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2025 ARRL Board of Directors Election Results |
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The results of the 2025 ARRL Division elections were announced on Friday, November 21.
In the ARRL Pacific Division, current Director John Litz, NZ6Q (1,270 votes), of Stockton, California, was declared the winner, defeating Bob Vallio, W6RGG (960 votes).
In the Southeastern Division, current Director Mickey Baker, N4MB (1,596 votes), of West Palm Beach, Florida, was declared the winner, defeating Tom Schaefer, NY4I (928 votes), Jim Kvochick, K8JK (774 votes), and Northern Florida Section Manager Scott Roberts, KK4ECR (529 votes).
In the Southwestern Division, current Director Richard Norton, N6AA (1,392 votes), of Topanga, California, was declared the winner, defeating Arizona Section Manager Rick Paquette, W7RAP (1,388 votes). John Kitchens, NS6X (1,623 votes), of Somis, California, who is the Santa Barbara Section Manager, was declared the winner, defeating David Ginsberg, N3BKV (1,162 votes), for the position of Vice Director.
In August, the following incumbents and candidate were declared elected without opposition: In the Pacific Division, current Vice Director Carol Milazzo, KP4MD. In the Rocky Mountain Division, current Director Jeff Ryan, K0RM, and Mel Parkes, NM7P, who ran uncontested for the position of Vice Director. In the Southeastern Division, current Vice Director Andrew Milluzzi, KK4LWR. In the West Gulf Division, Director John Robert Stratton, N5AUS, and Vice Director Lee Cooper, W5LHC — both already serving in these positions.
Winners will assume their roles for terms beginning January 1, 2026.
Members voted online or could request paper ballots. The election was conducted by third party Election Services Co., of Melville, New York — the same company that has conducted ARRL elections since 2022.
ARRL is governed by its Board of Directors. Elections are held for five of the 15 ARRL Divisions each year, for terms of 3 years.
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Saturday: LIVE YouTube Telethon to Support ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology |
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Don’t miss it! The annual YouTube telethon to raise money for the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, beginning at 3 PM EST / 12 PM PST, on the Ham Radio Crash Course YouTube channel, hosted by Josh Nass, KI6NAZ.
Join Nass and several other amateur radio contributors for a fun and entertaining livestream. They’ll cover a variety of amateur radio topics and technology. ARRL Director of Education and Learning Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, will discuss the impact of the Teachers Institute on the educators who have attended the professional development sessions, and how they carry the experience back to their schools to inspire students every day.
Use the following link to visit the YouTube page and set a reminder for Saturday’s livestream: www.arrl.org/telethon.
The ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology is a donor-funded program designed to help classroom teachers elevate their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs through the use of wireless technology. Last year’s telethon raised over $41,000 for Teachers Institute. There were 14 sessions held throughout 2025, with even more planned for 2026.
Donations can also be made early at www.arrl.org/GiveToSTEM.
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Amateur Radio in the News |
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ARRL Live Events and Podcasts |
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On the Air LIVE
ARRL Education Specialist Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, will lead another session in this recent series introducing various methods and modes for emergency communications. During this session, he’ll discuss the digital mode JS8 and how it can be used to send messages to family and friends — even to those who are not hams — outside of a disaster area. The session will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 8 PM Eastern. Registration is required via the ARRL Learning Center at learn.arrl.org.
Up Next: JS8 for Emergencies
📅 Date: December 23, 2025
🕗 Time: 8 PM Eastern / 5 PM Pacific
👉 Register Now | ⏪ Previously Recorded Sessions
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ARRL Audio News
Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday. ARRL Audio News is a summary of the week’s top news stories in the world of amateur radio and ARRL, along with interviews and other features. More info | Listen on Blubrry | Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts. |
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On the Air
Sponsored by Icom
Preparedness Takes Practice
Jessica Crotty, CEO of C. Crane, a northern California company known for designing and supporting quality radios and communication products, visits the podcast in support of her November/December 2025 On the Air article “Confidence in Preparedness Starts with Knowing Your Equipment.” The conversation centers on the importance of not only having a license and a radio, but also knowing the ins and outs of using that radio, long before the day you need it. Listen Now
More info | Listen on Blubrry | Also available on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.
