From the Desk of AB9ZI - April 2026 Message
What does it mean to be an amateur radio operator in 2026? Looking back the history of radio one finds the radio amateur prominent in the development of equipment and operating methods. In 1939 RCA recruited a few of the then 50,000 plus radio amateurs to build and demonstrate the new technology: Television! Fast forward to 2017 and WSJTX including FT8 were developed by hams Joe Taylor K1JT and Steve Franke K9AN.
World Radio Day is fast approaching on Saturday, April 18. This would be a GREAT time to show off our radio station at the Northbrook Public Library and inform the public about amateur radio. All we need are some volunteers to be there to demonstrate and educate visitors about what we do and our ability to provide communications when all else fails. More information on World Amateur Radio Day is available from the ARRL. Here is the link: https://arrl.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0zNTU0NTkzJnA9MSZ1PTUyMTA3MTMxMSZsaT00MTYyMzQ5Ng/index.html
Is amateur radio “dying”? Nope! In March 2026 the FCC reported 735,936 radio amateurs in the USA.
Over 30,000 of them (us) will be at Hamvention this May 15 through 17. This is THE place to see up close and personal all those radios and accessories you’ve ogled in the ham radio magazines. Along with the just about every vendor you can name. There is also the flea market giving you a chance to find that one last item you need for your shack. And of course, make new friends from all those attending.
Our club typically does a caravan from Northbrook to Green County on Thursday morning. Not sure how to plan the trip? Here is one way you can attend:
I am transporting our pop up tent, table, banner, and chairs for our flea market spot. The spot includes two free tickets to Hamvention and I have an open spot in my car, and a hotel room to share. Free transportation and free admission; just share the room cost. Interested? Contact me soon.
Five weeks after Hamvention is our club’s biggest event: Field Day, Friday June 26 through Sunday June 28. As a club we always “score” well in this “not a contest” event. Seriously we will be operating CW, SSB and GOTA (get on the air) stations from noon on Saturday through noon on Sunday. Set up of the radios and antennas begins on Friday afternoon and like raising a child, it takes a village. Please contact any of our Field Day leaders and offer to assist with setting up, tear down, and operating the radios. The leaders are:
Alwin Brunner - W9APB, Udo Koch - N0LSR, Jay Williams - W8JAY, and Brian Nolan - KD9RFW
Our next club meeting is Tuesday, April 14 in person at Heller Nature Center, and via Zoom. Doors open at 7 for conversation with the meeting beginning at 7:30. Our presenter for April is Chuck Abramson - ABR Industries. ABR makes cables for base station, mobile, POTA, grounding, rotor, and overall capabilities.
Because Heller is unavailable for us in May, that meeting will be Zoom only.
As always up to date club information is available 24/7 on the club website https://ns9rc.org/
73, Brian Dubin AB9ZI, President