ARRL Delaware Section Manager

 Newsletter – April 2026

 

Greetings from Sussex County

Welcome to this month’s edition of our amateur radio newsletter—your hub for everything happening across our vibrant Delaware Section ham radio community. As the seasons shift, so do band conditions, operating opportunities, and the stories that connect us across the airwaves. Whether you’ve been logging contacts daily or just dusting off your rig, this issue brings you a mix of operating tips, upcoming events, and technical insights to keep you informed and inspired. Let’s tune in and see what’s been happening on the bands.

Band conditions have certainly been keeping things interesting. During my recent Parks on the Air (POTA) activations, contacts didn’t always come easily. Just a few days ago, I took a newer operator out for a hands-on POTA setup using his own gear. We kept things simple and effective: an older Yaesu rig, a 20-meter hamstick mounted in the ground with three radials, a basic tablet for logging, and a 20Ah LiFePO4 battery—all set up on a picnic table. While we logged enough QSOs to qualify the activation, many stations were faint and challenging to copy. Still, with patience and persistence, we made it work—an experience that reflects real-world operating conditions.

POTA remains one of the best ways to build practical radio skills. It not only teaches efficient portable station setup but also sharpens operating technique and on-the-air confidence. If you’re curious about getting started, many local clubs offer POTA outings and fox hunts designed to help new operators get comfortable and active on the air.

 

ARRL Delaware Section Staff to pursue State Level HOA Legislation

Although the ARRL’s Grassroots effort to get both amateur and GMRS licensee’s letters has been well received, over 160k last count, Section Staff has decided to pursue state legislation for our own HOA bill. The plan to have a bill ready for introduction soon and have it entered into this year’s legislative session. With the help of Tim, KC3OO and Pat, KW3Z, State Government Liaison, the federal bill will be rewritten for entry into this year’s legislative session.

The Delaware bill will be geared, as the federal bill is, towards “reasonable accommodation.” There will come a time when all licensees will be asked to support the bill. This may be done via letter, meetings, phone calls, etc. For the latest downloadable copy of both the House and Senate bills, visit the ARRL Current Legislation website; https://www.arrl.org/current-legislation

 

ARRL America250 Worked All States (WAS) Award for 2026 – W1AW/3 UPDATE

The ARRL Delaware Section’s first activation of W1AW/3 is just over two weeks away! The first week will start on Wednesday, April 15 to Tuesday, April 21. W1AW/3 will be active at the Hamfest. All are welcome to run the W1AW/3 station at the hamfest. No need to be an ARRL Member or have a Log Book of the World (LoTW) Account.

The second week will cover December 7 which is Delaware Day. December 7, 1787 is when Delaware became the first state. This second week will run from Wednesday, December 2 to Tuesday, December 8.  

The section will be using Ham-qtv.com as our scheduling site if you plan on running W1AW/3 on your own. You can run the call at a POTA, in conjunction with a club callsign, or at home. The ARRLDelawareSectiongroups.io has all of the documents you need to get on the air including the ARRL Operating Guidelines, schedule for all of the 71 sections, a sample America 250 Worked All States (WAS) Certificate showing all three endorsements and a setup guide for using Ham-Qtv.com site.

 

2026 Field Day is just under Four months away! June 27-28, 2026

Field Day is the most popular on-the-air event for amateur radio operators in the United States and Canada. It takes place on the fourth full weekend of June every year. Over 31,000 radio amateurs gather with their clubs, groups, or friends to set up temporary transmitting stations in various locations including parks, schools, and remote locations. The primary goal is to make as many contacts as possible while demonstrating the capabilities of amateur radio in emergency situations.

It’s time to start planning for this huge event. The ARRL has decided the motto for this year’s Field Day is “Amateur Radio – A National Resource.” Ham radio saves the country millions by using volunteer ham radio operators to provide emergency communications in time of need.

Gather your teams, reserve your operating locations, and have fun. Remember to post your site on the ARRL Field Day site locator page. Get more information at www.arrl.org/fieldDay.


Delaware Governor to provide Proclamation in Recognition of Delaware Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Month for the Month of June

Governor Matt Meyer will again be asked to provide another Proclamation for Amateur Radio Operators in Delaware. This year will be “Delaware Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Month” for the month of June.

As in the past, I will make full size color high resolution scans available for anyone who may want to hang it in their shack ooffice.

 

Grid Down, Mic Up – EmComm Topics

ARES Go Kits – EmComm and Personal

A well-prepared Go-Kits can be the foundation of having effective emergency communications, and every Delaware operator should have them ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. Ask 10 different people about Go Kit contents and you will get 11 different answers. My bottom line has been two basic kits. One for communications (radio gear) and one for personal needs. And those can be broken down into ‘need to have’ and ‘good to have’ categories. Need to have is the basic minimum you should probably consider and good to have is a few additional items that although are optional, can make your time more productive or comfortable. Keep in mind tossing these kits in your vehicle when the time arises is just fine. You need it, you grab it out of your vehicle. Although many items are similar to what may be your EDC (Every Day Carry) kit these are not being mentioned for that purpose as needs are different.

