• The ARRL Letter

    From Sean Dennis@1:18/200 to All on Sat Aug 15 21:24:20 2026
    Hello All,

    I wrote a Python script that scrapes the ARRL Letter from the ARRL site and will post it in here every Thursday afternoon Eastern time. I did a test run of last Thursday's letter and the script works, so I'll manually paste it in here this time.

    If any of you are having issues reading the whole letter, please let me know ASAP. I'll figure out a way to post it in chunks.

    === Cut ===
    ARRL Letter Issue

    The ARRL Letter for August 13, 2026

    John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, Editor | August 13, 2026

    In this Issue:

    10-Year-Old Receives Ham License and More

    Colombian Amateurs Help in Earthquake Response; Clear Frequencies
    Requested

    ARRL Year of the Club Contests Celebrate Outstanding Club Websites and Newsletters

    ARISS Receives Challenger-7 Recognition

    ARRL Live Events and Podcasts

    Announcements

    Just Ahead in Radiosport

    Upcoming ARRL Conventions and Major Events

    10-Year-Old Receives Ham License and More

    Ten-year-old new ham Reynaldo Mangual, KM7HFU, is presented with his certificate of successful completion of the Technician exam by Maricopa
    Amateur Radio Club president and 4-H group leader Michael Mills, NO7S.
    [Photo courtesy Maricopa Amateur Radio Club]

    Ten-year-old new ham Reynaldo Mangual, KM7HFU, is presented with his certificate of successful completion of the Technician exam by Maricopa
    Amateur Radio Club president and 4-H group leader Michael Mills, NO7S.
    [Photo courtesy Maricopa Amateur Radio Club]

    A brand-new young ham in Arizona got more than he was expecting after
    passing his Technician class license exam earlier this month.
    Along with getting his call sign, KM7HFU, from the FCC, 10-year-old
    Reynaldo Mangual was presented by the Maricopa Amateur Radio Association
    (MARA) with an almost-new Yaesu FT-857D HF/VHF/UHF multimode
    transceiver, an LDG YT-100 automatic antenna tuner, and power supply.
    The station had been donated anonymously to the club with the
    stipulation that it be presented to a deserving young person upon
    successfully earning an amateur radio license.
    In addition the club reports that, in an effort to introduce him to
    Morse code, Reynaldo was also given a fully-restored World War II-era
    J-38 telegraph key by club member Steve Miller, W6DSM, who collects and restores historic keys.

    Reynaldo joined ARRL this week! He is also a member of the Pinal County
    4-H Amateur Radio Club, whose youth program is supported by 4-H, MARA,
    the Arizona 4-H Foundation, and a grant from the Amateur Radio Council
    of Arizona.
    Reynaldo is now MARAs youngest member. The Maricopa Amateur Radio
    Association is an ARRL-Affiliated Club.

    ARRL offers a no-cost membership option for full-time students aged 21
    years or younger. Free Student Membership is available at
    www.arrl.org/student.

    Colombian Amateurs Help in Earthquake Response; Clear Frequencies
    Requested

    Amateur radio operators in Colombia are providing significant
    communications support following the major earthquake and aftershocks
    that struck the country on August 10, 2026. The death toll has
    reportedly exceeded 200 people, with many more still missing, and major
    damage is reported to buildings and infrastructure.

    International Amateur Radio Union, Region 2 (IARU R2) Emergency
    Communications Coordinator Carlos Alberto Santamaria Gonzalez, CO2JC,
    provided an update Thursday morning, August 13, from Faber Mosquera,
    HK6F, the emergency coordinator for the Liga Colombiana de
    Radioaficionados (LCRA), Colombias national amateur radio association.
    Mosquera said amateurs from various radio clubs and associations across
    the country have been helping to maintain and/or restore communications
    in affected areas.

    Volunteers from the Liga Radio Quindio were heading to Cerro Campanario,
    a peak at an altitude of 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) above sea level, to
    attempt to restore the club's repeater stations using solar panels and batteries.
    This peak hosts repeater stations for both the amateur radio service and
    the municipal and departmental risk management systems in the area.
    Another group of amateurs, from the Asociacion de Radioaficionados del
    Eje Cafetero, was working at their repeater site at the time of the
    earthquake.
    They reported that cellular and Wi-Fi networks immediately went down,
    and the repeaters also failed because the backup transfer system to the
    power generator did not activate.
    However, within 15 minutes, they had reactivated not only the amateur
    repeaters but also those of other services that share the site.
    Mosquera reported that amateur radio clubs from other parts of the
    country were providing additional support to restore and maintain communications.

    The Colombian amateur radio community is doing vital work by making its communication systems and human resources available for rescue,
    recovery, and locating individuals affected by this disaster, said IARU
    Region 2 Emergency Coordinator CO2JC, adding, This makes us proud to be
    amateur radio operators.

    CO2JC has also requested that all amateurs avoid transmitting on the
    IARU Region 2 emergency frequencies of 3985, 7060, 7240, 7275, 14300,
    and 21360 kHz, as well as 146.520 MHz for those in VHF range of
    Colombia, in order to minimize potential interference to emergency communications.

    See ARRL News
    for updates to this story as they become available.

    ARRL Year of the Club Contests Celebrate Outstanding Club Websites and Newsletters

    As part of ARRLs 2026 Year of the Club
    spotlight, Affiliated Clubs were invited to show how they use two
    important communications tools their websites and newsletters to
    engage members, strengthen their organizations, and promote amateur
    radio.
    The response was enthusiastic, with more than 80 entries submitted in
    each contest from clubs across the country.

    The contests were designed not simply to identify the best-looking
    website or newsletter, but to recognize radio clubs that are using these
    tools effectively to serve their members.
    A good club website can make it easy for prospective and current members
    to find information, learn about activities, and get involved.
    A good newsletter can keep members connected between meetings, share
    technical knowledge and operating opportunities, celebrate club accomplishments, and give members another reason to stay engaged.

    The goal was to highlight the many creative ways radio clubs communicate
    with their members, said ARRL Director of Publications and Editorial
    Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY. We hope these winning websites and newsletters
    will give other clubs ideas they can adapt to their own organizations.
    Theres no single formula for an effective club communication what
    matters is understanding your audience and giving them useful,
    interesting reasons to connect and keep connected with the club.

    Outstanding Club Newsletters

    Newsletter entries were judged in three membership categories: Large
    Clubs (more than 120 members), Medium Clubs (60120 members), and Small
    Clubs (fewer than 60 members). Judges considered the navigability and attractiveness of the publications, as well as the variety and quality
    of their content. Two entries also earned special commendations for
    doing an outstanding job serving specialized audiences.

    The winners are:

    Large Clubs

    First Place: Gloucester County Amateur Radio Club, W2MMD, Pitman, New
    Jersey CrossTalk, edited by Jeffrey Garth, WB2ZBN

    Second Place: Long Island CW Club, W2LCW, Global Long Island CW Club Newsletter, edited by Richard Spohn, WB2GXM

    Ozaukee Radio Club, W9CQO, of Grafton, Wisconsin, is the winner of the
    ARRL Club Newsletter Contest in the Medium Clubs category. The Ozaukee
    Radio Club Newsletter is edited by William Shadid, W9MXQ.

    Medium Clubs

    First Place: Ozaukee Radio Club, W9CQO, Grafton, Wisconsin The Ozaukee
    Radio Club Newsletter, edited by William Shadid, W9MXQ

    Second Place: East Greenbush Amateur Radio Association, W2EGB, East
    Greenbush, New York Sidebands, edited by Bryan Jackson, W2RBJ

    Honorable Mention: Providence Radio Association, W1OP, Johnston, Rhode
    Island The Old Professor, edited by Thomas Greenwood, W1ER

    Small Clubs

    First Place: Peekskill/Cortlandt Amateur Radio Association, W2NYW,
    Greater Peekskill/Cortlandt Area, New York PCARA Update, edited by
    Malcolm G. Pritchard, NM9J

    Second Place: Morongo Basin Amateur Radio Club, W6BA, Morongo Basin,
    California MBARC Beacon, edited by Aaron Chesney, KM6IAU

    Special Commendations

    Best Newsletter for a Specialized Audience: Families and Youth: Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society, W1STR, Natick, Massachusetts Sci-Tech Amateur
    Radio Society News, edited by Robert F. Phinney, K5TEC

    Best Newsletter for a Specialized Audience: Global Audience: Young
    Ladies Radio League, K4LMB, Global YL Harmonics, edited by Kathleen
    Houlihan, WA5DUC

    Newsletter contest judges were:
    ARRL Director of Publications and Editorial Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY
    ARRL Senior Director of Marketing and Innovation Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R
    NCJ Editor and PVRC Newsletter Editor John Pescatore, K3TN
    ARRL News Editor, past Ohio Section PIC, and past coordinator of the
    Ohio Section Newsletter Contest John Ross, KD8IDJ
    Outstanding Club Websites

    The website contest focused on three key areas: layout, content, and accessibility. Judges with extensive experience in website development,
    systems administration, and web infrastructure evaluated the entries to identify sites that effectively serve their clubs and their audiences.

    Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club, W3ACH, serving south-central Pennsylvania, is the winner of the ARRL Club Website Contest. The
    webmaster is Caleb C. Jacobs, KC3VPB.

    The winners are:

    First Place: Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club, W3ACH, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania www.w3ach.com, webmaster Caleb C. Jacobs, KC3VPB

    Second Place: Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club, W6EK, Auburn,
    California www.w6ek.org, webmaster Mike Smitty Smith, WB1G

    Third Place: Ventura County Amateur Radio Club, K6MEP, Ventura,
    California k6mep.org, webmaster David Schmidt, AI6VX

    Website contest judges were:

    ARRL New England Division Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI

    ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Technical Coordinator Dan Brown, W1DAN

    ARRL member Erica Zavaleta, W7WXR. Erica is currently a DevOps Engineer managing web infrastructure for a regional ISP.

    The winning websites and newsletters are worth a visit not only to congratulate the clubs, but also to see how they organize information,
    promote activities, welcome newcomers, and communicate what makes their
    clubs active and relevant. They offer examples of different approaches
    to content, design, and audience demonstrating that success doesn't
    have to follow a particular template.

    The contests are part of ARRLs broader Year of the Club effort to
    celebrate the vital role that amateur radio clubs play in building and sustaining the amateur radio community. Clubs are where many radio
    amateurs first find a mentor, learn a new skill, participate in an
    event, or make the connections that keep them active in the hobby.

    Club leaders, newsletter editors, and webmasters: take a look at what
    these clubs are doing and borrow an idea or two for your own club, said
    ARRL Emergency Communications and Field Services Director Josh Johnston, KE5MHV. Year of the Club is a celebration of what clubs accomplish and
    an invitation to keep building on that success.

    ARRL and the contest judges are grateful for the enthusiastic response
    to the call for contest entries, and commend all entrants on the talent
    and time they devote to the creation of these important club
    communication tools.

    The contest winners will be honored at the 2026 ARRL National
    Convention, hosted by the Huntsville Hamfest, August 2123 in Huntsville, Alabama, and will also be featured in a 2026 issue of QST.

    ARISS Receives Challenger-7 Recognition

    ARISS, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, has been
    honored with the prestigious Challenger-7 Recognition, a national honor celebrating organizations whose work reflects the spirit, vision, and
    values of the seven crew members of the Space Shuttle Challenger mission STS-51-L.

    This recognition is a tribute, not a competition, says the Challenger
    Center.
    It honors those who embody the Challenger crews values of exploration, learning, and inspiration, while also celebrating trailblazing
    organizations and programs that will carry this mission forward into the future.

    Nominations from nonprofit STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and
    Math) programs that have a national-level impact on STEM learning and
    other STEM advocates were submitted by members of the broader Challenger
    Center community, with honorees selected by an appointed committee.
    The recognitions are part of the Challenger Centers 40th anniversary celebrations.

    ARISS representatives Frank Bauer, KA3HDO (middle), and Jackie Blumer,
    KC9LEH (right), accepted the Challenger-7 Recognition from Challenger
    Center's Mike Kincaid (left) during the organization's 40th anniversary celebration. [Challenger Learning Center photo]

    The ARISS team is humbled to receive the Challenger-7 recognition, said ARISS-USA
    Executive Director and ARISS International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO. We
    thank the Challenger Center community for this honor as well as treasure
    our long-standing partnership with them.
    The outcomes of our ARISS on-board astronaut experiences emulate the exploration and education spirit of the Challenger crewto engage and
    educate our next generation of explorers in STEM while giving them the
    tools and inspiration to prepare them for future STEM careers.

    Other awardees this year include AIAA American Institute of Aeronautics
    and Astronautics, American Rocketry Challenge, and Janets Planet.

    Read the ARISS News Release here.

    ARRL Live Events and Podcasts

    On the Air LIVE

    What if you need to send a message from a disaster area, but all forms
    of communication are down? The ARRL National Traffic System could be
    your tool to get the message out. Join ARRL Education Specialist Wayne
    Greene, KB4DSF, and learn about the history of the National Traffic
    System, how it works, and how you can become a regular user and be
    prepared to send and relay traffic. The livestream will air on the
    ARRL's learning center, learn.arrl.org, August 25th at 8 PM Eastern. Preregistration is required and can be accomplished through the Learning Center.

    Date: August 25, 2026

    Time: 8 PM Eastern / 5 PM Pacific

    Register Now
    | Previously Recorded Sessions

    Listen to , available every Friday. is a summary of the week's top news stories in the world of amateur radio and ARRL, along with interviews
    and other features. More info
    | Listen on Blubrry
    | Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.

    On the Air

    Sponsored by Icom

    Hams and Hurricane Season

    ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo,
    KD1CY, joins the podcast to talk about the Atlantic hurricane season and
    ham radios role in it, as a follow-up to the July/August 2026 issues
    article Ham Radio and the Hurricane Season by Rick Palm, K1CE. More info
    | Listen on Blubrry
    | Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.

    Announcements

    The following America250 W1AW Portable Activations begin 0000z on
    Wednesdays, and end 2359z on Tuesdays (7 days total for each
    activation). See the complete schedule at www.arrl.org/america250-was.

    08/12/2026 Idaho W1AW/7 (host ND7L)

    08/12/2026 Ohio W1AW/8 (host K8ZT)

    08/12/2026 Massachusetts W1AW/1 (host W1AST)

    08/19/2026 Alabama W1AW/4 (host KI4KWR)

    08/19/2026 Hawaii W1AW/KH6 (host AD6E)

    08/19/2026 Oregon W1AW/7 (host N7JI)

    The North East USA SOTA
    Club invites activators and chasers of all experience levels to the 4th
    annual W2 Fall Campout, September 10 13, in New Yorks Adirondack
    Mountains. Throughout the long weekend (Thursday Sunday), look for
    Summits on the Air activators calling "CQ SOTA" from various peaks
    across the Adirondack Mountains on VHF 146.58 MHz and across the HF
    bands using CW, SSB, and FM. For POTA chasers, this is a great
    opportunity to get US - 2001 in the log as many of the summits are
    within the Adirondack State Park. Activators will be base-camped at the Wilmington Notch Campground in Wilmington, New York, with a group dinner
    and meetup on Saturday, September 12, at the Twisted Raven in
    Wilmington. For more information on Summits on the Air and getting
    started with activating and/or chasing, visit www.sota.org.uk and
    connect with the North East USA SOTA Club on Facebook.

