The ARRL Letter for May 21, 2026 undefined

 

 

 

The ARRL Letter

 

, Editor | May 21, 2026

 

In this Issue:

 

Report from the World’s Largest Hamfest

Radio amateurs from around the world descended on Xenia, Ohio, last weekend for Hamvention® 2026. The three-day event featured five indoor exhibit halls for vendors and organizations, four parallel tracks of forums, and a massive flea market that filled the infield of a horse racing track and spilled over into surrounding areas. In addition, Hamvention served as the anchor for a variety of outside events, from deep-dive conferences to both formal and informal dinners for hams with shared operating interests.

 

Setup at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center began on Thursday, May 14. Nearby, drew hundreds of beginners and advanced contesters for a full day of training and knowledge sharing taught by veteran contesters, and QRPers networked at the Four Days In May conference. ARRL hosted its annual Donor Recognition Reception, thanking those who have generously supported the association and invested in the future of amateur radio. This year’s reception had a red, white, and blue theme reflecting ARRL’s participation in the nationwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence – and the contributions of radio amateurs to the American story. "Even at 112 years old, ARRL embodies a distinctly American tradition: free individuals, driven by curiosity and service, advancing the art of radio for the benefit of all,” said ARRL Director of Development Kevin Beal, K8EAL, in his address to the guests.

 

ARRL Director of Development Kevin Beal, K8EAL, addressed the 2026 Donor Reception. [Greg Sulla, KC1YNI, photo]

 

When the fairground gates opened on Friday morning, Hamvention was jammed with enthusiastic hams, some looking for bargains in the flea market, some coming to see the newest offerings from both large and small manufacturers, and others looking to learn from experts at the dozens of forums offered throughout the weekend. For example, Jim Winfrey, KJ4SBG, of Jacksonville, Florida, said “I want to talk with AMSAT and see what’s up with satellites,” while Brian Steinebach, W8KHZ, of Kingsley, Michigan, noted that “I spend all my time in the flea market, looking for antiques.” Roy Ashkenaz, K2RMA, of Morganton, North Carolina, said his motivations for coming are “seeing a bunch of people, seeing the big vendors, seeing the new radios, getting away for a few days.” Hamvention is also a major social event, as Angel Vazquez, WP3R, the former head of telescope operations at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, explained. “Friends,” he said. “I can see all the stuff on the internet. It’s just seeing all the friends I’ve made over the years.”

 

There were big crowds combing the ARRL Expo booths. [Greg Sulla, KC1YNI, photo]

 

In the sprawling ARRL Expo area, attendees interacted with program representatives, Field Organization volunteers, and leadership officials, including ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, and President Rick Roderick, K5UR. Emergency Communications and Field Services Director Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, and several volunteers promoted ARRL’s “” program, sponsored by , and the organization’s participation in . Visitors were invited to share the variety of ways their radio clubs help to grow amateur radio.

 

A booth celebrating ARRL Year of the Club included Emergency Communications and Field Services Director Josh Johnston, KE5MHV; Hudson Division Vice Director David Galletly, KM2O, and Puerto Rico Section Manager Carmen Greene, KP4QVQ.

 

The ARRL Lab’s Digital RF Engineer John McAuliffe, W1DRF, demonstrates a new QST Product Review Comparison Tool that will be introduced to members in June. [Greg Sulla, KC1YNI, photo]

In the ARRL Lab booth, Senior Lab Engineer Rick Ciervo, W1CIE, tested handhelds for spurious emissions while Digital RF Engineer John McAuliffe, W1DRF, demonstrated the new QST Product Review Comparison Tool that — starting June 1 — will allow ARRL members to access Lab measurements on various aspects of reviewed radios and amplifiers online and compare them with each other. The Lab staff also highlighted CSI, the Clean Signal Initiative, which has introduced benchmarks and standards for transmitted signals which are now reflected in the Lab’s published test results.

 

ARRL educators treated young hams (and future hams) to supervised soldering practice, opportunities to decipher Morse code messages, and to answer the question, “What advice would you have for older-generation hams?” At the adjacent College Amateur Radio Program (CARP) booth, student leader Tyler Schroder, NT1S, and a team of volunteers, including Ally Brawner, KR4GVZ — a Ph.D. student at Clemson University — and recent Clemson graduate Cade Braxton, KO4VDX, greeted visiting college students and shared campus radio club experiences. The ARRL Youth Rally on Saturday afternoon featured a variety of outdoor activities, and even extended into Sunday, when young participants had the chance to make contact with Carlos Felix Ortiz, K9OL, as he operated parachute-mobile from above the fairgrounds.

