The ARRL Letter for January 18, 2024

[ARRL Web site]

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

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

January 18, 2024

John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, Editor <ne...@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 is New Publisher of Gordon West, WB6NOA
- Amateur Radio Club Donation Helps Mississippi Library
- Georgia State Parks on the Air 2024
- Radio Help Wanted: Must Like Geysers, Bison, and Helicopter Rides
- Amateur Radio in the News
- ARRL Podcasts
- Announcements
- In Brief...
- The K7RA Solar Update
- Upcoming Contests:
- Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

==> ARRL IS NEW PUBLISHER OF GORDON WEST, WB6NOA

ARRL <https://www.arrl.org/gordon-west> is the new publisher of the
Amateur Radio License Preparation books and related resources authored
by Gordon West, WB6NOA.

General Class FCC Element 3 Amateur Radio License Preparation, 11th
Edition 2023-2027, by Gordon West, WB6NOA, will be available soon from
ARRL and ARRL publication dealers.

Gordon West's popular books, classes, and audio courses have been a
mainstay of amateur radio licensing for over 40 years. Generations of
hams have learned from 'Gordo', and now the impact of his knowledge and
experience will continue with the reach and resources of ARRL.

Current editions of Gordon West's popular license prep books will be
available from ARRL and ARRL publication dealers
<http://www.arrl.org/arrl-publication-dealers> soon. Look for the
category "Gordon West License Prep" in the ARRL e-store
<http://www.arrl.org/shop>.

The books, including future editions, will continue to be authored by
Gordon West with Technical Editor Eric P. Nichols, KL7AJ. Nichols is a
regular contributor to ARRL publications and has written several ARRL
books. He has collaborated on the Gordon West books since 2013.

Gordon West Named ARRL National Instructor

ARRL Education and Learning Manager Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, has also
announced that Gordon West has been named ARRL National Instructor.

Goodgame leads ARRL programs that benefit amateur radio volunteer
instructors <http://www.arrl.org/volunteer-instructors-mentors> and
professional educators
<http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-in-the-classroom>. "Gordon West will
serve as the ambassador for the new ARRL National Instructor Program,"
said Goodgame. "The program will place greater emphasis on connecting
prospective hams with opportunities to find ARRL Affiliated Radio Clubs
<http://www.arrl.org/find-a-club>, classes
<http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class>, and exams
<http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session>. The
National Instructor Program will also support ARRL volunteer
instructors with new resources for teaching amateur radio courses and
for developing licensees."

Read more about this exciting collaboration on ARRL News
<https://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-is-new-publisher-of-gordon-west-wb6noa>.

Download the press release here
<https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Media%20&%20PR/press%20releases/2024/ARRL%20GORDON%20WEST%20PRESS%20RELEASE%2017%20Jan%202024.pdf>

(PDF) and visit www.arrl.org/gordon-west
<https://www.arrl.org/gordon-west> for more information.

==> AMATEUR RADIO CLUB DONATION HELPS MISSISSIPPI LIBRARY

The Jackson Amateur Radio Club <http://www.msham.org/> (JARC) has
donated two complete sets of ARRL books and posters on the information
in amateur radio, valued at $2,000, to the Madison County Library
System (MCLS) in Canton, Mississippi.

"These book titles represent the brain trust of what we know about
amateur radio today. We hope they will plant the seed and sow the
future for radio-based technology in Madison County," said Frank
Howell, K4FMH, an Assistant Director for the ARRL Delta Division. "The
books, published by ARRL, include topics on basic electronics, antenna
building, [and] rules and regulations, and [include] amateur radio
license study guides."

MCLS Director Tammie Terry was excited about the donation. "The Jackson
Amateur Radio Club and ARRL have been highly supportive of helping us
with our science and technology emphasis throughout our library
system," she said. "This large donation will help us get these reading
materials to the patrons who will most certainly benefit from them for
a long time."

