Amateur Radio News and Notes 7/17/2026

Amateur Radio News and Notes 7/17/2026

In the log this week * Contest Spotlight: North American QSO Party (RTTY) * ARRL Announces Student Coding Competition Winner * Contest Spotlight: CQ World Wide VHF (Digital) * World Radiosport Team Championship 2026 Results * MVARC Nets on the Air * What’s happening with DX? * Solar Activity Update * Upcoming Contests * Interesting Online Radio Content As always, links to all referenced content can be found in the show notes, or at our Substack at mvarc.substack.com [https://mvarc.substack.com]. Thanks for reading Amateur Radio News and Notes. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Contest Spotlight: North American QSO Party (RTTY) This weekend brings the Summer 2026 edition of the North American QSO Party on RTTY. The NAQP starts Saturday, July 18 at 1800 UTC (2 PM Eastern Time) and ends on Sunday, July 19 at 0559 UTC (1:59 AM Eastern Time). The stated objective of the NAQP is to work as many North American stations as possible during the contest period. North American stations are defined by the ARRL DXCC List with the addition of Hawaii. The entry classifications are Single Operator (SO) with no spotting assistance permitted and 10 of the 12 hours able to be operated, Single Operator Assisted (SOA) where spotting networks and skimmers may be used with 10 of 12 hours able to be operated, and Multioperator Two-Transmitter (M2) where spotting assistance is permitted and the entire 12 hours may be worked. A maximum of 100 Watts of output power is permitted with Low Power (100 Watts or less) and QRP (5 Watts or less) being permitted. If power in excess of 100 Watts is used, any submissions will be used as a check log. The exchange is operator name and State/Province/Country. So for me in Virginia it would be “Ed VA”. DX stations just send their name. Multipliers are all 50 US States and the District of Columbia, the 12 Canadian provinces and territories, and other North American entities as defined by the ARRL DXCC list. Contacts may be worked once per band and contacts with an incorrect exchange are removed without penalty. Call sign errors (busted QSOs) and other log NIL (Not In Log) are removed and are penalized by 1 QSO point deduction. Total score is the number of valid contacts multiplied by the number of multipliers worked for each band. Full rules and details can be found at https://ncjweb.com/NAQP-Rules.pdf [https://ncjweb.com/NAQP-Rules.pdf]. So get on RTTY this weekend and make some QSOs. Good luck. ARRL Announces Student Coding Competition Winner Image Courtesy ARRL [https://www.arrl.org/news/16-year-old-arrl-member-wins-2026-student-coding-competition] The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) announced that 16 year old amateur radio operator Ben KC3ZPQ of Ellicott City, Maryland, has been named the winner of its 2026 Student Coding Competition. As a result of his win, he will receive a $5,000 prize and was awarded a new MacBook Neo to assist his future coding endeavours. He designed a mobile application to assist individuals in their preparation for amateur radio license examinations. In addition to his win, ARRL offered him a consulting project over the Summer to continue his work and he will be eligible for a $5,000 scholarship when he enrolls in college after high school. Congratulations to Ben. For more information visit https://www.arrl.org/news/16-year-old-arrl-member-wins-2026-student-coding-competition [https://www.arrl.org/news/16-year-old-arrl-member-wins-2026-student-coding-competition]. Contest Spotlight: CQ World Wide VHF (Digital) This weekend brings the digital edition of the 2026 CQ World Wide VHF Contest. The contest starts at 1400 UTC Saturday, July 18 (10 AM Eastern Time) and ends at 1400 UTC on Sunday (10 AM Eastern Time). The stated objective of CW WW VHF is to have “amateurs around the world to contact as many amateurs as possible in the contest period, to promote VHF, to allow VHF operators the opportunity to experience the enhanced propagation available at this time of year, and for interested amateurs to collect VHF Maidenhead grid locators for award credits”. Bands of operation include the 6 meter and 2 meter bands and stations may be worked once per band. For the digital edition of the contest, only digital modes (e.g. FT8, FT4, MSK144, Q65, etc.) may be used. The exchange is call sign and Maidenhead grid locator. So for me, in Northern Virginia, my exchange would be “N2EC FM18”. Signal reports are not required and should not be included in submitted logs. Multipliers are the number of different grid locators worked per band. Rovers may count the same grid locator more than once per band as long as they are in a different location for the subsequent contact. QSO points are 1 point on 50 MHz and 2 points on 144 MHz for each contact. Total score is the QSO points multiplied by the number of grid locators worked. Entry categories include Single operator at High (up to 1500 Watts), Low (up to 100 Watts), and QRP (up to 5 Watts) power levels, Hilltopper which is a single op category for up 6 hours of continuous operation up to 100 Watts, Rover which allows up to 2 operators that travel to more than one grid location and signs with “Rover” or “/R”, and Multi-Op with 2 or more operators with only one signal per band. Repeater and satellite contacts are not permitted. Spotting assistance is allowed so long as it is not used to confirm a QSO or convey information in the exchange. Self spotting by APRS by rovers is also permitted. Logs must be submitted by July 24, 2026 to be eligible for awards. For rules and full information visit https://cqww-vhf.com/ [https://cqww-vhf.com/]. Good luck. World Radiosport Team Championship 2026 Results Image Courtesy https://www.wrtc2026.org/ [https://www.wrtc2026.org/] Last weekend brought the 2026 World Radiosport Team Championship and the competition was heated. The winners this year were the WRTC 2022 Champions team consisting of VE3DZ and UW7LL with a total score of 7,460,840 points. In a close second place was the EU team of DJ5MW and DM5EE with 7,369,782 points. In third place was the EU team of E77DX and DJ4MX with 7,346,885 points. WRTC is a quadrennial contest that many consider to the the “Olympics” of amateur radio contesting. The competition is a 24 hour trial that runs concurrently with the IARU HF World Championship and attempts to provide as level of a playing field as is practicable. Each station used the same antennas and power equipment and was limited to 100 Watts of forward power. The close scores highlight how much skill and strategy were involved in this year’s contest. Congratulations to all the participants. MVARC Nets on the Air * 2 Meter FM Net: Tuesdays at 7 PM [146.655/- MHz (141.3 Hz PL Tone) ] * 2 Meter Digital Net: Immediately Follows 2 Meter FM Net [146.655/- MHz C4FM] * MVARC Slow Speed CW Roundtable: Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 AM [3.565 MHz CW] * MVARC Cherry Tree Net: Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 AM [3.920 MHz LSB] What’s Happening with DX There will be a lot of DX on the air this week. Stations on the air include French Polynesia (FO/F6CBW), Ogasawara (JK1HFB/JD1), Greenland (OX/DL8JJ), Luxembourg (LX/PA1SND), Crete (SV9/HB9EMP, SV9/S50B), Benin (TY5FR), Sardinia (IS0/IZ3KVD), Cyprus SBA (ZC4RH), St Martin (FS/LA5IIA), Ivory Coast (TU5MM), Liechtenstein (HB040A), Jersey (MJ/DG3FEH), Panama (HP1/LA5IIA), Rodrigues Island (3B9HR), South Cook Island (E51KEE), and Azerbaijan (4K/DL4XT). A calendar of DXpeditions can be found at NG3K’s Announced DX Operations List at https://www.ng3k.com/misc/adxo.html [https://www.ng3k.com/misc/adxo.html]. Solar Activity Update As we go to press the Solar Flux Index (SFI) was 101 and the estimated sunspot number was 25 with 4 numbered sunspot regions visible from Earth. Over the last week the SFI has decreased. Solar activity has been at very low levels in the last 24 hours. The geomagnetic field has been at quiet to unsettled levels in the last 24 hours and the Kp index reached 3 yesterday. The solar wind averaged 400 km/s. Solar activity is predicted to be at low levels with a chance of M-class flares today through Sunday. The geomagnetic field is forecast to be at quiet levels today and Sunday, and at quiet to unsettled levels on Saturday. The chance of solar radiation storms at the S1 or greater level is at 1% today through Sunday. R1 to R2 radio blackouts are possible with a predicted probability of 25% today through Sunday. R3 or greater blackouts are unlikely with a 1% chance predicted today through Sunday. It remains a fantastic time for amateurs to get on the air and work the world. Good sources of real-time solar information include https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/ [https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/] and https://solarham.com/ [https://solarham.com/]. A good overview of conditions can be found at https://dx.qsl.net/propagation/ [https://dx.qsl.net/propagation/]. To see D-layer absorption data and associated radio blackouts, visit