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The ARRL Letter

February 18, 2016
Editor: Rick Lindquist, WW1ME

 *  Amateur Radio Parity Act Gets Favorable Subcommittee Report
 *  Enthusiasm, Friendly Faces Abound at Orlando HamCation, Host of 2016
    ARRL National Convention
 *  Retiring ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, "Passionate about Amateur Radio"
 *  National Parks on the Air Update
 *  W1AW Will Not Be on the Air on February 18
 *  New Amateur Extra Question Pool Puts Greater Emphasis on Digital, SDRs,
    Propagation
 *  "Ham TV" System Used for First Time During ARISS Contact with UK School
 *  ARISS Opens Window to Invite School and Group Proposals for ISS Ham
    Radio Contacts
 *  Joel Hallas, W1ZR, Wins the 2015 Bill Orr, W6SAI, Technical Writing
    Award
 *  Antonio Gonzalez, EA5RM, to Receive 2015 ARRL International Humanitarian
    Award
 *  IARU President Touts Amateur Radio's Relevance in Emergency
    Communication
 *  Randy Thompson, K5ZD, Stepping Down as CQ World Wide Contest Director
 *  Arkansas VHFer Claims "Mathematically Impossible" AO-7 Mode B Distance
    Record
 *  The K7RA Solar Update
 *  Just Ahead in Radiosport
 *  Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions and Events


Amateur Radio Parity Act Gets Favorable Subcommittee Report

On a February 11 voice vote, the US House Subcommittee on Communications and
Technology sent the Amateur Radio Parity Act, H.R. 1301, to the full House
Energy and Commerce Committee with a favorable report for further
consideration. The measure was among three bills the Subcommittee considered
during a February 11 "markup" session. The Subcommittee is chaired by Rep Greg
Walden, W7EQI (R-OR).

"I'm optimistic that we can put the finishing touches on these bills in the
weeks ahead and once again produce important, bipartisan legislation that
protects consumers, small businesses, and access to the latest communications
services," Walden said after the hearing.

During the markup session, Walden and the bill's sponsor, Rep Adam Kinzinger
(R-IL) made impassioned statements in favor of the legislation. Kinzinger said
that while he can appreciate some of the concerns expressed by those who do
not agree with his bill, he believes that the time has come to adopt a
"reasonable accommodation standard" with respect to the erection of outdoor
antennas in neighborhoods governed by private land-use restrictions.

Walden agreed. "You don't necessarily need to have a giant tower blocking
everybody's view," he pointed out to the Subcommittee. He suggested that more
modest antenna systems often are sufficient. He and Kinzinger noted that there
is common ground between proponents and opponents of the measure and that
"it's important to get this done." Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA) also spoke to
recognize the work all parties have been doing to ensure the bill's passage 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.

More information about the legislation is on the ARRL Amateur Radio Parity Act
web page.


Enthusiasm, Friendly Faces Abound at Orlando HamCation, Host of 2016 ARRL
National Convention

New ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, led members of the ARRL team in
greeting visitors to the ARRL Expo during Orlando HamCation February 12-14.
HamCation hosted the 2016 ARRL National Convention. The event marked President
Roderick's inaugural ARRL National Convention appearance since his election in
January. The weather was pleasant, and the ample crowd friendly and
enthusiastic.

Incoming ARRL CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, also was on hand, and the ARRL team
that was helping members to write letters to members of Congress in support of
the Amateur Radio Parity Act recruited him to sign a letter to his
representative.

During a packed ARRL National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) forum, ARRL Media and
Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, and Field Services and Radiosport
Assistant Manager Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, outlined the ins and outs of the
year-long operating event.

Kutzko stressed three main points for National Park "Activators" to remember
when venturing out to National Park units to operate:

 *  Cooperate with National Park Service staff
 *  Don't disturb other visitors
 *  Leave no trace.

In the Amateur Radio Public Service and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES)
forum, ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, emphasized the
value of keeping ARES volunteers engaged throughout the year. "ARES must
constantly adapt," he said. "We can't keep doing things the same ways we've
always done them." Even in times of calm, he advised, ARES team leaders must
keep their members motivated, and team building is important.

Corey said that in 2015, the ARES program had 17,756 participants, up from
10,471 the previous year. They took part in more than 25,000 events -- most of
them not emergencies but public service events.

ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, told the ARRL Member Forum that he's
excited about the future and wants to "grow the hobby and grow the League."

"Getting on the air is the most important thing you can do as a radio
amateur," Corey told his audience. "Amateur Radio requires constant learning
and improving."