JARC President Jim Armstrong, AK5J, said they hope to continue making
donations. "We have worked out a formal partnership between our club
and the Madison County Library System. With assistance from ARRL, we
are making our first donation of material, equipment, and STEM-oriented
programming to the Madison County's libraries. Our intent is to make
this support an ongoing [club project]."

>From left to right: JARC President Jim Armstrong, AK5J; MCLS Assistant
Director/System Administrator Ray Myers; MCLS Technology Training
Specialist Tamra Bates; MCLS Director Tammie Terry, and ARRL Delta
Division Assistant Director Frank Howell, K4FMH. [Photo courtesy of
Frank Howell, K4FMH]

JARC will also be holding periodic events at various Madison County
library locations this year. With the slogan, Saturday Morning Amateur
Radio Time (SMART), the club is offering a public program at the
Rebecca Baine Rigby Library entitled, "Amateur Radio: Do They Still Do
That?" on March 2, 2024. A follow-up SMART event with a live on-air
operation is planned for May.

ARRL Delta Division Director David Norris, K5UZ, has promoted the
Plant-the-Seed Initiative. "We have been very enthusiastic about the
concept and program that our Assistant Director, Frank Howell, has
created. This partnership concept is being promoted nationwide." Norris
added, "The MCLS is the national leader now in using community
resources, like area ham radio clubs, to extend their technology-based
outreach and leverage the public dollars invested in the local library
system."

==> GEORGIA STATE PARKS ON THE AIR 2024

The second annual Georgia State Parks on the Air
<https://gaparks.org/>will be held April 6 - 7, 2024. ARRL member and
event coordinator Claude Ray, AC4SH, said that the first event was a
success and that participants insisted on having another one.

"For both activators and hunters, the event went far beyond our
expectations. Of the 50 listed parks, 48 were activated, with 109
activators making nearly 20,000 contacts with over 4,000 hunters," said
Ray. He added that the 2024 event promises to be even better, with the
addition of two new Georgia parks and, based on feedback from
participants, the rules have been tweaked to add new opportunities
receiving awards.

There are now separate classes for rovers and single-park activators,
as well as a new category for QRP activators. There are also new
bonuses available, not only for past winners but also for first-time
activators and those who contact the two newly added locations. A new
hike-in bonus has been added for operators who carry their gear more
than a mile into the park and activate from there. Ray said the basic
purpose of the event remains the same. "The objective is to encourage
ham radio operators to visit Georgia state parks and experience the fun
of Parks on the Air activations. This is a fun contest only. The rules
are minimal, the scoring is simple, and the main award is simply the
fun of getting on the air."

The contest period begins at 8:00 AM EDT on April 6, and ends at 7:59
PM EDT on April 7. Operating hours are subject to park rules and times.
Every station participating in the event and registering will, upon
request, receive a certificate of participation. The top finishers in
each category will also receive an award certificate.

Further information and event rules are available at
https://gaparks.org <https://gaparks.org/>.

==> RADIO HELP WANTED: MUST LIKE GEYSERS, BISON, AND HELICOPTER RIDES

Occasionally, The ARRL Letter shares job postings that may be of
interest to radio amateurs, and this one may be the most scenic job yet
-- Yellowstone National Park is looking for three radio technicians,
according to posts on the park's social media and a listing on the
USAJobs website <https://www.usajobs.gov/job/770610200>.

The job listing says that the electronics technician (radio) positions
are "located in Yellowstone National Park, in the Technology Services
Radio Shop within the Administrative Division." There's even a
provision for hazard-duty pay for mountaintop repeater helicopter
flights and tower climbing.

On Facebook, the park has some fun with their post
<https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=938318630984234&set=a.883222766493821>:
"Does your idea of taking your career to new heights involve flying in
a helicopter to 10,000 foot peaks? How about hiking, snowmobiling, and
even skiing your way to telecom sites? Well... do we have the job for
you! We are hiring not one, but 3... yes THREE, Electronic Radio
Technicians," it says.

