Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act - can you help?

EH.R. 1094 House Bill and S. 459 Senate Bill are in Congress to protect the rights of 3/4 million hams to put-up their antennas!

Explanation from WD4EHW:

I am writing this post to inform the Amateur Radio Community that Bill H.R. 1094 – Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act was introduced in February 2025, by Congressman Pfulger and others. H.R. 1094 is currently in committee. Please, let me encourage you to contact your congressman/woman in regards to the importance of this bill to the Amateur Radio Community, and operators who currently live in an HOA. This bill would allow the erecting of Amateur Radio antennas at their homes who live in an HOA without the hindrance of HOA restrictions. Once again, make your voice be heard by contacting your Federal representative in regard to H.R. 1094 and/ or contact A.R.R.L. and let them know the importance of this Bill to the overall Amateur Radio Community.

Jacob McWilliams Sr. WD4EHW

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If you are a licensed Ham radio operator please follow the link to submit your letter to your representative.

H.R. 1094 House Bill and S. 459 Senate Bill are in Congress to protect the rights of 3/4 million hams

to put-up their antennas! (See ARRL email below.)

H.R. 1094 House Bill

https://www.congress.gov/.../119th.../house-bill/1094/text

S. 459 Senate Bill

https://www.congress.gov/.../119th.../senate-bill/459/text

So don't delay and write your Congressman and your Senator!

https://send-a-letter.org/hoa/

ARRL press release:

https://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-emergency-preparedness-act-re-introduced

Field Day 2025 - June 28-29

 

Field Day is ham radio's open house. Every June, more than 31,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio's science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the most popular event in ham radio.

The object of Field Day is to work as many stations as possible on the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 Meter HF bands, as well as all bands 50 MHz and above, and in doing so to learn to operate in abnormal situations in less than optimal conditions. A premium is placed on developing skills to meet the challenges of emergency preparedness as well as to acquaint the general public with the capabilities of Amateur Radio

Field Day locator map: https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator

Is your club or group doing something special? Let us know, so we can share it here.

New Bill to Protect Amateur Radio

Congressmen Introduces New Bill to Protect Amateur Radio 

Washington, February 6, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), alongside Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) and U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (MS-R) and Richard Blumenthal (CT-D), introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to enhance emergency response capabilities and safeguard our communities. The Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act will ensure that amateur radio operators can continue to play a vital role in ensuring public safety during emergencies by providing critical communication when other systems fail.

ARRL story here: https://www.arrl.org/news/amateur-radio-emergency-preparedness-act-re-introduced

ARRL Field Day - June 22-23, 2024

ARRL Field Day is just a month away! 

Do you have plans with a club or friends yet? Why not visit one of the many groups having events here in Upstate NY. ARRL Field Day locator: https://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator

The object of Field Day is to work as many stations as possible on the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 Meter HF bands, as well as all bands 50 MHz and above, and in doing so to learn to operate in abnormal situations in less than optimal conditions. A premium is placed on developing skills to meet the challenges of emergency preparedness as well as to acquaint the general public with the capabilities of Amateur Radio.

More info at: https://www.arrl.org/field-day

Updated Radio Frequency Exposure rules

From ARRL News - 04/12/2021

The FCC has announced that rule changes detailed in a lengthy 2019 Report and Order governing RF exposure standards go into effect on May 3, 2021. The new rules do not change existing RF exposure (RFE) limits but do require that stations in all services, including amateur radio, be evaluated against existing limits, unless they are exempted. For stations already in place, that evaluation must be completed by May 3, 2023. After May 3 of this year, any new station, or any existing station modified in a way that’s likely to change its RFE profile — such as different antenna or placement or greater power — will need to conduct an evaluation by the date of activation or change.

Read the full ARRL News story at:

http://www.arrl.org/news/updated-radio-frequency-exposure-rules-become-effective-on-may-3

World Amateur Radio Day - Sunday April 18th

World Amateur Radio Day (WARD) is coming up on Sunday April 18th. 2021 marks the 96th anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), founded at the 1925 International Radiotelegraph Conference in Paris. 