    A new ARRL video provides tips on applying for the new ARRL America250
    Worked All States (WAS) Award. Available on the ARRLHQ YouTube channel,
    the video features Education & Learning Support Specialist Max Freedman,
    N4ML, who walks viewers through logging into Logbook of The World
    (LoTW), creating a new LoTW Worked All States account or selecting an
    existing account, adding a QSO Set and related rules, and viewing award progress at america250.arrl.org. Once youve qualified for the award,
    return to america250.arrl.org to apply for and purchase your
    certificate. View the new video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRKSIbLFj5w.

    Open Positions at ARRL

    Come join the headquarters staff of ARRL The National Association for
    Amateur Radio! We are currently seeking qualified applicants for the
    following positions:

    Membership Manager

    Technical Editor

    RFI Lab Engineer

    Public Relations and Outreach Manager

    Advertising Sales Manager

    Member Services Representative

    Full details may be found on the ARRL HR web page at
    www.arrl.org/careers.

    ARRL is an equal opportunity employer.

    Just Ahead in Radiosport

    August 13 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest-NA (digital)
    August 15 - 16 -- SARTG WW RTTY Contest (digital)
    August 15 - 16 -- Russian District Award Contest (CW, phone)
    August 15 - 17 -- ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest (CW, phone, digital)
    August 15 -- SARL Youth QSO Party (phone)
    August 15 - 16 -- Keyman's Club of Japan Contest (CW)
    August 15 -- Feld Hell Sprint (digital)
    August 15 - 16 -- North American QSO Party, SSB (phone)
    August 15 - 16 -- 2100 1.8-28 CVA DX Contest (CW)
    August 16 -- NJQRP Skeeter Hunt (CW, phone)
    August 16 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup, RTTY (digital)
    August 16 - 17 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
    August 20 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest-NA (digital)
    August 20 - 21 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
    August 20 -- NTC QSO Party (CW)
    August 22 - 23 -- YO DX HF Contest (CW, phone)
    August 22 - 23 -- ARSI VU DX Contest (CW, phone)
    August 22 - 23 -- Ohio QSO Party (CW, phone)
    August 22 - 24 -- Hawaii QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
    August 23 -- CVA DX Contest, SSB (phone)
    August 23 -- SARL HF CW Contest (CW)

    Remember to visit the ARRL Contest Calendar
    for more events and information.

    Upcoming ARRL Conventions and Major Events

    ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions (next 60 days)

    Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database at www.arrl.org/hamfests
    to find events in your area.

    August 13 16 | Northeast HamXposition, hosting the ARRL New England
    Division Convention, Marlborough, Massachusetts

    August 15 | Cincinnati Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention, Owensville, Ohio

    August 21 23 | Huntsville Hamfest, hosting the 2026 ARRL National
    Convention, Huntsville, Alabama

    August 28 30 | Wyoming HamCon, hosting the ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Casper, Wyoming

    September 4 5 | Shelby Hamfest, hosting the ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Shelby, North Carolina

    September 26 | Red River Radio Amateurs Hamfest, hosting the ARRL
    Minnesota State Convention, Moorhead, Minnesota

    October 3 | Third Annual Micro Expo, hosting the ARRL Santa Barbara
    Section Convention, Camarillo, California

    October 3 | Wichita Area Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Kansas Section
    Convention, Wichita, Kansas

    October 9 10 | SPARK-CON 2026, hosting the ARRL Midwest Division
    Convention, Sedalia, Missouri

    October 10 | North Star Radio Convention, hosting the ARRL Dakota
    Division Convention, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

    Save the Date

    Join ARRL at these Division Conventions and other major events
    throughout the year.
    Beginning in the fourth quarter, this list will also include significant
    events scheduled for the following year.

    October 16 18 | Pacificon, hosting the ARRL Pacific Division
    Convention, San Ramon, California

    Have News for ARRL?

    Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to
    news@arrl.org. -- John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, ARRL News Editor

    ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

    Join ARRL or renew today!
    No other organization works harder to promote and protect amateur radio. Membership supports benefits, services, programs, and advocacy to help
    you get (and stay) active and on the air. Membership includes access to
    digital editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and
    NCJ.

    Listen to , available every Friday.

    The ARRL Letter is available in an accessible format, posted weekly to
    the Blind-hams Groups.io
    email group. The group is dedicated to discussions about amateur radio
    as it concerns blind hams, plus related topics including ham radio use
    of adaptive technology.

    On the Air. Published bimonthly for newer hams, featuring introductions
    to popular activities and key concepts, equipment buying guides, and
    practical projects with step-by-step instructions all in language thats
    easy to understand.

    NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features articles
    by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprints, and
    QSO parties.

    QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bimonthly,
    features technical articles, construction projects, columns, and other
    items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

    Free of charge to ARRL members...

    Subscribe
    to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications
    news), the NTS Letter (monthly news about the ARRL National Traffic
    System message-relay network), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts, and much more!

    Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Threads, X, and Instagram.

    The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 51 times each year. ARRL members
    may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile at www.arrl.org/opt-in-out.

    Copyright 2026 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated.
    Use and distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is
    permitted for non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution.
    All other purposes require written permission.

    ARRL

    225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1400

    www.arrl.org 860-594-0200

    2026 - ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio
    === Cut ===

    -- Sean

    ... WinErr 005: Multitasking attempted: system confused.
    --- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20240209
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)
  • From Mortar M.@1:124/5016 to Sean Dennis on Mon Aug 17 09:40:04 2026
    Re: The ARRL Letter
    By: Sean Dennis to All on Sat Aug 15 2026 21:24:20

    I wrote a Python script that scrapes the ARRL Letter from the ARRL site and will post it in here every Thursday afternoon Eastern time.

    Is this OK with ARRL? Site owners can get rather touchy about scraping.

    Can you post the script? I'm interested in how that's done.
    --- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
    * Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)
  • From Sean Dennis@1:18/200 to Mortar M. on Mon Aug 17 22:09:56 2026
    Hello Mortar,

    17 Aug 26 09:40, you wrote to me:

    Is this OK with ARRL? Site owners can get rather touchy about
    scraping.

    From the bottom of each ARRL Letter:

    "Copyright (C) 2026 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other purposes require written permission."

    I make sure that's left in every "letter" I scrape.

    Can you post the script? I'm interested in how that's done.

    === Cut ===
    #!/usr/bin/env python3

    ### ARRL Letter Posting Script
    ###
    ### By Sean Dennis with assistance
    ### from Microsoft Copilot
    ###
    ### (C) Sean Dennis KS4TD
    ###
    ### Released under the MIT License.

    import requests
    import re
    import textwrap
    import unicodedata
    import os
    import sys
    import time

    BASE = "https://www.arrl.org"
    LETTER_LIST = "https://www.arrl.org/arrlletter"
    CACHE_FILE = os.path.expanduser("~/.arrlletter_cache")

    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    # Retry-capable fetcher with browser headers
    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    def fetch_with_retry(url, retries=5, delay=3):
    headers = {
    "User-Agent": (
    "Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux x86_64) "
    "AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) "
    "Chrome/124.0 Safari/537.36"
    )
    }

    for attempt in range(1, retries + 1):
    try:
    print("Fetching {} (attempt {}/{})".format(url, attempt, retries))
    r = requests.get(url, headers=headers, timeout=20)
    r.raise_for_status()
    return r.text
    except Exception as e:
    print("Attempt {} failed: {}".format(attempt, e))
    time.sleep(delay)

    print("ERROR: All attempts failed.")
    return None

    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    # Utility functions
    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    def log(msg):
    print(msg)

    def to_ascii(s):
    return unicodedata.normalize("NFKD", s).encode("ascii", "ignore").decode("ascii")

    def load_cached_issue():
    if not os.path.exists(CACHE_FILE):
    return None
    try:
    with open(CACHE_FILE, "r") as f:
    return f.read().strip()
    except:
    return None

    def save_cached_issue(issue):
    try:
    with open(CACHE_FILE, "w") as f:
    f.write(issue)
    except Exception as e:
    log("Warning: could not save cache: {}".format(e))

    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    # 1. Fetch ARRL Letter index page (with retry)
    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    index_html = fetch_with_retry(LETTER_LIST)
    if index_html is None:
    sys.exit(1)

    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    # 2. Find newest issue link (single or double quotes)
    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    issues = re.findall(r"href=['\"](/arrlletterissue\?issue=\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2})['\"]", index_html)
    if not issues:
    log("ERROR: No ARRL Letter issues found.")
    sys.exit(1)

    latest_issue_path = issues[0]
    latest_issue_url = BASE + latest_issue_path
    latest_issue_id = latest_issue_path.split("=")[-1]

    log("Latest ARRL Letter issue: {}".format(latest_issue_id))

    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    # 3. Check cache
    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    cached = load_cached_issue()
    if cached == latest_issue_id:
    log("Cached issue matches latest. Nothing new to download.")
    sys.exit(0)

    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    # 4. Download the issue HTML (with retry)
    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    page_html = fetch_with_retry(latest_issue_url)
    if page_html is None:
    sys.exit(1)

    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    # 5. Improved HTML cleanup
    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    import html

    # Remove scripts and styles
    clean = re.sub(r"<script.*?>.*?</script>", "", page_html, flags=re.DOTALL) clean = re.sub(r"<style.*?>.*?</style>", "", clean, flags=re.DOTALL)

    # Remove all HTML tags
    clean = re.sub(r"<[^>]+>", "", clean)

    # Decode HTML entities (&nbsp;, &#39;, etc.)
    clean = html.unescape(clean)

    # Remove "undefined" junk lines
    clean = clean.replace("undefined", "")

    # Collapse multiple spaces
    clean = re.sub(r"[ \t]+", " ", clean)

    # Remove repeated blank lines
    clean = re.sub(r"\n\s*\n\s*\n+", "\n\n", clean)

    # Remove repeated photo captions (ARRL duplicates them)
    clean = re.sub(r" \[Photo.*?\] ", "", clean)

    # Remove ARRL navigation/header lines
    clean = clean.replace("ARRL Home Page", "")
    clean = clean.replace("ARRL Audio News", "")
    clean = clean.replace("ARRL Letter Archive", "")

    # Remove unsubscribe footer
    clean = clean.replace("Unsubscribe from this list.", "")

    # Clean up leftover blank lines
    clean = re.sub(r"\n\s*\n+", "\n\n", clean)

    # Normalize line endings
    clean = clean.strip()

    # Normalize line endings
    clean = clean.strip()

    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    # 6. Convert to ASCII
    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    ascii_text = to_ascii(clean)

    1# ------------------------------------------------------------
    # 7. Normalize whitespace and wrap at 72 columns
    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    out_lines = []
    for line in ascii_text.splitlines():
    line = line.strip()
    if not line:
    out_lines.append("")
    continue
    wrapped = textwrap.wrap(line, width=72)
    out_lines.extend(wrapped)

    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    # 8. Write final file
    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    output_file = "/tmp/arrlletter-latest.asc"
    try:
    with open(output_file, "w") as f:
    f.write("\n".join(out_lines))
    log("Created {}".format(output_file))
    save_cached_issue(latest_issue_id)
    except Exception as e:
    log("ERROR: Could not write output file: {}".format(e))
    sys.exit(1)
    # ------------------------------------------------------------
    === Cut ===

    Here's the actual script called by MBSE (note that the "mbmsg" lines are wrapped):

    === Cut ===
    #!/bin/bash

    # Environment
    # PATH needed since cron doesn't inherit bash's environment
    export PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin
    # Required by MBSE
    export MBSE_ROOT=/opt/mbse

    $MBSE_ROOT/bin/arrl_letter.py

    # Post in MIN_HAM
    mbmsg post "ARS KS4TD" "All" 61 "The ARRL Letter" "/tmp/arrlletter-latest.txt"

    # Post in Fidonet's HAM
    mbmsg post "ARS KS4TD" "All" 117 "The ARRL Letter" "/tmp/arrlletter-latest.txt" -
    === Cut ===

    I believe the Python script will run under Windows with minor modifications.

    -- Sean

    ... "I have a love interest in every one of my films: a gun." - Schwarzenegger --- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20260304
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)
  • From Mortar M.@1:124/5016 to Sean Dennis on Tue Aug 18 10:35:55 2026
    Re: The ARRL Letter
    By: Sean Dennis to Mortar M. on Mon Aug 17 2026 22:09:56

    I believe the Python script will run under Windows with minor modifications.

    Coolness, thanks.
    --- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
    * Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)
  • From ARS KS4TD@1:18/200 to All on Sat Sep 26 20:39:39 2026
    ARRL Letter Issue

    The ARRL Letter for September 17, 2026

    Richard Moseson, W2VU, Editor | September 17, 2026

    In this Issue:

    Contest University Celebrates 100 Years of Yagis

    WRTC 2026 Organizers Honored by FOC

    Get Ready for Jamboree on the Air

    AMSAT Youth Initiative Course

    Amateur Radio in the News

    ARRL Live Events and Podcasts

    Announcements

    In Brief...

    The ARRL Solar Report

    Just Ahead in Radiosport

    Upcoming ARRL Conventions and Major Events

    Contest University Celebrates 100 Years of Yagis

    The Yagi-Uda beam antenna was invented 100 years ago, in 1926, and
    Contest University (CTU) is celebrating its centennial with a live Zoom
    webinar this Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 1600 UTC (noon Eastern).
    The free webinar, titled The Yagi Turns 100, will be presented by Greg
    Ordy, W8WWV, and will be available online at w3lif.org/yagi. Ordy will
    walk through the history of this amazing antenna that has been a
    mainstay of amateur radio DXing and contesting for a century.
    There is no pre-registration for this event.
    Click on the link (above) before 1600 Zulu on Saturday to watch.
    Contest University Chairman Tim Duffy, K3LR, and Scott Jones, N3RA, will
    be monitoring the chat during the presentation and will relay questions
    from viewers to Ordy at the conclusion of his talk.

    Duffy says the webinar will be recorded, and the recorded link will be
    posted on the CTU website
    next week.

    WRTC 2026 Organizers Honored by FOC

    The First Class CW Operators Club (FOC) has awarded its highest honor,
    the Al Slater, G3FXB (SK), Memorial Award, to the World Radiosport Team Championship 2026 (WRTC 2026) Organizing Committee in recognition of its
    work not only in planning and executing last Julys competition, but also
    in its response to allegations of cheating by some participants.

    FOC President John Warburton, G4IRN, said the award recognizes an
    individual, group, or organization whose contribution to amateur radio
    reflects the qualities that Al embodied throughout his life: operating excellence, friendship, encouragement of others, and service to the
    hobby.