https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/d-region-absorption-predictions-d-rap [https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/d-region-absorption-predictions-d-rap]. To see real-time Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) and Critical Frequency (foF2) information from radiosonde data, visit https://prop.kc2g.com/ [https://prop.kc2g.com/]. Upcoming Contests This weekend brings the North American QSO Party on RTTY and the CQ World Wide VHF Digital Contest we spotlighted earlier. Also on the air this weekend will be the LABRE DX Contest, the Russian Radio Team Championship, the Trans-Tasman Low-Bands Challenge, the Feld Hell Sprint, the IARU Region 1 70 MHz Contest, the RSGB International Low Power Contest, the YOTA Contest, and the Run for the Bacon QRP Contest. As always the K1USN SSTs, the MSTs, and the CWTs will also be on the air. The full contest calendar with events and exchanges can be found at https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php [https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php]. Interesting Online Radio Content Bob W9KNI tells a tale of hunting rare DX in ZD9 Gough Island - https://www.onallbands.com/tales-from-a-serial-sniper-zd9-gough-island/ [https://www.onallbands.com/tales-from-a-serial-sniper-zd9-gough-island/] Callum M0MCX builds a 3 element direct feed Yagi for 15 meters - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixWhmnCNfDU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixWhmnCNfDU] Walt K4OGO makes a vertical dipole for 20 meters - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiGSj8woyBE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiGSj8woyBE] Josh KI6NAZ does a QRP SSB activation for POTA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mwix7eSNhE4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mwix7eSNhE4] Jason KM4ACK builds a digipeater using Greywolf - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPqLa87JtG8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPqLa87JtG8] Gabe KL1FI builds satcom antennas from items in his junkbox - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0weCUATp5d8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0weCUATp5d8] Jason KM4ACK shows a presentation from Stephen WA8LMF about APRS over VARA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GquhFLDGncY [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GquhFLDGncY] Mike K8MRD installs a beta version of Winlink for Macs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoAqFsmDP00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoAqFsmDP00] Sean W9FFF takes a look at some cheap imported CW keys - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP7DMyQgt0U [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP7DMyQgt0U] IMSAI Guy talks about RF mixers (Part 1) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrE5ciuc2lw [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrE5ciuc2lw] IMSAI Guy talks about RF mixers (Part 2) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNgYBWDqjL4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNgYBWDqjL4] Veritasium gives an explanation of the history and usage of the Smith Chart for impedance matching calculations - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK2pZ_oVU1o [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK2pZ_oVU1o] Sean W9FFF builds a v-dipole using parts from the hardware store - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFZFt0vMgAM [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFZFt0vMgAM] Mike K8MRD talks about different versions of MeshCore and how to flash them - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7o-9C-Mkm0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7o-9C-Mkm0] The Broadcast Engineer gives us a tour of the iHeartRadio studios in Los Angeles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXnYMKeBOn4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXnYMKeBOn4] Rob N1NUG fixes his Super Antenna beam antenna - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNUbMnhgpUY [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNUbMnhgpUY] Chris KL9A and Dan N6MJ share their preparation for WRTC - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNu6i2KyBF8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNu6i2KyBF8] Jeff KF0MYB takes a look at the Quad RF antenna array to visualize RF - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QESevE2c_cc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QESevE2c_cc] George VK2AOE builds an active loop receive antenna - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqVct2j0pk4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqVct2j0pk4] Mike K8MRD looks at the LDG MC-7300 external meter for the Icom 7300 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01l4xcA8Y9k [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01l4xcA8Y9k] Craig KM6LYW builds a desktop Hamclock for $60 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gzBe9SLPNk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gzBe9SLPNk] Walt K4OGO reevaluates the Yaesu FT-891 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3lYp07mlHI [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3lYp07mlHI] That’s it for this week. Best 73, Ed N2EC This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mvarc.substack.com [https://mvarc.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Amateur Radio News and Notes 7/10/2026

In the log this week * The World Radiosport Team Championship 2026 This Weekend (July 11-12, 2026) * Contest Spotlight: IARU HF World Championship * ARRL Announces New Atlantic Division Vice Director * MVARC Nets on the Air * What’s happening with DX? * Solar Activity Update * Upcoming Contests * Interesting Online Radio Content As always, links to all referenced content can be found in the show notes, or at our Substack at mvarc.substack.com [https://mvarc.substack.com]. Thanks for reading Amateur Radio News and Notes. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. The World Radiosport Team Championship 2026 This Weekend (July 11-12, 2026) Image Courtesy https://www.wrtc2026.org/ [https://www.wrtc2026.org/] This weekend brings the 2026 edition of the World Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC) in the United Kingdom. WRTC is a quadrennial contest that many consider to the the “Olympics” of amateur radio contesting. The competition is a 24 hour trial that runs concurrently with the IARU HF World Championship starting on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 1200 UTC (8 AM Eastern Time Saturday) and ending on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 1159 UTC (7:59 AM Eastern Time Sunday). WRTC is unique in several ways in the world of contesting. One of those unique characteristics is its attempt to provide as level of a playing field as is practicable. Each station will be using the same antennas and power equipment and will be limited to 100 Watts of forward power and referees will be on-site with each team. Speaking of teams, there are 50 teams of two competitors including 40 teams that are selected via a points qualification process from other contests over the previous years, 1 team consisting of the previous champions, 4 youth teams, at least 2 sponsored teams, and at least 1 wild card team. This year you should be able to track the competition in real time using an online scoreboard from World Radio League [https://app.worldradioleague.com/contest/contest-detail?tab=contest_home&contest_id=26aeadd4-155f-4f80-8b1e-95163cab3d42]. There will also be coverage on the WRTC 2026 YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@WRTC2026/streams [https://www.youtube.com/@WRTC2026/streams]. Since they will be participating in the IARU HF World Championship, you can try to work as many of these special event stations as you can. The exchange is Signal Report and ITU Zone, so if I were to work a WRTC station from my QTH in Virginia on CW, my exchange would be “599 8”. A map of ITU Zones can be found at https://www.mapability.com/ei8ic/maps/ituzone.php [https://www.mapability.com/ei8ic/maps/ituzone.php]. Full event information, rules, and updates can be found at https://www.wrtc2026.org/ [https://www.wrtc2026.org/]. Good luck. Contest Spotlight: IARU HF World Championship Image Courtesy https://www.iaru.org/ [https://www.iaru.org/] As mentioned in our story on the WRTC 2026 competition, this weekend brings the IARU HF World Championship. The contest starts on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 1200 UTC (8 AM Eastern Time Saturday) and ends on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 1159 UTC (7:59 AM Eastern Time Sunday). The stated objective of the contest is “To support amateur self-training in radiocommunications including improving amateur operating skills, conducting technical investigations, and intercommunicating with other amateurs around the world, especially IARU member society headquarters stations”. Bands of operation for the contest include the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter bands on both SSB and