The ARRL Letter for August 20, 2026 undefined

 

 

 

The ARRL Letter

 

, Editor | August 20, 2026

 

In this Issue:

 

Hawaii Amateur Radio Operators Out in Force for Hurricane Lala

Last week, while the Midwest was facing heavy rain, wind, and tornados, Hawaii was bracing for Hurricane Lala. The eye of the hurricane skirted Hawaii's Big Island without making landfall but left heavy wind and rain damage. On Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16, 2026, amateur radio operators throughout the state assisted emergency management agencies during the hurricane’s approach.

 

Ron Hashiro, KH6D, RACES/AUXCOMM Coordinator for the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA), said there were many amateur operators and agencies involved.

 

“We had great assistance from local, state, county, federal, military agencies, including the National Guard, and now we are also working with FEMA,” said Hashiro.

 

Several Big Island locations received over 3 feet of rain, with Laupāhoehoe recording more than 43 inches in just two days. The Nāhuku Lava Tube and Nene Cabin, one of two A frame vacation cabins located just outside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in Volcano, received just over 37 inches of rain. Hurricane-force gusts up to 140 mph were recorded at Mauna Kea’s summit.

 

Last Saturday and Sunday were the worst days as the hurricane headed for the Big Island. National Weather Service (NWS) radar for Saturday, August 15, 2026, 14:10 HST, showed the 50-mile approach of Hurricane Lala to South Point on the Big Island. South Point is the southernmost location in the United States. The greatest damage occured at Naalehu in the Big Island district of Kau, where the runoff from the torrential rains on Saturday night devastated the community. Roads were blocked and damaged, which isolated and impeded response.

 

Lala approaches within 50 mile of the Big Island

 

Joe Tabrah, AH6T, ran the hourly ARES HF Watch nets on 7090 kHz. Carter Davis, KH6FV, manned the HF position at the HIEMA AUXCOMM radio room, handling reports from the local 40-meter and ARES nets on 7090 kHz and submitted the information through to HIEMA staff, supported by Peter Yuen, KH6JBS, and Ron Hashiro, KH6D.

 

In a wide-ranging and detailed report, Hashiro noted that on the main island of Oahu, the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) activated its RACES unit on Saturday to supplement their emergency response. Michael Miller, KH6ML, and Mark Kaku, KH6LT, headed up the unit with radio operators including Ralph Miranda, WH7PD, and Keith Higa, WH7GG, running the net on the around-the-island RACES VHF repeater network. They kept staff updated with reports sent from the field. Reservist Ralph Toyama, NH6PY, was dispatched to Waikiki to assist the Honolulu Police Department with traffic and pedestrian control to free the officers to respond to other areas.

 

Local television station KHON2 covered the Manoa Stream water levels as they reached 14 feet:

 

As the hurricane continues to move away, at least one person has died and over 100 homes have been damaged. Road access to Naalehu has been reestablished. At the peak of the storm, over 200,000 customers were without power. Thousands remain without power with 95% restoration to the hardest hit section of Kau district estimated to be done by September 8.

 

Hashiro’s report, with updated information, has been posted to his AH6RH webpage. The complete link is: .

 

 

Entrepreneur and Amateur Radio Operator Invests in the Next Generation of Problem Solvers

Dr. James M. Galm, Ph.D., W8WTS

ARRL announced today a historic and transformational $1 million gift from Dr. James M. Galm, W8WTS. An entrepreneur and amateur radio operator who spent his career solving complex energy and engineering challenges, Galm is now investing in the next generation of problem solvers through his support of ARRL.

 

The gift will directly support ARRL programs and activities, including the within the Education and Technology Program, and ARRL’s work defending access to amateur radio spectrum through the Spectrum Defense Fund. He didn’t stop there, however. Dr. Galm expressed how important ARRL is to the future of amateur radio by designating a significant portion of his gift as unrestricted support to the ARRL Diamond Club, which supports ARRL’s general fund, and the Second Century Fund, ARRL’s unrestricted endowment fund, which will be invested and support ARRL operations in perpetuity.

 

James M. Galm, Ph.D., W8WTS, is from Chardon, Ohio and is a 50-year ARRL member, a member of the ARRL Legacy Circle, and an accomplished amateur radio contester. He frequently operates from PJ2T and has served as President and Secretary/Treasurer of the Caribbean Contesting Consortium, PJ2T. He also operates a popular and reliable DX Cluster at dxc.w8wts.net with both ARC 6 and CC Cluster nodes.

