Excitement continues to build as the ARRL gets ready to preview items for the Third Annual On-Line Auction on Thursday, October 16. With almost 140 items up for bid -- with more being added every day -- this event promises to have something for just about everyone. The auction kicks off October 23 and runs until October 31 on the ARRL Web site.

This year's auction will again include many transceivers and other items that have appeared in the QST Product Review column and have thus been thoroughly tested by the ARRL Lab. ICOM has generously donated an IC-7000 HF/VHF/UHF mobile transceiver; this rig was reviewed in the May 2006 issue of QST.

A new donor to the ARRL On-Line Auction is R4 Systems -- developers of the Proteus Design Suite, a suite of tools for professional printed circuit board design -- has donated a Proteus Suite software package.

According to ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, "Last year's online auction -- our second -- proved to be a successful and enjoyable event for both hams and ARRL staff members alike. When the bidding ended, we realized that we had sold 162 items and sold just over $50,000 worth of merchandise." Proceeds from the auction benefit ARRL education programs including activities to license new hams, strengthen Amateur Radio's emergency service training, offer continuing technical and operating education, as well as create instructional materials.

Many vintage items will also be offered. Returning by popular demand are four ARRL Lab unique "junque" boxes. With a starting bid of $50, these boxes are filled with components, parts and electronic do-dads. No one -- except the ARRL Lab staff -- knows what exactly is inside each box, but each is guaranteed to be full of things that the Lab staff considers valuable (but keep in mind that they collect just about anything).

All product review items in the On-Line Auction will include a link to a PDF file of the actual Product Review, as well as a reference to the QST issue that the review appeared in.

ARRL Business Services Manager Deb Jahnke, K1DAJ, said that there are "loads of neat stuff" available in the Auction, including a set of Dayton Hamvention pins going back to 1995, gift certificates for ARRL merchandise and publications, radios, books and much more. "We'll be adding items throughout the preview period, so keep checking back to find things you might have missed," she said. "This event would not be possible without the generosity of our many corporate donors. Our sincere thanks go to all who donated items for this year's auction."

Jahnke also advised auction users to look through the "Help" and "About Us" sections, where you'll find useful information about bidding, FAQs and a host of other facts. "To ensure an enjoyable experience, please be sure to read all policies in the 'About Us' section," she said.