[TVARC] Amateur Radio Parity Act

[Don Blough]

A couple of years ago, I believe that it was on this reflector that Sen.
Nelson accepts PAC money from the HOA associations. I know that a lot of
letters has been sent to him about this issue

On Jul 28, 2018 4:16 PM, "K2PS Pete Stafford" <psk2ps at gmail.com> wrote:

> Wow, Frank.  You really get results!
>
>
>
> 73, Pete, K2PS
>
>
>
> *From:* tvarc-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:tvarc-bounces at mailman.
> qth.net] *On Behalf Of *Ronald Adcock
> *Sent:* Saturday, July 28, 2018 3:45 PM
> *To:* Frank M
> *Cc:* Reflector
> *Subject:* Re: [TVARC] Amateur Radio Parity Act
>
>
>
> Hey Frank,
>
>
>
> I appreciate your post on the reflector.
>
>
>
> Yesterday I attended the Democratic meeting at the Wildwood community
> center.  There were a lot of people there, but I did get to talk to Sen.
> Nelson for about 3 minutes.  Obviously you can't get a lot done in that
> short a period of time, and I will follow the meeting up with a letter.  (I
> introduced myself as a ham, not as representing the TVARC.)  Following our
> brief discussion (I did most of the talking) I asked if I could leave some
> information with his staff.  He pointed me toward one of his aides.  I gave
> the fellow a copy of the ARRL's FAQs  on the Amateur Radio Parity Act.
>
>
>
> I have no illusion that this brief contact will change the senator's
> mind.  But, I will continue to remind him that there are a lot of us who
> would appreciate his reconsidering his position on this issue.
>
>
>
> I'm generally not a single issue voter, so this will be only one of many
> issues I will think about when I vote.
>
>
>
> I don't know what Gov. Scott's position is on the ARPA issue, but it would
> not hurt to develop positive relationships with those who disagree with us
> as well as with those who agree.
>
>
>
> Thanks again for sharing your thoughts on this matter.
>
>
>
> 73
>
>
>
> Ron K4YCW
>
>
>
> On Sat, Jul 28, 2018 at 9:32 AM Frank M <phrankxm at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I think it would be wise for Amateur Radio Operators to learn about the
> apparently very negative role of US Senator Bill Nelson from FLORIDA
> regarding the AmateurRadio Parity Act.
>
> It appears that he does not represent the interests of hams and it appears
> that he does not support the role of hams in providing aid to the state of
> Florida and the people of FLORIDA during emergencies!?
>
>
>
> Independent of party affiliation, I would find it difficult to support US
> Senator Bill Nelson!!
>
>
>
> This is not intended to be a political message. This is from a ham who is
> concerned about support to all hams!!
>
>
>
> Frank KA1AF
>
>
> http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2018-07-26
> ARRL Letter
>
> [image: The ARRL Letter]
>
>    - FCC Proposes $18,000 Fine in Louisiana Amateur Radio Interference
>    Case
>    - Parity Act Options Open Despite Removal from Defense Authorization
>    Act Conference Report
>    - The Doctor Will See You Now!
>    - Broadcast-Quality Audio Processor Donated to W1AW
>    - Significant Changes in Store for FT8 and MSK144 with *WSJT-X*
>    Version 2.0
>    - More ARRL Contest Award Certificates Now Available for Download
>    - Ducie Island VP6D Team Awaiting its Turn at Baker Island KH1/KH7Z
>    Radios
>    - Astro-Ham Alexander Gerst, KF5ONO, Jams with Kraftwerk for Festival
>    Audience
>    - In Brief...
>    - The K7RA Solar Update
>    - Just Ahead in Radiosport
>    - Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
>
> FCC Proposes $18,000 Fine in Louisiana Amateur Radio Interference Case
>
> The FCC has issued a *Notice of Apparent Liability* (*NAL*
> <https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-18-762A1.pdf>) proposing to
> fine Jerry W. Materne, KC5CSG, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, $18,000 "for
> apparently causing intentional interference and for apparently failing to
> provide station identification on amateur radio frequencies," the FCC said.
>
> "Mr. Materne was previously warned regarding this behavior in writing by
> the Enforcement Bureau and, given his history as a repeat offender, these
> apparent violations warrant a significant penalty," the FCC said in the
> *NAL*, released on July 25.
