WNY Section News – Update 12 August 2026

Kopernik Observatory STEM Camp High Altitude Balloon Launch

Date: 19 August 202

Time: between 10:00AM and 10:30AM (1400Z to 1430Z)

On the payload of the balloon, we will be running APRS (K2ZRO-11) for tracking and we will also be flying SSTV on 145.600 using Martin 1 mode throughout the flight. We plan to launch on Wednesday, August 19 hopefully between 10 to 10:30 am (1400-1430Z) and the balloon should reach over 100,000 feet.

Here is your opportunity to track the flight on aprs.fi and download the SSTV images. We Please send copies of SSTV images received and signal reports to k2zro@kopernik.org

73, Drew KA1M, Drew Deskur, Executive Director, Kopernik Observatory & Science Center

Club News!

Please remember that ARRL affiliated clubs need to update their information once a year. This helps the ARRL with member referrals to your club and other club benefits. Any club with out of date information will be placed on an inactive list until the info is updated.

Club affiliation information can be easily updated on-line. See the "Affiliated Club" section below for the instructions and links!.  

The Radio Association of WNY was affiliated November 20, 1920, the longest ARRL affiliated club in WNY on the list. ARA of the Southern Tier was affiliated September 17, 1930, Northenr Chautauqua ARC November 19, 1930 and the Rochester ARA December 31, 1931. Now those are some old clubs and are still very active today! Congratulations!

Attention All Nets!

Attention to all net managers.  Please update your net information for the ARRL Net Directory at this link.  Much of the information in the net directory is old, so please update your net information. 

https://www.arrl.org/arrl-net-directory-search

Amateur Radio Activity Report – submit your latest activity and tell HQ about what is going on! https://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-activity-report

Something great going on? Please report your club or group activities to ARRL HQ. We want to hear about what's going on!

Hamfests and Events in WNY

These are the 2026 hamfests for which I have "reliable" information. Updates are most welcome. For corrections or new information please email me at W2LC@ARRL.org

New Info - Keuka Lake Hamfest 15 August 2026. sponsored by the Keuka Lake ARA, at the Friends of Howard Community Center, 7481 Hopkins Rd, Avoca NY. This info was just received!.

Roc City Net Hamfest 29 August 2026 sponsored ny the Roc Cty Net at the Log Cabin Restaurant in Walworth NY.  To be confirmed..

Lancaster Hamfest 12 September 2026 sponsored by the Lancaster ARC at the Transit Drive-In in Lockport NY.

Bear Bait Radio Club Tailgate Fest, 19 September 2026 sponsored by the Bear Bait RC at the Clay Highway Building, 4483 Route 31 in Clay NY. 

Elmira Hamfest 26 September 2026 sponsored by the ARA of the Southern Tier at the Chemung County Fairgrounds in Horseheads NY.

AWA Conference. September 29 to October 3, 2026. At the RIT Inn and Conference Center..

Sponsoring a hamfest this year? Go to the link and apply to be an ARRL sanctioned event.  https://www.arrl.org/arrl-sanctioned-events

2026 is the ARRL Year of the Club for more information go to this link.  http://www.arrl.org/year-of-the-club

Club Photo Submission - https://www.arrl.org/club-photos    

MARCONI Program - The Project is designed to assist clubs to become more active and engaged with their members and their local community. https://www.arrl.org/marconi-program

Amateur Radio Activity Report – submit your latest activity and tell HQ about what is going on! https://www.arrl.org/amateur-radio-activity-report

America250 WAS Challenge

Award for working all states in 2026. Endorsements for working W1AW portable in all states, triple play endorsement for WAS on all 3 modes CW, SSB, digital, endorsement for contacting ARRL affiliated clubs in all 50 states. All contacts to be confirmed using logbook of the world LoTW.

Amateur Radio Emergency Service ARES

Go to this link for ARES information and resources, https://www.arrl.org/ares

ARES Fact Sheet, ARES Plan, ARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book (Fillable PDF), ARES Standardized Training Plan Task Book

Please register your ARES group at this link  https://www.arrl.org/register-an-ares-group

Affiliated Clubs

Brand new ARRL web site for ARRL affiliated clubs.  Check it out! 

https://affiliatedclubs.arrl.org/  

This link has information on many club benefits offered to ARRL affiliated clubs.  Not yet affiliated?  Click on the "Clubs" link in the top left then scroll down a bit for the information on becoming an ARRL affiliated club

Current officers or listed contacts can update club affiliation information.  You must be logged in to use the editing system for clubs.  

This file has instructions on how to proceed. https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Clubs/Club20Online_20150806.pdf

For information or to address problems - email  CLUBS@ARRL.org. 

Ev Tupis W2EV is the new Western New York WNY Affiliated Club Coordinator (ACC). Congratulations and thank you to Ev W2EV for taking this important position in the WNY field organization!  ,

Silent Key Reports to ARRL HQ

Silent Key reports must be confirmed by ONE of the following forms of documention:  a copy of an obituary notice that includes the date of death, a copy of the death certificate, a letter from the family attorney or the estate executor.

On-Line SK Reporting - Fillable pdf form located at:  https://www.arrl.org/files/file/VEs/SK_Report20Silent202026.pdf

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Silent Key Administrator. Email: sk@arrl.org

Any WNY News to Report?

You may email me at W2LC@arrl.org or W2LC@arrl.net.

73 Scott W2LC ARRL WNY Section Manager