Amateur Radio Daily

MacOS App Transceive 1.4 for AllStarLink Released

2026-05-12T00:00:00Z

The following is an update from Georges (WH6AZ) announcing the release of Transceive version 1.4, a MacOS app that brings AllStarLink to Mac users.

This release includes several meaningful improvements, with a focus on long-term stability and hardware support.

Here’s what’s changed:

New: Universal binary (native support for Apple Silicon and Intel). This is a significant milestone. Native Apple Silicon support improves efficiency while ensuring the app remains stable and maintainable on future macOS versions.
New: Reorder nodes with simple drag and drop
New: Add a memo to a node entry
Fix: DNS lookup issues when nodes use non-standard ports
Update: Authentication updated for AllStar public access
Improvement: More reliable node reachability indicators (green/red status updates more consistently, with less need to refresh)

Editor's Note:

Keep an eye out for WH6AZ's upcoming app, Radio Messenger, which aims to bring a modern messaging feel to amateur Radio.

The approach here is pragmatic. RF delivery is always the priority, but internet delivery can serve as a fallback. If a message doesn’t get through, it can be held briefly and delivered later via push notifications.

The goal isn’t to replace radio with the internet, just to make the experience less brittle.

Source: Island Magic Co.

Radio Club of America Announces 2026 Young Professionals

2026-05-11T00:00:00Z

Radio Club of America (RCA) has Announced their 2026 Young Professionals, honoring 5 industry innovators under the age of 40. The 5 recipients are Precious Fodor, Andy Huyhn (KA6NDY), Max Johnson, Sean Martin, and Chris Vargas. Their experiences range from Land Mobile Radio to broadcast engineering.

Learn more about the 2026 Young Professionals on the RCA's website.

Source: Radio Club of America

New Book: Satellite Operating for Amateur Radio

2026-05-10T00:00:00Z

Tony Milluzzi's (KD8RTT) book Satellite Operating for Amateur Radio was released this week by the ARRL and is now available for purchase both through the ARRL and Amazon.

The book offers a step-by-step introduction to satellite based operation for hams new to satellite while tackling advanced topics such as FT4 and D-STAR for experienced operators.

I’ve learned so much from the satellite community, and this book is my way of passing that along to others,” said Milluzzi. “I hope it helps a ham who has always been curious about satellites take those first steps to get on the air.”

Source: ARRL

Rhizomatica Releases Mercury, a Fully Open-Source Modem for Digital on HF

2026-05-08T00:00:00Z

The following is a press release from Rhizomatica:

May 2026 — Rhizomatica is pleased to officially launch Mercury, a completely open-source Digital Radio OFDM protocol for HF broadcast and peer-to-peer ARQ connections with compatible TCP interfaces, built for reliable store-and-forward email and file transfer over HF radio links. Mercury is the newest element of the HERMES software suite, actively developed by Rhizomatica since 2017, with generous funding from ARDC and others.

Mercury is written in C, released under a GPL-3.0 license, and features a modular architecture with per-direction mode selection, hybrid SNR + delivery feedback-based gear-shifting, split control/data channel design, and uses field-proven FreeDV digital data modes, with each mode kept resident in a pool, eliminating codec re-initialization overhead. Pre-built binaries are available for Windows and Debian operating systems and Mercury is suitable for use with most HF transceivers and completely compliant for amateur use.

In early tests, compared to the commercial alternative, Mercury has performed well and is nearly at parity in optimal SNR conditions and outperforms the alternative in poor SNR conditions.

Not only has Rhizomatica developed a fully open-source software modem, they have done so to empower communities in need of their own communication infrastructure. We are proud to have supported Rhizomatica in this work, and very excited to see it now available to the amateur community and others around the world using HF for critical communication. —Rosy Schechter (KJ7RYV), Executive Director of ARDC.

I am very pleased to see Rhizomatica using the FreeDV data modes combined with their own custom ARQ protocol to send data over low SNR HF channels. It is great to see Rhizomatica embracing those waveforms, and spreading the use of open source in HF Data. —David Rowe (VK5DGR), inventor of Codec 2 and FreeDV.

More information can be found from the following sources, or by contacting Rhizomatica directly using the Contact information provided below.