 

Saturday at Hamvention included the ARRL Youth Rally. [Greg Sulla, KC1YNI, photo]

 

Other ARRL booths included the VEC, Great Lakes Division, Development and Foundation, and Radiosport – supported by DXCC Card Checking volunteers. Plus, there were book signings by authors Glen Popiel, KW5GP (), and “Salty” Walt Hudson, K4OGO (). Walt’s forum drew nearly 200 fans, packing the Hamvention’s largest forum room. Nearby booths were supported by representatives for the Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL), the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), and the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB).

 

New ARRL book releases gave attendees an opportunity to meet the authors, including Tony Milluzzi, KD8RTT (far left), author of "Satellite Operating for Amateur Radio", and “Salty Walt” Hudson, K4OGO (middle and right), author of "Salty Walt’s Next Level Portable Antenna Sketchbook."

 

On Friday night, ARRL Senior Director of Marketing and Innovation Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, spoke at the FlexRadio banquet, highlighting ARRL’s work and that of the wider amateur radio community to encourage pathways for youth that lead to further education and careers in wireless technology. “You do not need to create a new technology to make a lasting contribution,” said Inderbitzen. “Sometimes the most important innovation is simply creating an opportunity for someone else.”

 

Saturday’s ARRL Membership Forum was led by Great Lakes Division Director Scott Yonally, N8SY, with presenters President Roderick and CEO Minster. Foundation President and Delta Division Director David Norris, K5UZ, presented scholarships to several students who were present.

 

ARRL Foundation President David Norris, K5UZ (far left), presented 2026 scholarships to (left to right) Tyler Schroder, NT1S; Lily Leslie, AD2FJ; Andrew Johnson, N4HFR, and Grace Papay, K8LG.

 

2026 ended at 1 PM on Sunday with the awarding of major prizes. Next year’s show will be held in the same location on May 21-23, 2027.

 

See video highlights from Hamvention on ARRL’s YouTube channel, .

 

See ARRL’s Hamvention 2026 .

 

 

Outstanding Contesters and DXers Recognized

Dayton Hamvention® has long been the backdrop for recognizing those who have made significant contributions to the amateur radio community. In addition to , the DX and Contest Dinners – with attendees from around the world – offered a perfect opportunity to highlight outstanding achievements in those segments of amateur radio.

 

The (SWODXA’s) DX Dinner on Friday night was the base for multiple award presentations, following the keynote address on “radiosportsmanship” by ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA.

 

Elvira Simoncini, IV3FSG, accepts her Heritage CQ DX Hall of Fame plaque from INDEXA Vice President Bob Schenck, N2OO. [Rich Moseson, W2VU, photo]

The , launched in 1967 and currently administered by INDEXA, the International DX Association, welcomed two new members, legendary QSL manager Charles Wilmott, MØOXO, and avid DXpeditioner Elvira Simoncini, IV3FSG. Elvira, who has operated from 34 different DXCC entities, is only the third woman inducted, and the first to be so honored individually rather than with her husband. SWODXA honored Yuris Petersons, YL2GM, as DXpeditioner of the Year for his operation from Marion Island as ZS8W, during which he completed more than 31,000 contacts; and the 9U1RU operation from Burundi – which netted nearly 180,000 QSOs – was honored as DXpedition of the Year. Finally, the presented its “DXcellence” awards to the PJ6Y operation from Sable Island for its emphasis on youth participation, and to the 100% solar-powered and 100% remote KP5/NP3VI operation from Desecheo Island, another game-changer for DXpeditions.

 

Ezequiel Prado, HI3R (left), and Otis Vicens, NP4G (center), accept the Northern California DX Foundation’s “DXcellence” award for the KP5/NP3VI Expedition from NCDXF Vice President Craig Thompson, K9CT. [Rich Moseson, W2VU, photo]

 

Minster spoke on “radio sportsmanship,” challenging the DXers in the room to pay serious attention to questions about excessive power, remote operating that uses stations in multiple locations, “pay to play” for getting confirmations from some DX stations, whether certain stations really need to work DXpeditions on all possible bands and modes while others are trying to make just one contact, the future of the DXCC Honor Roll and deliberate QRM. “The most important aspect of radiosport,” he concluded, “is to have a good time, but not at the expense of others.”

