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Get Ready for "Ham Radio Open
House" on
World Amateur
Radio Day 2025
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To help
promote
amateur radio
science and
technology,
and to honor
the 100th
anniversary of
the
International
Amateur Radio
Union (IARU),
ARRL is
inviting radio
clubs and
schools to
organize a Ham
Radio Open
House in
April, built
around World
Amateur Radio
Day (WARD) on
April 18.
The
event is
intended to
highlight the
Amateur Radio
Service for
its
development
and practice
of the latest
radio
communications
and
technology,
and as a
hands-on
pathway into
science,
technology,
engineering,
and
mathematics
(STEM) fields
for the next
generation.
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In April,
amateur radio
clubs, school
stations, and
other groups
will have the
opportunity to
advance public
knowledge
about ham
radio by
welcoming
their
communities
into their
stations for
the Ham Radio
Open House, as
part of World
Amateur Radio
Day. The focus
will be on
scientific
advancement
and
demonstrating
cutting-edge
technology.
This is a
chance to not
only shape the
conversation
about modern
ham radio but
also to show
how it serves
as a
steppingstone
and testbed
for many young
people pursing
STEM education
and future
high-tech
careers.
ARRL has teamed up with HamSCI
-- Ham Radio
Science
Citizen
Investigation
-- and the
science
community
organization
SciStarter to
invite the
public to
participate in
One
Million Acts
of Science
during April,
which is
Citizen
Science Month.
By hosting a
Ham Radio Open
House at your
group’s
station on
April 18,
you'll
introduce
individuals
who might
never
otherwise find
out about
today’s
amateur radio,
where science
and technology
intersect with
fun and
learning.
ARRL
Public
Relations and
Outreach
Manager Sierra
Harrop, W5DX,
said ARRL is
excited to
work with
HamSCI and
SciStarter on
this project.
“This is an
exciting
opportunity to
really reclaim
the public’s
image of ham
radio and show
them the
modern,
cutting-edge
technology
that’s in use
by many
amateurs,” she
said.
Clubs
are encouraged
to showcase
the latest
weak-signal
modes, such as
FT8 using
WSJT-X, or
other digital
modes. This
could be a
great
opportunity to
explore new
areas of
amateur radio
and
demonstrate
how the
service is at
the cutting
edge of
electrical
engineering.
Look
for resources
to help
organize and
promote the
event soon.
Find details
at www.arrl.org/world-amateur-radio-day.
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ARRL Club Grant Program
Awards a Half
Million
Dollars to
Grow Ham Radio
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Thirty-seven
amateur radio
clubs
benefitted
from $500,502
in grants
through the
ARRL Club
Grant Program
to implement
projects that
educate,
recruit,
train, and
promote
amateur radio
in their
communities.
Funding for
the grants
comes from Amateur
Radio Digital
Communications
(ARDC).
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There
were 110
applicants to
the 2024 ARRL
Club Grant
Program, with
applicants
from all ARRL
Divisions and
40 states,
requesting
nearly $1.6
million in
support, in
amounts
ranging from
as small as
$1,000 to as
large as the
maximum of
$25,000. Funds
were
distributed to
the clubs in
December of
2024.
Some
examples of
the work that
will be
accomplished
via these
grants include
upgrades to
antennas
within Florida’s
SARNet,
a statewide
linked UHF
repeater
network that
is used
extensively by
emergency
managers
during
hurricanes;
enhancement of
amateur
radio-based
telemetry
systems
onboard
Illinois Space
Society
projects, and
many programs
targeting
youth
outreach.
“These
grants are
possible
because of the
strong
partnership
between ARRL
and ARDC,”
said ARRL
Director of
Development
Kevin Beal,
K8EAL, “and
provide
transformational
impact for the
next
generation of
amateur radio
clubs.”
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ARRL Club Grants Fund
Hardware for
Florida
students to
make contact
with the
International
Space Station
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NASA
astronaut
Sunita Lyn
“Suni”
Williams
currently on
board the ISS.
