The Fourth Annual ARRL On-Line Auction begins its preview week on Thursday, October 15. With more than 160 items up for bid -- and more being added every day -- this event promises to have something for just about everyone. The auction kicks off Thursday, October 22 and runs through Thursday, October 29 on the ARRL Web site.

This year's auction will again include many transceivers and other items, including items that have appeared in the QST Product Review column, and have thus been thoroughly tested by the ARRL Lab. Transceivers available in the auction include an ICOM IC-7700 HF and 6 meter transceiver and an Elecraft K3/10 HF and 6 meter transceiver. For CW fans, be sure to check out the Begali Sculpture dual lever keyer paddle, the Frattini Professional Deluxe dual lever keyer paddle and the Bencher Mercury dual lever key paddle.

If you're into vintage equipment, you really want to get your bids in early, as this year's auction has some great items from Amateur Radio's golden era, such as a Heathkit DX-40 transmitter, a Heathkit VF-1 variable frequency oscillator, a Heathkit SB-310 receiver, a Hallicrafters HT-46 transmitter and a Gonset Communicator 2 meter AM transceiver. You'll also be amazed at the number of books from the 1950s -- and before! -- that are available.

Returning by popular demand are four ARRL Lab unique "junque" boxes. With a starting bid of $50, these boxes are filled with components, parts and electronic do-dads. No one -- except the ARRL Lab staff -- knows what exactly is inside each box, but each is guaranteed to be full of things that the Lab staff considers valuable (but keep in mind that they collect just about anything).

According to ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, "Last year's online auction -- our third -- proved to be a successful and enjoyable event for both hams and ARRL staff members alike. When the bidding ended, we had sold 189 items worth just over $40,000."

ARRL Business Services Manager Debra Jahnke, K1DAJ, said that this year's ARRL On-Line Auction would not be possible without the generosity of our donors: "Our sincere thanks to all who donated items for this year's auction and a special mention to ICOM America who has chosen the highest level of participation as the 2009 ARRL On-Line Auction Golden Gavel Sponsor." ICOM has generously donated an IC-7000 HF/VHF/UHF mobile transceiver and remote mount kit; this rig was reviewed in the May 2006 issue of QST.

Proceeds from the auction benefit ARRL education programs including activities to license new hams, strengthen Amateur Radio's emergency service training, offer continuing technical and operating education, as well as create instructional materials.