ARRL Delaware Section Manager Newsletter – October 2026

Hello from Sussex County,

October has arrived, bringing cooler temperatures, shorter days, and plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy Amateur Radio. Whether you are activating a park, working a contest, checking into a local net,

experimenting with a new digital mode, or supporting an emergency communications exercise, fall is a great time to stay active and sharpen our skills. Here in the Delaware Section, October also reminds us of the

importance of preparedness. While the peak of hurricane season may be behind us, severe weather and unexpected emergencies do not follow a calendar. A record has already been set this year as the Atlantic Basin has never gone this long without a named storm.

As I write this month’s newsletter, Delaware just had a nasty Nor’easter pass by flooding many of our shore and inland communities. Every net we participate in, every exercise we support, and every new skill we learn strengthens our ability to communicate when conventional systems may not be available. Most importantly, these activities keep us connected with one another and demonstrate why Amateur Radio continues to be a valuable resource to our communities and the State of Delaware. 

Delaware Section’s Participation on the ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET)

The Delaware Section will again this year participate in the ARRL Simulated Emergency Test during the week leading up to and including Saturday, October 24.

The section will run several hour or so long events during the week of October 19-24.

These tests will include:

1) Two simplex tests using the Delaware Section’s 2m Simplex frequency of 146.550

2) Test of the analog linked repeater System using the four repeaters linked via Fusion

3) Digital communications test using the WinLink Global Email over Radio System

4) HF Check In to the Delaware Traffic Net on 3.905 Mhz

Contact your ARRL County Emergency Coordinator for dates, times, and additional details on these events. Sussex County ARES is running additional tasks after the statewide portion of the drill. Saturday, October 24, 2026 will be our official day for the SET with additional goals and objectives and will end the “SET Week.” Visit ARRL Sections – Delaware for contact information for your county EC.

Will RADE be the next SSB? New Tech Alert

FreeDV RADE – A New Generation of HF Digital Voice

An interesting development in HF communications is FreeDV RADE (Radio Autoencoder), a relatively new open-source digital voice mode designed specifically for HF Amateur Radio. RADE combines machine learning with traditional digital signal processing to provide more natural-sounding digital voice while remaining effective under difficult HF conditions. The current RADE V1 signal occupies only about 1.5 kHz of RF bandwidth—roughly half that of a typical SSB signal—while reproducing approximately 8 kHz of voice audio, and testing has demonstrated operation at signal-to-noise ratios as low as -2 dB. Most amateurs can experiment with RADE using the free FreeDV software, a computer, and a standard SSB transceiver connected through a sound-card  interface; direct radio integration is also beginning to appear in compatible FlexRadio models. RADE represents an interesting example of how new technology—including machine learning—is finding its way into Amateur Radio while continuing our tradition of experimentation.

For operators interested in HF, weak-signal communications, digital voice, or simply trying something new, FreeDV RADE is a mode worth watching and experimenting with. To learn more about FreeDV and download

FreeDV visit freedv.org.

RF Exposure – An Important Part of your stations Safety

Radio frequency (RF) safety is an important responsibility for every Amateur Radio operator, whether operating a high-power HF station, a VHF/UHF repeater, or a portable station in the field. FCC rules require Amateur Radio stations to comply with established RF exposure limits, and amateurs should evaluate their stations to ensure that people are not exposed to RF energy above those limits. Factors such as transmitter power, frequency, antenna gain, duty cycle, operating mode, feed-line loss, and the distance between the antenna and people all affect potential exposure. Particular attention should be given to antennas located near occupied areas, portable antennas erected close to operating positions, and higher-duty-cycle modes such as digital

communications. RF exposure compliance does not have to be complicated; in many cases, an evaluation using established calculations or an RF exposure calculator is sufficient. Making RF safety part of our normal

station planning protects operators, family members, visitors, and the public while demonstrating the responsible operating practices expected of the Amateur Radio Service. 

DID YOU KNOW?