Amateur Radio experimenters were the first to discover that the short-wave spectrum — far from being a wasteland — could support worldwide propagation. Amateur Radio pioneers met in Paris in 1925 and created the IARU to support Amateur Radio worldwide.

From the 25 countries that formed the IARU in 1925, the IARU has grown to include over 160 member-societies in three regions. IARU Region 1 includes Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Northern Asia. Region 2 covers the Americas, and Region 3 is comprised of Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific island nations, and most of Asia.

Since its founding, the IARU has worked tirelessly to defend and expand the frequency allocations for Amateur Radio. Thanks to the support of enlightened administrations in every part of the globe, radio amateurs are now able to experiment and communicate in frequency bands strategically located throughout the radio spectrum.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recognized the IARU as representing the interests of Amateur Radio. Today, Amateur Radio is more popular than ever, with more than 3,000,000 licensed operators!

April 18 is the day for all of Amateur Radio to celebrate and tell the world about the science we can help teach, the community service we can provide and the fun we have.

IARU has chosen “Amateur Radio: Home but Never Alone” as the theme for WARD 2021. The theme acknowledges that during our physical distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19, amateur radio stands out as a welcome respite for its variety of activities and opportunities.

Learn more about WARD info: https://www.iaru.org/on-the-air/world-amateur-radio-day/

ARRL WARD info: http://www.arrl.org/news/celebrate-world-amateur-radio-day-2021-on-april-18

FCC is concerned about social media talk of using radio services

from RADIO WORLD 1/17/21

FCC Warning: Don’t Use Ham Radio or CBs to Plan Crimes

Enforcement Bureau is concerned about social media talk of using radio services:

The Federal Communications Commission has issued an unusual weekend enforcement warning that boils down to this: Don’t use ham radio, CBs, FRS walkie-talkies or other personal radio services to plan crimes.

This comes as federal and local government and law enforcement officials around the country report concerns over possible terrorist attacks from disgruntled Trump supports enraged by the outcome of the election and stoked by the recent attack on the Capitol.

The Enforcement Bureau “has become aware of discussions on social media platforms suggesting that certain radio services regulated by the commission may be an alternative to social media platforms for groups to communicate and coordinate future activities,” the FCC said in a statement issued Sunday morning.

“The Bureau recognizes that these services can be used for a wide range of permitted purposes including speech that is protected under the First Amendment of the Constitution,” it said. But it continued in bold font: “Amateur and Personal Radio Services, however, may not be used to facilitate crimes.”

The warning applies to ham radio operators and users of services like Citizen’s Band, Family Radio Service walkie-talkies and General Mobile Radio service.

Specifically, amateur licensees are reminded that they are prohibited from transmitting “communications intended to facilitate a criminal act” as well as “messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning.” Users in the Personal Radio Services like CBs are prohibited from using them “in connection with any activity that is against federal, state or local law.”

link to FCC Enforcement Advisory: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-21-73A1.pdf

link to ARRL news notice: http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-issues-enforcement-advisory-radio-users-reminded-not-to-use-radios-in-crimes

NEW! ARRL Learning Network Webinars

 The ARRL has a new member benefit you might want to take advantage of. You can participate live or catch the recorded session later. 

Link to ARRL LN webinar site on-line: http://www.arrl.org/arrl-learning-network

Learning Network Webinars

Overview: ARRL's Learning Network is a webinar series to help introduce members to the variety of activities and opportunities enjoyed by radio amateurs. These live presentations will be given by member-volunteers, for all members. Like hamfest forums and radio club presentations, the webinars are intended to help participants get more active, involved, and engaged in amateur radio. Presentations are 30-minutes each to accommodate attendee's busy schedules, followed by a 15-minute period for questions-and-answers. For additional information contact ARRL's Lifelong Learning department.