    According to a report in The Daily DX, Warburton said FOC determined
    that the WRTC committee demonstrated those qualities on an exceptional
    scale, [creating] an environment that showcases the very highest
    standards of amateur radio operating, rewarding skill, fairness,
    technical competence, and ethical conduct. He added that the judging
    committees careful verification work ensured that these standards were
    upheld and that the results reflected the true performance of those who competed within the rules. This was a reference to the Organizing
    Committees recent announcement that several stations, including the
    original winner, had been disqualified due to rule violations discovered
    after the contest.

    The award was presented at FOCs annual gala dinner on September 12 in
    Cheshire, England.

    Get Ready for Jamboree on the Air

    We've got scouts, we've got a special event call sign, and we'd love as
    many hams as possible near and far to come find us on the air. Thats
    how Sal Mancuso, W6SAL, is promoting Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) 2026 on
    behalf of the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council of Scouting America
    (formerly Boy Scouts of America). JOTA is an annual worldwide event, on
    the air and on the internet (as JOTI), with the goal of promoting
    friendship and global citizenship via amateur radio and the internet.
    This years event will be held from October 16-18, and now is a good time
    for radio clubs and individual hams to reach out to local scout units to
    set up JOTA experiences.

    For Mancuso, it has meant getting a special event call sign K6S and
    setting up a public demonstration station on October 17 for scouts from throughout the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council. The council serves
    10,000 youth across Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz
    counties in California. We'll have approximately seven licensed
    operators of varying license classes (Technician through Extra) on hand, running HF, VHF, and UHF simultaneously, all signing K6S, explains
    Mancuso. Scouts will be hands-on at the mic and keyboard the whole time
    this is their event, not just something they're watching ... We'll be
    active on HF SSB and FT8, with packet possible as well. Planned HF SSB frequencies are 7.090, 14.290, 18.140, and 28.990 MHz, but Mancuso noted
    that We'll also be posting our actual live frequencies on Spotted Hams
    as the day goes, since real-world band conditions may shift our plan a
    bit.

    More information on setting up a JOTA/JOTI operation may be found at www.jotajoti.info. ARRL has resources to assist volunteers who are
    working with scouts, including a flyer promoting Radio Communications
    for Scouts
    (PDF) and the ARRL Radio and Wireless Technology Patch Program. For
    additional ideas, visit www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-and-scouting.

    AMSAT Youth Initiative Course

    An online course titled Satellites and Astronomy is now available as
    part of the AMSAT Youth Initiative programs Satellites in Space Help Us
    Live a Better Life on Earth series. This is the fifth course in the
    series, produced by AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, and
    posted on its youth-focused website, buzzsat.com. AMSAT says the goal of BuzzSat is to encourage youth to pursue careers in aerospace and
    communications by studying science, technology, engineering, art, and
    math (STEAM). Other courses in the series include An Introduction to
    Satellite Meteorology, Satellites and Climate Change, Satellites and
    Pollution Control, and Satellites and Natural Resources.

    Amateur Radio in the News

    Amateur Radio Club event to show interested persons about ham radio /
    The Daily American (Somerset, PA), September 15, 2026 -- Somerset County Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club.

    Its Teletext, But On the Radio / Hackaday, September 1, 2026 --
    Highlights Ceefax Station software by Tobias Franklin, M7TJF, which
    emulates Ceefax teletext service that ran on BBC television from 1974
    until 2012.

    ARRL Live Events and Podcasts

    On the Air LIVE

    Join ARRL Director for Learning and Education Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, for
    the September episode of OTA Live on Tuesday, September 22 at 8 PM
    Eastern, where he will explore an inexpensive and practical way to
    evaluate the performance of your handheld (HT) radio. Using a low-cost
    Software Defined Radio (SDR) dongle, free SDR software, and free audio-
    editing software, Wayne will demonstrate several tests that can help you
    get a better idea of how well your HT is working. While these
    measurements wont replace lab-grade testing, they can reveal useful
    information about your radios performance. Wayne will also demonstrate
    how to use these tools to identify CTCSS tones and DCS codes. The
    livestream will air on the ARRL's learning center, learn.arrl.org. Preregistration is required and can be accomplished through the Learning Center.

    Date: September 22, 2026

    Time: 8 PM Eastern / 5 PM Pacific

    Register Now
    | Previously Recorded Sessions

    Listen to , available every Friday. is a summary of the week's top news stories in the world of amateur radio and ARRL, along with interviews
    and other features. More info
    | Listen on Blubrry
    | Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.

    On the Air

    Sponsored by Icom

    About the New QST Product Review Comparison Tool for ARRL Lab-Tested
    Devices

    Some of the products seen in QST Product Review, including transceivers, receivers, and amplifiers, are tested in the ARRL Lab to see how they
    stack up against the manufacturers claims. Those test results are
    included in the published review to help you make more informed buying
    choices. ARRLs new online interactive Comparison Tool
    for ARRL Lab-Tested Devices makes it even easier to refer to, compare,
    and understand the test results. ARRL Digital RF Engineer John Jobin
    McAuliffe, W1DRF, visits the podcast to talk about what the tool does
    and how to use it to better inform your radio purchases. More info
    | Listen on Blubrry
    | Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.

    Announcements

    ARISS, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
    program, has announced an application deadline of September 30, 2026,
    for schools and other educational groups in the US to schedule an
    amateur radio contact with the International Space Station between
    January 1 and June 30, 2027. Proposals must follow guidelines posted at www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html. Different
    deadlines apply for schools in other parts of the world.

    ARDC, the Amateur Radio Digital Communications foundation, is recruiting volunteers to serve on its teams and committees in 2027. Applications
    are due by October 30, 2026. Seats are open on the groups Grants
    Advisory Committee, Technical Advisory Committee, Grants Evaluation
    Team, Grants Communications Team, and Conduct Review Committee. More information about these opportunities, including eligibility
    requirements, time commitments, and how to apply can be found at: www.ardc.net/volunteer-with-ardc-in-2027.

    Order your certificate at america250.arrl.org

    Order your certificate at america250.arrl.org

    The following America250 W1AW Portable Activations begin 0000z on
    Wednesdays, and end 2359z on Tuesdays (7 days total for each
    activation). See the complete schedule at www.arrl.org/america250-was.
    Review your award progress and order your certificate and endorsements
    at america250.arrl.org.

    09/23/2026 Vermont W1AW/1 (host W1SJ)

    09/30/2026 No activations scheduled

    10/07/2026 New Mexico W1AW/5 (host KA8JMW)

    10/07/2026 South Dakota W1AW/ (host KBBC)

    10/07/2026 Connecticut W1AW/1 (host W8ZY)

    In Brief...

    Watch Duty is a real-time wildfire and flood tracking alert app with
    active reporting in all 50 states. ARRL Idaho Assistant Section Manager
    Dan Marler, K7REX, brought it to our attention, along with a video
    explaining how it works
    thats posted to the RATPAC YouTube channel. (RATPAC is the Radio Amateur Training Planning and Activities Committee.) For more information on the
    free Watch Duty app, visit watchduty.org.

    Russell L. Woirhaye, KVXU, who helped originate the 'CW Pileup'
    competition at the Kansas City DX Club's Dayton hospitality suite,
    became a Silent Key on September 8, 2026, at age 81. Woirhaye was a past president of the Kansas City DX Club and had been a ham for 67 years,
    according to a report in The Daily DX. A longtime DXer, he had 334/348 (current/total) confirmed entities in the ARRL DXCC Mixed standings.

    Open Positions at ARRL

    Come join the headquarters staff of ARRL The National Association for
    Amateur Radio! We are currently seeking qualified applicants for the
    following positions:

    Technical Editor

    RFI Lab Engineer

    Public Relations and Outreach Manager

    Advertising Sales Manager

    Full details may be found on the ARRL HR web page at
    www.arrl.org/careers.

    ARRL is an equal opportunity employer.

    The ARRL Solar Report

    Solar image on September 17, 2026 [Photo courtesy NOAA Space Weather
    Prediction Center]

    Solar image on September 17, 2026 [Photo courtesy NOAA Space Weather
    Prediction Center]

    Solar flare activity is expected to remain at very low levels, with a
    chance for isolated C-class flares through September 19, according to
    NOAAs Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Solar wind speed was
    steady near 530 km/s, and negative polarity CH HSS (coronal hole high-
    speed stream) effects are anticipated to persist through September 18,
    with additional enhancements likely today due to flanking influences
    from CMEs (coronal mass ejections) that departed the Sun on September 13
    and 14. Geomagnetic activity is expected to reach active to G1 (minor)
    storm levels today due to combined CH and CME influences.
    Unsettled to active conditions are likely on September 18-19 as
    enhancements wane.

    The Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre reports that there are currently three numbered sunspot regions on the solar disk, and that all
    three are stable.
    No flares are expected over the next several days.
    The global HF propagation forecast for middle latitudes is normal to
    fair today, followed by normal propagation in the days that follow.

    Predicted 10.7-centimeter radio flux from the SWPC: Sep 17, 93; Sep
    18-19, 90; Sep 20, 95; Sep 21, 100; Sep 22, 110; Sep 23, 105.

    Send your tips, questions, or comments to w2vu@arrl.org.

    For more information concerning radio propagation, visit
    the ARRL Technical Information Service, read
    "What the Numbers Mean...," and check out
    the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.

    A propagation bulletin archive
    is available. For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP
    Online for Ham Radio
    website.

    Share
    your reports and observations.

    Just Ahead in Radiosport

    September 17 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest NA (digital)

    September 17 -- NAQCC CW Sprint (CW)

    September 17 -- BCC QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

    September 17 - 18 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

    September 19 - 21 -- ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest
    (CW, phone, digital)

    September 19 - 20 -- Scandinavian Activity Contest, CW (CW)

    September 19 - 20 -- Iowa QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

    September 19 - 20 -- Texas QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

    September 19 -- QRP Afield (CW, phone, digital)

    September 19 -- Wisconsin Parks on the Air (CW, phone, digital)

    September 19 - 20 -- New Hampshire QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

    September 19 - 20 -- Washington State Salmon Run (CW, phone)

    September 19 -- Feld Hell Sprint (digital)

    September 20 -- North American Sprint, RTTY
    (digital)

    September 20 -- BARTG Sprint PSK63 Contest (digital)

    September 20 -- ARS Flight of the Bumblebees (CW)

    September 20 - 21 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

    September 21 - 22 -- 144 MHz Fall Sprint (CW, phone, digital)

    September 23 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)

    September 26 -- Bill Windle QSO Party (CW)

    September 26 - 27 -- CQ World Wide DX Contest, RTTY (digital)

    September 26 - 27 -- YU DX Contest (CW, phone)

    September 26 - 27 -- Maine QSO Party (CW, phone)

    September 26 - 27 -- AWA Amplitude Modulation QSO Party (phone)

    Remember to visit the ARRL Contest Calendar
    for more events and information.

    Upcoming ARRL Conventions and Major Events

    ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions (next 60 days)

    Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database at www.arrl.org/hamfests
    to find events in your area.

    September 26 | Red River Radio Amateurs Hamfest, hosting the ARRL
    Minnesota State Convention, Moorhead, Minnesota

    October 3 | Third Annual Micro Expo, hosting the ARRL Santa Barbara
    Section Convention, Camarillo, California

    October 3 | Wichita Area Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Kansas Section
    Convention, Wichita, Kansas

    October 9 10 | SPARK-CON 2026, hosting the ARRL Midwest Division
    Convention, Sedalia, Missouri

    October 10 | North Star Radio Convention, hosting the ARRL Dakota
    Division Convention, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

    October 11 | Nutmeg Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Connecticut State
    Convention, Meriden, Connecticut

    October 11 | HamFest, hosting the ARRL Southern New Jersey Section
    Convention, Mullica Hill, New Jersey

    October 16 18 | Pacificon, hosting the ARRL Pacific Division
    Convention, San Ramon, California

    October 24 | ARRL Day in the Park, hosting the ARRL Mississippi Section Convention, Ridgeland, Mississippi.

    October 30 31 | Stone Mountain Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Georgia State Convention, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

    November 7 | Superstition ARC Superfest, hosting the ARRL Arizona State Convention, Mesa, Arizona

    November 14 | Montgomery Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Alabama State
    Convention, Montgomery, Alabama

    Have News for ARRL?

    Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to
    news@arrl.org. -- Richard Moseson, W2VU, ARRL News Editor

    ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

    Join ARRL or renew today!
    No other organization works harder to promote and protect amateur radio. Membership supports benefits, services, programs, and advocacy to help
    you get (and stay) active and on the air. Membership includes access to
    digital editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and
    NCJ.

    Listen to , available every Friday.

    The ARRL Letter is available in an accessible format, posted weekly to
    the Blind-hams Groups.io
    email group. The group is dedicated to discussions about amateur radio
    as it concerns blind hams, plus related topics including ham radio use
    of adaptive technology.

    On the Air. Published bimonthly for newer hams, featuring introductions
    to popular activities and key concepts, equipment buying guides, and
    practical projects with step-by-step instructions all in language thats
    easy to understand.

    NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features articles
    by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprints, and
    QSO parties.

    QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bimonthly,
    features technical articles, construction projects, columns, and other
    items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

    Free of charge to ARRL members...

    Subscribe
    to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications
    news), the NTS Letter (monthly news about the ARRL National Traffic
    System message-relay network), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts, and much more!

    Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Threads, X, and Instagram.

    The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 51 times each year. ARRL members
    may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile at www.arrl.org/opt-in-out.

    Copyright 2026 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated.
    Use and distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is
    permitted for non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution.
    All other purposes require written permission.

    ARRL

    225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1400

    www.arrl.org 860-594-0200

    2026 - ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio

    --- MBSE BBS v1.1.7.2 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)
  • From ARS KS4TD@1:18/200 to All on Sat Sep 26 20:45:11 2026
    ARRL Letter Issue

    The ARRL Letter for September 17, 2026

    Richard Moseson, W2VU, Editor | September 17, 2026

    In this Issue:

    Contest University Celebrates 100 Years of Yagis

    WRTC 2026 Organizers Honored by FOC

    Get Ready for Jamboree on the Air

    AMSAT Youth Initiative Course

    Amateur Radio in the News

    ARRL Live Events and Podcasts

    Announcements

    In Brief...

    The ARRL Solar Report

    Just Ahead in Radiosport

    Upcoming ARRL Conventions and Major Events

    Contest University Celebrates 100 Years of Yagis

    The Yagi-Uda beam antenna was invented 100 years ago, in 1926, and
    Contest University (CTU) is celebrating its centennial with a live Zoom
    webinar this Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 1600 UTC (noon Eastern).
    The free webinar, titled The Yagi Turns 100, will be presented by Greg
    Ordy, W8WWV, and will be available online at w3lif.org/yagi. Ordy will
    walk through the history of this amazing antenna that has been a
    mainstay of amateur radio DXing and contesting for a century.
    There is no pre-registration for this event.
    Click on the link (above) before 1600 Zulu on Saturday to watch.
    Contest University Chairman Tim Duffy, K3LR, and Scott Jones, N3RA, will
    be monitoring the chat during the presentation and will relay questions
    from viewers to Ordy at the conclusion of his talk.

