[SFDXA] The ARRL Letter for June 22, 2017

Bill bmarx at bellsouth.net
Thu Jun 22 19:15:00 EDT 2017


Preview

If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
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The ARRL Letter

June 22, 2017
Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME <mailto:ww1me at arrl.org>
ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/> 	
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	Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/>

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  * Hamvention Reports Second-Largest Attendance Ever for 2017 Show <#toc01>
  * More State and Local Governments Honor Amateur Radio in Advance of
    Field Day 2017 <#toc02>
  * W1AW Announces Field Day Bulletin Schedule <#toc03>
  * The Doctor Will See You Now! <#toc04>
  * President to Name Jessica Rosenworcel for New FCC Term <#toc05>
  * China Launches Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio Transponders <#toc06>
  * Thirteen US Schools/Groups Move Closer to Hosting ARISS Contacts
    <#toc07>
  * US Fish and Wildlife Service Okays Baker Island DXpeditions, with
    Strict Conditions <#toc08>
  * INSPIRE-2 Ground Controllers Turn to Amateur Radio to Rescue Stalled
    Satellite <#toc09>
  * Hundreds of Stations Report Hearing /WSPR/ Signal from Canada C3
    Expedition <#toc10>
  * In Brief... <#toc11>
  * The K7RA Solar Update <#toc12>
  * Just Ahead in Radiosport <#toc13>
  * Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions <#toc14>

Hamvention Reports Second-Largest Attendance Ever for 2017 Show

The tally is in, and Hamvention^® 2017, at its new venue in Xenia, Ohio, 
attracted 29,296 attendees, official spokesperson Mike Kalter, W8CI, 
told ARRL. That is the second-largest attendance in the history of the 
event. Hamvention attendance peaked in 1993 at 33,669, before the 1996 
change in date from April to May, when the show was still being held at 
Hara Arena. Attendance in 2016 for the show's final year at Hara was 
25,364. Hamvention relocated to the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo 
Center this year, after Hara Arena closed last summer. Hamvention 
General Chair Ron Cramer, KD8ENJ, called 2017 "a most successful year."

"We knew this would be a big year, but this was even beyond our 
expectations," Cramer said. "The challenge was great to reinvent 
Hamvention at a new venue in a very short time period. From all the 
e-mails, letters, and calls I have received over the last few weeks, we 
have accomplished it successfully." Cramer expressed appreciation for 
all constructive criticisms and said each idea is being evaluated. Held 
May 19-21, Hamvention 2017 has received largely positive reviews, 
despite traffic problems on opening day and heavy rain during the weekend.

"We all recognize the traffic, rain, mud, and parking issues, but part 
of those issues were corrected even before show weekend was over," 
Cramer said. "Other issues are being worked on already for next year's 
show." He and Kalter said the Hamvention Committee has joined Greene 
County, municipal officials, and the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo 
Center Advisory Board in addressing improvements for 2018. Kalter and 
Cramer also thanked the 657 volunteers who put in long hours to make 
Hamvention 2017 a reality. The Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) 
sponsors Hamvention.

"We can't control the rain, but we promise there will not be some of the 
other issues next year," Cramer said. "There may even be some new 
surprises in store," he added, pointing out that Hamvention has 3 more 
months to plan for the 2018 event than it did for this year's. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/hamvention-reports-second-largest-attendance-ever-for-2017-show>.

More State and Local Governments Honor Amateur Radio in Advance of Field 
Day 2017

Additional state and local governments have taken the opportunity to 
honor Amateur Radio in the form of various proclamations, as ARRL Field 
Day approaches. These proclamations arrived too late for inclusion in 
last week's edition of /The ARRL Letter/.

  * In Indiana, Governor Eric Holcomb has proclaimed June 19-25 as
    Amateur Radio Week. He cited Field Day's function as an emergency
    preparedness exercise and recognized Amateur Radio's role in
    emergency response and communication support for public events.

  * The Board of Supervisors of Ventura County, California, has
    proclaimed June as Amateur Radio Month in recognition of Field Day.
    "Amateur Radio operators are committed to the values of community
    service, continuous training, staying current with advances in
    technology, providing mentorship to new operators, and never
    charging for their services," the proclamation said. It cited Field
    Day as "a 24-hour exercise that simulates field operations under
    emergency conditions."