MAILING LIST https://lists.riseup.net/www/info/hermes-general
SOURCE CODE https://github.com/Rhizomatica/mercury
YOUTUBE DEMOS https://www.youtube.com/@rhizomatica_communications/playlists

CONTACT

Peter Bloom - General Coordinator of Rhizomatica. peter@rhizomatica.org
Dr. Rafael Diniz (PU2UIT) - HERMES Lead Developer & Project Coordinator. rafael@rhizomatica.org

ABOUT
Rhizomatica Communications is a US-based non-profit with the mission to support communities to build and maintain self-governed and owned communication and energy infrastructure. https://www.rhizomatica.org

HERMES
is an open-source software stack created by Rhizomatica to make it easier to use HF/shortwave radio for digital communications. Since 2017, together with social organizations and remote communities around the world, Rhizomatica has been designing, building and testing HERMES to create reliable, secure, long-range, autonomous voice and digital communications. https://hermes.radio/

Source: Rhizomatica

The Adventure Begins in Xenia: Hamvention 2026

2026-05-04T00:00:00Z

By Michael Kalter (W8CI) Xenia, Ohio

The World’s Greatest Amateur Radio Event Returns to Ohio

Every May, tens of thousands of radio adventurers from every corner of the globe descend on a fairground in southwest Ohio to celebrate one of humanity’s most enduring and electrifying pursuits. Hamvention® — officially the Dayton Hamvention®, though it has called Xenia home since 2017 — is the world’s largest amateur radio gathering, and the 2026 edition promises to be the most exciting yet. With the theme of Radio Adventure, this year’s event invites everyone, from the seasoned DX chaser to the curious first timer, to explore the limitless possibilities of the radio spectrum. If you have ever wondered what amateur radio is all about, or if you are a licensed ham looking to rekindle your passion and discover what’s new, Xenia, Ohio, is where you need to be on May 15, 16, and 17, 2026.

Hamvention® is not a trade show or a niche convention. It is a living, breathing community — part festival, part classroom, part marketplace, and part reunion. More than 30,000 attendees and visitors from across North America and around the world gather each year at the Greene County Fair and Expo Center, transforming a quiet Ohio city into the international capital of amateur radio for one unforgettable weekend.

What is Hamvention?

For those new to the hobby, Hamvention® is the annual convention organized by the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) and sponsored by a remarkable army of volunteers. Its roots run deep — the very first Hamvention® was held in 1952 at the Biltmore Hotel in Dayton, Ohio, making 2026 a celebration of more than seven decades of this cherished tradition. Inside the sprawling fairgrounds complex, attendees find more than 500 indoor commercial exhibits showcasing the latest equipment from major manufacturers and innovative small vendors, and more than 2,500 outdoor flea market spaces where buyers and sellers trade everything from brand-new transceivers to vintage tube radios and hard-to-find accessories. Multiple forum tracks run throughout the three days, covering topics from satellite communications and emergency preparedness to digital modes and antenna design. FCC license exams are offered on-site. Live demonstrations, prize drawings, and special event stations make every hour feel packed with possibility.

Amateur Radio in 2026: A Hobby Transformed

Amateur radio has never been more alive. As of early 2026, the FCC reports more than 736,000 active individual amateur radio licenses in the United States alone, and globally, over three million licensed operators are active across more than 160 countries. The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU), founded in Paris on April 18, 1925, now represents member societies on every inhabited continent, and the 2026 World Amateur Radio Day theme — Advancing the Spirit of Amateur Radio Through Innovation — captures the restless energy driving the community forward.

The hobby has evolved dramatically in recent years. Digital modes like FT8 rewrote what “weak signal” communication means, allowing operators to make transcontinental contacts with just a few watts of power. Experimental modes like FT2 are already being discussed in labs and forum threads. Software-defined radios (SDRs) have put sophisticated spectrum analysis tools in the hands of anyone with a laptop. Mesh networking on VHF and UHF bands is enabling hams to build their own internet-independent communication infrastructure. Machine-learning-assisted decoders are pushing the boundaries of what the human ear — or any radio — can resolve from noise. And Parks on the Air® (POTA), an activity that barely existed a decade ago, has exploded into a global phenomenon with tens of thousands of activators setting up portable stations in parks, forests, and wilderness areas around the world.

These innovations are on full display at Hamvention®. Whether you want to hold the latest Software Defined Radio in your hands, talk to an engineer designing the next generation of amateur satellites, or watch a live POTA activation from the fairgrounds, 2026’s event is where the cutting edge of the hobby comes to meet you.

A Hobby Without Age, Without Borders

One of the most remarkable things about amateur radio is how completely it transcends the boundaries that divide so much of modern life — age, nationality, background, and language. At Hamvention®, you will find ten-year-olds who just passed their Technician exam standing next to eighty-year-old Extra class operators who have been on the air for six decades. You will hear accents from Brazil, Japan, Germany, Australia, and dozens of other nations. The language of radio — the universal exchange of signal reports, call signs, and camaraderie — cuts through every barrier.

Youth engagement in amateur radio is surging. Globally, organizations like Youngsters on the Air (YOTA) run camps and contests specifically designed for licensed operators under the age of 26, drawing participants from Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The World Organization of the Scout Movement’s annual Jamboree on the Air is the largest scouting activity on earth, with roughly half a million Scouts and Guides making radio contacts each October. The World Wide Young Contesters organization brings competitive radio sport to young Europeans. And closer to home, the ARRL’s Youth on the Air camp program, held annually in North America, draws licensed young operators from across the Western Hemisphere for a week of hands-on training, cutting-edge operating, and mentorship.

