We are pleased to announce the 2024 Blossomland Amateur Radio Association and Midwest Classic Radio Net KI8BQ Memorial Trunk Swap is a go!

Amateur Radio Daily

09 July 2025

• Amateur Radio Newsline Announces Young Ham of the Year 2025

  Amateur Radio Newsline has announced the recipient of the 2025 Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year as Katie Campbell (KE8LQR). KE8LQR has been selected for her involvement in supporting young hams. She has helped plan YOTA camps, mentor YOTA attendees, led CW operations during the K3LR IOTA Dave Kalter Memorial Youth DX Adventure, presented at numerous events including Hamvention, is an avid HF operator, and more.

  Katie will officially be presented with the Young Ham of the Year award on Ham Nation on July 30th.

  Source: Amateur Radio Newsline

• Ham Radio Publication Round-up

  SWR
  The Caribbean Amateur Radio Group has published their second issue of SWR which features DIY, Hamvention 2025, demystifying ALC, and ham radio ABCs. Viewers can sign-up for the free newsletter.

  Amateur Television Journal
  The July issue (PDF) features application notes, a call for submissions, Field Day ops, and new product announcements.

  The Communicator
  The July/August edition of The Communicator celebrates 50 years of the Surrey Amateur Radio Club. An astounding 130 pages of content includes calls for more data repeaters, a look inside rubber duck antennas, DLARC, 6 meter beacons, pico balloons, special events, and more.

  The Logger's Bark
  The July issue of The Logger's Bark (PDF) also weighs in at 130 pages including articles featuring the AB577 "Rocket Launcher" portable radio tower, Sea-Pac 2025 wrap-up, the open source TR1-EP DIY SDR, Putikeeg Model 20 Straight Key review, and more.

  Zero Retries
  Issue 0209 includes VARA FM - 12.5 kHz Bandwidth Versus 25 kHz Bandwidth, Jim Boddie NG2J - Silent Keyboard, ADRCS (IP400) Press Release, Radio Module 2 and DreamHAT+ - Unusual Radio Modules, HydraSDR RFOne.

  The Random Wire
  Issue 138 highlights Zero Retries Digital Conference registration, new Tecsun receiver, AllScan UCI90 interface, and trying the reRouter as an AllStar node.

  ARDC
  The May/June newsletter from ARDC features the 44Net Portal released as open source, grantee updates, and what ARDC has been up to.

  The Canadian Amateur (Membership required)

  QST (Membership required)
  Topics include Second Century: IARU Restructuring (PDF). A free article, HamSCI: The Future of Ham Radio is Here, is available for download (PDF).

  Source: Amateur Radio Daily

• POTA Activator Dies in Accidental Electrocution

  Tripp Owens (N4NTO) is believed to have been electrocuted while working with an antenna mast during a Parks on the Air (POTA) activation in North Carolina. N4NTO was an avid participant with POTA activating over 660 parks.

  Hams on social media posted condolences.

  [N4NTO] was a great CW op, and I had many POTA QSOs with him. His death is a reminder that even if you have over 600 activations under your belt, you always need to be alert for power lines when putting up and taking down portable antennas. — VA2NW

  QRPer called for a renewed look at safety in the field:

  Let’s honor Tripp by taking antenna safety seriously and helping others do the same. Share reminders. Watch out for one another. Stay mindful in the field.

  Source: WTVD

• Roger Smallwood (N8EKG) of R&L Electronics SK

  The Dayton Amateur Radio Association reports that Roger Smallwood (N8EKG) is a silent key.

  Roger D. Smallwood, age 55 of Hamilton, passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Roger was born in Hamilton, Ohio on October 31, 1969, to Larry Smallwood and Rita (Weidle) Smallwood. He was the President of Operations at R&L Electronics for over 40 years. Roger enjoyed HAM radio, conversations with people around the world, travelling, gambling and socializing with friends across the country on a regular basis.

  Source: DARA

• ISS SSTV Event with AX-4 Crew July 14

  ARISS has relayed plans for an SSTV event to be conducted by the AX-4 crew that recently arrived on the ISS.

