ARRL Newsfeed

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.

  • The ARRL Solar Update

    Solar activity reached moderate levels due to an M1.6 flare on
    January 14 from new region AR4341. Spot classification of this
    region is complicated by limb proximity and foreshortening effects.
    New Region AR4342 rotated around the NE limb and was also numbered.
    No Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) were observed. Solar
    activity is expected to be low with a 25-30% chance for M-class
    flares (...

  • New 60-Meter Frequencies Available as of February 13

    The new 60-meter frequencies approved by the FCC in December will become available to amateurs as of February 13, 2026, along with new power restrictions on those frequencies. It’s a bit confusing, as different rules apply to different segments of the band. The changes result from the FCC’s action to approve a worldwide 60-meter amateur allocation made by the World Radiocommunication Conference...

  • Bob Jones, VE7RWJ, Silent Key -- Former ITU Official and IARU Expert

    Robert W. “Bob” Jones, VE7RWJ, a former top official of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Canadian telecommunications regulator, passed away on January 7, 2026, at age 82. His early fascination with amateur radio led to a career in telecommunications and engineering, according to his obituary.

    Jones was Director General of the Canadian Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regul...

  • FCC Poised to Exempt Amateurs from Foreign Adversary Reporting Requirements

    At the urging of ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio®, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expected to exempt radio amateurs from foreign adversary reporting requirements. These rules would have applied to citizens of the listed countries (see below), including those living in the United States, who hold or are applying for an FCC license.

    On January 8, 2026, the FCC relea...

  • The ARRL Solar Update

    Geomagnetic field activity is likely to reach G1 (Minor) geomagnetic
    storm levels on January 13 and 14, and then from January 17 to 20.

    Unsettled levels are likely on January 12, and then from January 21
    and 22.  All enhancements in geomagnetic activity are due to the
    anticipated influence of multiple, recurrent, coronal holes. The
    remainder of the outlook period is expected to be mostly quiet.

    A tra...

  • Richard Dean Straw, N6BV, ARRL “Antenna Expert,” Silent Key

    by Mark Derks, KC1RVQ, ARRL Headquarters Staff

    Richard Dean Straw (“Dean”), N6BV, died on July 9, 2025. Amateur radio was one of his passions.

    Dean retired from the staff of ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® in 2008 following 15 years of service as the Senior Assistant Technical Editor.

    ***

    In 2006, the World Radiosport Team Championship (WRTC) was held in Florianópolis, Brazil, a co...

  • ARRL Awards Colvin Grant to Bouvet DXpedition

    ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® has awarded a $5,000 Colvin Award grant to the Delta-Xray Group, organizers of the upcoming 3YØK DXpedition to Bouvet Island, scheduled for February and March, 2026. Bouvet is a remote island in the Southern Ocean, populated only by seals and penguins, and known for treacherous weather and surf conditions. It is a territory of Norway and nearly a...

  • 2026 is ARRL’s Year of the Club -- A Celebration of Amateur Radio Clubs

  • New ARRL Section Managers Take Office in January

    ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® annouces four new Section Managers taking on the top volunteer leadership role in the ARRL Field Organization on January 1, 2026. 

    Bret Stemen, KD8SCL, has been appointed as the Ohio Section Manager to finish the term that will end September 30, 2026. Stemen, of Pataskala, has recently served as the Section Emergency Coordinator. He is taking the...

  • The ARRL Solar Update

    The January 2, 2026, report from Spaceweather.com has updated
    details about the Coronal Mass Ejections predicted to hit the Earth
    on January 3 and 4.

    Solar wind parameters are expected to be disturbed through January
    4, 2026, due to a combination of Coronal Hole High Speed Stream and
    Coronal Mass Ejection activity. There is the potential for glancing
    influences late into January 3 from CMEs that left...