HamSCI Speaker Series Explores WSPR Spectral Width

HamSCI's first Speaker Series of 2026 will be presented by Dr. Barry Johnson (W4WB) and focus on WSPR spectral width.

Johnson will be speaking on a paper he co-authored along with Gene Marcus, W3PM titled “A Modest Study of WSPR-2 Spectral Width”. The topic arose from a question posed originally by HamSCI scientist Gwyn Griffith G3ZIL, which was, “What is the minimum obtainable spectral width of WSPR-2 signals?” To answer this seemingly simple question was anything but simple, as will become evident in the discussion comprising this presentation.

HamSCI - https://hamsci.org/

First Desecheo Island Activation Since 2009

The first activation since 2009 of an uninhabited island off Puerto Rico is set to begin this month. 

There has been no amateur activity from Desecheo Island, 13 miles off the Puerto Rican coast, since 2009 – but now the first Puerto Rican-led DXpedition in 48 years to KP5  is preparing for that moment. The organisers, the Manyana DX Foundation and the Vieques Island Amateur Radio Club, are calling the activation of this small uninhabited island a “landmark DXpedition.”

It is a protected nature reserve with strict limits to access, so two self-contained, remote deployable units, or RDUs, will be set out in the second week of January. Operators have undergone training specific to the remote activation. They expect to be on the air within 24 hours of RDUs’ deployment, operating around the clock for about 30 days on 160-6 metres, CW, SSB and FT8. A live stream will be available from Club Log.

The island is the 14th most wanted entity on the DXCC list.

Up to $25,000 at Stake in New ARRL Student Coding Competition

Pre-registration is now open for a Student Coding Competition, a new national challenge sponsored by ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio®. The project is designed to engage young radio amateurs in shaping the future of amateur radio through software development. Open to ARRL-member amateur radio operators aged 21 and younger, the competition will invite students to design a mobile app that supports ARRL and the amateur radio community. Cash awards totalling up to $25,000 will be presented to one or more winning entries.

The competition officially begins on 1st January 2026, when complete rules and application specifications will be released at coding.arrl.org. Participants are reminded not to start coding yet — entries must follow the published requirements. Project submissions will be due by 31st March 2026. Entries will be judged on how well they meet the specifications, user interface design and usability, code quality and stability, and the inclusion of extra features.

Adult ARRL members are encouraged to help spread the word and support the next generation of amateur radio innovators. ARRL Student Membership is free for full-time students aged 21 and younger, removing a key barrier to participation. Young hams, educators, and mentors are encouraged to pre-register now at coding.arrl.org to receive updates as additional details become available and to prepare for this exciting opportunity to contribute lasting tools to amateur radio.

More Information - http://www.arrl.org/news/view/up-to-25-000-at-stake-in-new-arrl-student-coding-competition