 

Radio Gear – Need to Have:

  • A reliable dual-band handheld and/or portable HF rig
  • Fully charged batteries (preferably LiFePO4) with spare power cables
  • A field-deployable antennas for all radios (roll-up J-pole, mag-mount, or wire antenna)
  • Headset or headphones with microphone for hands-free operation
  • Notebook, pens, pencils, erasers
  • Basic ICS & ARES forms (printed and digital via WinLink Express)
  • Weather-appropriate gear (rain protection, warm layers, sun protection)
  • Portable shelter or tarp for field operations
  • Backup power options such as solar panels or additional battery capacity
  • Driver’s License and copy of Amateur Radio license
  • ARES ID badge
  • Spare power cables and fuses for all radios
  • 25 and 50 foot sections of coax cable with PL-259 connectors
  • Repeater Directory and ARES Emergency Lists (county & State) Frequency Lists
  • Maps of all three counties and the state (digital PDF on your laptop helps)

Radio Gear – Good to Have:

  • RF amplifier for hand-held radio
  • Battery charger and spare battery packs for handheld radios
  • Speaker/microphone for hand-held radio
  • Mobile radio(s) with power cables/batteries (HF, 2m, 440…)
  • Watt’s Up, Doc Wattson or Power Analyzer meter
  • 12 volt power supply for mobile radios
  • HF antenna tuner and perhaps an antenna analyzer
  • Scanner with Public Service bands
  • Packet radio equipment (TNC, terminal, printer, computer)
  • Nylon bank line for guys, flagging tape and stakes
  • Nylon cable/zip ties of various lengths
  • Misc cable connectors, i.e., SMA, BNC, SO-239, PL-259, doubles, etc.
  • DC to AC inverter (need only a 65 watt unit to run a laptop computer)
  • AC generator with fuel
  • Extension cords, power strips, AC plug adapters
  • Cigarette lighter plug adapters and alligator clips
  • GPS receiver
  • Volt-Ohm-Amp Meter
  • Spare Anderson Powerpole connectors, pins and crimper
  • Portable soldering iron and solder
  • Tool kit

 Personal Gear – Need to Have

  • Clothing appropriate for the weather and conditions
  • Orange or yellow safety vest
  • Flashlight
  • Maps and compass, pocket knife, whistle
  • First aid kit, insect repellent, sun screen
  • Sturdy boots, gloves, sunglasses, hat
  • Drinking water (1 gal.) and food (one meal, two snacks)
  • Personal medications for at least 24/72 hours
  • Reliable transportation with a full tank of gas

Personal Gear – Good to Have

  • Electrical & duct tape
  • Money and change for pay phone
  • Cardboard for signs, markers
  • Lantern or portable area lighting with spare bulbs
  • Transistor radio with spare batteries
  • Automobile jumper cables and spare fuses
  • Automobile jack, tire chains, flares, gas can, siphon pump
  • Thermos, cup, bowl, utensils, matches, stove
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, razor, towel
  • Toilet paper, small shovel, garbage bags
  • Tent, sleeping bag, backpack, rain gear, tarp, space blanket
  • Portable table and chair
  • Watch or clock, binoculars
  • Other personal comfort items

Keep your kits organized, tested regularly, and ready to go—because when the call comes, there won’t be time to gather gear.

 

A Warm Welcome to Our Newest & Upgrading Members

Join me in welcoming the latest additions to the Amateur Radio Service in our vibrant community.

KC3GTO

Richard W. Fulton Jr

KD3CSB

Mingzhe Zue

KD3CUG

Richard Gendreauy

 

 

Who we are as a Community in the Amateur Radio Service

As we continue to enjoy the many facets of amateur radio, it’s worth remembering that how we operate is just as important as what we accomplish. The Amateur Radio Code of Conduct reminds us to be considerate, respectful, patient, and helpful—in every band and in every interaction. Whether we’re working a pileup, assisting during an emergency, or simply having a casual QSO, our behavior reflects not only on ourselves but on the entire amateur radio community. By setting a positive example and upholding these shared values, we ensure that the spirit of amateur radio remains strong, welcoming, and worthy of the privilege we all enjoy.

The signature line on every email I send reads, “It’s not the class of license the Amateur holds, but the class of the Amateur that holds the license.” That’s more than just a tagline—it’s a reminder of how we represent ourselves every time we get on the air or interact within our community. Our words, our tone, and our willingness to support one another all reflect who we are as operators. By practicing courtesy, respect, and professionalism, we demonstrate the true spirit of amateur radio and set the standard for others to follow.

 

73, 

Steven Keller

Delaware Section Manager

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