At the ARRL Member Forum, ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, said he was looking
forward to the arrival of incoming CEO Tom Gallagher, NY2RF, at ARRL
Headquarters on February 29, and "raising ARRL to a new level."

ARRL President Rick Roderick said the League's new Strategic Plan "is going to
be our roadmap to the future." He said he wants to grow the League and Amateur
Radio, and he challenged those in attendance to to come up with incentives to
attract younger people to ham radio. ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike
Lisenco, N2YBB, updated the forum on the progress of the Amateur Radio Parity
Act and its prospects on Capitol Hill. Lisenco, who chairs the Legislative
Advocacy Committee, said that although the bill's opponents have somewhat
toned down their rhetoric, they still disagree with "reasonable accommodation."


Retiring ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, "Passionate about Amateur Radio"

Retiring ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, took the opportunity
as keynote speaker at the Orlando HamCation(R) banquet on February 13 to
deliver his valedictory. He steps down on April 18. A sometimes-emotional
Sumner told his audience about the role that Amateur Radio has played in his
life, and he expressed optimism that it will mean as much to future
generations as it has to him and to his.

"I am passionate about Amateur Radio," Sumner said. "Our challenge is to
explain our passion, how to convey it to younger generations that have grown
up at a time when instant global communication is taken for granted. Can we do
it? Can we explain the allure of acquiring the knowledge and skill to
communicate anywhere on -- or in orbit around -- the planet without relying on
any infrastructure whatsoever? I believe we can."

Over the course of his remarks, Sumner spoke far less about himself than of
the various radio amateurs who were significant influences on his life and his
career, and who made substantial contributions.

One of his paragons was Nobel laureate Joe Taylor, K1JT, who developed the
WSJT software suite that spawned the popularity of JT65, JT9, and other
"weak-signal" modes. At World Radiocommunication Conference 2012, Taylor
received the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) gold medal --
introduced as a radio astronomer who got there through Amateur Radio. "If you
think we don't have respect, I can tell you we do," Sumner said. "It was
probably the proudest moment I've had in Amateur Radio."

Taylor turned his interest in Amateur Radio into his field of radio astronomy,
Sumner observed, and he was able to turn his knowledge of radio astronomy back
to Amateur Radio through his various contributions.

Taylor and Russell Hulse won the Nobel Prize in physics for spotting a binary
pulsar generating what they determined to be gravitational waves, just as
Einstein had predicted decades earlier. Last week, in a landmark discovery, US
scientists observed gravitational waves.

"Think about that: 1.3 billion years ago this thing happened, 42 years ago Joe
Taylor theorized that it would happen eventually, and now it has been
observed," Sumner said. "So Joe Taylor gets mentioned in the same sentence as
Einstein."

Sumner noted that in 1982 when he became ARRL's General Manager, he felt that
he had experienced everything Amateur Radio had to offer, but his attitude has
since changed. "Amateur Radio is expanding just like the universe," he said.
"It is not possible for one person to be doing everything there is available
to do in our avocation. It's going in so many different directions."

"I have cherished the privilege of being able to turn a passion into a career
and to not have lost the passion along the way," Sumner said, speaking of his
lengthy tenure at ARRL Headquarters, including 34 years guiding the
Headquarters staff. "And I can tell you, I have never wanted any other job."
He said defending Amateur Radio spectrum has been the main focus of his years
at ARRL.

Sumner reminded his listeners of the ARRL's mission: "To advance the art,
science, and enjoyment of Amateur Radio. It's a three-legged stool," he said.
"Please continue to support the mission of the ARRL."

"Thanks again, and see you on the air!" he concluded. He received a standing
ovation.

Before Sumner spoke, International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) President Tim
Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, presented him with the IARU's prestigious Michael J. Owen,
VK3KI, Memorial Award. Owen, a towering figure in the IARU, died in 2012.
Ellam cited Sumner's "skill, diplomacy, and encyclopedic knowledge" of Amateur
Radio, and his role on the international scene, starting with his service at
the watershed World Administrative Radio Conference in 1979, which yielded the
so-called "WARC bands," 30, 17, and 12 meters.


National Parks on the Air Update

President Barack Obama has designated three new national monuments -- all in
California. The NPS will administer one of them, Castle Mountains National
Monument (MN82), making it eligible to become the newest NPOTA unit. This
means that there are now 484 NPOTA units to activate!

Before registering a NPOTA activation, be sure to check the sensitivity of the
unit you want to activate. Some units are listed as "extremely sensitive" on
the list of NPOTA units and require advance coordination with National Park
Service administrators well before your activation. This is especially the
case for units that are very small or in an urban area. Nobody wants an
activation to be denied. Proper coordination with NPS staff at units listed as
"extremely sensitive" will increase your chance of success.