CW. Contacts are valid once per band and mode. Categories of operation include Single Operator and Single Operator Unlimited in Mixed Mode, CW-Only, and Phone-Only. Multioperator stations may only enter as Mixed-mode. There is also a Youth Overlay category for single operator stations under 25 and a category for IARU Society HQ Stations. The exchange is a signal report and ITU zone, so from my QTH in Virginia on SSB, my exchange would be “59 8”. A map of ITU Zones can be found at https://www.mapability.com/ei8ic/maps/ituzone.php [https://www.mapability.com/ei8ic/maps/ituzone.php]. For scoring, the QSO points vary by location of the station with 1 point for contacts within your ITU zone and with IARU HQ or official stations, 3 points for contacts within your continent but with a different ITU zone, and 5 points for contacts with another continent and a different ITU zone. Multipliers are the total number of ITU Zones worked on each band (but not mode) plus IARU member society HQ stations on each band (but not mode). IARU officials represent a maximum of 4 multipliers per band (AC, R1, R2, and R3). IARU member society HQ stations and officials do not count for Zone multipliers. The total score is the QSO points multiplied by the total multipliers. Online certificates will be available to all eligible participants for highest scoring entries in each ITU Zone, DXCC country, and ARRL section, IARU member stations, and those making at least 250 contacts or having a multiplier total of 75 or more. Logs must be submitted within 7 days after the event is over at 1159 UTC. For full rules and details visit https://www.arrl.org/iaru-hf-world-championship [https://www.arrl.org/iaru-hf-world-championship]. Good luck. ARRL Announces New Atlantic Division Vice Director Image Courtesy https://www.arrl.org/ [https://www.arrl.org/] On July 6, 2026, the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) announced that Ray Sokola K9RS of Wilmington, Delaware was appointed as Atlantic Division Vice Director by ARRL president Rick Roderick K5UR. The position was vacant due to previous Atlantic Division Vice Director Marty Newingham AG3I having assumed the office of Atlantic Division Director after it had been made vacant earlier this year. That vacancy was due to previous Atlantic Division Director Robert Famiglio K3RF being declared ineligible for office in a dispute over a change to ARRL By Laws section 46(d). Vice Director Sokola will serve the remainder the term expiring December 31, 2026. Division elections are held each year for 5 of the 15 Divisions for terms of 3 years. For more information visit https://www.arrl.org/news/new-arrl-atlantic-division-vice-director [https://www.arrl.org/news/new-arrl-atlantic-division-vice-director]. MVARC Nets on the Air * 2 Meter FM Net: Tuesdays at 7 PM [146.655/- MHz (141.3 Hz PL Tone) ] * 2 Meter Digital Net: Immediately Follows 2 Meter FM Net [146.655/- MHz C4FM] * MVARC Slow Speed CW Roundtable: Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 AM [3.565 MHz CW] * MVARC Cherry Tree Net: Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 AM [3.920 MHz LSB] What’s Happening with DX There will be a lot of DX on the air this week. Stations on the air include French Polynesia (FO/F6CBW), Cameroon (TJ1GD/P), Saint Martin (FS/F4EQE), Saint Pierre and Miquelon (FP/KV1J), Ogasawara (JD1BQP, JR6HYO/JD1, JK1HFB/JD1), El Salvador (YS3/PY8WW), Greenland (OX/DL8JJ), Luxembourg (LX/PA1SND), Crete (SV9/HB9EMP, SV9/S50B), Benin (TY5FR), Tuvalu (T22TT), Sardinia (IS0/IZ3KVD), Iceland (TF3HQ), and Isle of Man (MD/K3LR). A calendar of DXpeditions can be found at NG3K’s Announced DX Operations List at https://www.ng3k.com/misc/adxo.html [https://www.ng3k.com/misc/adxo.html]. Solar Activity Update As we go to press the Solar Flux Index (SFI) was 110 and the estimated sunspot number was 77 with 5 numbered sunspot regions visible from Earth. Over the last week the SFI has increased. Solar activity has been at moderate levels in the last 24 hours. The geomagnetic field has been at quiet to active levels in the last 24 hours and the Kp index reached 4 yesterday. The solar wind peaked at 585 km/s. Solar activity is predicted to be at low levels with a chance of M-class flares and a slight chance for X-class flares today through Sunday. The geomagnetic field is forecast to be at unsettled to active levels today, at quiet to active levels on Saturday, and at quiet levels on Sunday. The chance of solar radiation storms at the S1 or greater level is at 1% today through Sunday. R1 to R2 radio blackouts are possible with a predicted probability of 40% today through Sunday. R3 or greater blackouts are possible with a 10% chance predicted today through Sunday. It remains a fantastic time for amateurs to get on the air and work the world. Good sources of real-time solar information include https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/ [https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/] and https://solarham.com/ [https://solarham.com/]. A good overview of conditions can be found at https://dx.qsl.net/propagation/ [https://dx.qsl.net/propagation/]. To see D-layer absorption data and associated radio blackouts, visit https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/d-region-absorption-predictions-d-rap [https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/d-region-absorption-predictions-d-rap]. To see real-time Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) and Critical Frequency (foF2) information from radiosonde data, visit https://prop.kc2g.com/ [https://prop.kc2g.com/]. Upcoming Contests This weekend brings the IARU HF World Championship Contest we discussed earlier as well as the SKCC Weekend Sprintathon, the QRP ARCI Summer Homebrew Sprint, and the 4 States QRP Group Second Sunday Sprint. As always the K1USN SSTs, the MSTs, and the CWTs will also be on the air. The full contest calendar with events and exchanges can be found at https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php [https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php]. Interesting Online Radio Content Michael KB9VBR builds a V-dipole with the REZ Scout system - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2Sf8AumPxE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2Sf8AumPxE] IMSAI Guy takes a look at an inexpensive 3 GHz frequency counter - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rbumWzhPLU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rbumWzhPLU] Josh KI6NAZ makes a DIY Mesh repeater to attach to his truck - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84REVs_U5n0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84REVs_U5n0] Bob WV7W talks about why we use meters in our frequency band nomenclature -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD4Bkd43usk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD4Bkd43usk] Jason KM4ACK uses APRS to find his nearest Winlink node - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EVcGUge0mk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EVcGUge0mk] Mike K8MRD muses over whether Field Day is "obsolete" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wvy0m1SL5Y [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wvy0m1SL5Y] Dugbo KD7RT activates SOTA in adverse conditions with a tarp - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZLWo3G3rCI [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZLWo3G3rCI] Tim K5OHY does a deep dive in comparing dipoles and verticals for DX and how ground matters - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1ZzjqHnc4E [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1ZzjqHnc4E] Mike K8MRD sings the praises of FME connectors for portable and tight installs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYbRpd3EuBg [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYbRpd3EuBg] Ben Makes Everything builds a variable power supply - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2HRpcJS6Vk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2HRpcJS6Vk] Hans G0UPL and Hannes DL9SCO go portable in Germany - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwmKMfOn0ko [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwmKMfOn0ko] That’s it for this week. Best 73, Ed N2EC This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mvarc.substack.com [https://mvarc.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Amateur Radio News and Notes 7/3/2026

