Lockport Summer Hamfest - 6/6/26

 

More info at: https://www.lockportara.us/home

SteppIR reurning to support Amateur radio market

 SteppIR, which announced in June 2025 that it was halting production of its popular antennas for the amateur radio market, is now returning to the ham radio business. 

A statement last week on the Stepp IR website said that although SteppIR had decided last year to focus on commercial sales, recent favorable developments in that sector are permitting the company to resume supplying hams with antenna kits, parts and accessories as before. The ham radio market will be served only by online sales.

Speaking with folks who own their antennas, all praise of their quality, performance and aesthetics. Most seem to feel that SteppIR antennas fill an important niche, as a great performing beam, for those who want a limited visual and wind load footprint. Most also acknowledge the higher price you pay for this higher end level of product.

learn more at: https://consumer.steppir.com/

Happy Marconi Day!

 

Museum Ship Weekend June 6-7, 2026

 OPERATE W2L WITH FRED AT THE LT-5 TUGBOAT

June 6th and 7th 2026 we will be operating at the World War II Army Tugboat LT-5 in Oswego, New York for the annual Museum Ship Weekend Event. The LT-5 was an instrumental part of Operation Overlord (The D-Day Invasion). She is moored at the H Lee White Museum in Oswego Harbor Oswego, New York.

  A few twists this year though … I have obtained a Special Event Call Sign, W2L, for the event. Oswego Waterfront Festival is also going on at the same time!! I am hoping many other hams want to come and enjoy the weekend and operate from their own portable set ups. My station will be set up inside the Derrick Boat which is moored next to the LT-5. I will be operating Saturday and Sunday, June 6 & 7 from about 8:00 am until 5:00pm. I will coordinate the log submission to the USS New Jerey Amateur Radio club which sponsors the event upon event completion. Please contact Fred Legawiec, W2LGA at W2LGA@Yahoo.com if you are planning to set up a portable station and participate. I have also verified that this is also a POTA location so it will be considered a POTA Activation also. June 6, 2026 is also the 82nd anniversary of Operation Overlord (D-Day). For event detail see the Battleship New Jersey ARS - Museum Weekend Event info: https://www.nj2bb.org/museum/

Fred Legawiec, W2LGA

MFJ sells Hy-gain and Cushcraft product lines

 MFJ Enterprises, Inc. President Martin F. Jue announced this week the sale of the Hy-gain and Cushcraft antenna, rotator, and communication product lines to ITU Corporation of Linton, Indiana. It was almost one year ago that MFJ announced that it would cease on-site production of Ameritron, Hy-Gain, Cushcraft, Mirage, and Vectronics brand products at their Starkville, Mississippi, facility.

ITU announced that it has purchased the former Linton National Guard Armory to serve as the new manufacturing hub for Hy-gain and Cushcraft. The new ITU manufacturing operation will employ around 20 employees initially and up to 50 as the operation moves into full production.

ITU Corporation Founded in 2003, provides products and services for clients all around the United States and abroad. ITU Corporation’s trademarked LearnLab training systems offer high impact classroom training solutions to schools and companies. ITU also owns Tek Shack a Radio & Electronics online retailer, as well as a retail store in Linton, Indiana.

See the full news article here: https://www.lintonnews.com/itu-corporation-re-purposes-linton-armory-facility-to-house-iconic-amateur-radio-manufacturing-free-article/

MFJ closure story link: https://www.arrl.org/news/mfj-ceasing-on-site-production

Sources: Linton News, ITU website, ARRL News

2026 Spring SkyWarn Training

 The 2026 Skywarn Spring Training Season is almost upon us!

Learn more from your local NWS office listed below:

Binghamton NY NWS SKYWARN page: http://www.weather.gov/bgm/outreachSKYWARNtraining

Buffalo NY NWS SKYWARN page: http://www.weather.gov/buf/Skywarn

Albany NY NWS SKYWARN page:  http://www.weather.gov/aly/skywarn

The effects of severe weather are felt every year by many Americans. To obtain critical weather information, NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, established SKYWARN® with partner organizations. SKYWARN® is a volunteer program with nearly 290,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.

Although SKYWARN® spotters provide essential information for all types of weather hazards, the main responsibility of a SKYWARN® spotter is to identify and describe severe local storms. In the average year, 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes occur across the United States. These events threatened lives and property.

