[HiDARG-MEMBERS] Fwd: The ARRL Letter for June 1, 2017

Wed Jun 7 16:45:31 EDT 2017

Joe, K7SQ mentioned the ARRL Letter today at the luncheon meeting so I
thought I would post the June 1 edition for everyone to peruse.

Enjoy, 7 3

Jeff Moore  --  KE7ACY

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: ARRL Web site <memberlist at www.arrl.org>
Date: Thu, Jun 1, 2017 at 1:15 PM
Subject: The ARRL Letter for June 1, 2017
To: tnetcenter at gmail.com

If you are having trouble reading this message, you can see the original at:
http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/?issue=2017-06-01

[image: The ARRL Letter]
June 1, 2017
Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME <ww1me at arrl.org>
ARRL Home Page <http://www.arrl.org/>
*ARRL Letter* Archive <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/>
Audio News <http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/audio/> [image: Ad]
<http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&i=2017-06-01&t=t>

   - Buildout of Nationwide First Responder Broadband Network Could Drive
   Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Changes
   <#m_-7037455947285644965_toc01>
   - Amateur Radio Provides Communication Link Following Sri Lanka Flooding
   <#m_-7037455947285644965_toc02>
   - The Doctor Will See You Now! <#m_-7037455947285644965_toc03>
   - Support ARRL and Earn 10,000 Bonus Points
   <#m_-7037455947285644965_toc04>
   - FCC Issues Amateur Radio Licensee a *Notice of Violation* for Pirate
   Broadcasting <#m_-7037455947285644965_toc05>
   - FCC Issues *Notice of Unlicensed Operation* in Public Safety
   Interference Complaint <#m_-7037455947285644965_toc06>
   - Another Successful WX4NHC Annual Station Test in Advance of Hurricane
   Season <#m_-7037455947285644965_toc07>
   - QB-50 Constellation Satellites Deployed from International Space
   Station <#m_-7037455947285644965_toc08>
   - Our Sun's 11-Year Magnetic Cycle Destined to Disappear
   <#m_-7037455947285644965_toc09>
   - Ham Radio Aviator Set to Depart on Round-the-World Flight
   <#m_-7037455947285644965_toc10>
   - The K7RA Solar Update <#m_-7037455947285644965_toc11>
   - Just Ahead in Radiosport <#m_-7037455947285644965_toc12>
   - Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions
   <#m_-7037455947285644965_toc13>

Buildout of Nationwide First Responder Broadband Network Could Drive
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Changes

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet <https://firstnet.gov/>) --
a nationwide wireless broadband network for first responders -- could
change the complexion of how the Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®)
functions to support communication for responders during disasters and
emergencies. As an independent authority within the US Department of
Commerce's National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA
<https://www.ntia.doc.gov/>), FirstNet's mission is to build out, deploy,
and operate an interoperable nationwide broadband network dedicated to
first responders. Ralph Haller, N4RH, the chairman of the National Public
Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC <http://www.npstc.org/>), told
ARRL that the advent of FirstNet "will likely be as significant as when
public safety first began using radio."

"The nationwide network will be hardened, so that it will be more likely
that many of today's public safety systems remain operational in
emergencies," Haller said, pointing out that Amateur Radio should not
expect to have access to FirstNet. He cautioned, "The endurance of Amateur
Radio systems in disasters has been a big selling point in the past for
incorporating amateur operators in emergency plans, but perhaps not so much
in the future."

NPSTC is a federation of organizations that work toward improving public
safety communication and interoperability, and ARRL has a seat on NPSTC's
Governing Board. Haller predicted that Amateur Radio's role in emergencies
will not disappear. "There is no substitute for eyes and ears on the ground
in an emergency," he said, adding that radio amateurs "can and should
continue to play an important part" in supporting emergency communication.

"Amateur operators can continue to provide valuable information to
emergency operations centers in the recovery phase of disasters," he said.
"Whether that intelligence gathering is reporting on storm clouds, power
outages, or road closures, amateurs can help provide critical, real-time
information about conditions over a vast area. While first responders are
treating the injured or protecting life and property, the amateur community
can concentrate on assessing the overall picture."

