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The Best of Amateur Radio Honored With ARRL Awards |
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ARRL honors the work of amateur radio operators who grow the hobby by advancing technology used within, and the operating culture, of the Amateur Radio Service.
At the Second Meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors, hams and journalists who have covered amateur radio were honored with awards.
The ARRL Technical Innovation Award is granted annually to individuals who are licensed radio amateurs with accomplishments and contributions which are of the most exemplary nature within the framework of technical research, development, and application of new ideas and future systems in the context of amateur radio activities. The Board bestowed the 2025 ARRL Technical Innovation Award on Matthew Wishek, NBØX, for his work on development of Opulent Voice Minimum Shift Keying
transceiver implementation, and “modem module” architecture.
The ARRL Technical Service Award is given annually to individuals who are licensed radio amateurs whose service to the amateur community and/or society at large is of the most exemplary nature within the framework of amateur radio technical activities. The 2025 award was issued to Bill Meara, N2CQR, and Dean Souleles, KK4DAS, who have developed and facilitated the “SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver Challenge” education project, which has enabled high school students and many amateur radio operators to construct a working HF receiver.
The ARRL Herb S. Brier Instructor of the Year Award recognizes the very best in amateur radio instruction and recruitment in memory of Herb S.
Brier, W9AD (SK), long-time CQ Novice Editor, who represented the spirit of effective, caring, amateur radio instruction.
The 2025 ARRL Herb S. Brier Instructor of the Year Award was awarded to Dennis Simon, KB7UTV.
The ARRL Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Award is given annually to a licensed radio amateur under the age of 21 whose accomplishments and contributions to both the community of amateur radio and the local community are of the most exemplary nature. Alexia Snethen, KM6LGG, received the 2025 ARRL Hiram Percy Maxim Award. She also is the recipient of the ARRL Foundation Goldfarb Memorial Scholarship.
The Philip J. McGan Silver Antenna Award is given to a licensed radio amateur for volunteer public relations efforts on behalf of amateur radio who best exemplifies the public relations efforts of Philip J. McGan, WA2MBQ (SK). The 2025 awardee is Micah Martin, KN6VUT, of California, who has been recognized by his peers for his exemplary service in the Tehachapi Amateur Radio Association
(TARA) as the club’s Public Information Officer (PIO), leading to a 59% increase in club membership and nearly tripling the number of license applicants in the area.
The Bill Leonard Professional Media Award pays tribute to late CBS News President Bill Leonard, W2SKE, by recognizing professional journalists whose outstanding coverage highlights the enjoyment, importance, and public service value the amateur radio service has to offer. The 2025 award for print reporting was given to Makena Kelly and Dell Cameron of WIRED for their article, “Through Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Amateur Radio Triumphs When All Else Fails®”. The award for video reporting was bestowed upon NBC TODAY Correspondent Harry Smith for his report, “Meet the students using radio waves to contact the ISS”.
More information about ARRL awards, along with nomination instructions, can be found on the ARRL website.
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Candidates Named for ARRL Director and Vice Director Elections |
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ARRL has announced that the candidates for the 2025 ARRL Division elections are now official.
ARRL members will choose between four candidates for Director in the Southeastern Division, two candidates for Director in the Pacific and Southwestern Divisions, and two candidates for Vice Director in the Southwestern Division.
The Directors in the Rocky Mountain and West Gulf Divisions are unopposed, as are the Vice Directors in the Pacific, Rocky Mountain, Southeastern and West Gulf Divisions.
Read the full list of candidates, including those who have run unopposed and have been declared elected, on ARRL News.
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New ARRL Book Release: Stealth Antennas for Ham Radio |
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Designs for Discreet Amateur Radio Operating!
Stealth Antennas for Ham Radio is full of antennas to get you on the air no matter where you live.
Even radio amateurs who live with antenna restrictions or covenant limitations will find solutions in this book.
Learn how to install a multiband vertical that looks like a flagpole, or how to run an end-fed random wire along your roof, so the neighbors never notice.
If you are looking for an invisible repeater connection, try the Ham Walking Stick.
If you want five bands but cannot put wires in trees or display anything even remotely antenna-like, try the Compact Stealth Inverted L.
Stealth Antennas for Ham Radio will also help hams who want to stay unnoticed by neighbors.
There are ideas for small lots, covenant-restricted properties, and many other living situations.
Steve Ford, WB8IMY, kicks off the collection with safe, effective, and ethical stealth operation.
“Stealth operating can be highly rewarding if you understand your limitations and work to alleviate them as much as possible” Ford says.
Try out these 28 unobtrusive stealth antennas today!
Stealth Antennas for Ham Radio is now shipping. Order from the ARRL online store
or find an ARRL publication dealer; ARRL Item No. 2288, ISBN: 978-1-62595-228-8, $22.95 retail, member price $19.95. For additional questions or ordering, call 1-888-277-5289 toll-free in the US, Monday through Thursday 8 AM to 7 PM, and Friday 8 AM to 5 PM, Eastern Time. Outside the US, call (860) 594-0200.
