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EVARC Upcoming Events/Announcements
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Next meeting of the Elkhorn Valley Amateur Radio ClubDate: Saturday,
June 13, 2026 Enter the North doors at the main entrance and follow the signs to
the 5/6th grade class rooms The April 11th meeting minutes are available Visitors and guests are always welcome to the meeting. |
Next Northeast Nebraska Hamfest - November 21, 2026The Northeast Nebraska Hamfest date was a success. Thanks to everyone that attended the 2025 event, D & L Antennas for supporting our Hamfest, to everyone that rented tables and to our sponsors that provided many of the door prizes.. And thanks to EVARC members for supporting the event and all the hard work that went into making everything work smoothly. Even the testing went well. We had 5 individuals take tests with the results being 1 new Tech, 3 new Generals, and 1 new Extra class license. Mark your calendars for the next Northeast Nebraska Hamfest, Saturday, November 21, 2026. For more information contact Aaron, KT0Q Hope to see you in November! |
Fox Hunt PlannedWith May comes spring flowers and an EVARC Fox Hunt. The date is set for May 23, 2026. We will meet at the First Christian Church at 9:00 AM and depart from there. Bring your Fox Hunt equipment and your best technique to this first event of t he season. The Fox has honed his transmission capability and has been trained to stay in one place this time around. Hope to see you all there |
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EVARC Test Session - May 23The club will be hosting a test session on May 23, at the Norfolk Public Library, Room B. Testing will start at 1:30 PM. Here is a chance to upgrade your license or to obtain your first ham radio license. Please read the items you will need to bring to take a test |
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Field Day - June 27 - 28Field Day will be on Saturday through Sunday, June 27 - 28. On the air time starts on 1:00 PM CDT on Saturday and runs till 3:39 PM, Sunday. The club will be holding the event at Shane's QTH just south of Battle Creek. MAP Set up for the event will start around 10:00 AM on Saturday. The Club has two hf stations but you are welcome to bring any of your own equipment. Make sure you bring everything you will need including extension cords, coax cable, antenna, power supplies, mic, cw key, and any computers you will need for special modes. Individuals or groups are welcome to spend the night on site if you wish. You can spend as much or as little time as you wish. The club will be providing the meat (brouts) and water. There will be a family picnic around 5:30 PM on Sarturday. Families are welcome. We ask that each member provide some sort of dish to share. It sould be salad, vegetables, dessert. If you want other than water please bring your own drinks. Come join in the fun , get on the air and make a few contacts. Of course the more contacts we make the better our score, but score is not the main goal. It is to learn how to set up and operate in austere conditions, and above all have fun! |
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Meeting date changeAt the March meeting the club voted to change the meeting date for the July meeting July 11 meeting has been moved to July 18 so members can attend the North Bend Flea Market on July 11 Please update your calendars! |
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Pass The Bill - Have You Sent Your Letter Yet?
AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ACT GETS CRITICAL HEARING On Tuesday, December 16, the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act (HR 1094) was one of seven bills heard before the Communications & Technology subcommittee of the U.S. House Committee on Energy & Commerce. While there was no direct testimony related to this bill, its inclusion by subcommittee chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC-9th district) was an important step toward moving the bill to a hearing before the full Energy & Commerce committee. HR1094 now has 22 sponsors. ARRL urges all currently licensed Hams—whether ARRL members or not—to send letters to their two U.S. senators and their U.S. House representative using ARRL’s Grassroots Campaign by logging into the website: https://send-a-letter.org/hoa. Simply insert your callsign, and everything will be handled for you from there. Over 100,000 letters of support have been generated, but that represents a small fraction of all U.S. Hams. More are needed! Please encourage club members, other Hams and even GMRS licensees to send letters. |
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Other Information
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Special Operating Events
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Test Sessions within 200 miles of
Norfolk, NE
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05/23/2026 - Norfolk, NE 68701 Sponsor: Elkhorn Valley ARC
Date: May 23 2026
Time: 1:30 PM (Walk-ins allowed)
Contact: John L 'Monty'. Wilson
(402) 750-0771
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Norfolk Public Library
308 W Prospect Ave, Rm B
Norfolk NE 68701-4138
Website: https://qsl.net/evarc/
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05/23/2026 - Sioux City IA 51101 Sponsor: Sooland Amt Radio Assoc
Date: May 23 2026
Time: 10:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)
Contact: Tim T. Jarman
(712) 223-4033
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Downtown Public Library
529 Pierce St
Conference Room
Sioux City IA 51101
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/591123127614974
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05/26/2026 - Sheldon IA 51201 Sponsor: NIARC
Date: May 26 2026
Time: 6:00 PM (No Walk-ins / Register or Call ahead)
Contact: Delmar E. Spronk
(712) 348-0804
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Northwest Iowa Comm college (NCC)
603 W Park St
Bldg C Rm 305
Sheldon IA 51201-1060
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06/04/2026 - Lincoln NE 68506 Sponsor: Lincoln ARC
Date: Jun 04 2026
Time: 6:30 PM (Walk-ins allowed)
Contact: Christopher W. Evens
(402) 613-3484
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: College View SDA Church
4801 Prescott Ave
Heartland Hall B
Enter E Ent #1 Handicap main
Lincoln NE 68506-5428
Website: https://k0kkv.org/get-your-license/
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06/09/2026 = Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Sponsor: Sioux Empire ARC
Date: Jun 09 2026
Time: 7:00 PM (No Walk-ins / Register or Call ahead)
Contact: Willis L. Gravning
(605) 961-8466
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Minnehaha County Emergency Mngt Bldg
608 N Sigler Ave
Sioux Falls SD 57104
Website: https://w0zwy.org/
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06/13/2026 - Boone IA 50036 Sponsor: Boone Amateur Radio Klub
Date: Jun 13 2026
Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)
Contact: Steven C. Huffman
(515) 230-0459
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Boone Pioneer Senior Center
1112 Story St
Boone IA 50036-2222
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06/16/2026 - Hastings NE 68901 Sponsor: Amateur Radio Assoc. of Nebraska
Date: Jun 16 2026
Time: 6:00 PM (Walk-ins allowed)
Contact: Allen D. Harpham
(402) 469-4550
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Adams County EOC Building
2965 S Baltimore
Hastings NE 68901
Website: https://www.w0wwv.org/cms/
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06/20/2026 - Kearney NE 68847 Sponsor: Midway ARC
Date: Jun 20 2026
Time: 8:00 AM (No Walk-ins / Register or Call ahead)
Contact: Michael J. Osterberg
(308) 293-0636
Email: [email protected]
VEC: ARRL/VEC
Location: Buffalo County EOC
1512 Central Ave
Kearney NE 68847-6020
Website: https://w0ky.org/
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For more testing locations see the ARRL Testing Web page and the W5YI-VEC page Interested in an Online Exams Session? See the Online Exam Session web page -... -.- |
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Hamfests/Conventions/Conferences
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As of: 05/17/2026 |
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07/11/2026 - 28th Annual Pioneer ARC Flea Market Start Date: 07/11/2026
End Date: 07/11/2026
Location: North Bend City Auditorium
741 North Main Street
North Bend, NE 68649
Website: http://k0sw.org
Sponsor: Pioneer Amateur Radio Club
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Talk-In: 443.900 +5 MHz
Public Contact: Richard Mehaffey , KB0ARZ
230 West 11th Street
North Bend, NE 68649
Phone: 492-719-7342
Email: [email protected]
Flier: http://k0sw.org/fleamarket.pdf
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07/18/2026 - Southwest Iowa ARA Ham Fest, Prescott, IA 50859
Start Date: 07/18/2026 |
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07/25/2026 - ARRL South Dakota State Convention Start Date: 07/25/2026