*Ralph Haller, N4RH, the chairman of the National Public Safety
Telecommunications Council.*

On March 30, FirstNet and the Commerce Department announced a 25-year
partnership with AT&T as the primary contractor to make FirstNet a reality.
"The ability to communicate seamlessly across jurisdictions is critical for
law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) when securing
large events or responding to emergencies and disasters," a Commerce
Department news release said. "In those instances, networks can become
overloaded and inaccessible, limiting responders' use of vital
communication technologies, such as smartphones and applications dedicated
to public safety services."

Public safety agencies already use commercial wireless networks, such as
AT&T and Verizon, to supplement their own radio systems and networks,
although such communication is not point to point. FirstNet is initially
targeted primarily to provide video and data, with mission-critical voice
communication at least a decade away. EMS is likely to become a heavy user
of the network, which will employ voice command functions a la Siri or
Alexa.
------------------------------

"Be sure the public safety organizations never forget how valuable the
amateurs are!"* -- NPSTC Chairman Ralph Haller, N4RH*
------------------------------

Inevitably there will be coverage gaps, and the development of
"deployables" is critical. These devices can expand the network to areas it
doesn't cover but where it may be needed for a specific incident.
Deployables could include satellites -- Inmarsat is a member of the AT&T
team. Network security and encryption is a high priority. The Military
Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) now uses encryption on its data nets.

While images in the form of digital Amateur Radio television (DATV) and a
plethora of digital modes are available to ARES, FirstNet could nudge ARES
to more quickly adopt a similar approach. A new generation of radio
amateurs steeped in data, image, and video technology is likely to drive
ARES to think beyond analog.

Haller advised that the Amateur Radio community should continue to work
closely with public safety organizations at all levels to assure that they
remain a part of emergency plans.

"The hype about broadband should not result in amateurs inadvertently being
swept under the rug," Haller stressed. "Be sure the public safety
organizations never forget how valuable the amateurs are!"

FirstNet will use spectrum at 700 MHz -- no immediate threat to Amateur
Radio allocations, although there is no guarantee that this won't change as
the network approaches the shift to 5th generation (5G) technology. Amateur
Radio has access to significant spectrum above 700 MHz.

The expectation is that within a couple of years, a nationwide "core"
network will be ready to roll out, and the first public safety users will
be on board. Some regional networks have been set up for proof-of-concept
purposes and to work out wrinkles. *-- Thanks to Mike Corey, KI1U, and
Ralph Haller, N4RH*
Amateur Radio Provides Communication Link Following Sri Lanka Flooding

Members of the Radio Society of Sri Lanka (RSSL <http://www.rssl.lk/>)
responded to an urgent call for help in the wake of torrential monsoon
rainfall in southwestern Sri Lanka on May 28 that caused flooding and
landslides.
The Road Development Authority (RDA) contacted RSSL President Jaliya
Lokeshwara, 4S7JL, seeking communication help from radio amateurs. The RSSL
reports that emergency communication was needed to link remote Kalawana,
one of the worst hit areas, and Ratnapura. All communication had failed due
to heavy flooding, landslides, and damage to the telecommunications
infrastructure.

The RDA declared roads were impassable. Only air rescue by the Sri Lanka
Air Force helicopters was possible, and the lack of communication support
made that task even more difficult. A plan was quickly put into place to
airlift four radio amateurs from the capital, Colombo, to both affected
locations to form a communications link.

Jaliya Lokeshwara, 4S7JL, and Nadika Hapuarachchi, 4S6NCH, were the first
ready to go. A second team consisted of Victor Goonetilleke, 4S7VK, and
Dimuthu Wickramasinghe, 4S7DZ.

*Radio amateurs get ready to roll out en route to flood-stricken areas in
Sri Lanka. [Photo courtesy of RSSL]*

"We knew we could do it. We were self-sufficient and willing to rough it
out," Goonetilleke said. "It was a hard task, but within 30 minutes of
landing, the high frequency link was established." They used 40 and 75
meters, as well as 2 meters. He said they spent 2 days coordinating rescue
flights, the movement of patients from Kalawana hospital to Ratnapura, and
food drops.