  An ARISS SSTV event will begin no earlier than July 14 with the expectation that the event will run through the weekend into the beginning of the following week. This is all subject to AX-4 schedule and other operational considerations. The subject will be the 50th anniversary of the ASTP and the 40th anniversary of STS-51F. STS-51F was the second SAREX flight and had the first use of SSTV in human spaceflight.

  Source: ARISS

• 100th Anniversary of JARL and Amateur Radio in Japan

  The following is a message from the Japan Amateur Radio League, Inc. (JARL):

  100th Anniversary special site https://100th.jarl.org/en/

  Toward the 100th Anniversary of JARL and the 100th Anniversary of Amateur Radio in Japan

  “The 100th Anniversary of Amateur Radio in Japan” commemorative logo and message established.

  On June 12th, 1926, “Japan Amateur Radio League” was established by 37 members and they sent out the message notifying the establishment to the amateurs worldwide as given below.

  “We have the honor of informing that we amateurs in Japan have organized today the Japanese Amateur Radio League. Please QST to all stations.”

  In September next year, 1927, the shortwave radio telegraph and telephone experimental station “JXAX” was licensed. This is considered the first amateur radio station in Japan.

  Therefore, it will be the 100th Anniversary of JARL in June 2026 and the 100th Anniversary of amateur radio in Japan in September 2027. JARL have decided to celebrate two anniversaries for whole bridging period of 16 months. JARL is not intend to celebrate alone, but invite the radio equipment manufacturers, relevant organizations and radio amateurs nationwide to join the celebration of these important events.

  However, the goal is not just to look back and celebrate, but to make this a new starting point towards the future of irreplaceable culture called “Amateur Radio”.

  Various commemorative events are planned during the celebration period and the logo of “100th Anniversary of Amateur Radio in Japan” is established in addition to already announced “100th Anniversary of JARL” logo.

  “Because ‘normal’ is just boring.” This sentence expresses our sincere wish to share the charm of amateur radio which has fascinated us, with new radio amateurs coming into the world of amateur radio.

  In the past up to now, many fore runners developed amateur radio without bound by common sense and with inquisitive mind and ingenuity. From now towards the future, we will also doubt the common sense and challenge with free inspiration.

  We will continue to cherish these “Amateur Radio spirits”

  100th Anniversary commemorative events

  1. Establishment of commemorative logo and message
  2. Establishment of commemorative website
  3. Commemorative ceremony
  4. Issue of commemorative booklet
  5. Operation of commemorative stations
  6. Issue of commemorative awards
  7. Commemorative QSO party

  Source: JARL

• Voile des Légendes Dunkerque 2025 Special Event

  The following is a message from the Radio Club de l’Agglomération Dunkerquoise:

  The Radio Club de l’Agglomération Dunkerquoise - F8KGS - is proud to announce the activation of a special event amateur radio station: TM5VDL, on the occasion of the “Voile des Légendes Dunkerque 2025” maritime festival.

  Held every few years in the historic port city of Dunkerque, northern France, Les Voiles de Légende is a celebrated gathering of classic and legendary sailing ships from across Europe. The city comes alive with nautical pride, music, maritime culture—and in 2025, with radio waves!

  This special callsign TM5VDL will be active from July 5th to 19th, operated by members of F8KGS Radio Club. Operators will be mainly active on HF, sharing the spirit of this majestic event with amateurs worldwide.

  A special QSL card will be sent via bureau.

  Join us on the air and help us celebrate the union of maritime heritage and amateur radio!

  Source: Radio Club de l’Agglomération Dunkerquoise

• IP400 Network Project Secures Development Services

  The following is a press release from ADRCS:

  The Alberta Digital Radio Communications Society (ADRCS) is pleased to announce a contractual agreement with Praebius Communications Inc. of Calgary to provide professional services to carry out the development of the next phase of the IP400 project, and to provide fulfillment services for hardware modules developed by the Society, in conjunction with ZUM Radio of San Diego.

  “This contract provides the full spectrum of services required to assure that we will be able to provide for the amateur community in general and stay within bounds of our operational parameters as a non-profit society”, said Garvin Cole VE6GFC, President of ADRCS.

