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===============
The ARRL Letter
===============
John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, Editor | August 27, 2026
In this Issue:
- Radio, Learning, and Community at the 2026 ARRL National Convention and
Huntsville Hamfest
- Route 66 on the Air
- The ARRL EME Contest
- ARRL Live Events and Podcasts
- Announcements
- In Brief...
- The ARRL Solar Report
- Just Ahead in Radiosport
- Upcoming ARRL Conventions and Major Events
Radio, Learning, and Community at the 2026 ARRL National Convention and
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Huntsville Hamfest
------------------
by Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, ARRL Senior Director of Marketing and Innovation
Alabama's Huntsville Hamfest proudly promotes itself as "The World's
Friendliest Hamfest!" It's been only a few days since the convention ended,
and that sentiment is still resonating among those of us who attended the
2026 ARRL National Convention hosted by the Huntsville Hamfest, August 21 -
23.
You could feel the welcome almost immediately.
ARRL's National Convention program on Friday drew attendees from 37 states.
The day started early with three full-day workshops, each attracting a
different slice of the amateur radio community. In Mini Contest University,
organized by Tim Duffy, K3LR, and sponsored by DX Engineering, first-time
and veteran contesters settled in together to learn, compare notes, and
sharpen their skills. In the room next door, the Emergency Communications
Academy brought together amateurs who volunteer when their communities need
communications support, sharing experiences and practical lessons from the
field.
Then there was the Portable Antenna Workshop, where ARRL author "Salty Walt"
Hudson, K4OGO, teamed up with Michael Martens, KB9VBR, of YouTube's KB9VBR
Antennas, and ARRL Digital RF Engineer John McAuliffe, W1DRF. It was the
kind of session that captures what amateur radio does so well: take a
popular activity, put a group of curious people in a room, and start
figuring it out together.
Huntsville Hamfest Association Chairman Mark Brown, N4BCD (center), receives
a plaque recognizing the association's efforts to host the 2026 ARRL
National Convention. Presenting are ARRL Senior Director of Marketing and
Innovation Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R (left), and President Rick Roderick, K5UR
(right).
And then there was the setting itself.
Huntsville is a natural place for a gathering centered on radio and
technology. The connection was especially apparent at dinner Friday evening,
when National Convention attendees gathered for a fundraiser at the U.S.
Space & Rocket Center to support the ARRL Education and Technology Program.
Surrounded by reminders of America's history of exploration and
technological achievement, amateur radio's role in advancing technology and
inspiring young people felt right at home. ARRL Director of Education and
Learning Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, delivered an inspiring message, sharing his
lifelong journey as a radio amateur while highlighting ARRL's commitment to
developing educators who can ultimately reach thousands of young people.
Director of Development Kevin Beal, K8EAL, encouraged additional donations,
noting that the cost to sponsor and cover all expenses for an educator
attending the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology is $4,000.
The evening also included special recognition of the Huntsville Hamfest
Association for hosting the National Convention, with ARRL presenting a
plaque to Chairman Mark Brown, N4BCD.
CEO David Minster, NA2AA (center), and Second Vice President Rick Niswander,
K7GM (right), were among the ARRL Officers greeting convention attendees.
That spirit carried onto the hamfest floor.
Crowds flooded in when the doors opened on Saturday morning to the familiar
sounds of a major hamfest - conversations, laughter, the occasional "Hey,
good to see you!" and plenty of discussion about radios, antennas,
operating, technology, and everything in between.
That energy was also evident throughout the sprawling ARRL EXPO. Attendees
had the opportunity to talk with ARRL staff and volunteers, ask questions,
learn more about programs and services, and put faces to the people behind
the organization. For ARRL, being present at major conventions such as
Huntsville is an important part of being a member association. We can
communicate through QST, the ARRL Letter, email and social media, but there
is something different about sitting across the table from a member and
having a conversation. That was especially apparent in the area of the EXPO
where ARRL Officers spent time meeting with attendees. President Rick
Roderick, K5UR; CEO David Minster, NA2AA; First Vice President Kristen
McIntyre, K6WX, and Second Vice President Rick Niswander, K7GM, spoke with
hundreds of attendees who stopped by to ask questions, share ideas, or
simply say hello.
Members of the Rambler Radio Club, W4LMS, from Lafayette, Georgia, joined
ARRL staff members Josh Johnston, KE5MHV (left), and Max Freedman, N4ML
(right), at the hamfest. The middle school club members are all radio
amateurs.
Youth Lounge volunteers Charlie Hibbs, KR4LXJ (front), and Todd Cline,
N7KDT, operating the Get On the Air - GOTA - station from the 2026
Huntsville Hamfest.
