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Newington, CT \u2013<\/b> ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio\u00ae is pleased to announce that Icom America is the Official Sponsor of the ARRL Year of the Club, supporting the initiatives that spotlight and strengthen ARRL Affiliated Clubs throughout 2026.<\/p>\n
The ARRL Board of Directors designated 2026 as the ARRL Year of the Club, recognizing the essential role that local amateur radio clubs play in building community, mentoring new operators, and delivering public service at the grassroots level. This nationwide focus celebrates clubs as engines of civic engagement and increases public awareness of the Amateur Radio Service through local connections across the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmateur radio clubs are the backbone of the hobby,\u201d said Ray Novak, N9JA, Senior Sales Manager at Icom America. \u201cIcom works closely with them to support education, growth, and engagement. Strong clubs create strong communities, and Icom is proud to support them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Supporting Clubs On the Air and Beyond<\/b><\/p>\n
ARRL has emphasized the broader impact of the initiative. \u201cThe Year of the Club places a spotlight on the vibrant community of radio clubs,\u201d said ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA. \u201cBy investing in clubs, Icom and ARRL are reinforcing the local foundation of amateur radio\u2014where mentorship begins, technical skills are shared, and public service takes root,\u201d said Minster.<\/p>\n
Through its sponsorship, Icom is supporting content that highlights the work of radio clubs in QST<\/i>, ARRL newsletters and publications, and through resources and activities designed to help clubs thrive.<\/p>\n
As part of ARRL\u2019s broader 2026 activities, ARRL has launched the America250 Worked All States (WAS) operating event, a year-long on-air activity encouraging amateur radio operators worldwide to make contact with all 50 US states in honor of America\u2019s 250th anniversary. Radio clubs are participating and supporting a special endorsement for operators who contact ARRL Affiliated Clubs in all 50 states during the year. In addition, clubs and hamfests are hosting W1AW\/portable activations in all 50 states, creating another endorsement opportunity for participants.<\/p>\n
ARRL also announced that the theme of 2026 ARRL Field Day, held June 27\u201328, will be \u201cAmateur Radio: A National Resource.\u201d Since 1933, Field Day has been the largest on-the-air operating event in North America, showcasing amateur radio\u2019s readiness to provide resilient communications in times of need while engaging the public through hands-on demonstrations and community outreach. This year\u2019s Field Day will emphasize club participation and the use of club call signs.<\/p>\n
For more information about the ARRL Year of the Club, the America250 Worked All States operating event, and 2026 ARRL Field Day, visit www.arrl.org<\/b>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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About ARRL<\/b>\u00ae<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio\u00ae was founded in 1914 as The American Radio Relay League, and is a noncommercial organization of radio amateurs. ARRL\u2019s mission is to promote and protect the art, science, and enjoyment of amateur radio, and to develop the next generation of radio amateurs. ARRL supports members with opportunities to discover radio, to develop new skills, and to serve their local communities. ARRL\u2019s youth initiatives include programs to inspire students and advance STEM education through amateur radio, and to encourage pathways to higher education and careers in wireless communications and related technical fields. ARRL is also the Secretariat of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). For more information about ARRL and amateur radio, visit www.arrl.org<\/b>.<\/p>\n
About Icom America<\/b>
Icom is a world leader in the amateur radio market. Icom makes amateur radios for use in long-range (HF) and short-range (VHF, UHF) communications. Digital technology is transforming the market, and Icom helped pioneer the development of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) equipment. Icom is also a leader in product development for the D-STAR digital mode, a global open protocol that is on the cutting edge in Amateur Radio today.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n