Special Events & Info for Ham Radio Operators
How Amateur Radio Reinvented Itself Since 2007
Technology and creativity have combined to create many advancements in amateur radio over the past 20 years. This evolution has brought new capabilities in emergency communications, weak signal propagation, portable operations, custom equipment, and radio networking and has also expanded opportunities for attracting new licensed operators and growing the hobby. Check out our list of 10 of the Most Popular Amateur Radio Activities Introduced in the Past 20 Years (2007-2026).
5 Steps for Receiving Photos from the International Space Station
Don’t miss the fun of recieving electronic images from the International Space Station (ISS) during this month’s special event which ends on Oct 25. During a three-day period starting Oct 22, you can capture several unique photos using equipment you likely already possess. Read our one-page summary of the event which includes the five (5) steps for receiving photos via Slow Scan TV (SSTV) from the ISS.
AmateurRadioEvents.com Completes its First Year!
AmateurRadioEvents.com was launched on March 4, 2025. Learn more about its first year one and what’s to come on our About page.
New Digital Net!
The National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators recently made updates to the General Class and Extra Class question pools. Visit the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators Question Pools link on our Test Prep Events page for more details and to access the pool questions.
Good luck! Be sure to reach out to an area club for help with preparation and test testing!
Amateur Radio Licensing Test Pool Questions Updated
Leaders from 26 amateur radio clubs across Northeast IL contributed to our brief survey of in recent weeks. Thank you! The survey’s goal is to help them learn more about the efforts and opportunities within area clubs to attract and retain individuals to our hobby and their groups. A portion of that data has been published on our Club & Net Events page.
We hope you find the results interesting and that they might spark ideas among all of us for how we can further create fun, learning opportunities to attract individuals to our hobby and clubs.
We are considering a future survey aimed at area radio operators which might bring insights into areas in which you most hope to grow experience and skills, connect with fellow hams, and find support from area clubs.
Survey of Northern IL Club Leaders just Completed
ARRL Online Radio Auction
Over 200 items are available through the 21st annual ARRL Online Auction through Oct 22. Proceeds benefit ARRL education programs.
What Contest?
Have you ever listened on high frequency and heard ‘CQ Contest’? What contest are they enjoying, what are the rules, and what are the exchange requirements? All that can be found at www.contestcalendar.com hosted by WA7BNM which covers worldwide contests and includes dates/times, rules, links, and more.
Talk with the International Space Station (ISS) Crew
With some effort and patience, any ham radio operator can have the unforgetable experience (and bragging rights) of having spoken with a member of the crew on the International Space Station (ISS).
While it’s rare that they have scheduled time to chat with ham radio operators, it is not uncommon for the crew to take to the radio during their down time. The best times for making contact are between 18:30 and 19:30 UTC and on weekends.
Set your radio to 437.800MHz downlink and 145.990 MHz uplink (CTCSS 67hz) and give it a try with your favorite Yagi antenna while using an app that tracks the ISS passes during those time slots (ISS Spotter, GoISSWatch, ISS Dectector, etc.). Then, set your alarm and listen for those magic words, “Wecome to the ISS”. More details are available from Amateur Radio of the International Space Station (ARISS).
Join the Year-long, ARRL, Worked-All-States 250th Anniversary Celebration
In conjuction with ARRL’s 2026 Year of the Club and our nation’s 250th Anniversary, enjoy contacting operators accross the US. Find more details here.
2026 Ham Radio Period Table of Contest Events!
Happily, our hobby doesn’t need to be expensive to be fun. Of course, there are plenty of ways to spend money on our amateur radio hobby and it can add up quick. That said, amateur radio operators embrace the idea of knowledge sharing and the exchange of resources. This includes many software tools, guides and technical documents, learning events, and more.
Whether you are a deeply experienced operator or a newly licensed ham, it’s worth exploring 25 Things Every Ham Radio Operator Can Get for Free. It’s likely you know a few of these already.
