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

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

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

December 7, 2023

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

- ARDC and ARRL Announce $2.1 Million for the Next Generation of
Amateur Radio
- Bandwidth Limits Replace Symbol Rates on the HF Bands, Other Bands
Open for Comment
- IARU and ARRL Attending WRC-23 in Dubai, UAE
- ARRL Teachers Institute Grad Prepares Students for Ham Radio Contact
with Astronaut
- 40 Years of Amateur Radio in Space
- VOTA Red Badge Day Is December 17
- Amateur Radio in the News
- ARRL Podcasts
- Announcements
- In Brief...
- The K7RA Solar Update
- Just Ahead in Radiosport
- Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

ARDC AND ARRL ANNOUNCE $2.1 MILLION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF

AMATEUR RADIO

Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) <https://www.ardc.net> and
The ARRL Foundation <https://www.arrl.org/the-arrl-foundation>
announced a three-year commitment with over $2.1 million in combined
funding to support scholarships for radio amateurs, radio technology
for classroom teachers, and amateur radio club grants. This commitment reinforces a strong shared vision between ARRL The National Association
for Amateur Radio® and ARDC to invest in the future of amateur radio
through programs supporting the next generation of radio amateurs.

"ARRL and ARDC share a common vision for the future of Amateur Radio,"
says The ARRL Foundation President David Norris, K5UZ. "The Foundation
exists to support the next generation of radio amateurs, and we are so
proud to collaborate with ARDC to make these programs possible."

The ARDC Scholarship at The ARRL Foundation has supported nearly 100
amateur radio operators in pursuit of their educational goals since its inception in 2020. The renewed commitment will result in over 200 total scholarships, awarded over the next three years, for radio amateurs
pursuing higher education, with scholarships ranging from $5,000 to
$25,000. This competitive scholarship program is run through The ARRL Foundation Scholarship Program, and recipients who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need can use this funding for tuition, room &
board, books, and other fees essential to advance their education. More information on eligibility and application deadlines may be found
online at The ARRL Foundation website at
www.arrl.org/scholarship-program
<https://www.arrl.org/scholarship-program>.

The ARRL Club Grants program was introduced in 2022 with initial
funding from ARDC. Thanks to this next round of collaboration, the ARRL
Club Grants Program will continue in 2024. Beginning with significant
funding from ARDC in 2022, the ARRL Club Grants program is administered
by The ARRL Foundation, together with the ARRL Field Organization.
These club grants are critical to the future of amateur radio because
of the importance of mentoring and helping licensees become active in
Amateur Radio. ARRL encourages clubs to revitalize this critical aspect
of their role by applying for funding to support programs in one of the available categories, including ham skills development, STEAM learning
and education, or club station improvement, among others. This
transformational program will launch in the Spring of 2024. More
details will be provided through upcoming informational sessions and on
The ARRL Foundation website at www.arrl.org/club-grant-program <http://www.arrl.org/club-grant-program>.

Additional funding from ARDC will extend the effectiveness of ARRL
outreach programs to teachers and schools, including the ARRL Teachers Institute for Wireless Technology. Monies will be used to purchase
equipment to allow students to get hands-on STEM experiences through
radio communications and radio technology.

Read more about the exciting announcement on ARRL News <https://www.arrl.org/news/ardc-and-arrl-announce-2-1-million-for-the-next-generation-of-amateur-radio>.

BANDWIDTH LIMITS REPLACE SYMBOL RATES ON THE HF BANDS, OTHER BANDS

OPEN FOR COMMENT

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published new rules <https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/12/07/2023-26770/amateur-radio-service-rules-to-permit-greater-flexibility-in-data-communications>

adopted last month that replace the symbol rate restrictions on the HF
bands with a bandwidth limit of 2.8 kHz. The new rules go into effect
January 8, 2024.

The bands and band segments affected by the rules change are those
authorized for data transmission between 160 and 10 meters, exclusive
of 60 meters (where no change was made).

In adopting a bandwidth limit in place of the baud rate limit the FCC
agreed with ARRL that some limitation is necessary because "without a
baud rate or bandwidth limit, data stations using a large amount of
spectrum for a single emission could do so to the detriment of
simultaneous use by other stations using narrowband emission modes."