    Duffy says the webinar will be recorded, and the recorded link will be
    posted on the CTU website
    next week.

    WRTC 2026 Organizers Honored by FOC

    The First Class CW Operators Club (FOC) has awarded its highest honor,
    the Al Slater, G3FXB (SK), Memorial Award, to the World Radiosport Team Championship 2026 (WRTC 2026) Organizing Committee in recognition of its
    work not only in planning and executing last Julys competition, but also
    in its response to allegations of cheating by some participants.

    FOC President John Warburton, G4IRN, said the award recognizes an
    individual, group, or organization whose contribution to amateur radio
    reflects the qualities that Al embodied throughout his life: operating excellence, friendship, encouragement of others, and service to the
    hobby.

    According to a report in The Daily DX, Warburton said FOC determined
    that the WRTC committee demonstrated those qualities on an exceptional
    scale, [creating] an environment that showcases the very highest
    standards of amateur radio operating, rewarding skill, fairness,
    technical competence, and ethical conduct. He added that the judging
    committees careful verification work ensured that these standards were
    upheld and that the results reflected the true performance of those who competed within the rules. This was a reference to the Organizing
    Committees recent announcement that several stations, including the
    original winner, had been disqualified due to rule violations discovered
    after the contest.

    The award was presented at FOCs annual gala dinner on September 12 in
    Cheshire, England.

    Get Ready for Jamboree on the Air

    We've got scouts, we've got a special event call sign, and we'd love as
    many hams as possible near and far to come find us on the air. Thats
    how Sal Mancuso, W6SAL, is promoting Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) 2026 on
    behalf of the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council of Scouting America
    (formerly Boy Scouts of America). JOTA is an annual worldwide event, on
    the air and on the internet (as JOTI), with the goal of promoting
    friendship and global citizenship via amateur radio and the internet.
    This years event will be held from October 16-18, and now is a good time
    for radio clubs and individual hams to reach out to local scout units to
    set up JOTA experiences.

    For Mancuso, it has meant getting a special event call sign K6S and
    setting up a public demonstration station on October 17 for scouts from throughout the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council. The council serves
    10,000 youth across Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz
    counties in California. We'll have approximately seven licensed
    operators of varying license classes (Technician through Extra) on hand, running HF, VHF, and UHF simultaneously, all signing K6S, explains
    Mancuso. Scouts will be hands-on at the mic and keyboard the whole time
    this is their event, not just something they're watching ... We'll be
    active on HF SSB and FT8, with packet possible as well. Planned HF SSB frequencies are 7.090, 14.290, 18.140, and 28.990 MHz, but Mancuso noted
    that We'll also be posting our actual live frequencies on Spotted Hams
    as the day goes, since real-world band conditions may shift our plan a
    bit.

    More information on setting up a JOTA/JOTI operation may be found at www.jotajoti.info. ARRL has resources to assist volunteers who are
    working with scouts, including a flyer promoting Radio Communications
    for Scouts
    (PDF) and the ARRL Radio and Wireless Technology Patch Program. For
    additional ideas, visit www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-and-scouting.

    AMSAT Youth Initiative Course

    An online course titled Satellites and Astronomy is now available as
    part of the AMSAT Youth Initiative programs Satellites in Space Help Us
    Live a Better Life on Earth series. This is the fifth course in the
    series, produced by AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, and
    posted on its youth-focused website, buzzsat.com. AMSAT says the goal of BuzzSat is to encourage youth to pursue careers in aerospace and
    communications by studying science, technology, engineering, art, and
    math (STEAM). Other courses in the series include An Introduction to
    Satellite Meteorology, Satellites and Climate Change, Satellites and
    Pollution Control, and Satellites and Natural Resources.

    Amateur Radio in the News

    Amateur Radio Club event to show interested persons about ham radio /
    The Daily American (Somerset, PA), September 15, 2026 -- Somerset County Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club.

    Its Teletext, But On the Radio / Hackaday, September 1, 2026 --
    Highlights Ceefax Station software by Tobias Franklin, M7TJF, which
    emulates Ceefax teletext service that ran on BBC television from 1974
    until 2012.

    ARRL Live Events and Podcasts

    On the Air LIVE

    Join ARRL Director for Learning and Education Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, for
    the September episode of OTA Live on Tuesday, September 22 at 8 PM
    Eastern, where he will explore an inexpensive and practical way to
    evaluate the performance of your handheld (HT) radio. Using a low-cost
    Software Defined Radio (SDR) dongle, free SDR software, and free audio-
    editing software, Wayne will demonstrate several tests that can help you
    get a better idea of how well your HT is working. While these
    measurements wont replace lab-grade testing, they can reveal useful
    information about your radios performance. Wayne will also demonstrate
    how to use these tools to identify CTCSS tones and DCS codes. The
    livestream will air on the ARRL's learning center, learn.arrl.org. Preregistration is required and can be accomplished through the Learning Center.

    Date: September 22, 2026

    Time: 8 PM Eastern / 5 PM Pacific

    Register Now
    | Previously Recorded Sessions

    Listen to , available every Friday. is a summary of the week's top news stories in the world of amateur radio and ARRL, along with interviews
    and other features. More info
    | Listen on Blubrry
    | Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.

    On the Air

    Sponsored by Icom

    About the New QST Product Review Comparison Tool for ARRL Lab-Tested
    Devices

    Some of the products seen in QST Product Review, including transceivers, receivers, and amplifiers, are tested in the ARRL Lab to see how they
    stack up against the manufacturers claims. Those test results are
    included in the published review to help you make more informed buying
    choices. ARRLs new online interactive Comparison Tool
    for ARRL Lab-Tested Devices makes it even easier to refer to, compare,
    and understand the test results. ARRL Digital RF Engineer John Jobin
    McAuliffe, W1DRF, visits the podcast to talk about what the tool does
    and how to use it to better inform your radio purchases. More info
    | Listen on Blubrry
    | Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.

    Announcements

    ARISS, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
    program, has announced an application deadline of September 30, 2026,
    for schools and other educational groups in the US to schedule an
    amateur radio contact with the International Space Station between
    January 1 and June 30, 2027. Proposals must follow guidelines posted at www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html. Different
    deadlines apply for schools in other parts of the world.

    ARDC, the Amateur Radio Digital Communications foundation, is recruiting volunteers to serve on its teams and committees in 2027. Applications
    are due by October 30, 2026. Seats are open on the groups Grants
    Advisory Committee, Technical Advisory Committee, Grants Evaluation
    Team, Grants Communications Team, and Conduct Review Committee. More information about these opportunities, including eligibility
    requirements, time commitments, and how to apply can be found at: www.ardc.net/volunteer-with-ardc-in-2027.

    Order your certificate at america250.arrl.org

    Order your certificate at america250.arrl.org

    The following America250 W1AW Portable Activations begin 0000z on
    Wednesdays, and end 2359z on Tuesdays (7 days total for each
    activation). See the complete schedule at www.arrl.org/america250-was.
    Review your award progress and order your certificate and endorsements
    at america250.arrl.org.

    09/23/2026 Vermont W1AW/1 (host W1SJ)

    09/30/2026 No activations scheduled

    10/07/2026 New Mexico W1AW/5 (host KA8JMW)

    10/07/2026 South Dakota W1AW/ (host KBBC)

    10/07/2026 Connecticut W1AW/1 (host W8ZY)

    In Brief...

    Watch Duty is a real-time wildfire and flood tracking alert app with
    active reporting in all 50 states. ARRL Idaho Assistant Section Manager
    Dan Marler, K7REX, brought it to our attention, along with a video
    explaining how it works
    thats posted to the RATPAC YouTube channel. (RATPAC is the Radio Amateur Training Planning and Activities Committee.) For more information on the
    free Watch Duty app, visit watchduty.org.

    Russell L. Woirhaye, KVXU, who helped originate the 'CW Pileup'
    competition at the Kansas City DX Club's Dayton hospitality suite,
    became a Silent Key on September 8, 2026, at age 81. Woirhaye was a past president of the Kansas City DX Club and had been a ham for 67 years,
    according to a report in The Daily DX. A longtime DXer, he had 334/348 (current/total) confirmed entities in the ARRL DXCC Mixed standings.

    Open Positions at ARRL

    Come join the headquarters staff of ARRL The National Association for
    Amateur Radio! We are currently seeking qualified applicants for the
    following positions:

    Technical Editor

    RFI Lab Engineer

    Public Relations and Outreach Manager

    Advertising Sales Manager

    Full details may be found on the ARRL HR web page at
    www.arrl.org/careers.

    ARRL is an equal opportunity employer.

    The ARRL Solar Report

    Solar image on September 17, 2026 [Photo courtesy NOAA Space Weather
    Prediction Center]

    Solar image on September 17, 2026 [Photo courtesy NOAA Space Weather
    Prediction Center]

    Solar flare activity is expected to remain at very low levels, with a
    chance for isolated C-class flares through September 19, according to
    NOAAs Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Solar wind speed was
    steady near 530 km/s, and negative polarity CH HSS (coronal hole high-
    speed stream) effects are anticipated to persist through September 18,
    with additional enhancements likely today due to flanking influences
    from CMEs (coronal mass ejections) that departed the Sun on September 13
    and 14. Geomagnetic activity is expected to reach active to G1 (minor)
    storm levels today due to combined CH and CME influences.
    Unsettled to active conditions are likely on September 18-19 as
    enhancements wane.

    The Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre reports that there are currently three numbered sunspot regions on the solar disk, and that all
    three are stable.
    No flares are expected over the next several days.
    The global HF propagation forecast for middle latitudes is normal to
    fair today, followed by normal propagation in the days that follow.

    Predicted 10.7-centimeter radio flux from the SWPC: Sep 17, 93; Sep
    18-19, 90; Sep 20, 95; Sep 21, 100; Sep 22, 110; Sep 23, 105.

    Send your tips, questions, or comments to w2vu@arrl.org.

    For more information concerning radio propagation, visit
    the ARRL Technical Information Service, read
    "What the Numbers Mean...," and check out
    the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.

    A propagation bulletin archive
    is available. For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP
    Online for Ham Radio
    website.

    Share
    your reports and observations.

    Just Ahead in Radiosport

    September 17 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest NA (digital)

    September 17 -- NAQCC CW Sprint (CW)

    September 17 -- BCC QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

    September 17 - 18 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

    September 19 - 21 -- ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest
    (CW, phone, digital)

    September 19 - 20 -- Scandinavian Activity Contest, CW (CW)

    September 19 - 20 -- Iowa QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

    September 19 - 20 -- Texas QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

    September 19 -- QRP Afield (CW, phone, digital)

    September 19 -- Wisconsin Parks on the Air (CW, phone, digital)

    September 19 - 20 -- New Hampshire QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

    September 19 - 20 -- Washington State Salmon Run (CW, phone)

    September 19 -- Feld Hell Sprint (digital)

    September 20 -- North American Sprint, RTTY
    (digital)

    September 20 -- BARTG Sprint PSK63 Contest (digital)

    September 20 -- ARS Flight of the Bumblebees (CW)

    September 20 - 21 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

    September 21 - 22 -- 144 MHz Fall Sprint (CW, phone, digital)

    September 23 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)

    September 26 -- Bill Windle QSO Party (CW)

    September 26 - 27 -- CQ World Wide DX Contest, RTTY (digital)

    September 26 - 27 -- YU DX Contest (CW, phone)

    September 26 - 27 -- Maine QSO Party (CW, phone)

    September 26 - 27 -- AWA Amplitude Modulation QSO Party (phone)

    Remember to visit the ARRL Contest Calendar
    for more events and information.

    Upcoming ARRL Conventions and Major Events

    ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions (next 60 days)

    Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database at www.arrl.org/hamfests
    to find events in your area.

    September 26 | Red River Radio Amateurs Hamfest, hosting the ARRL
    Minnesota State Convention, Moorhead, Minnesota

    October 3 | Third Annual Micro Expo, hosting the ARRL Santa Barbara
    Section Convention, Camarillo, California

    October 3 | Wichita Area Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Kansas Section
    Convention, Wichita, Kansas

    October 9 10 | SPARK-CON 2026, hosting the ARRL Midwest Division
    Convention, Sedalia, Missouri

    October 10 | North Star Radio Convention, hosting the ARRL Dakota
    Division Convention, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

    October 11 | Nutmeg Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Connecticut State
    Convention, Meriden, Connecticut

    October 11 | HamFest, hosting the ARRL Southern New Jersey Section
    Convention, Mullica Hill, New Jersey

    October 16 18 | Pacificon, hosting the ARRL Pacific Division
    Convention, San Ramon, California

    October 24 | ARRL Day in the Park, hosting the ARRL Mississippi Section Convention, Ridgeland, Mississippi.

    October 30 31 | Stone Mountain Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Georgia State Convention, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

    November 7 | Superstition ARC Superfest, hosting the ARRL Arizona State Convention, Mesa, Arizona

    November 14 | Montgomery Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Alabama State
    Convention, Montgomery, Alabama

    Have News for ARRL?

    Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to
    news@arrl.org. -- Richard Moseson, W2VU, ARRL News Editor

    ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

    Join ARRL or renew today!
    No other organization works harder to promote and protect amateur radio. Membership supports benefits, services, programs, and advocacy to help
    you get (and stay) active and on the air. Membership includes access to
    digital editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and
    NCJ.

    Listen to , available every Friday.

    The ARRL Letter is available in an accessible format, posted weekly to
    the Blind-hams Groups.io
    email group. The group is dedicated to discussions about amateur radio
    as it concerns blind hams, plus related topics including ham radio use
    of adaptive technology.

    On the Air. Published bimonthly for newer hams, featuring introductions
    to popular activities and key concepts, equipment buying guides, and
    practical projects with step-by-step instructions all in language thats
    easy to understand.

    NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features articles
    by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprints, and
    QSO parties.

    QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bimonthly,
    features technical articles, construction projects, columns, and other
    items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

    Free of charge to ARRL members...

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    Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Threads, X, and Instagram.

    The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 51 times each year. ARRL members
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    Copyright 2026 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated.
    Use and distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is
    permitted for non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution.
    All other purposes require written permission.