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Lou Dietrich, N2TU, Noted DXer, Past INDEXA Chairman, Passes Away |
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Lou Detrich, N2TU, Silent Key | 1947 – 2025 | | |
A respected member of the DXing community has passed away.
Lou Dietrich, N2TU, became a Silent Key on August 15 at the age of 78.
Dietrich was the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International DX Association
(INDEXA). He was known as a dedicated advocate for international goodwill through radio, and a passionate advocate for the mission of INDEXA.
He played a pivotal role in guiding INDEXA through years of significant growth and impact.
“Beyond his contributions to INDEXA, Lou was a mentor, teammate, and friend to many in the global amateur radio community,” said INDEXA President Otis Vicens, NP4G. “His enthusiasm for DX expeditions, his steadfast leadership, and his generous spirit will be greatly missed.”
Dietrich was a part of many well-known DXpeditions, including leading the 2013 K9W Wake Island operation, and was a participant in the 2015 K1N activation of Navassa Island.
He was a team co-leader for the 2016 K5P Palmyra DXpedition, and of recent activations on Sable Island and St.
Paul Island.
Deitrich served on the ARRL® DX Advisory Committee.
He achieved ARRL DXCC® Top of The Honor Roll and Ten-Band DXCC.
Dietrich was a member of the Carolina DX Association and an ARRL member.
He is survived by his wife Hilda.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
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Amateur Radio in the News |
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“Aug. 16 Recreation Briefs: Amateur radio club to broadcast from Trine State Recreation Area” / The Journal Gazette (Indiana) August 21, 2025 -- The Land of Lakes Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club.
“Hacking for SETI at the Allen Telescope Array” / SETI Institute (California) August 11, 2025 -- Amateur Radio Digital Communications.
“Arthur A. Collins Legacy Association celebrates 100th anniversary of major radio breakthrough in Cedar Rapids” / The Gazette (Iowa) August 18, 2025 -- The Collins Aerospace Museum.
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ARRL Live Events and Podcasts |
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On the Air LIVE
Registration is open now! learn.arrl.org/webinars/83549
The next On the Air Live on August 26th, 2025, is all about September National Preparedness Month.
Join Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, ARRL Education and Learning Education Specialist, as he covers how the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other organizations encourage everyone to be prepared for emergencies and disasters of all sizes, and things you can do to become prepared.
Up Next:
📅 Date: August 26, 2025
🕗 Time: 8 PM Eastern / 5 PM Pacific
👉 Register Now
The ARRL Education and Learning Department would like to apologize for the limitation of the registration system for May’s edition of On The Air Live. It hit a limit at 500 registrants. We’ve upgraded the system to allow for this rapid success and growth in participation. The recording of the May session is available in the ARRL Learning Center.
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On the Air
Sponsored by Icom
Getting in on the POTA Fun
Portable operating in the Parks On the Air (POTA) program is one of the most popular ham radio activities these days. Colin Wheatley, W9UPK, author of the July/August 2025 On the Air article, “POTA Activators and Hunters: The Great Symbiosis,” joins the podcast to explain more about how POTA works, and how to get in on the fun. Listen Now
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ARRL Audio News
Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.
ARRL Audio News is a summary of the week's top news stories in the world of amateur radio and ARRL, along with interviews and other features.
The ARRL Audio News is now broadcast on FM low power radio stations KQRZ-LP 100.7 and 96.7 MHz FM in Spokane, Washington every Saturday and Sunday morning at 8:00 AM PDT.
The On the Air podcast and ARRL Audio News are available on blubrry, iTunes, and Apple Podcasts.
On the Air
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Devan Grose, KM7ANM, of Renton, Washington, is getting married on August 30, 2025, and he has a little different activity for at least part of the day... Wedding Day QSOs from Mt.
Princeton in Colorado! He is asking for help from amateur radio operators to make his wedding day extra special.
What’s normally referred to as a Summits on the Air (SOTA) activation will operate from 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM MST on 14.235.000 MHz, single-sideband (SSB). If 14.235 is busy, he will QSY and announce a new frequency.
“I'll be operating portable from this stunning Colorado peak on the morning of my wedding, and I'd love nothing more than to log some memorable QSOs with the ham community before I head down to say, ‘I do’!” He added this will be a once-in-a-lifetime wedding day activation with great propagation from 14,115 feet elevation and QSL cards, with a special wedding theme, will be sent for all contacts.
The ARRL Letter asked Grose two important questions: First, does your XYL-to-be know about the SOTA or WDOTA (wedding day on the air), and second, will you be wearing your amateur radio name badge on your tuxedo? The answer to the first question is “Yes!” In fact, Grose says she is “pretty cool” about the idea as long as he makes it to the wedding on time.
As for wearing his badge on this tux, he said he would like to, but probably not this time! He also added that his bride does not have her amateur radio license yet, but as an early wedding gift, two handheld radios are on order! From hams everywhere...CONGRATULATIONS! Make sure you pay attention to your wedding band first...hams bands second!!