The emergency link remained in place until mobile phone service was
restored and roadways cleared. "We are happy we could win the day for
simple high-frequency radio," Goonetilleke said.

The disaster recovery continues. Nearly 180 people died, and thousands were
displaced by the weather disaster. *-- Thanks to Jim Linton, VK3PC,
Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee, with Jayant S.
Bhide, VU2JAU, National Coordinator for Disaster Communication in India
(ARSI), and Victor Goonetilleke, 4S7VK*
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The Doctor Will See You Now!

"Flea Market Tips" is the topic of the current 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, 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: "The Mystery of Sporadic E Propagation."
------------------------------
Support ARRL and Earn 10,000 Bonus Points

You get more with the ARRL Visa Signature® Card. For starters, spend just
$2,000 in the first 90 days and you'll earn 10,000 BONUS POINTS1 -- plus
you'll enjoy a long list of great everyday benefits, including:

   - No annual fee
   <https://applications.usbank.com/oad/catalog/terms.controller?step=display&locationCode=9507&productId=05>
   (subject to creditworthiness)
   - One reward point for every $1 spent in eligible net purchases2
   - Merchant upgrades, special offers, savings, and more

In addition, part of every card purchase will *be donated automatically to
ARRL*. So you can make a difference with every purchase, every day.

Don't wait. Special offer ends on June 30, 2017. Apply today
<https://applications.usbank.com/oad/begin?locationCode=9507&productId=05&sourceCode=36849>!

There are two different ARRL Visa Cards: the ARRL Visa Signature Card and
the ARRL Select Rewards Visa Card. You will first be considered for the
Signature Card. If you do not qualify for the Signature Card, you will be
considered for the Select Rewards Card. These cards have different terms,
as set forth here
<https://applications.usbank.com/oad/catalog/terms.controller?step=display&locationCode=9507&productId=05>.
The Select Rewards Card may not offer the same Signature benefits.

We may change APRs, fees, and other Account terms in the future based on
your experience with U.S. Bank National Association and its affiliates as
provided under the Cardmember Agreement and applicable law.

Account must be open and in good standing to earn bonus points. Upon
approval, refer to your Rewards Program Rules for more information.

1To earn the bonus points, you must spend $2,000 on eligible net purchases
within 90 days of account open date. Subject to credit approval. Please
wait 6-8 weeks for account to be credited.

2 Net purchases are purchases minus credits and returns.

© 2017 U.S. Bank National Association
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FCC Issues Amateur Radio Licensee a *Notice of Violation* for Pirate
Broadcasting

The FCC Enforcement Bureau has sent a California Amateur Radio
licensee a *Notice
of Violation* (*NoV
<https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-345096A1.pdf>*) alleging
that he engaged in unlicensed -- or "pirate" -- radio broadcasting -- on
the FM band. The *NoV* to Lyle E. Hilden, KD6LUL, of Vista, was released on
May 26. Depending on Hilden's responses, the *NoV* could be a precursor to
a *Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture* (fine).

According to the FCC's Los Angeles Office, the Enforcement Bureau in March
received a complaint of an apparently unlicensed FM broadcasting station on
93.7 MHz in Vista. The *NoV* does not indicate the origin of the complaint,
but these sometimes come from legitimate broadcasters in the listening
area. The *NoV* also does not recount the nature of the alleged pirate
broadcasts nor indicate how long they had continued. The following month,
FCC agents monitored the apparent unlicensed signal 93.7 MHz and used
direction-finding techniques "to positively locate" its source as Hilden's
residence.

"Field strength measurements revealed that the signal transmitted by the
station greatly exceeded 250 μV per meter at 3 meters -- the maximum
permitted on 93.7 [under Part 15 rules] without a Broadcast license," the
FCC said in the *NoV*. Agents inspected Hilden's station and pointed out in
the *NoV* that his Amateur Radio license does not entitle him to transmit
on the FM broadcast band.

