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Amateur radio operators from Florida’s Santa Rosa, Nassau, Lake, Pinellas, and Leon Counties played an important role in supporting emergency communications efforts during and following Hurricane Isaias, helping ensure that critical communication capabilities remained available throughout the storm.
In Santa Rosa County, volunteer amateur radio operators staffed the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the evacuation shelter at the Milton Community Center. These volunteers provided a communications link between the shelter and the EOC, relaying situational updates and maintaining readiness to support emergency communications should traditional systems become unavailable.
Amateur radio operators across the state also supported auxiliary communications efforts, providing additional capabilities to maintain contact with the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee if conventional communication networks experienced disruptions.
"While traditional communications systems have become significantly more reliable over the years, amateur radio continues to serve as a dependable auxiliary communications resource," said Arc Thames, W4CPD, Santa Rosa County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Program Manager. "When disaster strikes, our volunteers are trained, prepared, and ready to step in wherever we're needed. It's another layer of resiliency that helps protect our communities."
Thames also serves as the ARRL Northern Florida Section Emergency Coordinator and the Amateur Radio Liaison to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, supporting the coordination of amateur radio and auxiliary communications resources statewide.
"During tropical weather events impacting Florida, our Auxiliary Communications team provides volunteer operators to monitor amateur radio communications at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee," Thames explained. "This ensures that if someone is unable to reach emergency officials through traditional means, we have another way to receive and relay critical information. We always hope we're not needed, but we're glad to be there just in case when all else fails." — Thanks to ARRL Northern Florida SEC Arc Thames, W4CPD, for the above |
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The Santa Rosa County, Florida, emergency operations center wasa hub of activity during the response to Hurricane Isaias.[Photo courtesy Arc Thames, W4CPD] |
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| | | | |  Online marketplace eBay has imposed new restrictions on listings of radio transmitting equipment in response to new FCC rules that took effect this week, but responded to ARRL that its new policy will not apply to gear that operates exclusively on amateur radio frequencies. The FCC’s rules are intended to use its equipment authorization program to protect against “national security threats to the communications supply chain” and cover a wide variety of products.
In its Third Report and Order issued on July 23, 2026, the Commission makes clear that online marketplaces share in the legal responsibility to assure that unauthorized RF devices are not offered for sale on their platforms. The rules took effect on October 13. Moving forward, equipment subject to FCC authorization must have its FCC ID number submitted to the marketplace and posted with its listing. There are exemptions for posts already online, “small sellers,” and used equipment, but initial messages to sellers from eBay suggested that an FCC ID would be required in order to post a listing for any equipment that transmits RF energy.
In response to a request from ARRL for a clarification relating to amateur radio equipment that does not require FCC authorization, an eBay spokesperson provided the following statement:
eBay allows the sale of devices capable of operating only on frequencies that the FCC has allocated for use by Amateur Radio Service licensees. As these devices do not require FCC equipment authorization, FCC IDs will not be required for these listings as an amateur licensee may use his or her license to operate such radios.
However, two-way VHF/UHF radio equipment capable of operating outside of the amateur frequency bands cannot be imported, advertised, sold, or operated within the United States, including on eBay, without an FCC equipment certification.
If eBay inadvertently takes action against listings for devices that don't require FCC IDs and are otherwise authorized, the affected seller should inform eBay and we will assess whether to remove restrictions from the listing.
It should be emphasized that the FCC did not change its underlying equipment authorization rules. Amateur radio equipment, except for commercial HF amplifiers, continues to not require FCC authorization. |
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The Radio Club of America has brought together both wireless industry  professionals and amateur radio operators for more than 100 years. Each year, it bestows prestigious awards and elevates several members to RCA Fellows. This year, as always, many of those on the list are hams. The award recipients include Dr. Charles C. Counselman, III, W1HIS, who developed technology for making highly accurate GPS positioning widely available; Jay Adrick, K8CJY, who helped develop digital television and serves as Board President of the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting; inventor Charles Kirmuss, WØCBK, who developed digital video and audio recording systems for public safety; Carole Perry Young Professional Award winner and electrical engineer Audrey McElroy, KM4BUN, a longtime proponent of youth in amateur radio; Dr. Ajay Poddar, AC2KG, an internationally-recognized leader in radio science and engineering; Dr. Henry Richter, W6VZA (SK), who developed the communications system for Explorer 1, the first US Earth satellite; and Anthony Rizi, NR1Z, a military and cybersecurity professional and college professor who is also active in ARISS, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station program.