>
> In 2017, the FCC received numerous complaints alleging that Materne, a
> General-class licensee, was causing interference to the South West
> Louisiana Amateur Repeater Club W5BII repeater, preventing other amateur
> licensees from using it. In March 2017, the repeater trustee banned Materne
> from using the repeater.
>
> Responding to some of the complaints, the Enforcement Bureau issued a *Letter
> of Inquiry *(*LOI*), advising Materne of the allegations and directing
> him to address them. Materne denied causing interference, but admitted to
> operating simplex on the repeater's output frequency. In June 2017, the FCC
> received an additional complaint alleging that Materne had repeatedly
> interfered with an attempted emergency net that was called up as Tropical
> Storm Cindy was about to make landfall. The complaint maintained that
> Materne "repeatedly transmitted on the repeater's input frequency,
> hindering the local emergency net's ability to coordinate weather warnings
> and alerts on behalf of the National Weather Service," the FCC said in the
> *NAL*.
>
> Local amateurs were able to track the interfering signal to Materne's
> residence and confirmed their findings to the FCC, prompting a *Warning
> Letter* advising Materne of the complaint and pointing out that his
> behavior "as described in the complaint would be a violation of Section
> 97.101(d) of the Commission's rules." Materne responded to the *Warning
> Letter* to argue that it was legal to transmit on the repeater's output
> frequency, further stating that "he was tired of this trash harassing me,"
> the FCC said.
>
> In the wake of further complaints, FCC agents visited Lake Charles,
> tracked transmissions on 146.130 MHz to Materne's residence, and monitored
> them for up to 7 hours. The agent reported hearing Materne "playing music
> on 146.130 MHz and warning other amateur operators that the local Amateur
> Radio club would not be able to conduct their net later that day."
>
> That evening, the agent watched as Materne drove to a location near the
> W5BII repeater, where, the agent said, Materne "began transmitting an
> amateur digital radio signal from a hand-held radio in his vehicle,"
> disrupting the net and failing to identify. Subsequently, the agent,
> accompanied by a deputy from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office,
> approached Materne's vehicle and confirmed that he possessed a radio
> capable of operating on 146.130 MHz. "Audio recordings captured by the
> agent demonstrate that the intentional interference ceased as the agent and
> the Sheriff's deputy approached Mr. Materne's vehicle," the FCC said in the
> *NAL*. Read more
> <http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-proposes-18-000-fine-in-louisiana-amateur-radio-interference-case>
> .
>
> Parity Act Options Open Despite Removal from Defense Authorization Act
> Conference Report
>
> ARRL Hudson Division Director and ad hoc Legislative Advocacy Committee
> Chair Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, said this week's removal of Amateur Radio
> Parity Act <http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-parity-act> (HR 555)
> language from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) *Conference
> Report*
> <https://docs.house.gov/meetings/RU/RU00/20180724/108627/CRPT-115HRPTConferenceReporttoAccompanyHR5515-.pdf>
> was unfortunate, but does not kill the initiative. The Parity Act would ask
> the FCC to grant radio amateurs living in deed-restricted communities the
> right to install effective outdoor antennas. Lisenco said that while the
> language was removed from the final NDAA *Conference Report*, other
> viable options remain to see the Parity Act succeed.
>
> "We were disappointed the Parity language didn't survive the conference
> process, but we do have other House-passed legislative vehicles that
> contain the language, including the Financial Services & General Government
> Appropriations bill, which funds the FCC," Lisenco said.
>
> "We have always known that getting this legislation across the finish line
> was going to take a lot of effort," Lisenco said. "The legislative process
> is sometimes frustrating for ARRL members, but there is a way that our
> membership can be directly involved," Lisenco explained. "By contacting
> your Representative and Senators and telling them you want their support
> for the Amateur Radio Parity Act, you can help lend thousands of voices to
> echo the work of the ad hoc Legislative Advocacy Committee on Capitol Hill."
>
> "It's not unusual for legislation to stall in Congress. To remove the
> logjam, we need our elected representatives in both chambers to know how
> much of a priority this bill is for our avocation," Lisenco explained. "The
> continued active support of ARRL members is critical in order to do that."