The FCC called on Hilden to provide additional information in writing
within 20 days of the *NoV*, fully explaining any violations and providing
"all relevant surrounding facts and circumstances." Hilden also must spell
out and provide a timeline for the actions he has taken to correct any
violations and preclude their recurrence.
FCC Issues *Notice of Unlicensed Operation* in Public Safety Interference
Complaint

The FCC has issued a *Notice of Unlicensed Operation* (*NUO*
<https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-344978A1.pdf>) to a
Texas man for causing interference to a VHF public safety communications
system in Dallas County. The FCC Enforcement Bureau issued the *Notice* to
Bradley C. Pike of Dallas on May 17.

On April 3, agents from the FCC's Dallas Enforcement Bureau Office
responded to a complaint from Dallas County Consolidated Services regarding
interference to their VHF public safety communications system.

Agents confirmed by direction-finding techniques that VHF emissions coming
from Pike's residence were causing the interference. Pike surrendered a
radio signal jammer after admitting to agents that he had used the device,
the FCC said. The Communications Act not only prohibits intentional
interference, but the manufacture, importation, marketing, sale, or
operation of devices designed to jam or disrupt wireless communications
deliberately.

Pike could face a substantial fine, seizure of radio equipment, and criminal
sanctions, including imprisonment, the FCC said. Pike was given 30 days to
respond to the *Notice*.
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Another Successful WX4NHC Annual Station Test in Advance of Hurricane Season

Over the holiday weekend, WX4NHC <http://www.wx4nhc.org> at the National
Hurricane Center (NHC <http://www.nhc.noaa.gov>) in Miami logged nearly 200
contacts throughout the US, Canada, the Caribbean, and even Europe, during
its annual station test, conducted ahead of the 2017 hurricane season,
which begins on June 1 and continues through November 30. The annual
exercise on May 27 served to check out Amateur Radio Station equipment,
antennas, and computer systems.

"We had a very successful WX4NHC Radio Station Test," said Assistant WX4NHC
Amateur Radio Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R. "All of our radio and
computer equipment and new main HF dipole antenna worked well. We feel that
our equipment will perform well if needed during this hurricane season."

WX4NHC was on the air for about 8 hours, Ripoll said, and utilized all
communication modes available at the station on HF, VHF, and UHF, including
EchoLink, IRLP, DMR, D-STAR, D-RATS, and digital HF messaging via Winlink.

WX4NHC also tested the Florida statewide SARNet, which links more than 26
VHF/UHF repeaters and emergency operating centers. "Our UHF repeater on the
Florida International University campus is part of SARNet, sponsored by the
State of Florida Department of Transportation. Several stations throughout
Florida, including the EOC in the state capital of Tallahassee went into
the WX4NHC log.

>From the Canadian Hurricane Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Bob Robichaud,
VE1MBR, reported that it was 50° F (and 93° F in Miami at the time).
Robichaud expressed appreciation for the cooperation between the Canadian
and US hurricane centers and WX4NHC during the storm season, Ripoll said.

Rob Macedo, KD1CY, served as net control station for the VoIP Hurricane Net
from WA1EMA at the Acushnet, Massachusetts, Emergency Management Agency.
The Assistant Director of the Acushnet EMA, Ed Caron, KA1RSY, "also took
time to make a contact and send his cool regards," Ripoll said.

*Alan Wolfe, WB4L, and Susan Blank, WX2L, operate at WX4NHC during the 2017
station test. [Photo courtesy of Julio Ripoll, WD4R]*

WX4NHC also contacted the Lafayette, Louisians EOC, the Slidell National
Weather Service Office, the San Juan, Puerto Rico EOC, and stations in
Germany and in Israel.

"Many of our contacts were with individual Amateur Radio operators who
volunteer as SKYWARN spotters for their local NWS offices and also
participate in the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on HF during hurricanes,"
Ripoll said. "One of them -- Debbie Gray, WX9VOR, from Aurora, Illinois --
was very active relaying surface reports during Hurricane Matthew last
year."