Upcoming Schedule

Amateur Radio Logging
Presented by Anthony Luscre, K8ZT
Discover the advantages of keeping an electronic Amateur Radio Log. Find out why you may need more than one software program for logging-contesting, digital modes, special events, etc. Learn about using one full-featured logging program to pull everything together, interface with outside databases, handle electronic QSLing, etc. The discussion will include file formats, importing and exporting data between programs, submitting contest logs online and safe backup of data.
Thursday January 14, 2021 @ 3:30 pm EST (2030 UTC)

Emergency Communications: Why Train?
Presented by Greg Evans, K5GTX - Section Emergency Coordinator for North Texas and Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Collin County
Why should we train? Utilizing Amateur Radio Operators in an EMCOMM situation is a key function that can save lives. As AROs, we must be able to respond to the needs of our served agencies quickly and responsibly. Topics covered include, Incident Command System and its relevance, building on consistent training, interoperability with multiple communications providers, interoperability with VOAD and partners, Mission One: Get the information delivered.
Thursday January 21, 2021 @ 3:30 pm EST (2030 UTC)

Easy Helical Copper Tape and PVC 2m Vertical Antenna
Presented by John Portune, W6NBC
Here's how to quickly build from hardware-store copper tape and PVC pipe a tiny 18 in. continuously loaded light weight portable or base station 2m omni-directional vertical antenna with performance and efficiency comparable to a 5 ft. J-pole. Cost: roughly $10. It's an easy afternoon's home brew project, ideal for the new ham but equal to the serious hams' needs. It is great for events like bike-a-thons. It also makes an excellent ham radio club hands-on build-it meeting project. Further, it adapts well to other bands.
Tuesday February 2, 2021 @ 1 pm EST (1800 UTC)

Interesting Stories about Ham Radio & Weather Spotting
Presented by Rob Macedo, KD1CY
One of the most critical ways Amateur Radio supports agencies such as the National weather service, National Hurricane Center and Emergency Management is via weather spotting via the NWS SKYWARN program. This presentation goes through interesting stories about how Amateurs involved in SKYWARN have saved lives and property and how this is an important Amateur Radio activity.
Thursday February 11, 2021 @ 8 pm EST (0100 UTC on Friday, February 12)

Maxim Memorial Station W1AW Tour
Presented by Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, W1AW Station Manager
Maxim Memorial Station W1AW, located in Newington, Connecticut was established to honor the memory of ARRL’s co-founder and first president, Hiram Percy Maxim.  Although the first radio station of the ARRL was actually located in Hartford, Connecticut and active as W1MK, W1AW in Newington is known worldwide and considered the radio station most associated with Hiram Percy Maxim. Formally established in 1938 – nearly two years after the death of Hiram Percy Maxim - W1AW has consistently been on the air, save for the time when the station was ordered off the air by the FCC because of World War II. This guided tour will provide an inside look at W1AW and will be led by Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q.
Thursday February 18, 2021 @ 3:30 pm EST (2030 UTC)
 

Recorded Webinars

ARRL members may use the recording links to view recorded webinars for personal use only. Members may also use the videos for presentations to ARRL-affiliated radio clubs. ARRL Learning Network recordings are subject to copyright, and all rights are reserved. Downloaded videos should be deleted after promptly viewing, and videos may not be stored, introduced to a retrieval system, or published or shared elsewhere. If you have any questions contact ARRL's Lifelong Learning department.

Possible online VE Testing for Amateur Radio licensing exams

As we navigate the present demands of COVID-19 social distancing and stay at home guidance, many Hams are still interested in taking licensing exams. Most radio groups have  postponed or canceled their meetings and Hamfests where VE testing would have normally taken place. Several groups around the country are presently running remote testing trials to come up with long-term on-line testing options. The ARRL and other VE groups are presently evaluating these trial programs and hope to have new testing options available in the near future.





Learn more about the possibilities through the following links:

ARRL press release:
http://www.arrl.org/news/remotely-administered-amateur-exam-systems-showing-promise

Info from HamStudy blog:
https://blog.hamstudy.org/2020/04/fully-remote-amateur-radio-license-exam-administration/

New England SCiTech online courses and exams:
https://nescitech.org/

ARRL update on Field Day 6/27-28, 2020

Field Day (6/27-28) 2020 — A Time to Adapt

03/27/2020

Many individuals and groups organizing events for Field Day 2020 have been contacting ARRL for guidance on how to adapt their planned activities in this unprecedented time of social distancing and uncertainty.

