Cat Pix on the Air - 2026

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The internet was made for sharing funny cat pictures and movies. On August 8th, International cat day, so will the radio waves! Ham radio amateurs will celebrate this day with a special SSTV event using cat pictures only.

Event runs from 00:00 UTC 08-08-2026 to 23:59 UTC 08-08-2026

All SSTV frames must contain feline-related imagery

All SSTV modes are acceptable

A valid QSO requires:

  • Exchange of both callsigns

  • Exchange of signal report and grid locator

  • Successful reception of an SSTV image meeting the event requirements

The submitted image must be an unmodified off-air capture received during the QSO of at least 320x240. The filename should be in format: "your callsign_receiver callsign" and be a .gif, .jpg or .png. This image must clearly* contain:

  • Both callsigns

  • The signal report received from the QSO partner

  • The grid locator of the QSO partner

Free antenna booklet by Jukka Siitari

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OH2AXE/SV9RMU has just published Amateur Radio Antenna Systems, available as a free PDF. This 62-page guide was written for beginners, but more seasoned radio amateurs will find useful information, too. For example, I found the chapter on selecting and locating an antenna interesting. This illustrated guide is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and Greek.

Free antenna booklet by Jukka Siitari - https://www.sral.fi/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AntennaSystems-EN.pdf

Hamlib Named Winner of the 2026 Amateur Radio Software Award

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Hamlib Named Winner of the 2026 Amateur Radio Software Award

The Amateur Radio Software Award (ARSA) committee is proud to announce that the Hamlib project has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Amateur Radio Software Award. This year’s award honours the outstanding work of the current core developers: Nate Bargmann (N0NB), George Baltz (N3GB), Daniele Forsi (IU5HKX), and Mikael Nousiainen (OH3BHX).

The annual ARSA award recognises software projects that enhance amateur radio and promote innovation, freedom, and openness in amateur radio software development. Hamlib was selected for its long‐standing and essential role in enabling software to interface with transceivers and other controllable devices. For more than a quarter century, Hamlib has provided a unified, reliable way to send control commands and read device status. Despite its age, the project remains actively maintained, with new radios and devices added regularly. Hamlib remains the go-to library for both established and emerging amateur radio applications.

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