XPost: rec.radio.amateur.moderated, rec.radio.amateur.policy, rec.radio.info

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

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

March 3, 2022

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

- "We Will Have Hamvention," General Chairman Pledges
- ARRL Seeks Exemption from Proposed US Forest Service Communication
Facility Fees; Comment Period Open Until March 31
- ARRL Podcasts Schedule
- HamXposition to Host ARRL New England and Hudson Division Conventions
- Volunteer Monitor Program Cautions against Operating Beyond License Privileges
- Ukraine Maintains Ham Radio Silence in State of Emergency
- Amateur Radio in the News
- Registration is Open for USA ARDF Championships
- Chess-Playing Ham Radio Satellite to Launch in Fall
- Announcements
- ARISS Seeks Hosts for Ham Radio Contacts with Space Station Crew
Members
- The K7RA Solar Update
- Just Ahead in Radiosport
- Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

"WE WILL HAVE HAMVENTION," GENERAL CHAIRMAN PLEDGES

In case you missed the earlier announcement, Dayton Hamvention <http://www.hamvention.org/>® 2022 is on, Hamvention General Chairman
Rick Allnutt, WS8G, said this week. He said many Hamvention volunteers
attended the recent Orlando HamCation in Florida and were encouraged to
see so many friends at the show.

"The aisles were full of people, the vendors appeared pleased with the
brisk business, and the Hamvention booth was bombarded with
well-wishers and folks with one question on their mind -- 'Are you
going to have Hamvention this year?'" Allnutt said it's been a pleasure
to assure everyone that Hamvention 2022 is a go.

Many Hamvention tickets were sold at the pre-show price and are also
available on the Hamvention website. Hamvention, an ARRL-sanctioned
event, will be held May 20 - 22, at the Greene County Fairgrounds and
Expo Center in Xenia, Ohio.

Allnutt noted that he and Michael Kalter, W8CI, were interviewed in a
DX Engineering YouTube <https://youtu.be/vTDZqVgPLgE> video on February
22 and unveiled the official logo for Hamvention 2022. This year's
theme, "reunion,"

celebrates the return to a world of hams getting together after
missing two Hamventions, and commemorates the history of Dayton
Hamvention, which stretches back 70 years to 1952.

"Ticket sales are very brisk," Kalter said. "The community is very
excited about things, there have been improvements made at the Expo
Center, and they're totally on our side working with us." He said both
he and Allnutt were at Orlando Hamcation, which he called "very
successful," and a good omen for Hamvention's success in 2022. "We
don't consider it a competition [among shows]," Kalter said. "We're all
working together to make amateur radio much better."

"It's [going to be] be wonderful," Allnutt told DX Engineering's Tim
Duffy, K3LR.

Hamvention will also feature ARRL EXPO, a large assembly of
ARRL-sponsored exhibits, activities, and representatives for ARRL
programs and services. Several ARRL-sponsored presentations and forums
will be given. Information will be posted to www.arrl.org/expo <http://www.arrl.org/expo> as it becomes available. Kalter also highly recommended attending Contest University (CTU <https://www.contestuniversity.com/>) on May 19 at the Hope Hotel,
which takes place on the Thursday before Hamvention, as an adjunct to
the Hamvention experience.

ARRL SEEKS EXEMPTION FROM PROPOSED US FOREST SERVICE COMMUNICATION

FACILITY FEES; COMMENT PERIOD OPEN UNTIL MARCH 31

ARRL has filed comments
<https://www.regulations.gov/comment/FS-2022-0001-0749> with the US
Forest Service (USFS) seeking an exemption for amateur radio facilities
to a proposed new $1,400 annual administrative fee. The USFS proposal
resulted from requirements in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018
(aka "the Farm Bill"), which directs the Forest Service to collect fees
for issuing communications use authorizations based on the cost to the
agency for processing the applications, maintenance, and other related activities. The proposed fee is a new and separate fee, not an increase
to fees, such as rent, already being paid. If adopted, the existing
fee(s) -- which generally have been around $130 - 140 annually for
amateur uses -- would have to be paid in addition to the new proposed
annual administrative fee of $1400.

The comment filing window has been re-opened, and additional comments
will be accepted through March 31. Any radio amateurs missing the first
comment period or wishing to add to their earlier comments are
encouraged to do so during this additional period.