“Due to the unique situation presented this year, this can be an opportunity for you, your club, and/or group to try something new,” ARRL Contest Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE, said. “Field Day isn’t about doing things the same way year after year. Use this year to develop and employ a new approach that is in line with the current circumstances.”

Social distancing and state and local requirements very likely will impact just how — and even whether — you are able to participate in Field Day this year. ARRL continues monitoring the coronavirus situation, paying close attention to information and guidance offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If social distancing means that Class A with a 30-member team set up in a city park won’t work this year, then it’s time for a Plan B. Part of the Field Day concept has always been adapting your operation to the situation at hand. At its heart, Field Day is an emergency communication demonstration. Field Day rules are flexible enough to allow individuals and groups to adjust their participation and strategies in a way that still addresses their needs while being fun. Some possibilities:

• Encourage club members to operate from their home stations on emergency power (Class E).
• Use the club’s repeater as a means for individual participants to keep in touch during the event.
• Family members interested in operating Field Day and unable to participate as part of a larger group may want to consider setting up a portable station in the backyard with a temporary antenna.

One big impact this year will be a decline in public visibility and any interaction with the visitors. Prudence may dictate dispensing with the ham radio PR table to attract passersby, should you set up in a more public location. It’s okay not to score all the bonus points you may have attempted in the past. Local and served agency officials may be unwilling to visit, which is understandable under the circumstances. Do be sure to reach out to them as part of your preparations and remind them that you look forward to continuing your working relationship with them in the future.

The impact will differ from place to place, so ARRL recommends that all amateur radio clubs participating in Field Day stay in regular contact with local or state public health officials for their advice and guidance on hosting Field Day activities.

Demonstrating an understanding of the health crisis we all face and your willingness to adapt will show that you and your club or group are good working partners with local or served agencies.

“With any emergency preparedness exercise, it’s not about adapting the situation to your operation, it’s about adapting your operation to the situation that presents itself,” Bourque said. “Try something different. Learn something new about how you prepare. It may be a challenge, and you may have to ask yourself if you’re up to the challenge. We hope to hear you on the air over the June 27 – 28 weekend.” — Thanks to Paul Bourque, N1SFE, and Dan Henderson, N1ND

 From the ARRL website 3/27/20 - link:  http://www.arrl.org/news/field-day-2020-a-time-to-adapt

FAQ's for 2020 Field Day (6/9/20): http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-contest-program-issues-field-day-2020-faq

Possible new threat to Amateur Radio spectrum

Over the last few weeks there have been quite a few news items and on-line discussions brewing over a possible threat to Amateur Radio 2M spectrum allocation. More specifically, a new proposal that will be advanced to the ITU World Radio Communication Conference 2023. It originates with French spectrum regulators and is reported to be at the behest of the Paris-based multinational defense contractor Thales. The concern is the proposed relegation of amateur radio to secondary status of the widely used two-meter band (144 MHz) to permit its usage by aircraft.

All Amateur Radio enthusiasts should have concern over these proposals as the connected world pushes to gain more spectrum for 100's of new types of mobile communications devices.

...and to quote from Hackaday.com:
"Why should this bother you? If you are a radio amateur it should be a grave concern that a band which has provided the “glue” for so many vital services over many decades might come under threat, and if you are not a radio amateur it should concern you that a commercial defense contractor in one country can so easily set in motion the degradation of a globally open resource governed by international treaties penned in your grandparents’ time. Amateur radio is a different regulatory being from the licence-free spectrum that we now depend upon for so many things, but the principle of it being a free resource to all its users remains the same. If you have an interest in retaining the spectrum you use wherever on the dial it may lie, we suggest you support your national amateur radio organisation in opposing this measure".

Read more here: http://www.arrl.org/news/restraint-urged-in-response-to-2-meter-reallocation-proposal

Field Day 2019

Field Day is coming soon........June 22nd and 23rd, 2019 

If you want to meet some friendly hams or experience some different operating modes, why don't you stop by one of the many Field Day events taking place in our area. You will see various antenna and radio setups along with operators trying to share their knowledge and score some points making contacts through out the weekend.