ARRL has advocated for this change for a long time. The move opens
amateur data communications to faster and more modern modes and
restores the incentive for amateurs to experiment with and develop
faster and more efficient data methods. Previously, ARRL obtained
waivers to the symbol rate rules on a case-by-case basis to facilitate communications during situations like hurricane responses. These delays
will now be removed, permitting drills to be conducted with the faster
modes and more timely responses when needed.

The FCC also requested comment on removing similar symbol rate
restrictions in the rules governing 135.7 - 137.8 kHz (2200-meter
band), 472 - 479 kHz (630-meter band), and the very high-frequency
(VHF) and ultra-high frequency (UHF) bands.

The VHF bands with baud rates are the 6-meter band, 2-meter band, and
the 1.25-meter band. The single UHF band with a baud rate is the
70-centimeter band (420 - 450 MHz). The Further Notice of Proposed Rule
Making <https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/12/07/2023-26769/amateur-radio-service-rules-to-permit-greater-flexibility-in-data-communications>

(FNPRM) proposes to maintain the existing bandwidth limits in the
Commission's rules for these VHF and UHF bands but seeks comment on
whether they should be kept, and if so, whether the bandwidths should
be changed. The Commission also sought comment on whether bandwidth
limits should be adopted for application to the 2200 and 630-meter
bands, and if so, what an appropriate bandwidth limit would be.

Public comments on these additional issues are sought in the FNPRM. The
comment period is open until January 8, 2024. Replies to comments are
due no later than January 22, 2024. If changes are later adopted, the
rules will go into effect in the same manner as they did for the other
bands -- after notice and publication in the Federal Register.

IARU AND ARRL ATTENDING WRC-23 IN DUBAI, UAE

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World
Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23) began November 20 in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates, and will continue through December 15, 2023.
During WRC-23, the ITU's 193 sovereign Member States, each with one
equal vote, will address items on a formal agenda in an effort to reach consensus on revisions to the ITU Radio Regulations, the international
treaty governing the global use of radio-frequency spectrum and
satellite orbits.

WRC's are held every 3 to 4 years and include the Amateur and
Amateur Satellite Service allocations.

The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) is a Sector Member of the
ITU and globally represents the interests of amateur radio. A
contingent of representatives from IARU and ARRL in the US <> are
attending the meetings. ARRL serves as the International Secretariat of
the IARU.

The agenda of items to be reviewed for WRC-23 was established at the
completion of the last conference in 2019. Of primary importance to the
Amateur and Amateur Satellite Services is Agenda Item 9.1 topic b,
which addresses the amateur use of the 23 - centimeter band and the co-frequency use by several radio navigation satellite service (RNSS)
systems in the 1240 - 1300 MHz band.

<https://www.arrl.org/files/file/News/ARRL%20Letter/Doreen.jpg>

The work at WRC-23 involves several committees, working groups, and sub
- working groups that negotiate spectrum matters in an effort to reach consensus on the conference agenda items to subsequently be presented
and formally adopted during the final plenary session.

A report on items of interest to amateur radio from WRC-23 will be
reported at its conclusion.

ARRL TEACHERS INSTITUTE GRAD PREPARES STUDENTS FOR HAM RADIO

CONTACT WITH ASTRONAUT

ARRL <https://www.arrl.org/> celebrates the success of an ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology <https://www.arrl.org/teachers-institute-on-wireless-technology>
graduate. The skills learned in the Teachers Institute (TI) have led to
a school having an amazing opportunity using amateur radio.

On Monday, December 11, 2023, students at Harbor Creek Senior High
School in Harborcreek, Pennsylvania, will host an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) <https://www.ariss.org/> contact.
Assistant Principal Drew Mortensen, AC3DS, completed the ARRL TI-1: Introduction to Wireless Technology program. Mortensen; Allen
Lombardozzi, KC3TGY, and Elaine LaFuria, KC3SFY, have led the
development of a robust amateur radio program at the school.

After attending the ARRL Teachers Institute, their students prepared
and launched their own high-altitude balloon, capturing the interest
and passion of other students, teachers, and the community.