    ARRL

    225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1400

    www.arrl.org 860-594-0200

    2026 - ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio

    --- MBSE BBS v1.1.7.2 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)
  • From ARS KS4TD@1:18/200 to All on Thu Oct 1 19:07:06 2026
    ARRL Letter Issue



    96

    The ARRL Letter for September 24, 2026



    Richard Moseson, W2VU, Editor | September 24, 2026ARRL Homepage

    ARRL Homepage

    In this Issue:FCC and HHS Initiate New Proceedings on RF ExposureMorse
    Code DetectivesRemembering Four Silent KeysWill RADE Be the Next
    SSB?Amateur Radio in the NewsARRL Live Events and
    PodcastsAnnouncementsIn Brief...The ARRL Solar ReportJust Ahead in RadiosportUpcoming ARRL Conventions and Major Events FCC and HHS
    Initiate New Proceedings on RF ExposureARRL is following two new federal proceedings concerning radio frequency (RF) exposure. On September 17,
    2026, the FCC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiated parallel comment periods on RF safety issues. Neither inquiry
    changes the current FCC RF exposure rules that apply to all radio
    amateurs but could lead to changes in later proceedings if the current
    rules are found to be deficient.The FCCs Public Notice is narrowly
    focused on specific RF exposure issues remanded to the Commission in
    2021 by the U.S. Court of Appeals. The Commission emphasizes that it
    will give particular weight to submissions reflecting specialized
    expertise in health and safety matters. The HHS Request for Information
    (see also HHS press release) broadly seeks evidence and information
    concerning the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields
    (EMFs), RF radiation, and wireless technologies. Comments on the HHS
    inquiry are due October 21, with comments on the FCC issues due by
    October 22.The current rules governing RF exposure took effect on May 3,
    2021, and are discussed in the September 2021 and May 2023 issues of
    QST. The ARRL website features additional information, including an RF exposure calculator, the RF Safety section from the 100th Edition of The
    ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications, an explanatory video, FAQs, and
    more. ARRL has made these resources available to everyone in the amateur
    radio community without regard to membership. ARRL urges all licensees
    to stay compliant and safe.

    Morse Code Detectives

    The California Historical Radio Society is teaming up with the Girl
    Scouts of Northern California to offer a series of Junior Detective
    badge workshops focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts
    and Math) topics. The first one, coming up on October 3, will use Morse
    code as the basis for a program on coded communications. According to
    the groups website, Juniors will learn how detectives and investigators
    use coded communication by exploring the history of Morse code and
    creating a custom beaded bracelet or keychain that spells out a secret
    message in dots and dashes. This hands-on activity strengthens
    observation, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills while
    introducing participants to one of historys earliest wireless
    communication systems. Juniors will earn and receive the Detective badge
    in this workshop. Junior Girl Scouts are in grades 4 and 5. The
    California Historical Radio Society is a museum and preservation
    organization focused on radio and broadcasting. The organizations
    Director of Marketing and Partnerships, Michael Toedman, says many of
    the groups 800-plus members are ham radio operators and that the museum includes an active ham shack and club station, W6CF. That is the call
    sign of longtime ARRL Pacific Division Director Jim Maxwell (SK), whose
    wife, Trudy, donated Jims station and library to the society following
    his passing.

    Girl Scout Junior Detective badge [From www.girlscoutshop.com]

    Remembering Four Silent KeysWe are saddened to report this week on the
    passing of four well-known amateurs, including two members of the
    extended ARRL family. Longtime ARRL Rhode Island Section Manager Robert
    George Bob Beaudet, W1YRC, became a Silent Key on September 10, 2026, at
    age 88. An ARRL Life Member, Gold-Level Diamond Club member, and Maxim
    Society member in the President Class, Beaudet served as Rhode Island
    Section Manager from 2002 to 2023. In 2020, the ARRL Board of Directors recognized his contributions to the Field Organization with the Knight Distinguished Service Award. An ARRL Volunteer Examiner, Bob took part
    in over 340 license exam sessions, and was a long-serving member of the
    DX Advisory Committee. Just a week before his passing, the nursing home
    where hed lived since 2025 reported on Facebook about a carefully-
    organized jailbreak in late July, in which Bob was able to briefly
    return home and once again take to the airwaves as W1YRC, joining a
    Wednesday night net with more than 40 other Rhode Island hams. Current
    Rhode Island Section Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, noted in an email that
    amateur radio in Rhode Island owes a lot to Bob. Read the full
    obituary.Perry T. Green, WY1O, of Winsted, Connecticut, is also now a
    Silent Key. A U.S. Army Veteran, he passed away on September 14, 2026,
    at age 79. Perry was on the ARRL Headquarters staff from 2002 to 2017.
    He was Assistant Manager of the ARRL VEC Department and had served as a
    member of the Question Pool Committee for the National Conference of
    Volunteer Examiner Coordinators. ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM,
    recalled that Perry had a special gift for connecting with people. He
    built lasting personal relationships with many of our Volunteer
    Examiners and customers and ... made people feel welcome and
    appreciated. Somma added that Greens dedication, kindness, and ability
    to connect with others made him a valued colleague and important part of
    the ARRL VEC team. An obituary is available.Charles Uncle Chuck Lee
    Wyrick, N1UC, of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, became a Silent Key on
    September 1, 2026, at age 82. An ARRL member, he was a longtime employee
    of Ham Radio Outlet (HRO), joining the staff there in 1989. He was the
    companys National Operations Manager from 2007 until his retirement in
    2017. According to the HRO website, Wyrick was responsible for bringing
    the company into the 21st century by implementing a networked point-of-
    sale application which connected all HRO stores and allowed sharing of
    sales and inventory control data among all locations. Chuck was also an
    active satellite operator and was a control operator of the AO-27
    satellite. Read the full obituary.Doug Hendricks, KI6DS, passed away on September 18, 2026. A co-founder of the NorCal QRP Club and
    founder/owner of Hendricks QRP Kits, he helped start and fuel the
    popularity of kit-building among QRP (low power) enthusiasts. Hendricks
    was also a long-time master of ceremonies for the OzarkCon QRP
    conference and a regular presenter at Four Days in May, the QRP
    gathering that precedes the Dayton Hamvention each year. Off the ham
    bands, Doug taught science and math, and coached basketball, at Dos
    Palos High School in California, where he was responsible for more than
    300 victories and the schools first-ever league championship. ARRL sends condolences to the families and friends of these four leaders of the
    amateur radio community.

    Bob Beaudet, W1YRC (SK) | 1938 2026 (left). Doug Hendricks, KI6DS (SK)
    | 1947 2026 (right).[Tommy Gober, N5DUX, photo]

    Will RADE Be the Next SSB?Its been a half century since single sideband
    (SSB) supplanted amplitude modulation (AM) as the most popular voice
    mode on HF, due largely to its spectrum efficiency, occupying roughly
    half the bandwidth of an AM signal. Now, theres a new digital voice mode
    from FreeDV called Radio Autoencoder, or RADE, that occupies half the
    bandwidth of an SSB signal and reportedly provides more natural-sounding speech. According to Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), which
    funded research that advanced RADEs development, FreeDV RADE combines
    machine learning with classical digital signal processing (DSP) and can
    operate at signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) as low as -2 dB. Its design
    also addresses spectrum use, speech quality, and power efficiency, all important considerations for voice communications over HF.Most
    significantly, ARDC reports that manufacturers are beginning to
    integrate the mode directly into their radios, starting with a module
    that can be downloaded and installed on certain FlexRadio models. Users
    of other transceivers may run the mode through computers connected to
    their radios. More details are available from FreeDV and on the ARDC
    website.

    Caption: The FreeDV RADE digital voice signal occupies only 1.5 kHz,
    half the bandwidth of an SSB signal. [Image from FreeDV.org]

    Amateur Radio in the NewsRadio enthusiasts gather for 68th annual
    Midwest Superfest / Central Illinois proud.com (WMBD-TV), September 20,
    2026 -- Peoria Area Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club.The 28.6-kilogram amateur-radio satellite AO-7 went silent in mid-1981 after
    its batteries shorted. Then, on 21 June 200221 years laterBritish radio
    ham Pat Gowen heard it transmitting again / Space Daily, September 17,
    2026 Mission Notes column.Concord Historical Society to host local ham
    radio operators /Springville Journal (Springville, NY), September 17,
    2026 -- Southtowns Amateur Radio Society, WB2ELW.Beauregard Parish E911 Partners With Beauregard Amateur Radio Group / West Centrals Best
    (Leesville, LA), September 17, 2026 -- Beauregard Amateur Radio
    Group.Pakistans amateur radios are tuned in for the apocalypse / Dawn
    (Karachi, Pakistan), August 26, 2026 -- Pakistan Amateur Radio Society
    is an IARU Member Society.

    ARRL Live Events and PodcastsOn the Air LIVE Contesting for the
    Beginning Radio Amateur Join Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, ARRL Director of
    Education and Learning, for the October episode of On the Air Live on
    Tuesday, October 27, at 8 PM Eastern. Wayne will introduce the fun and
    benefits of amateur radio contesting, with a special focus on how newly licensed hams can get started.Contesting is more than chasing points and
    making contacts. Its a great way to improve your operating skills, gain confidence on the air, learn about propagation, and become a more
    effective operatorall while having a lot of fun. Whether youre
    interested in casual operating, awards, emergency communications, DXing,
    or eventually competing in major contests, contesting can help sharpen
    skills that carry across the hobby. The livestream will air on the ARRL Learning Center, learn.arrl.org. Preregistration is required and can be accomplished through the Learning Center. Date: October 27, 2026 Time:
    8 PM Eastern / 5 PM Pacific Register Now | Previously Recorded
    SessionsListen to , available every Friday. is a summary of the week's
    top news stories in the world of amateur radio and ARRL, along with
    interviews and other features. More info | Listen on Blubrry | Also
    available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.On the AirSponsored by IcomAbout
    the New QST Product Review Comparison Tool for ARRL Lab-Tested
    DevicesSome of the products seen in QST Product Review, including transceivers, receivers, and amplifiers, are tested in the ARRL Lab to
    see how they stack up against the manufacturers claims. Those test
    results are included in the published review to help you make more
    informed buying choices. ARRLs new online interactive Comparison Tool
    for ARRL Lab-Tested Devices makes it even easier to refer to, compare,
    and understand the test results. ARRL Digital RF Engineer John Jobin McAuliffe, W1DRF, visits the podcast to talk about what the tool does
    and how to use it to better inform your radio purchases. More info |
    Listen on Blubrry | Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.

    AnnouncementsThe following America250 W1AW Portable Activations begin
    0000z on Wednesdays, and end 2359z on Tuesdays (7 days total for each activation). See the complete schedule at www.arrl.org/america250-was.
    Review your award progress and order your certificate and endorsements
    at america250.arrl.org. 09/30/2026 No activations scheduled10/07/2026
    New Mexico W1AW/5 (host KA8JMW)10/07/2026 South Dakota W1AW/ (host KBBC)10/07/2026 Connecticut W1AW/1 (host W8ZY)10/14/2026 California
    W1AW/6 (host NZ6Q)10/14/2026 Georgia W1AW/4 (host AF4DN)10/14/2026
    Missouri W1AW/ (host NAX)

    In Brief...ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, was a guest on episode 103 of
    The DX Mentor, which aired September 19, 2026. Hosted by Bill Salyers,
    AJ8B, with Joe Pater, W8GEX, the discussion covered highlights from the
    ARRL Board of Directors annual Second Meeting, held July 17; the
    International Amateur Radio Union (IARU); the August ARRL National
    Convention hosted by the Huntsville Hamfest, and recent support from
    major donors. Minster also answered questions submitted by listeners and viewers. The DX Mentor podcast is available on many major platforms, and
    the video interview is available on YouTube at youtu.be/Sd1Rt092BM8.ARRL
    Oregon Section Manager Scott Rosenfeld, N7JI, reports that hams in his
    Section were very busy making Oregon-based special event QSOs this
    summer, making more than 12,000 contacts from multiple operations.
    W1AW/7 accounted for 3,800 QSOs in its first week and 3,270 contacts in
    its second; the Lewis and Clark Trail special event logged 3,309
    contacts over 16 days; W7O had 1,285 QSOs in 12 days of operation at the
    Oregon State Fair, and W7S at the Springfield Block Party rounded things
    out with 74 contacts in just 4 hours on the air. An ARES/RACES team in
    Texas was called out to help with communications following an apparent
    carbon monoxide incident at a local middle school on August 27. Team
    member Liz Brown, K5EMB, reports the schools roughly 1200 students were evacuated to a nearby stadium. Staff members found it difficult to
    communicate from one side of the facility to the other, so the citys
    Emergency Management Coordinator requested help from the Carrollton-
    Farmers Branch-Addison ARES/RACES group. While the communications
    problems were quickly resolved, the hams were asked to remain and shadow certain school officials until all students and parents were reunited
    about 4 hours later.The Trilogy Amateur Radio Club in Bonney Lake,
    Washington, has a new repeater in service that is dedicated to use by
    the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) during exercises and
    emergencies. At other times, it is open for general amateur use. The
    repeater was funded largely by a grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) and installed in cooperation with the Bonney Lake
    Fire Department. It is located inside a fire station and its antenna is
    on the station roof at a height of roughly 800 feet above sea level,
    providing broad coverage of the East Pierce County area. Open Positions
    at ARRLCome join the headquarters staff of ARRL The National Association
    for Amateur Radio! We are currently seeking qualified applicants for the following positions:Technical EditorRFI Lab EngineerPublic Relations and Outreach ManagerAdvertising Sales ManagerFull details may be found on
    the ARRL HR web page at www.arrl.org/careers.ARRL is an equal
    opportunity employer. The ARRL Solar ReportSolar activity is likely
    to continue at low levels with isolated to occasional C-class flare
    activity, along with a slight chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) M-class
    flare events, through September 25, according to NOAAs Space Weather
    Prediction Center. The SWPC reports that nine sunspot regions are on the visible disk, including a new Region 4541. There were three solar flares observed in the past week, none of which was directed toward Earth.A
    disturbed solar wind environment was expected to arrive late yesterday, followed by positive polarity coronal hole high-speed stream (+CH HSS) influences continuing through September 25.Unsettled to active
    geomagnetic field conditions levels are expected as of today under early
    +CH HSS effects, including isolated periods of G1 (Minor) geomagnetic
    storming today and tomorrow.The Australian Space Weather Forecasting
    Centres global HF propagation forecast for middle latitudes is for mild degradation today due to forecast geomagnetic activity, followed by
    normal propagation in the days that follow. We are currently in a period
    of equinoctial propagation, during which conditions are relatively
    uniform around the world.Predicted 10.7-centimeter radio flux from the
    SWPC: Sep 24, 100; Sep 25-26, 105; Sep 27, 100; Sep 28, 105; Sep 29,
    110; Sep 30-Oct 1, 115.Send your tips, questions, or comments to w2vu@arrl.org.For more information concerning radio propagation, visit
    the ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...,"
    and check out the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.A
    propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable propagation
    charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.Share your reports
    and observations.

    Solar image on September 24, 2026 [Photo courtesy NOAA Space Weather
    Prediction Center]

    Just Ahead in Radiosport September 26 - 27 -- CQ World Wide DX
    Contest, RTTY (digital) September 26 - 27 -- YU DX Contest (CW,
    phone) September 26 - 27 -- Maine QSO Party (CW, phone)
    September 26 - 27 -- AWA Amplitude Modulation QSO Party (phone)
    October 1 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest - NA (digital) October 1
    - 2 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW) October 2 -- URC DX RTTY Contest (digital) October 3 -- German Telegraphy Contest (CW)
    October 3 -- 50 MHz Fall Sprint (CW, phone, digital) October 3 - 4
    -- Collegiate QSO Party (CW, phone, digital) October 3 - 4 --
    Russian WW Digital Contest (digital) October 3 - 4 -- International
    HELL Contest (digital) October 3 - 4 -- California QSO Party (CW,
    phone) October 4 -- UBA ON Contest, SSB (phone) October 4 --
    Peanut Power QRP Sprint (CW, phone)Remember to visit the ARRL Contest
    Calendar for more events and information.