  About the Alberta Digital Radio Communications Society
  Alberta Digital Radio Communications Society (ADRCS) was formed in 2022 to promote the use and develop new technologies using digital communication in Amateur Radio. It is the sponsor of the AREDN network in Western Canada, and the IP400 Project.

  About Praebius Communications Inc
  Praebius Communications Inc. is a privately owned Canadian company specializing in developing Intellectual property and providing design and manufacturing services in the data communications and IOT spaces.

  Source: ADRCS

• Registration Open for Zero Retries Digital Conference

  Registration is now open for the Zero Retries Digital Conference (ZRDC) scheduled for September 13th, 2025 in Everett, Washington, US.

  Registration offers in-person access and virtual attendance options to attend the inaugural Zero Retries Digital Conference 2025. Ticket price descriptions state what is included with each level of participation. Such as, in-person attendance includes access to the conference along with conference proceedings, welcome refreshments, refreshments throughout the day, buffet lunch and a chance to win raffle prizes.

  ZRDC is planning to host presentations focused on IP400, M17, MMDVM, AREDN, and more. The conference immediately follows the GNU Radio Conference which takes place at the same venue, September 8-12.

  ZRDC call for papers and sponsorships are also open.

  Source: Zero Retries Digital Conference

• Russia to Conduct EME Contest

  The Union of Radio Amateurs of Russia will hold a second round of its EME contest July 26-27 on 1296 MHz, 2.3 GHz, and 10 GHz. An earlier round was held June 28-29.

  The full set of rules is available (PDF). A dedicated website for the contest is also online.

  Source: Union of Radio Amateurs of Russia

• Middle Tennessee HamQuest is July 19th

  The Greater Nashville and Middle Tennessee HamQuest takes place July 19th at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Tennessee. 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of this event.

  We’ve come a long way from being in an 8,000 sq. foot open air pavilion to an over 20,000 sq. foot state of the art exhibit hall! Once again, we continue our Quest to be the best! Join our 10-year celebration as we continue to grow our Hamfest and Electronics Expo.

  The event includes VE testing, tailgating, commercial vendors, presentations, and more.

  Source: HamQuest

• Satellite Communications Company AST SpaceMobile Seeks Use of 70 cm Amateur Band

  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the US has received a request from AST SpaceMobile to modify an existing license that would allow it to transmit within the amateur radio 70 cm band. Specifically, the company seeks the use of the 430-440 MHz spectrum to perform telemetry, tracking, and telecommand between ground stations and a constellation of 243 satellites in low-earth, non-geostationary orbit.

  Based on activity within the AMSAT-DL forums, it's been suggested that AST SpaceMobile has interfered with the 70 cm amateur bands in the past. Communications Daily reported in 2023 that Germany required AST SpaceMobile to shut off operations when in radio range of the country. The government cited non-compliance with ITU regulations.

  AST SpaceMobile is building a satellite constellation based cellular network that can utilize existing smart phones. The company is based in Midland, Texas, US and is publicly traded.

  Hat tip to Zero Retries for relaying the FCC document.

  Source: FCC

• Amateur Radio Newsline Recounts its Early History

  The most recent edition of Amateur Radio Newsline (ARN) recounts its early history with a nod to its cofounder, Bill Pasternak (WA6ITF/SK). On the 10th anniversary of Pasternark's passing, original team member Jim Davis (W2JKD) recalled the early days of ARN and the incredible effort required to deliver an edition of the news utilizing 1970s technology.

  Bill would gather the news, write a script, and call me on the phone (remember when long-distance was expensive?). He’d read the script aloud, and I’d type it as he spoke. Once finished, I’d head to a production studio to record and edit the script. Then I’d drive to the post office to air mail a 7-inch reel of tape to Los Angeles. Bill would splice in the actualities and transfer the final version to a 20-minute cartridge tape. That tape machine was set to auto-answer the phone line at Bill Ornstein’s home, distributing the news to the ham community.

  Originally devised by hams that also happened to be professional broadcasters, ARN carries on a rich tradition of professionalism that has served the amateur radio community for more than 50 years.