At Hamvention® 2026, the ARRL Youth Rally on Saturday, May 16, is designed for students ages 11 to 21 and offers a hands-on afternoon of satellite communications, a sprint contest, a fox hunt, and the chance to make contact with a parachute-mobile station. Registration is just $20 and includes a T-shirt, badge and lanyard, reusable tote bag, and a complimentary three-day Hamvention® admission ticket. It is one of the best single investments a young ham — or a parent of a curious kid — can make.

One of the most beloved and enduring youth traditions at Hamvention® is the Radio Club of America (RCA) Youth Forum, a Saturday morning institution that has run for more than three decades. Founded and long moderated by legendary amateur radio educator Carole Perry, WB2MGP — a Fellow and Director of the Radio Club of America, past Hamvention® Ham of the Year, and recipient of the ARRL Instructor of the Year Award — the RCA Youth Forum is unlike anything else at the event. Each year, seven to eleven carefully selected young ham radio operators, some as young as nine or ten years old, take the stage to deliver polished presentations on their accomplishments, experiments, and passions within the hobby. Past presenters have spoken on topics ranging from satellite communications and high-altitude ballooning to digital radio modes, antenna homebrew, emergency preparedness, and promoting ham radio in their schools and communities around the world.

The RCA Youth Forum is open to all Hamvention® attendees and is consistently one of the most inspiring sessions of the entire weekend. The young presenters — who earn the honored title of RCA Young Achievers — receive recognition, prizes, and networking opportunities that often launch lifelong careers and friendships in radio and technology. Sponsors including Icom America have long supported the forum, providing presenters with equipment gifts and personalized recognition. Perry, who taught “Introduction to Amateur Radio” for nearly thirty years at a New York middle school, has said it best: “The Youth Forum is where we showcase our best and brightest young hams. Come support the future of our hobby and service!” For anyone who wonders whether the next generation is embracing amateur radio, an hour in the RCA Youth Forum will answer that question beyond any doubt.

Internationally, Hamvention® draws visitors from dozens of countries every year. It is the event where a ham from Poland might swap antenna-building techniques with an operator from Japan, where a British contesters share foxhunting tips with a Brazilian DXer, and where the global community of radio adventurers feels, for three days, like a single neighborhood.

At Hamvention®, the global amateur radio community becomes one neighborhood — ten-year-olds, eighty-year-olds, and everyone between them, speaking the universal language of radio.

New & Exciting Activities Showcased at Hamvention® 2026

Hamvention® is the best place in the world to discover what is happening right now in amateur radio, and 2026’s lineup reflects a hobby in the midst of a genuine renaissance. Here is a sample of what awaits: Parks on the Air® (POTA). The POTA phenomenon has transformed how hams think about portable operating. Across multiple dedicated forums and live outdoor demonstrations, attendees can learn how to set up a field station anywhere from a city park to a remote wilderness, make contacts with stations around the world, and log activations toward awards and achievements. POTA forums at Hamvention® routinely fill large indoor spaces — a testament to how much excitement the activity has generated.

Satellite Communications. AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, presents an annual forum and exhibit covering the current status of amateur satellites in orbit, upcoming launches, and how any ham with a modest handheld radio can make contacts via low-Earth orbit birds. The 2026 ARRL Youth Rally will feature live satellite communication demonstrations, giving young attendees a chance to make contact through a bird hundreds of miles overhead.

Emergency Communications. Hamvention® has always taken seriously amateur radio’s vital role in emergency preparedness. Forums and exhibits cover ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service), mesh networking for disaster communication, and the latest digital tools that help hams provide communications when commercial infrastructure fails. This is radio that saves lives — and Hamvention® is where the people who do this work share what they know.

Software-Defined Radio and Digital Modes. SDR technology has made it possible for anyone to explore the radio spectrum in ways previously reserved for engineers with expensive equipment. Exhibitors and forum presenters will showcase the latest SDR platforms, discuss emerging digital modes, and demonstrate how machine learning is beginning to assist in signal identification and decoding.

Special Event Station. Throughout the weekend, a special event station operates on the air from the Hamvention® grounds, giving visitors the thrill of making contacts from one of the most famous call signs in the world during the most famous radio weekend of the year.

FCC License Exams On-Site. One of Hamvention®’s most practical offerings is the opportunity to sit for your FCC amateur radio license exam right at the fairgrounds. Whether you are a first-timer going for your Technician ticket or an operator upgrading to General or Amateur Extra, volunteer examiners are on-site all three days to administer the test.

