Local, County, and State Governments Proclaim Value of Amateur Radio

The Amateur Radio Service is of great value to communities around the nation. Through served agencies, the trained corps of technical and civic-minded operators provide a no-cost service to the public that has shown to be valuable before and When All Else Fails®.

The 2025 hurricane season has been forecast to be above normal by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As we saw just last year in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, ham radio saves lives through volunteers who use their skills and equipment during emergencies by providing surface weather observations, relaying messages from shelters, and providing health and welfare information to concerned loved ones.

While ARRL Field Day is a fun, social, occasion to get together and get on the air, it also serves as an opportunity to test equipment in a way that it would be needed in a time of crisis. The same people who come to visit your site under blue skies are the community members who would be served in an identical manner during and after an emergency
— Sierra Harrop, W5DX - ARRL Public Relations and Outreach Manager

In recognition of the value of amateur radio, government officials at all levels have issued proclamations and citations across the country. On the ARRL amateur radio proclamations page, you can see the many official documents that have been sent to us at ARRL Headquarters.

We all know how great the ham community is, but seeing all the proclamations come in around Field Day gives perspective to the efforts of radio amateurs. To have a governor or a councilmember recognize June as Amateur Radio Month truly honors the impact hams have on their community,
— Sierra Harrop, W5DX - ARRL Public Relations and Outreach Manager

2025 ARRL Field Day this Weekend

2025 ARRL Field Day is 28-29th 2025. It North America’s amateur radio’s biggest yearly event. The sun has been very active at the peak of Solar Cycle 25. ARRL is hopeful that it will mean 2025 becomes a legendary Field Day. Get out to an activation and enjoy a good time with your fellow hams.

Use the Field Day Site Locator, featuring more than 1200 sites, if you don’t already have a site you plan to attend. Don’t forget to take the 2025 Field Day guide with you to your Field Day site.

For clubs that are activating a location, here are tips to make the most of your 2025 ARRL Field Day - https://www.arrl.org/news/view/2025-arrl-field-day-is-next-weekend

PRESENTER OPINION : Does Anyone Make a Homebrew SteppIR?

PRESENTER OPINION : Does Anyone Make a Homebrew SteppIR?

In case you haven’t heard by now, SteppIR, the manufacturer of very expensive HF antennas is getting out of the amateur radio business. Their announcement has caused a minor uproar in the amateur radio world, but personally, it’s not a big surprise to me. If MFJ couldn’t seem to find enough customers for their $300 – $500 Hy-Gain antennas, how many $5,000 antennas could SteppIR really sell?

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