WNY Section News – Updated 31 January 2026

I hope that all is going well around the Western New York section. Have you had enough of the snow and cold?  Me too!  I am ready for a warm up.  Stay warm and be safe on the road. 

New York State 60m Simulated Emergency Test (SET) 2026.  Held on January 31, 2026 at 10AM EST, 60m band, channel 1, 5330.5kHz, USB

The ARRL Eastern New York ENY, Northern New York NNY and Western New York WNY sections participated in the New York 60m Simulated Emergency Test on January 31, 2026.  Thank you to the NNY section manager Rocco WU2M for organizing this event and being net control.

Sixty four (64) amateur radio operators participated in the 60 meter New York SET.  The band was quiet with reasonable signals.  Most everyone was completely readable at my location with signals from S1 to S8.  There were 64 stations operating from 25 of the 62 New York counties, including 19 stations from WNY.

Thank you to everyone who participated.  Look for another New York 60m SET in the summer of 2026.

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!

Hamfest Review

Plan on attending one of the WNY hamfest. I have bought some nice goodies at some really great prices over the last few years. You never know what's going to show up. Sellers always tell me they did well so bring some stuff to sell. Don't miss the WNY hamfests!.

Hamfests and Events in WNY

Groundhog Hamfest, 7 February 2026 sponsored by the Keuka Lake ARA at the Almond Community Building in Almond NY

Bullthistle Hamfest, 11 April 2026 sponsored by the Chenango Valley ARA at St Bartholomew's Parish Center in Norwich NY.

Drumlins Hamfest, 18 April 2026 sponsored by the Drumlins ARC at the Palmyra VFW Post 6778, Palmyra NY. 

Cortland Hamfest and Techology Fair, 13 June 2026 sponsored by the Skyline ARC at the Cortland County Fairgrounds, Cortland NY.

RAGS Roger's Hamfest, 11 July 2026 sponsored by the Radio Amateurs of Greater Syracuse at the Elk's Lodge, Newport Rd, Camillus NY.

TCARA Hamfest, 1 August 2026 sponsored by the Tompkins County ARA at the Tompkins County Fairgrounds in Trumansburg NY.

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

Year of the Club Newsletter Contest - https://www.arrl.org/club-newsletter-contest     Year of the Club Website Contest - https://www.arrl.org/club-website-contest     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!  ,

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

73 Scott W2LC ARRL WNY Section Manager