The lucky three who are hired for these positions will have their work
cut out for them; the system has eight repeaters, more than 20 base
stations, and 500 mobile and 1,000 portable radios -- all in a national
park with 500 geysers and 5,900 American bison.

==> 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>.

"NC homeowners tell legislators: We need more protections from
unscrupulous HOAs
<https://news.yahoo.com/nc-homeowners-tell-legislators-more-212858503.html>"
/ The Charlotte Observer (North Carolina) January 11, 2024 -- Marvin
Hoffman, WA4NC, is the Section Manager of the ARRL North Carolina
Section.

"Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club to host Hamfest Jan. 19-20 at FSW
<https://www.lehighacrescitizen.com/2024/01/12/fort-myers-amateur-radio-club-to-host-hamfest-jan-19-20-at-fsw/>"

/ Lehigh Acres Citizen (Florida) January 12, 2024 -- The Fort Myers
Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club.

"Radio to the rescue
<https://midlandexpress.com.au/latest-news/2024/01/16/radio-to-the-rescue/>"
/ Midland Express (Australia) January 16, 2024 -- Tony Falla, VK3KKP,
amateur radio operator from the Bendigo Amateur Radio and Electronics
Club.

"The Bosque Amateur Radio Club is connecting with people in Ukraine.
Here's how.
<https://www.abqjournal.com/good_news/the-bosque-amateur-radio-club-is-connecting-people-in-ukraine-heres-how/article_80d1342a-b4c3-11ee-9350-5752180bf928.html>"

/ Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico) January 18, 2024 -- The Bosque
Amateur Radio Club.

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

==> ARRL PODCASTS

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

Maintaining a "junk box" -- a collection of odds and ends that can be
used in future projects and repairs -- is a time-honored practice among
hams. Every ham radio junk box has to start somewhere, though, and the
cover story of the January/February 2024 issue of On the Air, "A Fine
Mess: Starting Your Junk Box," by Eric P. Nichols, KL7AJ, offers advice
about how to do just that. The January 2024 episode of the On the Air
podcast digs deeper by going on location to the workshop of W1AW,
ARRL's Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station. Station Manager Joe Carcia,
NJ1Q, welcomes us into this working space to show us some real-life
junk boxes and discuss how they come in handy.

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 and ARRL Audio News are available on blubrry,
iTunes, and Apple Podcasts -- On the Air
<https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/> | ARRL Audio News
<https://blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/>.

==> ANNOUNCEMENTS

2024 QuartzFest <https://quartzfest.org/>, a weeklong amateur radio
camping event, will be held January 21 - 27. The event began in the
Sonoran Desert in 1995 near mile marker 99, about 6 miles south of
Quartzsite, Arizona. According to its website, Quartzfest was initially
billed as "just a simple little campout in the desert with good friends
sharing a common interest with ham radio and RVs." Today, it draws
nearly 1,000 visitors with a weeklong agenda of activities and
presentations. Special event station W7Q will be active on SSB voice,
CW, and FT8 in the Northern Arizona DX Association's communications
trailer. A complete listing of activities and events can be found here.
<https://quartzfest.org/2024-quartzfest-schedule#8cd8700b-b66f-479a-a049-381d1c2642c7>

Be on the lookout for the March 2024 issue of QST, in which Bob Wertz,
NF7E, of the Northern Arizona DX Association talks about how clubs can
stay active by way of special events like this in the issue's "Club
Station" column.

The 30th Annual Dayton Contest Dinner will be hosted by the North Coast
Contesters <https://www.northcoastcontesters.com/> during the weekend
of the 2024 Dayton Hamvention®, which is hosting the 2024 ARRL National
Convention. The dinner will be held at the Hope Hotel, located on
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday, May 18,
2024. Social hour will begin at 5:30 PM and dinner will follow at 6:30
PM. Contest Director John Dorr, K1AR, is the Master of Ceremonies, and
Chief Executive Officer of DX Engineering Tim Duffy, K3LR, is this
year's speaker. The 2024 CQ Contest Hall of Fame inductees will also be
announced at the dinner. Tickets are on sale now
<https://www.contestdinner.com/get-tickets/>. For additional
information, visit Dayton Contest Dinner - Ham Radio Contest Dinner in
Dayton Ohio <https://www.contestdinner.com/>.

