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The ARRL Letter
January 26, 2023
John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, Editor
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Missouri S&T Amateur Radio Club to Celebrate 100 Years

The Missouri S&T Amateur Radio Club, W0EEE, at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), is gearing up for an early celebration of their 100 years. Club President Morgan Lyons, KI5SXY, said the station first went on the air in 1923 as the M.S.M Radio Club, broadcasting basketball games from the Jackling Gym on the grounds of the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (MSM).

"The FCC was not around in 1923, but we believe the original M.S.M Radio club used the call sign W9DUM," said Lyons. Then, between September 1937 and March 1938, W9EEE had been assigned to the M.S.M. Radio Club, and in September 1947, the M.S.M Radio club was assigned the call sign W0EEE and changed its name to the Missouri S&T Amateur Radio Club.

Missouri S&T Amateur Radio Club members operate from their shack. Photo courtesy of Missouri S&T Amateur Radio Club.

The club now has 20 active members and over 300 alumni that regularly visit to help support club activities.

The official date for the celebration in April has not been selected, but there will be an open house and tour of the club's radio shack, and a special event station.

The Missouri S&T Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club. Students from the club regularly participate in the ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program -- which provides networking opportunities for students and their college radio clubs.

Yaesu Radios Donated to ARRL to Inspire Visitors and Young Hams

There are two new Yaesu transceivers in use at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. They arrived via a generous donation from Yaesu USA.

The Yaesu FTDX101MP transceiver is a welcome addition to Studio 1 in W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station.

The company has donated an FTDX101MP and FTDX10, both HF/50 MHz transceivers. In arranging the donation, Yaesu Vice President, Sales and Credit Gary Doshay, KN6APR, urged that the radios be used by ARRL "to educate and assist your visitors and especially young enthusiasts for ham radio."

"We appreciate the value that having this equipment available for members and visitors to see and explore will provide," said ARRL Director of Operations Bob Naumann, W5OV. "These are two of the top three performing transceivers on the Sherwood list," he added.

The FTDX101MP was named for Yaesu Founder Sako Hasegawa, JA1MP. The model holds a place of honor, in service in the first operating studio of the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, W1AW. ARRL members and visitors come year-round to tour the station and operate the equipment, most of which has been donated by generous manufacturers over the years. "The radio is already receiving a lot of attention from visitors," said W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q. "Some of our recent guests have included students and scouting groups who have enjoyed trying the new radio -- adding to the overall 'wow' factor of the station. We're grateful to Yaesu for this new addition to W1AW."

ARRL Director of Operations Bob Naumann, W5OV, explores the features of the Yaesu FTDX10. The radio is the new addition to the ARRL Radio Lab, W1HQ.

The FTDX10 has been installed in the new ARRL Radio Lab, W1HQ, where it will contribute to the station's ongoing role in the development of innovative amateur radio station design and function. "The Radio Lab is an extension of ARRL's equipment testing program, which supports ['Product Review' in] QST magazine," said Naumann. "Putting the latest in modern radio technology through its paces is the intent of the Lab. It represents what is possible if the modern ham were to go with cutting-edge technology and integration. The Yaesu FTDX10 fits perfectly in that environment."

Naumann says the ARRL stations will benefit significantly from the donations of Yaesu's highly capable rigs. "It demonstrates the important partnership ARRL has with amateur radio manufacturers to educate and inspire our community."

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Mobile App Available to Navigate 2023 Orlando HamCation

Orlando HamCation® is February 10 - 12, 2023, and hosts the ARRL Southeastern Division Convention. In partnership with HamCation, ARRL's free mobile app is available to help attendees navigate the large event, which is held at the Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park.

The free ARRL Events app is now available and already includes HamCation's full program, so attendees can browse and schedule forums, preview the extensive list of exhibitors, and find affiliated events. During the event, attendees can use other app features to follow the hourly prize drawings and grand prize packages, and browse building and site maps.

While returning app users do not have to re-register to use the app, they will be prompted to complete a simple registration to view each new event. Attendees are also encouraged to tap on the MyProfile icon in the app to add their name and call sign, email address, and any additional information they would like to share with other HamCation guests. Additionally, the MyBadge icon displays a QR code of your event badge that can be scanned by another attendee or exhibitor using the Scan Badge icon - instantly connecting shared contact information with other hams at the event.

