ARRL-Roanoke Division

06/06/2026

Retired battleship USS North Carolina is on the air for Museum Ships weekend June 6-7. Look for us as NI4BK on spots like DX Summit.

06/05/2026

Fire up the soundcards! The ARRL International Digital Contest is THIS WEEKEND!

Whether you’re a seasoned digital operator or looking to make your very first FT8/FT4 contacts, this is the perfect weekend to get on the air. From PSK to the newest digital modes, the bands will be packed with action!

▪️When: Saturday, June 6 at 1800 UTC to Sunday, June 7 at 2359 UTC.
▪️Modes: Digital modes include (non-voice) — FT4, FT8, PSK, and more!
▪️The Goal: Work as many stations as possible across the globe on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, and 6 meters.

👉 Get the full rules, log submission details, and resources here: www.arrl.org/arrl-digital-contest

05/29/2026

The CQWW WPX CW Contest kicks off this weekend, starting at 0000 UTC May 30 and running through 2359 UTC Sunday, May 31

If you love fast-paced CW, hunting down rare prefixes, and watching your multiplier stack reach crazy heights, this is your weekend to shine. Whether you're chasing a new personal record, testing out a new antenna array, or just hunting for new DX entities, there’s nothing quite like the roar of the WPX pileups.

Drop your callsign and planned category below—let's see who is hitting the airwaves! 👇

05/25/2026

ARRL honors and remembers the ultimate sacrifice made by those who served in the U.S. armed forces 🫡

ARRL Headquarters will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day. There will be no W1AW code practice or bulletin transmissions on Memorial Day. ARRL Headquarters will reopen Tuesday, May 26, at 8 AM EDT.

Visit the ARRL Special Events Stations database to find on-the-air commemorations for Memorial Day 2026:
🔗- www.arrl.org/special-event-stations

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

On the Air LIVE is back on May 26 at 8 PM Eastern:
👉Portable Satellite Operations

Join ARRL's Education Specialist Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, as you'll explore how to make contacts through amateur radio satellites and the International Space Station (ISS) using portable equipment. You’ll dive into the essential gear—including handheld radios and directional antennas—and discuss the techniques needed for successful space-based communication. Plus, Wayne will show you how to use computer and smartphone apps to accurately track satellite passes in your specific area. Whether you are a newcomer or a seasoned operator, tune in to learn how to work "the birds" right from your own backyard!

REGISTER➡️ learn.arrl.org/events

05/22/2026

Product Review 🔍
▪️Yaesu FTM-150RASP VHF/UHF FM Transceiver ▪️

From Reviewer Ken Campbell, AD2T:

“The Yaesu FTM-150RASP with the Advanced Signal Processor (ASP) feature can get rid of scratchy and/or muddy signals instantly, and it makes mobile contacts much more enjoyable. I was skeptical of the marketing hype on this radio’s ASP, but within 10 minutes of power, it solidly proved how good the feature actually is.”

📖: Read the FULL REVIEW in the June issue of QST Magazine

05/21/2026

QST FREE Article of the Month 🗓️
"Effective Communication — The Crux of Field Day"

Success during ARRL Field Day isn't just about the gear; it's about maximizing communication efficiency and leveraging the year-round skills of your club members. From POTA operators managing pileups to applying air-traffic-control precision to eliminate unnecessary verbiage, effective preparation makes all the difference. Check out Buddy Sohl's, KC4WQ, article to learn how to streamline your club’s operations this year!

READ NOW➡️ tinyurl.com/8r58vv3r

05/21/2026

HamSCI 2026 Oral Presentations Now Available on the ARRL YouTube Channel!

The official recordings for every oral presentation are now live on the ARRL YouTube channel! From advanced ionospheric science to community-driven space weather research, you can catch up on all the incredible insights and technical presentations shared by leading experts at the intersection of amateur radio and citizen science.

Watch Now:
🎥- tinyurl.com/wsez2a9h