EVARC Events/Announcements
May 31, 2026
Vol. 26, No. 21
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EVARC Upcoming Events/Announcements
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Next meeting of the Elkhorn Valley Amateur Radio ClubDate: Saturday,
June 13, 2026 Enter the North doors at the main entrance and follow the signs to
the 5/6th grade class rooms The May 16th meeting minutes are available Visitors and guests are always welcome to the meeting. |
Next Northeast Nebraska Hamfest - November 21, 2026The Northeast Nebraska Hamfest date was a success. Thanks to everyone that attended the 2025 event, D & L Antennas for supporting our Hamfest, to everyone that rented tables and to our sponsors that provided many of the door prizes.. And thanks to EVARC members for supporting the event and all the hard work that went into making everything work smoothly. Even the testing went well. We had 5 individuals take tests with the results being 1 new Tech, 3 new Generals, and 1 new Extra class license. Mark your calendars for the next Northeast Nebraska Hamfest, Saturday, November 21, 2026. For more information contact Aaron, KT0Q Hope to see you in November! |
Field Day - June 27 - 28Field Day will be on Saturday through Sunday, June 27 - 28. On the air time starts on 1:00 PM CDT on Saturday and runs till 3:39 PM, Sunday. The club will be holding the event at Shane's QTH just south of Battle Creek. MAP Set up for the event will start around 10:00 AM on Saturday. The Club has two hf stations but you are welcome to bring any of your own equipment. Make sure you bring everything you will need including extension cords, coax cable, antenna, power supplies, mic, cw key, and any computers you will need for special modes. Individuals or groups are welcome to spend the night on site if you wish. You can spend as much or as little time as you wish. The club will be providing the meat (brouts) and water. There will be a family picnic around 5:30 PM on Sarturday. Families are welcome. We ask that each member provide some sort of dish to share. It sould be salad, vegetables, dessert. If you want other than water please bring your own drinks. Come join in the fun , get on the air and make a few contacts. Of course the more contacts we make the better our score, but score is not the main goal. It is to learn how to set up and operate in austere conditions, and above all have fun! |
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Meeting date changeAt the March meeting the club voted to change the meeting date for the July meeting July 11 meeting has been moved to July 18 so members can attend the North Bend Flea Market on July 11 Please update your calendars! |
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Pass The Bill - Have You Sent Your Letter Yet?
AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ACT GETS CRITICAL HEARING On Tuesday, December 16, the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act (HR 1094) was one of seven bills heard before the Communications & Technology subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Energy & Commerce. While there was no direct testimony related to this bill, its inclusion by subcommittee chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC-9th district) was an important step toward moving the bill to a hearing before the full Energy & Commerce committee. HR1094 now has 22 sponsors. ARRL urges all currently licensed Hams—whether ARRL members or not—to send letters to their two U.S. senators and their U.S. House representative using ARRL’s Grassroots Campaign by logging into the website: https://send-a-letter.org/hoa. Simply insert your callsign, and everything will be handled for you from there. Over 100,000 letters of support have been generated, but that represents a small fraction of all U.S. Hams. More are needed! Please encourage club members, other Hams and even GMRS licensees to send letters. |
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Other Information
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Special Operating Events
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Test Sessions within 200 miles of
Norfolk, NE
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06/04/2026 - Lincoln NE 68506 Sponsor: Lincoln ARC
Date: Jun 04 2026
Time: 6:30 PM (Walk-ins allowed)
Contact: Christopher W. Evens
(402) 613-3484
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: College View SDA Church
4801 Prescott Ave
Heartland Hall B
Enter E Ent #1 Handicap main
Lincoln NE 68506-5428
Website: https://k0kkv.org/get-your-license/
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06/07/2026 - Watertown SD 57201 Sponsor: Lake Area Radio Klub
Date: Jun 07 2026
Time: 2:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed)
Contact: Gary J. Mayfield
(605) 237-3173
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Watertown Regional Library
160 6th St NE
Watertown SD 57201-2778
Website: https://www.w0wtn.org/w0wtn_temporary.php
