‰ NOW 18 WPM transition file follows‰ Two incumbent Section Managers were declared re elected in balloted elections that concluded on August 23, when ballots were counted at ARRL Headquarters. In Minnesota, incumbent SM Skip Jackson, KS0J, of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, received 452 votes to 396 for challenger Ann Foster, K0ANN, of St Anthony. Jackson has served as Minnesota Section Manager since 2004. In Ohio, Scott Yonally, N8SY, earned a new term of as SM, outpolling Matt Welch, W8DEC, of Windsor, 1392 to 483. Yonally, of Mansfield, has been Ohios SM since 2014. After 25 years, Connecticut will be getting a new Section Manager. Charles Motes Jr, K1DFS, of Plainville, will take the reins from Betsey Doane, K1EIC, of Shelton. Doane decided not to run for another term of office after leading the Connecticut Section since 1991. Motes has served as Connecticuts Official Observer Coordinator since 2008. Hes also been an Emergency Coordinator. Oscar Resto, KP4RF, will become Puerto Ricos new SM this fall. Resto, from Vega Alta, was the only nominee to replace incumbent SM Rene Fonseca, NP3O, who decided not to seek a new term after serving since 2012. In Oklahoma, Kevin ODell, N0IRW, returns as the leader of the Oklahoma Field Organization this fall. He was the sole nominee. The sitting SM, Lloyd Colston, KC5FM, of Altus, decided not to run for new term. ODell served previously as Oklahoma SM, from 2010 to 2014. These incumbent Section Managers were unopposed during the nomination period and were declared elected. New terms for all successful candidates will begin on October 1. They are, Laura Mueller, N2LJM of Western New York, Jeff Beals, WA4AW of Southern Florida, Fred Kleber, K9VV of the US Virgin Islands, Lynn Nelson, W0ND of North Dakota, and Ed Stuckey, AI7H of Idaho. Conditions turned a little more favorable since last weeks bulletin with both solar flux and sunspot numbers up, and geomagnetic indices substantially lower. Average daily sunspot numbers for the August 11 to 17 period were 73.9, compared to 52 for the previous seven days. Average daily solar flux went from 87.9 to 89.2. Average daily planetary A index dropped from 14.6 to 6.9, and average mid latitude A index went from 13.7 to 7.4. Predicted solar flux for the near term is 85 on August 19, 80 on August 20, 75 on August 21 and 22, 85 on August 23 and 24, 90 on August 25 and 26, 75 on August 27 through September 1, 80 and 85 on September 2 and 3, and 90 on September 4 to 14. Solar flux then pulls back to 75 on September 18 to 28, then recovers to 90 in the first days of October. Predicted planetary A index is 10, 14, 8 and 6 on August 19 to 22, 5 on August 23 and 24, 12 on August 25, 8 on August 26, 5 on August 27 and 28, then 15, 25 and 18 on August 29 to 31, 15 on September 1 and 2, 12 on September 3 and 4, and 15 on September 5 and 6. The predicted planetary A index is 25 on September 26, indicating high geomagnetic activity. Monthly propagation charts between four USA regions and twelve overseas locations are at //arrl.org/propagation. Instructions for starting or ending email distribution of ARRL bulletins are at //arrl.org/bulletins. Sunspot numbers were 82, 86, 73, 61, 70, 81, and 64, with a mean of 73.9. 10.7 cm flux was 94.7, 94.8, 90.5, 87.2, 87.6, 86.5, and 82.9, with a mean of 89.2. Estimated planetary A indices were 9, 11, 5, 4, 4, 6, and 9, with a mean of 6.9. Estimated mid latitude A indices were 8, 11, 5, 4, 4, 8, and 12 with a mean of 7.4. ‰ END OF 18 WPM transition file ƒ