This year’s class of RCA Fellows include amateurs Rachel Jones, KO4HLC; Geoffrey Mendenhall, W8GNM; Nick Pennance, N1CKP, and Dominic “Nick” Tusa, K5EF. The award winners and new Fellows will be formally recognized at RCA’s 2026 Technical Symposium and Awards Banquet in New York City on November 21. Visit the club’s website for a complete list of awardees and their biographies. |
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Back in the earliest days of the internet, a whole block of IP (internet  protocol) addresses — beginning with 44 — was set aside for amateur radio use. Most of that block of addresses is still there and is managed by ARDC, Amateur Radio Digital Communications. In December of 2025, ARDC launched 44Net Connect, a service intended to make it easy for hams to begin using 44Net addresses for such things as experimenting with digital modes, improving repeater infrastructure, setting up a home lab, and more. In the ensuing months, more than 2000 users have signed up and ARDC is now expanding access by doubling its number of “points of presence,” or “PoPs” around the world, adding new ones in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Sydney, Australia (current ones are in Frankfurt, Toronto, and Dallas). A PoP is a physical access point that connects different networks. “The additional PoPs will expand network capacity and bring nodes closer to users in different parts of the world,” explained Rebecca Key, KO4KVG, ARDC’s Communications Manager. “This can shorten the distance data travels, reducing latency, and improving the overall experience.”
“44Net Connect gives licensed hams a simpler way to get a static 44Net IP address without a complicated setup,” adds Key. “We’re seeing it used for everything from personal tinkering to club projects, education, and EmComm.”
You can find more information about 44Net Connect, including how to get started, in ARDC’s introductory blog post. |
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| | | | | Mel Parkes, NM7P, has resigned as Vice Director of the ARRL Rocky Mountain Division, effective October 10, 2026. Parkes was elected in 2025 to a three-year term that began January 1, 2026. He cited health and personal reasons for his resignation.
Previously, Parkes served as Utah Section Manager for 22 years, from 1999 until 2021.
ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, has appointed Ed James, KA8JMW, of Edgewood, New Mexico, to be the new Vice Director, serving the remainder of Parkes’ term, which runs through December 31, 2028. An ARRL Life Member, James has served in multiple ARRL Field Organization positions, including Section Manager of New Mexico.
ARRL is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. Elections are held annually for five of ARRL’s 15 Divisions, with Directors and Vice Directors serving 3-year terms. |
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| | Mel Parkes, NM7P, at the July 2026Second Meeting of the ARRL Board ofDirectors in Windsor, Connecticut.[Greg Sulla, KC1YNI, photo] |
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| | Amateur Radio in the News |
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| | | | | ARRL Live Events and Podcasts |
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| | On the Air LIVE  Contesting for the Beginning Radio Amateur
Join Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, ARRL Director of Education and Learning, for the October episode of On the Air Live on Tuesday, October 27, at 8 PM Eastern. Wayne will introduce the fun and benefits of amateur radio contesting, with a special focus on how newly licensed hams can get started.
Contesting is more than chasing points and making contacts. It’s a great way to improve your operating skills, gain confidence on the air, learn about propagation, and become a more effective operator—all while having a lot of fun. Whether you’re interested in casual operating, awards, emergency communications, DXing, or eventually competing in major contests, contesting can help sharpen skills that carry across the hobby. The livestream will air on the ARRL's Learning Center, learn.arrl.org. Preregistration is required and can be accomplished through the Learning Center.
📅 Date: October 27, 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 Ready for Contest Season ARRL Director of Education and Learning and host of On the Air LIVE, Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, joins the podcast to talk about what goes into an on-air contest, and what you, as a new ham, can get out of participating in one. More info | Listen on Blubrry | Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts. |
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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. Review your award progress and order your certificate and endorsements at america250.arrl.org.