The ARRL Lab tested over 100 handheld radios for spurious emissions during
the weekend while also promoting the ARRL Technical Information Service.
"The Lab booth had lots of traffic, and as usual, it was super fun," said
Senior Laboratory Engineer Rick Ciervo, W1CIE. "It was great to meet so many
members who recognize and appreciate the work ARRL does for amateur radio."
At Saturday afternoon's ARRL Membership Forum, Emergency Communications and
Field Services Director Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, presented Year of the Club
newsletter and website contest awards to representatives of ARRL Affiliated
Clubs.
Attendees who shared how their radio clubs are helping grow amateur radio
were invited to spin the wheel at the ARRL Year of the Club booth.
Three days went by quickly. There was plenty to see, learn, buy, discuss,
and experience. But what stood out most was the people. If "The World's
Friendliest Hamfest!" sounds like a bold claim, those of us who spent the
weekend in Huntsville might suggest that they have a pretty good case.
You can see even more photos from the 2026 ARRL National Convention on
Facebook.
Looking ahead: There are tentative plans to host the next ARRL National
Convention at Pacificon in San Ramon, California, in October 2028.
Check out the National Convention recap on the ARRL YouTube channel.
Route 66 on the Air
-------------------
Route 66 has been celebrating its centennial, 1926 - 2026, all year. The
100th anniversary still has events scheduled across the country, and there
is time left to join the fun...especially if you're an amateur radio operator!
Route 66 on the Air 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, September 12 to Sunday,
September 20 ... a nine-day window for amateur radio operators to
participate. Twenty-five special event stations under the 11 W6 call sign
have been set up for this event.
The goal is to commemorate the history of the "Mother Road" connecting the
eastern and western United States. Through stories, songs, and TV shows, the
highway came to symbolize the spirit of the freedom of the open road,
inspiring many to see America.
Established on November 11, 1926, Route 66 was part of the U.S. highway
system and stretched approximately 2,448 miles, from Chicago, Illinois, to
Santa Monica, California, passing through eight states: Illinois, Missouri,
Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Known as the
"Main Street of America" and later dubbed the "Mother Road" by John
Steinbeck in his 1939 novel, The Grapes of Wrath, it became an iconic symbol
of American mobility and opportunity.
However, the demise of Route 66 began in the 1950s as the U.S. began
building the interstate highway system, and the highway was officially
decommissioned in 1986. Today, small portions of the U.S. Highway 66 still
exist in towns and rural areas in several states.
Much of the original Highway 66 has been rerouted into a fast-moving
interstate, bypassing many of the small towns and interests of this nation.
Every year, Route 66 on the Air takes place to remember, celebrate, and
share the enthusiasm and memories that Highway 66 represented in its time.
and even today.
A map of the original highway shows its route from Santa Monica, California
to Chicago, Illinois.
To find stations participating in Route 66 on the Air, browse the calendar
at www.route66centennial.org. The ARRL Special Events Stations database also
includes listings. Search for the keyword "66".
The Route 66 Centennial Commission Act was passed by Congress and signed
into law by President Trump in 2020. The Act creates a commission, with
representatives from each of the eight Route 66 states, to recommend
activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary in 2026.
The ARRL EME Contest
--------------------
Mark your calendars now. This year's second ARRL EME (Earth-Moon-Earth)
Contest weekend is September 5 - 6, 2026, 0000 UTC on Saturday through 2359
UTC Sunday, and encompasses the bands 2.3 GHz and up.
The contest objective is to work as many amateur stations as possible via
the EME path on the bands associated with the above weekend dates.
"Our goal is scoring - while grid squares are shown in the contest log
upload for every QSO reported," said ARRL Radiosport and Field Services
Manager Bart Jahnke, W9JJ.
"What is transmitted over the air to complete the QSO may simply be your
4-digit grid square, OR a report in any mutually understood format if
station size or propagation prohibit grid squares from being exchanged
(e.g., these typical exchanges have included, T/M/O {weak-signal CW}, RST
{CW or voice}, or -R## {digital}). Then, when submitting your log to ARRL,
you would enter your 4-digit-grid-square and the 4-digit-grid-square of the
station you contacted," added Jahnke.
Beginning this fall, with all ARRL contests after September VHF, and for the
future, all EME contest logs must be uploaded to the dedicated EME
Electronic Submission page. For those with electronic spreadsheets or paper
logs, a utility for converting log files in non-Cabrillo format to Cabrillo
is available at www.b4h.net/cabforms.
Moon photo from Arizona, March 2026. [Photo courtesy of NOAA]
Rules for the next two EME weekends, 3 and 4 ... 50 to 1296 MHz, October 31
- November 1, and November 28 - 29, are posted at www.arrl.org/eme-contest.
