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

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

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

December 14, 2023

John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, Editor <[email protected]>

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

- WRC-23 Reaches Acceptable Conclusion on 23-centimeter Issue
- Student-Led ARISS Contact a Success
- 2024 ARRL National Convention to be at Hamvention
- Amateur Radio in the News
- ARRL Podcasts
- Announcements
- In Brief...
- The K7RA Solar Update
- Just Ahead in Radiosport
- Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

WRC-23 REACHES ACCEPTABLE CONCLUSION ON 23-CENTIMETER ISSUE

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) World
Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23) continues through December
15, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)'s primary effort focused
on Agenda Item 9.1 topic b to address amateur use of the 23-centimeter
band and co-frequency use by several radionavigation satellite service
(RNSS) systems in the 1240 - 1300 MHz band.

IARU's work that began 4 years ago with a preparatory study in the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) to address this agenda item has
finally come to a close. Our concerted engagement in the ITU-R working
parties, study groups, and WRC preparatory meetings ensured that the
amateur services were properly represented during the development of
two published ITU-R reports: M.2513 and M.2532. An ITU-R
Recommendation, M.2164, followed these, which formed the basis for the discussions at WRC-23.

During the WRC-23 deliberations, strong positions were expressed by all
parties involved.

IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, offers thanks to Barry Lewis, G4SJH,
for his success in leading IARU's work on Agenda Item 9.1 topic b. From
left to right: WRC-23 SWG4B7 Chair Dale Hughes, VK1DSH; IARU Vice
President Ole Garpestad, LA2RR; Tim Ellam, VE6SH; Barry Lewis, G4SJH,
and IARU Secretary Joel Harrison, W5ZN.

The result is a well-supported compromise for a footnote in the
Radio Regulations regarding amateur and amateur satellite service
operation in the 1240 -1300 MHz range. The footnote reminds
administrations and amateurs of the need to protect the primary RNSS
from interference, and it provides guidance for administrations to
allow both services to continue to operate in this portion of the
spectrum.

Administrations are the bodies that govern amateur radio in their
respective countries, such as the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) in the United States.

The Conference Plenary compromise was formally adopted on December 8
and is not subject to further consideration during the final week of
WRC-23. The IARU team continues its work on other WRC issues, including developing agendas for future conferences.

IARU President Tim Ellam, VE6SH, noted, "This is a very good result for
the amateur services. The decision reached at WRC-23 on this agenda
item makes no change to the table of allocations nor incorporates by
reference M.2164 into the Radio Regulations. The addition of a footnote
that provides guidance to administrations in the event of interference
to the RNSS is a good regulatory outcome for amateurs and the primary
users of this band."

The WRC also agreed to suppress Resolution 774, which closes the issue
and satisfies the agenda item. Read more in ARRL News <https://www.arrl.org/news/wrc-23-reaches-acceptable-conclusion-on-23-centimeter-issue>


<https://www.arrl.org/files/file/News/ARRL%20Letter/2023-12-14/WRC-23%20Team%202.jpg>

STUDENT-LED ARISS CONTACT A SUCCESS

A student-led contact with astronauts through the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program was a great success that
earned significant media attention. On Monday, December 11, students at
Harbor Creek High School in Harborcreek, Pennsylvania, used amateur
radio to talk with Astronaut Andreas Mogensen, KG5GCZ.

The students are part of the Advanced Technologies Group, KC3SGV, an after-school club at Harbor Creek. Fifteen of the students are licensed
radio amateurs. As ARRL News reported last week <https://arrl.org/news/arrl-teachers-institute-grad-prepares-students-for-ham-radio-contact-with-astronaut>,

their faculty advisor, Assistant Principal Drew Mortensen, AC3DS, is a
graduate of the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology. He
utilized what he learned in the program and brought it back to the
school. The ARISS contact is just one of the many successes the program
has had.

<https://www.arrl.org/files/file/News/ARRL%20Letter/2023-12-14/Top.jpg>

<https://www.arrl.org/files/file/News/ARRL%20Letter/2023-12-14/MidL.jpg> <https://www.arrl.org/files/file/News/ARRL%20Letter/2023-12-14/MidR.jpg>

<https://www.arrl.org/files/file/News/ARRL%20Letter/2023-12-14/Bottom.jpg>

ARRL Education and Learning Manager Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, was on hand
for the contact, and he was impressed by the skills demonstrated by the students.

Goodgame recalled, "From antenna assembly and installation to the
actual control operator function of the radio during the contact
itself, students were at the helm. Every student who asked a question
of Commander Mogensen was a licensed amateur radio operator. When I
asked what they had planned next, the response was, 'Well, the logical
step would be to build and get a CubeSat launched.' This is exactly the
type of program we hope to help create as an outcome of the Teachers Institute," said Goodgame.

Local, regional, and national media took note of the students' success.
Local television newscasts (see Amateur Radio in the News <https://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2023-12-14#toc04> below)
featured the event, and NBC Journalist Harry Smith and a crew from
NBC's TODAY were at the event to tell the story about the young hams.