Since the program started in the 1970s, the information provided by SKYWARN® spotters, coupled with Doppler radar technology, improved satellite and other data, has enabled NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods.

Learn more about CNY SKYWARN here: https://www.upstateham.com/p/skywarn.html

Learn more at the National SKYWARN web site: https://www.weather.gov/SKYWARN

AWA Spring Meet, Flea Market & Auction - Sat. 5/2/26

 Mark Your Calendars For a Huge Event!        Saturday May 2, 2026  

The annual AWA Spring Meet, Flea Market & Auction will be held at Veteran’s Park in Bloomfield, NY. The park is just across the road from the AWA Communication Technologies Museum, 6925 State Route 5, just east of the intersection of Routes 5 & 20 and Route 444. AWA will be operating a Museum Bargain Table and a large Museum Book Sale in the former AWA Annex building located in the park. Also, an Open Flea Market will be held for visitors and members.

As part of the meet, AWA will hold an Auction of duplicate and surplus items from the Museum’s artifacts. Don’t miss it!  This auction will be held in the afternoon in the former AWA Annex. Payment must be by cash or check.  We will not be able to accept credit cards. Auction items will be listed on the AWA web site as they are identified. Watch for updates to the list.

Schedule

Time                         Event
7 AM- Noon              Open Flea Market, at Veteran’s Park
8 AM- Noon              AWA Bargain Table & Book Sale, in the former Annex
10 AM – Noon           AWA Communication Technologies Museum open for visitors
8 AM – 1 PM             Auction pre-view, at the former AWA Annex
1 PM – To End           AWA Auction

Admission for the Day is $5

Flea Market Vendor Pass is an additional $7

More info at: https://www.antiquewireless.org/homepage/

Bouvet Island DXpedition updates (following Adrian KO8SCA)

 

15 March 2026 2100z - Ken LA7GIA (3Y0K Team lead):

 

We just finished a very successful expedition to Bouvetøya in the South Atlantic Ocean. What an incredible trip! Depsite all the challenges, the team overcome each of them. We made contact with 102.000 persons during our 15 day stay. We encountered harsh conditions, snow, and wind sometimes was so strong we could barely walk outdoor. Bouvetøya is a beautiful island, but is known for its remoteness and unpredictable weather. The team worked well together and we're proud of having made 100k contacts under these conditions. Today everyone is safely back on the vessel and we're bound for Cape Town this weekend. Thanks to everyone who supported us and who was in the pileup!

BOUVET ISLAND DX -  ATTENTION DX COMMUNITY:

14 March 2026 1600z  - 3Y0K is QRT.

6 persons remain on the island to take down the last tents and pack the rest of our supplies. 15 persons are back on vessel, included most of cargo. We anticipate full extraction tomorrow. Thanks for all the support, More info later.

13 March 2026 - LIVE DX Engineering interview with Adrian and the Team (Great team update!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UDm9W5ddkM

STATUS / OPERATIONAL UPDATE-  07 March 2026:

The team is doing well on Bouvet, we are all in good spirit as we see the camp build up take place and operation is now going well.

We have all tents and antennas installed at this point. We have 4 Yagis installed, WIMO monobanders on 15 and 20 + two dual banders on 17/12 and today a 5 element monobander on 10m. We have 18m top loaded spiderpole on 160m, full-size on 40m using Spiderbeam poles. We run in band operation on 40,20,17,15,12 and 10 using our ICOM radios and ACOM amplifiers also supported by DX Engineering hardware.

We also have a FLEX Aurora 500W radio setup. We have 6 stations and amplifiers with 500W to 1 kW + power output, and we have enough fuel to run high power throughout the operation.

On Top Band you should look for us as we are QRV every night through our sunrise. Propagation on some bands is challenging, and they close earlier than expected. All yagis have excellent take off towards EU/Asia and also NA. Our camp is located at the upper area where we planned to setup a NA camp. There is no camp in the lower area due to the wildlife. Since we visited Bouvet last time the global warming has made the glacier recede, so the seals and penguins now occupy a large area of Cape Fie even as much as 3-400 meter uphill. In some ten years from now, this area might be out of reach for any expedition!

The weather at Bouvet is windy and cold and it is challenging to keep the antenna farm up. While we have reached our max setup, we see increased maintenance, things that must be fixed and repaired.