 Its a lot of fun - so we hope to see you out there on field day!

What is Field Day?

Field Day is part educational event, part operating event, part public relations event – and ALL about FUN!  link: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Field-Day/2019/2019%20FD%20Flier%20-%20What%20is%20FD.pdf

ARRL Field Day locator:  http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator

Check out one of the following LOCAL Upstate NY groups below:
(*please also send us your groups listing)

Mentors Needed for New ARRL Emergency Communications Course

More Mentors Needed for New ARRL Emergency Communications Course Sessions

(From the ARRL 03/11/2019)

High interest in the recently announced updated ARRL Introduction to Emergency Communications (EC-001) course is prompting a call for additional class mentors to help meet the demand, which ARRL Lifelong Learning Manager Kris Bickell, K1BIC, says “exceeded our projections.” As Bickell explains, the course is designed to be interactive, with volunteer mentors guiding each session.

“We appreciate the work of the mentors to make EC-001 an interactive experience for the participants. The real-world emergency communications experience they bring to the course is very important to the learning process,” Bickell said. “We look forward to bringing in more mentors to help ARRL expand the reach of this valuable emergency communications training.” Bickell has developed a waiting list for prospective EC-001 students, who will be notified as additional sessions are scheduled.

ARRL Field Day 2018

Field Day is just a few months away........June 23rd and 24th, 2018

If you want to meet some friendly hams or experience some different operating modes, why don't you stop by one of the many Field Day events taking place in Upstate NY. You will see various antenna and radio setups along with operators trying to share their knowledge and score some points making contacts through out the weekend.

 Its a lot of fun - so we hope to see you out there on field day!

What is Field Day?

Field Day is part educational event, part operating event, part public relations event – and ALL about FUN!  link:

ARRL Field Day locator:  http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator

Check out one of the following LOCAL Upstate groups below:
(*please also send us your groups listings to UpstateHam@gmail.com)

Upcoming ARRL board meeting

In the spirit of the best interests of our great hobby, we want to encourage all Amateurs to become informed on the present direction of the ARRL. We believe most folks would agree that the ARRL needs to grow and change with the times. There are growing concerns with the leaderships transparency and their dialogue with members and our elected board representatives. Our intent with this post is to ask that you to become informed. Their are obviously going to be many opinions out there on many of the latest "hot" topics that the ARRL is deciding on.

First and foremost if you are an ARRL member you should try to follow what is going on with the your board and leadership. Their are a lot of decisions and changes being made. Take a look at the ARRL website and understand some of the issues being considered (see info below). Don't be shy to voice your opinion to your ARRL representatives (see the links below).

ARRL information links:

Amateur Radio Parity Act, H.R. 1301 - Need your help

Dear ARRL member,

I am writing to you today because we are at a crossroad in our efforts to obtain passage of The Amateur Radio Parity Act.

Our legislative efforts scored a major victory in our campaign when The Amateur Radio Parity Act, H.R. 1301, passed in the House of Representatives yesterday, September 12th. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where we need every Senator to approve the bill.

You are one of over 730,000 licensed Amateur Radio Operators living in the United States.  Many of you already live in deed-restricted communities, and that number grows daily.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL HAMS TO GET INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS!

• If you want to have effective outdoor antennas but are not currently allowed to do so by your Home Owner’s Association, SEND THESE EMAILS TODAY!!

• If you already have outdoor antennas, but want to support your fellow hams, SEND THESE EMAILS TODAY!!

• If you want to preserve your ability to install effective outdoor antennas on property that you own, SEND THESE EMAILS TODAY!!

We need you to reach out to your Senators TODAY!  Right away.

Please help us in the effort.

Please go to this linked website and follow the prompts:

https://arrl.rallycongress.net/ctas/urge-senate-to-support-amateur-radio-parity-act

Thank you.

73,
Rick
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rick Roderick, K5UR
President
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio®

NY Military Communication Exercise 7/12-13 - Can you help?

