Wow!! I am actually starting to get this Weekend Brief out in a more reasonable hour…. Since I have my warm cup of socially acceptable caffeine addiction, I am ready to charge into the day!!! It is time for all the news that is the news for your Weekend Update, on everything that will keep your radio humming, and your antennas tuned.
Mostly sunny (as opposed to partly cloudy?) with a 65% chance of Rain on Saturday. Highs in the high 70s to low 80s throughout the weekend and lows in the mid 60s. The solar conditions show an SFI of 125 (Higher the better up to about 300, so not great, and a raise from 108 last week), A index of 11 (lower is better from 0-400, and a raise from 7 last week), and K index of 1 (lower better, 1 = quiet Earths magnetic field, down from 2 last week). 10 and 12m are fair to poor, with 15m through 80m should be pretty good.
Brian (N3BMC) is setting up an external Discord channel for W3APL, and has a number of people supporting the beta test. Get on it, and try it out!
There are two Hamfests… maybe not in the area, but still… The National ARRL Huntsville (AL) Hamfest and the TARCFest out of Tampa Florida.
Y’all feel like a bit of a drive, right!?!
July 1914 The Amateur Radio Relay League was founded by Hiram Percy Maxim.
July 2nd, 1921 Amateur Radio Broadcasters started setting up their own little broadcast stations, and by the end of 1921, it was estimated that 1200 amateurs had made at least one broadcast. Some had regular programs and schedules and would become the first commercial stations. However in July 1921, over 400,000 people listened into commentators on the Dempsey-Carpentier boxing match. Radio sales approached 100,000 per near, not counting crystal sets which were selling at 20,000 a month! This might become a problem for the fledging amateurs…
July 24, 1924 The Department of Commerce authorized new amateur frequency bands. They were 150 to 200 meters (1.500 to 2.000 Mhz), 75 to 80 meters (3.500 to 4.000 Mhz), 40 to 43 meters (7.000 to 7.500 Mhz), 20 to 22 meters (13.600 to 15.000 Mhz), and 4 to 5 meters (60.000 to 75.000 Mhz). Obviously these have shifted a hair… Except for a portion of the 150 to 200 meter band, spark was prohibited. A spark station on 200 meters actually generated a signal from 150 to 250 meters. Since CW took only a fraction of the bandwidth that spark did, over 50 CW stations in the same area could occupy the 150 to 250 meter range vs one spark station. Spark would survive in the hands of a few rebels until 1927 when it was banned altogether. CW was here to stay.
July 1954 The first amateur two way contact with the Moon was achieved on 1296 Mhz via Moon Bounce by the Rhododendron Swamp VHF Society in Massachusetts. It was noticed in 1954 that 2 m signals were reflected by the moon. In 1954, the Naval Research Laboratory was able to accomplish a moon bounce.
July 1970 During protests against the Vietnam war on many college campuses, a ham radio net appeared on 7.260 and 14.294 MHz used to gather and exchange information on what was happening on campuses nationwide. The net was so good at this they began to feed news to wire services and major networks. However, as talks became heated on the merits of the war, that it started coordinating funds, strike activities (including shipping draft cards to DC for a massive bonfire) and boycott activities. Then deliberate jamming and name calling started. The controversy led to an article in the July 1970 issue of QST (page 9) on the use of Amateur bands for heated political discussion, and the capability of broadcasts going international could have negative political consequences. ARRL condemned both the Jammers calling them “frontier justice vigilantes”, and the use of the air waves for political discussions including arguing about the Vietnam War. Letters poured into QST with a 2:1 ratio against using Ham Radio for political discussion.
Wow… so many articles about clubs participating in Field Day…
However, there is an interesting discussion on the two climbers who (illegally) scaled to the top of the Empire State Building in New York City, and may have been exposed to MASSIVE amounts of RF energy. One report showed up to 19 local FM stations and television broadcasts they would have had to have almost physical contact with as they made their climb. Good news, nothing was more than 7KW… Broadcasters tried to shut down their signals as soon as they were notified, but…
The most obvious event from last month is most definitely the ARRL Field Day gathering. While the weather was touch and go, with expected downpours and the time frame was very flexible, we had about 10 club members show up and invited outside groups including Cub Scouts to show up and showcase Amateur Radio. We even had Steve (W3MEG) show up and introduce himself to everyone! Thank you to Robert (KB3KTA) on his outstanding job of herding cats, and planning the evolution. It was outstanding!