  * The borough of Audubon, New Jersey, has proclaimed June 19-25 as
    Amateur Radio Week in the Camden County community. The proclamation
    notes that radio amateurs work with federal, state, and borough
    community services to provide communication support during times of
    natural disasters, severe weather, and other emergencies, as well as
    for public events. It specifically points to Amateur Radio support
    during Hurricane Sandy and other weather-related events that
    affected New Jersey.

  * In Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Wolf, has proclaimed June as Amateur
    Radio Month. "Amateur Radio is both a hobby and service to the
    community," Wolf wrote in his proclamation. "I applaud all the men
    and women who graciously volunteer their time and talents to benefit
    their communities."

  * Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has proclaimed June 18-25 as
    Amateur Radio Week. His proclamation cited the role that "dedicated
    Amateur Radio operators" play in providing emergency communication
    support, particularly in times of severe weather. He also cited
    Amateur Radio's volunteer support to "charitable causes and public
    service events."

  * In Wyoming, Governor Matthew Mead has proclaimed June 19-25 as
    Amateur Radio week, citing ham volunteers' role in providing
    communication support and in the SKYWARN program. "Wyoming radio
    amateurs continue to improve their communication skills by operating
    in the 24-hour emergency simulation known as 'Field Day' on June
    24-25," the proclamation said.

  * The city of Wichita, Kansas, has proclaimed June 19-25 as Amateur
    Radio Week. Wichita Amateur Radio Club President Marc Hammann,
    K0VFW, accepted a proclamation from the Mayor Jeff Longwell and the
    City Council on June 20. The proclamation cites the role of radio
    amateurs in providing emergency and public service communication,
    promoting STEM educational initiatives, and the SKYWARN program.

  * The city of Goose Creek, South Carolina, Mayor Michael Heitzler has
    proclaimed June 19-25 as Amateur Radio Week there. The proclamation
    calls Amateur Radio a valuable tool during emergencies, such as
    hurricanes. "Amateur Radio has once again proved its undisputed
    relevance in the modern world," the proclamation states. "Amateur
    Radio has continued to provide a bridge between peoples, societies,
    and countries by creating friendships and the sharing of ideas."
  *

    The village of Skokie, Illinois, has proclaimed June 19-25 as
    Amateur Radio Week. The proclamation signed by Mayor George Van
    Dusen, cites Amateur Radio's communication support role in emergency
    response and public events and its participation in the SKYWARN program.

Field Day is Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25. The Field Day Locator 
<http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator> will display the locations of 
Field Day sites that are open to the public and news media.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
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W1AW Announces Field Day Bulletin Schedule

Maxim Memorial Station W1AW at ARRL Headquarters has announced its Field 
Day 2017 bulletin schedule 
<http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Field-Day/2017/2017%20W1AW%20Sked.pdf>.

The Maritime Radio Historical Society (MRHS 
<http://www.radiomarine.org/>) station K6KPH will transmit the W1AW 
Field Day 2017 bulletin for the benefit of west coast stations.

W1AW will operate on its regularly published frequencies.

CW: 1.8025, 3.5815, 7.0475, 14.0475, 18.0975, 21.0675, 28.0675, and 
147.555 MHz.

Digital: 3.5975, 7.095, 14.095, 18.1025, 21.095, 28.095, and 147.555 MHz.

Phone: 1.855, 3.990, 7.290, 14.290, 18.160, 21.390, 28.590, and 147.555 MHz.

W1AW will transmit the Field Day bulletin using 45.45-baud Baudot 
(RTTY), PSK31 in BPSK mode, and MFSK16, in that order.

The W1AW EchoLink <http://www.echolink.org/> conference server W1AWBDCT 
will also carry the W1AW Field Day bulletin in real time during the 
transmissions.

K6KPH will transmit on CW on these frequencies: 3.5815, 7.0475, 14.0475, 
18.0975, and 21.0675 MHz. K6KPH will transmit using RTTY, BPSK31, and 
MFSK16, in that order, on 7.095 and 14.095 MHz. The K6KPH schedule is 
accurate as of June 19, 2017.