  Source: Amateur Radio Newsline

• AMSAT-UK to Test Super Black Paint on CubeSat

  AMSAT-UK will partner with Surrey NanoSystems and a number of universities including University of Surrey to test a special black paint on an upcoming CubeSat deployment. When applied to a surface, the super black paint, Vantablack, is designed to absorb 98% of light. The goal of the partnership is to demonstrate potential solutions to reducing light pollution as it relates to astronomy.

  This high level of light absorption makes the coated surfaces appear extremely dark, helping to minimise the unwanted brightness from satellites that can disrupt the work of stargazers.

  The Jovian-1 CubeSat mission containing this experiment is scheduled to launch in 2026. More information will be available at the AMSAT-UK Colloquium taking place in October.

  Source: AMSAT

• Logbook of The World Moves to the Cloud

  ARRL announced this week that Logbook of The World (LoTW) will receive much needed technical upgrades including a move to a cloud computing platform. In addition to upgrades to the operating system and database that the service relies on, the entire product will move to the cloud. LoTW currently resides on physical hardware at ARRL HQ. A move to a proper datacenter will provide protections from both physical and network based security risks.

  As a part of the ongoing modernization of the ARRL systems infrastructure, LoTW will be receiving major upgrades to the operating system it is running on, the relational database system it uses to store and access logbook and awards data, and server hosting, where it will be fully migrated to the cloud.

  The cloud migration will require LoTW to be offline June 27th through July 2nd.

  Source: ARRL

• ARRL is Hiring

  ARRL is currently seeking to fill four roles at its headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. The four roles include:

  • Membership Manager
  • Advertising Sales Manager
  • Production Coordinator
  • Senior RFI Lab Engineer

  Among the qualifications for each position is a desire for experienced radio amateurs, individuals who will thrive in a collaborative results-driven environment, and a commitment to advancing ARRL’s mission.

  Visit the ARRL website for more details.

  Source: ARRL

• HAM RADIO International Amateur Radio Exhibition June 27-29

  One of the largest amateur radio events in Europe takes place June 27-29 in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The event is HAM RADIO, an International amateur radio exhibition expecting to host more than 11,000 visitors, 400 exhibitors, and 100 lectures. The theme for 2025 is “REMOTE RADIO - CONNECTING THE WORLD”

  One of the advantages of remote operation is that it allows amateur radio operators who are unable to set up a station and, in particular, an antenna at their place of residence, to operate. In the event of a disaster, remote stations can be used as emergency radio stations, replacing destroyed but essential communication structures. In educational settings, they can help to teach amateur radio technology to students, with minimal technical effort required.

  Tickets are available along with a list of exhibitors and lectures.

  Learn more at the HAM RADIO website.

  Source: HAM RADIO

• SAQ Grimeton On the Air for 100th Anniversary July 2nd

  On July 2nd, Grimeton Radio Station in Sweden will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its inaugural transmission. Officially inaugurated on Juy 2nd, 1925, the 200kW Alternator made contact with Long Island in the US.

  The king of Sweden, Gustav V, the inventor of the amazing 200kW Alternator and the massive six tower antenna, Ernst F.W. Alexanderson, as well as the vice president of Radio Corporation of America, David Sarnoff was there, together with several other prominent guests. The large and shiny Alexanderson Alternator was put to life and a message to the American president Calvin Coolidge was transmitted to the receiving station at Riverhead, Long Island NY, USA. The american president replied and assessed the new radio installations as crucial for relations between Sweden and the USA.

  Callsign SAQ will be on the air on VLF 17.2 kHz CW on July 2, 2025.

  First Transmission

  • 10:20 CEST (08:20 UTC) Live YouTube broadcast begins
  • 10:30 CEST (08:30 UTC) Start-up of the Alternator
  • 11:00 CEST (09:00 UTC) Transmission of a message

  Second transmission

  • 14:20 CEST (12:20 UTC) Live YouTube broadcast begins
  • 14:30 CEST (12:30 UTC) Start-up of the Alternator
  • 15:00 CEST (13:00 UTC) Transmission of a message

  A test transmission will occur on July 1 between 13:00 – 16:00 CEST. Tickets are available for those wishing to attend in person. Transmissions will be streamed on YouTube.

