• Hawaii ARES Drill Tests All Communications
• ITU Celebrates 2022 World Amateur Radio Day
• ARRL President Emeritus Harry Dannals, W2HD, Celebrates Milestone Birthday
• Exclusive Diamond Club Gifts For 2022
• John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, is New ARRL News Editor
• ARRL Podcasts Schedule
• Amateur Radio in the News
• Announcements
• The K7RA Solar Update
• Just Ahead in Radiosport
• Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

The Hawaii Amateur Radio Emergency Service^® (ARES^®) conducted an operational readiness drill on April 16 to evaluate their emergency communications abilities if severe weather were to hit the state and disable regular communications.

The exercise simulated a 4-day period of catastrophic rain and wind covering the Hawaiian Islands, from Kauai to the Big Island, which took out power, internet, and cell phone towers. State, local, and federal agencies participated in the exercise to evaluate ARES members and non-members for radio operations and procedures.

ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, expressed that it's important for all agencies to work together during emergencies. "It is great to see ARES work this closely with local and state government agencies to overcome obstacles and provide emergency communications for the public," Johnston said. "Hawaii faces challenges that are different than other areas, but the general practice of preparing and exercising is the same anywhere you go."

The Hawaii Office of Homeland Security (OHS) participated in the drill, and OHS Administrator Frank Pace echoed the importance of all agencies working together. "We support the statewide training of amateur radio operators as part of the Incident Command System (ICS) structure, and the deployment of radio stations operated by volunteers, in preparing for disaster situations," he said.

There are 3,800 amateur radio operators in Hawaii, and OHS Statewide Interoperability Coordinator Everett Kaneshige said that coordinating all efforts is critical. "It is exciting to see the incorporation of innovative technology, such as the amateur radio-developed GPS software mapping capabilities," said Kaneshige. "Having multiple outlets for communication during a crisis is critical."

An article about the exercise was published by KITV 4 Island News.

To learn more about amateur radio and ARES in Hawaii, visit www.hamradiohawaii.com or the Ham Radio Hawaii Facebook group.

In recognition of World Amateur Radio Day, held on April 18, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) published articles and social media posts highlighting various facets of ham radio. This included an ITU News interview with Philipp Springer, DK6SP, Chair of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 1 Youth Working Group, and the article, "How to become a radio 'ham' in the digital era," by Nick Sinanis, SV3SJ, ITU Study Group Advisor and head of the ITU radio station, 4U1ITU.

Philipp Springer, DK6SP (on the right), is Chair of the IARU Region 1 Youth Working Group. He is seen promoting Youngsters On the Air (YOTA) at the 2019 Dayton Hamvention. [Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, photo]

Springer, age 24, earned his ham radio license when he was 9 years old. In his interview with ITU News, he explained the variety of operating techniques and social connections is part of what motivates young people to become active in ham radio in an increasingly digital world. "It's technical parts like experimenting with radio science, soldering, developing, and building electronics, in practice and not just theory," he said. "Secondly, it's [the] social part: we are connecting with other communities, meeting radio operators from all around the world. Lastly, we connect with other cultures: we practice foreign languages, visit other countries, and get on the air at so-called 'expeditions.'" Springer is also featured in an ITU video on YouTube.

In his article, Sinanis explained that "ITU plays a key role in amateur radio by overseeing the standardization and regulatory processes of the radiocommunication sector (ITU-R), with special emphasis on its utility in emergency communications." The ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies, and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) contributes to the work of the ITU as a Sector Member. World Amateur Radio Day marks the annual anniversary of the IARU, formed in Paris on April 18, 1925.

The ITU also celebrated World Amateur Radio Day via posts on Twitter:

• twitter.com/ITUradiocomms/status/1515964908894142470

• twitter.com/ITU/status/1515967346334179336

• twitter.com/ITUradiocomms/status/1516077442850557953

• twitter.com/ITUradiocomms/status/1516394912509530118

• twitter.com/ITU/status/1516392416558862343

-- Thanks to Dave Sumner, K1ZZ

ARRL President Emeritus Harry Dannals, W2HD (on the right), with his friend Jim Wilson, K4BAV.

On April 15, 2022, ARRL President Emeritus Harry Dannals, W2HD, celebrated his 95th birthday, as well as over 80 years of involvement in amateur radio. He served as ARRL President for 10 years, from 1972 - 1982, and the President Emeritus status was conferred in 1984.

Dannals is the only person to have served as president to both ARRL and the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA). He is an ARRL Life Member, and he is the oldest member of the Albemarle Amateur Radio Club, which boasts 175 members.

In an interview, Dannals said that when he was 10 years old, he practiced Morse code with his best friend and was able to master 50 - 60 words per minute.