Additional transmissions or schedule changes will be posted 
<http://www.arrl.org/Field-Day>.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Doctor Will See You Now!

"Generators" is the topic of the new (June 22) 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>.

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President to Name Jessica Rosenworcel for New FCC Term

In a low-key announcement on June 13, President Donald Trump indicated 
that he plans to nominate former FCC Commission member Jessica 
Rosenworcel to fill the open Democratic slot on the FCC. Rosenworcel 
served on the Commission from 2012 to 2016, leaving at the end of last 
year after the US Senate was unable to extend her term before time ran 
out on that session of Congress. Rosenworcel has been a vocal supporter 
of net neutrality and supported rules drafted by then-FCC Chairman Tom 
Wheeler that would treat internet providers more like utilities. The 
FCC's new Republican Chairman, Ajit Pai, has reversed course on that 
initiative.

"I congratulate Jessica Rosenworcel on the announcement that President 
Trump will nominate her to serve another term on the Federal 
Communications Commission," Pai said in a prepared statement. "She has a 
distinguished record of public service, including the 4 1/2 years we 
worked together at this agency, and I look forward to working with her 
once again to advance the public interest."

Rosenworcel also has advocated for FCC initiatives that seek to close 
what she calls "the homework gap" stemming from disparities in the 
availability of broadband service, especially in rural communities, 
which can hamper the ability of students in those areas to use the 
internet for school assignments. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer 
formally recommended Rosenworcel's appointment to the open FCC slot.

The lone Democratic member on a now three-member FCC is Mignon Clyburn. 
The other Republican member is Michael O'Rielly. President Trump is 
expected to announce a Republican candidate to the FCC, to return the 
Commission to its full five-member complement. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/president-to-name-jessica-rosenworcel-for-new-fcc-term>.

China Launches Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio Transponders

CAMSAT has announced that two Amateur Radio payloads piggybacked on the 
optical remote-sensing microsatellites OVS-1A and OVS-1B were launched 
on June 15 from China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The primary 
launch mission is a hard X-ray modulation telescope satellite. The 
Amateur Radio payloads are designated CAS-4A and CAS-4B.

CAS-4A (call sign BJ1SK) carries an inverting U/V linear transponder, 
with a CW telemetry beacon at 145.888 MHz and 4.8 kb GMSK telemetry at 
145.835 MHz. The transponder uplink is 435.220 MHz; the downlink is 
145.870 MHz.

CAS-4B (call sign: BJ1SL) carries an essentially identical inverting U/V 
linear transponder, with a CW telemetry beacon at 145.910 MHz and GMSK 
telemetry at 145.890 MHz. The transponder uplink is 435.280 MHz; the 
downlink is 145.925 MHz.

"The frequencies of transponders are center frequencies, and 
uplinks/downlinks are both 20 kHz wide," CAMSAT's Alan Kung, BA1DU, 
explained. "The transponders are linear and good for SSB/CW operation."

Both CAS-4A and CAS-4B are equipped with quarter-wave monopole antennas 
for VHF and UHF./-- Thanks to Alan Kung, BA1DU/CAMSAT/

Ad <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2017-06-22&p=2>
Thirteen US Schools/Groups Move Closer to Hosting ARISS Contacts

Thirteen schools and organizations have moved into the second phase of 
the selection process to host the earthbound end of an Amateur Radio 
contact with an International Space Station (ISS) crew member. Amateur 
Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS <http://www.ariss.org/>) 
is in the process of selecting schools and groups to host ARISS 
school/group contacts during the first half of 2018.

The 13 prospective hosts will now submit ground station equipment plans. 
These must demonstrate the ability of the school or organization to 
execute the ham radio contact. Once final equipment plans are approved 
by the ARISS technical team, finalists will be placed on the schedule 
according to their availability and flexibility to match the scheduling 
opportunities that NASA makes available.

A primary goal of the ARISS program is to engage young people in 
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities, and 
to raise their awareness of space exploration, Amateur Radio, 
communications, and related career possibilities.