In the log this week * Contest Spotlight: CQ World Wide VHF July 4-5, 2026 * SAQ Grimeton Alexander Day VLF Broadcast July 5, 2026 * REF Tour de France Special Event Station July 4-26, 2026 and August 1-9, 2026 * 13 Colonies Special Continues Until July 7, 2026 * MVARC ARRL Field Day 2026 Recap * MVARC Nets on the Air * What’s happening with DX? * Solar Activity Update * Upcoming Contests * Interesting Online Radio Content As always, links to all referenced content can be found in the show notes, or at our Substack at mvarc.substack.com [https://mvarc.substack.com]. Thanks for reading Amateur Radio News and Notes. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Contest Spotlight: CQ World Wide VHF July 4-5, 2026 This weekend brings the CQ World Wide VHF Contest. The fun starts at 1400 UTC Saturday (10 AM Eastern Time) and ends 1400 UTC on Sunday (10 AM Eastern Time). The objective of the contest is for “amateurs around the world to contact as many amateurs as possible in the contest period, to promote VHF, to allow VHF operators the opportunity to experience the enhanced propagation available at this time of year, and for interested amateurs to collect VHF Maidenhead grid locators for award credits”. All frequencies on the 6 meter and 2 meter bands may be used as permitted by the operator’s license and stations may be worked once per band. This is the SSB/CW/FM weekend, so only those “analog” modes are permitted in this edition of the contest. The exchange is the Maidenhead grid locator (so FM18 for me in Northern Virginia). Signal reports are not required and should not be included in the logs. Multipliers are the different grid locators worked on each band. Grid locators count once per band unless you’re a rover station, then you can re-work grids once you’re in a new grid yourself. QSOs are 1 point on the 6 meter band and 2 points on the 2 meter band. Scores are total QSO points multiplied by the number of grid locators worked. Entry categories include Single operator at High (up to 1500 Watts), Low (up to 100 Watts), and QRP (up to 5 Watts) power levels, Hilltopper which is a single op category for up 6 hours of continuous operation up to 100 Watts, Rover which allows up to 2 operators that travel to more than one grid location and signs with “Rover” or “/R”, and Multi-Op with 2 or more operators with only one signal per band. Repeater and satellite contacts are not permitted. Spotting assistance is allowed so long as it is not used to confirm a QSO or convey information in the exchange. Self spotting by APRS by rovers is also permitted. Logs must be submitted by July 10, 2026 to be eligible for awards. For more information including rules and details visit https://cqww-vhf.com/ [https://cqww-vhf.com/]. Good luck. SAQ Grimeton Alexander Day VLF Broadcast July 5, 2026 Image Courtesy Chrumps - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42756712 [https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42756712] On July 5, 2026 the historic VLF broadcast station, SAQ Grimeton, will fire up their Alexanderson alternator transmitters and transmit a message on 17.2 kHz CW. The Grimeton station is an early wireless station that used VLF frequencies to send transatlantic wireless messages from its location in southern Sweden. The site used a very early transmitting apparatus called the Alexanderson alternator which used rotating machinery to generate continuous wave signals. They will fire up the transmitter around 0830 UTC (4:30 AM ET) with initial calls beginning at 0845 UTC (4:45 AM ET) and then transmitting a message at 0900 UTC (5 AM ET). There will be a second transmission later with the same sequence at 1230 UTC (8:30 AM ET), 1245 UTC (8:45 AM ET), and 1300 UTC (9:00 AM ET). There will also be transmissions on amateur radio station SK6SAQ on 3517.2 kHz, 7017.2 kHz, 14017.2 kHz on CW and 3755 kHz and 7140 kHz on SSB. If you have a receiver that can receive VLF tune in and see if you can hear the historic transmitter on the air. For more information visit https://daily.hamweekly.com/2026/06/saq-grimeton-on-air-for-aexanderson-day-july-5/ [https://daily.hamweekly.com/2026/06/saq-grimeton-on-air-for-aexanderson-day-july-5/] https://alexander.n.se/en/ [https://alexander.n.se/en/] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimeton_Radio_Station [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimeton_Radio_Station] Good luck. REF Tour de France Special Event Station Image Courtesy https://www.qrz.com/db/TM00TFR [https://www.qrz.com/db/TM00TFR] Le Tour de France is one of the most well known cycling events in the world and the Réseau des Émetteurs Français (REF) will be organizing special event stations from July 4th to July 26th for the Le Tour de France and from August 1st to August 9th for Le Tour de France Femmes. Look on the air for the stations with of the form TMxxTFR where xx is a department number, for example TM66TFR and TM11TFR, to make contact. There is a challenge during the special event where CW contacts count for 5 points; SSB, PSK, and RTTY count for 3 points; FT8 and FT4 count for 2 points; each contact with a stage department counts for 4 points, each contact with a non-stage department earns 4 points, and each station can be contacted once per day. Just like in the Tour de France there is the Yellow award for those who contact all stage and transited departments, the Green award for the “best sprinter” who contact all stage departments, the Polka-Dot award for the “best climber” who contact all departments involving a mountain stage, and the White award for young operators under 25 who participate and finish the challenge. There are a lot of ways to play in the event, so check out https://www.qrz.com/db/TM00TFR [https://www.qrz.com/db/TM00TFR] for full information and rules. It promises to be a fun way to enjoy the excitement of this year’s Tour de France races. Good luck. 13 Colonies Special Continues Until July 7, 2026 Image Courtesy https://www.13colonies.us/ [https://www.13colonies.us/] The 18th Annual 13 Colonies Special event is underway and continues until Tuesday, July 7, 2026. As expected the pileups have already been intense with many of the special event stations making numerous contacts on the bands. The event has operating stations for each of the 13 original colonies each with its own 1x1 call. K2A in New York, K2B in Virginia, K2C in Rhode Island, K2D in Connecticut, K2E in Delaware, K2F in Maryland, K2G in Georgia, K2H in Massachusetts, K2I in New Jersey, K2J in North Carolina, K2K in New Hampshire, K2L in South Carolina, and K2M in Pennsylvania. There are also bonus stations available for GB13COL in the United Kingdom, TM13COL in France, and WM3PEN in Philadelphia. The event is staffed by volunteers in each of the states, and it can be a fun challenge to see if you can get them in the log. If you do find one of the stations, they ask that you give them a spot on DX Summit at http://www.dxsummit.fi/ [http://www.dxsummit.fi/], which is also a great place to find spots for the stations you need. The event tends to be VERY active on CW and SSB and may also be on RTTY and Digital. Activity will be on all bands (including the WARC bands) except 60 meters. I hope to be able to make a clean sweep on CW this year and always enjoy this event. Each of the stations has special QSL cards you can send for if you make a contact, and you can apply for a certificate for the event as well. More information about the event can be found at https://www.13colonies.us/ [https://www.13colonies.us/]. Good luck! MVARC ARRL Field Day 2026 Recap Image Courtesy Corey KN4YZY The Mount Vernon Amateur Radio Club had a great Field Day outing last weekend with a lot of QSOs in the log and a ton of fun being had by all. We were graciously hosted this year by the Inova Mount Vernon Hospital and the bands cooperated allowing us to make contacts coast to cost and internationally. Image Courtesy Corey KN4YZY We also had several members of the community come by and learn about amateur radio and we got some of them on the air as well. We took a break from operating for our Field Day picnic where we feasted on delicious pizza and enjoyed each other’s company. There was some light rain during the event, but our shelters kept us and our equipment nice and dry. Thanks to everyone who helped to plan the event, those who assisted in setup and tear down, those who operated during the event, and all those who joined us out in the field. We look forward to doing it all again next year! MVARC Nets on the Air * 2 Meter FM Net: Tuesdays at 7 PM [146.655/- MHz (141.3 Hz PL Tone) ] * 2 Meter Digital Net: Immediately Follows 2 Meter FM Net [146.655/- MHz C4FM] * MVARC Slow Speed CW Roundtable: Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 AM [3.565 MHz CW] * MVARC Cherry Tree Net: Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 AM [3.920 MHz LSB] What’s Happening with DX There will be a lot of DX on the air this week. Stations on the air include French Polynesia (FO/F6CBW), Cameroon (TJ1GD/P), Saint Martin (FS/F4EQE), Kyrgyzstan (EX/KZ1R), Saint Pierre and Miquelon (FP/KV1J), Ogasawara (JD1BQP, JR6HYO/JD1), Greenland (OX/DL8JJ), Luxembourg (LX/PA1SND), Crete (SV9/HB9EMP), Benin (TY5FR), and Sardinia (IS0/IZ3KVD). A calendar of DXpeditions can be found at NG3K’s Announced DX Operations List at https://www.ng3k.com/misc/adxo.html [https://www.ng3k.com/misc/adxo.html]. Solar Activity Update As we go to press the Solar Flux Index (SFI) was 203 and the estimated sunspot number was 101 with 3 numbered sunspot regions visible from Earth. Over the last week the SFI has increased. Solar activity has been at high levels in the last 24 hours. The geomagnetic field has been at quiet levels in the last 24 hours and the Kp index reached 2 yesterday. The solar wind peaked at 