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The ARRL Letter

February 11, 2016
Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME

 *  US House Subcommittee to Consider Amateur Radio Parity Act
 *  New ARRL President Happy to be Part of "Exciting Times for Amateur
    Radio"
 *  Matt Holden, K0BBC, Tapped as ARRL Dakota Division Vice Director
 *  National Parks on the Air Update
 *  ARRL Signs New Memorandum of Understanding with the American Red Cross
 *  Army and Air Force MARS Communications Exercise Set for February 12
 *  Severe Weather Cuts Short South Georgia VP8SGI DXpedition
 *  VHF Groups Join Forces to Sponsor "Super Conference"
 *  QCWA Honors ARRL President Emeritus Harry Dannals, W2HD
 *  ARRL 2016 International DX Contest (CW) is February 20-21
 *  Icom America Donates IC-9100 Transceiver to ARRL Headquarters Station
    W1HQ
 *  Hamvention Extends Awards Nominations Deadline to March 1
 *  North American "RST" Stations on the Air Activity Set for February and
    March
 *  University Radio Club Donates Vintage J-37 Key to B-29 Radio Position
    Restoration Project
 *  IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society Honors Ulrich Rohde, N1UL
 *  In Brief...
 *  The K7RA Solar Update
 *  Just Ahead in Radiosport
 *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events


US House Subcommittee to Consider Amateur Radio Parity Act

The Amateur Radio Parity Act, H.R. 1301, was among three bills that the US
House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology considered in a Thursday,
February 11 "markup" session. Subcommittee members voted to send the measure
to the House Energy and Commerce Committee for further consideration.

The Subcommittee on Communications and Technology is chaired by Rep Greg
Walden, W7EQI (R-OR), who, during a January 12 Subcommittee hearing on H.R.
1301, called the measure "a commonsense bill" and urged his colleagues'
support. Subcommittee members submitted in advance any amendments they might
have to any of the bills being considered in the February 11 markup.

The House bill's sponsor, Rep Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), also spoke in favor of
H.R. 1301 at the January 12 hearing, explaining that hams in some
neighborhoods "are outright prohibited" from erecting antennas on their
properties. He cited Amateur Radio's role in emergency communication support,
and said his bill's "reasonable accommodation standard" would not mandate
placement, size, or aesthetics regarding an outdoor antenna, leaving ham radio
operators and homeowners associations to decide those issues.

Reps Walden and Kinzinger made impassioned statements at the markup session,
in favor of the bill. Representative Anna Eshoo also spoke and recognzied the
work all parties are doing to insure the passage of the bill in the House.

H.R. 1301 would direct the FCC to extend its rules relating to reasonable
accommodation of Amateur Service communications to private land-use
restrictions, such as deed covenants, conditions, and restrictions. The bill
has attracted 120 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. An identical US
Senate measure, S. 1685, has attracted three cosponsors. It cleared the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation last November.

At the ARRL National Convention February 12-14 at the Orlando HamCation, ARRL
representatives will be on hand to help visitors to generate letters of
support to members of Congress. More information about the legislation is on
the ARRL Amateur Radio Parity Act web page.


New ARRL President Happy to be Part of "Exciting Times for Amateur Radio"

Making his inaugural ARRL National Convention appearance this week as ARRL
President, Rick Roderick, K5UR, said he's looking forward to meeting many
League members in person at Orlando. The 2016 ARRL National Convention on
February 12-14, is hosted by the Orlando HamCation(R), which is celebrating
its 70th anniversary this year.

"We are embarking on a new era at ARRL as the second century begins,"
President Roderick said. "I'm thrilled to be part of these exciting times for
Amateur Radio."

Over his term, President Roderick said, his emphasis will be on implementing
the 5 year Strategic Plan that the ARRL Board of Directors adopted at its
annual meeting in mid-January. Roderick said the plan "will help grow and
advance Amateur Radio, and make the League stronger and more responsive to our
members."

He also said he'll put forth a major effort to secure passage of the Amateur
Radio Parity Act, as well as improved enforcement by the FCC.

President Roderick, 63, is the ARRL's 16th president, succeeding Kay Craigie,
N3KN, who served for three terms as the League's president. An ARRL Life
Member, he has been a radio amateur for 48 years and lives in Little Rock,
Arkansas.

A complete ARRL National Convention program guide is available.