Essential Information: Hamvention® 2026

Dates: Friday, May 15 – Sunday, May 17, 2026
Hours: Friday & Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Sunday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Greene County Fair & Expo Center, 120 Fairground Road, Xenia, Ohio 45385
GPS / Navigation: Latitude 39.7021, Longitude -83.9420
Gate Admission: $30 per person (one ticket covers all three days — Friday through Sunday)
Sunday Admission: FREE — Sunday, May 17 is free admission for all attendees
Children 12 & Under: Free with a ticketed adult, no ticket required
Students (Jr. High – High School): Free ticket available at the Will Call window
ARRL Youth Rally: $20 registration (Saturday, May 16) — includes 3-day admission, T-shirt, badge & tote
Parking: Free parking included with all admission tickets
Email: info@hamvention.org
Website: hamvention.org

Ten Compelling Reasons to Attend Hamvention® 2026

Still on the fence? Here is why no radio enthusiast — or anyone curious about radio — should miss this event:

The World’s Best Radio Flea Market. Over 2,500 outdoor vendor spaces offer everything from brand-new transceivers to vintage tube equipment, antennas, cables, test gear, and parts that simply do not exist anywhere else. If you are looking for something specific, the Hamvention® flea market is where you will find it.
500+ Indoor Exhibits. Every major manufacturer of amateur radio equipment sets up indoors, allowing you to hold, test, and compare radios, antennas, amplifiers, and accessories before you buy. Hamvention® is where new products are often announced and launched.
Expert Forums and Presentations. Dozens of forum sessions cover everything from satellite operations and contesting to antenna theory, digital modes, emergency communications, and the science of radio propagation. Attend a morning session and come away with knowledge that would take months to accumulate from books.
Get Your Ham License Right There. Volunteer examiners offer FCC Technician, General, and Amateur Extra class exams on-site all three days. There is no better setting to take the plunge and join the community.
Sunday Is Free. Not sure if you want to commit to the full weekend? Show up Sunday, May 17 (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM) for zero cost. Browse the flea market, explore the exhibits, and get a taste of the world’s greatest ham radio gathering at absolutely no charge.
Incredible Value. A $30 gate ticket buys you admission for all three days, including all forums, all exhibits, the flea market, the prize drawing, and free parking. There is no separate charge for any of the educational programming.
A Truly International Experience. Hamvention® draws visitors from dozens of countries. You will meet hams from Japan, Germany, Brazil, Australia, Poland, and beyond. The friendships formed in the aisles of the flea market and the seats of the forum rooms are the heart of the global amateur radio family.
Youth Programming That Inspires. The ARRL Youth Rally on Saturday is a highlight of the weekend, offering young operators and curious students a hands-on afternoon of satellite contacts, fox hunts, sprint contests, and community. Children 12 and under are always free, and student tickets through high school are also free at the gate.
The Dayton Area Is Worth the Trip. Xenia sits between Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton, with easy access from three airports. While you are in the area, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton — the world’s largest aviation museum, open daily and completely free — is a short drive away. The Dayton Art Institute and historic Carillon Park are also nearby.
You Will Leave Inspired. More than anything else, Hamvention® changes the way you see the hobby. The energy of 30,000 enthusiastic people who share your passion, the sight of new technology that excites your imagination, the conversation with a fellow operator from the other side of the world — these are experiences that no online purchase or YouTube video can replicate.

Come Find Your Frequency in Xenia

Amateur radio is one of the few pursuits that is simultaneously a technical discipline, a community service, a competitive sport, a scientific tool, and a deeply personal creative outlet. It spans age groups and national borders with an ease that few human endeavors can match. And three times a year, for one May weekend in Ohio, it all comes together in a way that simply has to be experienced.

Whether you are a licensed ham who has attended for thirty years or a curious newcomer who just discovered what a radio can do, Hamvention® 2026 has something for you. Come early. Stay late. Walk every aisle. Sit in on a forum. Say hello to a stranger with a call sign badge and a smile. And on Sunday morning, if you haven’t made up your mind yet, walk through the gates for free.

The adventure is waiting. And it begins in Xenia.

Dayton Hamvention® 2026

May 15–17
Greene County Fair & Expo Center, Xenia, Ohio

Tickets & Information

hamvention.org
info@hamvention.org
Gate Price: $30 (3-day)
Sunday: FREE

73 — Good luck, and we’ll see you on the air.

Source: Hamvention

Fediverse Meet-up at Hamvention 2026

2026-05-01T00:00:00Z

Members of the Fediverse are invited to join fellow users at Hamvention 2026. An informal meet-up will take place Saturday, May 16th at 11:00 AM. We'll meet in front of booth 1506 in Building 1, aka the Maxim building. Thanks to KB6NU for helping to organize!

(Booth 1506 is home to Zero Retries and DLARC. Thanks to Steve and Kay for allowing the use of their booth as a rendezvous point!)

I'll be at the meet-up with stickers. Hope to see you there!

What is the Fediverse and how does it relate to ham radio? The Fediverse is a collection of social networking sites that communicate with one another in a decentralized way. It's an open source alternative to centralized social networks such as Facebook and X. There are several ham radio themed Fediverse instances with thriving communities of radio amateurs:

You can find me on the Fediverse at https://mastodon.radio/@K4HCK.