(NASA photo)
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Pine View
School for the
Gifted (PVS)
in Osprey,
Florida, has
an opportunity
to achieve a
historic
milestone on
Tuesday,
January 28, at
12:21 PM
(EST), when
students and
faculty make
live contact
with
astronauts
aboard the
International
Space Station
(ISS). The
event marks
the first time
any school in
Sarasota
County has
been selected
to take part
in the Amateur
Radio on the
International
Space Station
(ARISS)
program and
reflects PVS's
commitment to
inspiring
future
scientists,
engineers, and
explorers.
Partnering with the Tamiami
Amateur Radio
Club
(TARC), an
ARRL
Affiliated
Club in
Venice,
Florida, PVS
will use
radios,
antennas, and
expert
operators to
facilitate
this rare
connection.
Sixteen
students will
engage in a
live two-way
conversation
with astronaut
Sunita Lyn
“Suni”
Williams,
asking
questions and
receiving
answers in
real time. The
ISS will be in
communication
range for just
11 minutes,
traveling at
over 17,500
MPH.
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The station’s
equipment and
satellite
tracking
ground station
were funded by
a grant from
the ARRL
Foundation,
secured by
TARC last
summer. TARC
members will
assist in
assembling the
station and
training
students in
its operation.
“Connecting
with
astronauts on
the ISS will
inspire these
students for
years to come,
emphasizing
curiosity,
exploration,
and the
limitless
possibilities
of science and
technology,”
said TARC
president Paul
Nienaber,
KN4BAR.
Nienaber
added that
TARC has
played a
pivotal role
in preparing
for this event
by training
students,
parents, and
faculty to
earn amateur
radio operator
licenses. So
far, 13
students and
five adults at
PVS have
earned their
FCC licenses,
paving the way
for the
establishment
of a school
amateur radio
club. With
equipment on
long-term loan
from TARC, the
club will soon
operate a
fully
functional
amateur radio
station,
capable of
global
communication.
The
Sarasota
County School
District will
live stream
the event on
its YouTube
channel (www.youtube.com/@SarasotaSchools).
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Ham Radio Demonstration Helps
Survivors of
Violence at
Camp
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Camp Family
Justice serves
pediatric
survivors of
violence in
Contra Costa
County,
California,
providing them
with an
opportunity to
enjoy the
outdoors in a
safe
environment
surrounded by
support
services,
including a
medical
clinic. The
camp provides
the
opportunity
for children
to decompress,
learn
resiliency
skills and
build a path
forward.
Children who
applied this
year, and
attended last
year, are now
reporting that
they worked
diligently in
school to earn
the privilege
of attending
Camp Family
Justice for a
second year.
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Spencer
Holmes, KM6SJ,
shows how to
use an
handheld
amatuer radio
to students at
Camp Family
Justice.
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Also
contributing
to Camp Family
Justice is
Spencer
Holmes, KM6SJ,
a popular
science
teacher at
Heritage High
School in
Brentwood and
adviser for
the school’s
amateur radio
club, W6HHS.
A
few weeks ago,
Holmes brought
a box full of
radios to the
camp. “The
kids were
excited,” said
Holmes. “They
had a lot of
questions and
two of campers
took two GMRS
radios and
talked to each
other for
hours.” Holmes
also set up a
mini HF
station. He
was able to
make contact
with several
stations and
allowed the
youth to talk,
on a
first-name
basis, with
other amateur
radio
operators.
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“Clearly, it
was chaotic
fun,” he
added. “But it
allowed them
to enjoy a
safe
environment
and a sense of
community.”
Holmes is one
of the only
teachers in
the state to
receive a
national
supporting
grant from
ARRL to
facilitate
radio
communication
education.
Some
of the kids
will be
cycling
through again
this year to
Camp Family
Justice.
Holmes thinks
he might start
talking about
how to become
an amateur
radio operator
and how he can
make that
happen.