10/14/2026 California W1AW/6 (host NZ6Q) 10/14/2026 Georgia W1AW/4 (host AF4DN) 10/14/2026 Missouri W1AW/Ø (host NØAX) 10/21/2026 Arkansas W1AW/5 (host K5DB) 10/21/2026 Alaska W1AW/KL7 (host KTØW) 10/21/2026 Wisconsin W1AW/9 (host W9XT) 10/28/2026 Michigan W1AW/8 (host K8NGW) 10/28/2026 Nevada W1AW/7 (host NØCSM) |
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The Dog Day Radio Amateur Radio Club, KØDOG, is back on the air from the 1st through the 7th of November. In observance of International Dog Day in August, the club’s monthlong activities were all about the rescue and responsible care of dogs. In November, operators are calling CQ for one week in recognition of the selfless work of the volunteers, rescuers, veterinarians, shelter staffers and other supporters of animals in need of loving and responsible homes. The event coincides with National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week created by the Humane Society of the US. Listen for KØDOG on the HF bands, using CW and SSB. Share your own stories as adopters, foster caregivers and rescue workers. QSL cards are available for all confirmed contacts and SWLs who send an SASE. Visit KØDOG on QRZ.com to learn how you can donate professional services, funds, clean towels and sheets, or some toys and food. |
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The Nashua Area Radio Society, an ARRL Affiliated Club, will be holding its next online Ham Bootcamp on Saturday November 14th from 10 AM to 6 PM Eastern time. Ham Bootcamp is an online, interactive program to help new, inactive, and prospective hams learn the skills that they need to get on the air. The morning sessions are all about VHF and the afternoon sessions focus on HF. There is no fee to attend Ham Bootcamp. Advance registration is requested. Questions may be emailed to bootcamp@n1fd.org. |
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The 21st annual ARRL Online Auction gets under way tomorrow, October 16, and runs through October 22, with more than 200 items up for bid. The auction preview is already open. This year’s selection includes gear from QST “Product Review” articles, vintage books, pre-owned equipment, signed original sketches by Salty Walt Hudson, K4OGO, from Salty Walt’s Portable Antenna Sketchbook, and four popular mystery boxes contributed by the ARRL Lab team. Featured equipment includes the Icom IC-PW2 solid-state amplifier, Alinco DR-CS10HT 2-meter FM transceiver, and Elecraft KH1 QRP transceiver with the Edgewood package, along with many other items. Proceeds from the annual auction benefit ARRL education programs, including efforts to license new hams, provide continuing technical and operating education, and develop instructional materials. All bidders must register on the auction website at arrl.auctionanything.com. Your ARRL account username and password will not work on the auction site. If you have participated in a previous ARRL Online Auction, you may use your existing auction login information. If you have forgotten your auction User ID or password, click the Help tab for instructions. Before bidding, be sure your mailing address and other account information are up to date. |
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| | Nominations are open for the 2027 CWOps Award for Advancing the Art of CW. The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals, groups, and organizations that have made the greatest contribution(s) toward advancing the art or practice of radio communications by Morse code. Candidates for the award may be one or more of the following: Authors of publications related to CW; CW recruiters, trainers, mentors, coaches and instructors; public advocates of CW; organizers of CW activities; designers and inventors who advance the art or practice of CW, and other contributors to the art or practice of CW. The award is not limited to amateur radio operators or their organizations.
Nominations may be made by anyone and must include the nominee’s name, call sign (if applicable), and complete contact information; nominator’s name and contact information, and a detailed explanation supporting the nominee’s qualifications for recognition. Nominations must be emailed by February 15, 2027, to awards@cwops.org with a copy to secretary@cwops.org. The winner will be recognized with a plaque at the 2027 Dayton Hamvention®. |
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| | Six new amateur radio satellites built by three different AMSAT organizations were launched into orbit on October 1, riding aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission. The AMSAT News Service reports that the group includes three PocketQubes from AMSAT-DL in Germany, two satellites from AMSAT-EA in Spain, and another PocketQube from AMSAT Nepal. The spacecraft traveled aboard OSSIE-D, the first orbital transfer vehicle developed by Spanish space transportation company UARX Space. Following separation from the Falcon 9 upper stage, OSSIE-D began deploying its collection of small satellites, giving the worldwide AMSAT community a particularly strong presence on the mission.