The app is available for Apple and Android smart devices, or access the web browser version which is optimized for nearly any browser or other type of mobile phone or tablet. Visit your app store to download the app (search "ARRL Events") or access the links available on the ARRL Expo web page. If you're reading this article on a mobile device, click here to be redirected to the appropriate app store, or redirected to the web browser version (www.tripbuildermedia.com/apps/arrl).

For more information, please visit these official websites:

ARDC Welcomes New Committee Members

Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) has announced new 2023 volunteers serving on the Grants Advisory Committee (GAC) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).

The GAC reviews and advises the ARDC Board of Directors on eligible proposals and helps identify potential grant-making opportunities, while the TAC advises the board and staff on 44Net technology, architecture, and policy. Volunteers commit to serving at least a year and may serve up to a maximum of 3 years. The term starts in January and runs through December.

The volunteers joining the GAC:

  • Katie Allen, WY7YL

  • Judi Clark, KK6ZCU

  • Dennis Derickson, AC0P

  • Jim Idelson, K1IR

  • Kristin Paget, KJ6GCG

  • William Thomas, WT0DX

  • Randy Wilkinson, W4LKS

Joining the 2023 TAC are:

  • Dave Gingrich, K9DC

  • Rich Gopstein, KD2CQ

  • Randy Neals, VE3RWN/W3RWN

  • Alvaro Prieto, KC2VVE

  • Ian Redden, VA3IAN

"It's always exciting to bring on new members to these committees," says ARDC Executive Director Rosy Schechter, KJ7RYV. "This year, I'm delighted to see more women and a variety of technical skills brought to the table. I'm [looking forward] to seeing what these committees do in 2023."

ARDC provides support for ARRL programs and initiatives including the ARRL Foundation Club Grant Program and Scholarship Program. Read more about the new volunteers, their backgrounds, and their committees at the ARDC website.


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Amateur Radio in the News

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

"Amateur Radio 'Winter Field Day' later this month will demonstrate science, skill and service" / The Observer (New Jersey), January 19, 2023. -- The West Hudson Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club.

"Blast from the Past / 1954: Ready to help in an emergency" / The Lewiston Tribune (Idaho), January 21, 2023. -- The Lewiston-Clarkston Amateur Radio Club.

"Bryan Amateur Radio Club to host annual Winter Field Day exercises from Jan. 28 - 29" / KAGS - TV (Texas), January 23, 2023. -- The Bryan Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club.

"Local youth invited to try ham radio with reduced fees through Paducah Amateur Radio Association" / WPSD - TV (Kentucky), January 26, 2023. -- The Paducah Amateur Radio Association is an ARRL Affiliated Club.

"Amateur Radio Winter Field Day to be held this weekend" / Alachua Chronicle (Florida), January 25, 2023. -- The Gainesville Amateur Radio Society is an ARRL Affiliated Club.

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.


ARRL Podcasts

On the Air
Sponsored by Icom
The latest episode of the ARRL On the Air podcast includes an introduction to the ARRL Field Organization and opportunities to get involved. Learn more about this network of ARRL member-volunteers who give of their time and knowledge to other hams, as well as to the Amateur Radio Service itself.

ARRL Audio News
Listen to 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 is available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android). The On the Air podcast and ARRL Audio News are also on blubrry -- On the Air | ARRL Audio News.


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Announcements

Amateur radio operators can sign up now to be a volunteer for the 2023 Boston Marathon. New volunteers can sign up here and, while the deadline is Friday, February 10, 2023, at 5:00 PM EST, the Boston Athletic Association is recommending having applications completed by Friday January 27, 2023. A step by step guide is available to help select amateur radio positions during the registration process. The Boston Marathon will run April 17, 2023.


In Brief...

