Articles on the National Geographic and Space.com websites report that scientists and Amateur Radio operators have confirmed that Puerto Rico’s Arecibo Observatory came through Hurricane Maria largely intact but “with some significant damage.” Universities Space Research Association ( USRA), which helps to operate the Observatory, said it learned via “short wave radio contact” that staff and fam...

As part of the ongoing communications efforts in the wake of Hurricane Maria, Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station W1AW has suspended its regular bulletin and code practice transmissions for the evening of Friday, September 22, to assist in handling outbound health-and-welfare traffic from Puerto Rico.

Radio amateurs are reminded to keep the SATERN frequency of 14.265 MHz clear at this time, to f...

The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network ( SATERN) International SSB Net is seeking volunteers who can serve either as net control stations (NCS) or as relay stations. SATERN has been in daily operation (1400 UTC until at least 2300 UTC) since Tuesday, September 19 on 14.265 MHz (Note: SATERN shifted to 14.275 MHz on September 22 to avoid interference.)

“SATERN had initially planned on ter...

The Colombia Amateur Radio League ( LCRA) is asking the Amateur Radio community there to activate the national emergency network to support those seeking information about relatives in the Caribbean islands affected by the recent hurricanes.

To start, the frequencies 7.117 MHz for SSB and 7.085 MHz for digital modes as well as EchoLink COL_LCRA conference and the national VHF repeater system hav...

The Quarter Century Wireless Association ( QCWA) has honored centenarian and ARRL member William (Bill) Orr, W8NPU, of Columbus, Ohio, with its 80th Anniversary Award. QCWA member Don Fuhr, K8KSM, presented Orr with the framed award certificate. Orr has been licensed for 82 years. While he is no relation to the Bill Orr, W6SAI, his story nonetheless is an interesting one.

According to the QCWA, ...

MCM Electronics, in business for 40 years, will close two plants and its corporate headquarters in Ohio and lay off more than 90 workers, the Dayton Daily News reported earlier this summer. The company, which carries an electronics inventory of more than 300,000 items, including 3-D printers, tools, wire, cable, and other items, has been a Dayton Hamvention® vendor.

The layoffs will begin at mon...

The Hurricane Watch Net ( HWN) stood down on September 20 after 60 hours of activation for Hurricane Maria as did the VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center. The International Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network ( SATERN) SSB Net will be in extended monitoring mode through Friday.

“The latest storm track is very good news for the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic,”...