 

At Saturday night’s Contest Dinner, sponsored by the , an international audience of nearly 500 people cheered the induction of four notable competitors into the , established by CQ magazine in 1986 and administered today by the (WWROF). This year’s inductees are Doug Zwiebel, KR2Q, who revolutionized contest scoring by writing the first mass computerized log-checking software back in 1980; Tom Lee, K8AZ, who helped shape modern regional contest club structures as a co-founder of both the North Coast Contesters and the WWROF; Tom Young, K1XM, who created both the Yankee Clipper Contest Club SO2R (Single-Operator 2 Radios) Box hardware and the widely-used Open Two Radio Switching Protocol; and Mark Pride, K1RX, antenna director for the 2014 World Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC) and producer of a 7-part series on contesting for the Q5 Amateur Radio podcast. The , to be held in the United Kingdom this July, was also on the Contest Dinner menu, as the competition’s chairman, Mark Haynes, MØDXR, was the keynote speaker. Emcee and famed contester John Dorr, K1AR, added a light and humorous touch to the evening.

 

Members of the PJ4G Radio Mountain Bonaire team attended the Contest Dinner, including (left to right) Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R; David Minster, NA2AA; Bill Lippert, ACØW, and Kristen McIntyre, K6WX.

 

 

Interview with the ARRL CEO: Remote Operating

ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, and Dick Strassburger, N9EEE, Editor of Solid Copy, the monthly newsletter of CWops, were guests on episode 94 of (May 15, 2026) for a discussion about remote operating. The show is hosted on YouTube by Bill Salyers, AJ8B.

 

Strassburger led the discussion, which included Minster describing the contest station he frequently operates on the Caribbean island of Bonaire, built by Noah Gottfried, K2NG/PJ4NG, as well as the remote station Minster has helped configure and assemble.

 

The video interview is available on YouTube at .

 

 

June Proclaimed Amateur Radio Month in New Hampshire

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte has issued a proclamation designating June as "Amateur Radio Month" in the state. Ayotte’s proclamation was issued in recognition of the valuable service that amateur radio operators provide to their communities at no cost.

 

Raul "Skip" Camejo, AC1LC, Public Information Coordinator for the ARRL New Hampshire Section and Public Information Officer for New Hampshire ARES®, said that, in 2025, New Hampshire ARES entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Emergency Services and Communications, which designates ARES® as the sole organization providing amateur radio communications support to the state.

 

“Everyone realized that the potential was there for bad weather communication when cellular systems and public safety radio systems can become inoperable due to infrastructure damage,” said Camejo. “The use of amateur radio provides an auxiliary communication system utilizing trained and federally licensed radio operators to support the missions of New Hampshire ARES and multiple government agencies across the area.”

 

To practice their communication skills, amateur radio operators will participate in the annual ARRL Field Day June 27 - 28, 2026, including, on the same weekend, the annual Historic Delta Dental Mt. Washington Road Race, an all-uphill run that draws thousands of runners from around the globe to make the grueling climb to the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast. New Hampshire ARES will have 14 members using amateur radio to help runners and mountain-trained emergency medical teams at the base and summit. Amateur radio operators will be back in August for the annual Mt. Washington Bike Ride.

 

For more information about New Hampshire ARES and the ARRL New Hampshire Section, visit .

 

 

Start Packing for ARRL Field Day

It’s never too early to start preparing for ARRL Field Day, June 27 – 28, 2026. In fact, the (GSBARC) in Babylon, New York, is doing just that!!! The club will join thousands of amateur radio operators across North America for the annual event.

 

“Field Day is a great opportunity for the public to see amateur radio in action,” said club president John Melfi, W2HCB. “Whether it’s providing communications during disasters or simply connecting with people around the world, ham radio remains a vital and exciting technology.”

Field Day also highlights the role that amateur radio operators play in supporting emergency communications for local communities, including coordination with agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Red Cross, and local emergency management organizations.

 

This year’s Field Day theme is “Amateur Radio: A National Resource” and all of the information you need to get started can be found on the web page, including how to join the , where you can share your plans, tips, and tricks for a successful Field Day.

