Contest Objective: For amateurs in the US and Canada (and their possessions) to work as many amateur stations in as many different 2 degrees x 1 degree Maidenhead grid squares as possible using authorized frequencies above 50 MHz. Stations outside the US & Canada (and their possessions) may only work stations in the US (and its possessions) and Canada.

Dates: The third or fourth full weekend in January as announced. (January 18-20, 2025)

Contest Period: Begins 1900 UTC Saturday, ends 0359 UTC Monday.

Click Here for Complete ARRL January VHF Contest Rules (PDF)

For contest information contact contests@arrl.org or (860) 594-0232

I thought I distributed this a couple of days ago.

Please register for and attend the Pacific Division Saturday, Jan 11, 10 AM  Town Hall Meeting and encourage all of your Jurisdiction’s Amateur Radio Service operators to do the same whether they are ARRL Members or not.

Widely distributing this in your jurisdictions could help steer Tony’s and the Board’s future decisions re: supporting Emergency Communications. 

Tony knows & understands the importance of the Amateur Radio Service’s need to perform radio-related duties as required by local AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdiction).

As our voice in the  ‘The National Association for Amateur Radio, a Registered Trademark,’  to represent your thinking, he must understand your relationships with local AHJs.

Please be kind to Tony and register for this Jan. 11 Town Hall Meeting sooner rather than later.

TIA, Cheers & 73,

Dan Sohn

San Joaquin Valley Section Emergency Coordinator 

1.209.628.2242

Forwarded By Sam Hernandez W6SP

January 1, 2025, from 0000 UTC through 2359 UTC. This 24-hour event is not a contest but rather a day dedicated to celebrating our CW heritage — radio communications by Morse code.

Participants are encouraged to get on the air and simply make enjoyable, conversational CW QSOs (radio contacts). The use of straight keys or bugs to send CW is preferred. There are no points scored and all who participate are winners. All authorized amateur frequencies may be used but activity has traditionally been centered on the HF bands.

Entries for Straight Key Night must be received by January 3, 2025. Votes for “Best Fist” and “Most Interesting QSO” will be tabulated and included in the results. Send your information to straightkey@arrl.org or by mail to ARRL Straight Key Night, 225 Main Street, Newington, Connecticut 06111. For more information, contact contests@arrl.org or (860) 594-0232.

Visit the ARRL website for more details: www.arrl.org/straight-key-night.

December brings two ARRL-sponsored single-band contests. The ARRL 160-Meter Contest begins Friday, December 6 at 2200 UTC and concludes on Sunday, December 8 at 1559 UTC. Stations in the US (including Alaska, Hawaii, and US possessions) and Canada can contact any station; stations located overseas can only contact US and Canadian stations. Contacts may be made using the CW mode only. See the contest rules at http://www.arrl.org/160-meter for more information. 

Next weekend, the ARRL 10-Meter Contest begins on Saturday, December 14 at 0000 UTC (Friday evening in North America), and concludes on Sunday, December 15 at 2359 UTC. Stations may contact any other station, regardless of location, using CW and phone. All stations send a signal report. Stations located in the US and Canada (including Alaska and Hawaii) send their state or province; Mexican stations send their state; DX stations send a serial number. Contest rules are available at https://contests.arrl.org/10m/.

A group of us Frogs trekked up to Avery, Ca to set up the station very warm temperatures prevailed. It was essential to provide shade and hydration for the group. Band conditions were not exceptional so a keen ear and several call outs were needed on many of the stations logged in. Perseverance was in order which this group had no shortage of, equally our Fellowship between each other kept this Perseverance spirit!

Our diary of the day is written on the photos below.

ARRL Kids DayARRL Kids Day is on Saturday, June 15, and will run from 1800 UTC through 2359 UTC. It’s the perfect opportunity to introduce youngsters to the excitement of amateur radio. The exchange is the participant’s name, age, location, and favorite color. Sponsored by the Boring, (Oregon) Amateur Radio Club, Kids Day is held every year on the first Saturday in January and the third Saturday in June. More information is available at www.arrl.org/kids-day. West Virginia QSO PartyFor state QSO party enthusiasts, the West Virginia QSO Party begins on June 15 at 1600 UTC, and concludes on June 16 at 0400 UTC. Contacts can be made on CW, phone, and digital modes.

The summer VHF contest season kicks off this weekend with the ARRL June VHF Contest, beginning at 1800 UTC on Saturday, June 8, and concluding at 0259 UTC Monday, June 10. The contest exchange is your four-digit Maidenhead grid square. For more information on grid squares, visit www.arrl.org/grid-squares. Complete rules are available at www.arrl.org/june-vhf.

Consult the ARRL Special Event section for complete listing of stations who will be on the air for this historical occasion of World War II. Listed below are snapshots of that Special Event section

June 1-14 1500/-2200Z , W2D Hunt Valley, MD Amateur Radio Club of the National Electronics Museum W2D D-Day Commemoration and the Role of Electronics of World War II, 7.044, 7,244 14.044, 14.244 Certificate & QSL ..K3NY, 108 Brent Rd., Arnold , MD 21012 (Primary)

Photo Above Courtesy of Google Images

WELCOME ABOARD THE USS LUCID 

MUSEUM SHIPS WEEKEND IS COMING

MAY 31ST – JUNE 2ND 

SDARC Members and Friends have been invited aboard the USS Lucid Museum Ship to activate the ship for Museum Ships Weekend.  

We will be operating from 0000Z June 1st (5:00 PM May 31st) until

Sunday June 5th – shutting down at around1400 or 2PM local time.

John NZ6Q is organizing the operation this year.