= NOW 18 WPM transition file follows =

The ARRL is asking that all radio amateurs urge the Federal
Communications Commission, FCC, to continue the existing use of the
60 meter band. A public comment period is open until October 30,
2023.  ARRL encourages expressions of support to the FCC for the
current 100 W ERP power limit, instead of reducing the power limit
to 15 W EIRP, and continuing secondary access to the current
channels.  To submit a filing of your comments for the FCCs
consideration in the rulemaking process, go to the FCC web page for
the Notice of Proposed Rulemakings and look for Docket Number 23 120
at, //www.fcc.gov/ .  If you wish to directly enter your comments,
select the button labeled SUBMIT AN EXPRESS FILING.  If you are
uploading a document that contains your comments, select SUBMIT A
STANDARD FILING.  When submitting your comments, be sure the correct
proceedings docket number, 23 120, is included on the form. Your
name and comments will be entered into the official public record of
the proceedings and will be viewable by anyone who visits the docket
web page.  While radio amateurs are encouraged to include any
comments they would like in their submissions, theyre especially
encouraged to draw upon their personal experiences using the 60
meter band for public service purposes and for its location between
the amateur 80 and 40 meter bands, which is critical to ensuring
signal propagation to certain geographic areas during variations in
time and the solar cycle.  Some of the main points to comment on for
this NPRM are, Urging the FCC to keep the four existing channels
allocated to amateur radio on a secondary basis.  Urging the FCC to
keep the 100 W power limit for the four existing channels and the
new 15 kHz subband.  ARRL Public Relations and Outreach Manager
Sierra Harrop, W5DX, underscored the importance of commenting,
urging members to speak up. ARRL members make up the strongest voice
in matters of amateur radio spectrum defense, said Harrop. Your
membership and participation in the rulemaking process both ensure
ARRL continues to make the difference when our band privileges are
threatened.  Please join us in effort to protect our 60 meter band
privileges.  At 2308 UTC on October 5, the Australian Space Weather
Forecasting Centre issued a geomagnetic disturbance warning.  A
recent, mild CME impact, combined with the expected arrival of a
coronal hole high speed wind stream on 7 Oct, gives the chance for
G1 geomagnetic conditions over 6 and 7 Oct.  Seven new sunspot
groups emerged over the past week, but overall solar activity
declined.  Its so great to see the sun covered in sunspots,
//www.spaceweather.com/images2023/04oct23/hmi1898.gif You can change
the /04Oct23/ field in the above URL to any date you want.  With
consecutive dates you can initiate an animation using the back and
forward buttons on your browser.  We are currently enjoying improved
HF propagation with the change of seasons after the autumnal
equinox.  This is particularly noticeable on 12 and 10 meters.  One
new sunspot group appeared on September 30, three more on October 1,
and one on each of the following days, October 2, 3 and 4.  On
October 5, two more sunspot groups appeared, and the daily sunspot
number shot up to 179, the highest since September 26.  Previously,
a high of 219 was on July 12.  Average daily sunspot number declined
from 170.6 to 128.6, while average daily solar flux went from 168.8
to 155.6.  Geomagnetic indicators were quieter.  Average daily
planetary A index went from 17 to 9.1, and average daily middle
latitude A index declined from 13.7 to 8.9.

= END OF 18 WPM transition file <