Fifteen Harbor Creek students participating in the ARISS contact are
licensed amateur radio operators. Since applying for the contact in
November 2022, Harbor Creek has seen 16 students earn their amateur
radio licenses, with three going on to earn their General-class
licenses and three more going on to earn their Amateur Extra-class
licenses. Mortensen expressed gratitude for the ARRL Youth Licensing
Grant Program <https://www.arrl.org/youth-licensing-grant-program>,
which reimburses the $35 amateur radio licensing fee to those younger
than 18, for helping to lower the barrier of entry for students.

Students at the Harbor Creek School District Advanced Technologies
Group, KC3SGV, meet regularly and fill the meeting space to maximum
capacity. The students of the group will livestream the event on their
YouTube channel at youtube.com/@advancedtechnologiesgroup <http://youtube.com/@advancedtechnologiesgroup>. This livestream will
be run and managed by students.

ARRL Education and Learning Manager Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, is excited
about the school's success, stating, "The program at Harbor Creek
Senior High School is a shining example of the impact the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology can have on students."

If you are interested in supporting STEM education through the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology, visit www.arrl.org/GiveToSTEM <https://www.arrl.org/GiveToSTEM>.

December ARISS Contact with South Carolina School

On Tuesday, December 5, students at Orangeburg Christian Academy (OCA)
in Orangeburg, South Carolina, had the opportunity to speak with
Astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, KI5WSL, onboard the International Space
Station (ISS).

OCA is a small school of about 250 students in grades K-12. The
faculty includes space science, space travel, science on the ISS,
electronics, amateur radio, and more astronomy in various STEM studies.

The event lasted just more than 10 minutes, and Moghbeli answered 20
questions ranging from safety in space to what astronauts drink in
space and what it is like to shower in space.

The contact was arranged by Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station (ARISS). Each year, ARISS conducts 60 - 80 of these special
amateur radio contacts between students around the globe and crew
members with ham radio licenses aboard the ISS.

Phillip Shreves, N7GZT, assisted with the ARISS contact by operating
the link to the radio ground station to establish and maintain the ISS connection.

40 YEARS OF AMATEUR RADIO IN SPACE

Melissa Gaskill, a science author from Austin, Texas, has written a comprehensive review about the 40-year history of amateur radio in
space. In her article, "Ham Radio in Space: Engaging with Students
Worldwide for 40 Years <https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/iss-research/ham-radio-in-space-engaging-with-students-worldwide-for-40-years/>,"

Gaskill explores the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX), which is
now known as Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS).

Gaskill said that while she wrote the article, she is not an expert on
the subject but there are many who are including Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO, International Space Station (ISS) Ham Project Coordinator since 2004.

Ransom said that amateur radio in space was a possibility even before
1983, when Astronaut Owen Garriott, W5LFL (SK), made history during the
STS-9 Space Shuttle Columbia mission with the first amateur radio
contact from space. NASA had been looking for ways to bring amateur
radio to Skylab (a space station designed as an orbiting workshop for scientific research) and even the moon.

"Having amateur radio in space has added a heightened level of
interest, not only for hams, but for the overall program as well," said
Ransom. "Just being able to talk to a crew member on board a spacecraft
is an amazing accomplishment."

Garriott's son, Richard Garriott, who operated amateur radio during a short-term mission on the ISS in 2008, will present a special webinar
on December 7, 2023, at 1800 UTC to discuss his father's first historic mission. The presentation will be available to watch on ARISS - YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/c/ARISSlive/featured>. The event is hosted by
ARISS International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO.

ARISS is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies
and the space agencies that support the ISS. In the US, participating organizations include NASA's Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program, the ISS National Laboratory -- Space Station Explorers, ARRL <http://www.arrl.org/ariss>, and AMSAT.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE BROUGHT TO YOU BY ARRL

<https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Ham%20Radio%20Holiday%20Gift%20Guide.pdf>

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the radio amateur in your
life? ARRL has made shopping easy for you with our 2023 Holiday Gift
Guide. We've brought together 10 great companies offering their seasons
best. You can view it on our website <https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Ham%20Radio%20Holiday%20Gift%20Guide.pdf>.