389 km/s. Solar activity is predicted to be at moderate levels with a slight chance of X-class flares today through Sunday. The geomagnetic field is forecast to be at quiet to major storm levels today through Saturday and at quiet to minor storm levels on Sunday. The chance of solar radiation storms at the S1 or greater level is at 20% today through Sunday. R1 to R2 radio blackouts are likely with a predicted probability of 70% today through Sunday. R3 or greater blackouts are possible with a 20% chance predicted today through Sunday. With the elevated activity this week there have been good conditions on some of the higher bands with some remaining open through the night. It remains a fantastic time for amateurs to get on the air and work the world. Good sources of real-time solar information include https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/ [https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/] and https://solarham.com/ [https://solarham.com/]. A good overview of conditions can be found at https://dx.qsl.net/propagation/ [https://dx.qsl.net/propagation/]. To see D-layer absorption data and associated radio blackouts, visit https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/d-region-absorption-predictions-d-rap [https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/d-region-absorption-predictions-d-rap]. To see real-time Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) and Critical Frequency (foF2) information from radiosonde data, visit https://prop.kc2g.com/ [https://prop.kc2g.com/]. Upcoming Contests This weekend brings the CQ WW VHF SSB/CW Contest we discussed earlier as well as the NZART Memorial Contest, the TA VHF/UHF Contest, the ARAM 50 MHz Contest, the Marconi Memorial HF Contest, the Original QRP Contest, the PODXS 070 Club 40 meter Firecracker Sprint, and the FOC Old School Classic 1960s QSO Party. As always the K1USN SSTs, the MSTs, and the CWTs will also be on the air. The full contest calendar with events and exchanges can be found at https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php [https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php]. Interesting Online Radio Content The Summer INDEXA Newsletter has been released with reports of recent DXpeditions and a look ahead https://indexa.org/documents/newsletters/Newsletter-Issue-149-Summer2026.pdf [https://indexa.org/documents/newsletters/Newsletter-Issue-149-Summer2026.pdf] Gabe KL1FI builds a portable folding antenna for weather satellites - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LdVeY6ouGE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LdVeY6ouGE] Ciprian YO6DXE tests out a high-performing RF choke - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz7FlUusF6Q [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz7FlUusF6Q] Mike K8MRD takes Caitlin K8FAE out for her first QRP Field Operation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXVREXaKJ3Y [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXVREXaKJ3Y] Alan W2AEW investigates common emitter amplifier input and output impedance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhuf2_Zu8T8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhuf2_Zu8T8] Lewis M3HHY listens to the shut-down of longwave for BBC Radio 4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRYTjEzxZno [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRYTjEzxZno] Stuart VE9CF tests the KJ6ER challenger to great results - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M87namlPG3U [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M87namlPG3U] Kevan 2E0WMG operates from Guernsey as 2U0WMG (Part 1 of a series) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcF7RhwC1Vo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcF7RhwC1Vo] George VK2AOE fabricates a microphone connection for his Yaesu FT101E - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnYN-JbfdOQ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnYN-JbfdOQ] Mike K8MRD visits 4 Field Day sites in Texas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElgFHctlNIw [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElgFHctlNIw] Walt K4OGO uses 2 telescopic whips to get gain and work DX - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZn42at0GKY [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZn42at0GKY] Peter VK3YE listens to the last moments of BBC Radio 4 on longwave - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEQ62PkHS80 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEQ62PkHS80] Craig KM6LYW show off version 2.1 of his DigiPi hotspot - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY5NLZ0XBC4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY5NLZ0XBC4] That’s it for this week. Best 73, Ed N2EC This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mvarc.substack.com [https://mvarc.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Amateur Radio News and Notes 6/26/2026

In the log this week * ARRL Field Day This Weekend (June 27-28, 2026) * 13 Colonies Special Event Starts July 1, 2026 * Ham Radio Friedrichshafen This Weekend (June 26-28, 2026) * New Technician Question Pool Takes Effect July 1, 2026 * MVARC Nets on the Air * What’s happening with DX? * Solar Activity Update * Upcoming Contests * Interesting Online Radio Content As always, links to all referenced content can be found in the show notes, or at our Substack at mvarc.substack.com [https://mvarc.substack.com]. ARRL Field Day This Weekend (June 27-28, 2026) Image Courtesy ARRL [https://www.arrl.org/field-day] The biggest event in amateur radio is happening this weekend on June 27-28th. The ARRL predicts over 31,000 amateurs will be setting up to test their skills and preparedness in this popular annual operating event. MVARC will be operating at a new location this year as a 4A station on the grounds of Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, 2501 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306. We will head over to the site right after our monthly breakfast to start setting up. In addition to our 4 primary stations, we plan on having a “Get on the Air” (GOTA) station to allow for those without licenses or who haven’t been active on the air to have some fun on the bands with the assistance of our club members. We will also have our club picnic on Saturday evening at 6 PM at the Field Day site with the presentation of our MVARC Member of the Year award. If you’re able to make it, we would love to have you join us. ARRL Field Day is a special event that many consider amateur radio’s “open house”. As the ARRL says on their site, amateurs “set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the most popular event in ham radio.” The event is not technically a contest, but rather an operating event. That said, scores are kept and standings published in QST. The objective is to make as many contacts as possible in the operating period June 27-28, 2026 (2 PM ET to 3:59 PM ET). All non-WARC bands are fair game (160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters on HF and 6 meters and above for VHF/UHF bands). 1 point is awarded for each Phone QSO and 2 points for each CW and Digital QSO. There are also lots of bonus points to be had for things like operating a Get on the Air (GOTA) station, operating on VHF, message passing, working satellites, and public outreach. The exchange for the event is ARRL section, entry category, and operating class. For the MVARC station, running as a 4 transmitter entry category, and the A class (club/non-club portable) our exchange would be “4A VA”. Other classes include A (Battery) which is limited to 5 W, B for one or two person portable (there is a also a Battery option for 5W or less), C for mobile stations, D for home stations, E for home stations under emergency power, and F for stations at an Emergency Operations Center. Field Day is a whole lot of fun, and a big part of the excitement is being out with your fellow amateurs. I heartily recommend finding a local Field Day to stop by and visit (and if you’re in the Alexandria, VA area, come join MVARC). A field day locator site can be found at https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator [https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator]. Even if you stay home, run as a class D or class E station and see how many stations you can get in the log. More information can be found at https://www.arrl.org/field-day [https://www.arrl.org/field-day]. We hope to see you out in the field and on the air. Good luck! 13 Colonies Special Event Starts July 1, 2026 Image Courtesy https://www.13colonies.us/ [https://www.13colonies.us/] The 18th Annual 13 Colonies Special event starts on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. This event seems to get more and more popular each year, so get ready to try to break some pileups and collect the colonies to make a clean-sweep! The event has operating stations for each of the 13 original colonies each with its own 1x1 call. K2A in New York, K2B in Virginia, K2C in Rhode Island, K2D in Connecticut, K2E in Delaware, K2F in Maryland, K2G in Georgia, K2H