"Although the discussion put forward by the Forest Service in its
proposal focuses on commercial uses, the proposal would sweep within
its requirements amateur radio uses that are solely noncommercial,"
ARRL said in comments filed on February 22. "Radio amateurs establish
and maintain facilities at certain locations for public service
purposes with no remuneration or reimbursement. Unlike broadcasters and commercial wireless and fiber providers, radio amateurs are uniquely
barred by the terms of their federal licenses from receiving
compensation of any sort."

"Non-commercial and uncompensated communication uses by radio amateurs
within Forest Service areas long have served the public interest in
many ways, among them by providing the means for otherwise unobtainable emergency communication capabilities in times of need," ARRL noted.
"Amateurs perform this valuable public service without cost to
taxpayers. The importance of these capabilities [has] been demonstrated repeatedly. The skills of amateur operators have served our country
well with their carefully located equipment when enabling exchanges of
possibly life-saving messages in difficult terrain during forest fires, extending communications assistance help during hurricanes, and
providing communications capabilities during search-and-rescue missions
in remote areas."

ARRL stressed that equipment, maintenance, and other costs associated
with amateur radio facilities on USFS lands "are borne solely by the
volunteer radio amateurs themselves."

ARRL continued, "Commercial applicants usually request more
extensive use of the lands administered by the Forest Service, and
these requests necessarily result in more complex issues having to be considered and resolved."

"It is foreseeable that many radio amateurs providing these services
would have to opt to withdraw and cease their work," if not exempted
from the proposed fees, ARRL said. "In many cases the most useful
locations for needed coverage from their stations is uniquely on Forest
Service lands. In short, the proposal to include volunteer
uncompensated amateur service applicants with the commercial wireless
service and broadcast applicants is grossly inequitable. There is a
disparity in the amount of resources necessary to consider applications
from radio amateurs as compared to that required by commercial
applicants."

"[O]ur best estimate is that there are fewer than 100 covered amateur locations, but those likely are unique and essential to covering
forested areas in times of need, such as forest fires or lost hikers,"
ARRL said. "These dissimilarities in complexity and scope should be
recognized in this fees proposal and amateur radio applications
exempted."

ARRL PODCASTS SCHEDULE

The latest episode of the On the Air podcast (Episode 26) features a conversation with two YouTube veterans -- Dave Casler, KE0OG, and Steve Goodgame, K5ATA. YouTube is increasingly becoming the go-to resource
for information on a variety of amateur radio topics.

The latest edition of the Eclectic Tech podcast (Episode 54) features a
chat with Barry Feierman, K3EUI, concerning the use of the VARA digital
mode with handheld FM transceivers. Also, the end of Google's "Project
Loon."

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 <https://blubrry.com/arrlontheair/> |
Eclectic Tech <https://blubrry.com/eclectictech/>.

HAMXPOSITION TO HOST ARRL NEW ENGLAND AND HUDSON DIVISION

CONVENTIONS

In what may be a "first," the Northeast HamXposition <https://hamxposition.org/> will host both the ARRL New England and
Hudson Division conventions this year. HamXposition takes place August
26 - 28, 2022, in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and tickets will become
available May 1.

Formerly known as "Boxboro," the New England Division Convention
features a Saturday morning keynote address, Friday and Saturday
evening banquets with guest speakers, a large outdoor flea market, and
ample indoor vendor space. Proceeds from the convention will benefit scholarships for both New England and Hudson Division students.
Volunteers and speakers will be drawn from both Divisions. Other
details will be worked out as things progress.

"It certainly has been a while since the Hudson Division has had a
convention," said ARRL Hudson Division Director Ria Jairam, N2RJ. "By
joining forces with the New England Division for a joint convention, we
can bring back a sense of nostalgia and community."

New ARRL New England Division Director Fred Kemmerer, AB1OC, said, "We
are excited to have the Hudson Division join with New England to
support and grow the 2022 HamXposition event." Kemmerer called it "a
great opportunity to expand HamXposition participation and programs,
and [to] work to provide support for the scholarships to young hams in
both Divisions."

ARRL First Vice President Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, predicted larger
attendance than has been seen in many years.

In February, FEMARA, the organization that runs HamXposition, voted
to officially approve the unique arrangement. The combined events have
received ARRL Division convention sanctioning, approved by Directors
Kemmerer and Jairam. Both are members of the HamXposition Convention
Committee, along with New England Division Vice Director Phil Temples,
K9HI, who serves as the Program Chair. Vice President Raisbeck is the
FEMARA President and the convention's Vice Chair.

