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Register now for the 2026 ARRL National Convention hosted by the Huntsville Hamfest, August 21 - 23.
Step 1: Register for the National Convention Program on Friday, August 21 | Register Now
Step 2: Get your Huntsville Hamfest tickets for Saturday & Sunday, August 22 – 23. | Hamfest Tickets
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Find the Right Rig: New Comparison Tool for ARRL Members |
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ARRL is pleased to introduce a new member benefit: the QST Product Review Comparison Database. This online tool makes it easier to compare amateur radio transceivers, receivers, amplifiers, and transmitters by allowing users to sort and filter equipment based on their own selection criteria.
Watch a short video about this new benefit at youtu.be/BWubGaA4_PA.
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“This tool, introduced by the ARRL Lab, offers a familiar experience for anyone who has shopped online in recent years,” said ARRL Laboratory Manager George Spatta, W1GKS. “For decades, the Lab has been making standardized measurements that are published in QST Product Reviews. While those reviews have long been available online, finding and comparing products often required knowing exactly what you were looking for.
The new database makes it much easier to discover and evaluate equipment based on the characteristics that matter most to you.”
The comparison database includes every ARRL Lab-tested device in the previously listed categories, dating back to 2012. Users can apply filters to narrow results to specific types of equipment and then sort products using select specifications and laboratory measurements.
Multiple products can be selected and compared side by side, making it easier to evaluate options before making a purchase decision.
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The tool has a lot of flexibility in the ways you can sort the data.
Options include sorting the product name chronologically from newest to oldest published, and alphabetically.
The data columns can be sorted by performance metric, and columns can be easily rearranged to display information in the order most useful to the user.
If you know the name of the device you’d like to view, there is a search field available as well.
When two or more products are selected for comparison, the results open in a new browser tab, allowing users to keep their place in the main database.
Whether you’re purchasing your first radio or considering an upgrade to your current station, the QST Product Review Comparison Database provides an objective, data-driven, customizable way to evaluate equipment.
A companion guide explaining the various measurements and specifications is also planned to help members better understand the technical data when making an informed purchasing decision.
To access this new member benefit, log in to the ARRL website and visit compare.arrl.org.
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CHU Canada’s Official Shortwave Time Signal to Go Silent |
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The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has announced that the shortwave broadcasts of Canada’s official time signal station, CHU, will be discontinued on June 22, 2026.
Including experimental time broadcasts in 1923 under the call sign 9CC, and then VE9OB, CHU began regular broadcasts in 1938...for now 103 years. The station broadcasts on three frequencies, 3330, 7850, and 14670 kHz.
CHU is equivalent to the WWV and WWVH time stations operated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States, which began operating with experimental broadcasts in 1919 and regular broadcasts in 2026...106 years. WWVH broadcasts time and frequency information 24 hours per day from the Island of Kauai, Hawaii.
In Canada, there has been widespread unofficial speculation as to why CHU is being shut down.
The ARRL Letter reached out and received this statement from Deval Patel, Technical Officer, Metrology, National Research Council Canada / Government of Canada:
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC), through its Metrology Research Centre, is responsible for maintaining and disseminating Canada's Official Time Signal, the SI second, and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Since 1970, the CHU shortwave radio service has been one of several methods used by the NRC to distribute accurate time information.
On June 22, 2026, the NRC discontinued the CHU broadcast to focus resources on its core mandate of maintaining the accuracy, reliability, and continuity of Canada's official time scale and time dissemination services.
This includes supporting Canada's contribution to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and providing time services relied upon by millions of users and government departments for network time synchronization.
While the CHU broadcast has been retired, Canadians continue to have access to the NRC Official Time Signal through:
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The NRC Web Clock
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The Telephone Talking Clock
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Network Time Protocol (NTP) services
Radio Amateurs of Canada President Allan Boyd, VE3AJB / VE3EM, said the decision to shut down the CHU is of concern.
“The decision to discontinue the CHU time signal service is both concerning and disappointing for the amateur radio community and many other users across Canada.
For decades, CHU has provided a reliable national standard for time and frequency calibration, serving not only radio amateurs but also educational, scientific, and technical users.
As Canada's national amateur radio association, Radio Amateurs of Canada recognizes the historical and practical importance of this service and regrets the loss of a unique Canadian resource that has been a trusted part of our communications infrastructure for generations."
CHU is the latest Canadian station to be shutdown.
On March 16, 2026, Environment Canada permanently shut down the VHF Weatheradio Canada transmitter network and the “Hello Weather” telephone service after exactly 50 years of continuous service.
Thanks to the National Research Council of Canada and the Radio Amateurs of Canada for their contributions to this story.