There are 36 activations on tap between February 17-24, including the San
Antonio Missions National Historical Park (HP39) in Texas and San Juan
National Historic Site (NS63) in Puerto Rico.

Details about these 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).

____________________________________________________________________________


W1AW Will Not Be on the Air on February 18

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Maxim Memorial Station W1AW will not be on
the air on Thursday, February 18, for its regular evening bulletin and code
practice transmissions. W1AW will return to its normal operating schedule on
Friday, February 19. We apologize for any inconvenience.

____________________________________________________________________________


New Amateur Extra Question Pool Puts Greater Emphasis on Digital, SDRs,
Propagation

The new Amateur Extra class license examination question pool, effective from
July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2020, now is available at the National
Conference of Volunteer Coordinators (NCVEC) website. The latest revision
contains a few minor corrections that had been [ncveclogo-new.gif] released in
a February 5 errata of the initial January 8 release. NCVEC Question Pool
Committee Chair Rol Anders, K3RA, said the new pool represents a fairly
significant change relative to the current question pool, which expires on
June 30.

"The primary change is modernization of the pool to place more emphasis on
digital communications, digital test equipment, software defined radios, and
propagation/space weather," he said. "Also, a number of other topics were
added, including questions on some additional antenna types commonly used by
radio amateurs." Anders said that room to cover the new topics was made in the
question pool by dropping some questions that had been in the expiring pool.


"Ham TV" System Used for First Time During ARISS Contact with UK School

The "Ham TV" digital Amateur Radio television system onboard the International
Space Station was used for the first time ever this month for an Amateur Radio
on the International Space Station (ARISS) school contact. UK and ESA
Astronaut Tim Peake, KG5BVI, inaugurated the system as he spoke on February 11
with students at a school in Rickmansworth, England. The DATV system in the
Columbus module of the ISS allowed students at Royal Masonic School, home of
GB1RSM, to see as well as listen, as Peake, operating as GB1SS, answered their
questions about life in space. The one-way DATV downlink took place near 2.4
GHz, while the two-way FM audio component was maintained on 2 meters. The
IK1SLD ground station received the Ham TV signal.

"It was a historic event!" enthused past ARISS-EU Chair Gaston Bertels, ON4WF,
who helped shepherd the DATV system into existence after it was first proposed
more than 15 years ago.

As students at the all-girls school looked on, Peake's image appeared on a
large viewing screen before a fully packed auditorium. Peake's Principia
Mission has been aimed at engaging students on Earth in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.


ARISS Opens Window to Invite School and Group Proposals for ISS Ham Radio
Contacts

The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is
seeking proposals from schools and formal or informal educational institutions
and organizations -- individually or working together -- to host an Amateur
Radio contact next year with an ISS crew member. The window to accept
proposals opened on February 15, and the deadline to submit one is April 15.
ARISS anticipates that contacts would take place between January 1 and June
30, 2017. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact
dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS seeks proposals
from schools and organizations [ARISS.jpg] that can draw large numbers of
participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan.
Each FM-voice contact lasts about 10 minutes.

ARISS contacts offer the opportunity for students and educators to interact
with an ISS crew member in a question-and-answer format, so participants can
learn firsthand from the astronaut or cosmonaut what it's like to live and
work in space and to learn about space research on the ISS. Students also will
get a chance to observe and learn about satellite communication, wireless
technology, and radio science.

Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling
activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to
accommodate changes in contact dates and times.

Contact ARISS for more information.


Joel Hallas, W1ZR, Wins the 2015 Bill Orr, W6SAI, Technical Writing Award

Former ARRL staffer Joel Hallas, W1ZR, is the winner of the 2015 Bill Orr,
W6SAI, Technical Writing Award. Hallas was recognized for his March 2015 QST
article, "Standing Wave Ratio -- What Does It Really Mean?"

"I am surprised, pleased, and honored to receive this award and hope to
continue to be able to contribute and give back to this wonderful hobby that
has had such a big impact on my life," said Hallas. "I started in ham radio at
age 13, and it provided a focus for the rest of my life."

The Bill Orr, W6SAI, Technical Writing Award is bestowed each year to the
author who writes an outstanding QST article or series on new or existing
technologies or on methods or means of amateur communication. Articles must be
written in an easily understood style, worthy of the Bill Orr "stamp of
approval," and encourage interest and expand the knowledge and understanding
of amateurs who may lack a strong technical background.

