northern Florida Section Convention
    <http://www.miltonarc.org/>, Milton, Florida

  *

    July 8-9 -- Utah State Convention
    <http://thegreatsaltlakehamfest.org/>, Sandy, Utah

  *

    July 22-23 -- Oklahoma Section Convention
    <http://www.hamholiday.com/>, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

  *

    July 29-31 -- Central States VHF Conference
    <http://2016.csvhfs.org/>, Rochester, Minnesota

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

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

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