Ripoll thanked all who participated in the annual test. "We hope our
services are not needed during this hurricane season," he added, "but if
needed, we are ready to provide NHC backup communications and ready to
receive those important surface reports from stations inside the hurricane.
Your surface report or your relay can make a big difference." Read more
<http://www.arrl.org/news/another-successful-wx4nhc-annual-station-test>.
QB-50 Constellation Satellites Deployed from International Space Station

More than 2 dozen QB50 <https://upload.qb50.eu/listCubeSat/> constellation
CubeSats have been deployed from the International Space Station (ISS),
including three carrying Amateur Radio transponders. Built by student
groups from 23 countries, the "string-of-pearls" QB50 constellation aims to
study the lower thermosphere 200-380 kilometers above Earth. The satellites
were launched to the ISS in March aboard an Atlas V rocket.

In all 28 QB50 2U and 3U CubeSats were released into orbit between May 16
and May 25. These included LilacSat-1
<http://lilacsat.hit.edu.cn/?page_id=594> (ON02CN), which includes an
Amateur Radio VHF/UHF FM to Codec2-BPSK digital voice transponder, APRS
digipeater, and a camera; X-CubeSat <https://upload.qb50.eu/detail/FR01/>
(ON01FR) and SpaceCube <https://upload.qb50.eu/detail/FR05/> (ON05FR).
LilacSat-1 now is operational. Its transponder's FM uplink is 145.985 MHz
(67 Hz CTCSS tone); the Codec2 9600 bps BPSK downlink is 436.510 MHz. The
uplink frequency for both X-CubeSat and SpaceCube is 145.860 MHz (210.7 Hz
CTCSS tone). Downlinks are 437.020 MHz for X-CubeSat and 436.880 MHz for
SpaceCube.

LilacSat-1 was developed at the Harbin Institute of Technology. Its primary
payload is an ion and neutral particle mass spectrometer, developed by the
University of London, to measure the mass and distribution of charged and
neutral atoms. Shortly after its deployment, LilacSat-1 took a picture of
the ISS solar panels, and the image was received by students on 70
centimeters, using 9,600 bps BPSK.

Eight other QB50 CubeSats will be placed into orbit from India onboard Polar
Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLVs). No launch campaign has been announced
for another four QB50 CubeSats. All of the QB50 CubeSats have downlinks
between 435.8 and 438 MHz, and reports <https://upload.qb50.eu/upload/>
from radio amateurs are welcome.

In 2014, two precursor QB50 CubeSats were launched -- QB50p1
(EO-79/FunCube-3) and QB50p2 (EO-80). Both carried Amateur Radio
transponders.
[image: Ad] <http://www.arrl.org/nladclick.php?n=al&t=i&i=2017-06-01&p=3>
Our Sun's 11-Year Magnetic Cycle Destined to Disappear

The Sun's 11-year magnetic cycle appears to be ending, but that won't
happen anytime soon. In a paper <https://arxiv.org/pdf/1705.09668.pdf>
submitted on May 26 to the journal *Solar Physics*, two solar scientists
are reinterpreting earlier evidence to hypothesize that the Sun's rotation
rate and magnetic field are in a transitional phase that could lead to
lengthening solar cycles, with the cycle ultimately disappearing altogether
between 800 million and 2.4 billion years from now. Travis S. Metcalfe and
Jennifer van Saders propose the scenario in their paper "Magnetic Evolution
and the Disappearance of Sun-like Activity Cycles."

"After decades of effort, the solar activity cycle is exceptionally well
characterized, but it remains poorly understood," the authors say in the
paper's abstract. "Pioneering work at the Mount Wilson Observatory
demonstrated that other Sun-like stars also show regular activity cycles
and suggested two possible relationships between the rotation rate and the
length of the cycle. Neither of these relationships correctly describe the
properties of the Sun, a peculiarity that demands explanation."

The authors cite stellar evidence for the shutdown of "magnetic braking" in
stars similar to our Sun. "The new picture of rotational and magnetic
evolution provides a framework for understanding some observational
features of stellar activity cycles that have until now been mysterious,"
they said.