>
> Lisenco said that Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) has been the lead
> obstructionist during several stages of efforts to enact the Amateur Radio
> Parity Act, which has passed the US House of Representatives four times.
> Lisenco added that that Nelson's opposition makes no sense, as Florida
> desperately needs effective Amateur Radio disaster communications during
> hurricanes, and hurricane season is rapidly approaching.
>
> ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, said the House-passed version of
> the NDAA included the Parity Act language, but the Senate bill did not, and
> a House-Senate conference committee had to resolve a variety of differences
> in the two passed bills. He said the Senate Armed Services Committee
> Ranking Member was one of the "Big Four" who would have had to agree to
> keep the Parity Act in the final NDAA *Conference Report*, but
> unfortunately, he deferred to Nelson on the matter; without Senator
> Nelson's opposition to the bill, it would have passed Congress long ago.
>
> Imlay has assured ARRL members that the Parity Act would be beneficial to
> the many thousands of amateurs now living in deed-restricted communities,
> as it would allow those hams to erect effective outdoor antennas
> notwithstanding the preclusive language of covenants or homeowner
> association (HOA) regulations.
>
> "That is the principal benefit of this legislation," he said. "As I see
> it, without the Parity Act, Amateur Radio will, over a relatively short
> period of time, face death by a thousand cuts, as more and more communities
> are subject to private land use regulations that prohibit antennas
> entirely."
>
> Lisenco said it was important to keep the legislative efforts in context.
> "A decade ago, our bill was being introduced every 2 years and gathering
> less than 2 dozen cosponsors before being forgotten and tossed in the heap.
> Since we've created the ad hoc Legislative Advocacy Committee, we have seen
> the bill pass the House of Representatives four times in less than 2 years
> and come within a hair of the President's desk," Lisenco continued.
> "Momentum is clearly on our side, and the wind is at our backs. We need our
> membership's active engagement to provide that final push to propel the
> Parity Act across the finish line."
>
> [image: Ad] <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2018-07-26&p=0>
>
> The Doctor Will See You Now!
>
> "Zero Beating" is the topic of the current (July 19) 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 email your questions to 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>.
>
> Just ahead: "Antenna Rotators."
>
> Broadcast-Quality Audio Processor Donated to W1AW
>
> Orban Labs <https://www.orban.com/>, headquartered in Pennsauken, New
> Jersey, has donated a state-of-the-art audio processor -- the all-digital
> 9300 OPTIMOD-AM -- to ARRL. Orban Labs Vice President of Business
> Development Mike Pappas, W9CN, arranged for the donation with the intention
> of improving the audio quality transmitted by W1AW during its evening phone
> bulletins. The 9300 OPTIMOD-AM is used worldwide at broadcast stations that
> want the best possible "sound."
>
> W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, installed the 9300 OPTIMOD-AM into
> W1AW's audio chain. After making necessary setup adjustments and working
> with instructions that Pappas provided, he determined that overall average
> modulation had increased and audio clarity was improved.
>
> At that point, though, it became apparent that some low-level hum in the
> station's audio chain was sneaking in prior to the new processor. The hum
> was traced to the station's audio distribution amplifier. ARRL Lab
> volunteer Tim Smith, WA1HLR, offered up a homebrew method of using a
> passive (non-amplified) distribution method. After construction and
> installation of the new audio distribution system and some level
> adjustments, W1AW's audio chain was passing world-class audio with no trace
> of hum on its transmitted signals.
>
> "We greatly appreciate the donation of the Orban 9300 OPTIMOD-AM," ARRL
> Assistant Laboratory Manager Bob Allison, WB1GCM, said. "W1AW audio quality
> is improved, with increased average power output, while still occupying the
> same transmitted bandwidth. ARRL thanks Mike Pappas for arranging this
> significant donation and Tim Smith for his technical assistance."
>
> W1AW wants your opinion on its new sound. Listen for W1AW's phone bulletin
> 0145 UTC on 1.855, 3.990, 14.290, 18.160, 21.390, 28.590, and 50.350 MHz
> (SSB), as well as on 7.290 MHz (full-carrier, double sideband AM), and on
> 147.555 MHz (FM simplex). Send <w1aw at arrl.org> brief signal reports to
> W1AW.