in Massachusetts, K2I in New Jersey, K2J in North Carolina, K2K in New Hampshire, K2L in South Carolina, and K2M in Pennsylvania. There are also bonus stations available for GB13COL in the United Kingdom, TM13COL in France, and WM3PEN in Philadelphia. The event is staffed by volunteers in each of the states, and it can be a fun challenge to see if you can get them in the log. If you do find one of the stations, they ask that you give them a spot on DX Summit at http://www.dxsummit.fi/ [http://www.dxsummit.fi/], which is also a great place to find spots for the stations you need. The event tends to be VERY active on CW and SSB and may also be on RTTY and Digital. Activity will be on all bands (including the WARC bands) except 60 meters. I hope to be able to make a clean sweep on CW this year and always enjoy this event. Each of the stations has special QSL cards you can send for if you make a contact, and you can apply for a certificate for the event as well. More information about the event can be found at https://www.13colonies.us/ [https://www.13colonies.us/]. Good luck! Ham Radio Friedrichshafen This Weekend (June 26-28, 2026) Image Courtesy https://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.com/ [https://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.com/] This weekend brings the Ham Radio Freidrichshafen International Amateur Radio Exhibition in Germany. It is Europe’s largest hamfest and features exhibitors, lectures, and a flea market. This year’s theme is “Discover the Sky: Amateur Radio meets Astronomy” and they will have an Astro trade fair being held simultaneously dedicated to “astronomy, astrophotography, and modern observation technology”. As one of the largest hamfests in the world, there are often new product announcements made, so we’ll be watching to see what develops this weekend. For more information visit https://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.com/ [https://www.hamradio-friedrichshafen.com/]. New Technician Question Pool Takes Effect July 1, 2026 Image Courtesy ARRL.org [https://www.arrl.org/images/view/News/ncvec.png] The latest Technician Class Question Pool is set to take effect on July 1, 2026. The new pool has 409 questions, down from the previous pool’s 412 and features three diagrams used in some questions. The pool will be valid from 2026 to 2030 and will be in the 6th edition of the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual being released this month. The Technician and all other question pools can be accessed at https://www.ncvec.org/ [https://www.ncvec.org/]. For more information visit https://www.arrl.org/news/new-technician-question-pool-takes-effect-july-1 [https://www.arrl.org/news/new-technician-question-pool-takes-effect-july-1]. MVARC Nets on the Air * 2 Meter FM Net: Tuesdays at 7 PM [146.655/- MHz (141.3 Hz PL Tone) ] * 2 Meter Digital Net: Immediately Follows 2 Meter FM Net [146.655/- MHz C4FM] * MVARC Slow Speed CW Roundtable: Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 AM [3.565 MHz CW] * MVARC Cherry Tree Net: Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 AM [3.920 MHz LSB] What’s Happening with DX There will be a lot of DX on the air this week. Stations on the air include French Polynesia (FO/F6CBW), Tanzania (5H3DX), Cameroon (TJ1GD/P), Curacao (PJ2/PH2M), British Virgin Islands (VP2V), Easter Island (3G0YM), Liechtenstein (HB0/OI5AY), and Saint Pierre and Miquelon (FP/KV1J). A calendar of DXpeditions can be found at NG3K’s Announced DX Operations List at https://www.ng3k.com/misc/adxo.html [https://www.ng3k.com/misc/adxo.html]. Solar Activity Update As we go to press the Solar Flux Index (SFI) was 156 and the estimated sunspot number was 136 with 8 numbered sunspot regions visible from Earth. Over the last week the SFI has increased. Solar activity has been at low levels in the last 24 hours. The geomagnetic field has been at unsettled to minor storm levels in the last 24 hours and the Kp index reached 5 yesterday. The solar wind peaked at 729 km/s. Solar activity is predicted to be at low levels with a chance of M-class flares and a slight chance of X-class flares today through Sunday. The geomagnetic field is forecast to be at quiet to active levels today through Sunday. The chance of solar radiation storms at the S1 or greater level is at 5% today through Sunday. R1 to R2 radio blackouts are likely with a predicted probability of 50% today through Sunday. R3 or greater blackouts are unlikely with a 10% chance predicted today through Sunday. It remains a fantastic time for amateurs to get on the air and work the world. Good sources of real-time solar information include https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/ [https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/] and https://solarham.com/ [https://solarham.com/]. A good overview of conditions can be found at https://dx.qsl.net/propagation/ [https://dx.qsl.net/propagation/]. To see D-layer absorption data and associated radio blackouts, visit https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/d-region-absorption-predictions-d-rap [https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/d-region-absorption-predictions-d-rap]. To see real-time Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) and Critical Frequency (foF2) information from radiosonde data, visit https://prop.kc2g.com/ [https://prop.kc2g.com/]. Upcoming Contests This weekend brings the technically not-a-contest ARRL Field Day we discussed earlier as well as the UFT QRP Contest and the His Majesty King of Spain Contest on SSB. As always the K1USN SSTs, the MSTs, and the CWTs will also be on the air. The full contest calendar with events and exchanges can be found at https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php [https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php]. Interesting Online Radio Content Tim G5TM talks about how he found a private portable operating location - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhUTjL85sJs [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhUTjL85sJs] Michael KB9VBR shows how you can use your rig's SWR meter to cut a dipole to length without an analyzer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv32l1FdI0o [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv32l1FdI0o] Kevin W1DED and the Contest Crew talk about the past and present of WRTC - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqG6Xosf7uI [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqG6Xosf7uI] Stuart VE9CF talks about integrating Station Master Pro with WSJT-X for FT8 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loGuYeGmFMU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loGuYeGmFMU] Mark KD7DTS and Ara N6ARA talk to Brian NR7Y about his mod for Quansheng HTs to get them on 2m CW - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncYuJeXa7y8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncYuJeXa7y8] Josh KI6NAZ attempts hotel portable operation with a 3D printed antenna - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWMdoSb5coY [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWMdoSb5coY] Manuel DL2MAN shows the app he created to do Winlink completely in a mobile web browser - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCERFy4jdyE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCERFy4jdyE] Stuart VE9CF talks about Over the Horizon RADAR that we sometimes hear on the HF bands - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWhUDIou3gs [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWhUDIou3gs] Fred in the Shed takes a look at a Choyong A8W Internet Radio - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu3f1PLE_-g [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu3f1PLE_-g] The Shortwave Listener channel shows the final transmission of CHU Canada - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olcZM7aBt24 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olcZM7aBt24] Mellow Labs builds his own DIY Bench Power Supply - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C09EY0TJFdY [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C09EY0TJFdY] Mark KD7DTS goes for a hike with Brian NR7Y for some 2M CW fun - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYUe1pMxU04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYUe1pMxU04] That’s it for this week. Best 73, Ed N2EC This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mvarc.substack.com [https://mvarc.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Amateur Radio News and Notes 6/19/2026

