 July 21, 2022 John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, Editor
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ARRL New England Representatives Hit the Road for Field Day 2022 ARRL New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, and Assistant Director Anita Kemmerer, AB1QB, went on a road trip for this year's ARRL Field Day (June 25 - 26), logging nearly 1,000 miles and visiting 13 radio clubs over the course of the weekend. Director Kemmerer said it was a great trip. "We have been very much looking forward to visiting Field Day sites around New England this year. It was great to see everyone face to face and see the many ways that folks approach Field Day. We very much enjoyed talking with folks about their club and their Field Day experiences," he said. On the Thursday before the official start of Field Day, they visited the Meriden Amateur Radio Club (MARC), in Connecticut, to help them celebrate 75 years of being an ARRL Affiliated Club. During their visit, Director Kemmerer was joined by Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, and Assistant Connecticut Section Manager Betsey Doane, K1EIC, to present a plaque recognizing MARC for 75 years as an ARRL Affiliated Club. The plaque was presented to club president Ed Snyder, W1YSM.
The Kemmerer's weekend ended in Scarborough, Maine, at the Field Day site of the Wireless Society of Southern Maine, also an ARRL Affiliated Club. Temples was also traveling during this year's Field Day weekend. His trip was approximately 320 miles, and he visited seven Field Day sites in the Western and Eastern Massachusetts Sections.
His last stop was at the Whitman Amateur Radio Club, WA1NPO, in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. More Field Day stories about the combined 1,320-mile journey of New England Division representatives are available at the Division's website: Call for Papers for the 40th AMSAT Space Symposium The first call for proposals for symposium presentations are invited for the 40th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and General Meeting, which will held on October 21 - 22, 2022, in Bloomington, Minnesota. Presentations can cover any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. AMSAT is requesting a tentative title for each submission, which should be sent as soon as possible. A final copy must be submitted by October 14, 2022, to be included in the proceedings. Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV, at [email protected]. According to the July 17 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins, the annual AMSAT Space Symposium will feature:
More information about the 2022 AMSAT Symposium will be posted on the AMSAT website as it becomes available. Registration Open for NASA's 2022 International Space Apps Challenge Billed as the world's largest annual "hack-a-thon," the theme for this year's NASA International Space Apps Challenge is "Make Space," celebrating the motto of "there's always space for one more." Space Apps strives to eliminate barriers of access to space and science opportunities. The challenge will focus on Earth and space science, technology, and exploration. Participant registration for in-person and virtual events is now open through October 2, 2022. Space Apps provides an opportunity for everyone across the globe to use their passion for creativity, innovation, and unique perspectives, to tackle challenges created by NASA experts. The challenges range in skill level, expertise, subject matter, and objective, and they span a ARRL and amateur radio share several overlapping interests with NASA's objectives, including amateur satellite communications, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs that interest young people in both space and radio communications. ARRL encourages radio amateurs to consider participating in NASA's Space Apps Challenge. Space Apps is managed by NASA's Earth Science Division in the agency's Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. It is organized in collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, SecondMuse, and NASA's Open Innovation Applied Sciences Program. For more information about Space Apps and to register for an in-person or online event on October 1 - 2, 2022, visit, NASA International Space Apps Challenge. --Thanks to AMSAT, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM, and NASA for information in this story. The QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo Returns September 17 -18, 2022
While the Ham Expo was originally created in August 2020 as an alternative to canceled in-person ham radio conventions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has evolved into a regularly-held event for amateur radio learning through peer submitted presentations on nearly every amateur radio subject, lively discussion, and interaction.
The Expo uses virtual event technology using platforms produced by vFairs and Kumospace. "The Kumospace lounges were a fantastic edition to the Expo last March and were full of hams and conversation during the entire Expo weekend", said Eric Guth, 4Z1UG, the founder of the QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo. Kumospace is a video chat platform for hosting and participating in immersive virtual events. Guth said there are new enhancements that will make the lounges even more enjoyable for attendees. Kumospace and vFairs are now supported by apps for Apple and Android. Expo personnel still recommend a fast internet connection and big screens for the best user experience.
New for this Ham Expo is a Poster Gallery Hall that includes a product showcase and interactive projects submitted by amateurs. The product showcase is as a way for vendors who may or may not have a booth to demonstrate individual products through videos, white papers, and slides. Each showcase is fully interactive through text chat and supports opportunities for vendors to follow-up with interested visitors. The Poster Gallery will also include an opportunity for individuals to submit papers, projects, and articles to be enjoyed by Expo delegates. Accepted gallery submission will include a free ticket to the expo.
Amateur Radio in the News ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news. "Ham radio operators take part in communication, camaraderie and code" / New Castle News (West Virginia), July 21, 2022. -- The Mountaineer Amateur Radio Association is an Affiliated ARRL Club "The box that rocked the universe." Meet the U-M researcher who helped pioneer the CubeSat -- and a new era in space exploration. / Michigan Engineering, University of Michigan, July 19, 2022. -- Thanks to ARRL Member James Cutler, KF6RFX. "Ham radio operators active in Preston County" / The Preston County News & Journal (West Virginia), July 12, 2022. -- The Preston County Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club. "HAM radio still has a role in our modern age" / WTVG (Ohio), July 8, 2022. -- The Toledo Mobile Radio Association is an ARRL Affiliated club "Ham radio operators assist in Boilermaker" / WKTV (New York), July 7, 2022. -- The Utica Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.