Raisbeck said HamXposition will return to the venue selected for last
year's event -- the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center in Marlborough. "The new facility has everything we had hoped for. It is
newer and larger than our old venue, and is more centrally located with restaurants, shops, and other hotels only minutes away," he said. "We
have long-term commitments from the hotel, and we plan to be at this
location for the foreseeable future."

Visit the convention website <https://hamxposition.org/> for more
information, such as how to volunteer, serve as a speaker, and take
advantage of the convention discount when booking hotel reservations.

VOLUNTEER MONITOR PROGRAM CAUTIONS AGAINST OPERATING BEYOND LICENSE

PRIVILEGES

Many of the Advisory Notices sent out each month by the ARRL Volunteer
Monitor Program <https://www.arrl.org/volunteer-monitor-program> go to
stations heard operating outside the operator's license privileges.
While some may be doing so deliberately, it seems clear that many of
these reports reflect a lack of clarity regarding the Part 97 --
Amateur Radio Service rules.

Typical cases often involve operators holding Technician- or
General-class amateur licenses being heard on a frequency or band not
permitted by their license privileges. Most recent incidents have
frequently entailed FT8 digital mode operation by Technician licensees
on 20 and 40 meters. Technician licensees do not have any operating
privileges on 20 meters, let alone digital privileges, and FT8 is a
digital protocol.

Technicians (and Novices) may operate CW between 21.025 and 21.200 MHz
on 15 meters, from 7.025 and 7.125 MHz on 40 meters, and from 3.525 to
3.600 MHz on 80 meters, but they do not have any digital (data) mode
privileges on these bands.

ARRL Volunteer Monitor Program Administrator Riley Hollingsworth,
K4ZDH, said licensees who need a refresher course regarding their
operating privileges may refer to Section 97.301 of the rules. ARRL
also has a convenient chart on its website <http://www.arrl.org/graphical-frequency-allocations> that details
privileges available to all license classes, from Novice to Amateur
Extra.

As monthly Volunteer Monitor reports indicate, some General-class
operators have lost their way on some bands too, and Advisory Notices
have gone out to those operating outside of the General-class phone
subbands. For example, on 20 meters, Generals may operate phone from
14.225 to 14.350 MHz, but occasionally, General-class operators are
heard outside of that subband. On 40 meters, the phone and image
subband open to General licensees is 7.175 to 7.300 MHz. Of course,
Technician- and General-class licensees may operate CW on any subband
on which they have operating privileges, although operation within the
CW subbands is preferred by band plan.

On 10 meters, Technicians have RTTY and data privileges -- including
FT8 -- from 28.000 to 28.300 MHz, and SSB phone privileges from 28.300
to 28.500 MHz, and may operate on CW over the entire 28.0000 - 28.500
MHz segment. Technicians may enjoy all operating privileges at 50 MHz
and above.

The ARRL Volunteer Monitor program is a formal agreement between the
FCC and ARRL. Volunteers trained and vetted by ARRL monitor the
airwaves and report evidence that may be used to correct errant
operation or to recognize exemplary on-air operation.

UKRAINE MAINTAINS HAM RADIO SILENCE IN STATE OF EMERGENCY

Radio amateurs in Ukraine appear to be diligently maintaining radio
silence as the state of emergency declared there just prior to the
Russian military invasion remains in effect. A February 24 decree from President Volodymyr Zelensky included "a ban on the operation amateur
radio transmitters for personal and collective use." The Ukraine
Amateur Radio League (UARL/LRU <http://uarl.org.ua/>) reported this
past week that it has received many messages of encouragement from the worldwide amateur radio community.

"The LRU informed international amateur radio organizations about
Russia's military invasion of Ukraine," said the message from UARL Vice President Anatoly Kirilenko, UT3UY. "To date, there have been many
reports from radio amateurs around the world in support of Ukraine."

The International Amateur Radio Union ( IARU <http://www.iaru.org>) has
adopted a neutral stance. "IARU is an apolitical organization focused
on promoting and defending amateur radio and the amateur radio
services," the IARU said. "The amateur radio service is about
self-instruction in communications and friendship between people." IARU
Region 1 has said it continues to monitor the development and expect
all radio amateurs "to follow their national laws and regulations."

IARU Region 1 also re-posted part of an advisory <https://www.iaru-r1.org/2022/note/> from the Deutscher Amateur Radio
Club HF Committee on February 27. "Any radio amateur currently
transmitting from Ukraine is risking his or her life. If you hear a
Ukrainian station, do not broadcast its call sign, location, or frequency�-�--�-�whether on the band, in a cluster, or on social media. You
may be putting lives at risk." The DARC's overarching advice: "In the
current situation, the best we can do is listen."

