• The ARRL Letter for February 15, 2024

    From ARRL Web site@21:1/5 to All on Thu Feb 15 20:38:26 2024
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    ********************************************
    The ARRL Letter

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

    February 15, 2024

    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

    - Senators Roger Wicker and Richard Blumenthal Introduce S.3690 to
    Eliminate Private Land Use Restrictions on Amateur Radio
    - Amateur Radio as Educational Tool Represented to Policymakers in
    Washington DC
    - Highlights from 2024 Orlando HamCation
    - Veteran DXpedition Leader Bob Allphin, K4UEE, SK
    - Amateur Radio in the News
    - ARRL Podcasts
    - Announcements
    - In Brief...
    - The K7RA Solar Update
    - Just Ahead in Radiosport
    - Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

    SENATORS ROGER WICKER AND RICHARD BLUMENTHAL INTRODUCE S.3690 TO
    ELIMINATE PRIVATE LAND USE RESTRICTIONS ON AMATEUR RADIO

    On January 30, 2024, US Senators Roger Wicker (MS) and Richard
    Blumenthal (CT) introduced S.3690 <https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/3690/text>,
    the Senate companion bill to H.R.4006, introduced last June <https://www.arrl.org/news/legislation-to-remove-private-land-use-restrictions-on-amateur-radio-introduced-in-congress>.

    Both bills reflect the Congressional campaign efforts by ARRL <http://www.arrl.org/> to eliminate homeowner association land use
    restrictions that prohibit, restrict, or impair the ability of an
    Amateur Radio Operator to install and operate amateur station antennas
    on residential properties they own.

    Amateur Radio Operators repeatedly are relied upon to provide essential communications when disaster strikes, but their ability to do so is
    being impaired by the exponential growth of residential private land
    use restrictions that hinder their ability to establish stations in
    their homes with which to train and provide emergency communications
    when called upon.

    In announcing the introduction of S.3690, Senator Wicker said: "Because communication during natural disasters is often hindered, we should be
    making every attempt to give folks more options. Reliable access can
    make the difference between life and death in an emergency. Our
    legislation removes roadblocks for amateur radio operators looking to
    help their friends, families, and neighbors."

    In a similar announcement, Senator Blumenthal stated: "Our measure will
    help clarify the rules so ham radio enthusiasts can successfully
    continue their communications.

    In the face of emergency or crisis, they help provide vital,
    life-saving information that allow listeners to properly and safely
    respond, but prohibitive home association rules and confusing approval processes for installing antennas have been an unnecessary impediment.
    The Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act resolves these bottlenecks
    and ensures that radio operators can function successfully."

    ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, and Director John Robert Stratton,
    N5AUS, Chair of the ARRL's Government Affairs Committee, both extended
    on behalf of ARRL, its Members, and the Amateur Radio community their
    thanks and appreciation for the leadership of Senator Wicker and
    Senator Blumenthal in their continuing efforts to support and protect
    the rights of all Amateur Radio Operators.

    Read more on ARRL News <https://www.arrl.org/news/senators-roger-wicker-and-richard-blumenthal-introduce-s-3690-to-eliminate-private-land-use-restrict>


    AMATEUR RADIO AS EDUCATIONAL TOOL REPRESENTED TO POLICYMAKERS IN
    WASHINGTON DC

    ARRL and Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) represented
    Amateur Radio at a symposium in Washington on February 1 at which the
    top domestic spectrum policymakers from across the federal government considered implementation of the National Spectrum Strategy <https://www.ntia.doc.gov/sites/default/files/publications/national_spectrum_strategy_final.pdf>

    (NSS) [PDF].

    ARRL ensures that Amateur Radio is represented at sessions such as
    this so that decisionmakers understand amateur radio's roles when
    spectrum decisions are made, including its substantial contributions to
    student interest and education in STEM subjects at schools throughout
    the country and its role during emergencies and natural disasters.

    In the NSS, released by the White House in November, national
    policymakers identified some 2,790 megahertz of spectrum to be
    considered for future commercial needs. No new amateur spectrum was
    included, with only the ongoing reallocation studies related to 3.1 -
    3.45 GHz being addressed.

