The K7RA Solar Update

Excellent HF conditions greeted hams in the ARRL 10-Meter contest
last weekend. Recent indicators show a sudden shift to two digit
daily sunspot numbers from three, and although there is nothing
significant about 100, it makes one notice.

All daily sunspot numbers this week were 97 or less.

Perhaps this indicates a move off of solar maximum, or to a future
with a second maximum.

Solar activity was way...

The K7RA Solar Update

Average daily sunspot number plummeted to 104.4.

Weekly Commentary on the Sun, the Magnetosphere, and the Earth's Ionosphere for December 12, 2024 from OK1HH:

"The high solar activity in October this year suggests that this may have been the peak of an 11-year cycle.  This is not to say that solar activity will not continue to rise.  On the contrary, it may well be that the first maximum of the...

ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology Now Accepting Applic…

The ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology (TI) continues to grow. Fresh off a highly successful YouTube telethon that raised more than $41,000 for the program, some of next year?s dates have been announced. Applications are now open.

The program is growing, and educators will have the opportunity to attend sessions around the country. ?We love having the teachers here at ARRL Headquarte...

ARRL 10-Meter Contest, December 14-15, Great Opportunity for Techni…

We are at the peak of Solar Cycle 25, and the 10-meter amateur radio band has been providing impressive propagation lately. Recent reports of ?wide open? band conditions make this weekend?s ARRL 10-Meter Contest a great opportunity to take advantage of the best conditions of a generation. ?I?ve been leaving the mobile radio on 10-meters for the drive into work each day,? said ARRL Regulatory an...

The K7RA Solar Update

Solar activity seems to have dropped dramatically from a recent peak.  Are we over the cycle peak and headed down again?  Too early to say.

Daily average sunspot numbers this week sank to 120.1.

Predicted solar flux is 175 on December 6 to 8, 170 on December 9 and 10, 175 on December 11 and 12, and 205 on December 13 to 17.

Predicted planetary A index is 8 on December 6 and 7, 5 on December to ...

Get on the Air in December with ARRL 160- and 10-Meter Contests

December brings two ARRL-sponsored single-band contests. The ARRL 160-Meter Contest begins Friday, December 6 at 2200 UTC and concludes on Sunday, December 8 at 1559 UTC. Stations in the US (including Alaska, Hawaii, and US possessions) and Canada can contact any station; stations located overseas can only contact US and Canadian stations. Contacts may be made using the CW mode only. See the co...

2025 Youth on the Air Camp Application Period Open

Applications are now being accepted for campers interested in attending the 2025 Youth on the Air Camp. Licensed amateur radio operators, ages 15 through 25, who want to attend are encouraged to apply online at YouthOnTheAir.org. The camp is scheduled to take place June 15 - 20, 2025, in Thornton (Denver), Colorado and the Denver Radio Club, an ARRL Affiliated Club, is the local host.

The curren...

Register for 25th Annual SKYWARN Recognition Day, December 7

The 25th Annual SKYWARNTM Recognition Day (SRD) is Saturday, December 7. SRD recognizes the work of amateur and non-ham SKYWARN storm spotters in keeping their communities safe during severe weather. Trained spotters provide observations of ?ground truth? to regional National Weather Service (NWS) offices.

While meteorologists have advanced remote sensing data like radar, satellite, and weather...

$41,000+ Raised by Donors, YouTubers, for ARRL Teachers Institute

A YouTube telethon to raise money for the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology was a resounding success. More than $21,000 was contributed during the livestream, which unlocked another $20,000 that donors had set out as a challenge gift. ARRL Director of Development Kevin Beal, K8EAL, says that upped the ante. ?It's quite clear that even with the generosity of the donors in attendance...

Giving Tuesday: How You Can Impact ARRL and Amateur Radio

ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® is grateful to its members, who allow us to do the work on their behalf of promoting and protecting amateur radio and inspiring future generations to make ham radio and wireless technology a part of their lives. No one does more for amateur radio. ARRL is globally recognized by radio amateurs and the public for advancing amateur radio, through su...