VOTA RED BADGE DAY IS DECEMBER 17

2023 has been a fun operating year for ARRL's Year of the Volunteers
with the Volunteers On the Air (VOTA) event. To help members boost
their VOTA point totals, ARRL is hosting a Red Badges on the Air
activity on December 17, 2023, from 1500 - 2100 UTC. The objective of
the event is to provide an opportunity for VOTA participants to work
more ARRL officers and elected officials, such as Directors or Section
Managers and Headquarters staff members and volunteers, who offer
higher point values in the yearlong event.

ARRL Radiosport Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, explained, "The badges they
wear at hamfests, conventions, and other formal occasions are red,
hence the term Red Badges on the Air. ARRL red badges are worth a lot
of points -- as much as 300 points per contact for working ARRL
President Rick Roderick, K5UR -- so participants can quickly increase
their VOTA points tally.

Jahnke stressed that the event is "an activity day, not a contest";
there's no required amount of operating time. Participants can call "CQ
VOTA" on phone or "CQV" on CW or digital modes. While the event is
focused on encouraging those with ARRL red badges to hand out VOTA
points, all activity is welcome, regardless of point value (every ARRL
member is worth at least one point in the operating event).
Participants get credit for each band or mode contact, regardless of
point value. ARRL VOTA participants can use the leaderboard to
determine how many points they've accumulated.

Read more about the event on ARRL News <http://www.arrl.org/news/vota-red-badges-on-the-air-event-december-17>.

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 in Space: Engaging with Students Worldwide for 40 Years <https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/iss-research/ham-radio-in-space-engaging-with-students-worldwide-for-40-years/>"

/ NASA November 29, 2023

"CERTs from across the region will hold emergency rescue training in
Eugene this Saturday <https://www.klcc.org/disasters-accidents/2023-11-30/certs-from-across-the-region-will-hold-emergency-rescue-training-in-eugene-this-saturday>"

/ KLCC (Oregon) November 30, 2023 -- Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs).

"All hands on deck for Emergency Alert and Ham Radio teams <https://www.vashonbeachcomber.com/news/all-hands-on-deck-for-emergency-alert-and-ham-radio-teams/>"

/ Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber (Washington) December 6, 2023 --
Voice of Vashon Emergency Alert Team.

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

ARRL PODCASTS

On the Air
Sponsored by Icom <http://www.icomamerica.com/en/>

The Value of Contest Clubs

"Contesting encompasses so much of the hobby," says seasoned contester
Craig Thompson, K9CT, in the current episode of the On the Air podcast <https://www.arrl.org/on-the-air-podcast>, "from station building,
learning how to operate, understanding propagation, knowing the rules,
learning from your peers," that there's something in it for every ham
radio operator. As current member and former president of the Society
of Midwest Contesters, Craig knows the ins and outs of running a
contest club and ensuring that the value proposition makes sense to the
average member. In this episode, Craig talks about why you might want
to get involved with a contest club, what it entails, and how these
specialized clubs stir up on-air activity that benefits every ham. This discussion extends the November/December 2023 On the Air, "Joining a
Contest Club," by Leanna Figlewski, KC1RMP.

ARRL Audio News
Listen to ARRL Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news>,
available every Friday. ARRL Audio News is a summary of the week's top
news stories in the world of amateur radio and ARRL, along with
interviews and other features.

The On the Air podcast is available on iTunes. The On the Air podcast
and ARRL Audio News are also on blubrry -- On the Air <https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/> | ARRL Audio News <https://blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/>.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

2023 SKYWARNâ(tm)¢ Recognition Day participants can now obtain an electronic QSL card by visiting the NOAA SKYWARN website. <https://www.weather.gov/crh/skywarnrecognition> Step-by-step
instructions are available to those who've submitted their log(s) to
help them construct and print a 2023 QSL participation certificate. The deadline for submitting logs is January 31, 2024. Additional
information is available on the SKYWARN Facebook page. <https://www.facebook.com/groups/srd2021/>

