Section Newsletter — ARRL Santa Clara Valley — August 1, 2025
Several articles from ARRL headquarters are featured this month.
Also, please note that Pacific 2025 is Friday, October 10 through
Sunday, October 12, 2025, in San Ramon.
Details are here — https://www.pacificon.org/
***
Ham Radio Responds During Tsunami Threat
Amateur radio operators, including volunteers serving in the ARRL
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) were active in monitoring the
potential impacts of tsunami waves following an earthquake off the
Russian coast on July 29, 2025. The quake registered 8.8 on the Richter
scale, and prompted tsunami concerns and warnings around the Pacific
rim.
ARRL Pacific Section Manager Alan Maenchen, AD6E, lives in Wailuku,
Hawaii. He was monitoring ham radio communications across the state.
“There was some minor flooding in a few areas. It could have been
worse. Some of the early waves were measured at 4.5 feet. Waves continue
this morning but at a much lower level and difficult to notice by the
naked eye,” he reported.
The well-networked ham radio operators in Hawaii quickly sprang into
action following the alerts. Informal VHF nets were held on amateur
radio repeaters. “Rick (Ward), WH6FC, held an informational statewide
HF net on 7090 kHz LSB for many hours and there were about 57
check-ins,” said Maenchen.
On the US mainland, radio amateurs were also on alert. “The Oregon
coast teams appear to have been in informal monitoring mode so that they
are readily available for activation if needed,” said Bonnie Altus,
AB7ZQ, who serves as the Section Emergency Coordinator of the ARRL
Oregon Section.
The California Rescue Net on 40 meters was activated. According to Bob
Turner, W6RHK, Section Manager of the ARRL Orange Section, “The net
received some preparation reports from the San Francisco Bay area and
Santa Cruz along with some maritime mobile stations with routine
traffic. Orange County RACES checked into the net to inquire about
tsunami traffic.”
Ham radio operators are trained for situations like this. In March,
operators in the ARRL Los Angeles Section participated in a Tsunami
exercise, simulating their response following large earthquakes with
magnitudes 6 through 9 that appeared over several hours – much like
this real world instance. Across the Caribbean, ARRL volunteers took
part in the Caribe Wave 2025 drill the same month.
As mainstream media was covering the earthquake and potential tsunami,
Nexstar Media, the largest ownership group of television stations in the
United States, published an article across its stations’ websites with
10 tips for evacuating during a tsunami. Number 6 on the list was to
“Bring a portable radio or ham radio, also known as an amateur radio.
Do not count on phones or the internet to work. Stay tuned until the
threat is over.”
The tsunami impact to North America was minimal at worst, and alerts
were canceled by midday on July 30. Photographs from Russia show
widespread devastation from the earthquake.
The 40-meter amateur radio band is a popular choice for regional
emergency communications nets due to the ability to use near vertical
incidence skywave (NVIS) propagation, in which the radio waves go nearly
straight up and are reflected over a limited area by the ionosphere.
Many hams involved in emergency communications use NVIS antennas in
their home setups.
***
ARRL Files Comments to Protect 70-Centimeter Amateur Band
07/22/2025
ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio has filed comments with
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to oppose part of an
application that would impact the 70-centimeter amateur band for
telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) of satellites. The application,
from AST & Science, LLC (AST), requests “unprecedented authorization
to 430-440 MHz for a constellation totaling 248 satellites to
communicate with five ground stations using up to five channels with up
to 256 kHz bandwidth.”
READ ARRL’S FULL COMMENTS [PDF]
https://www.arrl.org/files/file/FCC%20Documents/ARRL-Partial-Opposition-25-201.pdf
The formal opposition, filed by ARRL’s Washington Counsel, asserts
that the permission AST seeks to use the 430 – 440 MHz band “should
be denied because AST does not demonstrate need for TT&C spectrum beyond
that available within existing allocations.”
The filing goes on to highlight just how unprecedented the request is:
The Requested Spectrum Is Not Allocated for the Requested Purpose
The 430 – 440 MHz band is not allocated domestically or
internationally for the requested space-to-Earth and Earth-to-space
satellite TT&C operations. As others already have noted in this
proceeding, signals in this band from AST’s current 5-satellite
constellation have been observed throughout the world, including in the
United States, notwithstanding that the satellites are authorized to
communicate only with five ground stations well outside the United
States. From the operations by the current five satellites, it appears
that the satellites at times have transmitted continuously in the 430
– 440 MHz band throughout their orbit, not just when in communication
with one of the authorized ground stations. This activity defeats the
purpose of preventing interference in the United States by limiting
operations in this band to ground stations distant from the United
States. Authorizing an additional 243 satellites to use this band, which
would result in multiple satellites over the U.S. at all times, would
effectively usurp this band’s allocated use.