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%20and%20Spencer%20Holmes,%20KM6SJ,%20reunited%20at%20Camp%20Family%20Justice..jpg?cb=85353) |
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Registered
Nurse Adrianna
Goyette (left)
and Spencer
Holmes, KM6SJ,
reunited at
Camp Family
Justice.
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Holmes is
known for his
dedication to
education and
his
long-standing
commitment to
the East
County
community.
What makes
this year at
Camp Family
Justice
especially
meaningful for
Holmes is an
unexpected
reunion with
Registered
Nurse Adrianna
Goyette.
Goyette, it
turns out, was
once Holmes’s
student at
Heritage High
School. Both
are now giving
back to the
community,
contributing
their time and
expertise to
the camp’s
violence
prevention
program. Their
story reflects
the strength
of the East
County
community, the
power of
mentorship,
the lasting
impact of
education and
a tip of the
hat to amateur
radio.
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Former QST
Columnist, Dr.
Emil Pocock,
W3EP, Silent
Key
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Dr. Emil
Pocock, W3EP,
has become a
Silent Key. He
passed away on
January 10,
2025, at the
age of 78.
From 1992 to
2002, Pocock
edited “The
World Above 50
MHz” for
ARRL’s
membership
journal, QST.
He served as a
volunteer in
the ARRL
Laboratory for
many years.
Pocock
was first
licensed at
the age of 12
and found a
career as an
academic. He
was
well-regarded
by colleagues
at ARRL as
always being
willing to
help and
teach.
Longtime QST
Editor Steve
Ford, WB8IMY,
led the
publication
during
Pocock’s
tenure. “Emil
was a
respected QST
columnist for
many years and
had
extensively
studied VHF
propagation.
His
contributions
to the amateur
community will
be missed,”
said Ford.
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According to his
obituary,
Pocock is
survived by
his wife of
more than 37
years, Ann;
and two
nieces,
Rebecca Pocock
and Juniper
Downs, and
their
families. A
celebration of
life will be
scheduled in
the future.
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Amateur Radio in the News
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On
the Air
Sponsored
by Icom
Slow-Scan
TV: Sending
Pictures by
Radio
Listen
to the latest
episode of the
On
the Air
podcast. In
preparation
for the first
On the Air
Live
interactive
livestream
launching on
January 28, we
take a look at
the topic:
slow-scan TV
(SSTV), a ham
radio mode
that allows
you to use RF
to send static
images. Steve
Ford, WB8IMY,
author of
“SSTV: When a
Picture is
Worth a
Thousand
Words” in the
January/February 2025 issue of On the Air,
joins the
podcast to
share the
basics of this
mode. Visit learn.arrl.org
to register
for the
January 28
livestream!
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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.
The On the Air
podcast and
ARRL Audio
News are
available on
blubrry,
iTunes, and
Apple
Podcasts.
On
the Air
| ARRL
Audio News
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A
reminder that
Winter Field
Day (WFD),
hosted by the
Winter Field
Day
Association,
is scheduled
to run from
1600 UTC (11
AM EST)
Saturday,
January 25
through 21:59
UTC (4:59 PM
EST) Sunday,
January 26,
2025.
Stations may
begin setting
up as of 1600
UTC (11 AM
EST) on
Friday,
January 24.
However,
cumulative
set-up time
may not exceed
12 hours. You
can review all
of the rules
at Rules
- WFDA.
Also, remember
to mark your
calendar for
2025 ARRL
Field Day on
June 28 - 29.
For additional
information,
visit Field
Day (arrl.org).
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The
High-frequency
Active Auroral
Research
Program
(HAARP) will
be conducting
a research
campaign
January 27 -
31, 2025, and
amateur radio
operators can
help monitor
the
transmissions.
Operating
frequencies
and times will
vary, but all
HAARP
transmissions
will be
between 2.75
and 10 MHz.
Actual
transmit days
and times are
highly
variable,
based on
real-time
ionospheric
and/or
geomagnetic
conditions.