The schools and organizations are:

  * Bellefonte Area Middle School, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
  * Central Islip Union Free School District, Central Islip, New York
  * Central Magnet Math & Science Elementary School, Batesville,Arkansas
  * Freeport Public Schools, Freeport, New York
  * Indian Trails Middle School, Winter Springs, Florida
  * Mill Springs Academy, Alpharetta, Georgia
  * Moore Square GT/AIG Magnet School, Raleigh, North Carolina
  * Mooreland Heights Elementary, Knoxville, Tennessee
  * Museum of Science & Technology with Danforth Middle School,
    Syracuse, New York
  * Parkside Middle School, San Bruno, California
  * Pinson Valley High School, Pinson, Alabama
  * Salado Intermediate School, Salado, Texas
  * Students for the Exploration & Development of Space, College
    Station, Texas

ARISS is a cooperative venture of AMSAT, ARRL, and NASA in the US, and 
other international space agencies and Amateur Radio organizations 
around the world. Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/thirteen-us-schools-groups-move-closer-to-hosting-ariss-contacts>.

US Fish and Wildlife Service Okays Baker Island DXpeditions, with Strict 
Conditions

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS <https://www.fws.gov/>) has agreed 
that a DXpedition to Baker and Howland Islands (KH1) -- the fourth 
most-wanted DXCC entity -- would be an acceptable use, but has detailed 
strict conditions under which it would issue a special use permit (SUP). 
The FWS recently completed a compatibility determination for Amateur 
Radio operation on Baker Island National Wildlife Refuge, and two dozen 
comments 
<https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_1/NWRS/Zone_1/Pacific_Reefs_Complex/Baker_island/Sections/News/News_Items/response%20to%20comments%20Baker%20v6.12.17.pdf> 
showed "strong support" for Amateur Radio operation on the ecologically 
sensitive island refuge, the FWS said. Baker Island is 1,830 nautical 
miles southwest of Honolulu -- an 8-day voyage.

"While...not a wildlife-dependent public use according to National 
Wildlife Refuge Administration Act of 1966, as amended, Amateur Radio 
operation is a use that assists in the management of the resources 
indirectly," the FWS said in its Compatibility Determination 
<https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_1/NWRS/Zone_1/Pacific_Reefs_Complex/Baker_island/Sections/News/News_Items/CD_Baker%20Island%20NWR_Amateur%20Radio_final%20v.6.9.17.pdf>, 
released on June 8. "By allowing Amateur Radio operators to visit the 
PRIMNM [Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument] refuges, the 
refuges benefit through the ability of staff to visit remote island 
sites to monitor wildlife populations, habitats, detect invasive species 
introductions, and perform management actions that would otherwise 
require the Service to charter a vessel."

Citing an estimated cost of at least $250,000 to charter a vessel with a 
14-day layover, the FWS noted that "most of the remote island refuges 
within the PRIMNM are rarely visited due to budget constraints."

Baker and Howland Islands are part of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine 
National Monument (PRIMNM 
<https://www.fws.gov/refuge/pacific_remote_islands_marine_national_monument/>), 
created by former President George W. Bush under the authority of the 
Antiquities Act of 1906. The monument was expanded by President Barack 
Obama.

The Compatibility Determination mandated 18 stipulations for Amateur 
Radio DXpeditions visiting the refuge. A DXpedition to the refuge could 
last up to 14 days, with only 12 days of radio operation.

*The last DXpedition to Baker Island took place in April and May of 2002.*

"Complete avoidance of seabird colonies will minimize nest disturbance 
and prevent burrow nest cave-ins," the FWS said in its Compatibility 
Determination. "Activities on Baker Island will always attract the land 
crabs that inhabit this location. All efforts must be taken to avoid 
inadvertently feeding or entrapping these animals."

