Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports: Solar activity increased in the first week of
February, compared to the previous 7 days. February 1 and 3 saw no sunspots. A new sunspot region emerged on February 2, but it had disappeared by the next day. Another sunspot region appeared on February 4, and its area on February 4-7 was 80, 130, 160, and 200 millionths of the solar hemisphere. We haven't seen as much coverage since last October 7.

Last week the average daily sunspot number increased from 3.7 to 10.3, and average solar flux from 69.1 to 72.5. The average planetary A index decreased modestly from 6.3 to 4.4, while the average mid-latitude A index (measured at one location in Virginia) decreased from 4.9 to 3.6.

The heightened activity should continue over the next week. Predicted solar flux is 78 on February 8; 77 on February 9-10; 76 on February 11-12; 75 on February 13-15; 71 on February 16; 70 on February 17-22; 69 on February 23-28; 70 and 71 on March 1-2; 72 on March 3-14; 71 on March 15; 70 on March 16-21, and 69 on March 22-24.

Predicted planetary A index is 8, 10, and 8 on February 8-10; 5 on February 11-14; 8, 12, 8, 10, 5, 8, 10, and 8 on February 15-22; 5 on February 23-March 13; 8, 12, 8, 10, 5, 8, 10, and 8 on March 14-21, and 5 on March 22-24.

Sunspot numbers for February 1-7, 2018 were 0, 11, 0, 11, 13, 17, and 20, with a mean of 3.7. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 69, 68.8, 69.2, 73, 74, 76.9, and 76.6, with a mean of 69.1. Estimated planetary A indices were 4, 4, 3, 3, 8, 5,
and 4, with a mean of 6.3. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 2, 3, 2, 3, 8,
4, and 3, with a mean of 4.9.

Send me your reports and observations.

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Just Ahead in Radiosport

* February 10 -- Asia-Pacific Spring Sprint (CW)
* February 10 -- FISTS Winter Unlimited Sprint (CW)
* February 10 -- RSGB 1st 1.8 MHz Contest (CW)
* February 10-11 -- CQ World Wide RTTY WPX Contest
* February 10-11 -- SARL Field Day Contest (CW, phone, digital)
* February 10-11 -- Dutch PACC Contest (CW, phone)
* February 10-11 -- KCJ Topband Contest (CW)
* February 10-11 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)
* February 10-11 -- OMISS QSO Party (Phone)
* February 11 -- Balkan HF Contest (CW, phone)
* February 12 -- CQC Winter QSO Party (CW)
* February 12-16 -- ARRL School Club Roundup (CW, phone)
* February 14 -- PODXS 070 Club Valentine Sprint (Digital)
* February 14 -- NAQCC CW Sprint
* February 14 -- RSGB 80 Meter Club Championship (Digital)

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.

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Upcoming ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions

* February 9-11 -- Florida State Convention (HamCation), Orlando, Florida
* February 16-17 -- Southwestern Division Convention, Yuma, Arizona
* February 24 -- TECHCON Conference, Winter Haven, Florida
* February 24 -- New Mexico TechFest, Albuquerque, New Mexico
* February 24 -- Vermont State Convention, S. Burlington, Vermont
* March 2-3 -- Alabama State Convention, Irondale, Alabama
* March 3 -- Arkansas State Convention, Russellville, Arkansas
* March 9-10 -- Louisiana State Convention, Rayne, Louisiana
* March 9-10 -- North Carolina Section Convention, Concord, North Carolina
* March 10 -- Nebraska State Convention, Lincoln, Nebraska
* March 16-17 -- South Texas Section Convention, Rosenberg, Texas
* March 17 -- Southern Florida Section Convention, Stuart, Florida
* March 17 -- West Texas Section Convention, Midland, Texas
* March 24 -- Utah Digital Communications Conference, Sandy, Utah
* March 24 -- MicroHAMS Digital Conference, Redmond, Washington
* March 24 -- West Virginia Section Convention, Charleston, West Virginia
* March 30-31 -- Maine State Convention, Lewiston, Maine
* March 31 -- North Carolina State Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina

Find conventions and hamfests in your area.

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