Matt Holden, K0BBC, Tapped as ARRL Dakota Division Vice Director

ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, has appointed Matt Holden, K0BBC, to serve
as Dakota Division Vice Director, effective February 4. Holden, an ARRL Life
Member who lives in Bloomington, Minnesota, succeeds former Vice Director Kent
Olson, KA0LDG. Olson became the Dakota Division Director when former Director
Greg Widin, K0GW, was elected as ARRL First Vice President at the ARRL Board
of Directors' Annual Meeting in mid-January. Holden, 46, will serve out the
remainder of the current term of office, which ends on January 1, 2017.

Holden serves as the president of the Bloomington Amateur Radio Association.
He is ARES Emergency Coordinator for the City of Bloomington and a Minnesota
Section Public Information Officer. He is an information technology
professional with Delta Air Lines.

Holden is active with the Bloomington Communications Group, the Twin Cities DX
Association, the Minnesota Wireless Association, and the Northern Lights Radio
Society. Read more.

____________________________________________________________________________


National Parks on the Air Update

Congratulations to Gary Stone, N5PHT, who just wrapped up 10 days of operating
at Chickasaw National Recreation Area (RC05) in Oklahoma. From January 29 to
February 8, Gary made 1718 contacts with 1361 unique call signs. He worked all
50 states and just missed WAS on CW (no Wyoming).

Look for NPOTA Managers Sean, KX9X, and Norm, W3IZ, at the ARRL National
Convention, hosted by Orlando HamCation. They'll have an NPOTA booth and will
talk about NPOTA during a forum on Friday, February 12, at 11:15 AM.

Thirty-two NPOTA activations are scheduled between February 11-17, including
Chaco Culture National Historic Park (HP07) by W5IL.

Details about this and other upcoming activations can be found on the NPOTA
Activations calendar.

Keep up with the latest NPOTA news on Facebook. Follow NPOTA on Twitter
(@ARRL_NPOTA).


ARRL Signs New Memorandum of Understanding with the American Red Cross

The ARRL and the American Red Cross have signed a new Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU). The document, signed in January, succeeds the one agreed
to in 2010; it will remain in place for the next 5 years. The MoU spells out
how League Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) volunteers will interface
with the Red Cross in the event that ARES teams are asked by the Red Cross to
assist in a disaster or emergency response.

"Whenever there is a disaster requiring the use of Amateur Radio
communications resources and/or facilities, the local Red Cross region or
chapter may request the assistance of the local ARES organization responsible
for the jurisdiction of the scene of the disaster," the MoU provides. Such
assistance would include mobilization of ARES personnel in accordance with a
prearranged plan, and the establishment of communication as necessary during a
disaster or emergency.

Generally, the MoU sets the parameters of the partnership between the ARRL and
the Red Cross to provide assistance to communities affected by disasters. It
calls upon both organizations to encourage and maintain open lines of
communication at the state and local levels, sharing current data regarding
disasters, situational and operational reports, changes in policy or
personnel, and any information pertaining to disaster preparedness, response,
and recovery.

For its part, the League will encourage ARES units to engage in discussions
with local Red Cross entities to develop plans for local response or disaster
relief operations. The Red Cross will encourage its field units to engage in
discussions with the ARRL Field Organization to develop plans for local
response or disaster relief.

Facilitating this is a Statement of Cooperation to provide methods of
cooperation between the two organizations on the local level in providing
services to communities during or after a disaster event, "as well as other
services for which cooperation may be mutually beneficial." The ARRL signatory
is either the appropriate ARRL Section Manager or Section Emergency
Coordinator.

The new MoU also clarifies that ARES volunteers assisting the Red Cross but
not registered as Red Cross volunteers do not have to undergo a prior
background check. Radio amateurs who register as Red Cross volunteers, though,
must abide by the Red Cross's background check requirement. Read more.


Army and Air Force MARS Communications Exercise Set for February 12

The first quarterly Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS) US Department of
Defense communications exercise of 2016 (COMEX 16-1) is set for February 12.
The scenario will be a loss of electrical power, landline telephone and cell
service, and Internet. The exercise will get under way at 1200 UTC and run for
12 hours. Individual radio amateurs and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
groups will be encouraged to participate.

"The purpose of this exercise is to focus on individual MARS operator skills,
refine our joint operations procedures between Army and Air Force volunteer
leaders, and to continue to develop the working relationships at the local
level between MARS operators and individual Amateur Radio operators as well as
ARES and other Amateur Radio groups," Army MARS Program Manager Paul English,
WD8DBY, told ARRL. "MARS is continuing to develop new techniques for how to
make better use of Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) capabilities and will
use this exercise to continue to refine how we integrate ALE."