American Legion Post 149, along with members of the 40 & 8 Voiture 306, will operate a special event station throughout February 2023, celebrating the 74th Anniversary of the United States and, the state of Nevada, receiving a 40 & 8 Merci Train boxcar. The Forty & Eight, a charitable honor society of American wartime veterans, was formed in 1920 by American legionnaires. NV7AL will be operating on 10 - 80m and will spot on "My DX Summit" main locations, FT-8 7.074 and 14.074, SSB 7.250 and 14.250. The Merci Train boxcar serves as a memorial to the allies' participation in World War II. The car was called a 40 et 8 (40 and 8) because the French military rated it to carry 40 men or eight horses. More about the Merci Train is available at their website.


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The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, of Seattle, Washington, reports for this week's ARRL Propagation Bulletin, ARLP004:

Solar disk image taken January 26, 2023, courtesy of NASA SDO/HMI.

From the first week of 2023, we saw a dramatic and welcome increase in solar activity, but it softened in this reporting week, January 19 - 25.

Average daily sunspot numbers for the weeks starting with the final reporting week for 2022 were 96.1, 97, 135.9, 173.4, and 162.

Over the same period, average daily solar flux was 143.8, 157.8, 181.2, 221.8, and 198.9.

The northern hemisphere winter solstice was more than a month ago, and through the next two months we will see a gradual transition toward spring conditions.

Predicted solar flux over the next month shows values peaking near 205 on February 14 - 15. Predicted numbers are 170 and 165 on January 26 - 27; 160 on January 28 - 31; 165, 170, 180, and 185 on February 1 - 4; 190 on February 5 - 6; 195 on February 7 - 12; 200 on February 13; 205 on February 14 - 15; 200 on February 16 - 18; 195, 200, and 190 on February 19 - 21; 185 on February 22 - 23; 180 on February 24 - 25, and 175 on February 26 - 28. Flux values may peak above 200 again after March 10.

Predicted planetary A index, an indicator of geomagnetic instability, is 10 on January 26; 8 on January 27 - 29; 5 on January 30 through February 1; 8 on February 2; 5 on February 3 - 6; 12 on February 7 - 8; 15, 12, and 5 on February 9 - 11; 8 on February 12 - 13; 5 on February 14 - 17; 8, 10, 10, 12, and 10 on February 18 - 22; 8 on February 23 - 25, and 5 on February 26 - 27.

More dramatic solar warnings.

https://bit.ly/3XGqNm

Sunspot numbers for January 19 - 25, 2023, were 166, 197, 194, 166, 144, 127, and 140, with a mean of 162. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 226.1, 217.5, 208.7, 198.6, 189.1, 180.2, and 171.8, with a mean of 198.9. Estimated planetary A indices were 7, 6, 17, 9, 7, 4, and 7, with a mean of 8.1. Middle latitude A index was 6, 4, 11, 7, 5, 3, and 5, with a mean of 5.9.

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 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

Year-long -- ARRL Volunteers On the Air (VOTA). See also the State Activations Schedule for weekly W1AW Portable Operations including these:

  • January 25 - 31 -- Oklahoma, W1AW/5

  • January 25 - 31 -- New York, W1AW/2

  • February 1 - 7 -- South Carolina, W1AW/4

  • February 1 - 7 -- South Dakota, W1AW/0

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Upcoming Contests
  • January 26 -- NAQCC CW Sprint (CW)

  • January 27 - 29 -- CQ 160-Meter Contest, (CW)

  • January 28 - 29 -- REF Contest, (CW)

  • January 28 - 29 -- BARTG RTTY Sprint (digital)

  • January 28 - 29 -- UBA DX Contest, SSB (phone)

  • January 28 - 29 -- Winter Field Day (CW, phone, digital)

  • February 1 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest (digital)

  • February 1 -- UKEICC 80-Meter Contest (phone)

Visit the ARRL Contest Calendar for more events and information.


Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

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


Have News for ARRL?

Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to news@arrl.org. -- John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, ARRL News Editor


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

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  • Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.

  • The ARRL Letter is available in an accessible format, posted weekly to the Blind-hams Groups.io email group. The group is dedicated to discussions about amateur radio as it concerns blind hams, plus related topics including ham radio use of adaptive technology.

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The ARRL Letter

The ARRL Letter offers a weekly summary of essential news of interest to active amateurs that is available in advance of publication in QST, our official journal. The ARRL Letter strives to be timely, accurate, concise and readable.

Much of the ARRL Letter content is also available in audio form in ARRL Audio News.

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