  The amateur radio station SK6SAQ will be on the air as well:

  • 3 517.2 kHz CW
  • 7.017.2 kHz CW
  • 14.017.2 KHz CW
  • 3.755 kHz SSB
  • 7.140 kHz SSB

  Source: The Alexander association

• Morse Maven—Your New Morse Code Learning Companion

  Editor's Note: Morse Maven takes advantage of Amateur Radio Daily's Creative Commons license to utilize content from this website as training material within the app. —K4HCK

  By Dav (M0WDV), the author of Morse Maven

  I'm thrilled to introduce Morse Maven, an app I’ve poured the last 12 months into, designed to guide you from your very first dit to fluent CW conversations.

  Why Morse Maven? My Quest for a Better Way to Learn

  My own Morse journey started about three years ago. Like many, I turned to the app stores, downloading various trainers. It was a mixed bag – some good, some not so much, each with its own quirks. I began with an app that played Morse sounds, and I'd diligently type what I heard. Progress! Or so I thought.

  The "aha!" (or perhaps, "oops!") moment came when I realized I wasn't truly hearing the Morse in my head. Instead, my brain, in its clever quest for shortcuts, had simply mapped the sounds to my QWERTY keyboard-typing fingers! I was teaching my fingers, not my ears, and I had to read what I’d typed to understand the Morse. This highlighted a crucial flaw: typing could be a crutch, not a learning aid in those early stages. I imagined an app that would let me silently recognise characters, only flagging those I struggled with, allowing the software to intelligently tailor the practice.

  Later, as I aimed to boost my speed, I discovered the fantastic Morse Code Ninja resources on YouTube – hours of words at various speeds. Invaluable, yes, but with a couple of hitches. Listening in the background without YouTube Premium was a no-go, and after a while, those brain cells started finding shortcuts again, this time memorising the sequence of words ("Aha, 'ready' is always followed by 'must' in this bit!"). I was learning the playlist, not truly decoding fresh Morse.

  I knew there had to be a more effective, flexible, and truly adaptive way. And so, Morse Maven was conceived.

  Morse Maven: The App I Wished I Had

  I set out to build the tool I needed at each stage of my learning: from absolute beginner to someone pushing for higher speeds (I’m now using the app daily in the advanced training modes). This isn't just another Morse app; it's a comprehensive learning and practice partner, designed from the ground up based on real learning experiences and cognitive insights.

  Smart Learning Under the Hood

  Morse Maven isn't just about playing sounds; it's about how you learn them.

  • The Koch Method – Building a Solid Foundation: For beginners, the app employs the renowned Koch method. Instead of overwhelming you with the entire alphabet at once, you start with just two characters. You listen to them at your target speed, but only those two. Once you can recognise them with high accuracy (90%), another two characters are added. This incremental approach ensures each character is deeply learned and reduces frustration. It’s a scientifically proven way to build that instant recognition reflex. Crucially, in Morse Maven’s beginner mode, there's no typing required. Just listen, and tap a button if you don’t recognise something. The app learns your sticking points and focuses on them.
  • Farnsworth Spacing – Clarity at Speed: To help your brain distinguish character sounds effectively, especially when you're starting, Morse Maven uses Farnsworth spacing. This means the individual dits and dahs within a character are sent at your target speed (e.g., 25 WPM), but the space between each character, and between words, is initially extended. This gives you that little extra processing time to identify the character without feeling rushed. As you improve, this spacing is automatically tightened, smoothly bringing you up to full conversational speed.
  • Smooth, Clear Audio: All Morse is generated with raised-cosine envelope shaping. This might sound technical, but it means the start and end of each dit and dah are slightly smoothed, preventing harsh clicks and making for a much more pleasant and easy-to-listen-to sound, crucial for longer practice sessions. You can also adjust the tone pitch to whatever is most comfortable for your ears.