Ukraine's assigned amateur radio call sign prefixes include EMA - EOZ
and the more commonplace URA - UZZ. Some stations with Ukrainian call
signs may still be active, since an exception to the amateur radio ban
was made for stations in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine (eastern
Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts), which have special legal status owing to
Russia's occupation since 2014. <> -- Thanks to The Daily DX <http://www.dailydx.com/> for some information

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>.

- "New proposed $1,400 Forest Service fee may impact Manistee County <https://www.manisteenews.com/local-news/article/Why-a-new-proposed-Forest-Service-fee-may-impact-16944741.php>"

/ Manistee News Advocate (Michigan) February 24, 2022

- "When all else fails, ham radio works <https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2022/02/08/ford-kanzler-when-all-else-fails-ham-radio-works/>"

/ Santa Cruz Sentinel (California) February 8, 2022

- "Amateur radio operators make contacts in global winter training <https://nbcmontana.com/news/montana-moment/amateur-radio-operators-make-contacts-in-global-winter-training>"

/ NBC Montana (Montana) February 6, 2022

- "Freeport ham radio operator gets thrill from being part of airwaves <https://journalstandard.com/story/news/local/2022/02/01/freeport-ham-radio-operator-gets-thrill-being-part-airwaves/9285152002/>"

/ Journal-Standard (Illinois) February 1, 2022

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR USA ARDF CHAMPIONSHIPS

Registration <https://eventreg.orienteeringusa.org/eventregister/a40/register/start/ardf2022>

is now open for the 21st USA Championships of Amateur Radio Direction
Finding (ARDF), set for April 7 - 10, 2022. The competition will take
place in Prince William Forest Park near Quantico, Virginia.

"Radio orienteers from all over the country, plus visitors from abroad,
are invited to attend," said ARRL ARDF Co-coordinator Gerald Boyd,
WB8WFK. "The competitive courses are open to anyone of any age, with or
without an amateur radio license. The results will help select who will
be invited to fill positions on ARDF Team USA, which will travel to
Serbia for the 2022 ARDF World Championships in September.

Wednesday, April 6, will be a practice day for equipment testing and a competitor briefing. From Thursday through Sunday, competitors will
have the opportunity to compete in the sprint <http://www.homingin.com/sprints.html>, foxoring, and classic courses
on 2 meters and 80 meters. Awards for first through third places will
be presented at ceremonies following the events.

Members of the Backwoods Orienteering Klub (BOK
<https://backwoodsok.org/>) will organize the 2022 USA Championships.
All are experienced radio orienteers who organized the successful 2013
and 2019 national championships. The event director is Joseph Huberman,
K5JGH, and the registrar is Ruth Bromer, WB4QZG.

The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) sets ARDF championship
rules <http://www.homingin.com/intlfox.html>. For scoring and awards, participants are divided into 12 age/gender categories. In the classic
ARDF events, competitors start together in small groups made up of
different categories. As they seek the "fox" transmitters, they
navigate through the forest from the starting corridor to the finish
line, a distance ranging between 4 and 12 kilometers (about 2.5 miles
and 7.4 miles). They plot their direction-finding bearings on
orienteering maps that show terrain features, elevation contours, and vegetation type.

"The USA ARDF Championships are open to anyone who can safely
navigate the woods by themselves. A ham radio license is not required,"
Boyd emphasized. "In ARDF, personal navigation skills are important
because each participant competes as an individual -- any teamwork or
GPS map use is forbidden. Competitors bring their own direction-finding
gear to the events, although extra gear is often available for loan
from other attendees. Competitors may not transmit on the course,
except in emergencies."

Information bulletin #2
<https://backwoodsok.org/2022-ardf-champs-bulletin-2> contains the
complete schedule, technical details, fees, rule variations, and more.
An email reflector <https://groups.google.com/g/ardf-usa> is available
for Q&A with the organizers, as well as for coordinating transportation
and arranging equipment loans.

Announcements, rules, organizer instructions, and more are available at
the ARRL ARDF website
<http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-direction-finding>. Basic
information on international-style transmitter hunting is on the Homing
In <http://www.homingin.com/> website, which includes equipment ideas
for 2 meters <http://www.homingin.com/equipment.html> and 80 meters <http://www.homingin.com/joemoell/80intro.html>, plus photos and
stories from previous championships. -- Thanks to Joe Moell, K0OV

CHESS-PLAYING HAM RADIO SATELLITE TO LAUNCH IN FALL

Spain's IARU member-society URE <https://www.ure.es/> reports that
intensive work is under way to make URESAT-1 available before the end
of the year. If all goes according to plan, URESAT-1 will launch aboard
a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in October 2022.