End Date: 07/25/2026
Location: Westminster Presbyterian Church
3801 E. 26th St.
Sioux Falls, SD 57101
Website: http://w0zwy.org
Sponsor: Sioux Empire ARC
Type: ARRL Convention
Talk-In: 146.895 MHz PL 146.2 Hz
Public Contact: Willis Gravning , KE0Z
4321 S. Arden Cir.
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
Phone: 605-310-5276
Email: [email protected]
Flier: https://w0zwy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-HamFest-flyer-Rev-2.pdf
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09/26/2026 - Sioux City Hamfest Start Date: 09/26/2026
End Date: 09/26/2026
Location: Morningside Lutheran Church (lower gym)
700 So. Martha St.
Sioux City, IA 51101
Website: http://sc97net.net/SARA.html
Sponsor: Sooland Amateur Radio Association
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Talk-In: 146.970 tone: 110.9
Public Contact: TIM JARMAN , K0UX
1420 Hiawatha Trail
Sioux City, IA 51104
Phone: 712-223-4033
Email: [email protected]
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10/10/2026 - North Star Radio Convention, ARRL Dakota Division Convention Start Date: 10/10/2026
End Date: 10/10/2026
Location: Hennepin Technical College
9000 Brooklyn Blvd.
Brooklyn Park, MN
Website: http://northstarradio.org
Sponsor: Minnesota Amateur Radio Consortium
Type: ARRL Convention
Talk-In: 146.76 114.8 tone
Public Contact: Dale Henninger , W0DHZ
8579 Brewster Ave
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076-3518
Phone: 612-747-7587
Email: [email protected]
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11/21/2026 - Northeast Nebraska Hamfest, Norfolk, NE 68701 Start Date: 11/21/2026
End Date: 11/21/2026
Location: CHC Hall
105 West Elm Avenue
Norfolk, NE 68701
Website: https://www.qsl.net/evarc
Sponsor: Elkhorn Valley Amateur Radio Club
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Talk-In: 146.73 (-) 131.8
Public Contact: Aaron Mathis , KT0Q
84282 566th Ave.
Stanton, NE 68779
Phone: 802-989-9246
Email: mailto:[email protected]
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For a complete listing of Hamfests go to the ARRL Hamfest Search page -... -.- |
News From the ARRL Letters |
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USCG Adopted by the Barnstable Amateur Radio Club
ARRL New England Division Assistant Director Rob Leiden, K1UI, said the process all started early in 2025 with the club’s Technician License in a Weekend class at the US Coast Guard (USCG) station in Chatham. “We began testing at USCG Station Chatham, but at that time no Coast Guard members were involved,” said Leiden. “However, during the February 2026 Cape Cod blizzard, there was a breakdown in normal communication and an extended loss of power. Local amateur radio repeaters, using emergency power generators and large capacity battery banks, provided a lifeline for snowed-in hams, shelter operations, and National Weather Service reports.” Coast Guard members showed an interest after they became aware of the contributions of Cape Cod ARES to the emergency response operations coordinated by the Regional Emergency Planning Committee.
On April 25 - 26, 2026, the first class was held for Coast Guard enlisted personnel and was unique in two ways. As part of the most recent initiative, and in recognition of their service and the temporary lack of funding for the Department of Homeland Security, all FCC and ARRL VEC exam fees were underwritten by BARC, and all ARRL Technician License Manuals were provided by ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section Manager Jon McCombie, N1ILZ, at no cost to the students. Eight enlisted petty officers at the station attended the Technician course and all successfully passed the exam. A second licensing class, planned for early June, will include additional enlisted personnel. “For most of my crew, this was their first experience with a loss of all the utilities that we barely give a moment’s thought to until they are lost,” said Chatham Coast Guard Station Officer-in-Charge, Ross Comstock, KE5BM. “Now, the crewmen who have successfully earned their licenses are exploring all the different paths of amateur radio.” In the spirit of ARRL’s “Year of the Club,” BARC hopes that other clubs will adopt local military installations and hold license classes, both as a way to show appreciation for the service provided by these young men and women and to attract new, young people into amateur radio. “This type of relationship is what we talk about all the time,” said ARRL Emergency Communications and Field Services Director Josh Johnston, KE5MHV. “Relationships are one of the keys to healthy clubs, ARES groups and amateur radio as a whole.” -... -.- |
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YOTA at Hamvention® 2026Youth on the Air (YOTA), known for programs such as YOTA Camp and other activities that enrich the amateur radio experience of young hams, has a full schedule of activities for this year’s Hamvention® May 15 - 17 at the Greene County Fair and Expo Center, in Ohio. YOTA booth, #4304 in the Volta Building (building 4), will have volunteers on hand to answer questions about youth activities and will have free items for youth while supplies last. All young hams and their siblings are invited for a free youth lunch during social hours at noon on both Friday and Saturday in the ‘booth talks’ area behind the YOTA booth.