Source: Amateur Radio Daily

Building the TinyDX – With a Little Help From AI

2026-04-28T00:00:00Z

By Chris Bolton (M0KNF)

The TinyDX is a miniature FT8/4 QRP ~1W transceiver designed to be powered and operated via a USB connection to a smartphone/tablet running an FT8 app such as FT8TW for android or IFTX for IOS. It is able to operate on any 2 of the HF “high” bands, 20M, 17M 15M, 12M, 10M which are defined by the builder during the software configuration process. The TinyDx does not have CAT control but uses the transmit audio signal to switch the PA and receiver during the transmit/receive cycle. Band and mode are selected via 2 hardware switches on the main board.

Designer Barbaros (Barb) Asuroglu WB2CBA has shared the design on GitHub with all of the necessary fabrication files for the boards to be built and populated by the PCB manufacturer JLCPCB. The cost of having the boards built by JLCPCB is around £30 per set for an order quantity of 5 sets plus shipping. Choosing this option just leaves the individual to connect the pre-built boards together and load the bootloader and firmware as per the instructions on Barb’s blog.

To load the software the builder should be familiar with the Arduino IDE platform and the use of the Arduino UNO to install the bootloader and a USB to TTL adapter to load the software. For those with experience in this area it’s a simple enough task but for those who haven’t, it does present a bit of a learning curve as well as the additional cost for the programming devices ~£30.

As an alternative option to having the TinyDX factory built, I decided to embark on a trial hand build using unpopulated boards from JLCPCB and components from trusted sources such as Digikey and Mouser. I ordered 10 sets of PCBs and components with a view to offering the spares to anyone at my local club who might be interested in having a go themselves. Sourcing the right components turned out be quite a challenge as the part numbers supplied by Barb are specific to the JLCPCB parts library. I wasn’t fully aware of this until I finished the Tx board and started testing that I realised there was a major problem. I managed to trace the issue to excessive current draw on the supply to the VFO which turned out to be due to the wrong crystal type. Barb helpfully pointed out the error of my ways and pointed me to the searchable parts library on the JLCPCB website.

The TinyDX consists of 3 tiny PCBs that have been designed to be stacked and soldered together via 2 x 6 long pin headers. This approach makes it extremely difficult to separate the boards for any subsequent fault finding or rework. So for the trial build I used low profile turned pin headers and sockets to enable the boards to be easily separated. Most of the discrete components are 603 pitch which are probably the smallest sized components that can be soldered by hand. I adopted the approach of soldering each component in order of height starting with the ICs and then the discrete devices by type and value eg all of the 10k resistors, all of the 10nF capacitors etc thus slowly building up the boards with small groups of components. I found that that this approach helps to ensure that the right value components are placed in the correct locations. All of the components were soldered using a Lexivon LX-771 butane gas torch fitted with a catalytic nozzle and low temperature solder paste.

With all 3 boards completed and “sandwiched” together, initial testing commenced connecting the TinyDX via its USB connection to a PC running WSJTX. The TinyDX was identified as a USB sound card with power supplied to the transceiver via the same USB connection. A red LED on the board blinks briefly on start up to indicate that the AT328P microcontroller has initialised and a blue LED flashes to indicate when the sound card is being used by WSJTX. The receiver appeared to be working well with a clean signals displayed and decoded on WSJTX but, the TinyDX would not respond to tune or transmit commands.

I was confident that the fault was not a design related issue so my thoughts turned towards workmanship or the possibility of another component selection error. To rule out workmanship issues I built a 2nd TinyDX and observed exactly the same problem of no transmit which at least gave me confidence that at least I had a repeatable build process. In the absence of any detailed summary of circuit operation I copied the TinyDX code into the Gemini AI platform. I had never used AI in this way before and was amazed at how well it was able to provide an overview of how each of the key hardware components and the code worked together. During my ongoing conversation with the AI “bot” it offered to produce a test script that could be used to test the TX switching routine through the Arduino IDE serial monitor. I accepted the offer and loaded the TinyDX with the AI generated code, enabling me to trace the fault to the voltage bias level on the Tx switching signal being too high. So, after rechecking my components placing against the circuit diagram, I returned to the JLCPCB website and uploaded the fabrication files for the board to check the component placing for the factory build process and... Eureka! I could see that there was an error on the PCB’s silkscreen in that the locations for the 2 resistors that form the 10:1 voltage divider had been transposed.

With the resistors correctly placed and the Tx switch operating as expected I put the TinyDX into operation and was astonished to get a response to my first CQ call on 20M from an operator in Italy quickly followed by more QSOs into Eastern Europe.

For me the enjoyment is in the challenge of the build and the learning along the way, but there’s no doubt that the TinyDX offers the mobile operator the ultimate in convenience and portability for FT8 operations.