And our own club President, Brian (KB3BMC) was able to successfully complete the 13 Colonies Event this last weekend by making contact with special events stations located in the original 13 colonies (NY, VA, RI, CT, DE, MD, GA, MA, NJ, NC, NH, SC, PA). Some of them both by SSB voice and digital means. Congrats!!
We had five of our members who tested for either initial or upgraded licenses, a HUGE congratulations!
And of course our well received Monthly Net…
I think the radio world takes July off from events… but not Will (W3RJX)
Alabama - Alabama QSO Party - 1500Z, Jul 25 to 0300Z, Jul 26, 2026
SOOOOOO Many, I am not going to read them on air, but pay attention to the Slack Channel, and Weekend updates. Here are three to highlight:
A HUGE shoutout to Zoe (KC3ZZW) for running an outstanding net last night. Without the script, I am positive she would have pulled it off with flair. We had great participation, both inside the shack and on the air waves, and it was great fellowship involved all around.
Now to the Net Report!!
This was the 30th continuous monthly net since we restarted it in February of 2024. The net started at exactly-ish 5:35pm, after some minor delays in the new station, though the new fan and setup (thank you Will [W3RJX]), worked wonderfully, just had a configuration issue to correct on the radio. We had an amazing 17 people checking in, including 5 in (or near the shack), and one GOTA, which was actually a surprise, but more on that later. The net participants were: Zoe (KC3ZZW) as both an outstanding Safety Monitor and Net Control operator, Jon (KD2YKT) though he had some comms issues, yours truly (KC3FOX), Howard (AA3WD), Brian (KB3BMC and Club President), Steve (W3MEG and all around great guy), Robert (KB3KTA and club Vice President), Collin (KC3SPF and club rascal), Helene (WA0CGZ and first lady of the club?), Sophia (KD3CHC), Brian (KD3BTQ and part time auto-mechanic) Elliot (KD3BFE) Samantha (GOTA under KD3BFE) Charles (KD3DAY calling in from Baltimore!!), Arnold (K3TEL portable from TOWSON! This repeater has some RANGE to it), Than (KD3CYW), and Will (W3RJX, who could only show up for a few minutes, but stayed for a lot longer cause time is immaterial I guess). There were a LOT of great commentary about ARRL Field Day a couple of weeks ago, and thanks to Robert (KB3KTA) for his hard work setting up the W3APL event, and mentions of Brian (KB3BMC) and Helene (WA0CGZ) getting their next level certs (WHOO HOOO Congratulations!!).
The question of the month was what Major Historical event were you there for? This could be just about anything that was news worthy, though I think a lot of what is news worthy appears to be tragic events… Covid memories and Artemis Astronauts, the DART program in real time, the 2024 eclipse (and sometimes multiples of eclipses), to work on the Hubble Space telescope, and sad days like the Columbia and Challenger disasters, Columbine shootings, and the DC/Beltway sniper events. Many times that changed lives forever. There was a funny anecdote about people realizing something that was tragic and local, was news all over the country and they didn’t realize more people heard about it.
As we were winding down the net ,we had the surprise GOTA check in from Samantha. Surprise being that we had not heard anyone check in when we called for GOTA, and suddenly she called out using someone else’s (her husbands) callsign as “KD3BFE Unit 2!!”. We were seriously unsure what was happening and if we had two people with the same call sign. However, when we got it straightened out, it was great having her on the air, and hope to hear her in future nets, maybe as a Technician in the near future. Unlike what Sophia (KD3CHC) says, we only ENCOURAGE people to get their next level license.
The net ended at 6:45 PM, and still had people calling out to each other afterwards to discuss things. You can tell the fellowship in this club, and it makes my heart happy. Thank you for everyone that joined, and look forward to the next net!! See you next month!