 

The overall objective for Field Day is to contact as many stations as possible on the 160-, 80-, 40-, 20-, 15- and 10-meter HF bands, as well as all bands above 50 MHz, and to learn to operate in less than optimal conditions. Many clubs choose to set up in camp-style fashion with portable equipment, temporary antennas, and off-grid power sources.

 

 

Field Day is open to all amateurs in the areas covered by the ARRL/RAC Field Organizations and countries within IARU Region 2 (North, Central, and South America). DX stations residing in other regions may be contacted for credit, but are not eligible to submit entries. Each claimed contact must include contemporaneous direct initiation by the operator on both sides of the contact. Initiation of a contact may be either locally or by remote.

 

Also check out the to help find participating stations near you. As an added incentive for anyone participating in ARRL’s yearlong America250 Worked All States (WAS) Award, contacts made with ARRL Affiliated Radio Clubs all year, including during Field Day, will count toward your America250 WAS Affiliated Club Endorsement. Check out those details at . All of this, combined with the , provides the perfect opportunity for radio clubs to set up stations in public places and demonstrate ham radio's science, skill, and service to our communities and our nation.

 

Take a cue from the Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club, an ARRL Special Service Club, and start packing for ARRL Field Day 2026!

 

 

Amateur Radio in the News

“” / Springfield News – Sun (Ohio) May 16, 2026 -- Dayton Hamvention® 2026.

 

 

ARRL Live Events and Podcasts

On the Air LIVE

 

Join ARRL's Education Specialist Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, as he takes amateur radio to the final frontier! In this session of On the Air Live, we will explore how to make contacts through amateur radio satellites and the International Space Station (ISS) using portable equipment. We’ll dive into the essential gear—including handheld radios and directional antennas—and discuss the techniques needed for successful space-based communication. Plus, Wayne will show you how to use computer and smartphone apps to accurately track satellite passes in your specific area. Whether you are a newcomer or a seasoned operator, tune in to learn how to work "the birds" right from your own backyard!

 

The session will air on the ARRL'S learning center, , on May 26th at 8 PM Eastern. Preregistration is required and can be accomplished on the learning center.

 

📅 Date: May 26, 2026

🕗 Time: 8 PM Eastern / 5 PM Pacific

👉 | ⏪

 

 

ARRL Audio News

Listen to , 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. | | Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.

 

 

On the Air

Sponsored by Icom

 

Get On the Ham Satellites!

ARRL Education Specialist Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, visits the podcast to discuss his May/June 2026 On the Air article “Equipment for Making Contacts Through an Amateur Radio Satellite” as well as the upcoming May 26 “On the Air Live” session he’ll be hosting on the same topic. | | Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.

 

 

Announcements

ARRL Headquarters will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day. There will be no on Memorial Day. ARRL HQ will reopen Tuesday, May 26, at 8 AM EDT. Visit the ARRL database to find on-the-air commemorations for Memorial Day 2026. ARRL honors and remembers those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

 

In Brief...

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 .

 

05/20/2026 Connecticut W1AW/1 (host W8ZY)

05/20/2026 Missouri W1AW/Ø (host NØAX)

05/27/2026 Colorado W1AW/Ø (host K1DDN)

06/03/2026 New Jersey W1AW/2 (host NP4H)

06/03/2026 Oregon W1AW/7 (host N7JI)

06/10/2026 Tennessee W1AW/4 (host W4CMG)

06/17/2026 Arkansas W1AW/5 (host K5DB)

06/17/2026 Nebraska W1AW/Ø (host KAØBOJ)

 

The Radio Society of Great Britian (RSGB) and the BBC Amateur Radio Group, G8BBC, will be activating four special calls to mark the shutdown of British Broadcasting Company’s long wave transmissions on 198kHz (1500m) after more than 90 years. The long wave transmitters at Droitwich in Worcestershire, Westerglen near Stirling, and Burghead overlooking the Moray Firth, will be turned off June 27, 2026. GB1500M will be active for one week from 21 - 27 June 2026 and may be activated from G, GM, GW, GI, GJ, GD and GU, by RSGB and BBCARG members over the period. GB198LW will be activated by Cray Valley RS (England), GB198END by Moray Firth ARS (Scotland) and GB198KHZ by Stirling and District ARS (Scotland) during the week 21 - 27 June 2026. Full details are on the RSGB website – search for “BBC Long Wave Shutdown.” A commemorative QSL card will be available for any QSOs or SWL reports via MØOXO OQRS.

