Blossomland Amateur Radio Association

10/23/2026

Are you going to work the contest this weekend?

📡🏆 **CONTEST CORNER — CQ WORLD WIDE DX SSB 2026!** 🌍

The bands are about to get seriously busy!

This weekend, 24–25 October, thousands of radio amateurs around the world will take part in the CQ World Wide DX SSB Contest — one of the biggest events in the amateur radio calendar.

🎙️ **When:** Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 October

⏰ **Times:** 00:00 UTC Saturday to 23:59 UTC Sunday

📻 **Bands:** 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 metres

🔊 **Mode:** SSB (voice)

🌍 **Exchange:** Signal report + CQ Zone

Whether you're chasing a new DXCC country, testing your antenna or simply looking to make a few international contacts, this is one weekend worth getting on the air!

💡 **Top tip:** Watch 10 and 15 metres during daylight for long-distance openings, then explore 40 and 80 metres after dark. Check whether the DX station is operating split before calling.

🔧 **Getting your station ready?**

From HF antennas and low-loss coax to headsets, connectors and station accessories, Moonraker has plenty to help you get the most from your operating weekend.

📣 **Who's taking part this weekend? What's your target DX country?**

10/09/2026

Net Activation Announcement

Thursday, October 8, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT (1600 UTC)

Activation Time: Friday, October 9, 2026, at 8:30 AM EDT (1230 UTC)

Due to poor 20-meter propagation in recent days, and solar flares this morning, HWN plans to operate on both 20 and 40 meters.

Operating Frequencies

20 Meters — 14.325 MHz USB
Operations will begin at 8:30 AM EDT (1230 UTC) Friday and continue on this frequency as long as propagation permits. If continued operations are needed, HWN will resume on 20 meters at 8:00 AM EDT Saturday.

40 Meters — 7.268 MHz LSB
Operations will begin at 8:30 AM EDT (1230 UTC) Friday. HWN normally concludes 40-meter operations at 7:00 AM ET to accommodate the Waterway Net. Once that net has concluded, and if continued operations are necessary, HWN will resume 40-meter operations Saturday morning.

During activations, HWN collects and relays measured or estimated weather information directly to forecasters at the National Hurricane Center. Requested reports include:
• Maximum sustained winds and gusts
• Wind direction
• Barometric pressure
• Rainfall amounts and duration
• Storm surge
• Damage assessments
• Other significant information that helps forecasters understand conditions on the ground

As a reminder, please do not focus only on the hurricane’s category. Know your flood risk, never drive through flooded roads, and be prepared for tornado warnings.

HWN also handles Health and Welfare traffic and provides backup communications for Emergency Operations Centers, Red Cross shelters, and other agencies, including critical damage-assessment information as requested.

Other Nets Operating
WX4NHC — National Hurricane Center Amateur Radio Station
14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz
Website: http://wx4nhc.org/

VoIP Hurricane Net
IRLP Node 9219 / EchoLink WX-TALK Conference Node 7203
Website: http://www.voipwx.net/
Additional VoIP access:
• AllStar: 28848
• EchoLink: KC5FM-R
• Hams Over IP: 15154
• Amateur Wire: 30415154
• NZSIP: 57715154
• Mesh Phone: 5728803
• DMR TGIF: 31207
• Fusion: 31027
• APRS: KC5FM-9

Updates or changes to these operational plans will be posted at https://www.hwn.org and through HWN social-media channels, including Facebook and X.

A special thank-you to the amateur radio community and to the Nets helping keep 14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz clear. Your cooperation is vital as we serve those in harm’s way.

Kind Regards & God Bless,
Bobby Graves
KB5HAV
Net Manager
Hurricane Watch Net

09/27/2026

Set up for communications at the Apple C***r Century Ride!

09/17/2026

Be prepared!

Amateur Radio During a Power Outage

When the power goes out, amateur radio can still help people stay connected. With backup power, a charged handheld, a simple antenna, and a plan for local repeaters and emergency frequencies, ham radio can remain a useful communication tool when normal systems are unavailable.

Being prepared ahead of time makes all the difference.

Is your ham station ready to operate during a power outage?

09/05/2026

The countdown is on! Two weeks from today will be the BARA Trunk Swap at Five Pines Ministries in Berrien Center.

6597 Smith Rd
Berrien Center, MI 49102

Talk-in on the 146.82 W8MAI repeater (- 600 offset, 88.5 PL)

09/04/2026

The X-26 is here…well, for reservation anyway. At what price point do you think it will be? Put your guess in the comments.

Product Link: https://hro.net/RU5vczFIYjF
ICOM IC-7110. HF/50/144/430MHz All Mode Mobile Transceiver
**Reservation Only**

HF/50/144/430 MHz All Mode Coverage - SSB, CW, RTTY, AM, FM, and D-STAR DV, with 100 W (HF/50 MHz) / 50 W (VHF/UHF) output and FM broadcast/airband reception.

Introducing the ICOM IC-7110. . The IC-7110 is a new HF/VHF/UHF all-mode transceiver designed to perform in every operating environment, from the shack to the vehicle dashboard. Covering HF through 50/144/430/440 MHz in SSB, CW, RTTY, AM, FM, and D-STAR DV mode. The IC-7110 delivers 100 W output on HF/50 MHz and 50 W on VHF/UHF. It pairs serious RF performance with modern usability. It features a bright 4.3-inch color touchscreen with real-time spectrum scope and waterfall display. You also get true dual-watch operation across HF/VHF and HF/UHF bands, making it a versatile choice for operators who want one rig to handle everything from casual FT8 sessions to full D-STAR digital voice communication.

See all our products here: https://www.hamradio.com

08/08/2026

Set up at the Sister Lakes Lions 60th Anniversary!