NEW Help Pass The HOA Legislation
New this month The Prarire Voice 2025
New this month ARES Representatives Map
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
January 2026
Welcome to 2026!
2025 went by so fast I still am wondering where it went.
Did you get a chance to work the Straight Key event? It was a lot of fun.
2026 is already shaping up to be a busy year. Hamfests are being scheduled and we kick of with the first at Collinsville on January 24 at the Gateway Convention Center. It has always been well attended.
The ARRL has designated 2026 as the "Year of the Club" to celebrate the vital role of amateur radio clubs.
Activities include:
Focus on Growth: Programs to help clubs expand and thrive.
On-Air Events: Opportunities to get clubs active and connected.
Membership Drives: Incentives for clubs that increase ARRL membership.
Milestone Recognition: Celebrating clubs reaching significant anniversaries.
Website Contest: A call for clubs to showcase their websites for recognition (Deadline January 30 for submission.
Newsletter Contest: A call for clubs to showcase their newsletter for recognition Deadline January 30 for submission
Club Photo: As just one way of honoring various clubs, QST will feature club photos in every 2026 issue.
A Year-Long Worked-All-States Operating Event Celebrating the 250th Anniversary (Semiquincentennial) of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. (W1AW/9) Our first of two weeks begins January 21.
There will also be:
Recognition and incentives for clubs that help increase ARRL membership.
Recognition for clubs celebrating significant milestones, including 100 years of ARRL affiliation.
As you can see, it is shaping up to be a great 2026 celebration!
Information on all these activities can be found at: https://www.arrl.org/year-of-the-club
A reminder that we have the Statewide ARES net on the first and third Sundays at 4:30 p.m. on 3905 kHz and the NC9IL check in to test propagation on the third Saturday at 10:30-11:00 a.m. om 7227 kHz.
If you don t have HF capabilities for the Statewide 3905 kHz net you can participate by going to Echolink wb0vtm-l where the net audio is simulcast. It would be great if we could get all 102 counties to check in.
Do you have a Hams Over IP (HOIP) connected phone? We have two rooms for your use that can handle multiple participants in each of the rooms. The two rooms are ARES at 10087 and Skywarn at 10086. Feel free to use either room but please give priority if there is an ARES exercise or a Skywarn event.
If you need information or help with HOIP, please contact me.
I hope to see you on air.
73
Thom W9RY
73
Thom W9RY
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.