    Upcoming ARRL Conventions and Major EventsARRL Section, State, and
    Division Conventions (next 60 days)Search the ARRL Hamfest and
    Convention Database at www.arrl.org/hamfests to find events in your
    area. September 26 | Red River Radio Amateurs Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Minnesota State Convention, Moorhead, MinnesotaOctober 3 | Third Annual
    Micro Expo, hosting the ARRL Santa Barbara Section Convention,
    Camarillo, California October 3 | Wichita Area Hamfest, hosting the ARRL
    Kansas Section Convention, Wichita, KansasOctober 3 | Rock Hill Hamfest, hosting the ARRL South Carolina Section Convention, Rock Hill, South CarolinaOctober 9 10 | SPARK-CON 2026, hosting the ARRL Midwest
    Division Convention, Sedalia, MissouriOctober 10 | North Star Radio
    Convention, hosting the ARRL Dakota Division Convention, Brooklyn Park, MinnesotaOctober 11 | Nutmeg Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Connecticut State Convention, Meriden, ConnecticutOctober 11 | HamFest, hosting the ARRL
    Southern New Jersey Section Convention, Mullica Hill, New JerseyOctober
    16 18 | Pacificon, hosting the ARRL Pacific Division Convention, San
    Ramon, CaliforniaOctober 24 | ARRL Day in the Park, hosting the ARRL Mississippi Section Convention, Ridgeland, Mississippi.October 30 31 |
    Stone Mountain Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Georgia State Convention, Lawrenceville, Georgia.November 7 | Superstition ARC Superfest, hosting
    the ARRL Arizona State Convention, Mesa, ArizonaNovember 14 | Montgomery Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Alabama State Convention, Montgomery, Alabama

    Have News for ARRL?Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be
    sent to news@arrl.org. -- Richard Moseson, W2VU, ARRL News EditorARRL --
    Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and InformationJoin ARRL
    or renew today! No other organization works harder to promote and
    protect amateur radio. Membership supports benefits, services, programs,
    and advocacy to help you get (and stay) active and on the air.
    Membership includes access to digital editions of all four ARRL
    magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.Listen to , available every
    Friday.The ARRL Letter is available in an accessible format, posted
    weekly to the Blind-hams Groups.io email group. The group is dedicated
    to discussions about amateur radio as it concerns blind hams, plus
    related topics including ham radio use of adaptive technology.On the
    Air. Published bimonthly for newer hams, featuring introductions to
    popular activities and key concepts, equipment buying guides, and
    practical projects with step-by-step instructions all in language thats
    easy to understand.NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores,
    NA Sprints, and QSO parties. QEX -- A Forum for Communications
    Experimenters. Published bimonthly, features technical articles,
    construction projects, columns, and other items of interest to radio
    amateurs and communications professionals. Free of charge to ARRL members...Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and
    emergency communications news), the NTS Letter (monthly news about the
    ARRL National Traffic System message-relay network), the ARRL Contest
    Update (biweekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts,
    and much more! Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Threads, X, and
    Instagram. The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 51 times each year.
    ARRL members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their
    profile at www.arrl.org/opt-in-out.Copyright 2026 American Radio Relay
    League, Incorporated. Use and distribution of this publication, or any
    portion thereof, is permitted for non-commercial or educational
    purposes, with attribution. All other purposes require written
    permission.

    Our mailing address is:Copyright (C) 2026 ARRL. All rights reserved.To
    update your newsletter preferences, visit www.arrl.org/opt-in-out.

    --- MBSE BBS v1.1.7.2 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)
  • From ARS KS4TD@1:18/200 to All on Thu Oct 8 19:07:06 2026
    ARRL Letter Issue



    96

    The ARRL Letter for October 1, 2026



    Richard Moseson, W2VU, Editor | October 1, 2026ARRL Homepage

    ARRL Homepage

    In this Issue:Year of the Club ... Special Delivery to 7Q (Malawi)Year
    of the Club ... Keep on Truckin Ukrainian/Polish Radio Club Celebrates Centennial2026 Collegiate QSO Party is October 3 4Amateur Radio in the NewsARRL Live Events and PodcastsAnnouncementsIn Brief...The ARRL Solar ReportJust Ahead in RadiosportUpcoming ARRL Conventions and Major
    EventsGetting it RightYear of the Club ... Special Delivery to 7Q
    (Malawi)Its ARRLs Year of the Club, and several radio clubs are helping
    to build up amateur radio some 8,000 miles away in the African nation of Malawi. One of them is the New Providence Amateur Radio Club (NPARC), an
    ARRL Affiliated Club in New Jersey, which contributed one very full
    pickup truck with antennas, coax, test instruments, and tools to a
    shipping container packed with gear heading to the Jeffrey Dahn Memorial Foundation in Embangweni, Malawi. The foundation is run by Don Jones,
    7Q6M, and according to its website, its purpose is to help encourage
    interest and skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)
    fields through the hands-on discipline of amateur radio.NPARCs
    relationship with this program goes back to a random QSO a few years ago between 7Q6M and NPARC activities director Sam Sealy, KC2OSR. Dons QSL
    card piqued Sams interest, since the club had a large collection of
    surplus equipment that had been donated by families of Silent Keys.
    Making contact off-air, Don told Sam hed take whatever they could spare.
    That resulted in the clubs first shipment of 140 pounds of gear destined
    for Malawi. The club has recently been collecting more items, including
    two Hamtek oscilloscopes it purchased for use at the foundations
    technical school in Embangweni, the Jeffrey Dahn Learning Center. The newly-gathered gear from NPARC and other clubs is about to begin its
    journey across the Atlantic, as Don told the club this week that hed
    received a shipping container in which to pack all of the equipment
    headed for its new home.

    New Providence Amateur Radio Club Activities Director Sam Sealy, KC2OSR
    (left), presents Don Jones, 7Q6M (right), with one of two new
    oscilloscopes purchased by the club for technical education in Malawi.
    [Photo by Al Hanzl, K2AL]

    Year of the Club ... Keep on TruckinOne way to introduce people to
    amateur radio is to link it with other interests and activities. The
    Keystone Truck & Tractor Museum in Colonial Heights, Virginia, already
    has a ham station as part of its permanent exhibit, and this summer,
    volunteers from six area radio clubs joined museum volunteers to present
    a Radio Day, during which visitors not only learned about radio history,
    but were introduced to modern-day amateur radio.The museums exhibit is
    built around the extensive antique radio collection of John DeMajo,
    K5HTZ (SK). His daughter, Kathleen DeMajo Adams, now holds that call
    sign and is known around the museum as The Radio Lady. She explained how
    his collection fit in with the trucks and tractors. There were several institutions interested in my dads radio collection, she said, but
    ultimately it was the character of the people at Keystone that made it
    feel like the right home for it. They value American ingenuity,
    mechanical knowledge, preservation, and keeping old technology alive and working rather than simply displaying it. I felt very strongly that my
    dad would have respected that.Adams said Radio Day demonstrated that
    radio history is not something locked behind glass, but rather an
    experience that can still be heard, touched, and explored. She also
    pointed out that radio continues to be very important to farmers while
    working in the fields. And truckers, of course, rely heavily on radio
    while on the road.At the August 8 event, Adams explained, visitors tried
    Morse code, studied antique equipment, watched live amateur radio demonstrations and learned how radio supports emergency communication.
    Children followed a scavenger hunt, designed imaginary antennas and
    discovered that signals are moving invisibly around us all the time. Participating clubs included the Richmond Amateur Radio Club, Richmond
    Amateur Telecommunications Society, and Powhatan Area Radio Club all
    ARRL Affiliated Clubs plus the Hanover Virginia Amateur Radio Club,
    Lower Appomattox Regional Radio Club, and the Central Virginia 6 Meter
    Group.

    A 1950s vintage ham station is the heart of the permanent radio exhibit
    at the Keystone Truck & Tractor Museum in Colonial Heights, Virginia.
    [Photo by Kathleen DeMajo Adams, K5HTZ]

    Ukrainian/Polish Radio Club Celebrates CentennialThe Lviv Shortwave Club (Lwowski Klub Krotkofalowcow, or LKK), known as the cradle of Polish
    amateur radio, is celebrating its centennial in 2026 with special
    anniversary call signs and commemorative certificates, as well as a
    ceremonial meeting taking place later this month. If you look at a map
    of Europe, youll see that the city of Lviv is actually in Ukraine, and
    the club is based there as well. But before the border changes that
    occurred at the end of World War II, Lviv was in Poland, and in its
    early days according to a club history provided by Nikolai
    Magnushevsky, UR5WHT, and Rich Assarabowski, K1CC LKK represented
    Polish amateurs in the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) until
    the formation of the PZK, the Polish Amateur Radio Union, in 1930. The
    club also published its own magazine between 1928 and 1939, provided
    equipment for a scientific expedition in the Carpathian Mountains in
    1930 and was active in emergency communications as well. LKK was also
    the original administrator of what is today the SP DX Contest.After
    World War II, Lviv found itself in Ukraine, but LKKs membership
    stretched across both sides of the border, and continues to do so today.
    That is reflected in the special call signs you may encounter on the
    air, Ukrainian calls EN1WLKK, EN1WQ, EM1W, EN1W, and EM1WD, as well as
    Polish calls 3Z1LKK, HF1LKK, SN1LKK, SO1LKK, SPLKK, SP1LKK, and SQ1LKK.
    Details on the commemorative certificates are at
    https://radiodyplom.pl/ses/282 (Youll need to use your browsers
    translation service to read it in English). The culmination of the
    anniversary celebrations will be a ceremonial meeting which will take
    place in the main hall of the Lviv Polytechnic National University, the
    largest university in Ukraine, as part of the International Conference
    on Advanced Trends in Radioelectronics and Infocommunications
    (ATRIC-2026) on October 15-17, 2026. In an acknowledgement of the
    ongoing hostilities between Ukraine and Russia, it is noted by UR5WHT
    and K1CC that the hall is equipped with a bomb shelter, which allows the ceremony to proceed safely even in the event of an air raid alert.

    2026 Collegiate QSO Party is October 3 4Get ready to contact college
    and university radio clubs during this weekends Collegiate QSO Party,
    0000 UTC October 3 through 2359 UTC October 4 (Friday evening through
    Sunday in the US). Students, faculty, staff, and alumni will be on the
    air using the call sign of a college, university, or other post-
    secondary academic institution. Look for stations on CW, phone, and
    digital modes on any band except 12, 17, 30, and 60 meters. The exchange
    is call sign, US state, Canadian province, or DX, and signal report.
    Points are scored for each mode and band worked.Theres another reason to
    work these college radio clubs. Many are ARRL Affiliated Clubs and can
    count toward the Affiliated Clubs endorsement for the ARRL America250
    Worked All States Award, provided the club uploads its QSOs to Logbook
    of The World (LoTW).Schools interested in participating should register
    now. Visit the Collegiate QSO Party website for registration details and operating information. Among the registered schools so far are Bursa
    Uludag University, Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University,
    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Indiana University, Kansas State University, Lehigh University, Michigan State University, Milwaukee
    School of Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology,
    New York University, North Carolina State University, Purdue University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology,
    The Ohio State University, University of NebraskaLincoln, University of WisconsinStout, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.Visit the ARRL
    Collegiate Amateur Radio Program at www.arrl.org/WeWantU for other ways
    to support and promote amateur radio among students and ham radio clubs
    at colleges and universities.Amateur Radio in the NewsGadsden Hamfest
    draws amateur radio enthusiasts / Gadsden Messenger (Gadsden, AL),
    September 25, 2026 -- Gadsden Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated ClubAmateur radio provides communications for MICL / The Garrett County Republican (Clarksburg, WV), September 24, 2026 -- Garrett County
    Amateur Radio Emergency ServicePi Pico Recreates the Heathkit Pocket
    Packet / Hackaday (Online), September 25, 2026Youth needed to ensure
    future PNW ham radio emergency coverage / Oregon Public Broadcasting
    (Portland, OR), July 11, 2026 -- Clark County Amateur Radio Club is an
    ARRL Special Service Club

    ARRL Live Events and PodcastsOn the Air LIVE Contesting for the
    Beginning Radio Amateur Join Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, ARRL Director of
    Education and Learning, for the October episode of On the Air Live on
    Tuesday, October 27, at 8 PM Eastern. Wayne will introduce the fun and
    benefits of amateur radio contesting, with a special focus on how newly- licensed hams can get started.Contesting is more than chasing points and
    making contacts. Its a great way to improve your operating skills, gain confidence on the air, learn about propagation, and become a more
    effective operatorall while having a lot of fun. Whether youre
    interested in casual operating, awards, emergency communications, DXing,
    or eventually competing in major contests, contesting can help sharpen
    skills that carry across the hobby. The livestream will air on the
    ARRL's learning center, learn.arrl.org. Preregistration is required and
    can be accomplished through the Learning Center. Date: October 27, 2026
    Time: 8 PM Eastern / 5 PM Pacific Register Now | Previously Recorded SessionsListen to , available every Friday. is a summary of the week's
    top news stories in the world of amateur radio and ARRL, along with
    interviews and other features. More info | Listen on Blubrry | Also
    available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.On the AirSponsored by IcomAbout
    the New QST Product Review Comparison Tool for ARRL Lab-Tested
    DevicesSome of the products seen in QST Product Review, including transceivers, receivers, and amplifiers, are tested in the ARRL Lab to
    see how they stack up against the manufacturers claims. Those test
    results are included in the published review to help you make more
    informed buying choices. ARRLs new online interactive Comparison Tool
    for ARRL Lab-Tested Devices makes it even easier to refer to, compare,
    and understand the test results. ARRL Digital RF Engineer John Jobin McAuliffe, W1DRF, visits the podcast to talk about what the tool does
    and how to use it to better inform your radio purchases. More info |
    Listen on Blubrry | Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.

    AnnouncementsThe following America250 W1AW Portable Activations begin
    0000z on Wednesdays, and end 2359z on Tuesdays (7 days total for each activation). See the complete schedule at www.arrl.org/america250-was.
    Review your award progress and order your certificate and endorsements
    at america250.arrl.org. 09/30/2026 No activations scheduled10/07/2026
    New Mexico W1AW/5 (host KA8JMW)10/07/2026 South Dakota W1AW/ (host KBBC)10/07/2026 Connecticut W1AW/1 (host W8ZY)10/14/2026 California
    W1AW/6 (host NZ6Q)10/14/2026 Georgia W1AW/4 (host AF4DN)10/14/2026
    Missouri W1AW/ (host NAX)Look for college and university radio clubs
    this weekend during the 2026 Collegiate QSO Party, Oct. 3-4. Many are
    ARRL Affiliated Clubs, and contacts with these stations confirmed via
    Logbook of The World (LoTW) may count toward the Affiliated Club
    endorsement for the America250 WAS Award.