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06/09/2026 - Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Sponsor: Sioux Empire ARC
Date: Jun 09 2026
Time: 7:00 PM (No Walk-ins / Register or Call ahead)
Contact: Willis L. Gravning
(605) 961-8466
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Minnehaha County Emergency Mngt Bldg
608 N Sigler Ave
Sioux Falls SD 57104
Website: https://w0zwy.org/
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06/13/2026 - Boone IA 50036 Sponsor: Boone Amateur Radio Klub
Date: Jun 13 2026
Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)
Contact: Steven C. Huffman
(515) 230-0459
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Boone Pioneer Senior Center
1112 Story St
Boone IA 50036-2222
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06/16/2026 - Hastings NE 68901 Sponsor: Amateur Radio Assoc. of Nebraska
Date: Jun 16 2026
Time: 6:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed)
Contact: Allen D. Harpham
(402) 469-4550
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Adams County EOC Building
2965 S Baltimore
Hastings NE 68901
Website: https://www.w0wwv.org/cms/
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06/20/2026 - Kearney NE 68847 Sponsor: Midway ARC
Date: Jun 20 2026
Time: 8:00 AM (No Walk-ins / Register or Call ahead)
Contact: Michael J. Osterberg
(308) 293-0636
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Buffalo County EOC
1512 Central Ave
Kearney NE 68847-6020
Website: https://w0ky.org/
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06/23/2026 - Sheldon IA 51201 Sponsor: NIARC
Date: Jun 23 2026
Time: 6:00 PM (No Walk-ins / Register or Call ahead)
Contact: Delmar E. Spronk
(712) 348-0804
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Northwest Iowa Comm college (NCC)
603 W Park St
Bldg C Rm 305
Sheldon IA 51201-1060
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07/02/2026 - Lincoln NE 68506 Sponsor: Lincoln ARC
Date: Jul 02 2026
Time: 6:30 PM (Walk-ins allowed)
Contact: Christopher W. Evens
(402) 613-3484
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: College View SDA Church
4801 Prescott Ave
Heartland Hall B
Enter E Ent #1 Handicap main
Lincoln NE 68506-5428
Website: https://k0kkv.org/get-your-license/
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For more testing locations see the ARRL Testing Web page and the W5YI-VEC page Interested in an Online Exams Session? See the Online Exam Session web page -... -.- |
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Hamfests/Conventions/Conferences
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As of: 05/31/2026 |
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07/11/2026 - 28th Annual Pioneer ARC Flea Market, North Bend, NE Start Date: 07/11/2026
End Date: 07/11/2026
Location: North Bend City Auditorium
741 North Main Street
North Bend, NE 68649
Website: http://k0sw.org
Sponsor: Pioneer Amateur Radio Club
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Talk-In: 443.900 +5 MHz
Public Contact: Richard Mehaffey , KB0ARZ
230 West 11th Street
North Bend, NE 68649
Phone: 492-719-7342
Email: [email protected]
Flier: http://k0sw.org/fleamarket.pdf
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07/18/2026 - Southwest Iowa ARA Ham Fest, Prescott, IA 50859
Start Date: 07/18/2026 |
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07/25/2026 - ARRL South Dakota State Convention Start Date: 07/25/2026
End Date: 07/25/2026
Location: Westminster Presbyterian Church
3801 E. 26th St.
Sioux Falls, SD 57101
Website: http://w0zwy.org
Sponsor: Sioux Empire ARC
Type: ARRL Convention
Talk-In: 146.895 MHz PL 146.2 Hz
Public Contact: Willis Gravning , KE0Z
4321 S. Arden Cir.
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
Phone: 605-310-5276
Email: [email protected]
Flier: https://w0zwy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-HamFest-flyer-Rev-2.pdf
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08/22/2026 - Huntsville Hamfest, ARRL National Convention Start Date: 08/22/2026
End Date: 08/23/2026
Location: Von Braun Center South Hall
700 Monroe St. SW
Huntsville, AL 35801
Website: http://hamfest.org
Sponsor: Huntsville Hamfest, Inc.
Type: ARRL Convention
Talk-In: 146.94 - PL 100 Hz
Public Contact: Mark Brown , N4BCD
631 Lynchburg Hwy
Huntsville, TN 37359
Phone: 256-503-8887
Email: [email protected]
More Info: https://www.arrl.org/news/registration-is-open-for-the-2026-arrl-national-convention-in-huntsville
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09/26/2026 - Sioux City Hamfest Start Date: 09/26/2026
End Date: 09/26/2026
Location: Morningside Lutheran Church (lower gym)
700 So. Martha St.
Sioux City, IA 51101
Website: http://sc97net.net/SARA.html
Sponsor: Sooland Amateur Radio Association
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Talk-In: 146.970 tone: 110.9
Public Contact: TIM JARMAN , K0UX
1420 Hiawatha Trail
Sioux City, IA 51104
Phone: 712-223-4033
Email: [email protected]
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10/10/2026 - North Star Radio Convention, ARRL Dakota Division Convention Start Date: 10/10/2026
