The average daily sunspot numbers this week were about the same as last week, while the average daily solar flux declined a little more than eight points to 128.9. Geomagnetic indicators were quiet. The average daily sunspot numbers of 95.3 for the week is considerably below the average for the previous 90 days, which was 120.8. Sunspot numbers for December 15-21 were 44, 60, 95, 103, 133, 139 and 93, with a mean of 95.3. The 10.7 cm flux was 124.2, 121, 119.6, 127.4, 128.2, 137.4 and 144.5, with a mean of 128.9. The estimated planetary A indices were 0, 0, 0, 1, 4, 3 and 3, with a mean of 1.6. The estimated mid-latitude A indices were 2, 2, 2, 3, 6, 5 and 5, with a mean of 3.6.
The solar flux has been climbing over the past week, after a low of 119.6 on December 17. The predicted flux values for the near term are 145 on December 23, 140 on December 24-27, 145 on December 28-30, then dropping suddenly to 120 on December 31-January 2, 125 on January 3-4, 128 on January 5-8, and then peaking at 130 on January 9-17. The predicted planetary A index is 5 on December 23 through January 4, 8 on January 5-6, and 5 on January 7-21. This is from NOAA and the U.S. Air Force Space Weather Operations. There is another opinion, of course: Geophysical Institute Prague predicts quiet conditions December 23, quiet to unsettled December 24, active conditions December 25, unsettled to active December 26, quiet to unsettled December 27 and quiet again on December 28-29.
Active conditions are quite different from an A index of 5, although the NOAA/USAF outlook is at least eight hours newer than the Prague prediction. But looking back 24 hours earlier to the December 21 prediction, USAF/NOAA has nothing different on December 25, although they do show an A index of 8 on December 29. You can check here for the latest prediction, which is updated daily after 2100.
The News
Be a Star! Enter the Second Annual ARRL Video Contest
ARRL Published Date Hits: 74
If you’ve ever wanted a way to show the world how exciting Amateur Radio can be, here’s your chance: The ARRL is sponsoring its Second Annual Video Contest! Here’s a chance to put that video camera to use: Shoot a ham radio-related video and send it our way. If you’re video takes first, second or third place, we’ll post it on the ARRL website for everyone to see. We’re looking for a few good videos (but only one per ARRL member, please) on any tasteful subject relating to Amateur Radio. While you are welcome to submit a video on any theme, we’re especially looking for videos that illustrate the joy and excitement of Amateur Radio.
Videos will be judged on overall quality and composition, and prizes will be awarded. This year, the ARRL will be offering two categories: Professional and Amateur. The Professional category is intended for entrants who are professional videographers, or who have access to professional-grade video equipment and software. Both categories -- Professional and Amateur -- will have prizes for first, second and third place.
Who can enter: The video author/producer must be an ARRL member; however, the people who appear in your video can be non-members. If you were one of the winners in our 2011 contest, you are ineligible to enter again.
- Deadline: Entries must be postmarked by February 29, 2012. Burn your video to a CD or DVD using the appropriate software and mail it to ARRL Video Contest, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Do not attempt to send it via e-mail, as our e-mail system cannot accommodate large files.
- Subject: Must be directly related to Amateur Radio and be in good taste. We’d like to see something that stresses the joy and excitement of Amateur Radio. Videos will be judged on overall quality and composition.
- Specs
- Production equipment: We are looking for videos shot by amateur videographers using consumer-grade cameras and editing software/equipment. The use of professional-grade cameras, editing equipment or studios is not permitted. We reserve the right to reject videos that we suspect were commercially produced.
Miscellanea
- Accompanying Information: All entries must include the following information: Where the video was recorded, a description of the subject of the video and the names and call signs of any persons shown. If children appear, you must secure the permissions of their parents. Include the permissions as separate documents when you send your video. Something along the lines of the following is sufficient: “I, John Doe, grant permission for my child, Jane Doe, to appear in a video titled Two Reasons to Avoid Inserting Forks into ac Outlets by Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW.”
- Rights: The ARRL automatically owns non-exclusive rights to all videos submitted for the contest. This means that by sending a video, you are granting us the right to use your video in any lawful manner. But you still retain the original rights to your video and can do with it as you please -- even to sell or publish it elsewhere.
- Music: If you add a music track to your video, make sure the music you select is free of copyright restrictions. For example, don’t add music by Eric Clapton unless you have Eric Clapton’s permission!
- Judging: Videos will be judged on overall quality and creativity. The decisions of the judges -- composed of HQ editorial and production staff -- are final.
- Prizes: The winning entry in each category (Professional and Amateur) will be awarded $500, while the second-place winners will receive $250 and the third-place winners will receive $100. Winning videos will be displayed on the ARRL website.
Check out all the details -- including the fine print -- on the ARRL Video Contest Rules and Guidelines Web page.