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND US NORTHERN COMMAND ARE HOLDING EXERCISE VITAL CONNECT IN LEWISTON NEW YORK THIS WEEK AND HAVE ASKED FOR AMATEURS TO MONITOR THE 60 METER INTEROPERABILTY FREQUNCIES SPECIFICALLY 5.330.5Mhz (Channel 1) AND PROVIDE RECEPTION AND PROPAGATION REPORTS.
INFORMATION NEEDED:

  1.  DATE & TIME YOU WERE MONITORING.
  2.  SUMMARY OF CONTENT HEARD WHILE MONITORING.
  3.  READABILITY OF TRANSMITTING STATIONS.


AMATEURS ARE ASKED TO MONITOR FROM 10:00AM UNTIL 3:00PM 12 JULY 2016
AND FROM   09:00AM UNTIL 3:00PM ON 13 JULY 2016 AND PROVIDE THEIR
PROPAGATION AND RECEPTION REPORTS TO THE DESIGNATED POINT OF CONTACT BY EMAIL.

POINT OF CONTACT FOR WNY IS JOSEPH TEDESCO KC2DKP/AAR2JI AND HIS EMAIL IS KC2DKP@VERIZON.NET

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT IN MONITORING THIS EXERCISE AND PROVIDING THE INFORMATION REQUESTED


JOSEPH M. TEDESCO KC2DKP/AAR2JI
W.N.Y. Section Emergency Coordinator
RACES Coordinator New York State DHS/OEM Region 5 Asst. RACES Officer Erie County ARES/RACES United States ARMY MARS AAA2R73
716-574-9693 Cell (Best 24hr contact)
716-649-3611 Home

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ARRL Western New York Section
Section Manager: Laura Mueller, N2LJM
n2ljm@arrl.org
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Thanks for your support Congressman John Katko!

JOHN KATKO
24TH DISTRICT, NEW YORK
________________________________________
1123 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BLDG
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
________________________________________
440 SOUTH WARREN STREET
7TH FLOOR, SUITE 711
SYRACUSE, NY 13202
(315) 423-5657
________________________________________
HTTP://KATKO.HOUSE.GOV 


March 18, 2016

Mr. xxxx x. xxxxxxx
xxx xxxxxxxxxxx Rd
xxxxxxxx, NY xxxxx-xxxx

Dear Mr. xxxxxx,

I recognize the value of amateur radio stations throughout our nation and due to your involvement in the field, I wanted to inform you of my recent efforts in Washington to support amateur radio stations.

Radio amateurs provide an invaluable service to Central New York by disseminating emergency and disaster relief communications from their personal radio stations.  Without cost to taxpayers, these radio stations can serve to assist with communications from the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, FEMA, and the Department of Defense in times of emergency.  For this reason, I have cosponsored H.R. 1301, the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015.

As you may know, on March 4th, H.R. 1301 was introduced in the House and has since been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, where it awaits review.  The legislation would direct the Federal Communications Commission to revise height and dimension restrictions for station antenna structures of amateur service communications, to prohibit a private land use restriction from applying to amateur service communications if the restriction prevents such communications.

Should additional legislation related to this issue come before the House, I will continue to advocate for the interests of amateur radio stations throughout the 24th District.

I hope that you will keep me informed of the issues important to you and your family, as your input helps me to better serve you as your Representative in Congress. If you would like to stay informed of the latest issues coming out of Washington, you can visit www.katko.house.gov to sign up for my e-newsletter.

Sincerely,


John Katko
Member of Congress


I just received this letter today from my Congressman. I wrote to him at the urging of many local hams some time ago to ask for his support of H.R. 1301, the Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015. Its nice when someone in government listens these days. Thanks John!

ARRL - National Parks on-the-Air 2016

In 2016, the National Park Service (NPS) will celebrate its 100th anniversary, and radio amateurs will be able to help mark the occasion with the ARRL National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) event. The fun begins at 0000 UTC on January 1, 2016.

“As ARRL just celebrated our own Centennial, and Amateur Radio is often enjoyed in the great outdoors, it seemed fitting to devise a program to help NPS celebrate their own 100th birthday,” said ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X.