Source: M0KNF

Hamlib Named Winner of the 2026 Amateur Radio Software Award

2026-04-26T00:00:00Z

The following is a press release from the Amateur Radio Software Award:

The Amateur Radio Software Award (ARSA) committee is proud to announce that the Hamlib project has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Amateur Radio Software Award. This year’s award honors the outstanding work of the current core developers: Nate Bargmann (N0NB), George Baltz (N3GB), Daniele Forsi (IU5HKX), and Mikael Nousiainen (OH3BHX).

The annual ARSA award recognizes software projects that enhance amateur radio and promote innovation, freedom, and openness in amateur radio software development. Hamlib was selected for its long‐standing and essential role in enabling software to interface with transceivers and other controllable devices. For more than a quarter century, Hamlib has provided a unified, reliable way to send control commands and read device status. Despite its age, the project remains actively maintained, with new radios and devices added regularly. Hamlib continues to be the go-to library for both established and emerging amateur radio applications.

About Hamlib

Hamlib provides stable, flexible shared libraries that simplify the development of amateur radio equipment control applications. Many modern transceivers include serial (RS‐232, USB, etc.) or Ethernet/Wi‐Fi/Bluetooth interfaces that allow software‐based control. Hamlib abstracts these interfaces, making it significantly easier for application developers to interact with radios, rotators, amplifiers, and other controllable devices. From WSJT‐X and Fldigi to JS8Call, Log4OM, and CQRlog, today’s widely used amateur radio applications are built on Hamlib.

Nate Bargmann (N0NB) notes that “over the lifetime of the project there have been several principal developers. Its founder is Frank Singleton, VK4FCS. Stéphane Fillod, F8CFE, and until about a year ago Mike Black, W9MDB (SK), were successive principal developers.”

Bargmann reports that the current long‐term support branch will receive the 4.7.1 release in the coming weeks, adding support for new radio models and improving existing ones. Work on Hamlib 5 is also underway. The new major version will introduce some backward‐incompatible changes to isolate internal structures and align with modern best practices, including breaking the C ABI. Discussions are ongoing regarding potential API changes, and feedback from client developers is encouraged.

“There is no set date for a release of Hamlib 5.0.0,” Bargmann adds, “but hopefully within the next year seems possible.”

Learn more about Hamlib at https://hamlib.github.io/.

Special Event Station

To celebrate Hamlib’s selection as the 2026 award recipient—and to encourage nominations for the 2027 Amateur Radio Software Award—the ARSA committee will operate the special event station K7A from November 27 through December 7, 2026.

About the Amateur Radio Software Award

The Amateur Radio Software Award is an annual international award recognizing software projects that enhance amateur radio and promote innovation, freedom, and openness in amateur radio software development.

Award Committee

Claus Niesen, AE0S (since 2020)
Kun Lin, N7DMR (since 2020)
Rich Gordon, K0EB (since 2021)
Sebastian Delmont, KI2D (since 2026)

For nomination guidelines, event schedules, and information about past winners, visit https://arsaward.com.

Source: Amateur Radio Software Award

Linux Kernel Drops AX.25 and Amateur Radio Subsystem Support

2026-04-24T00:00:00Z

Earlier today Linus Torvalds merged a pull request to remove AX.25 and hamradio subsystem support from the Linux kernel. While the headline sounds ominous, most modern AX.25 implementations occur in software at the user level without relying on the kernel level implementation. Direwolf, for example, does not require kernel level AX.25 support. Other software relying on AX.25 may take advantage of dedicated AX.25 Python libraries.

The change comes as a result of AI based bug detection services capable of identifying critical issues among code that may no longer be maintained or utilized by end users. Torvalds stated that the amateur radio related code in the Linux kernel no longer had any active maintainers:

Amateur radio did have occasional users (or so I think) but most users switched to user space implementations since its all super slow stuff. Nobody stepped up to maintain the kernel code.

According to typesense the last Linux kernel commit related to AX.25 was 6 years ago.

Additional code removed includes ISDN support, bus mouse support, and various network drivers including support for old 3Com devices.

Source: Phoronix

Icom Teases X-026 Radio to be Revealed at Hamvention 2026

2026-04-23T00:00:00Z

In a reel posted to Facebook, Icom has teased a new radio, the X-026 to be revealed at Hamvention 2026. Dubbed as a "concept mock-up," the radio appears to be a mobile rig based on the focus of a vehicle through most of the video. The radio also appears to have a detachable faceplate and support multiple antenna inputs.

From hamlife.jp:

It is a separate machine that separates the main body from the main body and the operation part (display) from the image, and the operation part has four dials around the display (upper, lower and right), and the lower left part is a large size. From its shape, it seems to be a different model from the 144 / 430MHz band D-STAR / FM mobile machine "ID-5200" exhibited at last year's "Ham Fair 2025".