URE says URESAT-1 is based on the architecture used in the AMSAT-EA
GENESIS, EASAT-2, and HADES missions but with significant improvements,
such as a 32-bit computer, and enhancements in the deployment
mechanism, antennas, and batteries. URESAT-1 will carry a VHF/UHF FM
ham radio repeater as well as digipeating capability of AX.25 and APRS.
URE says the payload is not yet defined but could be the same slow-scan television (SSTV) camera that flies in HADES, a thruster, or some kind
of experiment. One confirmed project is a chess game that will allow
radio amateurs to play against the onboard computer via FSK telemetry.

Several radio amateurs are working on the project, and if it is
completed by the time the satellite is due to be delivered, it will be included. URE has created a blog <https://uresat.ure.es/> in Spanish,
where the status of the project is being reported.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

- SEA-PAC <http://www.seapac.org/> 2022 online registration has been
delayed due to technical difficulties restarting the registration web
pages. SEA-PAC anticipates that online Registration will open on March
7 at 6 PM Pacific Time. SEA-PAC 2022 will host the ARRL Northwestern
Division Convention June 3 - 5. The 2022 SEA-PAC QSO Party is being
planned for the weekend before the event.

- Bouvet Island 3Y0J <https://www.3y0j.no/> DXpedition co-leader Ken
Opskar, LA7GIA, has updated plans for the January 2023 DXpedition,
noting that the camp setup plan will be finalized over the next 3
months. The plan is to go ashore upon arrival, even during a very short
weather window, starting with a single generator, antennas, and five
radios and tent, plus necessary food, water, heat, and safety gear. The subsequent runs ashore will bring another generator, more antennas,
fuel, radios and spare parts. "We have roughly 5 metric tons of
equipment and food/water/fuel supplies to be landed, but for us to be
able to go ashore and make QSOs, only a small fraction of that must be
landed," he said on the team's Facebook page. "If we have a longer
weather window, we will of course continue to land all equipment in one
long run."

- Registration <https://eventreg.orienteeringusa.org/eventregister/a40/register/start/ardf2022>

is now open for the 21st USA Championships of Amateur Radio Direction
Finding (ARDF), April 7 - 10, 2022. The competition venue will be
Prince William Forest Park, near Quantico, Virginia.

- The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has released the
agenda <https://www.itu.int/hub/publication/r-act-arr-1-2022/> for
World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23), along with relevant resolutions. WRC-23 will take place in the United Arab Emirates from
November 20 until December 15, 2023, preceded by the Radiocommunication Assembly 2023 (RA-23) from November 13 - 17.

ARISS SEEKS HOSTS FOR HAM RADIO CONTACTS WITH SPACE STATION CREW

MEMBERS

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS <http://www.ariss.org/>) is accepting applications until March 31 from
US schools, museums, science centers, and community youth organizations (working individually or together) interested in hosting contacts with International Space Station (ISS) crew members. Contacts will be
scheduled between January 1 and June 30, 2023. Proposal information and additional details
<https://ariss-usa.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-usa/> are
available on the ARISS-USA website.

ARISS is looking for organizations capable of attracting large numbers
of participants and integrating the contact into a well-developed
education plan.

ARISS contacts afford participants the opportunity to learn firsthand
from astronauts what it's like to live and work in space. The program's
goal is to inspire students to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Students can learn about satellite communications, wireless technology, scientific research on the ISS, radio science, and related topics.
They'll also learn how to use amateur radio to talk directly to an ISS
crew member. Contacts are approximately 10 minutes long.

An ARISS introductory webinar will be held on March 4, at 0100 UTC (the
evening of March 3 in North American time zones). Registration <https://ariss-proposal-webinar-spring-2022.eventbrite.com/> is
required.

ARISS is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies
and space agencies that support the ISS. ARRL The National Association
for Amateur Radio <http://www.arrl.org/>® is a sponsor.

Direct <[email protected]> questions to ARISS-USA. Read an
expanded version <http://www.arrl.org/news/ariss-seeks-hosts-for-ham-radio-contacts-with-space-station-crew-members-1>.

