Wow! - Yesterday, when I QSYed to 40m, I found the California QSO party in full swing. I know from trying it once, not to participate in this contest, at least not with my callsign. Despite signing KB6NU/MI, I got bombarded with calls from people thinking that I lived in California.

So, I tuned up to the old Novice band. Even when a CW contest is in full swing, a portion of the old Novice band from 7110 to 7125 kHz is open for contacts, mostly slow-speed contacts.

The ARRL’s Lifelong Learning program is now officially underway. About a month and a half ago, ARRL registered teachers were sent an email asking us to provide those running the program with the following information:

• A brief explanation of our teaching backgrounds

• Our areas of expertise related to amateur radio

• Our experience with online learning and course development

• Availability

As you are aware, the ARRL has spent more than two years working with the FCC developing an enhanced program to support the FCC Enforcement staff with monitoring and reporting alleged problems arising on the Amateur Radio bands. The time has come to transition from the former Official Observer (OO) program to the new Volunteer Monitor (VM) program. The OO program will officially sunset on Monday September 30, 2019. The new Volunteer Monitor program will become effective on Tuesday October 1, 2019.