>
> [image: Ad] <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2018-07-26&p=1>
>
> Significant Changes in Store for FT8 and MSK144 with *WSJT-X* Version 2.0
>
> *WSJT-X <https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html>*
> co-developer Joe Taylor, K1JT, has announced that major changes are coming
> to the FT8 and MSK144 digital protocols when *WSJT-X* version 2.0 arrives
> in a few months. Taylor said version 2.0 should be ready by January.
>
> "Much of the necessary programming is finished," Taylor said in a post to
> the Packrats reflector. "Many of the new features have been tested on the
> air, and we find them to work well."
>
> Taylor was quick to point out that the new capabilities are not yet
> publicly available, not even in beta form. He said that he, Steve Franke,
> K9AN, and Bill Somerville, G4WJS, have been developing "enhanced versions
> of the MSK144 and FT8 protocols that extend the message payload to 77 bits."
>
> "Don't rush to download something," he cautioned. "There is more testing
> and code optimization to do." He said current plans call for a beta-testing
> period "probably starting in mid-to-late September," with a full release
> "possible a couple of months later."
>
> Taylor ticked off a few possibilities *WSJT-X* version 2.0 will bring to
> the table:
>
> ·  ARRL Field Day operation with standard Field Day exchanges.
>
> ·  ARRL RTTY Roundup operation with standard contest exchanges.
>
> ·  North American VHF contest operation with full support of grid
> exchanges and rover (/R) call signs.
>
> ·  European VHF contest operation with the exchange of six-digit grids,
> QSO serial numbers, and portable (/P) call signs.
>
> ·  Better and more user-friendly support for compound and nonstandard
> call signs.
>
> ·  A special "telemetry" message format for exchanging arbitrary
> information up to 71 bits.
>
> ·  Support for the existing "FT8 DXpedition Mode," with a more powerful
> DXpedition Mode possible too.
>
> "All of these features work seamlessly and automatically," Taylor said.
> "No 'contest mode' checkboxes are needed. In most situations, decoding
> sensitivity will be slightly better than at present for FT8; for MSK144 it
> will sometimes be about 0.5 dB worse. Occupied bandwidths will be the same
> as they are now, and false-decode rates will be significantly lower."
>
> Taylor said *WSJT-X* version 2.0 will be available in time for users to
> digest the new documentation and to practice using the software before
> actually using it on the air, but he offered one important caveat. "The new
> protocols cannot be backward compatible with the existing ones," he said in
> his post. "We will probably provide some temporary 'bilingual' capability
> for FT8, but not for MSK144. It will be essential for users to upgrade to
> version 2.0 in order to use the new features and communicate with others
> who have made the upgrade."
>
> Taylor promised "plenty of advance notice" about the transition period and
> a must-upgrade-by date.
>
> More ARRL Contest Award Certificates Now Available for Download
>
> The ARRL Contest Branch has announced that more contest award certificates
> are now available for download <http://contests.arrl.org/certificates.php>
> from the ARRL website in PDF and JPEG formats. Just enter the call sign
> used. ARRL Contest Branch Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, said downloadable
> certificates now are available for these additional events: the 2017 ARRL
> 10 GHz and Up Contest, the 2017 November Sweepstakes, the 2017 ARRL 10
> Meter Contest, the 2017 160 Meter Contest, the 2018 RTTY Roundup, and the
> 2018 January VHF Contest. Jahnke said 2018 ARRL International DX Contest
> certificates would become available in the very near future.
>
> Already available are downloadable certificates for the 2017 IARU HF
> Championship, the 2017 ARRL 222 MHz and Up Distance Contest, and the 2017
> ARRL September VHF Contest. Jahnke said the new online certificates will
> offer enhanced content over what has been previously available on ARRL
> certificates. New recognitions have been added for Top 10 participants in a
> broader number of geographical (country, Division, Section) or categorical
> entries.
>
> New event certificates will be announced as they are released. For those
> who never received a certificate or need to replace one, Jahnke said
> certificates for contests going back a decade or so are available for
> everything but the old UHF Contest and EME Contest.