THE K7RA SOLAR UPDATE

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar activity was weak over the
February 24 - March 2 reporting week with average daily sunspot numbers weakening from 54.3 to 44, but average daily solar flux rising slightly
from 95.4 to 98.3.

Geomagnetic numbers were moderate. Average daily planetary A index
declined from 9.6 to 7.3, and the middle latitude index from 7.3 to
5.6.

Predicted solar flux is 115 on March 3 - 4; 110 on March 5 - 6; 105 on
March 7; 100 on March 8 - 10; 99 on March 11 - 13; 98 on March 14; 95
on March 15 - 16; 96, 97, 98, and 99 on March 17 - 20; 100 on March 21
- 22; 101 and 100 on March 23 - 24; 102 on March 25 - 26; 99 and 102 on
March 27 - 28; 105 on March 29 - 31; 102 on April 1 - 2; 101 on April 3
- 4, and 100 on April 5 - 6.

Predicted planetary A index is 5, 8, 12, and 8 on March 3 - 6; 5 on
March 7 - 10; 15, 12, 8, 5, and 8 on March 11 - 15; 5 on March 16 - 17;
10 on March 18; 15 on March 19 - 21; 7 on March 22 - 24; 5 and 10 on
March 25 - 26; 12 on March 27 - 28; 8 on March 29 - 30; 12 on March 31;
15 on April 1 - 2, and 5 on April 3 - 6.

Sunspot numbers for February 24 - March 2 were 23, 22, 22, 48, 65, 62,
and 66, with a mean of 44. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 92.3, 96.2,
96.5, 96.9, 99, 99.3, and 109.5, with a mean of 98.5. Estimated
planetary A indices were 7, 8, 3, 13, 8, 8, and 4, with a mean of 7.3.
Middle latitude A index was 6, 7, 1, 11, 5, 6, and 3, with a mean of
5.6.

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 <[email protected]> your reports and observations.

JUST AHEAD IN RADIOSPORT

- March 4 -- NCCC RTTY Sprint

- March 4 -- NCCC Sprint CW

- March 4 -- K1USN Slow Speed Test (CW, maximum 20 WPM)

- March 5 - 6 -- ARRL International DX Contest, SSB <http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx>

- March 5 -13 -- Novice Rig Roundup (CW)

- March 5 -- Wake-Up! QRP Sprint (CW)

- March 6 -- UBA Spring Contest, CW

- March 6 -- SARL 40-Meter Simulated Emergency Test (Phone)

- March 6 -- NSARA Contest (CW, phone, digital)

- March 6 -- WAB 3.5 MHz Phone

- March 7 -- K1USN Slow Speed Test (CW, maximum 20 WPM)

- March 7 -- OK1WC Memorial (CW)

- March 7 -- RSGB 80-Meter Club Championship, Digital

- March 8 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)

UPCOMING SECTION, STATE, AND DIVISION CONVENTIONS

- March 12 - 13 -- QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo
<http://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com/> (ARRL is a QSO Today partner)

- March 19 -- ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/47th-annual-martin-county-hamfest-arrl-southern-florida-section-convention>

(47th Annual Martin County Hamfest), Stuart, Florida

- March 19 -- ARRL West Texas Section Convention <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/66th-annual-st-patrick-s-day-hamest-arrl-west-texas-section-convention>

(66th Annual St. Patrick's Day Hamfest), Midland, Texas

- March 19 -- ARRL West Virginia Section Convention <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/charleston-area-hamfest-arrl-west-virginia-section>

(Charleston Area Hamfest), Charleston, West Virginia

- March 27 -- ARRL Virginia Section Convention <https://viennawireless.net/wp/events/winterfest/> (Winterfest),
Annandale, Virginia

- April 1 - 2 -- ARRL Maine State Convention <http://w1npp.org/>,
Lewiston, Maine

- April 8 - 9 -- ARRL Oklahoma State Convention <http://www.greencountryhamfest.org/index.php> (Green Country Hamfest
2022), Claremore, Oklahoma

- April 16 -- ARRL Roanoke Division Convention
<https://www.rarsfest.org/> (Raleigh Hamfest), Raleigh, North Carolina

- April 23 -- ARRL Delaware State Convention <http://www.radioelectronicsexpo.com/> (Delmarva Amateur Radio and
Electronics Expo), Georgetown, Delaware

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

ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
Amateur Radio News and Information

- Join or Renew Today! <http://www.arrl.org/join> Eligible US-based
members can elect to receive QST <http://www.arrl.org/qst> or On the
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