  A Path for Every Learner

  The app is structured to grow with you:

  • Beginner Section: Master the characters (alphabet, numbers, punctuation) using the Koch method. No pressure, no typing – just focused learning. A dedicated Practice mode lets you do ad-hoc exercises too.
  • Intermediate Section: You know the characters, now it's time for words! Practice common words, callsigns, and random character sequences. Here, you can choose an interactive mode or, importantly, a continuous unattended mode. This means you can have Morse playing in the background, even with your phone on standby – perfect for practice while walking the dog, commuting, or doing chores. Turn dead time into practice time!
  • Advanced Section: Ready to push your speed and comprehension? Listen to simulated on-air QSOs, Amateur Radio news bulletins in Morse, or even Morse audiobooks. These advanced activities also work in the continuous background mode, helping you get your speed up to 40 WPM.

  Your Journey to Morse Mastery Starts Now

  Learning Morse code requires commitment and practice. There are no magic bullets. But Morse Maven is designed to make that practice as effective, accessible, and enjoyable as possible. Whether you have five minutes or an hour, you can dive in and make progress.

  Visit https://morsemaven.com/ to learn more about the app.

  Source: Morse Maven

• 24 Hours of Le Mans Special Event This Weekend

  Look for callsign TM24H to be on the air this weekend celebrating the 93rd running of Le Mans. The 24 hour endurance race challenges teams of drivers to compete for the greatest distance covered reaching speeds approaching 230 MPH.

  Association des Radioamateurs de la Sarthe will operate TM24H across all bands and utilize many modes, including, SSB, CW, RTTY, PSK, and FT8. A presence will also be on QO-100. QSL cards will be available.

  US Viewers can watch the race on Max or MotorTrend TV.

  Source: Association des Radioamateurs de la Sarthe

09 July 2025

• New RAC Section - YUK
• HamSCI Featured in Special Section of August 2025 Issue of QST Magazine
• Operators Like Sven DJ4MX Are Ham Radio’s Future
• The Communicator Journal: July - August 2025
• Building One of Europe’s Top Contest Stations: Mike SJ2W
• Contest Crew Europe Debuts on Q5 Worldwide Ham Radio
• HamSCI Meteor Scatter QSO Party August 11-12 2025 Call for Operators and Monitors
• IARU HF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Contest Crew Tells You How!
• July Issue: The Logger's Bark Magazine
• My 120-mile Hike Carrying Homebrew Tube Transceiver
• Morse Code Basics - Introduction to the Straight Key now on YouTube
• Parks on the Air (POTA) Legend in the Making: Les KI5GTR
• WI Governor and County Executive Proclamations - Amateur Radio Week
• It's Here! ARRL Field Day 2025
• Let's Make a DEAL! Hosted by GigaParts and HamRadio2.0
• Georgia Governor B. Kemp Issues Proclamation of Amateur Radio Week
• Planned LOTW Outage and the Impact to QRZ Users
• Why World Wide Award Might Be Ham Radio’s Best New Event
• Germany’s Contest Machine: Manfred DJ5MW
• DXLook Adds New POTA View for Real-Time Activations
• 10,000 QSOs in 48 Hours: Jeff N5TJ’s CQWW SSB Record
• Ham Radio Operators Report Forest Fire With Radio
• K4A - America250 Special Event Announcement
• Before It’s Lost: Kay K6KJN and the DLARC
• DXLook HF Propagation Map: State of the Project & Latest Updates
• Why POTA Activators Love This Logger: Sebastian KI2D
• Let's Make a DEAL! Hosted by GigaParts and HamRadio2.0
• Q5 Contest Crew Inbox: You Asked, They Answered
• YOTA Americas Camp Denver, 2025 Announces On Air and Live Streaming Schedule
• SWR Magazine is now available!
• What Really Happened at D4DX? Braco E77DX’s WPX CW Recap
• Oregon governor proclaims June as Amateur Radio Month
• HamSCI Expands Advisory Board Reflecting Growth And Future Plans
• New callsign prefixes for India
• The Contesting Mind of Helmut Mueller DF7EE
• June Issue: The Logger's Bark Magazine
• CW AI Operator – Can a Machine Run a Morse Code Contest? How Ready Are We for This?
• HR2: Yaesu FTX-1 Field vs Optima: The #1 Comparison Guide for Radio Enthusiasts
• Inside the CQ9A (KL9A) WPX CW Win: Q5 Contest Crew
• Lewis And Clark Trail On The Air Event starts May 31