XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated, rec.radio.amateur.policy, rec.radio.info

********************************************
The ARRL Letter

Published by the American Radio Relay League ********************************************

July 21, 2022

John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, Editor <news@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/> IN THIS ISSUE

- ARRL New England Representatives Hit the Road for Field Day 2022
- Call for Papers for the 40th AMSAT Space Symposium
- Registration Open for NASA's 2022 International Space Apps Challenge
- The QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Returns September 17 -18, 2022
- Amateur Radio in the News
- ARRL Podcasts Schedule
- Announcements
- In Brief...
- The K7RA Solar Update
- Just Ahead in Radiosport
- Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

ARRL NEW ENGLAND REPRESENTATIVES HIT THE ROAD FOR FIELD DAY 2022

ARRL New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, and Assistant
Director Anita Kemmerer, AB1QB, went on a road trip for this year's
ARRL Field Day (June 25 - 26), logging nearly 1,000 miles and visiting
13 radio clubs over the course of the weekend.

Director Kemmerer said it was a great trip. "We have been very much
looking forward to visiting Field Day sites around New England this
year. It was great to see everyone face to face and see the many ways
that folks approach Field Day. We very much enjoyed talking with folks
about their club and their Field Day experiences," he said.

On the Thursday before the official start of Field Day, they visited
the Meriden Amateur Radio Club
<https://www.w1nrg.com/website/index.html> (MARC), in Connecticut, to
help them celebrate 75 years of being an ARRL Affiliated Club. During
their visit, Director Kemmerer was joined by Vice Director Phil
Temples, K9HI, and Assistant Connecticut Section Manager Betsey Doane,
K1EIC, to present a plaque recognizing MARC for 75 years as an ARRL
Affiliated Club. The plaque was presented to club president Ed Snyder,
W1YSM.

Meriden (Connecticut) Amateur Radio Club President Ed Snyder, W1YSM
(left), accepts a plaque recognizing the club for 75 Years of ARRL
Affiliation. Presenting the award is ARRL New England Division Director
Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC; Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, and Assistant Connecticut Section Manager Betsey Doane, K1EIC. The Kemmerer's
weekend ended in Scarborough, Maine, at the Field Day site of the
Wireless Society of Southern Maine <http://ws1sm.com/>, also an ARRL
Affiliated Club.

Temples was also traveling during this year's Field Day weekend. His
trip was approximately 320 miles, and he visited seven Field Day sites
in the Western and Eastern Massachusetts Sections.

His last stop was at the Whitman Amateur Radio Club, WA1NPO, in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

More Field Day stories about the combined 1,320-mile journey of New
England Division representatives are available at the Division's
website:

- "Our Field Day Journey - AB1OC and AB1QB <https://nediv.arrl.org/2022/07/03/our-field-day-journey-ab1oc-and-ab1qb/>"

- "My Field Day Journey-Phil Temples, K9HI <https://nediv.arrl.org/2022/07/04/my-field-day-journey-phil-temples-k9hi/>"

CALL FOR PAPERS FOR THE 40TH AMSAT SPACE SYMPOSIUM

The first call for proposals for symposium presentations are invited
for the 40th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and General Meeting, which
will held on October 21 - 22, 2022, in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Presentations can cover any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. AMSAT is requesting a tentative title for each submission,
which should be sent as soon as possible. A final copy must be
submitted by October 14, 2022, to be included in the proceedings.
Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV, at
n8fgv@amsat.org.

According to the July 17 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins, the
annual AMSAT Space Symposium will feature:

- Space symposium with amateur satellite presentations

- Operating techniques, news, and plans from the amateur satellite
world

- Board of Directors meeting open to AMSAT members

- Opportunities to meet Board members and officers

- AMSAT Annual General Membership Meeting

- Auction, annual banquet, keynote speaker, and door prizes

More information about the 2022 AMSAT Symposium will be posted on the
AMSAT website <https://www.amsat.org/> as it becomes available.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR NASA'S 2022 INTERNATIONAL SPACE APPS

CHALLENGE

Billed as the world's largest annual "hack-a-thon," the theme for this
year's NASA International Space Apps Challenge is "Make Space,"
celebrating the motto of "there's always space for one more." Space
Apps strives to eliminate barriers of access to space and science opportunities.

The challenge will focus on Earth and space science, technology, and exploration. Participant registration for in-person and virtual events
is now open through October 2, 2022.