The FWS would also have to approve QSL cards to ensure that they include 
"an informative or educational statement about the refuge." Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/us-fish-and-wildlife-service-okays-baker-island-dxpeditions-with-strict-conditions>/-- 
Thanks to /The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com>/, FWS/

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INSPIRE-2 Ground Controllers Turn to Amateur Radio to Rescue Stalled 
Satellite

Amateur Radio came to the rescue of the INSPIRE-2 
<http://sydney.edu.au/inspire-cubesat/project/index.shtml> CubeSat, 
built by the University of Sydney in collaboration with the Australian 
National University, and the University of New South Wales. According to 
the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), the CubeSat is designed to 
"explore the lower thermosphere, for re-entry research and in-orbit 
demonstration of technologies and miniaturized sensors" and is part of 
the QB-50 constellation of research CubeSats. Its operational frequency 
was coordinated by IARU <http://www.iaru.org> to be in the satellite 
segment of the 70-centimeter Amateur Radio band.

After its deployment from the International Space Station (ISS) in late 
May, INSPIRE-2 showed no signs of life. The engineering group on the 
ground tested various scenarios on the INSPIRE-2 engineering model, 
concluding that the spacecraft's battery had depleted due to the 
CubeSat's extended stay on board the ISS prior to orbit. The ground 
controllers theorized that the satellite was trapped in an endless loop, 
but was still listening while trying to deploy its antenna, making 
reception of signals from Earth difficult.

The ground team devised a set of commands that, if received, would 
instruct the satellite to wait until its battery was charged before 
attempting to deploy its antenna. UNSW and ANU ground stations 
transmitted the recovery command without success, however, eventually 
deciding that more power was needed to overcome the lack of receiver 
sensitivity caused by the still-stowed antenna.

PI9CAM at the CAMRAS Foundation Dwingeloo Astronomic Observatory in 
Leiden, the Netherlands, responded to a call to the moonbounce community 
and offered to transmit a high-power signal using a 25-meter dish that's 
normally used for radio astronomy but also for EME.

Success of the approach was confirmed on June 11, and Dimitrios 
Tsifakis, VK1SV, who is part of the ANU team, was subsequently able to 
send commands to the satellite from the ANU Earth station for the first 
time. The satellite had come back to life!

WIA called it, "a wonderful example of successful collaboration between 
radio amateurs and the academic community." /-- Thanks to WIA News./ 
Read more 
<http://www.arrl.org/news/inspire-2-ground-controllers-turn-to-amateur-radio-rescue-stalled-satellite>.

Hundreds of Stations Report Hearing /WSPR/ Signal from Canada C3 Expedition

Hundreds of Amateur Radio stations have reported receiving the /WSPR/ 
<https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wspr.html> signal being 
transmitted by CG3EXP on 20, 30, and 40 meters from the Canada C3 
<https://canadac3.ca/en/homepage/> expedition to track the vessel /Polar 
Prince/ <https://canadac3.ca/en/expedition/the-ship/> as it transits 
Canada from east to west via the Northwest Passage in 150 days to 
celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary. This marks the first time that 
/WSPR/ has been used to track a vessel. The expedition, which started on 
June 1, will continue until October 28, ending in Victoria, British 
Columbia. It's currently on the third 
<https://canadac3.ca/en/expedition/the-legs/baie-comeau-to-charlottetown/> 
of 15 planned legs <https://canadac3.ca/en/expedition/the-legs/> of its 
journey, en route from Baie-Comeau, Quebec, to Charlottetown, Prince 
Edward Island. The 220-foot-long /Polar Prince/, a former Canadian Coast 
Guard vessel, is a research icebreaker.

*The /Polar Prince/.*

CG3EXP has been transmitting on 20, 30, and 40 meters at 20-minute 
intervals since leaving Toronto on June 1. The CG3EXP WSPR HF end-fed 
antenna, on the ship's port side, slopes up to the mid mast at 62° -- 
some 46 feet of insulated wire, approximately 0.5 λ on 30 meters. A live 
tracking link <http://www.qrp-labs.com/c3.html>, generated by QRP Labs, 
the supplier of the transmitting hardware, is being hosted by Jeff 
Milne, VE3EFF.

Stations with an HF receiver and the free /WSPR/ 
<https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wspr.html>//application can 
receive the CG3EXP signals directly from the ship on 40, 30, or 20 
meters, and the location can be gated to the internet and tracked on 
WSPRnet <http://wsprnet.org/drupal/wsprnet/map>.