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Florida Field Day Preparations Under Way |
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The Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club
(FMARC) and the Lee County Amateur Radio Emergency Service
(LeeARES®) in Florida are preparing now for ARRL® Field Day.
The 24-hour event will begin at noon on Saturday, June 27, 2026, and run continuously until noon on Sunday, June 28, at the North Fort Myers Community Park.
Both clubs are aware that when severe weather hits or a hurricane strikes Florida, the state’s digital infrastructure, cell towers, fiber-optic internet, and power grids often fail due to high winds, catastrophic storm surges, and prolonged blackouts.
In those critical moments when conventional networks go completely dark, amateur radio operators step in, serving as the ultimate off-grid communications safety net to bridge the gap and save lives.
ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air amateur radio event in the U.S. and Canada, drawing over 31,000 participants annually and the Fort Myers clubs are not alone preparing for disasters.
Field Day is a great opportunity for all amateur clubs to get involved.
This year’s Field Day theme is “Amateur Radio: A National Resource” and, combined with the ARRL Year of the Club, it provides the perfect opportunity for radio clubs to set up stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio's science, skill, and service to our communities and our nation.
As an added incentive for anyone participating in ARRL’s yearlong America250 Worked All States (WAS) Award, contacts made with ARRL Affiliated Radio Clubs anytime this year, including during Field Day, will count toward your America250 WAS Affiliated Club Endorsement. Check out those details at www.arrl.org/america250-was.
All of the information you need to get started can be found on the Field Day
web page, including how to join the ARRL Field Day Facebook Group, where you can share your plans, tips, and tricks for a successful Field Day.
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Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation Scholarship 2026 Winner |
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The Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation
announced that Kenneth Smith, AA7KS, a senior at Valley Christian Academy, was selected as the 2026 recipient of its annual $1,000 scholarship, awarded to an outstanding local high school graduate who plans to pursue higher education in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM).
Smith is graduating with a 4.0 GPA and plans to study chemical engineering at Oregon State University in the fall. He holds an Amateur Extra class license and is an active student on campus, and in the community, and has been a member of the Satellite Amateur Radio Club, W6AB, for more than three years. He also restarted Northern Santa Barbara County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) in Santa Maria and acted as the organization’s emergency coordinator.
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Levi C. Maaia, PhD, scholarship committee chair (left) and Brian Milburn, K6BPM, foundation president and CEO (middle) presented Kenneth Smith, AA7KS) (right) with a scholarship award on behalf of the Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. [Photo courtesy of Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation] | | | |
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“This scholarship will help me attend Oregon State University, which is an extremely highly rated school for chemistry and chemical engineering,” said Smith. “I will have access to high quality education and training as an engineer, while still being close enough to fulfill my responsibilities in taking care of my parents' farm for them.”
Brian Milburn, the president and CEO of the Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation, said the search is always on looking for talented students.
“We look for students who have the potential to turn technical skills into service for their community," said Milburn. “Kenneth doesn't just show that potential, he's already acted on it.
We're proud to support his pathway into higher education."
The Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation is a nonprofit, public benefit organization that develops and supports wireless telecommunications technologies in support of public safety, emergency communications, community service, and scientific research in the Santa Barbara region.
The foundation supports local amateur radio activities and services through the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club, an ARRL Affiliated Club.
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Amateur Radio in the News |
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“Amateur Radio Club holding an Activity Day, May 30” / Village News (California) May 28, 2026 -- The Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club.
“Tucker to host national ham radio event” / The Inter Mountain (West Virginia) May 29, 2026 -- The Mountain State Transmitters is an ARRL Affiliated Club.
“Tehachapi Amateur Radio Association participating in American Radio Relay League Field Day June 27 and 28” / Tehachapi News (California) June 1, 2026 -- The Tehachapi Amateur Radio Association is an ARRL Affiliated Club.
“Connecting the community: Grimes County amateur radio group unveils communications trailer” / KRHD (Texas) May 29, 2026 -- The Grimes County Amateur Radio Group/Grimes County ARES.
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ARRL Live Events and Podcasts |
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On the Air LIVE
Join ARRL's Education Specialist Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, as he compares the most popular portable antennas, including the ubiquitous end-fed half-wave, random wire, linked dipole, and the 17-foot vertical. We will compare performance and packing tradeoffs and deployment requirements. Whether you are headed to a park, going on a hike, paddling a canoe, or just your backyard, this session will help you choose an antenna that fits the operating conditions. The livestream will air on the ARRL's learning center, learn.arrl.org, June 23rd at 8pm Eastern. Preregistration is required and can be accomplished through the learning center.
📅 Date: June 23, 2026
🕗 Time: 8 PM Eastern / 5 PM Pacific
👉 Register Now
| ⏪ Previously Recorded Sessions
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ARRL Audio News
Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday. ARRL Audio News 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.
