= NOW 18 WPM transition file follows =

The National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators Question
Pool Committee has removed two questions from the General Class
question pool and one question from the Extra Class pool from use.
Due to recently published FCC rule changes affecting the 60 meter
band General Class questions G1A04 and G1C09 are no longer valid and
must be removed from use on examinations. Extra Class question E4D05
must also be removed because it contains more than one correct
answer.  All affected questions should be removed from examinations
as soon as possible.  Updated General Class question pool files,
including the errata and new information, have been posted to the
NCVEC General Class question pool web page.  The current Element 3
General question pool became effective on July 1, 2023, and it is
valid through June 30, 2027.  Updated question pool files have also
been posted to the NCVEC Extra Class question pool web page.  The
current Element 4 Extra question pool became effective on July 1,
2024, and it is valid through June 30, 2028.  The ARRL VEC advises
the amateur radio community, and particularly Volunteer Examiners,
to regularly check the NCVEC website for updates to the question
pools, which may include errata and withdrawn questions.  The
websites mentioned in this bulletin can be found in teleprinter,
packet, and Internet versions of 2026 ARRL Bulletin ARLB003.  Three
eruptions were observed in coronagraph imagery during the period.
First was a coronal mass ejection, CME, off the southeastern limb,
first observed in C2 imagery on February 4, and was likely
associated with flaring near Regions 4370 and 4371. This event was
followed by post eruptive arcades also on February 4 at the same
location, which further confirmed the source region despite flare
activity being partially obscured by Region 4366. Modeling indicates
no Earth directed component.  The second was a narrow eruption to
the NNW, first seen in C2 imagery on February 4. While potentially
associated with the aforementioned X4.2 event, it dissipated quickly
and its analysis is low confidence. Lastly, there was another narrow
eruption noted off the NE, first visible in SOHO/LASCO C2 imagery.
This event was likely a sympathetic eruption triggered by the X4.2,
starting between Regions 4366 and 4367.  Weekly Commentary on the
Sun, the Magnetosphere, and the Earths Ionosphere, February 5, 2026,
by F. K. Janda, OK1HH, Solar activity has increased again, so the
maximum of the 25th eleven year cycle continues. This time, active
region No. 4366 is primarily responsible for this.  It suddenly
emerged on January 30 in the southeast of the solar disk in a simple
Beta magnetic configuration. The next day, it did not grow, but
changed its configuration to Beta Gamma Delta, allowing for larger
solar flares.  Then, on February 1, it increased its area tenfold,
while an extremely strong proton flare was observed in it, peaking
on February 2 at 0002 UT.  Until February 4, it had further doubled
in size, with the magnetic configuration remaining Beta Gamma Delta,
while the production of energetically significant flares continued.
One to two X class flares and several M class flares are recorded
daily, while on February 4, active region No. 4366 crossed the
central meridian.  This further increased the likelihood of the
Earth being hit by an intensified solar wind and the occurrence of
stronger geomagnetic disturbances. Their onset was mostly predicted
for February 5, with the possibility of occurring one or two days
earlier. This is what happened, with the arrival of the CME recorded
on February 4 at 1421 UT and a G1, Minor, geomagnetic disturbance
developing. It is expected to continue until February 6 or possibly
February 7.  At the same time, the production of energetically
significant flares could continue in active region No. 4366 until
February 7. At the same time, there will continue a period of
slightly increased probability of the Earth being hit by proton of
solar origin. A decrease in solar and geomagnetic activity is
expected in the following days.  The Predicted Planetary A Index for
is 8, 8, 10, 8, 8, 5 and 20, with a mean of 9.5. Predicted Planetary
K Index is 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2, and 5 with a mean of 3.1. 10.7
centimeter flux is 125, 130, 135, 140, 135, 140, and 145, with a
mean of 135.7.

= END OF 18 WPM transition file <