>
> [image: Ad] <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2018-07-26&p=2>
>
> Ducie Island VP6D Team Awaiting its Turn at Baker Island KH1/KH7Z Radios
>
> Operators on the upcoming VP6D Ducie Island <https://vp6d.com/>
> DXpedition, set for October 20 - November 3, are looking forward to their
> turn at the Elecraft radio equipment used by the KH1/KH7Z Baker Island team
> during its just-ended DXpedition. In a recent news release, the VP6D team
> reported that its plans to activate Ducie Island this fall are on schedule,
> and the Baker Island radio gear has been returned to Elecraft for
> inspection, testing, and refurbishing. Members of the VP6D team will travel
> to California in early August to get the gear ready for shipment to New
> Zealand. Team member Jacky Calvo, ZL3CW, will then transfer the shipment to
> the M/V *Braveheart*, which will carry the VP6D team from New Zealand to
> its operating destination. Nigel Jolly, K6NRJ, is the captain of the
> *Braveheart*.
>
> The VP6D team said it is planning to use FT8 as part of its mode mix on
> Ducie. "There's no question that the Baker team had considerable success
> with FT8," the VP6D release said. "However, a large percentage of the
> callers weren't prepared for the challenges of this new mode. We ask
> everyone to please read the *FT8 DXpedition Mode User Guide*
> <https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/FT8_DXpedition_Mode.pdf>. It
> will be in everyone's best interest if callers use the most recent software
> version, correctly configure their equipment, call VP6D above 1,000 Hz, and
> call in the correct sequence."
>
> The VP6D DXpedition intends to use Twitter and Facebook to update the DX
> community on its progress through regular updates. Seven operating
> positions are planned for 160 - 10 meters, SSB/CW/digital, including FT8.
>
> While on Ducie Island, DXpedition team members will undertake some
> non-radio related activities. They will collect soil and plant specimens
> for study by the National Antarctic Scientific Centre of Ukraine to use in
> their climate change research. The Pitcairn Island government has issued a
> permit for the specimens to be collected and removed from the island, the
> news release said.
>
> An uninhabited atoll, Ducie Island is a British Overseas Territory in the
> Pitcairn Islands in the South Pacific. The last Ducie Island DXpedition was
> VP6DX in 2008. Ducie is currently the 21st most-wanted DXCC entity,
> according to Club Log. It's believed that this would be the fourth
> DXpedition to Ducie.
>
> Sponsored by the Perseverance DX Group (PDXG <http://pdxg.net/>), the
> VP6D Ducie Island DXpedition welcomes support
> <https://vp6d.com/index.php/support/donation> from individuals or clubs.
> Direct questions to Team Ducie <info at vp6d.com>.
>
> Astro-Ham Alexander Gerst, KF5ONO, Jams with Kraftwerk for Festival
> Audience
>
> European Space Agency (ESA) Astronaut Alexander Gerst, KF5ONO, had the
> opportunity on July 20 to sit in from space
> <http://blogs.esa.int/alexander-gerst/2018/07/21/good-evening-kraftwerk/>
> with German pioneers of electronic music, Kraftwerk. Gerst accompanied the
> four band members, each on synthesizers, using a tablet device equipped to
> serve as a mini-synthesizer as part of the Jazz Open Festival
> <https://www.jazzopen.com/programm/kraftwerk.html> held on Schlossplatz,
> the largest square in Stuttgart, Germany. Gerst appeared on a huge screen
> behind the four members of Kraftwerk.
>
> "Never thought that the first concert I [would] ever play in is with the
> legendary Kraftwerk, let alone jamming live from space with them, from the
> 'Spacelab 2.0' *Columbus* directly to Stuttgart," Gerst tweeted
> afterward. He was in the ESA *Columbus* module for the event, attended by
> about 7,500 Earthlings, and began his part of the concert by "sneaking in"
> the well-known five-note melody from the film, "Close Encounters of the
> Third Kind." As Gerst explained, "It just fit too perfectly."
>
> Before joining Kraftwerk for the musical portion of the occasion, Gerst,
> speaking in his native German, said, "I want you to come along with
> me...with us...on this fantastic journey." Gerst will be aboard the ISS
> until December.
>
> [image: Ad] <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2018-07-26&p=3>
>
> In Brief...