==> IN BRIEF...

Amateur radio operators will have an opportunity to contact the USS
Iowa during the ship's 81st anniversary celebration. USS Iowa (BB-61)
is permanently moored at the National Museum of the Surface Navy
<https://surfacenavymuseum.org/> in San Pedro, California, and was
first commissioned during World War II on February 22, 1943. The on-air
event will be held on February 22, 2024, from 1600 to 2400 UTC. The
Battleship Iowa Amateur Radio Association (BIARA) will activate NI6BB,
the ship's original call sign, utilizing BIARA's amateur gear and a
circa 1980s legacy station with an AN/URT-23 transmitter and an
R-1051G/URR Navy receiver. To help operators looking for NI6BB, the
band plan below has been suggested to qualified associate operators.
These bands have been screened to minimize conflict with other modes or
known nets, but are subject to change due to existing traffic,
contests, or band conditions. FT8 or FT4 operations will be on the
standard frequencies for those modes.

Band A1A/CW J3E/SSB

40 meters 7.061 MHz 7.261 MHz
30 meters 10.116 MHz ----------
20 meters 14.061 MHz 14.261 MHz
17 meters 18.073 MHz 18.161 MHz
15 meters 21.061 MHz 21.361 MHz
12 meters 24.900 MHz 24.943 MHz
10 meters 28.061 MHz 28.361 MHz

For updates and additional information, contact BIARA
<https://biara.org/>.

==> THE K7RA SOLAR UPDATE

Tad Cook, K7RA, of Seattle, Washington, reports for this week's ARRL
Propagation Bulletin, ARLP003:

This solar disk image was taken on January 18, 2024. [Photo courtesy of
NASA SDO/HMI]

Solar activity increased substantially over the past week, with 12
new sunspot groups. One on January 11, five on January 12, one on
January 13, two on January 15, and three on January 16.

The average daily sunspot number rose from 146.1 to 167.3, and the
solar flux increased from 163.3 to 184.1.

Geomagnetic numbers remained low and practically unchanged, with the
planetary A index moving from 4.9 to 5, and the middle latitude A index
shifting from 4.3 to 3.9.

The predicted solar flux is 165 on January 18; 160 on January 19 - 20;
155, 150, 145, 150, 165, and 167 on January 21 - 26; 170 on January 27
- 29; 175 and 180 on January 30 - 31; 185 on February 1 - 4; 187 and
185 on February 5 - 6; 170 on February 7 - 8; 175 on February 9 - 10;
190 on February 11 - 12; 185, 175, 170, and 165 on February 13 - 16,
and 162 on February 17 - 18.

Predicted planetary A index is 8, 5, 8, and 8 on January 18 - 21; 5 on
January 22 - 27; 8 on January 28 - 30; 5 on January 31 through February
11; 8 on February 12 - 14, and 5 on February 15 - 23.

In an email on January 14, Jon Jones, N0JK, author of QST's "The World
Above 50 MHz column, wrote, "Today there are 13 sunspot groups on the
Earth side of the sun -- the greatest number so far in Solar Cycle 25.
Despite the surfeit of sunspots, the sun has been quiet all weekend.
Could it be the calm before the storm? One of the sunspots (AR3541) has
a delta-class magnetic field that poses a threat for X-class solar
flares."

Read about a gigantic solar hole at https://bit.ly/3O5ful2 .

Read about solar storms being monitored by the US and Korea at
https://bit.ly/3Snq5ui.

Find out information regarding a potential solar maximum from January
to October, at https://bit.ly/3RXNKQC.