Source: Icom

Hams to Honor Police and Emergency Medical Personnel with Special Event

2026-04-22T00:00:00Z

The following is a message from David (VE3KGK):

From May 10 to May 16 a small group in SW Ontario will be putting on the special call sign VB3COPS during Police Services Week to honor and thank all Police Personnel for what they do for us daily, and from May 17 to May 23 we will be putting on special call sign VB3EMS during Emergency Medical Services Week to honor and thank all our First Responders for the job they do daily for which we seldom get to thank them.

Information will be available on QRZ.com under VB3COPS and VB3EMS.

Logs will be uploaded to eQSL after the end of the events. Paper QSLs will also be available.

Source: VB3COPS

📡 DXLook Gets a Full Rebuild — Same Map, Sharper Everything

2026-04-21T00:00:00Z

The following is a press release from DXLook:

After a lot of work behind the scenes, DXLook has been completely rebuilt and is now live in production.

👉 https://dxlook.com

This isn’t just an update. It’s a full rewrite of the frontend — the part you interact with — designed to make the site faster, cleaner, and much easier to use across all devices.

What changed?

If you’ve used DXLook before, the idea is the same:
A single place to see real-time propagation using data from PSK Reporter, WSPR, RBN, DX Cluster, POTA, SOTA, APRS, and space weather.

What changed is how it feels to use it.

The site loads faster
Mobile finally behaves like a proper mobile app
Tablet users now get a real layout (not just a stretched phone view)
Widgets are cleaner and more stable
Navigation is more predictable

Nothing you rely on is gone — it just works better.

What’s new for operators

A few things you’ll notice right away:

Band Activity widget
- A quick way to see which bands are active and where, using DXLook’s data.
Improved layout and controls
- Less overlap, less jumping around, more focus on the map.
Better Events page
- Easier to use when planning operating activity.

Why this matters

The previous version of DXLook had grown a lot over time, and it was starting to show its limits.

This rebuild removes those limits.

It means:

Faster updates and improvements going forward
Better performance on all devices
More flexibility to add new features and tools

In short, this is the foundation for what comes next.

A quick note

This is a fresh release.
If you notice something off, it’s probably real — and feedback is welcome.

About DXLook

DXLook is a free, ad-free, web-based tool for amateur radio operators to visualize real-time propagation and activity across multiple data sources, all in one place.

Built and maintained by
Rodrigo Vazquez — AK6FP / LU6ERV

73,
Rodrigo – AK6FP / LU6ERV

Source: DXLook

SteppIR Returns to Amateur Radio Market

2026-04-20T00:00:00Z

In a message posted to the SteppIR website, the company has announced their return to the amateur radio market. SteppIR originally exited the amateur radio market back in June of 2025. Going forward, their products will be available through online sales.

We will be bringing back select antennas that will be purchased as kits on our website – Urban Beam Yagi 40m-6m (dipole on 40m/30m), 3 element Yagi 20m-6m, 4 element Yagi 20m-6m. The 3E and 4E Yagi will also have the 40/30 loop dipole option available.

Warranty and services will accompany new sales.

Source: SteppIR

ARDC Hiring for Software Developer and Technical Writer Roles

2026-04-18T00:00:00Z

ARDC is seeking qualified candidates to fill upcoming contract roles dedicated to software development and technical writing.

Both roles will focus on ARDC's 44Net service up to 20 hours per week for 2 months with potential for contracts to extend further. ARDC is looking for candidates with 2-5 years experience and familiarity with ARDC and 44Net. An amateur radio license is also required.

For more information and how to apply, see the full job descriptions on the ARDC website:

Source: ARDC

DXtra.com Announces New Features

2026-04-17T00:00:00Z

The following is a list of new features announced by DXtra.com:

A Ham radio callsign lookup feature based on the FCC database
Included the fleet of USA ham repeaters with computed Longley-Rice coverage maps
Added a section on FM "Tropo" - tropospheric ducting DX reception with a live FM band scanner. We display a map of CONUS with a live tropo forecast and stat analysis.
Added a lookup for all NWS weather stations with coverage maps
Added the main Public Service emergency frequency database with coverage maps
Enhanced the Disaster Simulation page (Ashville) with additional communication assets
Added USA TV fleet with coverage maps

Here at DXtra we have developed a new free to use radio portal with a variety of frequency databases and visualization tools.

Source: DXtra

Balloon Launch with Amateur Payload set for April 18th

2026-04-16T00:00:00Z

Edge of Space Sciences (EOSS) and Intro2Space will launch a balloon with an APRS payload on April 18th. The balloon will launch from Metro State University of Denver in Colorado and carry an APRS beacon utilizing callsign AEØSS-4. In addition to the APRS playload, the balloon will carry an ADS-B beacon and sonar experiment.

The predicted flight path can be viewed here.

A preflight net will take place on the Fun Machine linked repeater system, TGIF talkgroup 815, and Echolink node CANONCTY.