    The NSS was prepared for the President by the National
    Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) in collaboration
    with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). NTIA considered input
    from Federal Executive Branch agencies that use spectrum as well as
    from other spectrum users, including amateur radio operators. As the
    NSS was being formulated during 2023, ARRL's Washington Counsel
    presented information on amateur radio to the policymakers at an NTIA
    listening session. This was followed with a written submission about
    amateur radio spectrum concerns <https://www.regulations.gov/comment/NTIA-2023-0003-0141>, and later
    with a one-on-one meeting with NTIA's Senior Spectrum Advisor in
    overall charge of formulating the NSS.

    The February symposium followed release of the NSS in November and was
    in support of finalizing implementation plans for the strategy that are expected to be announced by the White House in mid-March.

    For the symposium, ARRL Life Member Phil Karn KA9Q, a director and past-president of ARDC, participated as a panelist and reinforced
    amateur radio's important national role in workforce development with
    personal testimony based on his own career.

    Karn's recruitment by Qualcomm in its early days was due directly to
    his pioneering amateur radio accomplishments with digital wireless
    projects that included many firsts. Karn retired from Qualcomm as Vice President for Technology in 2011. He shared with policymakers the value
    of amateur radio to interest and recruit youth into STEM areas and into wireless specifically. Karn's life experience lent special weight to
    his remarks about amateur radio's role in attracting youth to STEM
    projects.

    "I see [amateur radio] - having been involved in it for 52 years now -
    as fundamental as an educational system... It is a type of hands-on
    intuitive learning that is almost impossible to get any other way,"
    said Karn. Watch a video of the panel on YouTube <https://youtu.be/NaaFb6Sh61E?t=21090>.

    HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2024 ORLANDO HAMCATION

    Warm weather greeted the crowds of radio amateurs who attended the 2024
    Orlando HamCation® from February 9 - 11. The convention hosted the ARRL
    Florida State Convention, but drew attendees from across the country,
    and some from even farther, renewing HamCation's place as the second
    largest US ham radio convention.

    HamCation <https://www.hamcation.com/> is sponsored by the Orlando
    Amateur Radio Club (OARC). The convention was sprawled out across the
    Central Florida Fairgrounds, including a huge outdoor tailgate and
    buildings filled with exhibitors and swap tables. The convention enjoys significant participation from amateur radio manufacturers, dealers,
    clubs, and organizations. In the months leading up to this year's
    convention, HamCation International Relations Co-Chairs, Lidy Meijers,
    KJ4LMM, and Peter Meijers, AI4KM, traveled to ham radio conventions
    across Europe to cast a spotlight on the convention. Their work paid
    off, garnering an attendance of amateurs from many other countries, and
    even attracting other international societies to exhibit, including the
    Radio Society of Great Britain, and the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club
    (Germany).

    "It was very successful and very busy," said OARC President John Knott,
    N4JTK. "The vendors reported traffic at their booths was high and both
    the trunk fest and the flea market were busy." Knott also said that reservations filled 200 RV spaces.

    The East-West Hall included a row of booths organized by ARRL.

    In addition to supporting renewing members and those who joined ARRL
    for the first time, attendees also had the opportunity to meet ARRL
    President Rick Roderick, K5UR; CEO David Minster, NA2AA, and
    Southeastern Division Director Mickey Baker, N4MB. Baker also moderated
    the ARRL membership forum on Saturday afternoon. Together, Baker,
    Roderick, and Minster covered several key areas of membership interest. Roderick, who asked attendees to consider what they've done for amateur
    radio lately urged members to find opportunities to support new
    licensees and strengthen radio clubs.

    Minster spoke about a new, free ARRL membership offering for students
    21 and younger that will be introduced soon. He also described ways
    that ARRL is increasing amateur radio's role in education through
    teachers, students, and schools. "ARRL knows that amateur radio is an
    effective tool in developing student experiences in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) disciplines," said Minster. "Our
    efforts to increase our outreach in education and other areas is
    playing a prominent role with the development of the new ARRL strategic
    plan."