<https://www.arrl.org/files/file/News/ARRL%20Letter/2023-12-14/Interview.jpg>

This type of exposure for amateur radio is key to growing the hobby,
according to ARRL Public Relations and Outreach Manager Sierra Harrop,
W5DX. "The passion of these teenage operators led to this success
story. Who doesn't love the story of young minds doing extraordinary
things in STEM through amateur radio?" she exclaimed. ARRL Director of Development Kevin Beal, K8EAL, mentioned that the media coverage
demonstrates the impact that the donors who have funded the Teachers
Institute have on the future of amateur radio. Beal said, "The reach
goes far beyond the one-week training institute and ripples out farther
than we can see."

The ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology is funded by the
ARRL Education and Technology Fund. If you are interested in supporting
STEM education through the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology,
visit www.arrl.org/GiveToSTEM <https://www.arrl.org/GiveToSTEM>.

ARISS is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies
and the space agencies that support the ISS. In the US, participating organizations include NASA's Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program, the ISS National Laboratory -- Space Station Explorers, ARRL <http://www.arrl.org/ariss>, and AMSAT.

2024 ARRL NATIONAL CONVENTION TO BE AT HAMVENTION

ARRL and Hamvention� have announced that Hamvention will host the 2024
ARRL National Convention, May 17, 18, and 19 at the Greene County
Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio. Hamvention is the world's largest annual
gathering of radio amateurs and has been sponsored by the Dayton
Amateur Radio Association (DARA) since 1952.

"We are pleased to unveil our 2024 logo and theme," announced 2024
Hamvention General Chair Jim Storms, AB8YK, and the Hamvention team.
"The theme is 'Expanding our Community'. This is in support of the
growth of amateur radio worldwide."

Hamvention Awards Chair Michael Kalter, W8CI, also shared a reminder
that the nomination period is open to submit nominations for 2024
Hamvention Awards, including the Amateur of the Year, Technical
Achievement, Special Achievement, and Club of the Year awards. More
information about the awards can found on the Hamvention website, and nominations will close on February 15, 2024.

ARRL is building a program for its National Convention that will
include presentations and forums, more than a dozen exhibits, and
activities for young hams. Once finalized, the National Convention
program will be published at www.arrl.org/expo
<https://www.arrl.org/expo>.

Hamvention urged "everyone to purchase their tickets and make their
room reservations early to avoid the rush." Visit the Hamvention
website for more information and to order tickets at www.hamvention.org <https://www.hamvention.org/>.

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>.

"Local students build antennas, communicate with astronaut aboard the International Space Station via radio <https://www.yourerie.com/community/local-students-build-antennas-communicate-with-astronaut-aboard-international-space-station-via-radio/>"

/ WJET (Pennsylvania) December 11, 2023

"Harborcreek Students Chat with International Space Station <https://www.weny.com/clip/15439149/harborcreek-students-chat-with-international-space-station>"

/ Erie News Now (Pennsylvania) December 11, 2023

"Dialed in: Harbor Creek Students complete years-long task of
livestreaming with space station <https://www.goerie.com/story/news/local/2023/12/14/nasa-astronaut-andreas-mogensen-answers-questions-harborcreek-pa-students-amateur-ham-radio/71889666007/>"

/ Erie News-Times (Pennsylvania) December 14, 2023

Share <[email protected]> any amateur radio media hits you spot with
us.

ARRL PODCASTS

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

The December 2023 episode of the On the Air podcast ties into a feature
in the November/December issue called "Bits and Baud," which discussed important elements of digital communication, namely the quantity of
information a transmission delivers -- known as bit rate -- and the
rate of speed at which the information is delivered, which is known as
baud rate. In this podcast episode, we're joined by the article's
author, former QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY, who explains more about
the differences between bit rate and baud rate, as well as why hams are concerned with these measurements in the first place.

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

Youth on the Air (YOTA) Summer Camp in the Americas will be held July 7
- 12, 2024, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, at Mount Saint Vincent
University. Online applications for licensed amateur radio operators
aged 15 - 25 in North, Central, and South America are now being
accepted at YouthOnTheAir.org <https://www.youthontheair.org>. The goal
of the 2024 camp is to enrich the campers' amateur radio experience.
They can refine their skills; participate in unique experiences with radio-related technologies, including kit builds, contesting, satellite operations, and a special event station, and meet other young hams
through workshops and social events.The 2024 YOTA Americas Camp is
hosted by Radio Amateurs of Canada. <http://rac.ca/>

IN BRIEF...

Amateur radio operators helped a California radio station get back on
the air after their equipment sustained heavy storm damage. In early
2023, KNYO-LP, a low-power FM radio station in Fort Bragg, California,
lost their antenna that was unconventionally mounted atop a 70-foot
pine tree. Then, in late October, heavy storms damaged their backup
antenna, and the station went off the air. President of the Mendocino
County Amateur Radio Communications Service (McARCS) <https://mcarcs.org/doku.php?id=start> Derek Hoyle, KE6EBZ, and several
McARCS members volunteered to help KNYO-LP get back on the air. Their investigation found that several connectors and a lightning arrester
were damaged and needed to be replaced. A short time later, the antenna
and supporting mast were fixed, and the station went back on the air.
KNYO-LP thanked the amateur radio volunteers and the entire Fort Bragg community and said they would not have been able to continue without
their support.