 

With his transformational gift, Dr. Galm will be inducted into the ARRL Maxim Society at the Millennium Class. He joins Margaret Valentine at this extremely generous level of giving. Valentine, along with her late husband Michael Valentine, W8MM (SK), made the first pledge of $1 million to ARRL during the Second Century Campaign.

 

First licensed as WN8WTS in 1975, Dr. Galm has more than 40 years of experience in engineering, research, manufacturing and product development. He holds nine patents and has published many scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals.

 

In 2001, Galm co-founded LayerZero Power Systems, Inc., which grew to become the world leader in ultra-reliable AC power management equipment for mission-critical applications, including AI and machine learning, hyperscale computing data centers, semiconductor manufacturing, and financial transaction processing. The two owners sold a majority interest in LayerZero to a global private equity firm in 2025.

 

Dr. Galm holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics from Case Western Reserve University. He is a Professional Engineer licensed to practice in Ohio. Now retired, Dr. Galm serves on boards of directors for LayerZero and Type One Energy.

 

Galm's gift represents a significant investment in ARRL's mission by supporting initiatives that help develop students as innovators, protecting the future of amateur radio spectrum, and strengthening the organization for generations to come.

 

 

Chilean Students Prepare for ARISS Contact

A delegation of 30 students from the Mary Graham Bicentennial Vocational Technical High School in Villa Alemana, Chile, recently visited the Chilean Air Force's National Space Center (CEN). The visit was an opportunity to connect classroom content with cutting-edge technological development, encouraging vocations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

 

The initiative is part of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) project, an international program that coordinates live amateur radio contacts by students with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

 

The students toured the mission control room and satellite laboratories, and attended a keynote lecture delivered by space engineer Klaus von Storch, who shared details about the aerospace field and telecommunications.

 

The visit was supported by the Los Molinos Radio Club of Villa Alemana, CE2CQ, a key institution in the students' radio communications preparation. Club treasurer Mauricio Jorquera, CA2BPG, said the visit will have a great impact on the students’ future.

 

"The visit to the National Space Center was spectacular,” said Jorquera. “The high school students, selected for their outstanding performance, were extremely enthusiastic and active participants. For our radio club, it is a source of pride to create these opportunities, which complement the work we are doing for the upcoming contact with the ISS and demonstrate that, through education and amateur radio, there are no limits to exploring the future."

 

ARISS is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS).

 

 

Youth and STEM Education Leaders at 2026 HamX

The 2026 ARRL New England Division Convention was hosted by the ™, HamX™, August 13 – 16 at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center in Marlborough, Massachusetts. One only had to walk a few steps into the convention to see the strong youth presence. ARRL Senior Director of Marketing and Innovation Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, met students and advisors from (NESci-Tech) throughout the weekend. NESci-Tech is a nonprofit STEM education center and makerspace dedicated to project-based, hands-on learning for youth and families across New England.

 

Among the NESci-Tech team was founder and President Bob Phinney, K5TEC. Phinney led a youth forum on Saturday afternoon, organized as a roundtable discussion. Young hams, along with some prospective young hams, shared the experiences that inspired their participation in amateur radio.

 

Inderbitzen invited the students to describe ways they could encourage their friends to become involved in amateur radio. He also encouraged the older students to stay involved as they look ahead to college and careers.

 

“What do you think many college students are thinking about as they look ahead to their futures?” Inderbitzen asked.

 

“Jobs,” several students responded.

 

“Right,” said Inderbitzen. He noted that experiences gained through amateur radio can help young people develop practical skills that can set them apart as they enter the workforce. Building and troubleshooting equipment, working with electronics and communications technology, solving problems, collaborating with others, and taking on projects from concept to completion are all valuable experiences that extend well beyond the amateur radio station.

 

Many of the students also staffed a NESci-Tech exhibit in the convention lobby, where they demonstrated their projects. Displays included pyramidal horn antennas used to detect the 1.42-GHz neutral hydrogen line emitted by interstellar gas clouds in the Milky Way, as well as high-altitude balloons carrying electronic sensor packages and radio transmitters.

