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ARRL Field Day 2026 Concludes, But the Global Chatter Isn't Over |
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As a reminder, entries must be postmarked or submitted via web app at field-day.arrl.org/fdentry.php by Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Late entries cannot be accepted.
To see if your entry has been received check field-day.arrl.org/fdentriesrcvd.php. If your entry is missing any required document or bonus point proof, the status will be listed as "pending." Participants may upload additional documentation to the entry for up to 30 days after the entry deadline.
As of July 2, 2026, 2448 entries have been received.
Social media has been inundated with photos and stories.
The SPA Amateur Radio Association
in Arizona had a good turnout and coverage by the local newspaper. Check out the activity and the coverage here.
The Dalton Amateur Radio Club, W4DRC, in Whitfield County, Georgia, had a big day for Field Day.
Their event was filled with great food, fellowship, and the enjoyment of operating multiple stations.
One of the highlights was welcoming visitors who stopped by to learn more about amateur radio, Field Day, and the club’s activities. Several members of Whitfield County ARES were in attendance, along with ARRL Georgia Section Manager Hank Blackwood, K4HYJ. The Dalton Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club.
It was a great day of promoting amateur radio and the entire club had time to pose for a group photo.
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Dalton ARC members at Field Day, from left to right: Macey Mathis, KB4MBM, children Boone & Annie, and Logan Mathis, KQ4PDS; Willie Pagan, NT2J; Chris Hayes, KQ4RLA; Hank Blackwood, K4HYJ; Annette Hayes, AB4CB; Greg Williams, N4JGW; Jacob Davis, KM4SIG; Eric Smith, K4AZM; Delores Smith; Kevin Williams, W4KAW; Ray Parrott, KM4SHT; Greg Elrod, KK4JBB, Claude Parker, KO4CDA; and Charlotte Parker, KO4YDG. [Photo courtesy of the Dalton Amateur Radio Club]
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Nick Charboneau, his dad Bill, and young son Tanner visited the WDØCT Rochester DX and Contest Club Field Day event in Kasson, Minnesota. Nick and Tanner are not yet hams, but Tanner was on the air thanks to club member WØBM "Pat" Cahill. Here’s a link to photos and videos of their visit Field Day 2026 - Google Photos.
Visit Field Day Soapbox
for more stories and photos.
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2026 YOTA Americas Camp a Success |
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The 2026 Youth on the Air-Americas camp, held in Huntsville, Alabama June 14 – 19, welcomed 35 campers from 17 states and 3 countries (USA, Mexico, and Argentina), between the ages of 15 and 25, to experience a week of hands-on, peer-led, ham radio learning, community building, and fun!
YOTA-Americas Camp Director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, said the kids enjoyed an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with astronaut Chris Williams, KJ5GEW, on board the ISS, as well as a surprise in-person visit from ISS Payload Communications Manager Penny Pettigrew and others from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center Payload Operations team.
Meanwhile on Earth, campers sent up a balloon to near-space, topping out at 93,500 feet as it transmitted as W4Y-11 on the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS). The balloon carried a successful biological experiment from Xavier University and a radiation experiment using Polaroid film. Two pico balloons were also launched.
At the camp’s opening ceremony, there were presentations from two Guidance, Navigation, and Control spacecraft engineers: 2013 Newsline Young Ham of the Year Padraig Lysandrou, KC9UUS, and ARISS Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO.
Campers also had time to sharpen their kit-building skills and get acquainted with how to go on youth-focused DXpeditions, operate satellites, and better use the DX clusters to earn DXCC.
They also operated special event station W4Y and visited the US Space & Rocket Center and the SIGNALS museum of communications technology. The week ended with an intercultural evening where everyone could "Meet the DX" and share foods and souvenirs from their home QTH.
A video of the camp is available on YouTube Playlist
along with a Photo Album.
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Navigating an HOA and Returning to Amateur Radio and Field Day! |
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Fred Johnson, K6FRD, is an amateur radio operator in Riverside, California. Like many hams, he lives in an HOA-controlled neighborhood. For Johnson, finding practical, low-visibility, antenna solutions has become part of the fun over the years.
“For years I struggled to enjoy HF because, like many amateurs in an HOA, towers and conventional outdoor antennas simply aren't an option,” said Johnson. “I tried several radios over the years, but without an effective antenna I rarely heard much activity and had very limited success making contacts. A few weeks ago, I decided to stop chasing radios and instead focus on building the best stealth antenna I could.”
