ARRL News

“Surf a Radio Wave” was the headline for the Pacific Northwest's largest amateur radio convention, SEA-PAC, which held its 41st event, June 2 - 4, 2023, in Seaside, Oregon. The convention hosted the 2023 ARRL Northwestern Division Convention.

ARRL Education and Learning Manager Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, delivered an inspiring keynote address at Saturday’s banquet. Goodgame spoke about current and f...

2023 ARRL Field Day is just 3 weeks away, on June 24 - 25. It's the most popular on-the-air event held annually in the US and Canada.

More than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio's science, skill, and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach,...

The ARRL Foundation is now accepting grant applications from amateur radio organizations for eligible amateur radio-related projects and initiatives, particularly those focused on educating, licensing, and supporting amateur radio activities. To grow amateur radio's future, youth-based projects and initiatives are especially encouraged. The ARRL Foundation grants program accepts proposals on a ...

Ed Wilson, N2XDD, of Shirley, New York has been appointed Vice Director of the ARRL Hudson Division by ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR.

Wilson succeeds Nomar Vizcarrondo, NP4H, who was appointed Director of the ARRL Hudson Division in March. Wilson will serve in the position for the remainder of the 3-year term that ends December 31, 2024.

Having developed an interest in radio as a child, Wils...

An investigation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) results in a large fine against a California amateur radio license holder. A Notice of Apparent Liability Forfeiture (NALF) for $24,000 has been filed against Phillip J. Beaudet, N6PJB, of Burney, California. According to the filing, the penalty is for Beaudet “willfully and repeatedly interfering with the radio communications of t...

If you like ships and are an amateur radio operator, 100 ships will be on the air from June 3 - 4 for the annual Museum Ships Weekend event.

Organizers stress that this is not a contest, but a fun event that begins at 0000Z on June 3, 2023, and runs through 2359Z on June 4, 2023.

While operation on any amateur frequency is allowed, most ships will be operating in the general portion of the bands....

Average daily solar flux values dropped over the past week, but
sunspot numbers were nearly the same, comparing May 25 to 31 to the
previous week.

Average daily solar flux declined from 161.2 to 155.3. Geomagnetic
indicators were quieter, with average daily planetary A index
declining from 17.1 to 7.3, and middle latitude numbers from 14.4 to
7.9.

Predicted solar flux is 160 on June 2, 155 on June 3-4...

ARRL  The National Association for Amateur Radio® has been elected to serve on SAFECOM®. SAFECOM is a group of national thought leaders and officials within the emergency communications and response space that works to set standards used at every level. The program is managed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), an agency of the US Department of Homeland Security.

SAFE...

The airwaves are markedly dimmer this week, social media is filled with heartfelt tributes, and industry leaders are mourning. Longtime fixture of amateur radio Charles “Chip” Margelli, K7JA, passed away after a brief illness. Margelli was an ARRL Life Member.

“The light and love of my life is gone,” Margelli’s widow Janet, KL7MF, posted on Facebook. “He enjoyed 60 wonderful years as a ham and 4...

Both average daily sunspot numbers and solar flux increased this week.  Average daily sunspot numbers rose from 118.6 to 133.4, while average solar flux went from 143.2 to 161.2.

Geomagnetic indicators were more active.  Average daily planetary A index went from 9.6 to 17.1, while average middle latitude A index rose from 9.6 to 14.4.

Predicted solar flux is 150 on May 26, 155 on May 27 and 28,...

The results of two balloted Section Manager elections held this spring were determined when the ballots were counted at ARRL Headquarters on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

John Bigley, N7UR, incumbent Section Manager of the ARRL Nevada Section, was re-elected when he received 277 votes, and Jim Shepherd, W6US, of Sparks, received 177 votes. Bigley, of Las Vegas, has been serving as Section Manager since...

ARRL greeted attendees in its large exhibit area in the "Tesla" building. Traffic to the exhibit was brisk. Members and prospective members enjoyed meeting with dozens of ARRL program representatives and volunteers. The event hosted the ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention.

While the final count is still a few days away from being completed, Hamvention spokesperson Michael Kalter, W8CI, said thi...

ARRL  The National Association for Amateur Radio® honors and remembers the ultimate sacrifice made by those who served in the U.S. armed forces. ARRL Headquarters will be closed Monday, May 29, 2023, in observance of Memorial Day. Many of the member services and information offered by ARRL are accessible on our website 24/7.

There will be no W1AW code practice or bulletin transmissions on Memori...

President Joe Biden announced three nominees for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on May 22, 2023. The President will nominate Anna M. Gomez for a vacant FCC seat. Two sitting Commissioners, Geoffrey Starks and Brendan Carr, will be nominated for new terms at the same time.

Gomez is an attorney with decades of experience in domestic and international communications law and policy. Go...

The agreement emphasizes the importance of skilled Amateur Radio Operators in times of crisis and the role of ARES leadership within the emergency communications space. 

ARES (see the ARES fact sheet at www.arrl.org/ares) is a network of trained Amateur Radio Service licensees organized across the country to provide communications and other support to served agencies, such as local governments, ...

by Mark H. Derks, KC1RVQ, ARRL Acquisitions Editor

Sunday at Dayton Hamvention® proved to be a whirlwind affair, even if the crowds had thinned considerably from Friday and Saturday’s surge. In the ARRL Expo space, a few more books sold out, along with some of the popular sizes for 2023 ARRL Field Day t-shirts. Among the staff and volunteers present, there was a sense that the event had proved a...

by Mark H. Derks, KC1RVQ, ARRL Acquisitions Editor

The Calm Before

The first official day of 2023 Dayton Hamvention® began with half an hour of calm on the show floor. All the transceivers and whips, the coils of coax, and bins of SMA connecters lay abed beneath their evening coverings -- white plastic tablecloth in the ARRL exhibit space, black canvas covers for neighboring Icom, and others beyo...

This reporting week, May 11-17, average daily sunspot number was
nearly the same as last week, 118.6 compared to 119.3, only
marginally lower.

But average daily solar flux dropped from 167.8 to 143.2.

Geomagnetic indicators were quieter, both planetary and middle
latitude A index at 9.6. Last week the two numbers were 15.1 and
11.9, respectively.

What is the outlook for the next few weeks?

10.7 cm sola...

by Mark H. Derks, KC1RVQ, ARRL Acquisitions Editor

The day before Dayton Hamvention® 2023, and already antennas porcupine cars at the University of Dayton Marriott. Cardstock “No Parking” signs issued by the Xenia, Ohio, police department top blonde stakes on the approach to the vendor parking at the Greene County Fairgrounds, a signal about the number of ham radio operators about to descend.

The...