Former ARRL COO Harold R. Kramer, WJ1B, Silent Key

Former ARRL Chief Operating Officer (COO) Harold Robert Kramer, WJ1B, of Cheshire, Connecticut, passed away on Monday, August 31, 2026, at age 78. Kramer served as COO and QST Publisher from 2005 to 2016, following a career in broadcasting. He was an ARRL Life Member and donor, supporting the Diamond Club, the Second Century Campaign, and the ARRL Lab.Former ARRL CEO Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, recalled...

Candidates Named for ARRL Director and Vice Director Elections

ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® has announced that the candidates for the 2026 ARRL Division elections are now official. ARRL members will choose between two candidates for Director in the Delta, Great Lakes, and Midwest Divisions, and two candidates for Vice Director in the Midwest Division. The Director positions in the Atlantic and Dakota Divisions are unopposed, as are the ...

The ARRL Solar Update

Solar activity reached moderate levels this week. Region 4513 was responsible for an M2.2/1B flare that reached its peak on August 26. This event was accompanied by a 10.7-centimeter radio burst that reached 140 solar flux units (SFU) and a type II radio sweep with an estimated shock speed of 930 km/s despite its relatively impulsive nature. No resulting coronal mass ejection (CME) has been obs...

The ARRL EME Contest

Radio, Learning, and Community at the 2026 ARRL National Convention and Huntsville Hamfest

Entrepreneur and Amateur Radio Operator Invests in the Next Generation of Problem Solvers

ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® announced today a historic and transformational $1 million gift from Dr. James M. Galm, W8WTS. An entrepreneur and amateur radio operator who spent his career solving complex energy and engineering challenges, Galm is now investing in the next generation of problem solvers through his support of ARRL.The gift will directly support ARRL programs a...

Kopernik Observatory Seeks Amateur Radio Operators to Track August 19 Balloon Flight

Amateur radio operators in western New York and other northeastern states have an opportunity to help track an educational balloon. Drew Deskur, KA1M, Director of the Kopernik Observatory, a public observatory and informal STEM education center in Vestal, New York, said the balloon was expected to be launched August 19 at 10 AM Eastern (1400 UTC) with Automatic Packet Reporting System (ARPS) an...

The ARRL Solar Update

Weekly Highlights and Forecast, August 17, 2026, by NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center:Solar activity ranged from very low to low levels throughout theperiod. No R1 (Minor) or greater events were observed. The largestflare was a C8.2/Sn at 16/1928 UTC from Region 4506. An associated CME was observed in LASCO C2 imagery following the C8.2 flare, but analysis is ongoing in order to determine an...

Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2634

This week, we've pulled together a few items that might spark some interest, particularly for those dabbling in digital modes or looking to refine their station's utility. We're looking at some compact desktop applications that offer a quick glance at propagation and local conditions, something that always comes in handy whether you're chasing DX on HF or just planning a local net. There's also a deeper dive into some hardware for packet and digital radio experimentation, specifically ESP32-based LoRa boards, which are becoming quite popular for everything from APRS to Meshtastic. And for the low-frequency enthusiasts, we found a construction guide for an active loop converter, which could be a real asset for improving reception on the LF band. It’s all about practical enhancements and exploring new facets of the hobby.

Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2633

This week, we've pulled together a few items that touch on practical aspects of our hobby, from understanding propagation to getting on the air when antenna restrictions are a factor. There's a look at real-time HF conditions using the Reverse Beacon Network, something that comes up often for those chasing DX or just trying to understand band openings. We also have a piece on building a 2-meter skeleton slot Yagi stack, which could be a good project for VHF/UHF enthusiasts looking for something beyond a simple dipole. For those dealing with HOA challenges, there's a discussion on stealth antenna solutions for 40-10m and 80m. And for the digital mode operators, a multi-platform AX.25 terminal program is worth a look. Finally, a historical note on Marconi's early work and a handy ADIF log analyzer round out the selection.

Icom IC-7110: Specifications and Photos — X-026 Revealed

The X-026 finally has a name: Icom has unveiled the IC-7110 at Tokyo Ham Fair 2026, closing four months of teaser campaigns and hamfest mock-ups. Here are the first photos, the confirmed specifications and what the new model means for operators waiting on an IC-7100 successor.

Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2632

This week, we're looking at a few items that touch on the practicalities of getting on the air and staying there reliably. There's a piece on understanding SSB bandwidth, which is always worth a revisit, especially when operating near band edges. We also have a resource for looking up callsigns, something that comes up often whether you're chasing DX or just curious about a new contact. For those running higher power, or perhaps considering it, there's a useful set of modifications for Ameritron HF amplifiers to help with cooling during those longer digital mode sessions. And, of course, a solid DX cluster tool is always welcome for finding activity. These are the kinds of things that make a difference in day-to-day operation, from the home station to a portable setup.

Top Amateur Radio Websites - Issue 2631

This week, we're looking at some practical considerations for the shack and out in the field. There's a good piece on building a multi-band delta loop, something that comes up often when space is tight or you're trying to get more out of a single support. We also have a couple of historical notes, revisiting the foundational work of Marconi and Fessenden, which is always worth a read for context on how far we've come. Plus, a quick look at a few places to source gear, from the common accessories to more specialized components that keep our stations on the air, whether it's for HF DX or a portable VHF/UHF setup. It's a mixed bag, but all relevant to the ongoing pursuit of better signals and more effective operation.

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SDRcom

SDRcom offers browser-based Software Defined Radio applications with physical controls, 64k FFT waterfall, and AM/FM/SSB/CW tuning. It supports SDRplay… - Listed in Software/Radio Control

HamStream

HamStream is a commercial ham radio control software for Windows, macOS, and Raspberry Pi, offering real-time DX cluster integration, automatic QRZ… - Listed in Software/Radio Control