The New Amateur Extra-Class Question Pool has been released and is
effective July 1, 2024. The National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators <https://www.ncvec.org/> (NCVEC) Question Pool Committee <https://www.ncvec.org/index.php/question-pool-committee> (QPC) has
released the 2024 - 2028 Extra-Class FCC Element 4 Question Pool and
Syllabus to the public. The new Extra-Class Question Pool is effective
from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2028 <https://www.ncvec.org/index.php/2024-2028-extra-class-question-pool-release>.The

2024 - 2028 pool is available as a Microsoft Word document and as a
PDF. The 10 graphics required for the new Extra-Class Question Pool are available within the documents or separately in PDF and JPG file
formats. Extra-class examination candidates preparing for their exams
using the 12th edition of The ARRL Extra Class License Manual <https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/120286>
or the 5th edition of ARRL's Extra Q & A <https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/120287>
are encouraged to test on or before June 30, 2024. New editions of ARRL licensing publications will be available in May for exams taken on or
after July 1, 2024. Read more on ARRL News. <http://www.arrl.org/news/new-amateur-extra-class-question-pool-released-effective-july-1-2024>

IN BRIEF...

Amateur radio operators have multiple opportunities to commemorate
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 2023. The Amateur Radio Club of
the National Electronics Museum (ARCNEM) <https://ww-2.us/> will
operate W2W to commemorate the anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day and the
role of electronics in World War II. If the museum station is not
available, operators may operate from their home stations. Primary
operations will be on December 1 - 7, with a possibility of additional operations during December 8 - 10, as operator availability permits.
Operation on 80 meters (3.541 and 3.841 MHz) and digital modes will be
possible during the event. A QSL certificate is available via SASE.
Visit the ARCNEM website for details and additional information. The
Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club (BRARC) <http://brarc.org/> station,
W5KID, onboard the USS KIDD Museum ship, will be on the air in
remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day on December 7, 2023. Operations will be
on 7.040, 7.250, 14.040, and 14.250 MHz using CW, SSB, and FT8 modes.
This will be the last operating date until the ship returns next year
from extensive maintenance. Sign up here <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gcka6Zaw8MTJhC72jUKxdRtBIHSIPHKEOKjs0ZxsWmk/edit#gid=0>

to reserve one or multiple 30-minute time slots. The USS Midway Museum
Ship COMEDTRA <https://www.midway.org/>, NI6IW, staffed by amateur
radio volunteers, will be on the air on December 9 from 1700 - 2400 Z.
Contacts will be available on 14.320, 7.250, and 14.070 MHz; PSK31;
D-STAR, and the PAPA system repeaters. <https://papasys.com/>
Additional information is available on the museum's website.

THE K7RA SOLAR UPDATE

Tad Cook, K7RA, of Seattle, Washington, reports for this week's ARRL Propagation Bulletin, ARLP049:

The solar disk image was taken on December 7, 2023. [Photo courtesy of
NASA SDO/HMI]

Six new sunspot groups emerged over this reporting week, November 30
to December 6, 2023.

Using the previous week's bulletin as a template, last week's averages
were not updated, although all the correct data was there. This week's
bulletin includes the updated averages from last week.

Instead of 83.3 being the average daily sunspot number, it was actually
165.9, which dropped this week to 121.1.

Instead of an average daily solar flux of 146, it was actually 181.5,
which declined this week to 146.5.

Instead of the average daily planetary A index of 10.1, it was actually
11.6, which rose this week to 17.1. Instead of the average middle
latitude A index of 7.3, it was 9, which rose this week to 11.4.

Predicted solar flux is 130, 135, 135, and 140 on December 7 - 10; 130
on December 11 - 13; 140 on December 14 - 16; 150 on December 17; 160
on December 18 - 26; 155, 150, 145, and 140 on December 27 - 30; 136,
134, and 130 on December 31 through January 2, 2024, and 132 on January
3 - 5.

Predicted planetary A index is 8 on December 7; 5 on December 8 - 10; 8
on December 11 - 12; 5 on December 13 - 17; 15, 25, 8, 5, 20, and 10 on December 18 - 23; 5 on December 24 - 30; 25, 10, and 8 on December 31
through January 2, 2024, and 5 on January 3 - 6.