    ARRL member Chris Brault, KD8YVJ (center), a student at Saint Louis University's School of Science and Engineering, helped represent Youth
    on the Air (YOTA) at HamCation. He is an active participant in the ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program (CARP). Brault is seen here with ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR (right), and Maxim Society Member Holly
    Roderick (left).

    Also participating at HamCation was ARRL Education and Learning
    Manager Steve Goodgame, K5ATA. Goodgame presented a forum covering
    recent efforts and success stories to develop pathways for more
    teachers and students to use amateur radio in their classrooms. His
    wife and member-volunteer Cyndi Goodgame, K5CYN, who is also an
    educator, engaged dozens of young and prospective hams by collecting
    their experiences and interests for ARRL's ongoing work to increase
    outreach to students.

    A familiar face to many was ARRL National Instructor Gordon West,
    WB6NOA. In January, ARRL announced that it had become Gordon West's new publisher of his popular license preparation books. "There was a steady
    stream of visitors that included recent licensees and instructors who
    enjoyed an eyeball with Gordo," said Goodgame. HamCation attendees were
    also drawn to the ARRL booths to meet West. He was introduced as ARRL
    National Instructor at the membership forum. On Saturday night,
    HamCation recognized Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, and his wife Anita,
    AB1QB, awarding them with the 2024 Gordon West Ambassador of the Year
    Award <https://www.arrl.org/news/2024-orlando-hamcation-awards>.

    The ARRL team also included Great Lakes Division Vice Director Roy
    Hook, W8REH; Northern Florida Section Manager Scott Roberts, KK4ECR and
    Section Emergency Coordinator Arc J. Thames, W4CPD; West Central
    Florida Section Manager Mike Douglas, W4MDD; Collegiate Amateur Radio
    Program Advisor Andy Milluzzi, KK4LWR; Maxim Society Member Holly
    Roderick; Honorary Vice President Frank Butler, W4RH; Assistant Member
    Services Manager Kim McNeill, KM1IPA; Director of Marketing and
    Innovation Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, and many DXCC card checkers,
    including: N2MFT, K3GO, K4SV, AG4W, KS4WA, KX4TT, K6ND, WA6POZ, W8BLA.
    ARRL also recognized member-volunteers Sloan Davis, N3UPS, and Tom
    Gaines, KB5FHK, for their help organizing satellite operating
    demonstrations.

    Visit the ARRL Facebook page <https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.790054966490153> to see a
    photo album from the convention.

    VETERAN DXPEDITION LEADER BOB ALLPHIN, K4UEE, SK

    Prolific DXpedition leader, ARRL Maxim Society member, and former Chair
    of the ARRL DX Advisory Committee, Robert C. "Bob" Allphin, Jr., K4UEE,
    has become a Silent Key.

    Allphin passed on February 10 at the age of 79. His early life as
    the son of a United States Air Force (USAF) officer sent him to many
    corners of the globe. That set the tenor for a life in amateur radio
    spent operating from far-flung places.

    Allphin was first licensed at the age of 14 and graduated high school
    in Okinawa, Japan. He served a career in the USAF, serving as an
    instructor in electronic warfare during the Vietnam conflict. After an honorable discharge with the rank of captain, Allphin entered the
    financial services world, retiring after 28 years to focus on his
    passion of DXpeditions.

    Allphin was a natural leader. "Bob was always optimistic and hopeful in DXpedition planning. He encouraged and coaxed his fellow team members
    to bring out the best in everyone.

    If there were disappointments, he turned them into humor and
    diplomatically mitigated conflicts. He excelled in DXpedition PR and financing," said Ralph Fedor, K0IR, who frequently co-led DXpeditions
    with Allphin.

    "Bob was very good at organizing and motivating people to participate,"
    said Dr. Glenn Johnson, W0GJ, who co-led several DXpeditions with
    Allphin. Allphin always found a way to make the best out of challenging operating conditions. "He was always thinking outside the box. His
    concern was to put on the 'best show' possible and work the
    hard-to-reach areas," said Johnson.