73!! ~KC3FOX Sends
]]>It was a fun night for the monthly net, not the highest numbers, but still very respectable. However the question of the month I think had a great deal of sentimental pull. Everyone was discussing people in their lives who made a difference. I sincerely hope that someday someone would be as passionate about us, as we are to our mentors. However, here’s to your Net Report:
We started PROMPTLY at 5:30 pm with Will (W3RJX) as the net control. We had a couple of early difficulties with equipment, but they were quickly resolved before the net started, and even gave us plenty of time to clear the repeater prior to the start. We had 11 attendees including Jon (KD2YKT), Brian (KB3BMC, and club President), Yours Truly (KC3FOX), Steve (W3MEG), Mike (B3RMO), Bob (KC3ZSA), Zoe (KC2ZZW), Brian (KD3BTQ), Javi (W3JAV and club Treasurer), and while ALMOST missing the net, we had a late check-in from Sophie (KD3CHC). We had ONLY 4 in the shack, which is about the lowest numbers in a while, however it is always a fun time in the shack whether its 2 or 22. We hope to see you in person in the shack in the near future. During our first round, we had great discussions on activities we are engaging in, including POTA activities (Jon, Brian, Zoe and I), RTTY contesting by Brian including being asked if he was going to be joining a RTTY contest soon (he is making a name for himself). Interestingly Bob (KC3ZSA) who is a NWS Spotter was looking into Baltimore Skywarn training, an area of interest for members of the net. It might be an interesting Bacon and Baluns event, if we could get it set up. Of course, we also had Will (W3RJX) enjoying the fact that his heavy college workload has been eased as he is finishing up his classes and can spend his time on the airwaves.
However, the question of the month really was the highlight of the night (in my humble opinion). We asked “Who was a mentor/teacher that inspired you”. The answers ran from elementary school teachers who really taught something interesting, or motivated a student to achieve. Steve (W3MEG) talked about a music class in which the teacher first taught a method of learning music that sounded like sign language! Many people talked dearly about professional mentors both in academia and in the professional world that motivated them to look into specific career fields or following advanced degrees. Sophie (KD3CHC) talked about a teacher who set a desk on fire! I hope it was a cool demonstration and not attempted arson…. Just saying!
We finished off the net at 6:18 and sadly had no “Get On The Airs”, though Brian (KB3BMC) had one but the GOTA had some college work they needed to do. I am not certain that was the best choice…. Ham radio or college home work…. Always choose Ham Radio! We also learned an interesting lesson from Zoe (KC3ZZW) last night. Her HT had a setting in for “Hot Key” timeout, which limited the length of time she could key the radio until it shut off. If you weren’t listening to repeater after the net, you missed her rendition of the ABC song in phonetic alphabet (we needed to have her talk for over 30 seconds…).
See you next month! 73!! ~KC3FOX Sends
]]>In May of 1907, there were heated reports in a magazine called “Electrical World” documenting authorities legal limitations on amateur radio operators maliciously interfering with a government station in Washington DC Navy Yard. I am certain that they never would have expected 7.200 Mhz over 100 years later. In response, the amateur radio community started making a conscious effort to improve their reputation with the general public, assisting with emergency communications.
May 1914, Hiram Maxim announced a new organization formed to relay radio communications from his home in Hartford Connecticut and Buffalo, New York, and to expand “throughout the country”. This organization, originally called the United Amateur Radio Relay League was then called the American Radio Relay League.
In May 1917, the US Navy banned all private radio listening and sending, raising questions about the governments authority to do so. This action prompted many amateur radio operators to join the military where their skills were in high demand during the war.
The 1947 Atlantic City Radio Conference, held from May 16 to October 2, 1947, was fighting over the low end of the VHF spectrum between 44-108 MHz. The FCC moves our 2.5 meter band to 144-148 MHz (over the ARRL’s objections) because they want it to be next to government & military allocations. On November 15, 1945, amateurs are allowed back on the air–but just on 10 & 2 meters only.