>
> *The ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC) has issued another
> call for papers.* Technical papers are sought for presentation at the
> DCC, set for September 14 - 16 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and for
> publication in the *Conference Proceedings* published by ARRL. Conference
> presentation is not required for publication. Papers are due by July 31 to
> Maty Weinberg, KB1EIB, ARRL, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111, or via
> email <maty at arrl.org>. The ARRL/TAPR DCC is an international forum for
> radio amateurs to meet, publish their work, and present new ideas and
> techniques. Topics include, but are not limited to, software-defined radio,
> digital voice systems, digital satellite communications, precision timing,
> digital signal processing, APRS, spread spectrum, networking over Amateur
> Radio, wireless networking protocols, and topics that advance the Amateur
> Radio art. Submission guidelines
> <http://www.tapr.org/dcc.html#dccsubmissionguidelines> are on the TAPR
> website.
>
> *More Slow-Scan TV transmissions from the International Space Station are
> just ahead. *Russian cosmonauts on the International Space Station are
> expected to activate Amateur Radio Slow-Scan Television (SSTV)
> transmissions on 145.800 MHz FM on July 30 and 31 The SSTV experiment
> should be active on Monday, July 30, 1600 - 1930 UTC, and Tuesday, July 31,
> 1325 - 1915 UTC, using the RS0ISS call sign. SSTV images will be
> transmitted using the Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver in the Russian ISS
> Service Module. Format is expected to be PD-120. More information
> <https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/iss-sstv/> on SSTV from the ISS is on the
> AMSAT-UK website.
>
> *The region of Italy that is home to the birthplace of wireless pioneer
> Guglielmo Marconi will host the next World Radiosport Team Championship, **WRTC
> 2022* <http://wrtc2022.it/>*. *The official announcement that the Italian
> host committee's proposal had been selected came from WRTC Sanctioning
> Committee Chairman Tine Brajnik, S50A, at the close of WRTC 2018 in
> Germany. "Thank you for trusting us," WRTC 2022 Organizing Committee member
> Carlo De Mari, IK1HJS, told the WRTC 2018 audience. "It will be a very big
> challenge. Fingers crossed, everybody!" In a formal announcement, Brajnik
> said the Italian committee's application "was well prepared, and, knowing
> their determination, we all expect another outstanding meeting and
> competition among the world's best contesters, in the Emilia-Romagna
> region."
>
> *CQ World Wide Contest rules have been updated.* *CQ* has announced
> <http://cqww.com/blog/2018-cq-ww-rules-updated/> that, effective with the
> 2018 contest season, some modifications to the CQ World Wide Contest rules
> <https://cqww.com/rules.htm> have been developed and approved by the
> contest committee. The "busted call/NIL" penalty is reduced from 3× to 2×.
> Email addresses for log submissions have been removed, and the committee
> now "strongly prefers" using web uploads <http://cqww.com/logcheck/> to
> submit logs. Paper logs will still be accepted. The 10× penalty for "rubber
> clocking" with MS/M2 entries has been eliminated, although the committee
> "will continue to vigorously pursue time abuses." Also, the observer
> program has been eliminated. "Given the absence of a reasonable pool of
> volunteers and supporting funding, the program has proven to be
> impractical," *CQ* said. In addition, the top entry in the "Rookie"
> category will be awarded on a one-time-only basis. Previous Rookie winners
> are ineligible for plaques in this category. Submit
> <https://cqww.com/contact/> questions via the CQ WW "Contact Form" page.*
> -- Thanks to John Dorr, K1AR, CQ World Wide Contest Director*
>
> The K7RA Solar Update
>
> Tad Cook, K7RA Seattle, reports: A single small sunspot appeared on July
> 21, then disappeared. Before that, no sunspots had appeared since June 26.
> The daily sunspot number on July 21 was 11 -- the minimum non-zero sunspot
> number. Because there were no sunspots over the previous week, average
> daily sunspot numbers increased from 0 to 1.6, while average daily solar
> flux declined from 71.8 to 68.4.
>
> The average daily planetary A index changed from 6.4 to 8.1, and the
> average daily mid-latitude A index (measured in Virginia) increased from
> 6.1 to 8.
>
> Predicted solar flux is much lower than recently expected. Expected flux
> values (based on the September 25 prediction) are 66 on July 26 - August 1;
> 68 on August 2-10; 70 on August 11-18; 68 on August 19 - September 6, and
> 70 on September 7-8.
