Subj : The ARRL Letter To : All From : ARS KS4TD Date : Sat Sep 26 2026 08:45 pm ARRL Letter Issue The ARRL Letter for September 17, 2026 Richard Moseson, W2VU, Editor | September 17, 2026 In this Issue: Contest University Celebrates 100 Years of Yagis WRTC 2026 Organizers Honored by FOC Get Ready for Jamboree on the Air AMSAT Youth Initiative Course Amateur Radio in the News ARRL Live Events and Podcasts Announcements In Brief... The ARRL Solar Report Just Ahead in Radiosport Upcoming ARRL Conventions and Major Events Contest University Celebrates 100 Years of Yagis The Yagi-Uda beam antenna was invented 100 years ago, in 1926, and Contest University (CTU) is celebrating its centennial with a live Zoom webinar this Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 1600 UTC (noon Eastern). The free webinar, titled The Yagi Turns 100, will be presented by Greg Ordy, W8WWV, and will be available online at w3lif.org/yagi. Ordy will walk through the history of this amazing antenna that has been a mainstay of amateur radio DXing and contesting for a century. There is no pre-registration for this event. Click on the link (above) before 1600 Zulu on Saturday to watch. Contest University Chairman Tim Duffy, K3LR, and Scott Jones, N3RA, will be monitoring the chat during the presentation and will relay questions from viewers to Ordy at the conclusion of his talk. Duffy says the webinar will be recorded, and the recorded link will be posted on the CTU website next week. WRTC 2026 Organizers Honored by FOC The First Class CW Operators Club (FOC) has awarded its highest honor, the Al Slater, G3FXB (SK), Memorial Award, to the World Radiosport Team Championship 2026 (WRTC 2026) Organizing Committee in recognition of its work not only in planning and executing last Julys competition, but also in its response to allegations of cheating by some participants. FOC President John Warburton, G4IRN, said the award recognizes an individual, group, or organization whose contribution to amateur radio reflects the qualities that Al embodied throughout his life: operating excellence, friendship, encouragement of others, and service to the hobby. According to a report in The Daily DX, Warburton said FOC determined that the WRTC committee demonstrated those qualities on an exceptional scale, [creating] an environment that showcases the very highest standards of amateur radio operating, rewarding skill, fairness, technical competence, and ethical conduct. He added that the judging committees careful verification work ensured that these standards were upheld and that the results reflected the true performance of those who competed within the rules. This was a reference to the Organizing Committees recent announcement that several stations, including the original winner, had been disqualified due to rule violations discovered after the contest. The award was presented at FOCs annual gala dinner on September 12 in Cheshire, England. Get Ready for Jamboree on the Air We've got scouts, we've got a special event call sign, and we'd love as many hams as possible near and far to come find us on the air. Thats how Sal Mancuso, W6SAL, is promoting Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) 2026 on behalf of the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council of Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America). JOTA is an annual worldwide event, on the air and on the internet (as JOTI), with the goal of promoting friendship and global citizenship via amateur radio and the internet. This years event will be held from October 16-18, and now is a good time for radio clubs and individual hams to reach out to local scout units to set up JOTA experiences. For Mancuso, it has meant getting a special event call sign K6S and setting up a public demonstration station on October 17 for scouts from throughout the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council. The council serves 10,000 youth across Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties in California. We'll have approximately seven licensed operators of varying license classes (Technician through Extra) on hand, running HF, VHF, and UHF simultaneously, all signing K6S, explains Mancuso. Scouts will be hands-on at the mic and keyboard the whole time this is their event, not just something they're watching ... We'll be active on HF SSB and FT8, with packet possible as well. Planned HF SSB frequencies are 7.090, 14.290, 18.140, and 28.990 MHz, but Mancuso noted that We'll also be posting our actual live frequencies on Spotted Hams as the day goes, since real-world band conditions may shift our plan a bit. More information on setting up a JOTA/JOTI operation may be found at www.jotajoti.info. ARRL has resources to assist volunteers who are working with scouts, including a flyer promoting Radio Communications for Scouts (PDF) and the ARRL Radio and Wireless Technology Patch Program. For additional ideas, visit www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-and-scouting. AMSAT Youth Initiative Course An online course titled Satellites and Astronomy is now available as part of the AMSAT Youth Initiative programs Satellites in Space Help Us Live a Better Life on Earth series. This is the fifth course in the series, produced by AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, and posted on its youth-focused website, buzzsat.com. AMSAT says the goal of BuzzSat is to encourage youth to pursue careers in aerospace and communications by studying science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). Other courses in the series include An Introduction to Satellite Meteorology, Satellites and Climate Change, Satellites and Pollution Control, and Satellites and Natural Resources. Amateur Radio in the News Amateur Radio Club event to show interested persons about ham radio / The Daily American (Somerset, PA), September 15, 2026 -- Somerset County Amateur Radio Club is an ARRL Affiliated Club. Its Teletext, But On the Radio / Hackaday, September 1, 2026 -- Highlights Ceefax Station software by Tobias Franklin, M7TJF, which emulates Ceefax teletext service that ran on BBC television from 1974 until 2012. 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 wont replace lab-grade testing, they can reveal useful information about your radios 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 Listen to , available every Friday. 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. On the Air Sponsored by Icom About the New QST Product Review Comparison Tool for ARRL Lab-Tested Devices Some of the products seen in QST Product Review, including transceivers, receivers, and amplifiers, are tested in the ARRL Lab to see how they stack up against the manufacturers claims. Those test results are included in the published review to help you make more informed buying choices. ARRLs new online interactive Comparison Tool for ARRL Lab-Tested Devices makes it even easier to refer to, compare, and understand the test results. ARRL Digital RF Engineer John Jobin McAuliffe, W1DRF, visits the podcast to talk about what the tool does and how to use it to better inform your radio purchases. More info | Listen on Blubrry | Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts. Announcements ARISS, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program, has announced an application deadline of September 30, 2026, for schools and other educational groups in the US to schedule an amateur radio contact with the International Space Station between January 1 and June 30, 2027. Proposals must follow guidelines posted at www.ariss.