    In Brief...Peter Nowinski, W3LIX, of Greencastle, Pennsylvania, was
    honored by the Antietam Radio Association and the family of Steve
    Struharik, WA8EIH (SK), of Myersville, Maryland, for his response to
    events that led to the discovery of Steves sudden passing on May 27,
    2026. According to the clubs Activities Manager, Joe Maguire, WA1ZZQ,
    Stuharik was net control of the groups weekly Four-States Net when he
    suddenly stopped responding to check-ins. After repeated calls on the
    radio and to his cellphone went unanswered, the local sheriffs office
    was asked to make a welfare check. That was delayed due to other calls,
    so Nowinski drove 45 minutes to Stuhariks home to check on him. He
    arrived at the same time as the sheriffs deputy. Steves wife, Jean,
    answered the door, having no idea there might be a problem. Maguire said
    that Peter and the deputy went to Steves shack and discovered that he
    had passed away in his chair. Through his incredible compassion and selflessness, Peter was there in Steves familys hour of need, said
    Maguire, adding that Steves family had a Special Service Award plaque
    made for Peter, which was presented at the clubs August meeting. The
    Antietam Radio Association is an ARRL Affiliated Club.Beware of email
    scams! ARRL reminds members to be very careful about responding to
    emails that dont look right, even if they appear to be from a known
    sender. Weve received several reports recently from members who received
    emails claiming to be from ARRL that contain only a link, button, or
    some other suspicious element. A closer look at these messages and the
    From field will show a non-ARRL address as the originating station, to
    borrow a phrase from message-handling. These are likely phishing
    messages designed to get you to click or respond in an attempt to steal personal information or plant malware in your computer, or spam messages
    trying to separate you from your cash. If something doesnt look right in
    (any) email youre not expecting, delete it, or contact the person or organization it claims to be from using a new message or another trusted
    method to ask whether its legit.Open Positions at ARRLCome join the headquarters staff of ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio!
    We are currently seeking qualified applicants for the following positions:Technical EditorRFI Lab EngineerPublic Relations and Outreach ManagerAdvertising Sales ManagerFull details may be found on the ARRL HR
    web page at www.arrl.org/careers.ARRL is an equal opportunity employer.

    The ARRL Solar ReportSolar activity is expected to remain at low levels
    in the coming days, according to NOAAs Space Weather Prediction Center,
    with a slight chance of a minor to moderate solar flare (coronal mass
    ejection, or CME). One CME observed on September 28 may cause the Earths geomagnetic field to reach minor storm levels on October 2. Another
    flare observed on September 30 is expected to deliver a weak glancing
    blow to Earth on October 4.Australias Space Weather Forecasting Centre
    predicts normal to normal-fair HF propagation in the middle latitudes in
    coming days, with the degradation due to anticipated geomagnetic
    activity.The W3LPL Propagation Forecast from the Daily DX suggests that
    the low bands are your best bet for DXing right now, as the sunspot
    cycle continues to decline, although 20 meters still offers good DX opportunities. Long-distance propagation on 10 and 12 meters is
    generally poor, with good openings on 17 and 15 meters when the solar
    flux index is 100 or higher (its currently hovering right around 100;
    see below). Good DX conditions can be expected on 20 meters throughout
    the day and into the night, says W3LPL, with 30, 40, and 80 meters
    offering excellent DX during hours of darkness. Predicted
    10.7-centimeter solar flux: Oct 1, 105; Oct 2, 100; Oct 3, 95; Oct 4,
    90; Oct 5-6, 91, Oct 7, 92. (Source: NOAA SWPC)Send your tips,
    questions, or comments to w2vu@arrl.org.For more information concerning
    radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service, read
    "What the Numbers Mean...," and check out the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.Share your reports and observations.

    Solar image on October 1, 2026 [Photo courtesy NOAA Space Weather
    Prediction Center]

    Just Ahead in RadiosportOctober 1 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest - NA (digital)October 1 - 2 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)October 2
    -- URC DX RTTY Contest (digital)October 3 - 4 -- Collegiate QSO Party
    (CW, phone, digital)October 3 -- German Telegraphy Contest (CW)October 3
    -- 50 MHz Fall Sprint (CW, phone, digital)October 3 - 4 -- Russian WW
    Digital Contest (digital)October 3 - 4 -- International HELL Contest (digital)October 3 - 4 -- California QSO Party (CW, phone) October 4 --
    UBA ON Contest, SSB (phone)October 4 -- Peanut Power QRP Sprint (CW, phone)October 6 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)October 7 -- UKEICC 80m
    Contest (phone)October 7 - 8 -- 432 MHz Fall Sprint (CW, phone,
    digital)October 8 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest NA (digital)October 10
    -- QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party (CW)October 10 -- 10-10 Intl 10-10 Day Sprint
    (CW, phone, digital)October 10 - 11 -- Makrothen RTTY Contest
    (digital)October 10 - 11 -- Oceania DX Contest, CW (CW)October 10 - 11
    -- Scandinavian Activity Contest, SSB (phone)October 10 - 11 -- SKCC
    Weekend Sprintathon (CW)October 10 - 11 -- Arizona QSO Party (CW,
    phone)October 10 - 11 -- Pennsylvania QSO Party (CW, phone)October 10 -
    11 -- South Dakota QSO Party (CW, phone)October 10 - 11 -- PODXS 070
    Club 160m Great Pumpkin Sprint (digital)October 11 -- UBA ON Contest, CW (CW)October 12 -- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint (CW,
    phone)October 14 -- NAQCC CW Sprint (CW)October 15 -- VHF-UHF FT8
    Activity Contest NA (digital)Remember to visit the ARRL Contest Calendar
    for more events and information.

    Upcoming ARRL Conventions and Major EventsARRL Section, State, and
    Division Conventions (next 60 days)Search the ARRL Hamfest and
    Convention Database at www.arrl.org/hamfests to find events in your
    area. October 3 | Rock Hill Hamfest, hosting the ARRL South Carolina
    Section Convention, Rock Hill, South CarolinaOctober 3 | Third Annual
    Micro Expo, hosting the ARRL Santa Barbara Section Convention,
    Camarillo, California October 3 | Wichita Area Hamfest, hosting the ARRL
    Kansas Section Convention, Wichita, Kansas October 9 10 | SPARK-CON
    2026, hosting the ARRL Midwest Division Convention, Sedalia, Missouri
    October 10 | North Star Radio Convention, hosting the ARRL Dakota
    Division Convention, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota October 11 | Nutmeg
    Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Connecticut State Convention, Meriden,
    Connecticut October 11 | HamFest, hosting the ARRL Southern New Jersey
    Section Convention, Mullica Hill, New Jersey October 16 18 | Pacificon, hosting the ARRL Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, California
    October 24 | ARRL Day in the Park, hosting the ARRL Mississippi Section Convention, Ridgeland, Mississippi. October 30 31 | Stone Mountain
    Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Georgia State Convention, Lawrenceville,
    Georgia. November 7 | Superstition ARC Superfest, hosting the ARRL
    Arizona State Convention, Mesa, Arizona November 14 | Montgomery
    Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Alabama State Convention, Montgomery, Alabama

    Getting it RightA story in last weeks ARRL Letter (September 24, 2026) incorrectly identified the agency that cooperated with the Trilogy
    Amateur Radio Club on installation of its new repeater in Bonney Lake, Washington. The agency is East Pierce Fire & Rescue, not the Bonney Lake
    Fire Department. East Pierce serves the communities living in and around
    Bonney Lake, Sumner, Lake Tapps, the Ridge Communities, South Prairie,
    Tehaleh, Edgewood, and Milton.Have News for ARRL?Submissions for the
    ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to news@arrl.org. -- Richard
    Moseson, W2VU, ARRL News EditorARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for
    Amateur Radio News and InformationJoin ARRL or renew today! No other organization works harder to promote and protect amateur radio.
    Membership supports benefits, services, programs, and advocacy to help
    you get (and stay) active and on the air. Membership includes access to
    digital editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.Listen to , available every Friday.The ARRL Letter is available in
    an accessible format, posted weekly to the Blind-hams Groups.io email
    group. The group is dedicated to discussions about amateur radio as it
    concerns blind hams, plus related topics including ham radio use of
    adaptive technology.On the Air. Published bimonthly for newer hams,
    featuring introductions to popular activities and key concepts,
    equipment buying guides, and practical projects with step-by-step
    instructions all in language thats easy to understand.NCJ -- National
    Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features articles by top
    contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprints, and QSO
    parties. QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published
    bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns,
    and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications
    professionals. Free of charge to ARRL members...Subscribe to the ARES
    Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the
    NTS Letter (monthly news about the ARRL National Traffic System message-
    relay network), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest newsletter),
    Division and Section news alerts, and much more! Find ARRL on Facebook!
    Follow us on Threads, X, and Instagram. The ARRL Letter is published on Thursdays, 51 times each year. ARRL members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile at www.arrl.org/opt-in-
    out.Copyright 2026 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted
    for non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other purposes require written permission.

    Copyright 2026 ARRL. All rights reserved.To update your newsletter preferences, visit www.arrl.org/opt-in-out.

    --- MBSE BBS v1.1.7.2 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)
  • From Mortar M.@1:124/5016 to ARS KS4TD on Sat Oct 10 11:39:56 2026
    Re: The ARRL Letter
    By: ARS KS4TD to All on Thu Oct 08 2026 19:07:06

    Anyway to reformat these into more readable posts?
    --- SBBSecho 3.38-Linux
    * Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)
  • From Sean Dennis@1:18/200 to Mortar M. on Sat Oct 10 15:29:37 2026
    Mortar M. wrote to ARS KS4TD:

    Anyway to reformat these into more readable posts?

    Yes, it's been on my to-do list but I have just been busy as of late and haven't been able to sit down to fix it. I'll disable that script in my
    cron and try to get it fixed this week. I thought I'd fixed it before but I think the Python script may be doing too good of a job...

    -- Sean

    --- MBSE BBS v1.1.7.2 (Linux-x86_64)
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)
  • From ARS KS4TD@1:18/200 to All on Thu Oct 15 19:07:07 2026
    ARRL Letter Issue



    96

    The ARRL Letter for October 8, 2026



    Richard Moseson, W2VU, Editor | October 8, 2026

    ARRL Homepage

    ARRL Homepage

    In this Issue:

    Gulf Coast Prepares for Isaias

    WRTC 2022 Results Re-Scored; New Winner Announced

    Radio Scouting Beyond JOTA

    Discovering Ham Radio Via Moonbounce

    2026 ARRL Online Auction

    Amateur Radio in the News

    ARRL Live Events and Podcasts

    Announcements

    In Brief...

    The ARRL Solar Report

    Just Ahead in Radiosport

    Upcoming ARRL Conventions and Major Events

    Gulf Coast Prepares for Isaias

    Hurricane Isaias the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season is
    headed for the Florida panhandle and up into Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The National Hurricane Center says landfall is anticipated
    late Friday night into Saturday morning, bringing areas of heavy
    rainfall to the central US Gulf coast and much of the Southeast Friday
    into the weekend. Flash and urban flooding, along with isolated river
    flooding, will be possible.

    ARRL North Florida Section Emergency Coordinator Arc Thames, W4CPD, asks
    all amateurs to please give priority to any nets or emergency traffic
    related to this storm. HF frequencies planned for net use include 3750
    or 3985 kHz LSB on 75 meters; 7240 or 7290 kHz LSB on 40 meters, as well
    as 14300, 18160 and 21360 kHz USB if needed. In addition, the Hurricane
    Watch Net (HWN) currently plans to activate at 1230 UTC Friday,
    operating on both 14325 kHz and 7268 kHz, due to poor propagation on 20
    meters. Also follow the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC, the amateur radio station at the National Hurricane Center, which will be activated and monitoring the nets. See ARRL News for updates.

    The predicted path for Hurricane Isaias as of October 8, 2026. [Image
    courtesy National Hurricane Center]

    WRTC 2022 Results Re-Scored; New Winner Announced

    The World Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC) Sanctioning Committee has announced that the original winner of the 2022 competition (actually
    held in 2023 due to Covid restrictions) has been disqualified in an
    expanded investigation into cheating. When a pattern of cheating by
    certain stations in the 2026 WRTC was discovered and analyzed in depth
    by the Judging Committee (see ARRL Letter 9/3/2026), it was determined
    that a similar cheating pattern appeared to have taken place in 2023 as
    well. A further analysis of the 2023 logs confirmed this, according to
    the Sanctioning Committee, which announced that original winner I44W
    (operators UW7LL and VE3DZ) and 9th place finisher I43Z (ops RW7K and
    RA9P) had been disqualified as a result. In the revised results, the new
    winner is I43C (ops DJ5MW and DL1IAO), with I49D (ops 9A7DX and 9A3LG)
    in 2nd place and I47M (ops F8DBF and F1AKK) in 3rd.

    The judges determined that the operators of the two disqualified teams
    had their identities deliberately revealed through pre-contest frequency handoffs, violating a rule intended to prevent competitors from being identified to outside stations. The committee also found that outside
    stations used 21 pirated call signs to make fraudulent multiplier-
    enhancing contacts, with the activity disproportionately benefiting I44W
    and I43Z. Contacts with the pirated call signs were removed from all
    WRTC logs without penalty. It was noted by Sanctioning Committee Chair
    Tine Brajnik, S50A, that (t)he 2023 Judging Committee adjudicated the
    logs with the tools and time available to it and could not have seen
    this pattern. It became visible only when the 2026 Judging Committee
    developed methods to find the same scheme in 2026 and then applied them
    to the 2023 logs. Complete details and full revised scores are posted on
    the WRTC website.

    Radio Scouting Beyond JOTA

    Radio scouting activity is perking up with this years Jamboree on the
    Air (JOTA) just over a week away, on October 17 and 18. But in some
    areas, radio scouting is an ongoing activity. The Dan Beard Council
    Radio Scouting Committee, which works with Scout troops in greater
    Cincinnati, Ohio, and northern Kentucky, reports that it held a Morse
    code challenge in May for scouts heading to the National Jamboree, and
    that members of the Northern Kentucky Amateur Radio Club an ARRL
    Special Service Club put a station on the air from one of the councils
    summer camps for five consecutive Wednesday nights, with 87 Scouts
    operating and making contacts. In addition, says coordinator Shawn
    Grubbs, KE8BBC, the West Chester Amateur Radio Association, WC8VOA an
    ARRL Affiliated Club will host scouts during JOTA at its station at the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting. Finally, one local
    troop is planning a JOTA campout as the capstone of a three-session
    Radio Merit Badge program for 30 scouts.

    A montage of radio scouting activities from

    the Dan Beard Council, serving parts of Ohio

    and Kentucky. [Photo courtesy of Shawn Grubb, KE8BBC]

    On the west coast, Oregons Portland Amateur Radio Club and Hoodview
    Amateur Radio Club both ARRL Affiliated Clubs joined forces over the
    summer to introduce amateur radio to hundreds of scouts and adult
    leaders attending the Cascade Pacific Councils Camp Meriwether. They
    used a converted TV news van with a telescoping 50-foot pneumatic mast, equipped with multiple radios and antennas, which spent every Wednesday
    over the summer parked on the camps main trail. According to coordinator
    Jim Hill, K7KEY, more than 550 visitors were introduced to amateur radio
    and the volunteers helped 115 Scouts complete the requirements for Radio
    Merit Badge.

