The National Traffic System (NTS) will soon be evaluated with new tools to help improve system performance. The ARRL is developing a web-based Performance Analysis Tool (PAT) to ultimately improve speed and accuracy of the traffic system. Additional training materials will also be developed to improve NTS performance. Once the new tools are complete, the ARRL will hold a test exercise to measure their effectiveness.

Source: ARRL NTS Letter

Log Book of The World (LoTW) has returned to service after a lengthy outage. ARRL is asking users to refrain from uploading large amounts of QSOs for a few weeks in order to minimize the potential backlog of uploads. In addition, users are asked to remove duplicates from their logs to help further reduce server load. Planned downtime is expected through the rest of the year to further enhance the service. Users can contact LoTW-help@arrl.org for assistance.

Source: ARRL

Flight of the Bumblebees CW contest takes place Sunday, July 28, 2024. The four hour event encourages home stations to work QRP CW bumblebee stations swarming in the field and vice versa. Operation takes place on the 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meter bands with a maximum output of 5 watts. Stations planning to operate portable should register for a Bumblebee Number.

Source: Adventure Radio Society

AllStarLink has announced a major update to their software, AllStarLink 3 (ASL3). Now in beta, ASL3 upgrades the popular repeater and hotspot software from Asterisk version 1.4 to version 20, a 15 year leap in PBX phone system technology. Asterisk is the backbone of AllStarLink driving a network of repeaters, hotspots, and base stations all connected via voice over internet protocol (VoIP). ASL3 is now capable of running on both X86_64 and arm64 hardware, physical and virtual. Additional improvements include:

• Runs as non-root user
• Supports Debian 12 and future updates
• Improved EchoLink support
• Reduced microSD wear

Learn more about ASL3.

Source: AllStarLink

Grant application deadlines for programs sponsored by both the ARRL and ARDC are nearing.

The ARRL's Club Grant Program which is part of the ARRL Foundation encourages amateur radio clubs to apply for grants that will help improve communities through the promotion of amateur radio. Clubs do not have to be affiliated with the ARRL or be organized as a 501(c)(3) to apply. Grants can range up to $25,000. The deadline for applications is July 26th.

July 1st is the next deadline for grant applications submitted to ARDC. After July 1st, the next application window deadline will be September 1st. ARDC grants aim to support amateur radio through education and research with a focus on science and technology. International entities and US 501(c)(3)s are eligible. Learn more on the ARDC website.

Key dates:

• ARRL Club Grant Program application deadline: July 26, 2024. Apply here.
• ARDC grant program application deadlines: July 1, 2024 and September 1, 2024 Apply here.

Source: Amateur Radio Daily

The 2024 Pacific Northwest DX Convention takes place August 9th through 11th in Everett, Washington, US. Registration is open with early bird pricing ending July 9th. A sample of presentations include:

• How Not to Get in the DXpedition Log
• The Business End of DXpeditions–It’s Only a Hobby!
• The storied History of DX

The full program is available to view on the Pacific Northwest DX Convention website.

Source: Pacific Northwest DX Convention

The 24 hour period beginning 12:00 UTC Saturday July 13th marks the start of the 2024 IARU HF World Championship Contest. The goal of the contest is to contact as many amateur radio stations as possible utilizing the 160 meter band all the way up to the 10 meter band.

The complete set of rules is available on the ARRL website.

Source: WIA

Software Defined Radio Academy (SDRA) will be presenting June 29th at HAM RADIO 2024 with a full program of presentations. A few of the topics include:

• How to Squeeze the Maximum Out of Old Architecture
• GNU Radio Project Update
• An introduction to KA9Q-radio open source Linux SDR library
• High Resolution Propagation Measurements Using a WSPRSONDE-8 beacon and a RX888 SDR
• DMR Tier III base station - transceiver in software defined radio

The full program can be viewed on the SDRA website and will be live streamed on the SDRA YouTube Channel.

Source: Software Defined Radio Academy

ARDC seeks to fill a Technology Department Manager role to manage 44Net as well as internal IT systems.

Experience and history with amateur radio and the Internet is required. Many of the people we work with, projects we take on, and communities we make grants to are rooted in amateur radio, and our particular realm of focus intersects heavily with the information technology and hacker communities. Applicants without an active amateur radio license will not be considered.

Experience working with nonprofits and/or open-source technology projects is required. There are nuances of working in nonprofit and community-driven environments, including participation in open-source technology projects, that can only be learned through experience – such as collaborative decision-making and best practices in engaging with open-source development. Experience in one or both of these areas is required for this role; applicants without such experience will not be considered.

Source: ARDC

Meme Appreciation Month is an on-air event for young hams to "spread joy & cheer to all the good little hams on the RF spectrum." The event takes place June 15 through August 15 on all the Megahertz. Awards are available and can be checked here.