Space Apps provides an opportunity for everyone across the globe to use
their passion for creativity, innovation, and unique perspectives, to
tackle challenges created by NASA experts. The challenges range in
skill level, expertise, subject matter, and objective, and they span a
spectrum of disciplines and interests, including artificial
intelligence, software development, art, and storytelling.

ARRL and amateur radio share several overlapping interests with NASA's objectives, including amateur satellite communications, Amateur Radio
on the International Space Station (ARISS), and STEM (science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs that interest young
people in both space and radio communications. ARRL encourages radio
amateurs to consider participating in NASA's Space Apps Challenge.

Space Apps is managed by NASA's Earth Science Division in the agency's
Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. It is
organized in collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub,
SecondMuse, and NASA's Open Innovation Applied Sciences Program.

For more information about Space Apps and to register for an in-person
or online event on October 1 - 2, 2022, visit, NASA International Space
Apps Challenge <http://www.spaceappschallenge.org/>.

--Thanks to AMSAT, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM, and NASA for information in
this story.

THE QSO TODAY VIRTUAL HAM EXPO RETURNS SEPTEMBER 17 -18, 2022

The next QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo, a full featured virtual ham radio convention, is September 17 -18, 2022. The online event includes
speakers and presentations, fully interactive video lounges where
participants can meet each other and chat, and an exhibit hall full of
vendors and organizations.

While the Ham Expo was originally created in August 2020 as an
alternative to canceled in-person ham radio conventions due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, it has evolved into a regularly-held event for
amateur radio learning through peer submitted presentations on nearly
every amateur radio subject, lively discussion, and interaction.

The Expo uses virtual event technology using platforms produced by
vFairs and Kumospace. "The Kumospace lounges were a fantastic edition
to the Expo last March and were full of hams and conversation during
the entire Expo weekend", said Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, the founder of the QSO
Today Virtual Ham Expo. Kumospace is a video chat platform for hosting
and participating in immersive virtual events. Guth said there are new enhancements that will make the lounges even more enjoyable for
attendees. Kumospace and vFairs are now supported by apps for Apple and Android. Expo personnel still recommend a fast internet connection and
big screens for the best user experience.

New for this Ham Expo is a Poster Gallery Hall that includes a
product showcase and interactive projects submitted by amateurs. The
product showcase is as a way for vendors who may or may not have a
booth to demonstrate individual products through videos, white papers,
and slides. Each showcase is fully interactive through text chat and
supports opportunities for vendors to follow-up with interested
visitors. The Poster Gallery will also include an opportunity for
individuals to submit papers, projects, and articles to be enjoyed by
Expo delegates. Accepted gallery submission will include a free ticket
to the expo.

Sponsor and exhibitor opportunities are still available. The $10 ticket
for the Expo will go on sale in August. Anyone can attend the Expo from anywhere in the world, over the internet. For more information go to qsotodayhamexpo.com <https://qsotodayhamexpo.com/>. ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® is a QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Partner.

AMATEUR RADIO IN THE NEWS

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

"Ham radio operators take part in communication, camaraderie and code <https://www.ncnewsonline.com/cnhi_network/ham-radio-operators-take-part-in-communication-camaraderie-and-code/article_03ad8a30-b989-5889-870f-906afc65ef14.html>"

/ New Castle News (West Virginia), July 21, 2022. -- The Mountaineer
Amateur Radio Association is an Affiliated ARRL Club

"The box that rocked the universe <https://news.engin.umich.edu/2022/07/the-box-that-rocked-the-universe/>."
Meet the U-M researcher who helped pioneer the CubeSat -- and a new era
in space exploration. / Michigan Engineering, University of Michigan,
July 19, 2022. -- Thanks to ARRL Member James Cutler, KF6RFX.

"Ham radio operators active in Preston Count <https://www.wvnews.com/prestoncountynews/news/ham-radio-operators-active-in-preston-county/article_e571a93a-fed7-11ec-9cd8-97d825a7418f.html>y"

/ The Preston County News & Journal (West Virginia), July 12, 2022. --
The Preston County Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club.

"HAM radio still has a role in our modern age <https://www.13abc.com/2022/07/08/ham-radio-still-has-role-our-modern-age/>"
/ WTVG (Ohio), July 8, 2022. -- The Toledo Mobile Radio Association is
an ARRL Affiliated club

"Ham radio operators assist in Boilermaker <https://www.wktv.com/news/local/ham-radio-operators-assist-in-boilermaker/article_bb05f408-fe32-11ec-bc8c-7f30eedd5961.html>"

/ WKTV (New York), July 7, 2022. -- The Utica Amateur Radio Club is an
ARRL Affiliated Club

Share <newsmedia@arrl.org> any amateur radio media hits you spot with
us.