Johnson said that after returning to HF last year, he enjoyed experimenting with antennas, portable operating, FT8, and station design to see what's possible from a suburban backyard.
“The result is a simple 145-foot horizontal loop made from 14 AWG THHN wire, mounted on stainless cup hooks around the top of my backyard fences about six feet above the ground. The wire is insulated from the hooks with short pieces of clear vinyl tubing and is fed with a 4:1 current balun and approximately 25 feet of RG-8X coax. I also added ferrite chokes at both the antenna and radio ends of the feed line to help minimize common-mode current and noise.”
“The results have honestly exceeded my expectations,” he said. “My noise floor is typically only S1 to S2, allowing me to hear stations I would have completely missed before.”
ARRL Field Day 2026 gave Johnson a chance to operate entirely on battery power using his IC-7300 and his new antenna, making contacts on 10, 15, and 20 meters. Since installing the loop, he has worked 39 states, 24 countries, and stations throughout Japan, Hawaii, Samoa, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, South America, and across North America—all from his HOA backyard!
Johnson went on to say he hopes that sharing his successes, and the occasional lessons learned along the way, encourages other operators, especially those with HOA restrictions, to get on the air and enjoy this amazing hobby.
Johnson has created a Google photo album with all of the photos of his antenna design: photos.app.goo.gl/qeF1eToA4q7cAj5PA
Editor’s note: Thanks to Fred Johnson, K6FRD, for sharing his story, his HOA-proof antenna, and his effort to return to amateur radio and Field Day!
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WRTC 2026 Competition in the United Kingdom |
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The 2026 World Radiosport Team Championship
(WRTC) will be hosted by the United Kingdom from July 8 - 13. This is the 10th WRTC, which relocates to a new host nation every four years and is often referred to as the Olympics of amateur radio contesting.
The WRTC event is designed to provide a platform for high-achieving ham radio contesters to compete on a level playing field in the same geographic region using identical antennas, output power and other operating conditions.
The goal is demonstrate international goodwill and friendship in the true ham spirit.
It also allows youth operators to demonstrate their skills within this highly competitive event.
There will be 50 teams of two, each with an assigned referee. Each team will be allocated an HF operating site in southeastern England, where they will take part in a 24-hour SSB/CW contest (the IARU HF Championship) over the weekend, making WRTC a contest within a contest. More information is available at IARU HF World Championship.
One of the youth teams competing this year includes an ARRL HQ staff member, Education & Learning Support Specialist Max Freedman, N4ML. His teammate is Willow Mauldin, W7WLW.
“This is the best of the best competition,” said Freedman. He will fly to the UK, bringing his gear with him, which he says involves a lot of paperwork! “I’m looking forward to working with my teammate, Willow, and we are excited to participate,” he added.
Amateur radio operators from around the world are invited to participate. Many of the WRTC sites should be easy to work on the HF bands. The teams will be using Yagi antennas on 10,15, and 20 meters, with dipoles on 40 and 80 meters. With just 100 watts of output power, contacts may not always be loud but, with good propagation, should not be difficult. The exchange is signal report and ITU zone
(ITU zones are different from CQ zones). For example, if calling from the eastern United States, “59, 8” on SSB and “599, 8” on CW would be the correct exchange.
This year, there is also a WRTC 2026 Chaser Awards Program to work as many WRTC stations as possible. Details are at www.wrtc2026.org/wrtc-2026-competition-awards.
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K9RS New ARRL Atlantic Division Vice Director |
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ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, has appointed Ray Sokola, K9RS, of Wilmington, Delaware, as Vice Director for the ARRL Atlantic Division. The appointment fills the vacancy created in January when former Vice Director Marty Newingham, AG3I, assumed the office of Atlantic Division Director (see The ARRL Letter, January 29, 2026). Sokola will serve the remainder of a term that expires December 31, 2026.
The Atlantic Division includes the ARRL Sections of Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, Western Pennsylvania, Maryland-DC, Northern New York, Western New York, and Southern New Jersey.