    The converted TV news van used by the Portland Amateur Radio Club and
    Hoodview Amateur Radio Club at Scouting USAs Camp Meriwether on the
    Oregon coast, with its 50-foot mast raised and ready for operating.
    [Photo courtesy Jim Hill, K7KEY]

    Discovering Ham Radio Via Moonbounce

    Ham radio demonstrations typically focus on the value of amateur radio
    in emergency communications or the fun of talking around the world
    without relying on wired infrastructure. But Paul Sobon, NOT, takes a
    different approach, introducing the public to amateur radio through one
    of its most esoteric modes, moonbounce. Paul is also an amateur
    astronomer and president of the Deep Space Exploration Society, which is hosting its 11th annual open house this Sunday, October 11, 2026, at its 60-foot radiotelescope located outside Haswell, Colorado. Visitors, says
    the clubs announcement, can hear their own voice bounced off the surface
    of the moon via Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) contacts on 1296 MHz. The
    announcement adds that the societys club station, KPRT, will be on the
    air on HF and VHF, and that optical telescopes will also be available.

    EME is a great way to introduce young kids to ham radio since it is so
    unique from how they communicate today, Sobon tells The ARRL Letter. It combines science, outer space and communications for a totally different experience. After hearing their own voice come back from space, they
    look at the moon very differently now.

    This week says, Sobon, two dozen homeschoolers are visiting the societys classroom to learn more about our solar system and what lies beyond,
    adding, This is the only place in southeastern Colorado that these
    students get to see firsthand science at work. Its pretty cool. Sobon
    notes that the groups community outreach over the past few years has
    resulted in growing interest in amateur radio and that a VE team has
    been lined up to start offering license exams next year.

    Details on the open house are available at dses.science.

    The Deep Space Exploration Societys 60-foot

    dish at the Plishner Radio Telescope Site

    outside of Haswell, Colorado. [Photo courtesy

    Deep Space Exploration Society]

    2026 ARRL Online Auction

    The 21st annual ARRL Online Auction returns October 16 through October
    22, with more than 200 items up for bid. The auction preview opens
    October 13.

    This years selection includes gear from QST Product Review articles,
    vintage books, pre-owned equipment, signed original sketches by Salty
    Walt Hudson, K4OGO, from Salty Walts Portable Antenna Sketchbook, and
    four popular mystery boxes contributed by the ARRL Lab team. Featured
    equipment includes the Icom IC-PW2 solid-state amplifier, Alinco DR-
    CS10HT 2-meter FM transceiver, and Elecraft KH1 QRP transceiver with the Edgewood package, along with many other items.

    Proceeds from the annual auction benefit ARRL education programs,
    including efforts to license new hams, provide continuing technical and operating education, and develop instructional materials.

    All bidders must register on the auction website at
    arrl.auctionanything.com. Your ARRL account username and password will
    not work on the auction site. If you have participated in a previous
    ARRL Online Auction, you may use your existing auction login
    information. If you have forgotten your auction User ID or password,
    click the Help tab for instructions. Before bidding, be sure your
    mailing address and other account information are up to date.

    Amateur Radio in the News

    Feed Me, Seymour! Little Shop, Ham Radios And More Take Over CSM This
    October / Baynet (California, MD), October 3, 2026 -- Charles County
    Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club

    Ham Fest brings amateur radio enthusiasts together in Lima / WLIO-TV
    (Lima, OH), October 3, 2026 -- Northwest Ohio Amateur Radio Club is an
    ARRL Affiliated Club

    Local nine-year-old earns her Ham Radio license / Cleveland.com
    (Cleveland, OH), October 1, 2026

    In a cellular world, amateur radio finds a niche in Fauquier / Fauquier
    Now (Warrenton, VA), September 29, 2026 -- Fauquier County ARES

    ARRL Live Events and Podcasts

    On the Air LIVE

    Contesting for the Beginning Radio Amateur

    Join Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, ARRL Director of Education and Learning, for
    the October episode of On the Air Live on Tuesday, October 27, at 8 PM
    Eastern. Wayne will introduce the fun and benefits of amateur radio
    contesting, with a special focus on how newly licensed hams can get
    started.

    Contesting is more than chasing points and making contacts. Its a great
    way to improve your operating skills, gain confidence on the air, learn
    about propagation, and become a more effective operatorall while having
    a lot of fun. Whether youre interested in casual operating, awards,
    emergency communications, DXing, or eventually competing in major
    contests, contesting can help sharpen skills that carry across the
    hobby. The livestream will air on the ARRL's Learning Center,
    learn.arrl.org. Preregistration is required and can be accomplished
    through the Learning Center.

    Date: October 27, 2026

    Time: 8 PM Eastern / 5 PM Pacific

    Register Now | Previously Recorded Sessions

    Listen to , available every Friday. is a summary of the week's top news stories in the world of amateur radio and ARRL, along with interviews
    and other features. More info | Listen on Blubrry | Also available on
    iTunes and Apple Podcasts.

    On the Air

    Sponsored by Icom

    Get Ready for Contest Season

    ARRL Director of Education and Learning and host of On the Air LIVE,
    Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, joins the podcast to talk about what goes into an
    on-air contest, and what you, as a new ham, can get out of participating
    in one. More info | Listen on Blubrry | Also available on iTunes and
    Apple Podcasts.

    Announcements

    The following America250 W1AW Portable Activations begin 0000z on
    Wednesdays, and end 2359z on Tuesdays (7 days total for each
    activation). See the complete schedule at www.arrl.org/america250-was.
    Review your award progress and order your certificate and endorsements
    at america250.arrl.org.

    10/07/2026 New Mexico W1AW/5 (host KA8JMW)

    10/07/2026 South Dakota W1AW/ (host KBBC)

    10/07/2026 Connecticut W1AW/1 (host W8ZY)

    10/14/2026 California W1AW/6 (host NZ6Q)

    10/14/2026 Georgia W1AW/4 (host AF4DN)

    10/14/2026 Missouri W1AW/ (host NAX)

    10/21/2026 Arkansas W1AW/5 (host K5DB)

    10/21/2026 Alaska W1AW/KL7 (host KTW)

    10/21/2026 Wisconsin W1AW/9 (host W9XT)

    The 2030 World Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC-2030) will be held in Croatia. The Daily DX reports that the WRTC Sanctioning Committee
    announced at the WRTC-2026 awards ceremony in the United Kingdom that it
    had accepted the bid by Croatias national ham association, HRS, to host
    the next competition in July, 2030.

    This is National Fire Prevention Week (October 4-10), and a dozen
    special event stations are heating up the ham bands to bring attention
    to it. Now in its 14th year, the Hamfire event features special call
    signs NF, N1F, N2F, N3F, N4F, N5F, N6F, N7F, N8F, and N9F, plus wildcard stations KF2IRE and VE3FIRE. QSL cards and certificates are available.
    Started in 2013 by the Siemens Fire Safety USA Amateur Radio Club,
    KF2IRE, the program is currently administered by Bob Lightner, W4GJ. For
    more information, visit hamfire.com.

    If your RTTY keyboard isnt worn out from last months CQ World Wide RTTY
    DX Contest (the raw scores are online, by the way), get ready for the
    Japan Amateur Radio Leagues JARL World Wide RTTY Contest on October 17th
    and 18th. The Daily DX reports that JARL has assumed administration for
    what had been the JARTS (Japanese Amateur Radio Teleprinter Society)
    Worldwide RTTY Contest, now in its 35th year.

    NI6BB will be activated by the Battleship Iowa Amateur Radio Association
    for the US Navy's 251st birthday from 1700 to 2400 UTC on October 13,
    2026. Mode will be at the option of the operator. Frequencies and other
    details can be found at https://biara.org. Full color photo QSLs will be available per the instructions on the website and on QRZ.com. No LOTW,
    eQSL or QRZ logs are used. Visit the ARRL Special Events Stations
    database to find similar commemorative events and activations at www.arrl.org/special-event-stations.

    In Brief...

    One of the captains of YACHT the Young Amateurs Communication Ham Team
    became a Silent Key on September 24, 2026. Edward Ed Engleman, KG8CX, of Menominee, Michigan, was a co-founder of the group. He was honored by
    the Dayton Hamvention with its Amateur of the Year award in 2024 and
    with the YASME Excellence Award in 2025. A retired educator, Engleman
    helped start YACHT in an effort to bring more young people into amateur
    radio and to keep them active. His major objective, according to his
    Hamvention bio, was to help create and develop enjoyment and skill in communications/technology via ham radio activity ... and to encourage friendships with other youth hams. Engleman, an ARRL member, was 87.

    Former ARRL North Texas Section Emergency Coordinator Harris W. Bill
    Swan, K5MWC, became a Silent Key on September 29, 2026, at age 83.
    Licensed since 1957, Swan spent his career as an engineer for Collins Radio/Rockwell Collins, including overseeing program development for
    several major HF communications systems for the military and commercial
    users. In ham radio, Bill helped establish Collin County (Texas) ARES in
    1973 and served as the countys Emergency Coordinator for more than 25
    years. He was also a founding member of the Plano Amateur Radio Klub and
    was past president of the Collins Amateur Radio Club, both of which are
    ARRL Affiliated Clubs. Bill was an ARRL Life Member and served as ARRL
    North Texas Section Emergency Coordinator from 2000-2010.

    Carlos Keko Diez, TI5KD, past president of the Radio Club of Costa Rica
    (RCCR), has passed away. The Daily DX reports that Diez was first
    licensed in 1979, and quickly became active in DXing, contesting, and DXpeditioning. According to a post on the RCCR Facebook page, Keko was
    an integral part of the history of our institution and of Costa Rican
    amateur radio. His dedication, friendship, and spirit of service leave a lasting mark on those of us who had the privilege of sharing this great
    passion for radio with him.

    Open Positions at ARRL

    Come join the headquarters staff of ARRL The National Association for
    Amateur Radio! We are currently seeking qualified applicants for the
    following positions:

    Technical Editor

    RFI Lab Engineer

    Public Relations and Outreach Manager

    Membership Marketing Analyst
    Instructional Specialist

    Full details may be found on the ARRL HR web page at
    www.arrl.org/careers.

    ARRL is an equal opportunity employer.

    The ARRL Solar Report

    NOAAs Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a G2 (moderate)
    Geomagnetic Storm Watch for tomorrow, October 9. It is associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME) that left the sun on October 6. It says the
    effects should be minor, with mainly manageable effects to some
    technological infrastructure. The aurora may become visible over some
    northern and upper Midwest states from New York to Idaho. Additional
    M-class (minor-moderate) solar flares are expected through October 9,
    otherwise solar activity is expected to remain at low levels.

    The declining sunspot cycle will keep 10 and 12 meters pretty quiet for
    DX, except for north-south openings and occasional sporadic-E. DX
    opportunities should be better on 17 and 15 meters in the coming week,
    with the solar flux above 100 for the entire period (see daily
    predictions below). Twenty meters will continue being the workhorse DX
    band, while 30, 40, 60, and 80 meters will be at their best during hours
    of darkness. Many stations in remote locations will be starting to tune
    up their equipment for the CQ World Wide SSB DX Contest on October
    24-25, so listen for exotic call signs and unanticipated band openings
    as they test and tweak their setups.

    Predicted 10.7-centimeter solar flux: Oct 15-18, 105; Oct 19, 110; Oct
    20-21, 105; Oct 22, 100. (Source: NOAA SWPC)

    Send your tips, questions, or comments to w2vu@arrl.org.

    For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL
    Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...," and
    check out the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.

    A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable
    propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

    Share your reports and observations.

    Solar image on October 8, 2026

    [Photo courtesy NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center]

    Just Ahead in Radiosport

    October 8 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest NA (digital)

    October 10 -- QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party (CW)

    October 10 -- 10-10 Intl 10-10 Day Sprint (CW, phone, digital)

    October 10 - 11 -- Makrothen RTTY Contest (digital)

    October 10 - 11 -- Oceania DX Contest, CW (CW)

    October 10 - 11 -- Scandinavian Activity Contest, SSB (phone)

    October 10 - 11 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)

    October 10 - 11 -- Arizona QSO Party (CW, phone)

    October 10 - 11 -- Pennsylvania QSO Party (CW, phone)

    October 10 - 11 -- South Dakota QSO Party (CW, phone)

    October 10 - 11 -- PODXS 070 Club 160m Great Pumpkin Sprint (digital)

    October 11 -- UBA ON Contest, CW (CW)

    October 12 -- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)

    October 14 -- NAQCC CW Sprint (CW)

    October 15 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest NA (digital)

    October 15 - 16 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

    October 17 -- 902 MHz and Up Sprint (CW, phone, digital)

    October 17 -- Feld Hell Sprint (digital)

    October 17 -- Argentina National 7 MHz Contest (phone)

    October 17 - 18 -- JARL WW RTTY Contest (digital)

    October 17 - 18 -- New York QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

    October 17 - 18 -- Worked All Germany Contest (CW, phone)

    October 17 - 18 --Stew Perry Topband Challenge (CW)

    October 18 - 19 -- Illinois QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

    October 18 - 19 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)

    October 19 - 23 -- ARRL School Club Roundup (CW, phone, digital)

    Remember to visit the ARRL Contest Calendar for more events and
    information.

    Upcoming ARRL Conventions and Major Events

    ARRL Section, State, and Division Conventions (next 60 days)

    Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database at www.arrl.org/hamfests
    to find events in your area.

    October 9 10 | SPARK-CON 2026, hosting the ARRL Midwest Division
    Convention, Sedalia, Missouri

    October 10 | North Star Radio Convention, hosting the ARRL Dakota
    Division Convention, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

    October 11 | Nutmeg Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Connecticut State
    Convention, Meriden, Connecticut

    October 11 | HamFest, hosting the ARRL Southern New Jersey Section
    Convention, Mullica Hill, New Jersey

    October 16 18 | Pacificon, hosting the ARRL Pacific Division
    Convention, San Ramon, California

    October 24 | ARRL Day in the Park, hosting the ARRL Mississippi Section Convention, Ridgeland, Mississippi.

    October 30 31 | Stone Mountain Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Georgia State Convention, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

    November 7 | Superstition ARC Superfest, hosting the ARRL Arizona State Convention, Mesa, Arizona

    November 14 | Montgomery Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Alabama State
    Convention, Montgomery, Alabama

    Have News for ARRL?

    Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to
    news@arrl.org. -- Richard Moseson, W2VU, ARRL News Editor

    ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information

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    Listen to , available every Friday.

    The ARRL Letter is available in an accessible format, posted weekly to
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    On the Air. Published bimonthly for newer hams, featuring introductions
    to popular activities and key concepts, equipment buying guides, and
    practical projects with step-by-step instructions all in language thats
    easy to understand.

    NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features articles
    by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprints, and
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    QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bimonthly,
    features technical articles, construction projects, columns, and other
    items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.

    Free of charge to ARRL members...

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