The 70-centimenter band is also used in emergency communications. As
recently as early July, ARRL volunteers serving in the Amateur Radio
Emergency Service® (ARES®) made headlines for providing critical
communications in flood-ravaged areas of the Texas Hill Country.
Allowing the 70-centimeter band to become overrun with TT&C operations
could impact the ability for the Amateur Radio Service to be used in
future disasters. “TT&C operations in the 430 – 440 MHz band are
capable of causing harmful interference to radio amateur communications,
including to amateur satellites operating in the 435-438 MHz subband,”
the comments state.
The comments go on to outline why the application would be non-compliant
with the ITU Radio Regulations Treaty.
Reply comments to the application are due by August 5, 2025. ARRL will
continue to promote and protect amateur radio spectrum.
***
July 12, 2025
Members of the Northern California DX Club gathered for the club’s
69th annual picnic at Shoup Park in Los Altos. The weather was perfect,
the food was tasty and camaraderie enjoyable. Kudos to the volunteers
who put this event together. We all had a great time!
https://www.facebook.com/arrlscv
73 de Tony Dowler, K6BV, ACC/SCV
***
ARRL Board Reviews and Approves By-Law Changes, Establishes 2026 as Year
of the Club, and Creates 10-Band DXCC
The ARRL Board of Directors met in Windsor, Connecticut, for its Second
Meeting, July 18 -19, 2025. ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, presided
over the meeting.
President Roderick recognized Pacific Division Director John Litz, NZ6Q,
who previously served as Vice Director.
Prior to the Board meeting, Board committees met on July 17 with the
following actions highlighted below:
The Programs & Services Committee and Headquarters staff from the
Radiosport Department, on the heels of creating the DXCC Trident award
in January, are moving ahead with the creation of another new DXCC award
— 10-Band DXCC — which will recognize those who achieve DXCC on all
bands from 6 meters to 160 meters (excluding 60 meters). Higher
achievement endorsements can be earned at the 200, 300, and Honor Roll
levels, like the DXCC Trident. The 10-Band DXCC award challenges
participants in the DXCC program to establish station capabilities and
operator skills for dealing with myriad band conditions in pursuing DXCC
across all 10 bands.
The Administration & Finance Committee discussed the current status of
ARRL’s Washington advocacy. This includes continuing work to build
Congressional support for bills H.R.1094 and S.459 — the Amateur Radio
Emergency Preparedness Act — for passage. The committee recommended to
the Board that the ARRL CEO take the lead on the efforts, including
executing a campaign to involve members in reaching out to their
Congressional representatives later this year.
The Emergency Communications and Field Services Committee reviewed
year-to-date activities, including a complete rewrite of the ARES®
training modules and the recently executed Memorandum of Understanding
between ARRL and Radio Relay International (RRI). The committee also
discussed making 2026 the Year of the Club and proposed ideas for
consideration by the Board.
The Historical Committee met to review the ARRL Heritage Museum’s online
collection, Radio Alpha, which currently features more than 3,000 images
and documents. The repository is now online and can be found at
www.arrl.org/arrl-museum-and-research-library.
Here are highlights of actions taken at the Board meeting:
Board members, after having an additional 6 months to review the Report
and Recommendations of the Special Committee on By-Law 46 that was
submitted during the Annual Board Meeting in January, undertook a
discussion and voted to approve the motion to adopt the report. The
proposed updated language was reviewed by ARRL’s Connecticut counsel who
was present for questions and discussion. The changes affect By-Law 46,
the Board’s Conflict of Interest Policy, and By-Law 42, the charter for
the Ethics & Elections Committee. The most significant change is that
this introduces an unbiased competent third party to provide the Board
with the results of its own determination in an E&E matter before
submitting it to the ARRL Board.
The Board approved a year-long celebration of the semiquincentennial of
the United States. This will include commemorative ARRL US250 Worked All
States awards from contacts made during 2026, as well as other on-air
activity.
The Board approved making 2026 the Year of the Club and passed other
motions in support of the initiative including:
Creation of a book featuring high-performance clubs.
Establishment of working with and recognizing outstanding club websites
while helping clubs with ineffective websites.
Recognizing ARRL Affiliated Clubs that maintain a higher-than-required
ARRL membership level for affiliation. Clubs that achieve a 70% or a 90%
ARRL membership level within their clubs will receive acknowledgment and
special recognition.
The complete minutes of the 2025 Second Meeting of the ARRL Board of
Directors will be available soon on the ARRL website.
The next Annual Meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors is scheduled for
January 16 – 17, 2026.
***
Introducing Radio Alpha, the ARRL Museum and Research Library
There’s a new resource from ARRL documenting the history of ham radio.
Radio Alpha is the ARRL Museum and Research Library. It is available for
viewing at www.arrl.org/museum. Radio Alpha is envisioned as a
Wikipedia-like project, administered by a trusted group of volunteers.