On his birthday, he was visited by his friend, Jim Wilson, K4BAV, and his son, Bob Dannals, W2GG, who holds a Ph.D. and is a professor in the Johns Hopkins Medicine Department of Radiology and Radiological Science in Baltimore, Maryland.

Harry Dannals summarized his lifetime of experiences with amateur radio with the simple statement, "I've had fun."

There's never been a better time to join ARRL's Diamond Club.

Diamond Club ARRL - branded stemless wine glasses.

Diamond Club is a level of ARRL membership for our most committed members, and provides unrestricted funds that help ARRL carry out its mission to advance the art, science, and enjoyment of amateur radio.

Diamond Club members receive all the benefits of full ARRL membership, plus additional recognition and gifts based on their giving level. New for 2022, Diamond Club members who join, renew, or upgrade their membership with a contribution of $125 or more will receive a pair of ARRL-branded stemless wine glasses. Members who contribute $400 or more will receive an exclusive ARRL-branded wine decanter in addition to the wine glasses.

Membership in Diamond Club begins at $95 and includes all the benefits of ARRL annual membership. ARRL Life Members can join Diamond Club by contributing $50 or more annually. To learn more about the benefits and levels of Diamond Club and to become a member, visit home.arrl.org/action/Membership/DiamondClub.

For more information, please contact Development Manager Melissa Stemmer, KA7CLO, at (860) 594-0348 or by email.

John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, is the new ARRL News Editor. Ross was selected for the position following the recent retirement of Rick Lindquist, WW1ME, from the role -- which includes producing news content for the ARRL website, the weekly ARRL Letter, the "Happenings" and "Amateur Radio World" columns in QST, and voicing the weekly ARRL Audio News.

Ross has served as the Public Information Coordinator for the ARRL Ohio Section for the past 10 years. He is an award-winning journalist, broadcast engineer, and currently holds an Amateur Extra class license.

Ross got his start in broadcasting while in high school as the first student announcer for WCBE Radio in Columbus, Ohio. He has worked as an on-air radio and television news anchor, news director, program host and personality as well as voice talent for many commercials and documentaries. He was the first "voice" of the Ameritech cell phone system when it went on the air in 1989.

After graduating from The Ohio State University, and playing in the OSU Marching Band, he had dual careers as Vice President and Associate for Wilson Group Communications, a Columbus-based public relations, media relations, and crisis management firm. He recently retired from AT&T after 28 years as a Network Analyst.

Ross is also a Veteran serving 6 years in the United States Army and Army Reserve and a six-time recipient of the Presidents' Volunteer Service Award for helping disabled and homeless veterans.

Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be emailed to Ross.

The latest episode of the ARRL On the Air podcast (Episode 28) features a discussion of digital multimeters with practical usage examples and shopping tips.

The latest edition (Episode 58) of the ARRL Eclectic Tech podcast features a discussion with author Nick Tusa, K5EF, about his new book Wes Schum - Amateur Radio's Unsung Hero.

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 | Eclectic Tech.

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.

• "How to become a radio 'ham' in the digital era" / ITU News, April 19, 2022

• "Young radio amateurs light up the air: Q&A with Philipp Springer" / ITU News, April 18, 2022

• "Amateur Radio Operators across the state conduct 4-day emergency training exercise" / KITV 4 Island News (Hawaii), April 16, 2022

• "Ham radio operator reflects on 40-year hobby" / Kokomo Tribune (Indiana), April 14, 2022. Featuring Bill McAlpin, WD9GIU, and the Kokomo Amateur Radio Club.

• "American Radio Relay League, headquartered in Newington, celebrated for 100 years of service to emergency communication worldwide" / New Britain Herald (Connecticut), April 11, 2022

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

The Appalachian Trail Golden Packet event, an annual tradition started by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR (SK), in 2009, is set for July 16, 2022. The goal is to set up 15 temporary VHF/UHF APRS stations on mountaintops, along the Appalachian Trail, and send messages end to end between Georgia and Maine. For information, visit atgoldenpacket.net and join the discussion atgp.groups.io/g/main.

The National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting will have extended hours for this year's Dayton Hamvention^®. West Chester Amateur Radio Association, WC8VOA, will also be open during the extra hours. The Museum will be open Thursday, May 19, from 1 PM to 9 PM; Friday, May 20, from 1 PM to 9 PM; Saturday, May 21, from 1 PM to 9 PM, and Sunday, May 22, from 1 PM to 5 PM. Admission is $10 at the door. The Museum is a short drive from Hamvention down either Interstate 75 or Route 42 from Xenia. For GPS directions use, Crosley Blvd.

