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ARRL Letter Issue
96
The ARRL Letter for October 15, 2026
Richard Moseson, W2VU, Editor | October 15, 2026
ARRL Homepage
ARRL Homepage
In this Issue:
Florida Hams Provide Communications Support During Hurricane Isaias
eBay Restricts Listings of Radio Equipment, but Exempts Ham-Band-Only
Gear
Radio Club of America Announces Awards and Fellows for 2026
PoPping In to 44Net Connect
ARRL Announces Change in Rocky Mountain Division Leadership
Amateur Radio in the News
ARRL Live Events and Podcasts
Announcements
In Brief...
The ARRL Solar Report
Just Ahead in Radiosport
Upcoming ARRL Conventions and Major Events
Florida Hams Provide Communications Support During Hurricane Isaias
Amateur radio operators from Floridas 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
The Santa Rosa County, Florida, emergency operations center was
a hub of activity during the response to Hurricane Isaias.
[Photo courtesy Arc Thames, W4CPD]
eBay Restricts Listings of Radio Equipment, but Exempts Ham-Band-Only
Gear
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 FCCs 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.
Radio Club of America Announces Awards and Fellows for 2026
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, WCBK, 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 years 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
RCAs 2026 Technical Symposium and Awards Banquet in New York City on
November 21. Visit the clubs website for a complete list of awardees and
their biographies.
PoPping In to 44Net Connect
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, ARDCs 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. Were 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 ARDCs introductory blog post.
ARRL Announces Change in Rocky Mountain Division Leadership
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 ARRLs 15 Divisions, with Directors and Vice
Directors serving 3-year terms.
Mel Parkes, NM7P, at the July 2026
Second Meeting of the ARRL Board of
Directors in Windsor, Connecticut.
[Greg Sulla, KC1YNI, photo]
Amateur Radio in the News
Out of this world opportunity - How students in L-D High School are
preparing to speak to astronauts in space / Black Hills Pioneer
(Spearfish, SD), October 3, 2026 --
Local schools take STEM education to space through amateur radio
projects / Alachua Chronicle (Alachua, FL), October 10, 2026 -- North
Florida Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Special Service Club
University of Scranton Students Tear Down Borders Through Amateur Radio
/ University of Scranton Royal News (Scranton, PA), October 13, 20206 --
The University of Scranton Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club
ARRL Live Events and Podcasts
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. Its a great
way to improve your operating skills, gain confidence on the air, learn
about propagation, and become a more effective operatorall while having
a lot of fun. Whether youre 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
Listen to , available every Friday. 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.
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.
Announcements
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/ (host NAX)
10/21/2026 Arkansas W1AW/5 (host K5DB)
10/21/2026 Alaska W1AW/KL7 (host KTW)
10/21/2026 Wisconsin W1AW/9 (host W9XT)
10/28/2026 Michigan W1AW/8 (host K8NGW)
10/28/2026 Nevada W1AW/7 (host NCSM)
The Dog Day Radio Amateur Radio Club, KDOG, is back on the air from the
1st through the 7th of November. In observance of International Dog Day
in August, the clubs 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 KDOG 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
KDOG on QRZ.com to learn how you can donate professional services,
funds, clean towels and sheets, or some toys and food.
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.
In Brief...
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 years selection includes gear from
QST Product Review articles, vintage books, pre-owned equipment, signed
original sketches by Salty Walt Hudson, K4OGO, from Salty Walts 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.
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 nominees name,
call sign (if applicable), and complete contact information; nominators
name and contact information, and a detailed explanation supporting the
nominees 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.
Six new amateur radio satellites built by three different AMSAT
organizations were launched into orbit on October 1, riding aboard
SpaceXs 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-EAs 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 Nepals 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.
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.
Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) is this weekend, October 17 and 18, and as
weve 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 Ricos
largest-ever JOTA activation.
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 ARRLs 5-Band DXCC and 5-Band Worked All States
awards, as well as the Young Ladies Radio Leagues 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.
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.
The ARRL Solar Report
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 NOAAs 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.
Solar image on October 15, 2026
[Photo courtesy NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center]
Just Ahead in Radiosport
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)
Remember to visit the ARRL Contest Calendar for more events and
information.
Upcoming ARRL Conventions and Major Events
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
Have News for ARRL?
Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to
news@arrl.org. -- Richard Moseson, W2VU, ARRL News Editor
ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information
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On the Air. Published bimonthly for newer hams, featuring introductions
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practical projects with step-by-step instructions all in language thats
easy to understand.
NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features articles
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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.
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