All
information is
subject to
change and
information on
times and
dates can be
found at haarp.gi.alaska.edu.
This campaign
is being
conducted in
support of
research
proposals from
the U.S. Air
Force, the
University of
Florida, the
Naval Research
Laboratory,
Los Alamos
National
Laboratory,
Cornell
University,
Dartmouth
College,
Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical
University,
and the
University of
Houston. HAARP
is a program
of the
University of
Alaska
Fairbanks.
Reception
reports
are
appreciated
and may be
submitted
online at: haarp.gi.alaska.edu/form/reception-reports.
In addition to
the research
campaign,
HAARP is also
supporting the
Ground Imaging
to Rocket
Investigation
of Auroral
Fast Features
(GIRAFF)
sounding
rocket
mission, which
will be
launched from
Poker
Flat Research
Range
in Alaska. The
GIRAFF launch
window is
January 21 to
approximately
February 5,
2025. More
information on
GIRAFF is
available here.
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The
76th annual
International
DX Convention,
sponsored by
the Northern
California DX
Club,
will be held
at the Visalia
Conference
Center in
Visalia,
California,
from April 11
- 13, 2025.
This year’s
theme is "Back
to Basics," an
opportunity to
learn
effective tips
and techniques
to work DX and
have fun doing
it. The
convention
will feature a
contest forum,
DX forum, Contest
Academy,
DX
Academy
and the
all-new
full-day Next
Generation
DXing Program.
There are
seminars for
everyone from
the beginning
DXer to the
seasoned pro.
The
registration
fee for all
youth up to
age 18 has
been waived
and allows
free access to
the convention
programs,
forums, and
the exhibit
hall. Meals,
raffle tickets
and the bus
tour are not
included with
the free
registration.
Additionally,
shirt orders
must be made
by 00:00 UTC
on February 27
and convention
pre-registration ends at 00:00 UTC on April 3. To register, visit Registration
–
International
DX Convention.
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The
National
Traffic System
(NTS) 2.0
subcommittee
and its
working groups
have completed
a number of
projects and
initiatives.
Examples
include: the
NTS Treasure
Hunt, the
Radiogram
Portal,
certificates,
enhancing
numbered texts
and handling
instructions,
and creation
of The
NTS Letter.
More projects
are planned or
in the works.
The committee
is looking for
individuals
who would like
to be a part
of this
exciting
initiative! A
callout
meeting has
been scheduled
for Tuesday,
February 4,
2025, at 9 PM
EST/6 PM PST
for anyone who
is interested
in learning
more about the
future of NTS
and NTS 2.0.
The URL is bit.ly/406jokl.
You are not
required to
download or
install any
additional
software or
apps. Just
type the URL
into your
browser. For
questions,
contact ARRL
New England
Division Vice
Director Phil
Temples, K9HI,
at k9...@arrl.org.
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The Southeastern
VHF Society
(SVHFS) will
hold its
annual
conference on
April 4 – 5,
2025 at the
Quality Inn,
Clarksville,
Tennessee.
Clarksville,
located about
45 miles north
of Nashville,
is known as a
hub
for country
music and
entertainment.
Details will
soon be
available on
the Southeastern
VHF Society
website.
The deadline
date for the
submission of
papers for the
2025
conference has
been extended
to February
15. Details
for
submissions
can be found here.
When
submitting a
paper or
presentation,
indicate
whether you
plan to attend
the conference
and present
your paper in
person, or if
you are
submitting
solely for
publication.
Papers and
presentations
are being
handled by
Mike Stipick,
KC4RI, and
should be sent
to kc...@att.net.
Stipick can
also be
contacted at
the same
e-mail address
if you have
any questions.