We had several days with high wind, snow and rather cold days. Setting up antennas in this weather has been challenging, but fun! Today is an exceptional day with no wind and blue sky, a truly very nice day at the island that also allowed us to take a hike and do some sightseeing.

Our logs will be uploaded once a day and you can check the log at M0OXO website. We expect to run another 7-9 days at full setup before we start planning how to gradually extract from the island.

73, 3YØK

more info: https://www.upstateham.com/2026/01/3yok-bouvet-dxpedition-local-connection.html

Thanks to sources: DX Engineering, 4F1EBD, Charles Wilmott

New Radio System coming for the New York State Thruway

The New York State Thruway Authority is in the process of upgrading their statewide radio communications system. NYSTA awarded L3Harris the contract for a 700/800 mhz P25 Phase 2 trunked system in January of 2025. The radio system supports the NYS Police Troop T, NYSTA maintenance and local tow truck operations.The present UHF system has been in service for over 50 years covering the 570 mile roadway. 

The new multiband L3Harris mobile radios will support communications on both the legacy UHF system and the new P25 network, which should allow a smooth transition for authority personnel. New equipment installations began last year and should be completed in 2027. 

PRESS RELEASE: 

L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) has received a contract award to upgrade the New York State Thruway Authority’s critical communications infrastructure, including voice and data connectivity, throughout its 570-mile jurisdiction.

L3Harris will deliver Two47 Base Stations to roughly 40 sites spanning New York City to the western border with Canada, delivering secure, interoperable communications through reliable, agile networks. L3Harris will also deliver more than 1,800 XL Series radios and provide maintenance and system support. The award followed a competitive procurement process and is potentially worth more than $150 million over 20 years.

“There is a significant need for high-speed voice and data communications throughout the Thruway system, particularly during periods of high traffic or adverse weather, and our solutions provide New York with the flexibility to meet its evolving needs over the next 20 years,” said Kevin Pietrzak, President, Public Safety and Professional Communications, L3Harris. “For three decades, Thruway communications have remained resilient through everything from terrorist attacks to natural disasters, and we look forward to continuing this support.”

This network, composed of L3Harris’ latest critical-communications solutions, provides an open-system architecture that enables transportation organizations the flexibility to tailor to regionally specific needs. It will enhance interoperability with transportation and emergency responders throughout the 570-mile system. (source: L3Harris press release)

References: March 2026 The Spectrum Monitor, L3Harris press releases, various LMR industry pubs

Drumlins Hamfest - Sat 4/18/26

 *** Drumlins Hamfest 2026***

• Palmyra VFW Post 6778, 4306 Route 31, Palmyra, NY
• Vendors 7AM, Public 8AM-Till 1PM

Table Signup: Rich Hamill (315) 986-8589
Email: Hamfest@drumlinsarc.us

CVARA Hamfest- Sat. 4/11/26

 more info at: https://cvara.net/our-events/bullthistle-hamfest/

LARC VE license Testing - Tues. 3/3/26

 

Online Ham Radio License Class - March 21-22, 2026

 

Email: ars.n7ji@gmail.com to register.

Scott N7JI

YL POTA Party - Spencerport NY - 3/7/26

 

On Saturday, March 7, women interested in amateur radio and portable operating are invited to spend the day together at Owens Lodge, Pineway Ponds Park along the Erie Canal in Spencerport, NY for a relaxed YL POTA Party.

Parks On The Air (POTA) is an amateur radio activity that encourages operators to set up portable stations in parks and make contacts from the field. The YL POTA Party is an exciting way for women of all ages to experience portable operating, learn by doing, and enjoy time on the air together. You do not need to be licensed to participate.

Starting at 9:00 AM, the day kicks off with setting up portable stations and getting on the air, with plenty of time to operate, chat, and enjoy food throughout the day (we just need to be out by 9 PM). Bring your own portable equipment or operate from ours.

Similar YL POTA parties are held each year around International Women’s Day, with gatherings planned worldwide to celebrate women’s contributions to radio and their involvement in the hobby.

Please RSVP to Angela N3ARB and Matt K2EAG by email at brown@brownbuffalo.com.

You can also visit us at upstatenypota.com. This is an unofficial event and is not sponsored by Parks On The Air.

Tech License courses - Syracuse - Bearbait Radio Club

 Upcoming Ham Radio license classes in Syracuse NY:

more info at: https://www.facebook.com/p/Bear-Bait-Radio-Club-100071802871213/