    In early 2000, Johnson was preparing to travel to a medical assignment
    in Bhutan, which was #2 on the DXCC Most Wanted List at the time. He
    had applied to operate while in the country but was initially denied a
    license. Then, in April, Johnson got a call from the Bhutan Ministry of Information and Communication asking if he can bring a team on the
    first of May. Immediately, he involved Allphin. "I called Bob, and
    within 2 weeks we had a team assembled and equipment shipped over. A52A
    was a very successful DXpedition and still holds records," said
    Johnson.

    Iconic activations were Allphin's specialty. According to his QRZ page <https://www.qrz.com/db/K4UEE>, Allphin participated in, led, or co-led numerous DXpeditions including: Baker and Howland islands, Heard
    Island, Bhutan, South Sandwich Islands, South Georgia Island, Peter I
    Island, Lakshadweep, Desecheo Island, Saba/Sint Eustatius, Amsterdam
    Island, and Navassa Island. In all, he participated in 38 contest
    DXpeditions.

    "From the mid-80s through the early 2000s, Bob set five single
    operator/single band world records and was a competitor in two World
    Radio Team Championship (WRTC) events in 1996 and 2000. Bob is a member
    of the CQ DX Hall of Fame, Board of Directors of [The International DX Association] INDEXA, current President of The KP1-5 Project. He is a
    member of the Voodoo Contest Group, FOC (First Class Operator Club),
    A-1 Operators Club, [and] the Southeastern DX Club Hall of Fame. He has
    visited 131 DXCC entities and been QRV from 85," according to his QRZ
    page.

    In addition to planning and leading trips, Allphin also excelled at
    videography to tell their stories. A documentary filmed by Allphin
    about the 2015 K1N Navassa DXpedition <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07Zftre0WpI> is available on YouTube.

    Allphin was a dedicated amateur radio mentor who wanted to help others
    succeed. Craig Thompson, K9CT, was one of many Allphin helped along the
    way. "As an aspiring DXpeditioner, Bob was so approachable and helpful.
    We had many common friends, and because of those relationships, it was
    an honor to be asked to join any of his DXpeditions. At Amsterdam
    Island, he was my roommate, and I enjoyed his sincere joy of leading
    our team. He loved 160 and CW but mostly the challenge of doing
    something really hard, like going where they said he couldn't go. That
    is why he was on so many top-ten DXpeditions! What an honor to know
    him," said Thompson.

    Beyond his prowess as an operator, Allphin leaves a legacy of kindness
    among those who knew him well. "He was a gentleman's gentleman, always
    cordial, friendly, and jovial," said Johnson.

    Allphin was a generous donor to ARRL through the years, being honored
    as part of the President Class of the Maxim Society and was a member of
    the Diamond Club. He was a major gift donor to the 2014 ARRL Second
    Century Campaign. "Bob leaves amateur radio with a legacy of
    accomplishments. Above all, he strove to do things well, do things
    right, and do things fairly," said Fedor.

    Information about memorial services, as well as more details about
    Allphin's many non-radio accomplishments, may be found in his online
    obituary <https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/marietta-ga/robert-allphin-11663385>.

    A photo memorial has been assembled <https://hamgallery.com/Tribute/K4UEE/index.html> by photographer Tom
    Roscoe, K8CX, at www.hamgallery.com <http://www.hamgallery.com/>.

    Read more about Bob Allphin, K4UEE, on ARRL News <https://www.arrl.org/news/veteran-dxpedition-leader-bob-allphin-k4uee-sk>

    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>.

    "Amateur radio club members are pros at broadcasting <https://www.pennlive.com/perry-county-times/2024/02/amateur-radio-club-members-are-pros-at-broadcasting.html>"

    / Patriot News (Pennsylvania) February 10, 2024 -- Perry County Amateur
    Radio Club.

    "FBCS dials in for radio competition <https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/2024/feb/13/fbcs-dials-in-for-radio-competition/>"

    / Bonner County Daily Bee (Idaho) February 13, 2024 -- Bonner County
    Amateur Radio Club and Amateur Radio Emergency Services® of Bonner
    County. The Bonner County Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated
    Club.