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On the Air
Sponsored by Icom
Get On the Ham Satellites!
ARRL Education Specialist Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, visits the podcast to discuss his May/June 2026 On the Air article, “Equipment for Making Contacts Through an Amateur Radio Satellite,” as well as the May 26 “On the Air Live” session he hosted on the same topic. More info
| Listen on Blubrry
| Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.
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Preparations are under way for International Dog Day on August 26, 2026. Hanz van de pol, YL3JD, in Latvia, will have his special event station YL1DOG, on the air during all of August. In the USA, Caryn Eve Murray, KD2GUT, has the special call sign KØDOG. She will have a North American team on the air the week of International Dog Day. International Dog Day or National Dog Day is an annual observance held to celebrate dogs of all breeds and backgrounds, promote dog adoption, and raise awareness about the welfare of dogs around the world. It also recognizes working dogs and the roles they play in human society, including service, police, military, and rescue dogs. It was founded in 2004 by Colleen Paige, an American animal welfare advocate and pet lifestyle expert. The date, August 26, was chosen to mark the day her family adopted their first dog from a local animal shelter when she was 10 years old. In case you wondering ...International Cat Day is August 8, 2026!! More information can be found at hamlog.online/iddicd2026.
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The Lewis and Clark Trail on the Air
is a special event that commemorates the historic Lewis and Clark Trail. The trail covers 4900 miles through 16 states and includes the disembarkation from Camp River Dubois in Illinois, known as the Eastern Legacy. The event is sponsored by the Clark County Amateur Radio Club
with support and participation from clubs in all 16 states along the historic trail. The event begins at 0000 UTC Saturday, June 6, 2026 (5 PM June 5 Pacific time), and is active through 2359 UTC June 21 (5 PM Pacific). Operating hours: 24 hours/day for the duration of the event. Operating modes include SSB phone, FM phone, CW, and FT8/FT4. Any combination of modes towards working all 16 states and bonus stations is allowed. A schedule for planned operations for each activating station on the trail will be posted on the website and on Facebook. Certificates will be available for purchase via the certificates page through July 31, 2026. PDFs will be emailed starting July 7. Printed certificates will be mailed on August 24.
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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.
06/03/2026 New Jersey W1AW/2 (host NP4H)
06/03/2026 Oregon W1AW/7 (host N7JI)
06/10/2026 Tennessee W1AW/4 (host W4CMG)
06/17/2026 Arkansas W1AW/5 (host K5DB)
06/17/2026 Nebraska W1AW/Ø (host KAØBOJ)
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Search-and-rescue crews near Las Vegas have recently responded to 3 hiker emergencies in less than a week. Rescues on Mount Charleston, Kraft Mountain, and Cathedral Rock are raising concerns about hiker preparedness as triple-digit temperatures approach...including how hikers communicate the need for fire and medical help. Recently, Joe Pingree, WB2TVB, and his wife Karen, KG6CUK, hiking in Red Rock Canyon, were interviewed by a reporter from KTNV 13. Joe Pingree said they talked about a lot of issues, including the use of amateur radio. Their interview ended up on the 11:00 PM news and here is a link: www.ktnv.com/news/search-and-rescue-crews-respond-to-3-hiker-emergencies-near-las-vegas-in-less-than-a-week
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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
RFI Lab Engineer
Public Relations and Outreach Manager
Full details may be found on the ARRL HR web page at www.arrl.org/careers.
ARRL is an equal opportunity employer.
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Solar disk image courtesy of NASA/SDO, June 4, 2026 | | |
ARRL Solar Report June 4, 2026
Solar activity went from low to high this week.
Activity was dominated by Region 4455, which produced frequent C-class flares alongside three significant flare events: an M9.3/Sf on June 1; as well as an M7.7/1b and an X1.0/1n on June 3.
There are eight numbered regions on the visible disk.
Region 4455 remains complex, maintaining its anti-Hale configuration and displaying a newly developed delta structure.
Continuous flux emergence and spot growth with penumbral development were observed just ahead of its mature, positive polarity lead spot.
Regions 4458 and 4459 both showed growth and consolidation, with Region 4459 showing rapid spot development in its trailing area and gaining a mixed-polarity gamma configuration.
Region 4461 also showed flux emergence driving a gamma configuration, though extreme foreshortening near the limb limits high-confidence analysis of its overall complexity.
Region 4462 consolidated and showed increased separation between its poles.
The remaining regions were stable or in decline.
Several eruptive events occurred during the reporting period.