In the log this week * ARRL Kids Day 6/20/2026 * CHU Canada Shutting Down 6/22/2026 * Event Spotlight: World Cup Special Event Stations * Contest Spotlight: Stew Perry Top Band Challenge * NOAA Solar-1 Satellite Now Operational * Ameritron and Mirage Brands Acquired by ITU * ARRL Field Day Next Weekend * MVARC Nets on the Air * What’s happening with DX? * Solar Activity Update * Upcoming Contests * Interesting Online Radio Content As always, links to all referenced content can be found in the show notes, or at our Substack at mvarc.substack.com [https://mvarc.substack.com]. Thanks for reading Amateur Radio News and Notes. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. ARRL Kids Day 6/20/2026 This Saturday brings the Summer edition of ARRL Kids Day to the air. Kids Day happens twice a year to give young people a chance to get on the air and get excited about amateur radio in the hopes they pursue their own licenses. It also gives current amateurs a chance to share their station with kids and share their love of the hobby with them. Kids Day starts at 1800 UTC on Saturday (2 PM Eastern Time Saturday) and ends at 2359 UTC (7:59 PM Eastern Time Saturday). This isn’t a contest, so operators can operate as much or as little as they would like. The suggested exchange is name, age, location, and favorite color. You can work the same station multiple times if the operator has changed. The ARRL encourages ops to call “CQ Kids Day” to draw attention. The ARRL Kids Day site has a series of frequencies they suggest for centers of operation and encourage you to send your stories and photos as well. There is also a downloadable certificate you can print and give to young operators who get on the air. This promises to be a fun event to get kids on the air and a great opportunity to work those kids and get them excited about amateur radio. For more information and resources visit https://www.arrl.org/kids-day [https://www.arrl.org/kids-day]. Good luck. CHU Canada Shutting Down 6/22/2026 As we covered a couple weeks ago, CHU Canada, the time signal station that broadcasts time signals on 3.330 MHz, 7.850 MHz, and 14.670 MHz is scheduled to shut down on June 22nd. CHU’s signal has been easily heard in the United States and around the world with its broadcasts of time announcement by voice and also via digital time codes. It is broadcast in Upper Sideband with a carrier reinserted to allow it to be received without an SSB radio using three atomic clocks located at the transmitter site and the signals are highly accurate. In addition to providing the time, the signals were used by many to gauge ionospheric propagation conditions. Recently HamSCI, an organization engaged in citizen science using amateur radio, released a statement [https://www.hamsci.org/CHU] on how they have been actively using the signals from CHU to further their research, formally asking the Canadian National Resource Council (NRC) which operates CHU to reverse their decision to close the station. As we go to press there is no indication that the decision will be reversed. The decision to end CHU broadcasts follows the closing of Canada’s weather radio network on March 16 earlier this year. Tune your radio to CHU for one last time this weekend before it falls silent. The YouTube channel OfficialSWLchannel reports [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1Fyng4LJEE]that their sources indicate the final transmission may be at 10-10:30 AM Eastern Time on Monday, June 22nd, with 10:10 AM Eastern Time being the expected end of transmission. More information about CHU can be found at https://nrc.canada.ca/en/certifications-evaluations-standards/canadas-official-time/nrc-shortwave-station-broadcasts-chu [https://nrc.canada.ca/en/certifications-evaluations-standards/canadas-official-time/nrc-shortwave-station-broadcasts-chu]. Event Spotlight: World Cup Special Event Stations Image Courtesy https://www.wc2026ses.org/ [https://www.wc2026ses.org/] A special event station to commemorate the 2026 World Soccer Tournament is currently underway with operators on the air in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. There are special stations for each of the event venues including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, and a bonus station. In the US there are several 1x1 calls (W4C, W1C, W5C, K0C, W6C, K4C, W2C, WM3PEN, W6S, W7C, as well as WC5WC). In Canada stations include VC3F and VB7F and in Mexico stations include 4A1GDL, 4A1CMX, and 4A1MTY. Operators will be working VHF, UHF, and HF on analog and digital and there will be 16 QSL cards to collect. They’re looking for volunteers and the event continues until July 19, 2026. For more information on the event and how to participate, visit https://www.wc2026ses.org/ [https://www.wc2026ses.org/]. Good luck. Contest Spotlight: Stew Perry Top Band Challenge This Saturday, June 20th, brings the June edition of the Stew Perry Top Band Challenge. The Challenge starts at 1500 UTC (11 AM Eastern Time) on Saturday and lasts for 24 hours. Ops may only work a total of 14 hours total and off times must be at least 30 minutes in length. The contest is on the “top band” or 160 meters on CW only and has the feature that the point value of each QSO is dependent on the distance between the two stations. Categories of operation include Single and Multi-Operator at High (up to legal limits), Low (up to 100 Watts), or QRP (up to 5 Watts) levels. The exchange is a 4 character Maidenhead Grid Square Locator (in my case in Virginia I’m FM18) and an RST is optional. QSO Points are based upon the distance between the centers of the two grid squares. The base points are 1 point with an additional point for every 500 kilometers in distance. So a QSO with 1,750 km of distance would count for 4 QSO points. You may not count long path distances for points. If you work a low power station you’re given a multiplier of 2 and if you work a QRP station you get a multiplier of 4. This is calculated based upon received logs and done automatically during the log checking process. External assistance is not permitted. This includes using spotting networks, or even telling other ops that another station is on another frequency at the end of the QSO. Use of the RBN or skimmers is also not allowed. If using a remote receiver to reduce QRN it must be within 100 km of your transmitter site. Look at Rule 6 in the rules as it gives specific advice about what is and what is not permitted. Scores are QSO points multiplied by 1.5 for Low power stations and 3 for QRP stations. Logs must be submitted within 14 days of the contest using their log upload tool online. Full rules and links to resources can be found at https://www.kkn.net/stew/ [https://www.kkn.net/stew/]. Good luck. NOAA Solar 1 Satellite Now Operational Image Courtesy NOAA [https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaas-solar-1-enters-new-era-of-space-weather-monitoring] The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that the Space weather Observations at L1 to Advance Readiness 1 observatory satellite (SOLAR-1) officially entered operational service on June 10, 2026. Acording to NOAA, “SOLAR-1 is the first U.S. satellite designed exclusively for continuous, operational space weather observations”. It will provide improved observations around the clock of the sun to ensure preparedness for solar storms. SOLAR-1 was formerly known as Space Weather Follow On - Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1) and launched on September 24, 2025. After launch it travelled nearly one million miles to the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1) where it is now parked to continuously monitor solar wind and observe coronal mass ejections (CMEs) emitted from our sun. The L1 Lagrange Point is the point in space between Earth and the Sun where gravitational forces are equal and provides an unobstructed view of the Sun. Before being deemed operational, it went through 8 months of testing to check its instruments and primary systems. According to NOAA, SOLAR-1 is “a cornerstone of the nation’s space weather early warning system, providing the observations needed to issue timely watches, warnings, alerts, and decision support before solar storms impact critical infrastructure and missions”. It will allow for CME imagery to be sent to earth within 30 minutes of being captured in space which is significantly faster than the 8 hours existing observatories can currently provide. Additionally NOAA reports data from “SOLAR-1’s Solar Wind Plasma Sensor, SupraThermal Ion Sensor, and Magnetometer will be available within five minutes. SOLAR-1 data will be available to the public in real time via the SWPC website [https://www.spaceweather.gov/] and archived through the NESDIS Space Weather Portal [https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/cloud-access/space-weather-portal]“. The full NOAA press release can be found at https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaas-solar-1-enters-new-era-of-space-weather-monitoring [https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaas-solar-1-enters-new-era-of-space-weather-monitoring]. Ameritron and Mirage Brands Acquired by ITU The Linton News reports that ITU Corporation based in Linton, Indiana added two more MFJ brands to their portfolio earlier this month: Ameritron and Mirage amplifiers. This is in addition to the Hy-Gain and Cushcraft brands they acquired earlier this year. Manufacturing operations for the brands are being relocated from Starkville, Mississippi to ITU Corporation’s facility in Indiana. Full production is expected to begin by the end of this year. This is welcome news for the amateur radio community