The AMSAT-DL “PocketQubes” are satellites measuring just 5 centimeters on each side, intended to promote amateur radio and space technology through open-source communications, telemetry, and other experiments. AMSAT-EA’s two satellites offer voice communication capabilities. HADES-E2 carries a repeater with a 145.925 MHz uplink and 436.888 MHz downlink, while HADES-L features a 10-meter uplink, on 29.472 MHz USB, with an FM downlink on 436.665 MHz. AMSAT Nepal’s SanoSat-2, also a 5-centimeter PocketQube, carries a camera capable of transmitting images as SSDV packets using GFSK modulation, allowing amateurs to receive and reconstruct imagery from orbit. SanoSat-2 can also operate as a digital store-and-forward repeater through which amateur operators can upload messages for later transmission. |
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| | ARRL member and Amateur Extra Class operator Brian Daly, WB7OML, has been reappointed to both the FCC's Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) and the Technological Advisory Council (TAC). He has also been selected to continue serving as Co-Lead of the TAC Emerging Wireless Broadband Working Group, which is examining technologies and policies that will influence the future of wireless broadband communications. Daly is an AT&T Fellow and Radio Club of America Fellow. The appointments place him among a select group of experts advising the FCC on issues ranging from communications security and network resilience to emerging wireless technologies and future spectrum needs. Daly says his continued service reflects the longstanding tradition of amateur radio operators contributing technical expertise, innovation, and public service at the highest levels of communications policy and technology development. |
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| | Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) is this weekend, October 17 and 18, and as we’ve been reporting, radio scouting groups are preparing to help Scouts around the world get on the air. ARRL Puerto Rico Section Public Information Coordinator Angel Santana, WP3GW, reports that multiple amateur radio groups on the island will be working with Scouts from nearly 20 different troops to help them make radio contacts and earn their radio merit badges. According to Santana, this is Puerto Rico’s largest-ever JOTA activation. |
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| | ARRL member Carol Laferty Dantzler, K4SAF, of Clearfield, Kentucky, was presented with a plaque on September 26 in recognition of her 69 years as a licensed amateur radio operator. Carol has been licensed since 1957. She has earned ARRL’s 5-Band DXCC and 5-Band Worked All States awards, as well as the Young Ladies Radio League’s Worked All States - YL award. Carol is also an ARRL card-checker for Kentucky. She was presented with the plaque at the Paintsville, Kentucky, Hamfest by ARRL Kentucky Section Manager Bob Selbrede, K6ZZ. |
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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:
Technical Editor RFI Lab Engineer Public Relations and Outreach Manager
Membership Marketing Analyst
Instructional Specialist
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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Look for improved propagation on the upper HF bands, as both the sunspot numbers and 10.7-centimeter radio flux remain near or above 100. According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), the increase in activity is being fueled primarily by sunspot Region 4551, which is described as the largest and most complex of six sunspot regions currently visible on the surface of the Sun. Mostly quiet geomagnetic conditions are expected as well, with some disturbances possible late next week.
The Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre predicts mostly normal HF propagation conditions worldwide.
The W3LPL Propagation Forecast from the Daily DX is predicting significantly improved DX conditions on 10 and 12 meters for as many as the next 10 days, with excellent conditions on 17, 15, and 20 meters as well. DX openings on 30 meters should begin in late afternoon each day, followed by 40 meters around an hour before sunset, and 80 meters just after sunset. Keep listening for DXpeditions and other activity from rare DX locations as stations get tuned up for the CQ World Wide SSB DX Contest on October 24 and 25. Predicted 10.7-centimeter solar flux: Oct 15, 105; Oct 16, 100; Oct 17-18, 95; Oct 19-20, 100; Oct 21, 105, Oct 22, 100. (Source: NOAA SWPC) Share your reports and observations. Send your tips, questions, or comments to w2vu@arrl.org. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...," and check out the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA. A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website. |
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Solar image on October 15, 2026[Photo courtesy NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center] |
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| | | | Just Ahead in Radiosport |
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| October 15 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest NA (digital) October 15 - 16 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW) October 17 -- 902 MHz and Up Sprint (CW, phone, digital) October 17 -- Feld Hell Sprint (digital) October 17 -- Argentina National 7 MHz Contest (phone) October 17 - 18 -- JARL WW RTTY Contest (digital) October 17 - 18 -- New York QSO Party (CW, phone, digital) October 17 - 18 -- Worked All Germany Contest (CW, phone) October 17 - 18 -- Stew Perry Topband Challenge (CW) October 17 - 26 -- DX Marathon Sprint (CW, phone, digital) October 18 - 19 -- Illinois QSO Party (CW, phone, digital) October 18 - 19 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW) October 19 - 23 -- ARRL School Club Roundup (CW, phone, digital) October 24 - 25 -- CQ World Wide DX Contest, SSB (phone) October 26 -- RSGB FT4 Contest (digital) October 28 -- SKCC Sprint (CW) October 28 -- UKEICC 80m Contest (CW) October 30 -- Zombie Shuffle (CW) October 31 - November 1 -- ARRL EME Contest (CW, phone, digital) October 31 - November 1 -- Russian WW MultiMode Contest (CW, phone, digital) October 31 - November 1 -- UK/EI DX Contest, SSB (phone)
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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. October 16 – 18 | Pacificon, hosting the ARRL Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, California October 24 | ARRL Day in the Park, hosting the ARRL Mississippi Section Convention, Ridgeland, Mississippi. October 30 – 31 | Stone Mountain Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Georgia State Convention, Lawrenceville, Georgia. November 7 | Superstition ARC Superfest, hosting the ARRL Arizona State Convention, Mesa, Arizona November 14 | Montgomery Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Alabama State Convention, Montgomery, Alabama
December 11 – 12 | Tampa Bay Hamfest, hosting the ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Plant City, Florida |
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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.
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| | | The ARRL Letter is published on 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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