Every Amateur Radio operator should determine whether their station complies with the FCC’s RF exposure requirements.

The FCC changed its RF exposure evaluation rules effective May 3, 2021, eliminating the former Amateur Radio service-specific categorical exclusions. The transition period for existing stations ended May 3, 2023. As a result, amateurs can no longer assume that their station is exempt from evaluation simply because they operate below a particular power level. Operators must determine whether their station qualifies for an exemption under the current criteria or whether an RF exposure evaluation is necessary. Fortunately, an evaluation usually doesn’t require expensive test equipment. Factors such as frequency, transmitter power, antenna gain, operating mode/duty cycle, and the distance between the antenna and people can be used to determine compliance. ARRL provides a free online RF Exposure Calculator that can help determine the appropriate separation distance for your station. It is also a good practice to print or save the results with your

station records. The evaluation does not normally need to be submitted to the FCC. Remember to reevaluate your station when making significant changes that could affect RF exposure, such as increasing power or

changing your antenna, its location, operating band, or operating mode.

ARRL RF Exposure Calculator:

https://www.arrl.org/rf-exposure-calculator

The ARRL is following two new federal proceedings concerning radio frequency (RF) exposure. On September 17, 2026 the FCC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiated parallel comment

periods on RF safety issues. Neither changes the current RF exposure rules that apply to all radio amateurs but could lead to changes in later proceedings if the current rules are found to be deficient. The FCC’s Public Notice is narrowly focused on specific RF exposure issues remanded to the Commission in 2021 by the U.S. Court of Appeals. The Commission emphasizes that it will give particular weight to submissions reflecting specialized expertise in health and safety matters. The HHS Request for Information (see also HHS press release) broadly seeks evidence and information concerning the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs), RF radiation, and wireless technologies.

Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) seeking Volunteers

The Amateur Radio Digital Communications is seeking volunteers for several positions for 2027. They are looking for qualified individuals to contribute their time and expertise across several committees and teams:

• Grants Advisory Committee (GAC) – reviews grant applications.
• Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) – works on 44Net-related projects and policies.
• Grants Evaluation Team (GET) – evaluates and analyzes grant reports.
• Grants Communications Team (GCT) – writes about grant results for the public to learn from.
• Conduct Review Committee (CRC) – helps to evaluate Code of Conduct incident reports. Must concurrently serve in another volunteer role.

How To Apply

Interested in applying? Please complete our application form by October 30, 2026: https://forms.gle/sWBt8TZdKc3VgNgA9. Please also be prepared with a PDF file of your resume or CV. Alternatively, you can send a message to hr@ardc.net with the requested application information. We

plan to make our final decisions by December 2026, with meetings beginning mid-January 2027.

Visit the ARDC Volunteer page at

https://www.ardc.net/volunteer-with-ardc-in-2027/.

Grid Down, Mic Up – EmComm Topics

Becoming an Effective Net Control Station – and Developing Alternates

The Net Control Station (NCS) is one of the most important positions in an Amateur Radio emergency communications net. If you review After-Action Reports and Improvement Plans (AAR/IPs) from emergency

communications exercises and real-world incidents, two recurring areas for improvement are the need for more experienced Net Control Stations (NCS) and more operators who are truly proficient with digital communications, particularly Winlink. During routine operations, an NCS keeps the net organized and moving

efficiently; during an emergency, the same skills become even more important as traffic increases, conditions deteriorate, and operators may be working under stress. An effective NCS does not need the strongest signal or the most elaborate station. What matters most is the ability to listen carefully, communicate clearly, remain organized, and maintain control of the net without unnecessarily dominating it. A good NCS begins by understanding the purpose of the net and the communications plan. Know the frequencies, repeaters, alternate

frequencies, participating stations, and procedures before taking control. Speak slowly and clearly, use plain language, and keep transmissions concise. Listen before responding and write down callsigns and information rather than relying on memory. When two stations double, don’t guess at what was said—identify whatever portion of a callsign you heard and ask those stations to try again. Above all, remain calm. The tone established by Net Control often becomes the tone of the entire net.