At some point in the exercise, MARS stations will be requested to contact
local radio amateurs for a condition report. MARS stations will collect
information from hams and ARES groups only via radio.


Severe Weather Cuts Short South Georgia VP8SGI DXpedition

Stormy weather that plagued the final days of the South Georgia VP8SGI
DXpedition visit eventually led to the operation being cut short to ensure the
safety of the team. Chief Pilot Toni Gonzalez, EA5RM, reported on February 7
that the DXpeditioners had returned to the R/V Braveheart "for security
reasons." VP8SGI had planned to shut down South Georgia operations the
following day, after a little longer than 9 days there. "VP8SGI is now QRT,"
he concluded.

Apparent pirates signing "VP8SGI" and "VP8SGI/mm" showed up briefly on the
DXpedition's announced frequencies after the DXpedition team's retreat.

The DXpedition team was able to later return to South Georgia to retrieve its
gear. The crew now is back on board the Braveheart and heading back to the
Falkland Islands, where the team will operate as VP8IDX.

On the South Sandwich leg of the DXpedition, VP8STI logged 54,642 contacts
during its weather-shortened stay on Southern Thule Island. From South
Georgia, VP8SGI logged 82,847 contacts, topping its 80,000 contact goal.


VHF Groups Join Forces to Sponsor "Super Conference"

The Southeastern VHF Society (SVHFS), North East Weak Signal Group (NEWS), and
Mount Airy VHF Radio Club (Pack Rats) are cosponsoring a VHF Super Conference,
hosted by the Grid Pirates Contest Group (K8GP) and Directive Systems and
Engineering. The conference will take place April 15-17 in Sterling, Virginia.

Early registration discounts are available. Conference Proceedings in printed
and digital form will be available after the event. Sign up when registering.
All registrations include lunch and all-day beverages.

The event will feature an array of forums and workshops, a test lab, and a
conference banquet. A microwave loop Yagi workshop will be offered during the
weekend at an additional fee. The workshop will explain how loop Yagis work,
how to adjust them, and how to build one. Free shuttle service will be
available to the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum.

A second call for papers and presentations for the VHF Super Conference has
been issued. The conference sponsors are seeking presentations or papers
dealing with all aspects of VHF, UHF, microwave, and higher. Topics may
include operating, contesting, homebrewing, software, EME, surplus, antennas,
test equipment, amplifiers, and SDR. Photos are encouraged.

Steve Kostro, N2CEI, and Paul Wade, W1GHZ, are coordinating Proceedings.
Direct submissions and questions to them via e-mail.


QCWA Honors ARRL President Emeritus Harry Dannals, W2HD

The Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA) has honored ARRL President
Emeritus Harry Dannals, W2HD, for his 70 years as a radio amateur. QCWA
Chapter 155 in Charlottesville, Virginia -- where Dannals lives -- hosted a
celebratory luncheon for Dannals on February 3.

Dannals served as ARRL President from 1972 to 1982, and as President of the
QCWA from 1989 to 1994 -- the only person to have been president of both
organizations. While serving as ARRL President, he was also a Commander in the
US Naval Reserve. Now in his late 80s, Dannals is the oldest living former
ARRL President.

In a letter, QCWA President Ken Oelke, VE6AFO, commended Dannals'
contributions to Amateur Radio. Luncheon attendees also included QCWA Past
President John Johnston, W3BE, and ARRL Past President Kay Craigie, N3KN. Both
commented on Dannals' devoted service to the ARRL and the QCWA. Craigie said
that Dannals has set an example of "cheerfulness and enthusiasm, and
friendliness to all hams, whether they qualify for QCWA twice over or are so
new that they haven't memorized their call signs yet."

Craigie said the luncheon was a complete surprise to Dannals.


ARRL 2016 International DX Contest (CW) is February 20-21

No contest season is complete without the running of our annual ARRL
International DX Contest. The CW event is February 20-21; the phone event is 2
weeks later on the weekend of March 5-6.

Whether you're new to DXing, new to HF, or even new to CW, this contest offers
an easy way for you to join in and have a lot of fun! The contest exchange is
short and simple, and many participants here and abroad will patiently help
you work your way toward success -- whether your goal is DXCC, working "a new
one," or just getting accustomed to the rhythm of CW contesting.