 

Two STEM education leaders chatting at the 2026 Northeast HamXposition in Marlborough, Massachusetts: (left) Everton Henriques, KD2ZZT, Staten Island Technical High School, WS1THS, and Bob Phinney, K5TEC, New England Sci-Tech, Natick, Massachusetts. [Phil Temples, K9HI, photo]

5th-grader Hamsini Venkatesh, KC1YTF, of Brentwood, New Hampshire, shows off the pyramidal horn antenna she constructed. [Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, photo]

The Saturday morning keynote speaker was Everton Henriques, KD2ZZT, an engineering and technology teacher at Staten Island Technical High School in New York. Henriques attended the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology in 2023 and 2024, and has served as a TI instructor.

 

“One of the brightest success stories of this program is right here with us,” said ARRL Director of Development Kevin Beal, K8EAL, who introduced Henriques.

 

Henriques shared experiences from his work as a coach and advisor to the SITHS Amateur Radio League, WS1THS; a SeaPerch underwater robotics team, and the Seagull Solar Car Racing Team, WSØLAR.

 

Throughout his presentation, Henriques described the experiences that led his students to what he called “this moment” — the culmination and reward that comes from the hands-on hard work and learning that take place when students engage deeply in problem solving.

 

Henriques has helped license more than 600 student hams and teaches nearly 130 students each semester. His experience illustrates how amateur radio, when integrated with hands-on STEM education, can provide young people with opportunities to build technical skills, work as teams, solve real-world problems, and discover pathways to future careers.

 

Keynote presentations at the 2026 Northeast HamXposition: (left) Max Freedman, N4ML, at the DX and Contest Dinner; (right) Katie Campbell, KE8LQR, at the convention banquet. [Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R, photo]

The convention's Friday and Saturday evening banquets also featured young amateur radio leaders. Max Freedman, N4ML, delivered the keynote at Friday’s DX and Contest Dinner. Freedman, who was licensed in 2016 at age 12, was part of the 3YØK DXpedition team to Bouvet Island in February and March 2026. Freedman is a member of the ARRL Headquarters staff.

 

Saturday’s convention banquet featured keynote speaker Katie Campbell, KE8LQR. Licensed in 2019 at age 10, Campbell shared experiences of being mentored and encouraged by individuals and organizations. She also discussed the stark contrasts that can exist between younger and older radio amateurs – encouraging ways for young hams to be supported. Campbell is entering college at The Ohio State University.

 

ARRL Southern Florida Section Manager Election Results

ARRL Southern Florida Section Manager Barry Porter, KB1PA, has been re-elected for a fifth term.

 

In the only balloted Section Manager election this summer season, ARRL members in the Southern Florida Section have re-elected Barry Porter, KB1PA, to another term of office. Porter received 302 votes and Dan Fisher, AI4GK, of Palm Bay, received 264 votes.

 

Porter, of Boynton Beach, has served as Section Manager since 2018, and will begin his fifth term of office on October 1, 2026.

 

The June 18 issue of the previously announced that Section Managers unopposed or newly elected during this election cycle would begin their new terms of office on October 1, 2026.

 

 

Amateur Radio in the News

“” / WFMJ (Ohio) August 16, 2026 -- The Warren Amateur Radio Association is an ARRL Affiliated Club

 

ARRL Live Events and Podcasts

On the Air LIVE

 

What if you need to send a message from a disaster area, but all forms of communication are down? The ARRL National Traffic System could be your tool to get the message out. Join ARRL Education Specialist Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, and learn about the history of the National Traffic System, how it works, and how you can become a regular user and be prepared to send and relay traffic. The livestream will air on the ARRL's learning center, , August 25th at 8 PM Eastern. Preregistration is required and can be accomplished through the Learning Center.

 

📅 Date: August 25, 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

 

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. | | 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 .

 

08/19/2026 Alabama W1AW/4 (host KI4KWR)

08/19/2026 Hawaii W1AW/KH6 (host AD6E)

08/19/2026 Oregon W1AW/7 (host N7JI)

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)

 

 

In Brief...

The (IDEC) volunteer team participated in the City of Irvine's National Night Out earlier this month at the Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex. National Night Out is an annual nationwide event that promotes partnerships between law enforcement, first responders, and the communities they serve. It can also be an opportunity to introduce the public to the capabilities and community service of amateur radio. The Irvine, California, event attracted thousands of residents and featured the Irvine Police Department, Orange County Fire Authority, emergency management personnel, and other public safety organizations. Visitors had the opportunity to meet IDEC volunteers, learn about modern amateur radio emergency communications, Morse code, and see firsthand how radio technology supports public safety and disaster preparedness. IDEC is a volunteer organization of licensed amateur radio operators that partners with the Irvine Police Department to provide auxiliary emergency communications and technical support for public safety and civic events.