Traffic management is another critical NCS responsibility.

Not every message has the same importance. Net Control must recognize higher-priority traffic and move it ahead of routine traffic when appropriate. During an emergency or exercise, the NCS should know when

formal written traffic is appropriate and when a short tactical exchange will accomplish the mission. An effective NCS facilitates communications rather than becoming an unnecessary middleman; when appropriate, two stations can be directed to communicate with each other and report back when finished. Just as important as developing good Net Control operators is developing alternate NCS operators. An emergency communications program that depends upon one or two experienced people has a significant vulnerability. The primary NCS may lose power, experience equipment failure, become unavailable, or simply need relief during an extended

operation. Every net should therefore have someone capable of assuming Net Control with little or no notice.

The best way to develop alternates is to give operators opportunities to practice during routine nets. Rather than using the same NCS every week, establish a rotation and encourage newer operators to take a turn. Pair

an inexperienced operator with an experienced NCS who can serve as a mentor. Begin with a short portion of a training net, progress to running an entire routine net, and eventually introduce more challenging scenarios during exercises. Operators should also practice maintaining a net log, handling formal traffic, resolving doubles, dealing with weak stations, changing frequencies, and transferring Net Control to another station.

A formal transfer of Net Control should be practiced as well. The outgoing NCS should identify the incoming NCS and provide a brief status of the net, including outstanding traffic or assignments. The incoming station should then clearly announce that it has assumed Net Control. Practicing this simple procedure during normal nets makes the process familiar before it is needed during an actual incident. ARES groups should also consider identifying a primary NCS, alternate NCS, and backup NCS for planned operations. For longer incidents, operators should be scheduled in shifts so that fatigue does not compromise communications. No operator, regardless of experience, should be expected to maintain Net Control indefinitely. Becoming a capable NCS requires practice, and the best place to gain that experience is on our regular training nets—not during an emergency. Volunteer to run a net, serve as an alternate, or sit beside an experienced Net Control operator and learn how the job is done. Mistakes made during training become lessons learned. By developing a larger pool of confident Net Control operators throughout Delaware, we build redundancy into our communications system and strengthen our ability to serve our communities when Amateur Radio is needed most. 

The goal isn’t simply to have a Net Control Station—it is to have another trained operator ready to take over when that station can no longer continue.

Contest & Events

October 3-4 – Collegiate QSO Party

October 17-18 – Support your Parks Weekend

October 18 – FOX/POTA Event, Trap Pond State Park, Jason Beach

October 19-23 – School Club Round Up

October 19-24 – Delaware Section SET Week, contact your ARRL County

EC

October 24 – CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB

October 31-Nov 1 – EME – 50 to 1296 MHz

For information on all ARRL Contests visit www.arrl.org/contest-calendar

A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Members

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

KC3HOX Lawrence O’Donnell

KC3HPC Theodore C. Fleck

KC3HVW Miles A. Fawcett

KD3DUT Douglas Dumire

KD3DVD Mustafa K. Peker

KD3DVN John Martin

KD3DVX Horace K. Jackson Sr

KD3DXF Michael J. Cooper

Putting Our Skills to the Test

As we close out another month, I want to encourage everyone to take part in the Delaware Section Simulated Emergency Test (SET) this October. The SET is more than another exercise or another opportunity to check into a net—it is our chance to put our equipment, training, communications plans, and, most importantly, ourselves to the test. Exercises allow us to discover what works and identify what needs improvement before an actual emergency places those same capabilities in demand. Whether you are an experienced ARES operator or someone just beginning to explore emergency communications, there is a place for you to participate and learn. Every station that checks in, every Winlink message successfully passed, and every communications challenge we identify helps make the Delaware Section better prepared and more capable. We don’t train because we expect everything to work—we train so we know what to do when it doesn’t. I look forward to hearing many of you on the air during this year’s SET. Until next month, stay involved, keep learning, and most of all, enjoy Amateur Radio!