The QST editorial staff serves as the selection panel and recommends the
winner from a review of the year's QST articles to the ARRL Foundation Board
for final approval at its Annual Meeting.

"Joel is one of those people who 'retire,' but just can't stop working," said
ARRL Publications Manager and QST Editor Steve Ford, WB8IMY. "He may be one of
the most prolific QST writers ever."

Hallas, who lives in Westport, Connecticut, joined the ARRL Headquarters staff
in 2003. By the time he retired as the Technical Editor of QST in 2013, he was
responsible for the magazine's technical content, the "Doctor is IN" and
"Product Review" columns, as well as for short articles aimed at beginners. In
addition he has written some 150 QST articles and several books published by
ARRL.

The Bill Orr Award comprises an engraved plaque and $250, to be presented at
an ARRL convention. Read more.


Antonio Gonzalez, EA5RM, to Receive 2015 ARRL International Humanitarian Award

The winner of the 2015 ARRL International Humanitarian Award -- Antonio
Gonzalez, EA5RM -- has been active as a volunteer with the non-governmental
organization Radioaficionados Sin Fronteras (RSF), Radio Amateurs Without
Borders, that stresses the importance of radio in projects involving groups of
geographically separated collaborators.

Gonzalez has made six visits to the Bolivian Amazon in support of Solidaridad
M‚dica Espa¤a, an NGO that works to bring sanitation and medical assistance to
places in need around the world. He's also been instrumental in the building,
testing, and maintenance of solar-powered HF Amateur Radio stations in remote
locations in Bolivia on behalf of RSF since 2007, to facilitate communication
into the remote locations he visits.

The ARRL Programs & Services Committee recommended Gonzalez for the award at
the ARRL Board of Directors annual meeting in mid-January.

"What a surprise!" was Gonzalez's reaction when learning he would be the
recipient of the award. "I don't have words to express myself." Gonzalez said
the only aim of his group's volunteer efforts is to improve the lives of
others.

Gonzalez was nominated by Paul Ewing, N6PSE, the president of the Intrepid-DX
Group.

"I have known Antonio, EA5RM, since 2010. He is a devoted family man and
public servant in Spain. He is a keen DXer, and he regularly organizes
DXpeditions to remote and rare places. Antonio pays for all of this travel
from Spain to Bolivia," Ewing wrote. "Given his many missions in support of
the large humanitarian project, I feel that Antonio Gonzalez, EA5RM, is worthy
of this nomination for the 2015 ARRL Humanitarian Award."

Ewing is a co-leader of the VP8STI/VP8SGI DXpedition to South Sandwich and
South Georgia, and Gonzalez has served as Chief Pilot Station for the
DXpedition.


IARU President Touts Amateur Radio's Relevance in Emergency Communication

International Amateur Radio Union President Tim Ellam, VE6SH/G4HUA, says
Amateur Radio is "probably more relevant today than it was 25 years ago."
Ellam made the comment during an interview with Maximilian Jacobson-Gonzalez
at the 2nd Global Forum on Emergency Telecommunications (GET-2016), held in
late January in Kuwait and sponsored by the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU). The event's slogan was "Saving lives."

"We're so dependent now on all kinds of systems of communications -- everyone
has a cell phone, everyone is used to using the Internet -- but they're not
used to what happens when those systems go down," Ellam said. "Amateur Radio
is there. It relies on somewhat old fashioned technology, but there are also
advancements in technology that we rely on."

Ellam pointed out that hams can use computer-based digital techniques to pass
message traffic at very low power levels and under poor propagation
conditions. "Amateur Radio has kept pace by developing new ways to
communicate," he said.

Among the major challenges Amateur Radio is facing, Ellam cited the difficulty
in some countries to obtain an Amateur Radio license. In addition, he said,
some countries impose high duties on imported ham gear, and some make it
difficult to erect appropriate antennas and support structures.

Ellam reiterated his focus on the value of the Amateur Service today when he
spoke to two sessions at the GET-2016 gathering. "Amateur operators are on the
ground. If they're not close to the site of a disaster, they might even be in
it," he told a Leaders' Dialogue forum. "They're there. They're ready to go.
For the first 24 to 48 hours you have people on the ground, ready to assist.
They own their own equipment. They don't rely on commercial networks. If
cellular service goes down, we can assist by using HF or VHF or UHF
communications on a peer-to-peer basis."

Ellam pointed out that, although he's not an engineer and does not work in a
technical field, he knows enough to get on the air using alternate power
sources and a very simple wire antenna. "Don't forget the Amateur Radio
services," he implored those attending the forum. "They're a great asset to
you in times of crisis."