While the HF bands have been challenging during this period of declining
sunspot activity, many dedicated DXers and DXpedition groups have activated
some rare DXCC entities. On his website, Bill, NG3K, keeps up to date with DX
operations scheduled to operate during the ARRL International DX weekends as
well as during other operating events. (Check the page regularly for any
updates.)

There have been some bright spots in this HF contest season. If you're
unfamiliar with HF propagation, this event is an excellent opportunity to
experience how bands open or close, the changes in MUF, the movement of the
grayline (the Sun's illumination boundary as it moves around the Earth), and
other exciting forms of HF band conditions.

Whether you are a newcomer or a contest veteran, this contest is not all about
high power or large antennas. The event offers several participation
categories ranging from QRP (5 W or less), Low Power (150 W or less) and, of
course, High Power (up to maximum legal limit). A respectable score is
possible even with simple wire antennas or verticals.

Complete rules and forms are on the ARRL website.


Icom America Donates IC-9100 Transceiver to ARRL Headquarters Station W1HQ

Icom America has donated an IC-9100 transceiver for installation at W1HQ, the
ARRL Headquarters station that's used by staff and volunteers. The transceiver
was provided courtesy of Icom America Senior Sales Manager, Ray Novak, N9JA,
and it includes the optional 1.2 GHz module.

The IC-9100 is an HF through 1200 MHz multimode transceiver that offers two
independent receivers. It received an excellent review in the April 2012 issue
of QST. The IC-9100 will be primarily used to enhance W1HQ's satellite
capabilities, although it has many other applications.

ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, praised Icom for its
generosity. "Thanks to Icom and Ray Novak, we are going to enjoy an enormous
update to W1HQ's capabilities," Kramer said. "The staff is eager to put the
'9100 on the air!"


Hamvention Extends Awards Nominations Deadline to March 1

Dayton Hamvention(R) has extended the deadline to March 1 to accept
nominations for its 2016 awards program.

"Get that special person you know the recognition they deserve," suggested
2016 Dayton Hamvention General Chairman Jim Tiderman, N8IDS. "Look at the
clubs around you, and look at their promotion of our great hobby and give them
the recognition they deserve."

Awards include Amateur of the Year, Special Achievement, Technical Excellence,
and Club of the Year. All Amateur Radio operators/clubs are eligible, with
winners recognized at Hamvention(R) 2016, May 20-22 at Hara Arena near Dayton.

Additional details and nomination forms are available on the Dayton Hamvention
website. Send nominations via e-mail, or mail to Dayton Hamvention Awards, PO
Box 964, Dayton, OH 45401-0964. -- Thanks to Henry Ruminski, W8HJR


North American "RST" Stations on the Air Activity Set for February and March

The "RST" stations will take to the airwaves in February and March from
several locations in Alaska, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, and
Nunavut, with members of the North Country DX Association (NCDXA) at the helm.
All call signs will have "RST" suffixes: KL7RST, VY1RST, VE8RST, and VY0RST.
The idea is to further promote Amateur Radio in that part of the world.

The event gets under way on February 15 at 0001 UTC, and it continues through
March 27 at 2359 UTC. Exchange signal report and state/province. (The NCDXA
RST stations will send town or city.)

All modes on 160 through 6 meters will be used, and SWLs are welcome to
participate. The object is to work or log (SWL) as many NCDXA "RST" stations
as you can from their different locations. Work/log each "RST" station only
once per QTH/band and mode. Cross-band, cross-mode, or remote operating is
permitted.

As wildcards, portable "RST" stations will also participate and are worth 3
points each/mode and band, but they must be one of the four "RST" stations.
The portable stations must be outside their own prefix area to count -- for
example, KL7RST/VY1, but not KL7RST/KL7.

Plans call for having stations on the air from Whitehorse, Yellowknife,
Anchorage, Fairbanks, Rankin Inlet, a Canadian research station near the North
Pole on Ellesmere Island, a diamond mine in Northwest Territories, an Alaskan
bush school and many other communities, possibly including an Alaskan glacier
or two. Read more.


University Radio Club Donates Vintage J-37 Key to B-29 Radio Position
Restoration Project

The Amateur Radio Club of the University of Arkansas (W5YM), which celebrates
its centennial this year, has donated a J-37 telegraph key to be used in a
radio position under restoration on board "Fifi," a World War II vintage B-29
Flying Fortress. Members of the Rockwell-Collins [J-37%20Key.JPG] Amateur
Radio Club have been recreating a radio operator's position on the aircraft.