Several forums and booth talks will help young attendees connect with all the other youth at Hamvention. HamSCI will present Gary Mikitin, AF8A, who will lead a booth talk and Q&A session titled, "Careers in Engineering: Unlimited Opportunities". Young people interested in engineering are encouraged to stop by and ask questions about the profession. Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) will also have booth nearby, with events happening on Friday and Saturday. ARRL is sponsoring a Youth Rally on Saturday afternoon, from 1 to 4 PM in Forum Room 4 for students 11 - 21 years old. Advance registration is recommended to get this year’s Youth Rally t-shirt. After the rally, the ARRL Collegiate Amateur Radio Program (CARP) will hold a meetup in the same room. Students are also invited to visit the education and youth exhibits in the ARRL exposition area in the Tesla Building (Building 2) throughout Hamvention. More information is available at YOTA’s webpage, including the latest schedule of speakers and topics from HamSCI and ARISS, and listings for many other youth activities at Hamvention no matter who sponsors them. -... -.- |
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SteppIR Communications is serving the ham radio market once again
Thanks to ARRL Contest Update Editor Brian Moran, N9ADG, for the information contained in this story. -... -.- |
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In Brief...ARRL Solar Report May 15, 2026 No Earth-directed CMEs were observed in available coronagraph imagery. Solar activity is expected to remain predominately at low levels with a chance for M-class (R1-R2/minor-moderate) flares through May 16. The solar wind parameters reflected possible combined effects from a coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) influence and a coronal mass ejection (CME) that left the Sun on May 10. The speeds and densities also showed enhancements during the period, with maximum speeds of ~490 km/s, through these had decreased to ~450 km/s by the end of the period. Solar wind parameters are expected to continue to be slightly disturbed through May 14, as the glancing influence from the May 10 CME wanes and a positive polarity CH HSS remains geoeffective. On May 15 - 16, a corotating interaction region (CIR) associated with a negative polarity CH HSS is anticipated to arrive near Earth, likely resulting in more disturbed solar wind conditions. The 10.7-centimeter flux: May 14, 130; May 15 – 16, 130; May 17, 120; May 18, 122; May 19, 130. Predicted sunspots: May 14, 104; May 15, 98; May 16, 110; May 17, 93; May 18, 114; May 19, 114; May 20, 88; May 21, 118. For more information concerning radio propagation, visitt 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.. Other Items
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Education and Training
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CLOSING ITEMSThe EVARC weekly net meets every Monday evening at 7:30 PM on the club 2 meter repeater (146.73 - ). Check-in to the net to hear an update on activities of other club members, announcements of local interest, and any late breaking information. Everyone is welcome to check in. The DMR net meets every Thursday evening at 8:00 PM on the club DMR repeater (446.200 +) Nebraska Talk Group 3131 . Check-in for general discussion and a weekly trivia question. Want to try your hand as Net Control? Contact Andy, KF0CSI. ... -.- |
The purpose of this
newsletter is to provide information to local hams with items of interest.
It is compiled from local, regional, and national sources. Created by Monty Wilson, NRØA.
Contact the Webmaster with
comments or questions..
The
According
to the
Solar
activity remained at low levels this past week. Region 4436 was
responsible for the majority of the C-flare activity, including the
largest flare of the period, a C2.3 that peaked on May 13. Region
4432 rotated off the west limb. Two new regions were numbered during
the past 24 hours. Region 4437, which has since decayed to plage,
and 4438, resulting in a total of 4 numbered regions now on the
visible disk. 