The ARRL Letter for October 15, 2026

In this Issue:Florida Hams Provide Communications Support During Hurricane IsaiaseBay Restricts Listings of Radio Equipment, but Exempts Ham-Band-Only GearRadio Club of America Announces Awards and Fellows for 2026PoPping In to 44Net ConnectARRL Announces Change in Rocky Mountain Division LeadershipAmateur Radio in the NewsARRL Live Events and PodcastsAnnouncementsIn Brief...The ARRL Solar ReportJust Ahead in RadiosportUpcoming ARRL Conventions and Major EventsAmateur radio operators from Florida’s Santa Rosa, Nassau, Lake, Pinellas, and Leon Counties played an important role in supporting emergency communications efforts during and following Hurricane Isaias, helping ensure that critical communication capabilities remained available throughout the storm.In Santa Rosa County, volunteer amateur radio operators staffed the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the evacuation shelter at the Milton Community Center. These volunteers provided a communications link between the shelter and the EOC, relaying situational updates and maintaining readiness to support emergency communications should traditional systems become unavailable.Amateur radio operators across the state also supported auxiliary communications efforts, providing additional capabilities to maintain contact with the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee if conventional communication networks experienced disruptions."While traditional communications systems have become significantly more reliable over the years, amateur radio continues to serve as a dependable auxiliary communications resource," said Arc Thames, W4CPD, Santa Rosa County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Program Manager. "When disaster strikes, our volunteers are trained, prepared, and ready to step in wherever we're needed. It's another layer of resiliency that helps protect our communities."Thames also serves as the ARRL Northern Florida Section Emergency Coordinator and the Amateur Radio Liaison to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, supporting the coordination of amateur radio and auxiliary communications resources statewide."During tropical weather events impacting Florida, our Auxiliary Communications team provides volunteer operators to monitor amateur radio communications at the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee," Thames explained. "This ensures that if someone is unable to reach emergency officials through traditional means, we have another way to receive and relay critical information. We always hope we're not needed, but we're glad to be there just in case when all else fails." — Thanks to ARRL Northern Florida SEC Arc Thames, W4CPD, for the aboveThe Santa Rosa County, Florida, emergency operations center was a hub of activity during the response to Hurricane Isaias. [Photo courtesy Arc Thames, W4CPD]Online marketplace eBay has imposed new restrictions on listings of radio transmitting equipment in response to new FCC rules that took effect this week, but responded to ARRL that its new policy will not apply to gear that operates exclusively on amateur radio frequencies. The FCC’s rules are intended to use its equipment authorization program to protect against “national security threats to the communications supply chain” and cover a wide variety of products.In its Third Report and Order issued on July 23, 2026, the Commission makes clear that online marketplaces share in the legal responsibility to assure that unauthorized RF devices are not offered for sale on their platforms. The rules took effect on October 13. Moving forward, equipment subject to FCC authorization must have its FCC ID number submitted to the marketplace and posted with its listing. There are exemptions for posts already online, “small sellers,” and used equipment, but initial messages to sellers from eBay suggested that an FCC ID would be required in order to post a listing for any equipment that transmits RF energy.In response to a request from ARRL for a clarification relating to amateur radio equipment that does not require FCC authorization, an eBay spokesperson provided the following statement:eBay allows the sale of devices capable of operating only on frequencies that the FCC has allocated for use by Amateur Radio Service licensees. As these devices do not require FCC equipment authorization, FCC IDs will not be required for these listings as an amateur licensee may use his or her license to operate such radios.However, two-way VHF/UHF radio equipment capable of operating outside of the amateur frequency bands cannot be imported, advertised, sold, or operated within the United States, including on eBay, without an FCC equipment certification.If eBay inadvertently takes action against listings for devices that don't require FCC IDs and are otherwise authorized, the affected seller should inform eBay and we will assess whether to remove restrictions from the listing.It should be emphasized that the FCC did not change its underlying equipment