Sunspot numbers for January 11 - 17 were 151, 188, 191, 183, 150, 150,
and 158, with a mean of 167.3. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 192.5,
186.4, 185.4, 187.9, 182.5, 179.6, and 174.1, with a mean of 184.1.
Estimated planetary A indices were 6, 4, 3, 6, 6, 6, and 4, with a mean
of 5. The middle latitude A index was 4, 4, 3, 5, 4, 4, and 3, with a
mean of 3.9.

Send your tips, questions, or comments to k7...@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 <k7...@arrl.net> your reports and observations.

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

==> UPCOMING CONTESTS:

- January 20 - 21-- Hungarian DX Contest (CW, phone)

- January 20 - 21 -- PRO Digi Contest (digital)

- January 20 -- North American QSO Party <https://ncjweb.com/naqp/>,
SSB (phone)

- January 20 - 21 -- NA Collegiate Championship, SSB (phone)

- January 20 - 22 -- ARRL January VHF Contest
<https://www.arrl.org/january-vhf> (CW, phone, digital)

- January 20 - 21 -- Feld Hell Sprint (digital)

- January 21 -- RSGB AFS Contest, Data (digital)

- January 21 - 22 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

- January 24 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)

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

==> UPCOMING SECTION, STATE, AND DIVISION CONVENTIONS

- 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

- February 2 - 3 | Capital City Hamfest 2024
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/jackson-ms-capital-city-hamfest-2024-arrl-mississippi-state-convention>,

hosting the ARRL Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi

- February 9 - 11 | Orlando HamCation
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/orlando-hamcation-arrl-florida-state-convention>,

hosting the ARRL Florida State Convention, Orlando, Florida

- February 24 | Central Dakota Amateur Radio Club
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/central-dakota-amateur-radio-club-hamfest-arrl-north-dakota-state-convention>,

hosting the ARRL North Dakota State Convention, Bismarck, North Dakota

- February 24 | HAM-CON
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/ham-con-arrl-vermont-state-convention-3>,
hosting the ARRL Vermont State Convention, Colchester, Vermont

- March 1 - 2 | Greater Houston HamFest
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/greater-houston-hamfest-arrl-west-gulf-division-convention>,

sponsoring the ARRL West Gulf Division Convention, Rosenberg, Texas

- March 8 - 9 | Acadiana DX Association Hamfest & Swapmeet
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/acadiana-dx-association-hamfest-swapmeet-arrl-louisiana-state-convention>,

sponsoring the ARRL Louisiana State Convention, Rayne, Louisiana

- March 16 | 49th Annual Stuart Hamfest
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/49th-annual-stuart-hamfest-arrl-southern-florida-section-convention>,

sponsoring the ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention, Stuart,
Florida

- March 16 | St. Patrick's Day Hamfest
<http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/st-patrick-s-day-hamfest-arrl-west-texas-section-convention-1>,

sponsoring the ARRL West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas

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
ne...@arrl.org. -- John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, ARRL News Editor
<ne...@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.

- NCJ -- National Contest Journal <http://www.ncjweb.com/>. Published
bimonthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints,
statistics, scores, NA Sprint, and QSO parties.

- QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters
<http://www.arrl.org/qex>. Published bimonthly, features technical
articles, construction projects, columns, and other items of interest
to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

Free of charge to ARRL members...

- Subscribe <https://home.arrl.org/action/My-Account/Opt-In-Out> to the
ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news),
the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest newsletter), Division and
Section news alerts, and much more!

- Find ARRL on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/ARRL.org/>! Follow us
on Threads <https://www.threads.net/arrlhq>, X
<https://twitter.com/arrl>, and Instagram
<https://www.instagram.com/arrlhq>

The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 51 times each year. ARRL
members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their Member
Data Page at www.arrl.org/opt-in-out
<https://home.arrl.org/action/My-Account/Opt-In-Out>.

Copyright (c) 2024 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated.
Use and distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is
permitted for non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution.
All other purposes require written permission.

<http://www.arrl.org/>