ARRL PODCASTS SCHEDULE

The latest episode of the ARRL On the Air
<https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/> podcast (Episode 31) provides an
overview of the 222 MHz frequency band.

The latest edition of the ARRL Eclectic Tech <https://blubrry.com/eclectictech/> podcast (Episode 64) features a
discussion with Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, about station downsizing and getting
the most out of limited space antennas.

The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both
podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well
as on Blubrry -- On the Air <https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/> |
Eclectic Tech <https://blubrry.com/eclectictech/>.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has started accepting
applications for a Telecommunications Specialist at its High Frequency Direction Finding Center (HFDFC) in Columbia, Maryland. HFDFC supports
the FCC Over-the-Air spectrum observation capabilities <https://www.fcc.gov/over-air-spectrum-observation-capabilities>, and
provides direct support to the public safety community and other
federal partners by locating interference sources on HF radio spectrum
(below 30 MHz). The center is part of the FCC's Public Safety and
Homeland Security Bureau in the Operations and Emergency Management
Division. The incumbent's duties (described at
www.usajobs.gov/job/665764100 <http://www.usajobs.gov/job/665764100>)
include performing "watch duty" and serving as a technical authority
providing technical assistance and guidance to communication systems
users to resolve radio interference complaints and problems, collecting
radio signal analysis information, and using radio signal analysis
equipment deployed throughout the United States to collect, correlate,
and analyze characteristics of radio signals involved in interference
problems, distress or safety-related signals, or other radio signals
involved in other high-priority activities, such as law enforcement or
national defense, to include HF, VHF, and UHF. Visit USAJOBS <https://www.usajobs.gov/job/665764100> for the complete position
summary and to apply. Read the complete story at ARRL News <http://www.arrl.org/news/view/fcc-hiring-for-high-frequency-direction-finding-center>.

IN BRIEF...

The CW Operators' Club (CWops) reports that their spring 2022 CW
Academy program is complete, and 314 students completed courses to
learn Morse code or improve their CW skills. CW Academy's goal is to
increase the number of competent CW operators on the HF CW subbands. It addresses all levels of enthusiasts, from those aspiring to become
licensed operators, those who want to learn and use Morse code, to
veteran operators who want to increase their CW skills, speed, and
activity. The CW Academy classes are offered three times a year and
consist of students from around the world. Classes typically have four
to six students led by an experienced advisor who helps them with
exercises and encouragement to learn and have a little fun along the
way. There are four class levels of training offered that range from
students who want to learn Morse code and have no experience to
licensed operators who have on-air CW experience and desire to increase
their speed or become more comfortable with contests, casual contacts,
portable operating, or other on-air activities. The CW Academy
emphasizes head-copy skills, along with effortless sending. There is no
fee involved and classes are held twice a week using Zoom or Skype.
More information about signing up for a class, or how to become
volunteer, can be found at
https://cwops.org/cw-academy/cw-academy-options.

THE K7RA SOLAR UPDATE

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

Solar activity increased over this reporting week, July 14 - 20, with
average daily sunspot number rising from 102.1 to 137.3, and average
daily solar flux from 147.4 to 157.6.

Peak sunspot number was 166 on July 17, and peak solar flux was

171.4 on July 15.

Geomagnetic activity peaked on July 19 when planetary A index was 26
and middle latitude A index at 19. Alaska's high-latitude college A
index was 43, with the K index at 6, 5, 5, 6, and 5 at 0900 - 2000 UTC.

Average daily planetary A index decreased this week from 12.4 to 9.4.

A crack opened in the Earth's magnetic field on July 19, allowing solar
wind to stream in. It is documented at

https://www.spaceweather.com/images2022/19jul22/data.jpg

At 2241 UTC on July 20, the Australian Space Forecast Centre issued a geomagnetic warning. "An increase in geomagnetic activity is expected
over 22 - 24 July due to the onset of coronal hole high speed wind
streams."

Here is the latest forecast from the United States Air Force (USAF).
Predicted solar flux seems promising with flux values peaking around
160 on July 30 through August 7 and again from August 26 through early September.

Predicted flux values are 130 on July 21 - 22, then 120, 115, 110, 105,
100, 110, and 150 on July 23 - 29, then 160 on July 30 through August
7, then 155, 145, and 138 on August 8 - 10, then 138 on August 11 - 12,
then 128 and 125 on August 13 -14, 130 on August 15 - 17, 135 on August
18 - 20, 138 and 148 on August 21 - 22, and 150 on August 23 - 25.

