Bob Jones, VE7RWJ, Silent Key

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Robert W. “Bob” Jones, VE7RWJ, a former top official of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Canadian telecommunications regulator, passed away on 7th January 2026, at age 82. His early fascination with amateur radio led to a career in telecommunications and engineering, according to his obituary.

Jones was Director General of the Canadian Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulatory Branch from the 1970s through the mid-1990s, and led the Canadian delegation to various ITU conferences between 1977 and 1994, when he was elected as Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau (ITU-R). He served in that leadership post from 1995 to 2003. Jones continued his involvement with ITU as a member of the Radio Regulations Board from 2007 to 2010, and received an ITU Silver Medal at the end of his term.

Jones was an active amateur first licensed in 1959 as VE3CTM, and International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Secretary Joel Harrison, W5ZN, noted that he “was VERY helpful to amateur radio” during his time as ITU-R director, adding that when he retired, Bob “became one of the IARU Technical Experts and worked with us for several years on WRC (World Radiocommunication Conference) matters.”

ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, noted that Jones will be remembered during a moment of silence for Silent Keys at this week’s ARRL Board of Directors Annual Meeting. 

A celebration of life for Jones will be held on Saturday 27th January 2026, in Kelowna, British Columbia. The service will also be livestreamed. Details are on the https://www.springfieldfuneralhome.com/obituaries/jones-bob/ home website. 

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.