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Amateur Radio in the News |
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“Amateur radio operators prepare for nationwide test and storm spotting” / WTVO/WQRF (Illinois) June 24, 2026 -- The Rockford Amateur Radio Association is an ARRL Affiliated Club
“Coastal Amateur Radio Society takes to the airwaves for ARRL Field Day” / WTOC (Georgia) June 27, 2026 -- The Coastal Amateur Radio Society
“Inside the 24-hour radio marathon by local club at Ann Arbor airport” / M Live (Michigan) June 29, 2026 --The ARROW Communication Association is an ARRL Affiliated Club
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ARRL Live Events and Podcasts |
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On the Air LIVE
What is your family’s backup plan when phones, texts, or internet are not available? Join ARRL’s Education Specialist Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, for the next On the Air Live as we explore the P.A.C.E. plan—Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency—and how it can help families build a practical communications plan before a crisis happens. We’ll talk about where amateur radio fits, how to layer your options, and how to make the plan simple enough for the whole family to use. The livestream will air on the ARRL's learning center, learn.arrl.org, July 28th at 8pm Eastern. Preregistration is required and can be accomplished through the Learning Center.
📅 Date: July 28th, 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
Introduction to Digital Modes
ARRL Technical Editor Conrad Trautmann, N2YCH, joins the podcast to talk about what digital modes are, why it’s worth it for hams of all classes to use them, and how to get started. More info
| Listen on Blubrry
| Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.
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ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut will be closed Friday July 3, 2026, in observance of the U.S. Independence Day holiday. There will be no W1AW bulletins or code practice transmissions during the holiday weekend. Regular hours will resume Monday July 6, 2026, at 8:00 AM EDT.
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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.
07/08/2026 No activations... IARU HF Contest
07/13/2026 Georgia W1AW/4 (host KJ4CNC)
07/15/2026 Indiana W1AW/9 (host AK9R)
07/15/2026 Pennsylvania W1AW/3 (host K3LR)
07/15/2026 Utah W1AW/7 (host NA7C)
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A Fun, Limited-Time, Opportunity Just for ARRL Life Members
For the first time, ARRL is making a special supply of the popular Gil Mug available to ARRL Life Members when you join the ARRL Diamond Club at the Introductory level with a gift starting at $100.
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One side features a classic hilarious cartoon by the legendary Phil Gildersleeve, W1CJD, “Gil”...the beloved ham cartoonist whose work defined QST for nearly 40 years. Gil’s cartoons captured the joy, frustration, and spirit of Amateur Radio like no one else, from his iconic “Jeeves” illustrations to everyday ham shack humor.
He was a skilled operator, a true pioneer, and a cornerstone of our community’s culture.
The other side proudly displays the ARRL logo with “Member” below it—a perfect tribute to your lifelong dedication.
This mug was previously available only as a premium with new or renewing 3-year memberships. Life Members had no opportunity to get one—until now.
Supply is strictly limited. These mugs won’t last long, and once they’re gone, this special offer for Life Members closes.
It’s our way of saying thank you for your years of support and inviting you to invest in the future of Amateur Radio.
Why Join the Diamond Club? Your annual gift at the Introductory level goes directly to critical programs and services that dues alone can’t fully cover—protecting spectrum, supporting education and youth initiatives, advancing technology, emergency communications, and keeping Amateur Radio strong for the next generation.
As a thank you, you’ll also receive:
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A Diamond Club pin
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Personalized Diamond Club certificate (first year)
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Two car window decals
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The ARRL Calendar (mailed in November)
Higher levels offer even more great benefits, but the Introductory level with the Gil Mug is the perfect way to start or renew your commitment.
Don’t miss out—act today while supplies last!
Donate Now to Diamond Club and Claim Your Gil Mug. Be sure to note your interest in the limited edition Gil Mug offer using Market Code DCGIL. You can also reply to this email at development@arrl.org
or call the Development Office at (860) 594-0291 with any questions. Your gift today helps secure the future of the hobby we all love.
Together, we’ll keep the airwaves alive with innovation, friendship, and fun for many more years.
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As of Thursday July 2, rescue and recovery efforts are still underway in Venezuela following twin earthquakes that struck the country last week. Amateur radio operators around the world are helping with emergency communications.
All amateurs are being asked to keep 7135 kHz in the 40-meter band clear for emergency communications in the wake of those earthquakes.
The request to keep 7135 kHz protected is still in effect.
ARRL will provide further updates as they are issued.
Death tolls are still rising to more than 1,450. Over 3,100 were injured and almost 13,000 people have been displaced.
