ARRL Foundation Accepting Grant Applications in June

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The ARRL Foundation is accepting grant applications from amateur radio organizations for eligible amateur radio-related projects and initiatives, particularly those focused on educating, licensing, and supporting amateur radio activities. To grow amateur radio's future, youth-based projects and initiatives are especially encouraged.

The ARRL Foundation grants program accepts proposals on a cyclical model three times a year: in February, June, and October. Proposals for the June grant period are accepted through 30th June 2025. Awardees will be notified approximately 1 month after the closing of each cycle.

The ARRL Foundation carefully manages a portfolio of endowments where donors have provided specific goals for their gifts, and that portfolio is invested and managed in a way that it can continue to support those goals for many years to come. More Information - http://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-grants

IARU Considers Consolidation

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The IARU has released guidance on potential restructuring to help the organisation meet modern challenges. The proposed changes would combine the 3 separate regional organisations into a single global entity.

The proposal (PDF) outlines several areas where the currently independent, regional organisations struggle. Problem areas include declining membership, duplication of resources, lack of coordination, and other inefficiencies. The changes are designed to establish several benefits:

  • Global representation

  • Streamlined decision making

  • Better allocation of resources

  • Improved communication

  • Long-term sustainability

  • Centralised finances

  • Greater influence

Member societies will vote on the restructuring with the potential for a transition as early as next year.

IARU Consultation on Restructuring - https://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IARU-Consultation-on-Proposed-Restructuring_march_2025.pdf

Weather-Watching Satellites Entering End-of-Life Stage

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In a little more than a month, the US will stop supporting three satellites in its important group of weather observers. 

Three US government weather-watching satellites have been scheduled to formally enter the end-of-life stage on 16th June 2025 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA has announced that the satellites - 15, 18 and 19 - which are part of the Polar Operational Environmental Satellites, or POES system, will no longer be updated or repaired.

As quoted in the blog USradioguy.com, NOAA said that this means signals will continue to be transmitted but should not be used by anyone for purposes involving safety or other critical matters. Hobbyists will still be able to download weather satellite imagery either via Automatic Picture Transmission on 137 MHz with a V-dipole antenna or via High Resolution Picture Transmission on 1.7 GHz with a tracking dish antenna.

Like the other POES satellites, this trio had provided data that was used in monitoring the environment, forest fires, volcanic eruptions and global vegetation.