*Solar researcher Travis Metcalfe.*

Metcalfe explained their observations through a recent Forbes magazine
article
<http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucedorminey/2017/05/27/the-suns-magnetic-dynamo-is-weakening/#3dcdc2df4fee>.
"Our previous discoveries identified an unexpected transition in the
rotation and magnetism of middle-aged stars," Metcalfe is quoted in the
article, "The Sun's Magnetic Dynamo Is Weakening" by Bruce Dorminey. "We
now have direct evidence that the stellar dynamo -- the mechanism inside
stars that sustains their magnetic fields -- actually shuts down during
this transition."

In their paper, the authors said that future observations with the Las
Cumbres Observatory global telescope network "promise to probe the onset
and duration of the magnetic transition that drives the evolution and
eventual disappearance of Sun-like activity cycles."

*Jennifer van Saders at a Carnegie Observatories seminar earlier this year.*

A 2016 paper Travis co-authored -- "Stellar Evidence that the Solar Dynamo
May Be in Transition," published in *The Astrophysical Journal Letters*,
concluded, "The Sun still exhibits a dipole component to its global field,
particularly near magnetic minimum, but the solar analogs also suggest a
gradual concentration of the field into smaller spatial scales, leading to
weakened magnetic braking,"

Metcalfe is listed on the paper as being associated with the Space Science
Institute and the White Dwarf Research Corp, both in Boulder, Colorado. Van
Saders is listed as being associated with the Observatories of the Carnegie
Institution for Science in Pasadena, California, and the Department of
Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University in New Jersey.
Ham Radio Aviator Set to Depart on Round-the-World Flight

Brian Lloyd, WB6RQN, took off from Miami, Florida, on June 1 on a
solo, round-the-world
flight <http://projectameliaearhart.org/> to commemorate Amelia Earhart's
attempt to circumnavigate the globe 80 years ago.

"Airborne!," he posted to his Facebook page
<https://www.facebook.com/Brian.WB6RQN>, once aloft. "En route to St
Thomas!"

Lloyd will be on the air from *Spirit*, his single-engine Mooney 231
aircraft, during the course of his journey, expected to take 2 months. He
will follow Earhart's historic route to fly around the globe at the
equator, starting in Miami, skirting the Caribbean islands, then passing
along the coast of South America before heading across the Atlantic.

"I am driven by the spirit of historic flights," Lloyd said before leaving
his Texas airstrip for Miami. "It is important to remember the aviation
pioneers like Amelia Earhart and their contributions to aviation. Their
bold actions made today's air travel possible for all of us."

In late May, severe weather on the Atlantic route and aircraft equipment
problems forced Lloyd to call off his New York-to-Paris speed flight.
"There was only a short window of time that the flight could have happened,
and the window has now closed," a May 22 announcement said.

Lloyd will be on the air <http://projectameliaearhart.org/ham-radio> using
HF SSB on or about 14,210.0 kHz, 14,346.0 kHz, 18,117.5 kHz, or 7,130.0
kHz. On board, he has a Mobat Micom-3 transceiver, which puts out about 125
W. His antenna is under the fuselage. He also will utilize ALE (automatic
link establishment) on the Amateur Radio HFLINK <http://hflink.com/>
frequencies.

*Brian Lloyd, WB6RQN, during a test flight over Texas earlier this year.
[Josh Flowers, photo]*

"The flight route has some very long legs, so I will have plenty of
opportunities during June and July to talk with ham operators while flying
over the world's oceans," said Lloyd, 62, who has been licensed since 1976
but has been flying since 1968.

To give his 1979 Mooney aircraft additional range, he modified it to carry
150 gallons more fuel. He's also equipped it with modern navigation
equipment, long-range radio, and satellite communication gear. Because the
flight involves some risk, special safety gear is part of his equipment
ensemble.

In addition to being a pilot, Lloyd is a flight instructor and educator. He
lives near San Antonio. His commemorative flight is co-sponsored by The
Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum, a non-profit in Texas, and by individual
contributions.
The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: The average daily sunspot number for the
reporting week of May 25-31 dropped from 31.7 to 15.6, compared to the
previous 7 days. There were no sunspots on May 30, but on May 31 sunspot
region 2661 appeared, and the sunspot number was 11, which is the lowest
non-zero sunspot number possible, due to the arcane method for counting
sunspots. The average daily solar flux increased from 74.1 to 77.2.