The U.S. Geological Survey now estimates more than 10,000 casualties are possible.
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The 13 Colonies Special Event, now in its 18th year, is underway until to July 7, Midnight, Eastern time July 8, 0400 UTC). Amateur radio operators can make contacts with stations in each of the 13 colonies plus three bonus stations in Great Britain, France, and Philadelphia. This year, the event ties into the America250 celebration, with stations marking locations where the Declaration of Independence was first read. Cities in former colonies, including Augusta, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, are also part of the national celebration, offering historic sites and authentic experiences. Information about call signs, frequencies, special certificates, and QSL cards can be found online at The Annual 13 Colonies Special Event.
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Carlson Roof Towers has been renamed Carlson Towers. The company reports it will continue to improve its utility and functionality for ham radio operators and other users. The company also announced plans to move beyond the roof by developing innovative tower infrastructure products for markets outside of and larger than rooftop antenna mounting for amateur radio. Those rooftop towers have been renamed Carlson Compact Towers. The ultimate goal is to become a successful product development company for the greater tower infrastructure industry. The company launched this initiative's first product in May 2026 at the Dayton Hamvention®, the Carlson Tower Lift, which greatly reduces the need for costly and dangerous manual tower climbs to perform service, maintenance, and equipment replacement on sectional lattice towers. More information about the Tower Lift is on Carlson’s home page
and on the Tower Lift page.
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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, July 2, 2026 | | |
ARRL Solar Report for July 2, 2026
A series of M-class flares — all from Region 4479 — pushed solar activity to high levels this week.
The largest of the flares was an M3.5 on July 1.
An earlier flare from this region, M1.3 accompanied by a 1N H-alpha flare which peaked late July 1, appears to have been associated with dimming and a coronal mass ejection (CME) first identified in CCOR-1 imagery. Initial analysis suggests the CME has an Earth-directed component, although the speed derived from the available imagery was only 300-450 km/s. Further analysis is needed to increase confidence.
Flux emergence and some consolidation around the leader and trailer spots was observed in Region 4479 during the period. Region 4478 produced an M8.5/2b flare on July 1 following occasional C-class flaring. This region also exhibited flux emergence in the intermediate spots and around the leader spot.
Finally, Region 4480 was quiescent although some intermediate spots developed.
Solar activity is likely to decrease to moderate levels (R1-R2, minor-moderate) with a slight chance for X-class flares (R3-strong), particularly from Region 4479.
Solar wind parameters were enhanced with CME passage.
Solar wind speeds have ranged from approximately 360 - 425 km/s. The CME from June 30 is expected to arrive early on July 3, bringing disturbed solar wind conditions that are expected to last into July 4. There is enough uncertainty around the CME timing that an arrival mid-to-late on July 2 is possible.
The 10.7-centimeter flux: July 2, 137; July 3, 132; July 4, 141; July 5, 128; July 6, 144; July 7, 122; July 8, 148.
Predicted sunspots: July 2, 100; July 3, 93; July 4, 106; July 5, 88: July 6, 110; July 7, 81; July 8, 114.
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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July 2 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest-NA (digital)
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July 2 - 3 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
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July 2 -- NRAU 10m Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
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July 2 -- SKCC Sprint Europe (CW)
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July 4 -- NZART Memorial Contest (CW, phone)
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July 4 - 5 -- TA VHF/UHF Contest (CW, phone)
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July 4 - 5 -- CQ Worldwide VHF SSB/CW Contest (CW, phone)
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July 4 - 5 -- Marconi Memorial HF Contest (CW)
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July 4 - 5 -- Original QRP Contest (CW, phone)
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July 4 - 5 -- PODXS 070 Club 40m Firecracker Sprint (digital)
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July 5 - 6 -- ARAM 50 MHz Contest (CW, phone)
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July 5 - 6 -- FOC Old School Classic 1960s QSO Party (CW)
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July 6 -- RSGB 80m Club Championship (CW)
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July 7 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
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July 9 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest-NA (digital)
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July 11 - 12 --IARU HF World Championship (CW, phone)
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July 11 - 12 -- SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (CW)
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July 12 -- QRP ARCI Summer Homebrew Sprint (CW)
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July 13 -- 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint (CW, phone)
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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.
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, Augusta, Maine
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
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.
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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