It aims to serve as a definitive repository of information, offering
detailed descriptions and contextual data on pivotal figures,
influential organizations, pioneering companies, transformative
inventions, and iconic equipment that have shaped the amateur radio
landscape. Radio Alpha addresses the critical need for a centralized,
reliable, and easily navigable archive of amateur radio’s past.
Recognizing the fragmented nature of existing historical data, this
database will consolidate diverse information sources into a single,
cohesive platform. Users will find meticulously researched entries,
cross-referenced to provide a holistic understanding of the connections
and evolutions within the hobby. A core principle of Radio Alpha is
universal accessibility. Therefore, the database will be entirely free
to access, ensuring that researchers, historians, enthusiasts, and the
public can explore its contents without barriers.
Noted author, industrial archeologist, and historian Chuck Penson,
WA7ZZE, is the principal architect who crafted the collection. Penson
has published several books about the history of Heathkit and the Titan
II missile. For him, it’s a labor of love and necessity. “Somebody
has to do this,” said Penson. “Lots of people are doing it
independently on their own – here’s a website about the equipment I
own, and here’s some documents I scanned – there’s a lot of
that.” The lack of a central location to compile those collections is
the root of Radio Alpha. Penson hopes the research library will preserve
the data long after individual contributors have passed away.
The platform is committed to being free of advertising, spam, and
clickbait, prioritizing the integrity of its historical content and
providing an uncluttered user experience. “This database will be a
living resource, regularly updated and expanded through ongoing research
and community contributions, fostering a deeper appreciation and
understanding of amateur radio’s profound impact on communication,
technology, and society,” wrote Penson.
Radio Alpha seeks contributors and volunteers to help develop the
content. Hams who have a passion for the history of radio, experience in
writing, or extensive knowledge about a particular brand or mode of
amateur radio are encouraged to volunteer. The museum also seeks
materials that may help grow the collection. Those interested may reach
out to Penson at radioalpha@arrl.org.
Penson hopes the data will be preserved forever. “ARRL has an
organizational structure that allows it to take a long view on stuff
like this. It is best equipped to handle a project like Radio Alpha.”
Radio Alpha, the ARRL Museum and Research Library, may be enjoyed at
www.arrl.org/radioalpha or www.arrl.org/museum.
***
ARRL Field Day 2025 Saw Growth in Participants and Entries
The numbers are in and showing growth. 2025 ARRL Field Day showed an
increase in both participants and entries, compared to 2024. According
to ARRL Contest Program Manager Paul Bourque, N1SFE, 4,369 entries
detailed 31,785 people taking part in in the event. That’s up from
last year.
“There’s a growing interest in ham radio, especially after last
year’s hurricane season and other high-profile situations in which
radio has been essential,” noted Bourque. “ARRL Field Day serves as
a great chance to get engaged with your local amateur radio
community.”
The uptick in numbers may not be complete, as there’s still an
opportunity for a few more entries to be added. “Occasionally, a club
will need to update their entry. We work with them to make sure it is
correct,” said Bourque.
Field Day participants should check that all the required supporting
documentation related to their entries has been received by checking the
Entries Received web page at field-day.arrl.org/fdentriesrcvd.php. If
the status of your entry is listed as Pending Documents, one or more of
the required documents still needs to be submitted to complete your
entry. Entrants may use the link provided in the confirmation email they
received to upload additional documents or to modify their entries.
Currently, 223 entries are listed as being incomplete. Updates to
existing entries will be accepted until August 29, 2025. If you’re
having difficulty completing your Field Day entry or have any questions,
contact fieldday@arrl.org.
On the public outreach front, final measurement numbers of the media
coverage earned by amateur radio public information volunteers have been
tallied. ARRL Public Relations and Outreach Manager Sierra Harrop, W5DX,
reports that the total ad value equivalence (AVE) of 2025 ARRL Field Day
is $37.9 million. “We had a tremendous response from clubs and ARRL
public information volunteers this year on the heels of Ham Radio Open
House into ARRL Field Day,” she said. “The ARRL Public Relations
Committee prepared resources to help the volunteers succeed, but they
really took it to the next level in communities across the country.”
AVE measures the amount of money that would have to be spent to buy ads
in media and social media to replace the news coverage volunteers
secured with press outreach. The $37.9M figure measures only mentions of
ARRL Field Day from January 1 – July 31 of each year. In 2024, the
figure was $20M, and $18M in 2023. Harrop hopes to see further
strengthening of public information volunteers leading into 2026, which
ARRL has designated as the Year of the Club. Hams seeking to serve as an
ARRL public information volunteer may express interest to their ARRL
Section Manager.
The overall growth is encouraging to ARRL. “I’m very pleased with
the amount of active ARRL Field Day participants this year. It’s nice
to see more and more people participating!” said Bourque.
***
73 until next month.
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