authorization rules. Amateur radio equipment, except for commercial HF amplifiers, continues to not require FCC authorization. The Radio Club of America has brought together both wireless industry professionals and amateur radio operators for more than 100 years. Each year, it bestows prestigious awards and elevates several members to RCA Fellows. This year, as always, many of those on the list are hams. The award recipients include Dr. Charles C. Counselman, III, W1HIS, who developed technology for making highly accurate GPS positioning widely available; Jay Adrick, K8CJY, who helped develop digital television and serves as Board President of the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting; inventor Charles Kirmuss, WØCBK, who developed digital video and audio recording systems for public safety; Carole Perry Young Professional Award winner and electrical engineer Audrey McElroy, KM4BUN, a longtime proponent of youth in amateur radio; Dr. Ajay Poddar, AC2KG, an internationally-recognized leader in radio science and engineering; Dr. Henry Richter, W6VZA (SK), who developed the communications system for Explorer 1, the first US Earth satellite; and Anthony Rizi, NR1Z, a military and cybersecurity professional and college professor who is also active in ARISS, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station program.This year’s class of RCA Fellows include amateurs Rachel Jones, KO4HLC; Geoffrey Mendenhall, W8GNM; Nick Pennance, N1CKP, and Dominic “Nick” Tusa, K5EF. The award winners and new Fellows will be formally recognized at RCA’s 2026 Technical Symposium and Awards Banquet in New York City on November 21. Visit the club’s website for a complete list of awardees and their biographies.Back in the earliest days of the internet, a whole block of IP (internet protocol) addresses — beginning with 44 — was set aside for amateur radio use. Most of that block of addresses is still there and is managed by ARDC, Amateur Radio Digital Communications. In December of 2025, ARDC launched 44Net Connect, a service intended to make it easy for hams to begin using 44Net addresses for such things as experimenting with digital modes, improving repeater infrastructure, setting up a home lab, and more. In the ensuing months, more than 2000 users have signed up and ARDC is now expanding access by doubling its number of “points of presence,” or “PoPs” around the world, adding new ones in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Sydney, Australia (current ones are in Frankfurt, Toronto, and Dallas). A PoP is a physical access point that connects different networks. “The additional PoPs will expand network capacity and bring nodes closer to users in different parts of the world,” explained Rebecca Key, KO4KVG, ARDC’s Communications Manager. “This can shorten the distance data travels, reducing latency, and improving the overall experience.” “44Net Connect gives licensed hams a simpler way to get a static 44Net IP address without a complicated setup,” adds Key. “We’re seeing it used for everything from personal tinkering to club projects, education, and EmComm.” You can find more information about 44Net Connect, including how to get started, in ARDC’s introductory blog post.Mel Parkes, NM7P, has resigned as Vice Director of the ARRL Rocky Mountain Division, effective October 10, 2026. Parkes was elected in 2025 to a three-year term that began January 1, 2026. He cited health and personal reasons for his resignation.Previously, Parkes served as Utah Section Manager for 22 years, from 1999 until 2021.ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, has appointed Ed James, KA8JMW, of Edgewood, New Mexico, to be the new Vice Director, serving the remainder of Parkes’ term, which runs through December 31, 2028. An ARRL Life Member, James has served in multiple ARRL Field Organization positions, including Section Manager of New Mexico. ARRL is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. Elections are held annually for five of ARRL’s 15 Divisions, with Directors and Vice Directors serving 3-year terms.Mel Parkes, NM7P, at the July 2026 Second Meeting of the ARRL Board of Directors in Windsor, Connecticut. [Greg Sulla, KC1YNI, photo]Amateur Radio in the NewsARRL Live Events and PodcastsOn the Air LIVE Contesting for the Beginning Radio AmateurJoin Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, ARRL Director of Education and Learning, for the October episode of On the Air Live on Tuesday, October 27, at 8 PM Eastern. Wayne will introduce the fun and benefits of amateur radio contesting, with a special focus on how newly licensed hams can get started.Contesting is more than chasing points and making contacts. It’s a great way to improve your operating skills, gain confidence on the air, learn about propagation, and become a more effective operator—all while having a lot of fun. Whether you’re interested in casual operating, awards, emergency communications, DXing, or eventually competing in major contests, contesting can help sharpen skills that