2026 is ARRL’s Year of the Club -- A Celebration of Amateur Radio Clubs

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2026 is ARRL’s Year of the Club -- A Celebration of Amateur Radio Clubs

ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® is launching a year-long celebration that puts the spotlight squarely where it belongs — on radio clubs. Beginning 1st January 2026, ARRL officially recognises the Year of the Club, an initiative designated by the ARRL Board of Directors to honour the vital role clubs play in sustaining, growing, and energising amateur radio.

Radio clubs are the backbone of ARRL and of the Amateur Radio Service itself. For countless hams, a club is the first welcoming doorway into the hobby — a place to learn, to operate, to build, and to belong. Clubs create opportunities for mentoring, public service, technical exploration, and lifelong friendships. Simply put, when clubs thrive, amateur radio thrives.

Throughout 2026, all ARRL Affiliated Clubs are invited to participate in special programs, operating events, and recognition opportunities designed to celebrate club accomplishments and inspire new ideas. ARRL will be rolling out initiatives focused on supporting club growth, strengthening activities, and recognising clubs that help expand ARRL membership or reach significant milestones, including 100 years of ARRL Affiliation.

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Jim Shaffer, KE5AL, Advocate For Blind Hams Becomes SK At 72

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An advocate for hams who are blind and for the Handiham program that serves amateur radio operators with disabilities has become a Silent Key. We hear about him from Travis Lisk N3ILS.

The amateur radio software developed by Jim Shaffer, KE5AL, gave hams who are blind the ability to control and monitor their HF rigs without needing a sighted person's assistance, providing the freedom of independent operating in their shacks. The retired IBM software engineer knew that operating challenge all too well: he was blind since birth.

Jim became a Silent Key on the 2nd December 2025. According to his online obituary, the Texas resident died of complications from Parkinson's disease.

Jim's well-known applications, JJRadio and JJ Flex Radio, attracted attention for their promise of accessibility when used with many different radio models. His development of the free programs brought him to the attention of host Hap Holly/KC9RP, host of the RAIN Report, which featured an interview with Jim. Hap, who became a Silent Key earlier this year, had also been blind since birth -- and like Jim, also supported the Handiham program, which trains and serves the community of hams with disabilities.

Non-hams in Central Texas also knew Jim well for his other deep involvement: He was a versatile musician and popular fiddler in a number of music groups, including the Piney Grove Ramblers.

Dr Bob Whelan, G3PJT - Silent Key

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It is with great sadness that we share the news that Dr Bob Whelan, G3PJT became a Silent Key on 4 December 2025.

Bob’s contribution to amateur radio was extensive. First licensed in 1961, his main interest was in HF/LF CW operation. In this he soon became a strong supporter of the Commonwealth Contest, operating from a number of DX locations for the contest over many years. He wrote the book “Reflections in a Rosebowl” which covers the history of the Commonwealth Contest, and he put much effort into building an online Commonwealth Contest community.

Bob also played very significant roles in the RSGB, IARU and FOC (First Class Operators Club). For the RSGB, he started his volunteering as a member of the RSGB HF Committee and Management Committees and later was President from 2002-2003 and again from 2013-2014.