The project is seeking radio amateurs who are in close radio proximity 
to the route to receive the CG3EXP signal using the /WSPR/ application 
on their existing equipment and uploading the data to the internet. This 
can be entirely automated via the /WSPR/ application.

For more information, contact <mailto:cg3exp at storm.ca> Barrie Crampton, 
VE3BSB./-- Thanks to Radio Amateurs of Canada/

In Brief...

*FCC Chairman to Appoint New Enforcement Bureau Chief: *FCC Chairman 
Ajit Pai has announced 
<https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-345446A1.pdf> that he 
intends to appoint Rosemary C. Harold to serve as chief of the 
Enforcement Bureau. Michael Carowitz, who has been serving as acting 
bureau chief, will become the Bureau's deputy chief. Harold is an 
attorney with experience within the FCC agency and in private practice; 
she's also a former journalist. "This agency has a critical role to play 
in enforcing the law to protect consumers and support competition in the 
communications marketplace," Pai said. "Our Enforcement Bureau has been 
getting back on track in recent months, and I am confident in Rosemary's 
ability to continue this progress." Pai also praised Carowitz's work as 
acting chief. "Michael's steady hand at the helm of this important 
Bureau has helped us stay on task in protecting consumers and enforcing 
the law," Pai said. The Enforcement Bureau is charged with enforcing the 
Communications Act, FCC rules, and various licensing terms and 
conditions. It also investigates instances of possible unlawful conduct 
involving the regulated RF spectrum.

*13 Colonies Special Event Returns July 1-7:* The ninth annual "13 
Colonies Special Event" will take place July 1-7, with activity starting 
at 1300 UTC on July 1 and continuing until 0400 on July 7 (the evening 
of July 6 in US time zones). Participating stations try to contact all 
13 Colony Stations plus two Bonus Stations -- a clean sweep, a la ARRL 
November Sweepstakes. Stations in each of the original 13 colonies will 
be on the air using 1 × 2 special event call signs. The bonus stations 
will be WM3PEN in Philadelphia and GB13COL in Durham, England. Call 
signs and their respective states are K2A, New York; K2B, Virginia; K2C, 
Rhode Island; K2D, Connecticut; K2E, Delaware; K2F, Maryland; K2G, 
Georgia; K2H, Massachusetts; K2I, New Jersey; K2J, North Carolina; K2K, 
New Hampshire; K2L, South Carolina, and K2M, Pennsylvania. Additional 
information <http://www.13colonies.net/> is on the 13 Colonies website.

*Ulrich Rohde, N1UL, Wins Prestigious W.G. Cady Award:* Well-known 
scientist and radio amateur Ulrich Rohde, N1UL, is the recipient of the 
2017 W.G. Cady Award <http://www.eftf-ifcs2017.org/2017-awards/>, "for 
pioneering research, development, and commercialization of 
signal-generating and processing devices for commercial and scientific 
applications." Sponsored by the IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and 
Frequency Control (UFFC) Society, the Cady Award recognizes outstanding 
contributions related to the fields of piezoelectric or other classical 
frequency control, synthesis, and measurement; and resonant sensor 
devices. Recipients are selected by the IFCS/EFTF Joint Program Committee.

The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Average daily sunspot numbers rose 
over the June 15-21 reporting week, from 4.9 to 29.4. The previous week 
saw 4 days with no sunspots, and this week there were no zero-sunspot 
days, hence the dramatic increase in the average. Average daily solar 
flux nudged from 74.4 to 74.6

The average daily planetary A index went from 7.3 to 9.4, and the 
mid-latitude A index from 6.9 to 8.1.

Predicted solar flux is 75 on June 22-28; 74 on June 29-July 4; 75 on 
July 5-7; 77 on July 8-9; 74 on July 10-14; 75 on July 15-17; 74, 72, 
and 74 on July 18-20; 70 on July 21-23; 74 on July 24-31, and 75 on 
August 1-3.