Edge of Space Sciences (EOSS) formed in 1990 and has been launching high altitude balloon experiments on behalf of universities, colleges, high schools and middle schools for over 26 years.

Source: Edge of Space Sciences

ITU Corporation Acquires Cushcraft, Hy-gain from MFJ

2026-04-15T00:00:00Z

The Linton News is reporting that ITU Corporation has acquired the Cushcraft and Hy-gain brands from MFJ Enterprises. ITU will move manufacturing from Mississippi to a recently purchased facility in Linton, Indiana and will bring 50 new jobs to the area.

I am thrilled to pass the torch of these legendary antenna brands to Dave & Kambi Carpenter and their team at ITU Corporation. —Martin F. Jue, MFJ President

Source: Linton News

ROC-HAM Radio Network Celebrates 11th Annual World Amateur Radio Day 2026

2026-04-11T00:00:00Z

The following is a message from ROC-HAM Radio Network:

Join us on April 18th for the 11th annual WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY as we celebrate the 101th anniversary of the formation of the IARU in Paris,France.

2026 marks the 11th year I have been putting on this special event marking the formation of the IARU in Paris, France. This event has brought together more than 6,000 contacts over the years. Never did I think for one minute I would be bringing this event to you for more than 10 years. It has been an honor to bring like minded people together and celebrate amateur radio.

Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the the formation of the IARU and this year there is a great theme. “Advancing the spirit of amateur radio through innovation.”

We have come a long way since the inception of amateur radio and the technologies used from the beginning to everything from digital modes to moon bounce to microwave. Loads of different modes of communications and all this done by like minded people using technology to advance communications via technology.

So join us once again to celebrate amateur radio. We will have a limited edition QSL card.

World Amateur Radio Day 2026 – April 18TH – 9AM EST / 13.00 UTC
Echolink ROC-HAM Conference Server Node 531091
AllStar node numbers 2585, 47918, 47620
DMR TGIF Talk Group 2585
Extended Freedom SIP Portal 2585
M0XSV YorkshireSVX Reflector TG2585
We will also be on the HF bands. Go to ROC-HAM.net to find which frequency we will be on.
9AM-11AM - VOIP
11AM - ? - HF BANDS

World Amateur Radio Day 2026

IARU is very pleased to announce the theme of: “Advancing the Spirit of Amateur Radio Through Innovation.” IARU celebrated its centenary in 2025. Since its founding in Paris, France, IARU has worked tirelessly to promote innovation in amateur radio and to encourage the growth of the service in communities throughout the world.

IARU has represented the Amateur Services at international and regional regulatory bodies by relying on our volunteers who come from many countries and communities. IARU has been a sector member of the ITU since 1932 and the work of our volunteers has continued since that date with unmatched success, as was highlighted with the accomplishments at WRC-23.

During our centenary year, we should take time to reflect on the remarkable achievements of radio amateurs over the last 100 years. While the Amateur Services have been in operation for over a century, 1924 was the first year that intercontinental amateur communication became more or less commonplace. Since that time radio amateurs have made unparalleled advances in technology related to the Amateur Services that play a critical role today in sustaining world-wide communications and allow us to respond to global emergencies.

World Amateur Radio Day is an opportunity to reflect on our achievements since 1924. We should celebrate our diverse community and the advances and innovations we have made as we look forward to celebrating the IARU centenary next year.

Source: ROC-HAM Radio Network

AMSAT Announces Hamvention 2026 Activities and Events

2026-04-07T00:00:00Z

AMSAT has announced their lineup of events and activities for Hamvention 2026:

Dinner at Tickets
Thursday May 14 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT at Tickets Pub & Eatery
Informal social event
TAPR/AMSAT Banquet
Friday May 15 $75
Speaker to be announced
AMSAT Forum
Saturday May 16 from 1:50 PM to 3:10 PM EDT in Forum Room 2

More information is available on the AMSAT website.

Source: AMSAT

Open HamClock Backend now Independent of Clear Sky Proxy Data

2026-04-06T00:00:00Z

The following is a message from Open HamClock Backend contributor Chris Smith (G1FEF), with light editing by K4HCK:

Open Hamclock Backend is now fully independent of the original source and does not proxy any data from the Clear Sky Institute server. When the original backend server goes offline in June, anyone using OHB will find their HamClock will continue to work. We've also made some improvements over the original, especially in terms of CPU and memory use. It is now more efficient, so anyone hosting it on their own hardware will see instant improvements.

We have two more items of exciting news to share:

We now have a publicly available OHB server which anyone using HamClock is welcome to use. Just point your HamClock to: ohb.hamclock.app:80

This server is dedicated hardware hosted in a commercial datacenter and is free for all HamClock users to enjoy.

We also now have a website where you can keep track of the latest releases, find instructions on how to use OHB, see who is behind the initiative, as well as how to contact us to provide feedback and ask for assistance:

https://ohb.works/

Source: Open HamClock Backend