See you at Midwest Superfest, ARRL Illinois Section Convention
JUNE is Amateur Radio Month
JUNE is Amateur Radio Month
Welcome from the Section Manager
We would like to invite you to browse through the information listed here and take advantage of the services offered to you as a member of the American Radio Relay League. The ARRL Field Organization is here to serve you. If you have a problem, question or simply need more information, please feel free to contact anyone on the IL section staff. They will be happy to hear from you and will either answer you directly or steer you to the right person
CALLING ALL AMATEURS
ARRL has launched its legislative action campaign to get ALL radio amateurs involved in sending a message to their Congressional representatives
Telling them that they want to see passage of bills H.R.1094 and S.459, the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
NOW is the time for YOU to encourage ALL of your fellow hams to go to:
If you are a member of a club We need your help too!
EVERY licensed amateur radio operator is welcome to participate!
ARRL Illinois Section Newsletter
June 2026
Greetings!
It has been a buy few months.
Hamfest season is in full swing. Xenia is in the record books.
I’m trying to make as many as I can. I won’t be able to be at Starved Rock but Jeff, W9ARG and Jim, W9JGH will be at the ARRL table. It’s great to have Assistant Section Managers that can fill in when I’m not available due to schedule conflicts.
Speaking of ASM’s, We still need an ASM in North-Western Illinois and Central Illinois to join the team. If you, or someone you know, might be interested, please contact me.
We are also looking for a new Section Youth Coordinator. Dhruv, KC9ZJX, is away at college and his schedule currently precludes his active participation. If you are between the ages of 14 through 26 contact me.
April saw many of the Southern Illinois club members participating in the 80 mile River-to-River race. Even though the day started out rainy, it cleared up with very comfortable weather. For more than 25+ years, amateur radio operators have provided critical communications for Race Officials along the 80 mile course. It’s a hectic day but also a lot of fun.
The Governor has issued a proclamation declaring June as Amateur Radio Month. A copy of the proclamation is available on the ARRL-IL.ORG website as well as the ARRL Facebook page. Please download a copy and share it with your local city/town/county officials as well as local newspapers. It’s a great way to get exposure for your radio club and fellow ham operators. Thank you to Vicky, KD9BAU, our Public Information Coordinator for getting the Governor’s proclamation.
We have been recognized! Senator Ted Cruz recognized and praised Amateur Radio Volunteers for our Emergency Preparedness. Share it with everyone.
“Senator Ted Cruz, in a strong pre-Memorial Day message, publicly highlighted the critical role that Amateur Radio Service volunteers play during disasters, praising and thanking ham radio operators who provide essential communications when storms and emergencies knock out power and cellular networks and communities are cut off. Sen. Cruz observed that in these emergencies it is ham radio operators who step forward, bringing with them the tools, expertise, and the commitment to reconnect people when it matters most. He noted this dedication was clearly demonstrated in 2017 when Hurricane Harvey’s catastrophic flooding devastated communities across Texas and that it was demonstrated again more recently in the horrific Camp Mystic floods. He emphasized that as the Nation prepares for yet another summer storm season, ham radio’s role remains just as vital as ever.
Watch video now at youtu.be/4ZNeMXyCQ7Y
Stating that while future emergencies will come, Sen. Cruz pointed out that so would Amateur Radio — ready to respond, ready to serve, and to make a difference. He ended his statements, thanking ham radio for its courage and commitment, noting that Amateur Radio’s work strengthens our communities.
Senator Cruz is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. His comments align with the ARRL’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and protect Amateur Radio’s role in emergency preparedness and public service communications.
His comments also reflect growing Congressional recognition of the value Amateur Radio Operators bring to communities across the country. ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® continues to advocate for legislation that protects and strengthens Amateur Radio’s role in emergency preparedness and public service communications.” (Announcement from the ARRL)
If you haven’t watched the video, take a few minutes and watch.
Field Day is happening soon.
Field Day! Field Day 2026 takes place June 27 – 28 and more than 30,000 amateur radio operators will be on the air. This year’s Field Day theme is “Amateur Radio: A National Resource.” Combined with the ARRL Year of the Club, it gives your club an excellent opportunity to set up stations in where the public can see you and learn about amateur radio. I often hear people tell me “I thought amateur radio was dead.” This is your opportunity to show them we are alive and well. Invite your local officials to come out and visit. It will be a good opportunity to talk about ARES and what you do for your community.
Go to https://www.arrl.org/field-day, if you need more information.
2026 has been designated by the ARRL Board of Directors as the Year of the Club, recognizing that radio clubs are the backbone of ARRL. There is an abundance of information at https://clubs.arrl.org/year-of-the-club website.
Good luck on Field Day and remember to send me a Winlink message and our SEC, WA9SWW a message for your points.
73
Thom
ARRL Club Liability Insurance Information
ARRL is aware that some amateur radio clubs who had been insured by Marsh/AIG, a previous provider of the ARRL Club Liability Insurance Program, are receiving notices that their club liability insurance is not being renewed. ARRL discontinued its relationship with Marsh/AIG in 2011, but some clubs who had previously enrolled in the policies were still renewing with the old provider -- and not in the current ARRL program.
The current program administrator (since 2015) for the ARRL-sponsored Club Liability Insurance Program is Risk Strategies. ARRL has a strong relationship with the current administrator who understands the importance of local amateur radio clubs and will help clubs seek new policies. Risk Strategies also administers the ARRL Equipment Insurance Plan for members.
Clubs that are affected by the loss of coverage from the previous provider are encouraged to contact Risk Strategies. Please visit Risk Strategies online at arrlinsurance.com or by phone at 1-866-819-0209 (please leave a message and your call will be returned).
ARRL is not able to help them with questions on insurance and all questions should be directed to Risk Strategies.