Predicted planetary A index is 8 on June 22; 12 on Jun 23-24; 10 and 8 
on June 25-26; 5 on June 27-July 12; 20 and 12 on July 13-14; 10 on July 
15-16; 5 on July 17-18; 8 on July 19; 12 on July 20-21; 10 and 8 on July 
22-23, and 5 on July 24-August 5.

Conditions for ARRL Field Day this weekend should be good. The planetary 
A index had been predicted at 5, but the current weekend projection is 
for 12 and 10; certainly workable. Predicted solar flux is 75 for both days.

Sunspot numbers for June 15-21 were 28, 28, 28, 27, 26, 34, and 35, with 
a mean of 29.4. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 77.4, 73.5, 74.8, 74.9, 
73.6, 74.4, and 73.7, with a mean of 74.6. Estimated planetary A indices 
were 4, 25, 15, 10, 5, 3, and 4, with a mean of 9.4. Estimated 
mid-latitude A indices were 5, 18, 12, 9, 7, 3, and 3, with a mean of 8.1.

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

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Just Ahead in Radiosport

  *

    June 24 -- UFT QRP Contest (CW)

  *

    *June 24-25 -- **ARRL Field Day
    <http://www.arrl.org/field-day>**(Phone, CW, digital)*

  *

    June 24-25 -- Battle of Carabobo International Contest (CW, phone)

  *

    June 24-25 -- His Majesty the King of Spain Contest (SSB)

  *

    June 24-25 -- Ukrainian DX DIGI Contest (Digital)

  *

    June 28 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)

See the ARRL Contest Calendar <http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar> for 
more information. For in-depth reporting on Amateur Radio contesting, 
subscribe to /The ARRL Contest Update/ 
<http://www.arrl.org/contest-update-issues> via your ARRL member profile 
e-mail preferences.

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

  *

    Jul 7-8 -- Northern Florida Section Convention
    <http://miltonarc.org/>, Milton, Florida

  *

    July 14-16 -- Montana State Convention <http://www.gwhamfest.org/>,
    Essex, Montana

  *

    July 21-22 -- Oklahoma State Convention <http://hamholiday.com/>,
    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

  *

    July 27-30 -- Central States VHF Society Conference
    <http://2017.csvhfs.org/>, Albuquerque, New Mexico

  *

    August 4-5 -- South Texas Section Convention
    <http://www.austinsummerfest.org/>, Austin, Texas

  *

    August 4-6 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention
    <http://pacificnwdxconvention.com/>, Spokane, Washington

  *

    Aug 11-13 -- New Mexico State Convention
    <https://dukecityhamfest.org/>, Albuquerque, New Mexico

  *

    August 12 -- Delta Division Convention
    <http://www.shreveporthamfest.com/>, Shreveport, Louisiana

  *

    August 18-20 -- West Virginia State Convention
    <http://qsl.net/wvsarc/>, Weston, West Virginia

  *

    August 19-20 -- Alabama State Convention <http://www.hamfest.org/>,
    Huntsville, Alabama

  *

    August 20 -- Kansas State Convention <http://www.w0cy.org/>, Salina,
    Kansas

  *

    September 1-3 -- North Carolina State Convention
    <http://www.shelbyhamfest.org/>, Shelby, North Carolina

  *

    September 8-10 -- New England Division Convention
    <http://boxboro.org/>, Boxboro, Massachusetts

  *

    September 9 -- Virginia Section Convention <http://vbhamfest.com/>,
    Virginia Beach, Virginia

  *

    September 10 -- New Jersey State Convention <http://w2mmd.org/>,
    Mullica Hill, New Jersey

  *

    September 15-16 -- W9DXCC Convention <http://www.w9dxcc.com/>,
    Schaumburg, Illinois

  *

    September 15-17 -- Southwestern Division Convention
    <http://www.hamconinc.org/>, Torrance, California

  *

    September 23 -- Iowa State Convention
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/iowa-state-convention-1>, Sergeant
    Bluff, Iowa

  *

    September 23 -- Washington State Convention
    <http://www.n7cfo.com/amradio/hf/hf.htm>, Spokane Valley, Washington

  *

    September 30 -- North Dakota State Convention
    <http://www.rrra.org/>, West Fargo, North Dakota

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

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

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