>
> Predicted planetary A index is 10 on July 26-27; 8 on July 28-29; 5 on
> July 30 - August 11; 8 on August 12-13; 5 on August 14-15; 7, 12, 5, 10,
> 25, and 15 on August 16-21; 10 on August 22-23; 8 on August 24-25; 5 on
> August 26 - September 7, and 8 on September 8.
>
> Sunspot numbers for July 19 - 25 were 0, 0, 11, 0, 0, 0, and 0, with a
> mean of 1.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 70.5, 70.5, 70, 68.2, 67, 66.9,
> and 65.8, with a mean of 68.4. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 7, 11,
> 5, 4, 17, and 9, with a mean of 8.1. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were
> 4, 7, 10, 5, 4, 16, and 10, with a mean of 8.
>
> In Friday's bulletin, look for an updated forecast and reports from
> readers, including extensive sporadic-E activity observed by N8II. Send
> <k7ra at arrl.net> your reports and observations.
> ------------------------------
>
> Just Ahead in Radiosport
>
> ·  July 28-29 -- RSGB IOTA Contest (CW, phone)
>
> ·  July 29 -- ARS Flight of the Bumblebees (CW)
>
> ·  August 2 -- NRAU 10-Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
>
> ·  August 2 -- 1.8-28 SKCC Sprint Europe (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
> email preferences.
> ------------------------------
>
> Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
>
> ·  July 27-28 -- Oklahoma Section Convention <http://www.hamholiday.org/>,
> Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
>
> ·  August 2-5 -- YLRL 2018 Convention <http://ylrlconvention.org/>,
> Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
>
> ·  August 3-4 -- Texas State Convention <http://www.austinsummerfest.org/>,
> Austin, Texas
>
> ·  August 3-5 -- Pacific Northwest DX Convention
> <http://pacificnwdxconvention.com/>, New Westminster, British Columbia,
> Canada
>
> ·  August 4-5 -- Midwest Division Convention <http://www.w0gq.org/>,
> Central City, Iowa
>
> ·  August 18-19 -- Southeastern Division Convention
> <http://www.hamfest.org/>, Huntsville, Alabama
>
> ·  August 19 -- Kansas State Convention <http://www.w0cy.org/>, Salina,
> Kansas
>
> ·  August 24-26 -- West Virginia State Convention <http://qsl.net/wvsarc/>,
> Weston, West Virginia
>
> ·  August 31-September 2 -- Roanoke Division Convention
> <http://shelbyhamfest.org/>, Shelby, North Carolina
>
> ·  September 1 -- Pennsylvania State Convention <http://www.w3pie.org/>,
> Uniontown, Pennsylvania
>
> ·  September 7-9 -- New England Division Convention <http://boxboro.org/>,
> Boxborough, Massachusetts
>
> ·  September 7-9 -- Northwest APRS Convention
> <https://tinyletter.com/nwaprssg>, North Bend, Washington
>
> ·  September 8 -- Kentucky State Convention
> <http://louisvillehamfest.com/>, Shepherdsville, Kentucky
>
> ·  September 8 -- Virginia Section Convention
> <http://virginiabeachhamfest.com/>, Virginia Beach, Virginia
>
> ·  September 14-16 -- W9DXCC Convention <http://w9dxcc.com/>, Schaumburg,
> Illinois
>
> ·  September 15 -- Wyoming State Convention
> <http://www.wyominghamcon.org/>, Rock Springs, Wyoming
>
> ·  September 16 -- Southern New Jersey Section Convention
> <http://w2mmd.org/>, Mullica Hill, New Jersey
>
> ·  September 21-22 -- W4DXCC/SEDCO Convention <http://www.w4dxcc.com/>,
> Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
>
> ·  September 21-23 -- Rocky Mountain Division Convention
> <http://dukecityhamfest.org/>, Albuquerque, New Mexico
>
> ·  September 22 -- Washington State Convention
> <http://www.n7cfo.com/amradio/hf/hf.htm>, Spokane Valley, Washington
>
> ·  September 28-29 -- Wisconsin State Convention <http://hamradio.com/>,
> Milwaukee, Wisconsin
>
> ·  September 29 -- 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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> .
>
> .
>
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