There is an interesting article in the Oswego County Today detailing the upcoming Museum Ships Weekend (June 6th and 7th). Hams across the United States will set up on or near decommissioned Navy Ships, including Battleships (as this is hosted by the Battleship New Jersey ARA). Very cool event, and more information to follow. ‘Ham’ Operators Around the World Connect During Oswego Event June 6
As announced in the January 2026 issue of QST, ARRL is celebrating a year-long Worked-All-States operating event celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary. I have my HamAlert currently set to track W1AW, and get reports daily, if not hourly, so take advantage!! ARRL America’s 250th WAS Award
ARISS will transmit images from Series 32 utilizing the SSTV system on the International Space Station (ISS). This event will run May 8th through May 12th (Friday through Tuesday) on 437.55 MHz, using Robot 36 format.
W3APL had a very active month last month. Collin (KC3SPF) coordinated a Bacon and Baluns excursion to Washington DC for a POTA Bonanza.
There is a specific park that was picked out that was 7 overlapping parks, which we counted as a 7-fer. We had park to parks, where we advised them, we were a 7-fer park with 5 operators. You could hear that jaws hitting the floor.
We had a few members of our club get their next level licenses, and Will (W3RJX) completed work on a clubs 2m portable station that is able to be checked out by club members in good standing. We had club members attend HamFests including the Maryland Mobileers hamfest.
We also participated in both the WAS250th and the ARISS Series 31 SSTV event, as well as off the cuff contacts including Will (W3RJX) contact with Valeri (R5AJ) a Ham Radio operator and Youtuber in Moscow Russia.
And of course our well received Monthly Net…
May 7th, 2026 @5:30pm, the W3APL Monthly Net (of course!)
May 8th through May 12th (Friday through Tuesday) - ISS SSTV Series 32 - ARISS will transmit images from Series 32 utilizing the SSTV system on the International Space Station (ISS). This event will run May 8th through May 12th (Friday through Tuesday) on 437.55 MHz, using Robot 36 format.
May 9 through 10th, 2026 - Armed Forces Day Cross Band Test - Department of Defense - The Department of Defense will host this year’s Armed Forces Day (AFD) Crossband Test, scheduled for May 9, 2026. This annual event is open to all licensed amateur radio operators and will not impact any public or private communications. For more than 50 years, military and amateur stations have taken part in this event, which is an interoperability exercise between hobbyist and government radio stations. The AFD Crossband Test is a unique opportunity to test two-way communication between military communicators and radio stations in the Amateur Radio Service (ARS), as authorized in 47 CFR 97.111. These tests provide opportunities and challenges for radio operators to demonstrate individual technical skills in a tightly controlled exercise scenario that does not impact any public or private communications.
May 15th-17th – Dayton Hamvention - If you feel like traveling, one of the largest HamFests in the country will be happening May 15th- 17th in Xenia, Ohio (about 7 ½ hour drive from APL… but if you carpool… ). More information can be found at https://hamvention.org/.
Saturday May 23rd - Hike Across Maryland (HAM) – Frederick ARC is supporting the Mountain Club of Maryland by providing communications support to the 41 mile, One day, Appalachian Trail traverse from Pen Mar to Harpers Ferry. More information, no real information currently, but can be found on the FARC Website: https://frederickarc.org/
May 30th through 31st – Technician Class - Carroll County Amateur Radio Club - CCARC will be hosting a two day Technicians training course at the Carroll County Public Safety Training Center (50 Kate Wagner Rd, Westminster, MD 21157). More information ccarc.k3pzn@gmail.com.
Saturday May 30th - Combo Foxhunt and Emergency Locator Transmitter Hunt – Frederick ARC is hosting a Combo Foxhunt and Emergency Locator Transmitter Hunt. No real information currently, but can be found on the FARC Website: https://frederickarc.org/
June 4th, 2026 @5:30pm, the next W3APL Monthly Net
No ARRL contests for this month.
There are a number of worldwide events that can be found at https://www.contestcalendar.com/fivewkcal.php
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