As a "prequel" to the September ARRL EME Contest, you can enjoy an almost
blood moon lunar eclipse. On August 27 - 28, 2026, a very deep partial lunar
eclipse will be visible from Europe, Africa, North America, and South
America, with just over 96% of the moon passing into Earth's shadow. That
event will turn the moon into shade of crimson in light filtered and
refracted by Earth's atmosphere.
Amateur Radio in the News
"Looking up: French radio enthusiast captures ISS signals from his garage" /
RFI (Radio France International) August 25, 2026 -- Vincent Plousey, FGXR.
ARRL Live Events and Podcasts
-----------------------------
On the Air LIVE
Join ARRL Director for Learning and Education Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, for the
September episode of OTA Live on Tuesday, September 22 at 8 PM Eastern,
where he will explore an inexpensive and practical way to evaluate the
performance of your handheld (HT) radio. Using a low-cost Software Defined
Radio (SDR) dongle, free SDR software, and free audio-editing software,
Wayne will demonstrate several tests that can help you get a better idea of
how well your HT is working. While these measurements won't replace
lab-grade testing, they can reveal useful information about your radio's
performance. Wayne will also demonstrate how to use these tools to identify
CTCSS tones and DCS codes. 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: September 22, 2026
-Time: 8 PM Eastern / 5 PM Pacific
-Register Now | ? Previously Recorded Sessions
ARRL Audio News
Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday. ARRL Audio News is a
summary of the week's top news stories in the world of amateur radio and
ARRL, along with interviews and other features. More info | Listen on
Blubrry | Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.
ARRL On the Air
On the Air
Sponsored by Icom
Hams and Hurricane Season
ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section Emergency Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY,
joins the podcast to talk about the Atlantic hurricane season and ham
radio's role in it, as a follow-up to the July/August 2026 issue's article
"Ham Radio and the Hurricane Season" by Rick Palm, K1CE. 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.
08/26/2026 New York W1AW/2 (hosts WU2M, NQ2U, KD2QLH)
08/26/2026 Oklahoma W1AW/5 (host N5HZR)
08/27/2026 Wyoming W1AW/7 (host WY7AA)
09/02/2026 North Carolina W1AW/4 (host N1X1)
09/02/2026 Colorado W1AW/0 (host K1DDN)
09/09/2026 Kentucky W1AW/4 (host W4NHO)
09/09/2026 North Dakota W1AW/0 (WND)
The Handiham Program's 59th Anniversary Radio Camp QSO Party will be held
September 9 - 16, 2026, sponsored by the Handiham Radio Club & Handiham
Radio Club of Minnesota. The object is for Handiham members, and all amateur
radio operators, to work as many stations as possible during the operating
period. The Courage Kenny Handiham Program provides tools for people with
disabilities to learn amateur radio and technology skills, and to earn their
amateur radio licenses. Handiham Radio Club of Minnesota will be active on
all amateur bands and modes to make contacts including digital and VOIP
modes, calling "CQ Radio Camp." The exchange is simply name and state,
province, or country. Stations will be using their own call signs, and
contact might be possible with the club call signs, WZSW and WEQO, as well
as special event call sign WH.
Suggested HF operating frequencies (MHz):
28.050 CW & 28.350 SSB
21.050 CW & 21.350 SSB
14.050 CW & 14.250 SSB
7.050 CW & 7.200 SSB
For more information, visit Courage Kenny Handiham Program - Amateur Radio
and Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities.
In Brief...
-----------
Calling all amateur radio instructors! Sharing your knowledge and helping
newcomers earn their licenses is one of the most rewarding ways to support
the future of amateur radio. The ARRL National Instructor Program supports
volunteer instructors with resources, updates on programs and opportunities,
and access to the Instructor/Teacher Discount Program. You'll also receive
periodic updates from ARRL National Instructor Gordon West, WB6NOA. If you
teach or plan to teach amateur radio licensing classes, register today for
the ARRL National Instructor Program and join a community helping prepare
the next generation of radio amateurs. Register at
www.arrl.org/license-instructor-registration.
Known as the largest amateur radio activation of beaches in the Caribbean,
Puerto Rico will be holding its Mega BOTA 2026 on September 6. Spearheaded
by ARRL Puerto Rico Section Affiliated Club Coordinator Juan Ląpez, KP4KJ,
this special event will include various clubs which will be on the air from
different beaches around the island for those who are award chasers for the
Beaches on the Air (BOTA) program. "It is a way to interest clubs to get on
the air from as many beaches as possible, the same way as a POTA (Parks on
the Air) operation, and at the same time to bring awareness to the
importance of our beaches," said Ląpez. "There are now more than 20 clubs,
including two from the Dominican Republic, which will be part of this
special event." Ląpez also organized the Mega POTA event in May. For more
information about BOTA 2026 and a list of activations, visit
www.beachesontheair.com.