End Date: 10/10/2026
Location: Hennepin Technical College
9000 Brooklyn Blvd.
Brooklyn Park, MN
Website: http://northstarradio.org
Sponsor: Minnesota Amateur Radio Consortium
Type: ARRL Convention
Talk-In: 146.76 114.8 tone
Public Contact: Dale Henninger , W0DHZ
8579 Brewster Ave
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076-3518
Phone: 612-747-7587
Email: [email protected]
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11/21/2026 - Northeast Nebraska Hamfest, Norfolk, NE 68701 Start Date: 11/21/2026
End Date: 11/21/2026
Location: CHC Hall
105 West Elm Avenue
Norfolk, NE 68701
Website: https://www.qsl.net/evarc
Sponsor: Elkhorn Valley Amateur Radio Club
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Talk-In: 146.73 (-) 131.8
Public Contact: Aaron Mathis , KT0Q
84282 566th Ave.
Stanton, NE 68779
Phone: 802-989-9246
Email: mailto:[email protected]
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For a complete listing of Hamfests go to the ARRL Hamfest Search page -... -.- |
News From the ARRL Letters |
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Senator Ted Cruz Praises Amateur Radio Operators for Emergency PreparednessSenator Ted Cruz, in a strong pre-Memorial Day message publicly highlighted the critical role that Amateur Radio Service volunteers play during disasters, praising and thanking ham radio operators who provide essential communications when storms and emergencies knock out power and cellular networks and communities are cut off. Sen. Cruz observed that in these emergencies it is ham radio operators who step forward, bringing with them the tools, expertise, and the commitment to reconnect people when it matters most. He noted this dedication was clearly demonstrated in 2017 when Hurricane Harvey’s catastrophic flooding devastated communities across Texas and that it was demonstrated again more recently in the horrific Camp Mystic floods. He emphasized that as the Nation prepares for yet another summer storm season, ham radio’s role remains just as vital as ever.
Stating that while future emergencies will come, Sen. Cruz pointed out that so would Amateur Radio — ready to respond, ready to serve, and to make a difference. He ended his statements, thanking ham radio for its courage and commitment, noting that Amateur Radio’s work strengthens our communities. Senator Cruz is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. His comments align with the ARRL’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and protect Amateur Radio’s role in emergency preparedness and public service communications. His comments also reflect growing Congressional recognition of the value Amateur Radio Operators bring to communities across the country. ARRL continues to advocate for legislation that protects and strengthens Amateur Radio’s role in emergency preparedness and public service communications.
ARRL Legislative Committee Chairman and West Gulf Division Director John Robert Stratton, N5AUS, said the continued outreach effort has required “long hours on the ground and an uncountable number of personal meetings with Senators, Representatives, and their staffs” to raise awareness of the importance of Amateur Radio to our country. “The most recent proof that those efforts have, and are, increasing Congressional support for Amateur Radio is evidenced by the decision of Chairman Cruz to publicly share his personal views on the value and importance of Amateur Radio to the Nation,” Stratton said. ARRL encourages Amateur Radio Operators to participate in our letter writing campaign, located at www.arrl.org/HOA, in support of the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act and to share information about the public service role Amateur Radio plays in communities nationwide. -... -.- |
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Registration is Open for the 2026 ARRL National Convention in HuntsvilleARRL and the Huntsville Hamfest will host the 2026 ARRL National
Convention and Huntsville Hamfest, August 21 - 23, in Huntsville,
Alabama.