"It's a grand addition to 'Fifi's' restored radio operating position," the
restoration team noted on its website. "Many thanks to the 100-year-young
University of Arkansas Amateur Radio Club, W5YM, and Dan Puckett, K5FXB, for
facilitating this most thoughtful, generous, and historic commemorative
donation."

The J-37 was nicknamed the "Mae West" key after the 1930s-1940s comic actress
for its unusual base with its curvy indentations, designed for wrapping the
key's lead for storage. The J-37 will be a component of the Smith-Erwin
Memorial Radio Operator Position on board the still-flying B-29 aircraft.


IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society Honors Ulrich Rohde, N1UL

Ulrich Rohde, N1UL, has been honored with the 2016 Microwave Application Award
by the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society. He was credited with
"Significant contributions to the development of low-noise oscillators." The
Microwave Application Award recognizes an individual, or a team, for an
outstanding application of microwave theory and techniques that have been put
into practice within the past decade.

Rohde will receive the award at the annual IEEE MTT-S International Microwave
Symposium Awards banquet this May in San Francisco.

In 2015 Rohde was named by the IEEE to receive the prestigious I. I. Rabi
Award, recognizing outstanding contributions related to the fields of atomic
and molecular frequency standards, and time transfer and dissemination. Rohde
is the author of some 200 scientific papers and books, and has written
articles for QST and QEX.


In Brief...

Visalia 2016 Top Band Dinner Set for April 15: The Top Band Dinner at the
International DX Convention in Visalia, California, will take place on April
15 in the ballroom of the Marriott hotel adjacent to the Visalia Convention
Center. Craig Thompson, K9CT, will present, "Top Band from Palmyra, K5P."
Check-in for the buffet dinner starts at 6:30 PM. Complete details and
registration information are on the Top Band Dinner website.


DX Dinner Set for May 20 in Conjunction with Hamvention: The SouthWest Ohio DX
Association (SWODXA) will sponsor the 31st DX Dinner, held in conjunction with
the 2016 Dayton Hamvention(R), on Friday, May 20, at the Dayton Marriott. A
social hour will get under way at 5:30 PM, with dinner served at 7 PM. In
addition to door prizes, the DXpedition of the Year will be announced. Details
and reservation information are on the SWODXA website. Click on the "Purchase
Tickets Today!" banner.


Dayton 2016 Top Band Dinner Set: Reservations are invited for the 27th annual
Dayton Top Band Dinner, Friday, May 20, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown
Dayton. A social hour will start at 6 PM, with dinner to follow at 7 PM. Larry
"Tree" Tyree, N6TR, will be the keynote speaker. Those planning to attend may
make reservations online by credit card or PayPal. Tickets are $36. -- Thanks
to Southgate Amateur Radio News via Tim Duffy, K3LR


North Coast Contesters Announce 24th Annual Dayton Contest Dinner: Tickets now
are available for the 24th annual Dayton Contest Dinner, Saturday, May 21, in
the Presidential Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, next to the Convention
Center in downtown Dayton. The event is sponsored by the North Coast
Contesters. Master of ceremonies is CQ Contest Hall of Fame member and World
Wide Radio Operators Foundation (WWROF) Chairman, John Dorr, K1AR. The 2016 CQ
Contest Hall of Fame inductees will be announced during the banquet. The event
gets under way with a social hour at 5:30 PM, followed by the dinner at 6:30
PM. No tickets will be available at the door. Details are on the Dayton
Contest Dinner website.


Registration Open for Dayton Contest University: Student registration is still
open for 2016 Dayton Contest University (CTU), to be held all day on Thursday,
May 19, 2016, at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Dayton, Ohio. This is the day
before Dayton Hamvention(R). Register at the CTU website. The 2016 Dayton CTU
will be the 10th in a row.


The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports:

All four of the indices we track rose over the past week, with average daily
sunspot number rising from 50.6 to 86.6, average daily solar flux up from
105.4 to 117.4, average daily planetary A index increasing from 7.3 to 9.4,
and average daily mid-latitude A index up from 5.6 to 6.4.


Predicted solar flux for the near term is 112, 110, and 105 on February 11-13,
100 on February 14-17, 105, 115, and 110 on February 18-20, 115 on February
21-23, then 110 and 112 on February 24-25, 115 on February 26-27, 112 on
February 28-29, then 110, 105, 100, 105, and 100 on March 1-5, 115 on March
6-7, then 118, 115, and 112 on March 8-10, 110 on March 11-14, and 112 on
March 15-16.