Predicted planetary A index is 22 on July 21 - 22, then 20, 12 and 8 on
July 23 - 25, 5 on July 26 - 28, 8 on July 29 through August 2, then 12
and 10 on August 3 - 4, 8 on August 5 - 7, then 15, 28 and 12 on August
8 - 10, 8 on August 11 - 17, then 15, 20 and 12 on August 18 - 20, and
8 again on August 21 until the end of the month.

Here are weekly highlights and forecast from National Oceanic
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), dated July 17:

https://bit.ly/3okGEY8

In Friday's bulletin, look for details on 40 MHz activity among special experimental licensees, which I misidentified as 49 MHz in last week's bulletin. There will also be 6-meter reports.

Send your tips, reports, observations, questions, and comments to k7ra@arrl.net.

Sunspot numbers for July 14 through 20, 2022 were 133, 141, 153, 166,
125, 114, and 129, with a mean of 137.3. 10.7 - centimeter flux was
169, 171.4, 176.2, 161.2, 149.4, 144.1, and 132.2, with a mean of
157.6. Estimated planetary A indices were 5, 8, 7, 5, 8, 26, and 7,
with a mean of 9.4. Middle latitude A index was 5, 7, 9, 6, 10, 19, and
7, with a mean of 9.

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

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

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

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

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

JUST AHEAD IN RADIOSPORT

- July 23 - YOTA Contest (CW, phone)

- July 25 - OK1WC Memorial (MWC) (CW)

- July 27 - SKCC Sprint (CW)

- July 27 - A1Club AWT (CW)

- July 28 - RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (digital)

- July 30 - Feld Hell Sprint (digital)

- July 30 - 31 -- RSGB IOTA Contest (CW, phone)

- July 30 - WAB 144 MHz Low Power Phone (phone)

- July 30 - 31 -- Satellite Tennessee State Parks on the Air (all)

- July 31 - ARS Flight of the Bumblebees (CW)

Visit the ARRL Contest Calendar <http://www.arrl.org/contest-calendar>
for more events and information.

UPCOMING SECTION, STATE, AND DIVISION CONVENTIONS

- July 22 - 23 | Ham Holiday 2022 <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/ham-holiday-2022-arrl-oklahoma-section-convention>,

hosting the ARRL Oklahoma Section Convention, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

- July 30 - 31 | ARRL West Virginia State Convention <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arrl-west-virginia-state-convention-and-ham-fest>,

Sutton, West Virginia

- August 6 - 7 | Cedar Valley ARC Techfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/cedar-valley-arc-techfest-arrl-iowa-state-convention-1>,

hosting the ARRL Iowa State Convention, Central City, Iowa

- August 13 | Tidewater Hamfest and Swap Meet <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tidewater-hamfest-and-swap-meet-arrl-virginia-state-convention>,

hosting the ARRL Virginia State Convention, Portsmouth, Virginia

- August 20 - 21 | Huntsville Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/huntsville-hamfest-arrl-southeastern-division-convention-1>,

hosting the ARRL Southeastern Division Convention, Huntsville, Alabama

- August 26 - 28 | Northeast HamXposition <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/northeast-hamxposition-arrl-new-england-and-hudson-division-convention>,

hosting the ARRL New England and Hudson Division Conventions,
Marlborough, Massachusetts

- September 2 - 4 | Shelby Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/shelby-hamfest-arrl-north-carolina-section-convention-1>,

hosting the ARRL North Carolina Section Convention, Shelby, North
Carolina

- September 11 | ARRL Southern New Jersey Section Convention <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arrl-southern-new-jersey-section-convention-1>, Mullica Hill, New Jersey

- September 17-18 | QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo <https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com/> (online event). ARRL is a QSO Today
partner.

- September 17 - 18 | Midwest Superfest 2022 <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/midwest-superfest-2022-arrl-illinois-state-convention>,

hosting the ARRL Illinois State Convention, East Peoria, Illinois

- September 23 - 24 | HRO Superfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/hro-superfest-arrl-central-division-convention>,

hosting the ARRL Central Division Convention, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

- September 24 | Red River Radio Amateur Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/red-river-radio-amateur-hamfest-arrl-dakota-division-convention>,

hosting the ARRL Dakota Division Convention, West Fargo, North Dakota

- September 24 | Spokane Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/spokane-hamfest-arrl-washington-state-convention>,

hosting the ARRL Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley,
Washington

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

HAVE NEWS FOR ARRL?

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

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