    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 Joys of Being a General

    The January/February 2024 issue of On the Air featured a story from
    Brian McSpadden Gardener, KE8JVX, about "The First-Year Experiences of
    a General-Class Ham," in which Brian detailed how he got his feet wet
    as a General, and how he put together his first station for HF. Brian
    joins this episode of the podcast to tell us a little more about his
    first year as a General, as well as what he's done since then.

    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

    The registration deadline for the Ham Radio Science Citizen
    Investigation (HamSCI) sixth annual workshop is March 1. The workshop
    will be held March 22 - 23, 2024, at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. The event is meant to bring together the amateur radio community and professional scientists. The 2024 workshop's theme is
    Alignments, specifically those between the sun, moon, and Earth;
    collegiate amateur radio recreation and science, technology,
    engineering, and math (STEM) curricula; data collection and analysis,
    and professional and citizen science. Workshop participants will
    prepare for the solar eclipse taking place on April 8, 2024, which will
    be seen in totality from Cleveland. For registration and additional
    information about the event, visit HamSCI Workshop 2024 | HamSCI <https://hamsci.org/hamsci2024>.

    The ARRL Board of Directors met for their Annual Meeting on January 19
    -- 20, 2024, in Windsor, Connecticut. The minutes of the meeting are
    now posted on the ARRL web site. They may be accessed at the following
    link: www.arrl.org/board-meetings <https://www.arrl.org/board-meetings>

    ARRL Headquarters will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2024, in
    observance of Presidents Day. There won't be any W1AW bulletin or code
    practice that day. ARRL HQ will reopen on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at
    8 AM EST.

    There are several special operating events to mark the holiday. Visit
    the ARRL Special Event Stations
    <https://www.arrl.org/special-event-stations> database to find more on
    the air commemorations of Washington's birthday.

    IN BRIEF...

    The Stillwater Amateur Radio Association's <https://radioham.org/> ice
    station, W0JH, will be in operation during Presidents Day weekend from
    February 17 - 19, 2024. This is the ninth year for the special event,
    and according to their webpage, is held to "drive away the remainder of Minnesota winter by generating as much RF as possible over the
    Presidents Day long weekend." Under the right conditions, the club
    would operate on a frozen Lake Elmo in Minnesota, but because of the
    mild winter weather, operations will be held at an onshore site. The
    station will operate from 10:00 AM (16:00 UTC) to 4:00 PM (22:00 UTC)
    on 21.360, 14.260, 7.260, and 3.860 MHz. Contact confirmations will be
    by email only. To request a certificate, send an email with your call
    sign, the date and time (UTC) of the contact, the band or frequency
    used, and the mode used to W0JHice@outlook.com.

    The Young Ladies Radio League <https://ylrl.net/> (YLRL) will host a
    special contest event on February 17 - 18, 2024. The YL (young lady)/OM
    (old man) Contest is open to all radio amateurs and runs from 00:00 UTC February 17 to 23:59 UTC February 18. Only 10 contacts are needed to be eligible for an award, and the rules are simple: YLs count only OMs and
    OMs count only YLs, phone and CW contacts are scored as separate
    contests, and digital contacts (RTTY, FT8) count as CW contacts. A log
    template can be downloaded from N1MM Logger+
    <https://n1mmwp.hamdocs.com/>. More information is available at https://ylrl.net/contests/. The Young Ladies Radio League was founded
    in 1939 by Ethel Smith, K4LMB (SK), who was the group's first
    president, and the YLRL continues to use her call sign today. She
    served as the Section Emergency Coordinator for the ARRL Virginia
    Section from 1966 - 1969 and later as ARRL Assistant Director for four different Roanoke Division Directors. In 1972, she received the ARRL
    Roanoke Division Service Award. The YLRL will celebrate its 85th year
    in July 2024.

    THE K7RA SOLAR UPDATE

    Tad Cook, K7RA, of Seattle, Washington, reports for this week's ARRL Propagation Bulletin, ARLP007:

    This solar disk image was taken on February 15, 2024. [Photo courtesy
    of NASA SDO/HMI]

    Seven new sunspot groups appeared over the past week: two on
    February 8, three on February 10, and two more on February 13 and 14.

