ARRL

• Kopernik Observatory Seeks Amateur Radio Operators to Track August 19 Balloon Flight

  Amateur radio operators in western New York and other northeastern states have an opportunity to help track an educational balloon. Drew Deskur, KA1M, Director of the Kopernik Observatory, a public observatory and informal STEM education center in Vestal, New York, said the balloon was expected to be launched August 19 at 10 AM Eastern (1400 UTC) with Automatic Packet Reporting System (ARPS) an...

• The ARRL Solar Update

  Weekly Highlights and Forecast, August 17, 2026, by NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center:
  
  Solar activity ranged from very low to low levels throughout the
  period. No R1 (Minor) or greater events were observed. The largest
  flare was a C8.2/Sn at 16/1928 UTC from Region 4506. An associated
  CME was observed in LASCO C2 imagery following the C8.2 flare, but
  analysis is ongoing in order to determine an...

• Colombian Amateurs Help in Earthquake Response; Clear Frequencies Requested

  ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® reports that amateur radio operators in Colombia are providing significant communications support following the major earthquake and aftershocks that struck the country on August 10, 2026. The death toll has reportedly exceeded 200 people, with many more still missing, and major damage is reported to buildings and infrastructure.

  International Ama...

• ARRL Year of the Club Contests Celebrate Outstanding Club Websites and Newsletters

• ARISS Receives Challenger-7 Recognition

  ARISS, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, has been honored with the prestigious Challenger-7 Recognition, a national honor celebrating organizations whose work reflects the spirit, vision, and values of the seven crew members of the Space Shuttle Challenger mission STS-51-L.

  “This recognition is a tribute, not a competition,” says the Challenger Center. “It honors those who embody...