The Ohio ARES NVIS Antenna Day is scheduled for April 23, 2022, from 10 AM through 4 PM EDT. The purpose of Antenna Day is to learn about, construct, and test Near Vertical Incident Skywave (NVIS) antennas, as well as to evaluate the ability to conduct communications within a confined geographic area -- usually about 400 miles or less. NVIS antennas, or cloudburners, are very low wire antennas. Because they are close to the ground, the signal is reflected vertically and bounces back off the ionosphere very close to the original location. It is a great time to teach beginners the art of building antennas from scratch, including measuring, cutting, soldering, and deploying. These skills will come in handy throughout their ham radio career. For more information, contact [email protected].

The North American SSB Sprint Contest begins April 24, 0000 UTC, and concludes at 0400 UTC. The four-hour contest, on the 80-, 40-, and 20-meter bands, are short, intense competitions that challenge the best operators, while allowing others to sharpen their contesting skills. Operators who have never participated in the Sprints before should take a look at the Tips & Tricks section of the SSB Sprint website. For complete rules, visit ssbsprint.com/rules.

A Ham Radio and Scouting Training Conference will be held July 10 - 16, 2022, at the Philmont Scout Training Center in Cimarron, New Mexico. The course is designed to familiarize current Scouts who are hams, as well as unlicensed Scouts, with the benefits and fun associated with ham radio, and its introduction into the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) program. Since 1918, 200,000 Scouts have received the Radio Merit Badge (formally known as the Wireless Merit Badge), introducing them to radio technology, communication, and amateur radio. The course is $470 plus housing. More about the course and the schedule can be found at radioscouting.website.

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports:

This Solar Dynamics Observatory Image was taken on April 21, 2022. [Photo courtesy of NASA SDO/HMI]

Solar flares emerged daily over the last reporting week. On April 20, 2022, Spaceweather.com reported "Solar Activity is Intensifying," and over the past 24 hours, there were 19 solar flares, including six M-class events, and a powerful X2.2-class solar flare.

Daily sunspot numbers averaged 64.4, 30 points higher than last week, and average daily solar flux also rose 30 points from 103.1 to 133.1.

Even with all flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), geomagnetic indicators were lower, with average planetary A index going from 16.9 to 14.6, and middle latitude numbers dropping from 12.6 to 10.9.

Predicted solar flux looks moderate, at 130 on April 21 - 27; 132 on April 28; 125 on April 29 - 30; 130 on May 1 - 4; 125 on May 5; 130 on May 6 - 7; 128 on May 8; 130 on May 9 - 10; 135 on May 11 - 12; 140 on May 13 - 14; 135 on May 15; 130 on May 16 -18; 135 on May 19; 130 on May 20 - 21; 135 on May 22, and 132 on May 23 - 25.

Predicted planetary A index is 5 on April 21 - 22; 12 on April 23; 8 on April 24 - 26; 5 on April 27 - 28; 18, 12, and 8 on April 29 - May 1; 5 on May 2 - 5; 8, 15, 12, and 8 on May 6 - 9; 5 on May 10 - 12; 8, 10, and 12 on May 13 - 15; 10 on May 15 - 17; 8 on May 18 - 19; 12 and 8 on May 20 - 21, and 5 on May 22 - 25.

Sunspot numbers for April 14 - 20 were 37, 35, 78, 74, 79, 68, and 80, with a mean of 64.4. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 103.4, 110.3, 122.4, 134.9, 140.5, 160.1, and 160, with a mean of 133.1. Estimated planetary A indices were 38, 21, 8, 11, 8, 7, and 9, with a mean of 14.6. Middle latitude A index was 22, 14, 7, 9, 7, 8, and 9, with a mean of 10.9.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...," and check out the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

A weekly, full report is posted on ARRL News.

• April 23 -- 10-10 International Spring Contest (digital)

• April 23 -- QRP to the Field (CW, phone)

• April 23 -- SP DX RTTY Contest (digital)

• April 23 -- Helvetia Contest (CW, phone, digital)

• April 24 -- North American SSB Sprint (phone)

• April 24 -- BARTG Sprint 75 (digital)

• April 27 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)

• April 27 -- 432 MHz Spring Sprint (CW, phone, digital)

• April 27 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (CW)

Visit the ARRL Contest Calendar for more events and information.

• April 23 -- ARRL Delaware State Convention (Delmarva Amateur Radio and Electronics Expo), Georgetown, Delaware

• May 1 -- ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section Convention (Warminster Amateur Radio Club Hamfest), Bristol, Pennsylvania

• May 7 -- ARRL Indiana State Convention (North Central Indiana Hamfest), Peru, Indiana

• May 14 -- ARRL Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska

• May 20 - 22 -- Dayton Hamvention^®, Xenia, Ohio, and featuring ARRL EXPO

• June 3 - 5 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention (SEA-PAC), Seaside, Oregon

• June 4 -- ARRL Georgia State Convention (Atlanta Hamfest), Marietta, Georgia

Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database to find events in your area.

Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to [email protected]. -- John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, ARRL News Editor

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