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The Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club
(FMARC) in Florida and local operators volunteering as part of the ARRL® Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) will participate in the Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA). Jamboree-on-the-Air, the largest Scouting event in the world, is held on the third full weekend of October each year, bringing together over a million participants from more than 160 countries and offering Scouts a unique opportunity to learn critical emergency preparedness and communication skills. This year, the FMARC event will operate like a field activation, with every station acting as a "Get on the Air" (GOTA) station. It will help Scouts get on the air and complete steps toward two different merit badges. The Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club. To learn more about Jamboree-on-the-Air, visit www.scouting.org/international/jota-joti/jota.
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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
Advertising Sales Manager
Administrative Coordinator
Technical Editor
W1AW Operator
Assistant Editor
Full details may be found on the ARRL HR web page at www.arrl.org/careers.
ARRL is an equal opportunity employer.
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This image was taken on August 21, 2025. [Photo courtesy of NASA SDO/HMI] | | |
The ARRL Solar Report for August 21, 2025
Solar activity has decreased back to low levels with a few weak C-class flares observed from areas located in the NE quadrant of the disk.
There are currently three sunspot regions on the disk with the largest Region 4187. This region showed some weak leader spot growth.
The remaining two regions were quiet and stable.
Although not Earth-directed, two prominence eruptions were of note.
Both emerged on or just beyond the eastern limb, as observed in GOES-16 SUVI 304 imagery on August 20. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed in available coronagraph imagery.
Solar activity will likely be at very low to low levels, with a slight chance for M-class flares through August 22 due to the anticipated return of old active regions.
Solar wind parameters reflected negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) influences. A disturbed solar wind environment is likely to continue through August 22.
The 10.7-centimeter solar flux: August 22, 110; August 23, 120; August 24, 125; August 25 - 26, 120; August 27 – 28, 125.
Predicted sunspots: August 22, 136; August 23, 131; August 24 142; August 25, 127; August 26, 149; August 27, 119.
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.
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August 23 -- Turkey HF SSB Contest (phone)
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August 23 - 24 -- Hawaii QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
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August 23 - 24 -- Ohio QSO Party (CW, phone)
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August 24 -- SARL HF CW Contest (CW)
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August 25 -- K1USN Slow Speed Test (CW)
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August 26 -- QCX Challenge (CW)
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August 27 -- Phone Weekly Test (phone)
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August 29 -- NCCC FT4 Sprint (digital)
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August 29 - 31 -- SCRY/RTTYOps WW RTTY Contest (digital)
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August 30 - 31 -- U.S. Islands QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
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August 30 - 31 -- World Wide Digi DX Contest (digital)
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August 30 - 31 -- Colorado QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
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August 30 - 31 -- Kansas QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
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September 1 - 2 -- MI QRP Labor Day CW Sprint (CW)
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September 3 -- UKEICC 80m Contest (phone)
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Remember to visit the ARRL Contest Calendar
for more events and information.
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Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions |
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August 21 - 24 | Northeast HamXposition, hosting the ARRL New England Division Convention, Marlborough, Massachusetts
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August 30 - September 1 | Shelby Hamfest, hosting the ARRL North Carolina Section Convention, Shelby, North Carolina
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September 7 | Southern New Jersey Conference and HamFest, hosting the ARRL Southern New Jersey Section Convention, Mullica Hill, New Jersey.
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September 12 - 13 | Slidell EOC Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Louisiana State Convention, Slidell, Louisiana
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September 19 - 21 | Duke City Hamfest, hosting the ARRL New Mexico State Convention, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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September 20-21 | Midwest Superfest, hosting the ARRL Central Division Convention, Chillicothe, Illinois
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September 27 | ARRL Dakota Division Convention, Moorhead, Minnesota
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October 4 | Rock Hill Hamfest, hosting the ARRL South Carolina Section Convention, Rock Hill, South Carolina
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October 10 -12 | Pacificon, hosting the ARRL Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, California
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October 10 - 11 | Melbourne Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Florida State Convention, Melbourne, Florida
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October 10 - 11 | SPARK-CON, hosting the ARRL Midwest Division Convention, Sedalia, Missouri
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October 11 | North Star Radio Convention, hosting the ARRL Minnesota State Convention, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
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October 12 | Nutmeg Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Connecticut State Convention, Meriden, Connecticut
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October 23 - 26 | HamCon Colorado 2025, hosting the ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Grand Junction, Colorado
Remember to search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention
Database to find events in your area.
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Have News for ARRL?
Submissions for The ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to news@arrl.org. -- John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, ARRL News Editor
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ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information
Join ARRL or renew today!
No other organization works harder to promote and protect amateur radio. Membership supports benefits, services, programs, and advocacy to help you get (and stay) active and on the air. Membership includes access to digital editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.
Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.
The ARRL Letter is available in an accessible format, posted weekly to the Blind-hams Groups.io
email group. The group is dedicated to discussions about amateur radio as it concerns blind hams, plus related topics including ham radio use of adaptive technology.
NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprints, and QSO parties.
QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.
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to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts, and much more!
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The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 51 times each year. ARRL members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile at www.arrl.org/opt-in-out.
Copyright © 2025 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated.
Use and distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution.
All other purposes require written permission.
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