The shenanigans started 2022 with the first ever Meme Apprecation Month and iconic callsigns such as VB4LIGMA, VB3YEET, VC9CATGIRL, VC3RIKROLL, VC3DEEZ and many more. The second event in 2023 birthed callsigns such as VC9FEMBOY, DZ2NUTS, PD33ZDOGE and DL0NGCAT.

You're probably wondering what a meme is. More info on this event.

Source: Meme Appreciation Month

The Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club (SARC) conducts the New Ham Net each Wednesday that's geared toward helping new ham radio operators gain confidence in their operation skills. The net is available worldwide on Echolink node K9IIK-R (575848) and AllStarLink node 27833. Hams in the Chicago area can pick up the net locally on 145.230 MHz (PL 107.2 Hz). New Ham Net takes place Wednesdays at 7:00 PM CDT.

Source: Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club

The Alexander association in Sweden is celebrating Alexanderson Day on June 30th 2024 with CW transmissions on 17.2 kHz utilizing the SAQ radio transmitter that was first used in 1924. At that time the transmitter was used to transmit across the Atlantic ocean to Long Island, NY, USA.

Messages are scheduled to be transmitted at 09:00 UTC and 12:00 UTC on June 30th. If you can't hear the transmissions over the air, the event can be viewed live on YouTube.

Test transmissions may take place on June 28th. QSL reports will be accepted. An amateur radio station, SK6SAQ, will also be on the air to mark the event.

More information can be found on the Alexanderson Day webpage.

Source: The Alexander association

Update: The recording of the Q&A session can be viewed on YouTube.

AMSAT will host "social gatherings" on YouTube and Twitch June 21-23. The events are designed to provide an opportunity for the community to ask questions and provide comments. Hosted by AMSAT Vice President of Engineering Jerry Buxton (NØJY), topics will include the GOLF and FoxPlus projects, among others.

To participate, visit the AMSAT YouTube and N0JY Twitch channels during the following times:

• Friday June 21 19:00-21:00 UTC
• Saturday June 22 00:01-02:00 UTC
• Saturday June 22 19:00-21:00 UTC
• Sunday June 23 00:01-02:00 UTC

Source: AMSAT

Shortwave Radiogram program 358 will transmit digital and text images over shortwave frequencies June 13-19. The program utilizes MFSK modes transmitted from WRMI in Florida and WINB in Pennsylvania. The following lineup will be followed:

• 1:46 MFSK32: Program preview
• 2:52 MFSK32: More phony than real US newspaper sites
• 7:38 MFSK64: Low-income New Yorkers rely on cell for internet
• 11:33 MFSK64: This week’s images
• 27:54 MFSK32: Closing announcements

See the program 358 page for frequencies and times.

Source: Shortwave Radiogram

TX Factor has released it's 30th show which marks 10 years of creating engaging video content for amateur radio operators. Originating out of the United Kingdom, TX Factor covers many aspects of the ham radio hobby through professionally produced 60 minute episodes released a few times per year.

The 30th episode covers a look at operating the QO-100 geostationary satellite, the QTH of the Sidmouth Amateur Radio Society, and a review of the Yaesu FTM-500D.

Source: TX Factor

Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club and the Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation have announced their annual scholarship recipient promoting high school seniors interested in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

Mateo Olin Ferreira, a graduating senior at Orcutt Academy Charter High School, was awarded the 2024 scholarship at Santa Barbara Courthouse on Monday, June 3. Ferreira is set to graduate with a 4.0 GPA and plans to attend Allan Hancock College for initial credits before transferring to California State University, Long Beach to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Business.

The scholarships awards up to $1,000 to one or more recipients each year. Donations to the scholarship fund can be made through the Santa Barbara Wireless Foundation website.

Source: KEYT

Radio Club de la Sarthe is on the air as TM24H through June 16th celebrating the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. TM24H will be active across all bands and utilize SSB, CW, RTTY, PSK, and FT8. In addition, look for TM24H on the QO-100 geostationary satellite. A special SQL card will be available. See the TM24H QRZ page for additional details.

The 24 Hour of Le Mans is an endurance sports car race spanning 24 hours that takes place each year at the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France.

Source: Radio Club de la Sarthe

The CQ Pride special event is on the air celebrating pride month and inclusion in amateur radio.

CQ Pride is intended to be a relaxed event accessible to operators of all skill levels, qualifications, and equipment. Inspired by events like Meme Appreciation Month and 13 Colonies, CQ Pride will include several special event callsigns for you to log.

The special event runs June 7-17. Collecting all 4 QSL cards will combine to form a special poster. More details including callsigns, bands, and modes.

Source: Pride Radio Group

The 13 Colonies Special Event returns for 2024 and will take place July 1-7. 13 special callsigns will be on the air, each one representing one of the original 13 British colonies that were first established in 1607. Three additional bonus callsigns will be on the air representing Great Britain, France, and Philadelphia.

Certificates will be available whether you work one or all colonies. The bonus stations are not required to earn a clean sweep.

More information is available on the 13 Colonies Special Event website.

Source: 13 Colonies Special Event