Read about a big hole in the sun at https://bit.ly/41adYDC and the
sun's new active region at https://bit.ly/3RxtCWG.

Don't forget, the ARRL 10-Meter Contest is this weekend. Visit https://www.arrl.org/10-meter to learn more.

Sunspot numbers for November 30 through December 6, 2023, were 138,
140, 92, 107, 113, 133, and 125, with a mean of 121.1. The
10.7-centimeter flux was 166.5, 162, 148.2, 139.2, 137.8, 141.6, and
129.9, with a mean of 146.5. Estimated planetary A indices were 5, 56,
14, 11, 9, 15, and 10, with a mean of 17.1. Middle latitude A index was
4, 30, 11, 10, 9, 9, and 7, with a mean of 7.3.

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

Yearlong -- ARRL Volunteers On the Air <https://vota.arrl.org/> (VOTA).
See the State Activations Schedule for weekly W1AW Portable Operations <https://vota.arrl.org/w1awPortable.php>, including:

- December 6 - 12 -- Louisiana W1AW/5

- December 6 - 12 -- Illinois W1AW/9

- December 6 - 12 -- Hawaii W1AW/KH6

- December 13 - 19 -- Montana W1AW/7

- December 13 - 19 -- Maine W1AW/1

- December 13 - 19 -- Indiana W1AW/9

- December 17 -- VOTA Red Badge Day <http://www.arrl.org/news/vota-red-badges-on-the-air-event-december-17>

UPCOMING CONTESTS:

- December 7 -- QRP ARCI Topband Sprint (CW)

- December 7 - 8 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

- December 7 -- NRAU 10-M Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)

- December 7 -- SKCC Sprint Europe (CW)

- December 9 - 10 -- ARRL 10-Meter Contest
<https://www.arrl.org/10-meter> (CW, phone)

- December 9 - 11 -- PODXS 070 Club Triple Play Low Band Sprint
(digital)

- December 9 - 10 -- TRC Digi Contest (digital)

- December 9 - 10 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)

- December 9 - 10 -- ARI 40/80 Contest (CW, phone, digital)

- December 10 -- QRP ARCI Holiday Spirits Sprint (CW)

- December 11 -- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)

- December 12 -- Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest (phone)

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

Editors Note: Contests can be a great place to rack up final points for
the Volunteers On the Air (VOTA) operating event. VOTA ends December
31, so get those points while you can! All you need to do is upload
your logs to the ARRL Logbook of The World (LoTW) <http://arrl.org/logbook-of-the-world>

UPCOMING SECTION, STATE, AND DIVISION CONVENTIONS

- December 8 - 9 | Tampa Bay Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/tampa-bay-hamfest-arrl-west-central-florida-section-convention-2>,

hosting the ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Plant City,
Florida

- January 6 | Ham Radio University <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/ham-radio-university-arrl-new-york-city-long-island-section-convention>,

hosting the ARRL New York City-Long Island Section Convention,
Brookville, New York

- January 12 - 14 | ARRL Puerto Rico State Convention <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arrl-puerto-rico-state-convention-2>,
Hatillo, Puerto Rico

- January 19 - 20 | Cowtown Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/cowtown-hamfest-arrl-north-texas-section-convention-3>,

hosting the ARRL North Texas Section Convention, Forest Hill, Texas

- January 27 | Winterfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/winterfest-arrl-midwest-division-convention-3>, hosting the ARRL Midwest Division Convention, Collinsville, Illinois

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>

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

- Join ARRL or Renew Today! <https://www.arrl.org/join> No other
organization works harder to promote and protect amateur radio.
Membership supports benefits, services, programs, and advocacy to help
you get (and stay) active and on the air. Membership includes access to
digital editions of all four ARRL magazines
<https://www.arrl.org/magazines>: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.

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

- The ARRL Letter is available in an accessible format, posted weekly
to the Blind-hams Groups.io <https://groups.io/g/blind-hams> email
group. The group is dedicated to discussions about amateur radio as it
concerns blind hams, plus related topics including ham radio use of
adaptive technology.

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