 

Former ARRL Indiana Section Manager Jimmy Merry, Junior, KC9RPX, is now a Silent Key. He passed away August 5, 2026, and held an amateur radio Technician class license. He served as Indiana Section Manager from 2018 to 2022 and was most recently the Section’s Affiliated Club Coordinator and Monroe County Emergency Coordinator. Merry had also served as president of the Bloomington Amateur Radio Club. Arrangements are pending.

 

This weekend, following 124 hours of uninterrupted operation by the Colombian Amateur Radio League (LCR) National Emergency Network, the emergency frequencies used by Colombian radio amateurs deployed in response to the earthquake that shook much of the country on August 10, were released for general use.

 

Frequencies released that were previously in use by the LCR:

80 m: 3985 kHz

40 m: 7060, 7240, and 7275 kHz

20 m: 14300 kHz

17 m: 18160 kHz

15 m: 21360 kHz

 

IARU Region 2 Emergency Coordinator Carlos Carlos Alberto Santamaría González, CO2JC, said the release of these frequencies does not mean that communications have ceased. “The network remains locally active in each affected department and city, managed by the radio clubs and amateur radio associations based there, while authorities work to regain control and restore the functionality of their own communication systems. I also wish to acknowledge the excellent work performed by LCR amateur radio operators across various clubs and associations, including the Asociación de Radioaficionados del Eje Cafetero (Asorec), the Liga Radio Quindío in the city of Armenia, and the Liga Radio Medellín —which maintains regional links with the Radio Club de Antioquia— among others,” added González.

 

 

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 .

 

ARRL is an equal opportunity employer.

 

The ARRL Solar Report

Solar disk image courtesy of NASA/SDO, August 20, 2026

ARRL Solar Report August 20, 2026

 

Solar activity has continued at low levels, with most of the C-class activity originating from Region 4507. The secondary source of C-class flares was beyond the east limb and was responsible for the largest flare of the period, a C5.0 on August 19.

There were four numbered regions on the visible disk. Most of them showed some decay, losing intermediary/trailer spots or penumbra area. Region 4510 continued to rotate off the west limb.

No Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed in the available coronagraph imagery during the period.

 

Solar activity is expected to continue at low levels over through August 21 with a chance for M-class flares (R1-R2/minor-moderate).

 

Solar wind parameters reflected the waning effect of the co-rotating interaction region (CIR) and dominating influence of a negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream near Earth. Solar wind speeds increased from 400 km/s to about 550-600 km/s. Phi angle remained predominantly negative during the past 24 hours.

 

Solar wind parameters are likely to continue reflecting the presence of high speed streams associated with negative polarity coronal hole(s) through August 21.

 

The 10.7-centimeter flux: August 20, 130; August 21 - 22, 125; August 23, 120; August 24 – 25, 115; August 26, 110.

 

Predicted sunspot numbers: August 20, 95; August 21, 89; August 22, 102; August 23, 83; August 24, 105; August 25, 75; August 26, 110.

 

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

  • August 20 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest-NA (digital)
  • August 20 - 21 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
  • August 20 -- NTC QSO Party (CW)
  • August 22 - 23 -- YO DX HF Contest (CW, phone)
  • August 22 - 23 -- ARSI VU DX Contest (CW, phone)
  • August 22 - 23 -- Ohio QSO Party (CW, phone)
  • August 22 - 24 -- Hawaii QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)
  • August 23 -- CVA DX Contest, SSB (phone)
  • August 23 -- SARL HF CW Contest (CW)
  • August 26 -- SKCC Sprint (CW)

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

September 4 – 5 | , hosting the ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Shelby, North Carolina

 

September 26 | , hosting the ARRL Minnesota State Convention, Moorhead, Minnesota

 

October 3 | , hosting the ARRL Santa Barbara Section Convention, Camarillo, California

 

October 3 | , hosting the ARRL Kansas Section Convention, Wichita, Kansas

 

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

 

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

 

October 11 | , hosting the ARRL Connecticut State Convention, Meriden, Connecticut

 

October 11 | , hosting the ARRL Southern New Jersey Section Convention, Mullica Hill, New Jersey

 

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.

 

October 16 – 18 | , hosting the ARRL Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, California

 

 

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