ARRL Podcasts Schedule
The latest episode of the ARRL On the Air podcast (Episode 31) provides an overview of the 222 MHz frequency band. The latest edition of the ARRL Eclectic Tech podcast (Episode 64) features a discussion with Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, about station downsizing and getting the most out of limited space antennas. The On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are sponsored by Icom. Both podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech. Announcements The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has started accepting applications for a Telecommunications Specialist at its High Frequency Direction Finding Center (HFDFC) in Columbia, Maryland. HFDFC supports the FCC Over-the-Air spectrum observation capabilities, and provides direct support to the public safety community and other federal partners by locating interference sources on HF radio spectrum (below 30 MHz). The center is part of the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau in the Operations and Emergency Management Division. The incumbent's duties (described at www.usajobs.gov/job/665764100) include performing "watch duty" and serving as a technical authority providing technical assistance and guidance to communication systems users to resolve radio interference complaints and problems, collecting radio signal analysis information, and using radio signal analysis equipment deployed throughout the United States to collect, correlate, and analyze characteristics of radio signals involved in interference problems, distress or safety-related signals, or other radio signals involved in other high-priority activities, such as law enforcement or national defense, to include HF, VHF, and UHF. Visit USAJOBS for the complete position summary and to apply. Read the complete story at ARRL News.
In Brief... The CW Operators' Club (CWops) reports that their spring 2022 CW Academy program is complete, and 314 students completed courses to learn Morse code or improve their CW skills. CW Academy's goal is to increase the number of competent CW operators on the HF CW subbands. It addresses all levels of enthusiasts, from those aspiring to become licensed operators, those who want to learn and use Morse code, to veteran operators who want to increase their CW skills, speed, and activity. The CW Academy classes are offered three times a year and consist of students from around the world. Classes typically have four to six students led by an experienced advisor who helps them with exercises and encouragement to learn and have a little fun along the way. There are four class levels of training offered that range from students who want to learn Morse code and have no experience to licensed operators who have on-air CW experience and desire to increase their speed or become more comfortable with contests, casual contacts, portable operating, or other on-air activities. The CW Academy emphasizes head-copy skills, along with effortless sending. There is no fee involved and classes are held twice a week using Zoom or Skype. More information about signing up for a class, or how to become volunteer, can be found at https://cwops.org/cw-academy/cw-academy-options.
The K7RA Solar Update Tad Cook, K7RA, of Seattle, Washington, reports for this week's ARRL Propagation Bulletin: Solar activity increased over this reporting week, July 14 - 20, with average daily sunspot number rising from 102.1 to 137.3, and average daily solar flux from 147.4 to 157.6. Peak sunspot number was 166 on July 17, and peak solar flux was
171.4 on July 15. Geomagnetic activity peaked on July 19 when planetary A index was 26 and middle latitude A index at 19. Alaska's high-latitude college A index was 43, with the K index at 6, 5, 5, 6, and 5 at 0900 - 2000 UTC. Average daily planetary A index decreased this week from 12.4 to 9.4. A crack opened in the Earth's magnetic field on July 19, allowing solar wind to stream in. It is documented at https://www.spaceweather.com/images2022/19jul22/data.jpg At 2241 UTC on July 20, the Australian Space Forecast Centre issued a geomagnetic warning. "An increase in geomagnetic activity is expected over 22 - 24 July due to the onset of coronal hole high speed wind streams." Here is the latest forecast from the United States Air Force (USAF). Predicted solar flux seems promising with flux values peaking around 160 on July 30 through August 7 and again from August 26 through early September. Predicted flux values are 130 on July 21 - 22, then 120, 115, 110, 105, 100, 110, and 150 on July 23 - 29, then 160 on July 30 through August 7, then 155, 145, and 138 on August 8 - 10, then 138 on August 11 - 12, then 128 and 125 on August 13 -14, 130 on August 15 - 17, 135 on August 18 - 20, 138 and 148 on August 21 - 22, and 150 on August 23 - 25. Predicted planetary A index is 22 on July 21 - 22, then 20, 12 and 8 on July 23 - 25, 5 on July 26 - 28, 8 on July 29 through August 2, then 12 and 10 on August 3 - 4, 8 on August 5 - 7, then 15, 28 and 12 on August 8 - 10, 8 on August 11 - 17, then 15, 20 and 12 on August 18 - 20, and 8 again on August 21 until the end of the month. Here are weekly highlights and forecast from National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), dated July 17: In Friday's bulletin, look for details on 40 MHz activity among special experimental licensees, which I misidentified as 49 MHz in last week's bulletin. There will also be 6-meter reports. Send your tips, reports, observations, questions, and comments to [email protected]. Sunspot numbers for July 14 through 20, 2022 were 133, 141, 153, 166, 125, 114, and 129, with a mean of 137.3. 10.7 - centimeter flux was 169, 171.4, 176.2, 161.2, 149.4, 144.1, and 132.2, with a mean of 157.6. Estimated planetary A indices were 5, 8, 7, 5, 8, 26, and 7, with a mean of 9.4. Middle latitude A index was 5, 7, 9, 6, 10, 19, and 7, with a mean of 9. Send your tips, questions, or comments to [email protected]. 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.
Just Ahead in Radiosport
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Meriden (Connecticut) Amateur Radio Club President Ed Snyder, W1YSM (left), accepts a plaque recognizing the club for 75 Years of ARRL Affiliation. Presenting the award is ARRL New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC; Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI, and Assistant Connecticut Section Manager Betsey Doane, K1EIC.
spectrum of disciplines and interests, including artificial intelligence, software development, art, and storytelling.
The next QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo, a full featured virtual ham radio convention, is September 17 -18, 2022. The online event includes speakers and presentations, fully interactive video lounges where participants can meet each other and chat, and an exhibit hall full of vendors and organizations.
Sponsor and exhibitor opportunities are still available. The $10 ticket for the Expo will go on sale in August. Anyone can attend the Expo from anywhere in the world, over the internet. For more information go to .jpg)
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