The average planetary A index increased from 11 to 13.3, and the average
mid-latitude A index went from 11.7 to 10.6.

Predicted solar flux is 75, 76, and 77 on June 1-3; 78 on June 4-6; 75 on
June 7-10; 78 on June 11; 80 on June 12-21; 75 on June 22-23; 72, 78, and
72 on June 24-26; 70 on June 27-July 5; 75 on July 6-7; 78 on July 8, and
80 on July 9-15.

Predicted planetary A index is 5, 10, 14, 8, and 6 on June 1-5; 5 on June
6-9; 10 and 12 on June 10-11; 8 on June 12-13; 10, 12, 25, and 10 on June
14-17; 8 on June 18-19; 5 on June 20-24; 12 on June 25; 5 on June 26-July
6; 10 and 12 on July 7-8; 8 on July 9-10, and 10, 12, 25, 10, and 8 on July
11-15.

Looking ahead: The latest forecast for ARRL Field Day weekend, June 24-25,
has solar flux on June 23-25 at 75, 72, and 78, and predicted planetary A
index at 5, 5, and 12.

On Sunday during the CQ World Wide WPX CW contest, a large geomagnetic
disturbance occurred. Planetary A index was 51, and the High-Latitude
College A index (Fairbanks, Alaska) was 84. I received two reports of
enhanced 10-meter propagation on Sunday. N6GP in California sent a link to
a video <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8Q4iJRfGT4>.

Sunspot numbers for May 25-31 were 19, 22, 21, 20, 16, 0, and 11, with a
mean of 15.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 76.1, 80.2, 81.9, 78.8, 75.8,
73.7, and 74.1, with a mean of 77.2. Estimated planetary A indices were 4,
3, 14, 51, 10, 7, and 4, with a mean of 13.3. Estimated mid-latitude A
indices were 4, 3, 14, 32, 10, 6, and 5, with a mean of 10.6.

In Friday's bulletin, look for an updated forecast, reports from readers,
and more on the May 28 disturbance and enhancement. Send <k7ra at arrl.net> me
your reports and observations.
------------------------------
Just Ahead in Radiosport

   -

   June 3 -- Wake-Up! QRP Sprint
   -

   June 3-4 -- PVRC Reunion (CW, phone)
   -

   June 3-4 -- 10-10 International Open Season PSK Contest
   -

   June 3-4 -- DigiFest
   -

   June 3-4 -- SEANET Contest (CW, phone)
   -

   June 3-4 -- UKSMG Summer Contest (CW, phone, digital)
   -

   June 3-4 -- IARU Region 1 Field Day (CW)
   -

   June 3-4 -- Dutch Kingdom Contest (CW, phone)
   -

   June 3-4 -- RSGB National Field Day (CW)
   -

   June 3-4 -- Alabama QSO Party (CW, phone)
   -

   June 5 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship (Digital)
   -

   June 6 -- ARS Spartan 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

   -

   June 2-4 -- Northwestern Division Convention <http://www.seapac.org/>,
   Seaside, Oregon
   -

   June 3 -- Georgia Section Convention <http://atlantahamfest.com/>,
   Marietta, Georgia
   -

   June 4 -- Western Pennsylvania Section Convention
   <http://www.breezeshooters.org/>, Prospect, Pennsylvania
   -

   June 9-10 -- West Gulf Division Convention <http://www.hamcom.org/>,
   Irving, Texas
   -

   June 16-18 -- Utah State Convention
   <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/utah-state-convention-1>, Garden City, Utah
   -

   June 17 -- Tennessee State Convention <http://www.w4bbb.org/>,
   Knoxville, Tennessee
   -

   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

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

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Preview YouTube video CME Enhancement of F2 Layer 10 Meters May 28, 2017
CME Enhancement of F2 Layer 10 Meters May 28, 2017
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8Q4iJRfGT4&authuser=0>
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