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The ARRL VEC has processed most of the backlog of 2,500+ license applications that could not be filed with the FCC during the recent federal government shutdown (see last week’s ARRL News story). Intermittent outages across several FCC systems — including CORES (used for payments) — may delay processing of new, upgraded, and renewal license applications, as well as individual and club filings. Some FCC search pages may display “Access Denied” or time out. Please be patient and try again as the FCC works to resolve these issues. Candidates who still need an FRN (FCC Registration Number) should continue to visit the CORES website. An FCC alert detailing these ongoing website issues is available here: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/uls-asr-tcns-experiencing-significant-performance-degradation.
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During the entire month of December, many young hams around the world will be active with YOTA — Youth on the Air — as the suffix in their call signs. In the US, look for 1×1 special event calls and regular call signs. Many of these young hams are encouraging other youth to be active on the amateur radio bands. Some will give demonstrations at their schools, introducing ham radio to friends while making QSOs or enjoying a great pile-up. Licensed and unlicensed youth (with the help of a licensed operator) will be making QSOs. Everyone is reminded that this could be the first radio contact ever for some newcomers. Help fill their logbooks! Use this direct link to the DX cluster (already filtered) to spot active stations during December YOTA Month: DYM Stations 2025 hosted by DXSummit.fi.
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| The Battleship Iowa Amateur Radio Association (BIARA) and the Iowa’s Innovation, Engineering and Technology Team (IET) will activate the ship’s original NEPM Navy call sign on December 6 – 7, 2025. In addition, operators on the Battleship Alabama will activate their ship’s original NEMW call sign on the same days. The activations will be in memory of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and all the radio amateurs and aficionados who answered the call, taking their skills into military and civilian war efforts. The Federal Communications Commission has issued a waiver to Section 97.111(a) to allow appropriately-licensed amateur radio operators to work NEPM and NEMW for this limited event. Amateurs are reminded that they may not transmit on the military frequencies issued to NEPM or NEMW. Amateur radio operators must operate within the privileges of their licenses. Licensees of other countries not under FCC jurisdiction are advised to refer to the regulations imposed by their licensing agencies before calling NEPM or NEMW. For more information, frequencies, and the NEPM/NEMW QSL card, please follow the detailed instructions found at biara.org.
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| Get ready for Santa Net 2025! For the 16th consecutive year, The 3916 Nets will be presenting The Santa Net on 3.916 MHz. Girls and boys can talk to Santa Claus, via amateur radio, nightly at 7:00 PM Central starting Friday, November 28, the day after Thanksgiving, through Christmas Eve, December 24. “We enjoy helping young people and their families have a shared Christmas experience that they’ll always remember,” said Pete Thomson, KE5GGY. “Christmastime is a very special time for our nets every year … And we’re thrilled to introduce young people to the excitement of amateur radio.” Youngsters can talk to “Santa at the North Pole” via strategically-placed operators who relay the voice of Santa. Thomson said that The Santa Net is a team effort that involves a number of 3916 Net members. “In our first year, we connected 10 kids to Santa on ham radio and it’s grown steadily since. This year, we’re expecting over 1,000 children to participate.” Prior to each night’s Santa Net, pre-net check-ins can be made at www.cqsanta.com. Third party rules and regulations apply. The Santa Nets are presented annually by The 3916 Nets, which include The Rag Chew Crew, The Tailgaters, and The Freewheelers. For more information on The 3916 Nets, go to www.3916nets.com. For more information on The Santa Net, email KE5GGY at Gmail dot com.
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| ARRL Headquarters will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, November 27 – 28. The ARRL Letter and ARRL Audio News will both be published early this week, on Wednesday, November 26. During the holiday break, W1AW will not transmit bulletins or code practice, and the station will be closed to visitors. ARRL HQ will reopen on Monday, December 1, at 8 AM EST (1300 UTC). Members can continue to take advantage of many services at www.arrl.org. Happy Thanksgiving! |
| Open Positions at ARRL
Come join the headquarters staff of ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio®! We are currently seeking qualified applicants for the following positions:
Membership Manager
Senior RFI Lab Engineer
Public Relations and Outreach Manager
Full details may be found on the ARRL HR web page at www.arrl.org/careers.
ARRL is an equal opportunity employer.