 

 

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:

 

Human Resource Manager

Membership Manager

RFI Lab Engineer

Public Relations and Outreach Manager

 

Full details may be found on the ARRL HR web page at .

 

ARRL is an equal opportunity employer.

 

 

 

 

 

The ARRL Solar Report

Solar disk image courtesy of NASA/SDO, May 21, 2026

ARRL Solar Report for May 21, 2026

 

Solar activity continued at low levels during the past 24 hours with four active regions on the visible disk. The largest events were a C1.0 on May 20 from the northeast limb and a C1.0/Sf, also on May 20, from Region 4439 that was accompanied by Type-III radio sweeps. This region was responsible for the majority of the period’s activity, which otherwise included a B8.7 flare on May 20 from Region 4436. Region 4441 showed some development during the period while 4443 remained stable. Coronal activity was observed in CCOR-1 imagery after May 20, but additional data is needed for further analysis.

 

Solar activity is expected to remain at low levels through May 23, with a slight chance for isolated M-class flares (R1-R2/minor-moderate) on May 21, primarily due to the complexity of Region 4441 and the recent flaring history of Region 4436. An increase in activity is anticipated May 22 - 23 as multiple active regions, tracked via far-side satellite and helioseismology imagery, rotate into view.

 

Solar wind parameters trended toward background conditions with speeds reaching a peak of 542 km/s on May 20 and then decreasing steadily throughout the reporting period, ending at ~450 km/s.

 

Solar wind parameters are expected to continue trending toward nominal conditions through early on May 21. Mild enhancements are likely from a solar sector boundary crossing, with more pronounced high-speed stream conditions expected on May 22 - 23 due to the influences of a positive polarity coronal hole high-speed stream (+CH HSS).

 

The 10.7-centimeter flux: May 21, 115; May 22, 110; May 23 - 24, 112; May 25 - 27, 115.

 

Predicted sunspots: May 21, 104; May 22, 98; May 23, 110; May 24, 93; May 25, 114; May 26, 88; May 27, 118.

 

For more information concerning radio propagation, the ARRL Technical Information Service, read , and check out the .

 

For customizable propagation charts, visit the .

 

 

Just Ahead in Radiosport

  • May 21 - 22 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
  • May 21 -- NAQCC CW Sprint (CW)
  • May 21 -- NTC QSO Party (CW)
  • May 24 -- Real Time Contest (CW, phone)
  • May 25 -- QRP ARCI Hootowl Sprint (CW)
  • May 27 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)
  • May 30 - 31 -- CQ WW WPX Contest (CW)
  • May 31 -- 31 Romanian Diaspora SSB Contest (phone)

 

Remember to visit the 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 to find events in your area.

 

June 5 – 7 | , hosting the ARRL Northwestern Division Convention, Seaside, Oregon

 

June 13 | , hosting the ARRL Tennessee State Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee

 

June 14 | , Computer and Electronics Show, hosting the ARRL Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, Butler, Pennsylvania

 

June 19 – 20 | , hosting the ARRL Arizona Section Convention, Flagstaff, Arizona

 

July 11 | , hosting the ARRL North Dakota Section Convention, Minot, North Dakota

 

July 17 – 19 | , hosting the ARRL Montana Section Convention, Essex, Montana

 

Save the Date

Join ARRL at these Division Conventions and other major events throughout the year. Beginning in the fourth quarter, this list will also include significant events scheduled for the following year.

 

June 26 – 28, 2026 | , International Amateur Radio Exhibition, Friedrichshafen, Germany

 

August 7 – 8 | , hosting the ARRL Delta Division Convention, Shreveport, Louisiana

 

August 13 – 16 | , hosting the ARRL New England Division Convention, Marlborough, Massachusetts

 

August 15 | , hosting the ARRL Great Lakes Division Convention, Owensville, Ohio

 

August 21 – 23 | , hosting the , Huntsville, Alabama

 

August 28 – 30 | , hosting the ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Casper, Wyoming

 

October 9 – 10 | , hosting the ARRL Midwest Division Convention, Sedalia, Missouri

 

October 10 | , hosting the ARRL Dakota Division Convention, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

 

October 16 – 18 | , 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 . -- John E. Ross, KD8IDJ,

 

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