Monthly Net News July 9th, 2026

This month in Amateur Radio History

• 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.

Radio News

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…

W3APL Last Month’s Events

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…

Upcoming Events

I think the radio world takes July off from events… but not Will (W3RJX)

• July 9th, 2026 @5:30pm, the W3APL Monthly Net (of course!)
• July 11th 2026 9am to Noon-ish – Bacon and Baluns. The well received W3APL meet up starting as breakfast at Mikey and Mels (8191 Maple Lawn BLVD, Fulton MD), followed by fun and exciting activities at the Ham Shack, until we have to go home.
• July 11th (Rain date August 1st)– Sugarloaf Mountain Summits on the Air (SOTA) excursion – This excursion is directly following the Bacon and Baluns event, so you don’t have to make a choice between the two. Located about an hour drive from APL, Sugarloaf Mountain has beautiful vistas, and not a difficult hike up. There is a small (optional) request for park entrance in cash. Afterwards, Will (W3RJX) is coordinating a 5-7mile group hike, and a get together. Flyer has been released on Slack with more information, or contact Will (W3RJX)
• July 17th-19th – Spruce Knob Summits on the Air (SOTA) excursion – A bit of a longer excursion, but a chance for some outstanding views and skywatching at night on Spruce Knob West Virginia. Located about 4 hours from APL, with actually a very short hike up to the top of the mountain, the event should be an outstanding excursion to take your radio for a walk. This “camping” event combines both Amateur Radio and Amateur Astronomy clubs at APL. Participants are free to come and go, and local lodging is available for those who do not wish to camp. Flyer has been released on Slack with more information, or contact Will (W3RJX) Aug 6th, 2026 @5:30pm, the next W3APL Monthly Net

Upcoming Contests / QSO Parties

QSO Parties

Alabama - Alabama QSO Party - 1500Z, Jul 25 to 0300Z, Jul 26, 2026

Contests

• July 11-12, 2026 - 1200 UTC Saturday - 1159 UTC Sunday - IARU HF World Championship - To support amateur self-training in radiocommunications including improving amateur operating skills, conducting technical investigations, and intercommunicating with other amateurs around the world, especially IARU member society headquarters stations, using the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meter bands.

SPECIAL EVENTS STATIONS

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:

• Jun 11-Jul 19, 0000Z-2359Z, Football/Futbol On The Air - the 2026 World Soccer Tournament - W1C, W2C, K0C, K4C, W5C, VC3F and VB7F, W5C is on 14.074. Certificate & QSL. Ron Franklin , 120 PR 22223, Whitney, TX 76692. [email protected]
• Jun 12-Jul 19, 0000Z-2300Z, World Soccer Tournament - WM3PEN, Philadelphia, PA. Holmesburg Amateur Radio Club. 14.276 7.276. QSL. Bob Josuweit, 3341 Sheffield Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19136.
• Jul 4-Jul 10, 1400Z-2359Z, Annual Convention of the National Speleological Society - K9V, Corydon, IN. K7NSS. 7.195 14.285 7.050 14.050. QSL. John DeRoo K4VER, 2029 Silvastone Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30345. We plan to work through the day on 4th and 5th; Holiday style thereafter.
• Jul 11, 1400Z-2000Z, Colonial Williamsburg Special Event - K4RC, Williamsburg, VA. Williamsburg Area Amateur Radio Club. 7.265 14.265. Certificate. Williamsburg Area Amateur Radio Club, P.O. Box 1470, Williamsburg, VA 23187.
• Jul 11, 1700Z-2359Z, NI6IW, San Diego, CA. USS Midway Museum Ship CV-41 COMEDTRA NI6IW. 7.250 14.320 14.070 PSK31 DStar on PAPA System Repeaters. QSL. USS Midway Ship Museum CV-41 COMEDTRA NI6IW, 910 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101.
• Jul 12-Jul 13, 1400Z-2000Z, Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 K8R, Struthers, OH. Struthers Regional Operators of Amateur Radio - W8RAR. 14.270 7.240 14.074 7.074. QSL. Struthers ROAR, 9011 Market St. Suite G, North Lima, OH 44452. The Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 is expected to stop in Struthers approximately: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Eastern Time The K8R Special Event Station will be located immediately adjacent to the train stop location, allowing visitors to experience both the historic locomotive and amateur radio operations.
• Jul 13-Jul 27, 0001Z-2359Z, SCOPES “MONKEY” TRIAL - W4B, Dayton, TN. K4DPD. 14.265 14.040 21.265 21.040. QSL. Rob Frailing, 920 Lone Mountain Dr., Dayton, TN 37321. Celebrating the 101st year of the legendary “Scope’s ‘Monkey’ Trial” held in Dayton, tn, in July 1925.
• Jul 13-Jul 19, 1800Z-0100Z, Warrick County 4H fair - W4H, Boonville, IN. Warrick Auxcomm. 14.320 SSB. QSL. Steve Connaughton, 7677 Jenner Rd, Chandler, IN 47610. Celebrating the Warrick County, Indiana, 4H fair. Additional frequencies and modes may be used depending on band and weather conditions. Operating times will be mostly in the late afternoons and evenings, Central Time.
• Jul 17-Jul 21, 1300Z-2200Z, W3A Commemoration of Apollo 11 Live TV From the Moon that Allowed the World to See Mankind’s First Steps on the Lunar Surface K3NEM, Middle River, MD. Amateur Radio Club of the National Electronics Museum (ARCNEM). 14.269 14.069 7.269 7.069. Certificate & QSL. ARCNEM, c/o Fred Heath AI3Z, 202 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd., Severna Park, MD 21146-1368. WW-2.us
• Jul 18, 1000Z-1400Z, CEDAR POINT LIGHTHOUSE ON THE AIR K3HKI, Lexington Park, MD. St. Mary’s County Amateur Radio Association. 7.205 Mhz 14.230 Mhz 21.300 Mhz 28.335 Mhz. QSL. SMCARA, P.O. Box 364, California, MD 20619.
• Jul 18, 1330Z-2100Z, NS Savannah Launch Anniversary - K3S, Port of Baltimore. Nuclear Ship Savannah ARC. 7,14,18,21,28 MHz. QSL. Ulis Fleming, 980 Patuxent Road, Odenton, MD 21113.
• Jul 20-Jul 25, 1300Z-2000Z, EAA Airventure Worlds Largest Airshow - W9ZL, Oshkosh, WI. Fox Cities Amateur Radio Club. 7.250 14.275 50.150. Certificate. FCARC W9ZL special event station, PO Box 2346, Appleton, WI 54912. FCARC.club
• Jul 20-Jul 26, 0000Z-2359Z, The Brickyard 400 - Race Three - W9IMS, Indianapolis, IN. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway ARC. 3.840 7.245 14.245 18.140. Certificate & QSL. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Amateur Radio Club, P.O. BOX 30954, Indianapolis, IN 46230.
• Jul 30-Aug 9, 0000Z-2359Z, Carnation Festival Special Event - W8LKY, Alliance, OH. Alliance Amateur Radio Club. 7050 7220 14050 14250. Certificate. Alliance Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 94, Maximo, OH 44650.
• Aug 1, 1100Z-1700Z, 1813 Battle of Fort Stephenson - W8B, Fremont, OH. W8NCK. 7.040 7.265 14.040 14.265. Certificate. David Dyke, KZ4CW, 2783 E. State St, Fremont, OH 43420.
• Aug 5-Aug 9, 0000Z-2359Z, King Midget Micro-Car 80th Anniversary - K8M, Athens, OH. Athens Co. OH ARA. 7.245 14.245. QSL. K8M, 97 Columbia Ave, Athens, OH 45701. Celebrating the smallest street-legal motor car ever made in America.

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