as Ameritron and Mirage amplifiers and associated products were very popular before they ceased production as MFJ stopped manufacturing. For more information visit https://www.lintonnews.com/itu-corporation-acquires-ameritron-and-mirage-rf-amplifier-brands-from-mfj-enterprises-free-article/ [https://www.lintonnews.com/itu-corporation-acquires-ameritron-and-mirage-rf-amplifier-brands-from-mfj-enterprises-free-article/]. ARRL Field Day Next Weekend Image Courtesy ARRL [https://www.arrl.org/field-day] We are just one week away from amateur radio’s biggest event, ARRL Field Day, which happens June 27-28 this year. Field Day is described as amateur radio’s “open house” where amateurs go out into the field to practice emergency preparedness and test their mettle in a fun operating event over the course of the weekend. We’ll have expanded coverage next week, but now is a good time to start planning for your operations if you’d like to participate. Many clubs, including the Mount Vernon Amateur Radio Club, will be operating Field Day this year and welcome both amateur radio operators and the public to see amateur radio in action. The ARRL has a Field Day Locator [https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator] which can help you find a club near you that you can visit in the field to say hello and potentially even get on the air. Check out https://www.arrl.org/field-day [https://www.arrl.org/field-day] for rules and details about Field Day and mark your calendars to join in the fun in the field or from home this year. Additionally, the Long Island CW Club has free courses available on Zoom to help you learn the ins and outs of operating Field Day and improve your CW for the event. More information about those classes can be found at https://longislandcwclub.org/2026fieldday/ [https://longislandcwclub.org/2026fieldday/]. Good luck. MVARC Nets on the Air * 2 Meter FM Net: Tuesdays at 7 PM [146.655/- MHz (141.3 Hz PL Tone) ] * 2 Meter Digital Net: Immediately Follows 2 Meter FM Net [146.655/- MHz C4FM] * MVARC Slow Speed CW Roundtable: Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 AM [3.565 MHz CW] * MVARC Cherry Tree Net: Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 AM [3.920 MHz LSB] What’s Happening with DX There will be a lot of DX on the air this week. Stations on the air include French Polynesia (FO/F6CBW), St. Martin (FS/K9EL), Cameroon (TJ1GD/P), Cape Verde Island (D4OL, D44EC), Curacao (PJ2/PH2M), British Virgin Islands (VP2V), Madagascar (5R8EC), Palau (T88TB), Sardinia (IS0/S55DX), Armenia (EK/DL2JRM), and Easter Island (3G0YM). A calendar of DXpeditions can be found at NG3K’s Announced DX Operations List at https://www.ng3k.com/misc/adxo.html [https://www.ng3k.com/misc/adxo.html]. Solar Activity Update As we go to press the Solar Flux Index (SFI) was 111 and the estimated sunspot number was 50 with 3 numbered sunspot regions visible from Earth. Over the last week the SFI has decreased. Solar activity has been at low levels in the last 24 hours. The geomagnetic field has been at quiet levels in the last 24 hours and the Kp index reached 3 yesterday. The solar wind peaked at 473 km/s. Solar activity is predicted to be at low levels with a slight chance of M-class flares today through Sunday. The geomagnetic field is forecast to be at quiet levels today and Saturday and at quiet to unsettled levels on Sunday. The chance of solar radiation storms at the S1 or greater level is at 1% today through Sunday. R1 to R2 radio blackouts are unlikely with a predicted probability of 15% today through Sunday. R3 or greater blackouts are unlikely with a 1% chance predicted today through Sunday. It remains a fantastic time for amateurs to get on the air and work the world. Good sources of real-time solar information include https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/ [https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/] and https://solarham.com/ [https://solarham.com/]. A good overview of conditions can be found at https://dx.qsl.net/propagation/ [https://dx.qsl.net/propagation/]. To see D-layer absorption data and associated radio blackouts, visit https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/d-region-absorption-predictions-d-rap [https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/d-region-absorption-predictions-d-rap]. To see real-time Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) and Critical Frequency (foF2) information from radiosonde data, visit https://prop.kc2g.com/ [https://prop.kc2g.com/]. Upcoming Contests This weekend brings the Stew Perry Top Band Contest and ARRL Kids Day we spotlighted earlier as well as the All Asian DX Contest on CW, the SMIRK Contest, the Feld Hell Sprint, the Pajajaran Bogor DX Contest, the SKCC QSO Party, the IARU Region 1 50 MHz Contest, the LZ International 6-Meter Contest, the West Virginia QSO Party, the WAB 50 MHz Phone Contest, and the Run for the Bacon QRP Contest. As always the K1USN SSTs, the MSTs, and the CWTs will also be on the air. The full contest calendar with events and exchanges can be found at https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php [https://www.contestcalendar.com/weeklycont.php]. Interesting Online Radio Content OfficialSWLchannel reports on the end of CHU Canada - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1Fyng4LJEE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1Fyng4LJEE] The Smokin Ape talks about Low Band DX - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-TbkedBJYI [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-TbkedBJYI] Josh KI6NAZ talks about a citation from his municipality about his amateur radio antennas and his intent to challenge it using PRB-1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKafsLALbUA [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKafsLALbUA] Walt K4OGO goes vintage radio hunting at local antique stores - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNtRKWJRos0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNtRKWJRos0] Bobby W6IWN and Chuck KK6USY operate ARRL VHF from a mountain top fire look-out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tFWWNEogP8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tFWWNEogP8] Gabe KL1FI tests out the NanoFarField Portable Antenna Lab - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFTVaoUFxs0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFTVaoUFxs0] Chuck KK6USY takes a look at the Yaesu FT-80 ATU - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkVqwuRk6xk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkVqwuRk6xk] Ben VE6SFX uses a safety pin to make a frequency agile antenna with RSE line - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSSe4PFOPRg [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSSe4PFOPRg] Michael KB9VBR makes a "bushcraft" dipole using wire and a Swiss Army Knife - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quja5S1O-IA [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quja5S1O-IA] Mike K8MRD shows some of his portable radio go-kits - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37blIg2hyr8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37blIg2hyr8] Kevin W1DED talks to some of the young ops going to South Georgia for the VP0SG DXpedition - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5rRh0PM6Zc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5rRh0PM6Zc] Walt K4OGO builds a simple 1/4 wave antenna for DX on the beach - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qZz6ZrTBEI [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qZz6ZrTBEI] Mike K8MRD shows Jonathan KM4CFT's 3D printed solution to mounting 2 microphones while mobile - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daIt3Q4mLvQ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daIt3Q4mLvQ] Tom Scott visits the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrZyJuaBfKA [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrZyJuaBfKA] Di KO4BTM and the Queens of the Mountains do SOTA with Ormoo the cat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBzku2a0S7w [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBzku2a0S7w] George VK2AOE shows off his 40 Meter QRP Beast build - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-jehUjNsBc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-jehUjNsBc] Thomas K4SWL does a post-Hamvention activation with friends and tries the mcHF QRP radio - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn47VcE8Zuc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn47VcE8Zuc] Forrest KI7QCF does a 15 mile ride to a SOTA first activation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bIupszNBUw [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bIupszNBUw] Craig KM6LYW talks about antennas and their trade-offs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlmFjHjo-J4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlmFjHjo-J4] That’s it for this week. Best 73, Ed N2EC This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mvarc.substack.com [https://mvarc.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]