Open Positions at ARRL
Come join the headquarters staff of ARRL The National Association for
Amateur Radio©! We are currently seeking qualified applicants for the
following positions:
Membership Manager
Technical Editor
RFI Lab Engineer
Public Relations and Outreach Manager
Advertising Sales Manager
Member Services Representative
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
---------------------
Solar disk image courtesy of NASA/SDO, August 27, 2026
ARRL Solar Report August 27, 2026
Solar activity reached moderate levels this week. Region 4513 was
responsible for an M2.2/1B flare that reached its peak on August 26. This
event was accompanied by a 10.7-centimeter radio burst that reached 140
solar flux units (SFU) and a type II radio sweep with an estimated shock
speed of 930 km/s despite its relatively impulsive nature. No resulting
coronal mass ejection (CME) has been observed in available coronagraph
imagery as of the time of this report.
Other activity of note since the last reporting period included an easterly
CME first seen in two LASCO C2 coronagraph imageries on August 25.
The first event likely originated from the vicinity of Region 4513 around
August 25 while no definitive source could be identified with any confidence
for the latter. Nevertheless, both of these events are currently being
modeled and assessed to determine the presence of an Earth-directed path.
Solar activity will likely remain at minor-moderate (R1-R2) levels, with a
slight chance for strong (R3) activity, through August 28, mostly due to the
flare history and potential of Region 4513.
Solar wind parameters were at undisturbed levels with solar wind speeds
between ~300-340 km/s, total field at or below 5 nT and Bz northward or near
neutral. Phi angle was predominantly negative.
Nominal solar wind conditions are expected to continue until midday August
27, when the onset of a positive polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH
HSS) influence is anticipated. Additional solar wind disturbances, with
increased solar wind densities and total IMF, are likely on August 28 due to
the impact of the CMEs that left the Sun on August 25.
The 10.7-centimeter flux: August 27 - 31,120; September 1, 120; September 2,
115.
Predicated sunspot numbers: August 27, 95.4; August 28, 89; August 29, 102;
August 30, 83; August 31, 105; September 1, 75; September 2, 110.
For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical
Information Service, read A Quick Guide to HF Propagation Using Solar
Indices, and check out the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.
For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio
website.
Just Ahead in Radiosport
------------------------
August 28 - 30 -- SCRY/RTTYOps WW DX RTTY Contest (digital)
August 29 -- Feld Hell Sprint (digital)
August 29 - 30 -- ALARA Contest (CW, phone)
August 29 - 30 -- U.S. Islands QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
August 29 - 30 -- World Wide Digi DX Contest (digital)
August 29 - 30 -- Kansas QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
September 2 -- UKEICC 80m Contest (phone)
September 3 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest-NA (digital)
September 3 - 4 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
September 5 - 6 -- ARRL EME Contest (CW, phone, digital)
September 5 - 6 -- All Asian DX Contest (phone)
September 5 - 6 -- Russian RTTY WW Contest (digital)
September 5 -- AGCW Straight Key Party (CW)
September 5 - 6 -- RSGB SSB Field Day (phone)
September 5 -- CWOps CW Open (CW)
September 5 - 6 -- PODXS 070 Club Jay Hudak Memorial 80m Sprint (digital)
September 6 - 7 -- Tennessee QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
September 7 - 8 -- MI QRP Labor Day CW Sprint (CW)
September 8 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
September 10 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest-NA (digital)
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.
August 28 - 30 | Wyoming HamCon, hosting the ARRL Rocky Mountain Division
Convention, Casper, Wyoming
September 4 - 5 | Shelby Hamfest, hosting the ARRL North Carolina State
Convention, Shelby, North Carolina
September 26 | Red River Radio Amateurs Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Minnesota
State Convention, Moorhead, Minnesota
October 3 | Third Annual Micro Expo, hosting the ARRL Santa Barbara Section
Convention, Camarillo, California
October 3 | Wichita Area Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Kansas Section
Convention, Wichita, Kansas
October 9 - 10 | SPARK-CON 2026, hosting the ARRL Midwest Division
Convention, Sedalia, Missouri
October 10 | North Star Radio Convention, hosting the ARRL Dakota Division
Convention, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
October 11 | Nutmeg Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Connecticut State Convention,
Meriden, Connecticut
October 11 | HamFest, hosting the ARRL Southern New Jersey Section
Convention, Mullica Hill, New Jersey
October 16 - 18 | Pacificon, hosting the ARRL Pacific Division Convention,
San Ramon, California
Have News for ARRL?
Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to news@xxxx.xxx.
-- John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, ARRL News Editor
ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information
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