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us.html. Different deadlines apply for schools in other parts of the world. ARDC, the Amateur Radio Digital Communications foundation, is recruiting volunteers to serve on its teams and committees in 2027. Applications are due by October 30, 2026. Seats are open on the groups Grants Advisory Committee, Technical Advisory Committee, Grants Evaluation Team, Grants Communications Team, and Conduct Review Committee. More information about these opportunities, including eligibility requirements, time commitments, and how to apply can be found at: www.ardc.net/volunteer-with-ardc-in-2027. Order your certificate at america250.arrl.org Order your certificate at america250.arrl.org 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. Review your award progress and order your certificate and endorsements at america250.arrl.org. 09/23/2026 Vermont W1AW/1 (host W1SJ) 09/30/2026 No activations scheduled 10/07/2026 New Mexico W1AW/5 (host KA8JMW) 10/07/2026 South Dakota W1AW/ (host KBBC) 10/07/2026 Connecticut W1AW/1 (host W8ZY) In Brief... Watch Duty is a real-time wildfire and flood tracking alert app with active reporting in all 50 states. ARRL Idaho Assistant Section Manager Dan Marler, K7REX, brought it to our attention, along with a video explaining how it works thats posted to the RATPAC YouTube channel. (RATPAC is the Radio Amateur Training Planning and Activities Committee.) For more information on the free Watch Duty app, visit watchduty.org. Russell L. Woirhaye, KVXU, who helped originate the 'CW Pileup' competition at the Kansas City DX Club's Dayton hospitality suite, became a Silent Key on September 8, 2026, at age 81. Woirhaye was a past president of the Kansas City DX Club and had been a ham for 67 years, according to a report in The Daily DX. A longtime DXer, he had 334/348 (current/total) confirmed entities in the ARRL DXCC Mixed standings. 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: Technical Editor RFI Lab Engineer Public Relations and Outreach Manager Advertising Sales Manager 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 image on September 17, 2026 [Photo courtesy NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center] Solar image on September 17, 2026 [Photo courtesy NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center] Solar flare activity is expected to remain at very low levels, with a chance for isolated C-class flares through September 19, according to NOAAs Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). Solar wind speed was steady near 530 km/s, and negative polarity CH HSS (coronal hole high- speed stream) effects are anticipated to persist through September 18, with additional enhancements likely today due to flanking influences from CMEs (coronal mass ejections) that departed the Sun on September 13 and 14. Geomagnetic activity is expected to reach active to G1 (minor) storm levels today due to combined CH and CME influences. Unsettled to active conditions are likely on September 18-19 as enhancements wane. The Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre reports that there are currently three numbered sunspot regions on the solar disk, and that all three are stable. No flares are expected over the next several days. The global HF propagation forecast for middle latitudes is normal to fair today, followed by normal propagation in the days that follow. Predicted 10.7-centimeter radio flux from the SWPC: Sep 17, 93; Sep 18-19, 90; Sep 20, 95; Sep 21, 100; Sep 22, 110; Sep 23, 105. Send your tips, questions, or comments to w2vu@arrl.org. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean...," and check out the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA. A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website. Share your reports and observations. Just Ahead in Radiosport September 17 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest NA (digital) September 17 -- NAQCC CW Sprint (CW) September 17 -- BCC QSO Party (CW, phone, digital) September 17 - 18 -- Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW) September 19 - 21 -- ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest (CW, phone, digital) September 19 - 20 -- Scandinavian Activity Contest, CW (CW) September 19 - 20 -- Iowa QSO Party (CW, phone, digital) September 19 - 20 -- Texas QSO Party (CW, phone, digital) September 19 -- QRP Afield (CW, phone, digital) September 19 -- Wisconsin Parks on the Air (CW, phone, digital) September 19 - 20 -- New Hampshire QSO Party (CW, phone, digital) September 19 - 20 -- Washington State Salmon Run (CW, phone) September 19 -- Feld Hell Sprint (digital) September 20 -- North American Sprint, RTTY (digital) September 20 -- BARTG Sprint PSK63 Contest (digital) September 20 -- ARS Flight of the Bumblebees (CW) September 20 - 21 -- Run for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW) September 21 - 22 -- 144 MHz Fall Sprint (CW, phone, digital) September 23 -- SKCC Sprint (CW) September 26 -- Bill Windle QSO Party (CW) September 26 - 27 -- CQ World Wide DX Contest, RTTY (digital) September 26 - 27 -- YU DX Contest (CW, phone) September 26 - 27 -- Maine QSO Party (CW, phone) September 26 - 27 -- AWA Amplitude Modulation QSO Party (phone) 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. 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 October 24 | ARRL Day in the Park, hosting the ARRL Mississippi Section Convention, Ridgeland, Mississippi. October 30 31 | Stone Mountain Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Georgia State Convention, Lawrenceville, Georgia. November 7 | Superstition ARC Superfest, hosting the ARRL Arizona State Convention, Mesa, Arizona November 14 | Montgomery Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Alabama State Convention, Montgomery, Alabama Have News for ARRL? Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to news@arrl.org. -- Richard Moseson, W2VU, ARRL News Editor 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 , 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. On the Air. Published bimonthly for newer hams, featuring introductions to popular activities and key concepts, equipment buying guides, and practical projects with step-by-step instructions all in language thats easy to understand. 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. Free of charge to ARRL members... 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