Predicted planetary A index is 9, 15, 10, 6, and 5 on February 11-15, then 8,
16, 12, 10, and 8 on February 16-20, 5 on February 21-29, then 15, 10, 12, 8,
and 5 on March 1-5, 18 on March 6-7, 8 on March 8, 10 on March 9-10, and 5 on
March 11-14.


Sunspot numbers for February 4 through 10 were 95, 113, 71, 84, 82, 79, and
82, with a mean of 86.6. 10.7 cm flux was 123.3, 119.7, 117.1, 117.1, 115.2,
117.3, and 112.2, with a mean of 117.4. Estimated planetary A indices were 6,
12, 8, 8, 17, 10, and 5, with a mean of 9.4. Estimated mid-latitude A indices
were 5, 8, 5, 6, 11, 8, and 4, with a mean of 7.4.


In this Friday's bulletin, look for an updated forecast and reports from
readers, including 6 meter info from N0JK and HF reporting from N8II and
others.


This weekly Solar Update in The ARRL Letter is a preview of the Propagation
Bulletin issued each Friday. The latest bulletin and an archive of past
propagation bulletins is on the ARRL website at
http://arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive-propagation.

Please send your reports and observations to k7ra@arrl.net.

____________________________________________________________________________


Just Ahead in Radiosport

 *  February 13 -- Asia-Pacific Spring Sprint (CW)
 *  February 13 -- FISTS Winter Unlimited Sprint (CW)
 *  February 13 -- RSGB 1st 1.8 MHz Contest (CW)
 *  February 13-14 -- CQ World Wide RTTY WPX Contest
 *  February 13-14 -- SARL Field Day Contest (CW, phone, digital)
 *  February 13-14 -- Dutch PACC Contest (CW, phone)
 *  February 13-14 -- KCJ Topband Contest (CW)
 *  February 13-14 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)
 *  February 13-14 -- OMISS QSO Party (phone)
 *  February 13-14 -- New Hampshire QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
 *  February 14 -- PODXS 070 Club Valentine Sprint (digital)
 *  February 14-17 -- Classic Exchange (phone)
 *  February 17 -- AGCW Semi-Automatic Key
 *  February 18 -- RSGB 80 Meter Club Championship (CW)

See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information. For in-depth reporting on
Amateur Radio contesting, subscribe to The ARRL Contest Update via your ARRL
member profile e-mail preferences.

____________________________________________________________________________


Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events

 *  February 12-14 -- ARRL National Convention, Orlando, Florida
 *  February 13 -- Georgia ARES Convention, Forsyth, Georgia
 *  February 19-20 -- Southwestern Division Convention, Yuma, Arizona
 *  February 20 -- Arkansas State Convention, Hoxie, Arkansas
 *  February 27 -- WCF Section Technical Conference, Tampa, Florida
 *  February 27 -- New Mexico TechFest, Albuquerque, New Mexico
 *  February 27 -- Vermont State Convention, S. Burlington, Vermont
 *  March 4-5 -- Alabama Section Convention, Birmingham, Alabama
 *  March 11-12 -- Louisiana State Convention, Rayne, Louisiana
 *  March 18-19 -- South Texas Section Convention, Rosenburg, Texas
 *  March 19 -- West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas
 *  March 19 -- MicroHAMS Digital Conference, Redmond, Washington
 *  March 25-26 -- Maine State Convention, Lewiston, Maine
 *  April 2 -- Delta Division Convention, Fort Smith, Arkansas
 *  April 2 -- North Carolina Section Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina
 *  April 8-9 -- Oklahoma State Convention, Claremore, Oklahoma
 *  April 9-10 -- Communications Academy, Seattle, Washington
 *  April 15-17 -- International DX Convention, Visalia, California
 *  April 15-17 -- VHF Super Conference, Sterling, Virginia
 *  April 16 -- Delaware State Convention, Georgetown, Delaware
 *  April 22-24 -- Idaho State Convention, Boise, Idaho
 *  April 23 -- Aurora '16 Conference, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
 *  April 23 -- Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska
 *  April 29-May 1 -- Nevada State Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

____________________________________________________________________________


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)\/(ark

Always Mount a Scratch Monkey

... I only have one vice, and a good chili-dog is it!
---
 * Origin:  (1:3634/12.73)