ARISS Announces Plans for Moon-Based Ham Radio

The Morse Code transmitted more than two years ago by JS1YMG, the lunar ham station of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, is apparently just the beginning. Attendees at a Hamvention forum hosted by ARISS in Xenia, Ohio, recently learned about a moon-based project called CAVIAR. That's an acronym for "Communications, Audio, Video and Imaging using Amateur Radio." The feasibility of CAVIAR is being studied by ARISS and AMSAT through a partnership known as AREx, for Amateur Radio Exploration.

“....international effort to develop and operate amateur radio systems for deep space, starting at the moon and later to Mars.”

— ARISS

According to the early information being discussed publicly, the station could have support for voice, digital and video, with 10 GHz and 5 GHz links supported by a network of stations on Earth.

Helping Girl Guides Earn Licenses in the Caribbean

When the summer holidays arrive in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, many members of the Girl Guides in Georgetown will change from classroom students to amateur radio students. The Youlou Amateur Radio Association has a training session planned, enabling Girl Guides and other students to prepare to take their ham radio licence exam.

For many of the Girl Guides, this will be their second encounter with amateur radio. In early May, 32 Girl Guides got their introduction to radio science and the radio experience with the help of association president James Codrington J88JC and past president Don De Riggs J88CD. The girls learned how two-way radios work and participated in a simulated disaster drill using hand-held radios within the school compound. 

The radio session in Georgetown was the latest the ham association has conducted for Girl Guides. Education is a big part of the mission behind the Youlou amateur group, which also provides vital services in emergency communication.

Alamogordo Hamfest Turns 40 This September

The Alamogordo Amateur Radio Club is celebrating a big milestone — their 40th Annual Hamfest — and they're doing it right. The ARRL-sanctioned event takes place on 5 September 2026, at the Otero County Fairgrounds in Alamogordo, NM, running from 7am to roughly 3pm.

Best part? Admission is free.

The prize lineup this year is seriously worth showing up for: first place takes home a Yaesu FT-710 AESS, second gets a Xiegu G90 and accessories, third a Mini 1.3 OLED Zumspot, and fourth a DM-30TR. Prize drawing tickets are $8 if postmarked before 29 August (and early birds are eligible for a $50 cash pre-registration prize), or $10 at the door.

Vendors can set up the day before from 3–7pm. Tables run $15, or $6 if you bring your own. Electrical is available at most spots.

ARRL license testing (Tech, General, and Extra) kicks off around 9am — bring a photo ID and your FRN.

RVs are welcome, parking is plentiful, and there's a dump station on site. The club is also looking for presenters, so if you've got something to share with the community, reach out.

To pre-register or get the latest updates, visit www.qsl.net/k5lrw/hamfest.htm or contact Hamfest Chair Rusty KI5RUS at rjaskolo@gmail.com