An M9.3/Sf flare June 1 was accompanied by wideband radio emissions, including a Type IV radio sweep with an estimated shock velocity of 253 km/s, and a 10.7-cm radio burst. An associated coronal mass ejection (CME) became visible in LASCO C2 imagery on June 2. While faint in coronagraph imagery, GOES/SUVI imagery implies a partial to full halo profile, and COR2 triangulation confirms an Earth-directed component. Modeling indicates this event is the most Earth-directed CME of the period’s events.
The M7.7/1B flare on June 3 was accompanied by wideband radio emissions, including a Type IV sweep, a Type II sweep with an estimated shock velocity of 313 km/s, and a prominent three-minute 10.7-cm radio burst. The associated CME was first seen in LASCO C2 on June 3. GOES/SUVI 304 imagery shows much of the ejecta was deflected significantly northward by an adjacent positive polarity coronal hole.
STEREO COR2 imagery and modeling shows that, while it retains an Earth-directed glancing component, it is the least directly-targeted event of the period.
Solar activity is expected to be at moderate to high levels through June 6. M-class (R1-R2/minor-moderate) flaring remains likely, with a slight chance for X-class (R3/strong or greater) events, primarily due to the eruptive capabilities of Regions 4455, 4458, and 4459.
Solar wind parameters continued to be slightly elevated with conditions reflecting possible embedded transient influences.
Wind speeds held steady near 400 km/s for most of the period before a distinct increase to near 450 km/s late in the period.
The phi angle showed a distinct transition into the positive (away from the Sun) sector late in the period.
Mild enhancements are expected early on June 4 under the initial onset of positive polarity high-speed stream (+CH HSS) influences. Conditions will escalate dramatically mid-to-late on June 4 with the arrival of the multiple June 3 CMEs. These significant enhancements are expected to persist through June 5 with elevated conditions persisting through June 6.
The 10.7-centimeter flux: June 4, 139; June 5, 135; June 6, 144; June 7, 132, June 8, 147; June 9, 126; June 10, 150.
Predicted sunspot numbers: June 4, 102; June 5, 97; June 6, 109; June 7, 93; June 8, 113; June 9, 86; June 10, 117
For more information concerning radio propagation, visit
the ARRL Technical Information Service, read A Quick Guide to HF Propagation Using Solar Indices, and check out the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.
For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.
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June 4 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest-NA (digital)
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June 4 - 5 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
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June 4 -- NRAU 10m Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
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June 4 -- SKCC Sprint Europe (CW)
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June 5 -- HA3NS Sprint Memorial Contest (CW)
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June 6 -- Tisza Cup CW Contest (CW, phone)
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June 6 -- VK Shires Contest (CW, phone)
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June 6 - 8 -- PODXS 070 Club 3-Day Weekend Contest (digital)
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June 6 -- Wake-Up! QRP Sprint (CW)
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June 6 - 7 -- Kentucky QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
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June 6 - 7 -- UKSMG Summer Contest (CW, phone, digital)
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June 6 - 7 -- IARU Region 1 Field Day (CW)
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June 6 - 7 -- RSGB National Field Day (CW)
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June 6 - 7 -- ARRL Int'l Digital Contest (digital - no RTTY)
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June 7 - 8 -- Atlantic Canada QSO Party (CW, phone)
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June 10 -- NAQCC CW Sprint (CW)
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June 10 -- PVRC Reunion (CW, phone, digital)
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Remember to visit the ARRL Contest Calendar
for more events and information.
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Upcoming ARRL Conventions and Major Events |
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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.
June 5 – 7 | SEA-PAC, hosting the ARRL Northwestern Division Convention, Seaside, Oregon
June 13 | Knoxville Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Tennessee State Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee
June 14 | BreezeShooters Hamfest, Computer and Electronics Show, hosting the ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, Butler, Pennsylvania
June 19 – 20 | Flagstaff HamFest, hosting the ARRL Arizona Section Convention, Flagstaff, Arizona
July 11 | SVARC Hamfest, hosting the ARRL North Dakota Section Convention, Minot, North Dakota
July 17 – 19 | Glacier Waterton Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Montana Section Convention, Essex, Montana
July 25 | ARRL South Dakota State Convention, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
July 25 | ARRL West Virginia State Convention, Sutton, West Virginia
August 1 | ARRL Maine State Convention, August, Maine
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.
June 26 – 28, 2026 | HAM RADIO, International Amateur Radio Exhibition, Friedrichshafen, Germany
August 7 – 8 | Shreveport-Bossier Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Delta Division Convention, Shreveport, Louisiana
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
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 16 – 18 | Pacificon, hosting the ARRL Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, California
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Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to news@arrl.org. -- John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, ARRL News Editor
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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 ARRL Audio News, 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.
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 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.
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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.
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