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| Solar Image from the Learmonth Solar Observatory via Australian Spaceweather.com, November 26, 2025. |
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ARRL Solar Report November 26, 2025
Solar flare activity has been at low levels this week with only C-class flares observed.
Region 4291 remains the most complex region on the disk but has been relatively quiet. Region 4290 was also responsible for a few flares while experiencing overall decay. Region 4292 exhibited evolution as it gained intermediate spots with rudimentary penumbra and developed asymmetric penumbra around its trailing spot. There were no Earth directed CMEs in available coronagraph imagery.
Flare probabilities remain low with a 15% chance for M-class (R1-R2, minor-moderate) and a 1% chance for X-class (strong), but may slightly increase in the next 24 hours given the current development observed in AR 4292.
Solar wind parameters were enhanced throughout the period due to the arrival of a co-rotating interacting region (CIR) and its associated coronal hole high speed stream (CHHSS). Solar wind parameters will remain enhanced through November 27 due to the continued influence of the CHHSS.
The 10.7-centimeter flux: November 26, 130; November 27, 135; November 28, 140; November 29, 145; November 30, 155; December 1, 155; December 2, 150; December 3, 155.
Predicted sunspot numbers: November 26, 125; November 27, 119; November 28, 131; November 29, 116; November 30, 136; December 125; December 2, 120; December 3, 131.
For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service, read A Quick Guide to HF Propagation Using Solar Indices, and check out the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.
For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.
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| • November 26 — SKCC Sprint (CW)
• November 26 — UKEICC 80m Contest (CW)
• November 27 — RSGB 80m Autumn Series (CW)
• November 29 – 30 — CQ Worldwide DX Contest (CW)
• December 2 — ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)
• December 4 — QRP ARCI Top Band Sprint (CW)
• December 4 – 5 — Walk for the Bacon QRP Contest (CW)
• December 4 — NRAU 10m Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)
• December 4 — SKCC Sprint Europe (CW)
• December 5 — NCCC FT4 Sprint (digital)
• December 5 — Weekly RTTY Test (digital)
• December 5 – 7 — ARRL 160-Meter Contest (CW)
• December 5 — NCCC Sprint (CW)
• December 6 – 7 — Kalbar Contest (phone)
• December 6 — Wake-Up! QRP Sprint (CW)
• December 6 – 7 — PRO CW Contest (CW)
• December 6 – 7 — INORC Contest (CW)
• December 6 – 7 –FT Challenge (digital)
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Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions |
- December 12 – 13 | The Tampa Bay Hamfest, hosting the ARRL West Central Florida Section Convention, Plant City, Florida
- January 10 | Ham Radio University, ARRL New York City-Long Island Section Convention, Brookville, New York
- January 16 – 17 | Southwest Florida Regional Hamfest, ARRL Southern Florida Section Convention, Fort Myers, Florida
- January 30 – 31 | Jackson MS Capital City Hamfest, ARRL Mississippi State Convention, Jackson, Mississippi
- February 7 | Hendricks County Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Indiana Section Convention, Danville, Indiana
- February 13 – 15 | Orlando HamCation, hosting the ARRL Southeastern Division Convention, Orlando, Florida
Remember to search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database to find events in your area.
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ARRL — Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information
Join ARRL or renew today! No other organization works harder to promote and protect amateur radio. Membership supports benefits, services, programs, and advocacy to help you get (and stay) active and on the air. Membership includes access to digital editions of all four ARRL magazines: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.
Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.
The ARRL Letter is available in an accessible format, posted weekly to the Blind-hams Groups.io email group. The group is dedicated to discussions about amateur radio as it concerns blind hams, plus related topics including ham radio use of adaptive technology.
NCJ — National Contest Journal. Published bimonthly, features articles by top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprints, and QSO parties.
QEX — A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bimonthly, features technical articles, construction projects, columns, and other items of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.
Free of charge to ARRL members…
Subscribe to the ARES Letter (monthly public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update (biweekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts, and much more!
Find ARRL on Facebook! Follow us on Threads, X, and Instagram. |
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The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 51 times each year. ARRL members may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing their profile at www.arrl.org/opt-in-out.
Copyright © 2025 American Radio Relay League, Incorporated. Use and distribution of this publication, or any portion thereof, is permitted for non-commercial or educational purposes, with attribution. All other purposes require written permission.
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