THE K7RA SOLAR UPDATE

Tad Cook, K7RA, of Seattle, Washington, reports for this week's ARRL Propagation Bulletin, ARLP050:

The solar disk image was taken on December 14, 2023. [Photo courtesy of
NASA SDO/HMI]

Solar activity declined this week. The average daily sunspot number
dropped from 121.1 to 110.3, and the average daily solar flux decreased
from 146.5 to 129.8.

Six new sunspot groups appeared this week. The first two appeared on
December 8, another two appeared on December 11 and 12, and two more
appeared on December 13.

Geomagnetic conditions were quieter, with the planetary A index
dropping from 14.1 to 5.6, and the middle latitude numbers decreasing
from 7.3 to 4.6.

Predicted solar flux shows some expected improvement, with values
peaking at 160 on December 20 - 21 and 155 on January 23.

Predicted solar flux is 135 on December 14 - 16; 145, 150, and 155 on
December 17 - 19; 160 on December 20 - 21, and then it drops back to
135 on December 22. It will be 140 on December 23 - 24; 150 on December
25 - 26; 155, 150, and 145 on December 27 - 29; 140 on December 30
through January 2, 2024, and 135 on January 3 - 5.

Predicted planetary A index is 8, 18, and 22 on December 14 - 16; 12 on December 17 - 18; 18, 8, 8, 20, and 10 on December 19 - 23; 5 on
December 24 - 29; 8 on December 30 - 31; 10 and 8 on January 1 - 2,
2024, and 5 on January 3 - 6.

Reader David Moore shared an article about agencies collaborating on
space weather projects. You can read it at https://bit.ly/46ZKDNF.

On Wednesday morning, Spaceweather.com announced:

"The best meteor shower of the year peak[ed] on December 13 - 14 with
no moon to spoil the show. Rural observers could see hundreds of
Geminid meteors and more than a few fireballs."

Did you know that India has a solar observatory in space? Read about it
at https://bit.ly/3GGecsH.

Watch Tamitha Skov's new video from this week about the solar storm
forecast at https://youtu.be/64CTIrWBGTc.

A couple of interesting QRZ.com pages to check out are KS7ROH <https://www.qrz.com/db/KS7ROH>'s for his astrophotography and other
projects, and W6BSD <https://www.qrz.com/db/W6BSD>'s for links to his propagation pages.

Sunspot numbers for December 7 through 13, 2023, were 121, 125, 125,
120, 87, 80, and 114, with a mean of 110.3. The 10.7-centimeter flux
was 134.6, 132.6, 127.9, 126.6, 125.9, 126.2, and 134.8, with a mean of
129.8. Estimated planetary A indices were 5, 5, 3, 4, 3, 10, and 8,
with a mean of 5.6. Middle latitude A index was 4, 4, 2, 4, 3, 8, and
7, with a mean of 4.6.

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 <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.

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

JUST AHEAD IN RADIOSPORT

Yearlong -- ARRL Volunteers On the Air <https://vota.arrl.org/> (VOTA).
See the State Activations Schedule for weekly W1AW Portable Operations <https://vota.arrl.org/w1awPortable.php>, including:

- December 13 - 19 -- Montana W1AW/7

- December 13 - 19 -- Maine W1AW/1

- December 13 - 19 -- Indiana W1AW/9

- December 17 -- VOTA Red Badge Day <http://www.arrl.org/news/vota-red-badges-on-the-air-event-december-17>

- December 20 - 26 -- Christmas Week, no state assignment. Listen for Volunteers On the Air.

UPCOMING CONTESTS:

- December 14 -- EACW Meeting (CW)

- December 15 -- AGB-Party Contest (CW, phone, digital)

- December 15 -- Russian 160-Meter Contest (CW, phone)

- December 16 -- Feld Hell Sprint (digital)

- December 16 -- OK DX RTTY Contest (digital)

- December 16 - 17 -- Croatian DX Contest (CW)

- December 17 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup
<https://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup> (CW)

- December 17 - 18 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

- December 19 -- Worldwide Sideband Activity Contest (phone)

- December 20 -- NAQCC CW Sprint (CW)

- December 20 -- Phone Weekly Test (phone)

- December 20 -- VHF-UHF FT8 (FT8)

- December 21 - 22 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

- December 21 -- NTC QSO Party (CW)

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

UPCOMING SECTION, STATE, AND DIVISION CONVENTIONS

- January 6 | Ham Radio University <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/ham-radio-university-arrl-new-york-city-long-island-section-convention>,

hosting the ARRL New York City-Long Island Section Convention,
Brookville, New York

- January 12 - 14 | ARRL Puerto Rico State Convention <http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/arrl-puerto-rico-state-convention-2>,
Hatillo, Puerto Rico

- 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

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
[email protected]. -- John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, ARRL News Editor

<[email protected]>

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