    I don't know why the solar numbers were seemingly out of whack, but the
    average daily sunspot number declined, as the average daily solar flux
    rose by a lot.

    The average daily sunspot number declined from 142.3 to 134.6, but the
    average daily solar flux increased from 165.5 to 190.

    The average daily planetary A index rose from 5.1 to 7.4, while middle
    latitude numbers increased from 4.4 to 6.1.

    The most active day was February 11, with the planetary A index rising
    to 15, but that is hardly stormy. This was caused by an unexpected
    coronal mass ejection impact at 0211 UTC, according to
    Spaceweather.com. <https://spaceweather.com/>

    It seems the solar flux is in the midst of a peak the next few days, at
    185 and 182 on February 15 - 16, then again at 170 on March 3 - 10. On
    February 17 - 23, the forecast sees flux at 175, 172, 170, 165, 175,
    165, and 160; 150 on February 24 - 28; 155, 160, and 165 on February 29
    through March 2, and 170 on March 3 - 10.

    The predicted planetary A index is 10 on February 15, 5 on February 16
    - 18, 8 on February 19, 5 on February 20 - 25, 8 and 7 on February 26 -
    27, and 5 on February 28 through March 23.

    Visit the Solar Chat forum at https://bit.ly/3SJhbGi to see images of 3
    days of sunspots.

    Information on sunspot region 13585 can be found on SpaceWeatherLive,
    at https://bit.ly/3UFVhGQ

    Bob Kulacz, KB1DK, from Trumbull, Connecticut, wrote:

    "During the last 2 weeks, activity on 10-meter SSB was bustling, and
    included many POTA, SOTA, and mobile stations in Europe. In fact, I
    heard Europeans on 12 meters saying they moved to that band because 10
    became so busy. Propagation on 10 has been very good from southern New
    England, resulting in multiple QSOs with India and New Zealand. QSOs
    with the Middle East are almost routine now. My occasional fixed mobile operating has been extremely productive and satisfying. I strongly
    recommend taking advantage of these great conditions on 10 meters while
    we have them."

    Sunspot numbers for February 8 through 14 were 149, 105, 146, 144, 153,
    122, and 123, with a mean of 134.6. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 185,
    183.4, 193.8, 180.4, 208.3, 194.8, and 184.1, with a mean of 190.
    Estimated planetary A indices were 5, 6, 5, 15, 4, 10, and 7, with a
    mean of 7.4. The middle latitude A index was 5, 4, 4, 12, 4, 8, and 6,
    with a mean of 6.1.

    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

    - February 15 - 16 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

    - February 15 -- NTC QSO Party (CW)

    - February 17 - 18 -- ARRL International DX Contest <https://contests.arrl.org/dxcw/> (CW)

    - February 17 - 18 -- YLRL YL-OM Contest (CW, phone, digital)

    - February 17 - 18 -- Russian PSK WW Contest (digital)

    - February 18 - 19 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

    - February 21 -- AGCW Semi-Automatic Key Evening (CW)

    - February 22 -- 5 RSGB 80m Club Championship (CW)

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

    UPCOMING SECTION, STATE, AND DIVISION CONVENTIONS

    - 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>,

    hosting 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>,

    hosting 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>,

    hosting 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>,

    hosting the ARRL West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas

    - April 6 | Raleigh Hamfest <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/raleigh-hamfest-arrl-roanoke-division-convention-1>,

    hosting the ARRL Roanoke Division Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina

    - April 12 - 13 | Green Country Hamfest 2024 <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/green-country-hamfest-2024-arrl-oklahoma-state-convention>,

    hosting the ARRL Oklahoma State Convention, Claremore, Oklahoma

    - April 20 | Delmarva Amateur Radio and Electronics Expo <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/delmarva-amateur-radio-and-electronics-expo-arrl-delaware-state-convention>,

    hosting the ARRL Delaware State Convention, Georgetown, Delaware

    Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database
    <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests> to find events in your area.

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