Launch of the Explorer 1 ( http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/GAL100/exp1.html ) satellite on January 31, 1958 marked the dawn of the Space Age for the United States, as well as the beginning of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's ( http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm ) exploration of space. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this historic event, the JPL Amateur Radio Club will be operating W6VIO ( https://pitfall.org/jplarc/Station/ExplorerIAnniversary ) from 1600 UTC January 28-0400 UTC February 4 using the following frequencies: 3.535, 7.035, 7.185, 14.035, 14.240, 21.035 and 21.285 MHz. An Explorer I commemorative QSL card will be available. QSL to JPL ARC, PO Box 820, La Canada, CA 91012-0820.

The HF Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/ ) in Alaska and the Long Wavelength Array (LWA http://lwa.nrl.navy.mil/ ) in New Mexico are planning an additional lunar echo experiment for January 19-20. Interested radio amateurs are invited to participate in this experiment by listening for the lunar echoes and submitting reports. On January 19, listen on 6.7925 MHz from 0500-0600 UTC, and on 7.4075 MHz from 0600-0700 UTC. On January 20, listen on 6.7925 MHz from 0630-0730 UTC, and on 7.4075 MHz from 0730-0830 UTC (depending on frequency occupancy at the time of operation, it may be necessary to adjust the frequency slightly).