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This
image was
taken on
January 23,
2025. [Photo
courtesy of
NASA SDO/HMI]
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Solar Update,
January 23,
2025
Mostly
quiet
conditions are
expected
today. The
geomagnetic
field was
quiet to
unsettled. On
January 24,
mid-to-late, a
glancing blow
from the first
of two coronal
mass ejections
(CMEs) is
likely to
cause
unsettled to
active
conditions. By
early on
January 25,
the January 22
CME (see
below) is
expected to
arrive,
causing a
further
increase to
active-to-G1
(minor)
storming with
a chance for
G2 (moderate)
storm levels.
Solar
wind
parameters
continued to
decline as
high-speed
stream (HSS)
activity
slowly
diminished.
Predicted
solar flux is
230 on January
21 - 25 and
the predicted
planetary A
index is 5 on
January 21 -
30. The
10.7-centimeter
flux is 230
for January
23-24.
Earthsky.org
is reporting a
big blast from
the sun came
out with a
chunk of solar
stuff, aka coronal
mass ejection
(CME),
and part of it
is coming to
us on Earth.
The sun
produced an M1.4
flare
at 11:08
UTC
on January 22.
The blast was
from an
as-yet-unnumbered
active region
in the
vicinity of
active region
AR3967. The
event provoked
a big blob of
solar material
to be hurled
into space. A
portion of the
ejecta was
sent out
south-southwest
oriented.
Initial
analysis
anticipates a
portion of
this solar
plasma is
coming our
way. Arrival
time is
expected early
on January 25
and may bring
conditions for
auroral
displays in
northern
latitudes with
a G1
(minor) geomagnetic
storm.
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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- January 23 -- NAQCC CW
Sprint (CW)
-
January 24 -
26 -- CQ 160m
Contest (CW)
-
January 25 -
26 -- REF
Contest (CW)
-
January 25 -
26 -- BARTG
RTTY Sprint
(digital)
-
January 25 -
26 -- UBA DX
Contest SSB
(phone)
- January 25 - 26 --
Winter Field
Day (CW,
phone,
digital)
-
January 25 -
26 --
Australia Day
Contest (CW,
phone,
digital)
-
January 29 --
UKEICC 80m
Contest (CW)
Visit
the ARRL
Contest
Calendar
for more
events and
information.
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Upcoming Section, State, and
Division
Conventions
|
- January 31 - February 1
| Jackson
MS Capital
City Hamfest
2025,
hosting the
ARRL
Mississippi
Section
Convention,
Jackson,
Mississippi
-
February 7 - 9
| Orlando
HamCation,
hosting the
ARRL
Southeastern
Division
Convention,
Orlando,
Florida
-
February 8 | Hendricks
County Hamfest,
hosting the
ARRL Indiana
Section
Convention,
Danville,
Indiana
-
February 14
-15 | Yuma
Hamfest,
hosting the
ARRL
Southwestern
Division
Convention,
Yuma, Arizona
-
February 22 |
HAM-CON,
hosting the
ARRL Vermont
State
Convention,
Colchester,
Vermont
-
February 28 -
March 1 | BirmingHamfest,
hosting the
ARRL Alabama
Section
Convention,
Trussville,
Alabama
-
March 7 - 8 |
Greater
Houston
HamFest,
hosting the
ARRL Texas
State
Convention,
Rosenberg,
Texas
-
March 15 | 69th
Annual St.
Patrick’s Day
Hamfest,
hosting the
ARRL West
Texas Section
Convention,
Midland, Texas
Remember
to search the
ARRL
Hamfest and
Convention
Database to
find events in
your area.
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ARRL Members
have access to
a pool of
lawyers who
are also hams
and ARRL
members called
Volunteer
Counsels
(VCs). Our VCs
help with
various
regulatory and
legal issues,
including
local
government
zoning and
covenant
issues and
legal issues
surrounding
interference
problems. VCs
are appointed
and approved
by the
Division
Director as
requested by
ARRL HQ. In
addition,
because of the
professional
nature of
their work,
VCs may
require fees
for their
advice. A list
of VCs
nationally can
be found at: www.arrl.org/locate-a-vc.
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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
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