Randy Thompson, K5ZD, Stepping Down as CQ World Wide Contest Director

Randy Thompson, K5ZD, said February 9 that he will step down as director of
the CQ World Wide Contest as soon as his replacement can be found. His
announcement includes a job description for prospective applicants. Thompson
cited increasing professional responsibilities for his decision. Thompson
became director of the CQ WPX Contest in 2008, serving through the 2012
contest. He was appointed as CQ WW Contest Director in September 2012.

"I have enjoyed working on the CQ contests and hope to stay involved with the
websites and log checking," Thompson said. "The demands of a new job are
preventing me from dedicating the time that the role deserves. With WPX, WW,
and WRTC 2014 activities over the past 8 years, I am ready for a break."

Under his leadership, the CQ WPX and CQ WW contests have improved the
log-checking process and enforcement actions against rule violations. The web
sites for the two contests were enhanced to include a historical database of
all-time scores, records, results, and log submission tools. Read more.


Arkansas VHFer Claims "Mathematically Impossible" AO-7 Mode B Distance Record

Dave Swanson, KG5CCI, of Arkansas has achieved another distance milestone on
the venerable AO-7 satellite using Mode B (70 centimeters up/2 meters down).
On February 10, Swanson, on Shinnal Mountain west of Little Rock (EM34st),
completed a scheduled contact with Eduardo Erlemann, PY2RN (GG66lw), a
calculated distance of 8030.895 kilometers (approximately 4979.2 miles), which
Swanson said was "way beyond the theoretical range AO-7" and a feat that "the
math said shouldn't be possible."

The tricky part was that, given their respective locations in the Northern and
Southern hemispheres, the window allowing both to access the satellite at the
same time was on the order of 5 seconds. After several attempts, they agreed
to use quick call sign/grid square reports.

"At 2009 UTC, both stations clearly heard the other's call and grid,
completing the contact," Swanson said. "It was extremely rapid and very weak,
but clear...I think this is approaching the limits of what can be done on
AO-7." PY2RN has posted his side of the contact, which Swanson called "by far
the hardest sked I've ever attempted."


The K7RA Solar Update

Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Sunspot numbers and solar flux declined over
the past week relative to the previous 7 days. The average daily sunspot
number dipped from 86.6 to 56.7, while the average daily solar flux slid from
117.4 to 107.8. Geomagnetic indices were up. The average daily planetary A
index went from 9.4 to 17.7, and the mid-latitude A index jumped from 7.4 to
12.6.

Early this week Spaceweather.com was anticipating a CME, but instead we got a
stiff solar wind, causing the planetary A index to rise to 38 on February 16
and to 34 the next day.

Predicted planetary A index is 14, 12, and 8 on February 18-20; 5 on February
19-29; 15, 10, 12, and 8 on March 1-4; then 5, 15, 10, and 8 on March 5-8; 5
on March 9-10; 8, 5, 27, and 12 on March 11-14; 20, 12, 10, and 8 on March
15-18, and 5 on March 19-27.

Predicted solar flux is 95 on February 18-20; 100 on February 21-22; 105 on
February 23-24; 110 on February 25; 115 on February 26-28; 118 on February 29;
120 on March 1-3; 115 on March 4-5; 110 on March 6-7; 105 on March 8-12; 108
on March 13-14, and 105, 103, 106, and 107 on March 15-18.

Sunspot numbers for February 11 through 17 were 68, 74, 46, 52, 48, 49, and
60, with a mean of 56.7. The 10.7 centimeter flux was 112.8, 112.2, 110.3,
108, 107.3, 104, and 99.9, with a mean of 107.8. Estimated planetary A indices
were 11, 13, 7, 10, 11, 38, and 34, with a mean of 17.7. Estimated
mid-latitude A indices were 8, 11, 7, 6, 10, 25, and 21, with a mean of 12.6.

Send me your reports and observations.

____________________________________________________________________________


Just Ahead in Radiosport

 *  February 20 -- SARL Youth Day Sprint
 *  February 20 -- Feld Hell Sprint
 *  February 20-21 -- ARRL International DX Contest (CW)
 *  February 20-21 -- Russian PSK WW Contest
 *  February 20-21 -- Amplitude Modulation QSO Party
 *  February 22 -- CQC Winter QSO Sprint (CW)
 *  February 22 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
 *  February 24 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)
 *  February 24 -- UKEICC 80 Meter Contest (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 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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Always Mount a Scratch Monkey

... I need more wholesome, nutritious alcohol.
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