The convention will kick off on Friday, August 21, with a series of day-long ARRL Training Tracks and a National Convention Luncheon at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville. Then join ARRL on Friday night for a very special National Convention Dinner under a full-size Saturn V rocket at the nearby U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Access to the museum is included along with dinner and special speakers. Proceeds benefit the ARRL Education & Technology Program, and additional sponsorships are available. Registration is now open for Friday’s National Convention program. Registrants can select a Training Track (includes the luncheon) for $90. The National Convention Dinner at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is $100, and includes dinner, museum, and a $25 tax-deductible donation to the Education & Technology Program. The National Convention Training Tracks are workshops providing an in-depth learning experience in one of the three Track topics. Attendees will select a Training Track when completing their online National Convention registration. Training Track #1: Mini Contest University. This marks the first time Mini Contest University (CTU) is coming to Huntsville. Registrants will learn from some veteran amateur radio contesters. This Mini CTU will appeal to new and veteran contesters alike who are looking to hone their skills. Presenters cover general contest operations, contesting skills, and many resources and tools to get more out of contesting. The Mini CTU Track Leader is Tim Duffy, K3LR. Presenters TBD. This training is sponsored by DX Engineering. Training Track #2: Emergency Communications Academy. Emergency Communications presenters will cover topics including Future Proofing ARES® — the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service®, PACE planning, relationship building, digital communications, emerging technologies, and other topics designed to enhance your emergency communications knowledge and preparedness. Participants will learn the skills and roles needed to become more effective volunteers. Training Track #3: Salty Walt’s Portable Antenna Workshop. This workshop, led by Walt Hudson, K4OGO, with additional presenters, will feature practical information for portable antenna-building, deployment, and operating. The rest of the celebration continues at the Huntsville Hamfest on Saturday and Sunday, August 22 – 23, at the Von Braun Center (South Hall), which is connected by sky bridge to the Embassy Suites. Known as “The World’s Friendliest Hamfest,” this air-conditioned all-indoor event attracts a large list of commercial exhibitors, notable forum presenters, flea market, youth activities, and W1AW America250 Special Event Station. Tickets for the Huntsville Hamfest are sold separately and are available now. For further details, visit the 2026 ARRL National Convention web page at www.arrl.org/expo and the Huntsville Hamfest website at hamfest.org. -... -.- |
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In Brief...ARRL Solar Report May 28, 2026 There are nine numbered regions on the visible disk. Region 4452 showed notable growth and new flux emergence. Region 4450 decayed to plage, though unassociated transitory pores were observed to its east and west. Region 4443 decayed into a unipolar spot as it approached the west limb following the loss of its leading components. Regions 4453, 4454 and 4455 were numbered during the period. Far-side satellite imagery from Solar Orbiter indicates that Region 4455 is likely a large bipolar group with its trailing opposite-polarity spots still located behind the east limb and was numbered proactively due to its flaring potential. All other regions either continued in slow decay or remained stable. A faint, potentially partial-halo, coronal mass ejection (CME) first seen in LASCO C2 imagery on May 26 and subsequently in GOES/CCOR1 was analyzed. No obvious on-disk source exists. Modeling suggests a possible glancing blow at Earth on May 31. Additionally, narrow eruptions associated with flaring from newly numbered Region 4444 were seen in SUVI imagery but these features are well northward of the ecliptic plane with no Earth-directed components. No other Earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed in available coronagraph imagery. Solar activity is expected to be at low to moderate levels through May 30. There remains a chance for isolated M-class flares (R1-R2/minor-moderate) driven by the eruptive potential of the southeast sunspot groups and newly numbered Region 4454. Solar wind parameters remained slightly elevated and possibly indicative of weak negative polarity coronal hole high-speed stream (-CH HSS) influences. Solar wind speeds varied modestly between 350 and 425 km/s. The phi angle was predominantly in the negative sector (towards the Sun), though minor deviations were observed later in the period. Solar wind parameters are expected to remain mildly enhanced due to weak coronal high speed stream (-CH HSS) influences through May 29. A return toward near-background, nominal conditions is anticipated by May 30. The 10.7-centimeter flux: May 28 - 29, 140; May 30 - June 2, 145; June 3, 150. Predicted sunspot numbers: May 28, 104; May 29, 98; May 30, 110; May 31, 93: June 1, 104; June 2, 98; June 3, 110. For more information concerning radio propagation, visitt the ARRL Technical Information Service, read A Quick Guide to HF Propagation Using Solar Indices, and check out the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA. For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.. Other Items
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Education and Training
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CLOSING ITEMSThe EVARC weekly net meets every Monday evening at 7:30 PM on the club 2 meter repeater (146.73 - ). Check-in to the net to hear an update on activities of other club members, announcements of local interest, and any late breaking information. Everyone is welcome to check in. The DMR net meets every Thursday evening at 8:00 PM on the club DMR repeater (446.200 +) Nebraska Talk Group 3131 . Check-in for general discussion and a weekly trivia question. Want to try your hand as Net Control? Contact Andy, KF0CSI. ... -.- |
The purpose of this
newsletter is to provide information to local hams with items of interest.
It is compiled from local, regional, and national sources. Created by Monty Wilson, NRØA.
Contact the Webmaster with
comments or questions..
ARRL’s
nationwide grassroots campaign supporting the
Solar
activity has remained at low levels this past week. The largest
event of the period was a C3.4 flare originating from Region 4446. 