\n<\/p>\n
As part of ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio\u00ae’s 2026\u00a0Year of the Club\u00a0spotlight, Affiliated Clubs were invited to show how they use two important communications tools \u2014 their websites and newsletters \u2014 to engage members, strengthen their organizations, and promote amateur radio. The response was enthusiastic, with more than 80 entries submitted in each contest from clubs across the country.<\/p>\n
The contests were designed not simply to identify the \u201cbest-looking\u201d website or newsletter, but to recognize radio clubs that are using these tools effectively to serve their members. A good club website can make it easy for prospective and current members to find information, learn about activities, and get involved. A good newsletter can keep members connected between meetings, share technical knowledge and operating opportunities, celebrate club accomplishments, and give members another reason to stay engaged.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal was to highlight the many creative ways radio clubs communicate with their members,\u201d said ARRL Director of Publications and Editorial Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY. \u201cWe hope these winning websites and newsletters will give other clubs ideas they can adapt to their own organizations. There\u2019s no single formula for an effective club communication \u2014 what matters is understanding your audience and giving them useful, interesting reasons to connect and keep connected with the club.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Outstanding Club Newsletters<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n
Newsletter entries were judged in three membership categories: Large Clubs (more than 120 members), Medium Clubs (60\u2013120 members), and Small Clubs (fewer than 60 members). Judges considered the navigability and attractiveness of the publications, as well as the variety and quality of their content. Two entries also earned special commendations for doing an outstanding job serving specialized audiences.<\/p>\n
The winners are:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Large Clubs<\/b><\/p>\n
First Place<\/b>: Gloucester County Amateur Radio Club, W2MMD, Pitman, New Jersey \u2014\u00a0CrossTalk<\/i>, edited by Jeffrey Garth, WB2ZBN<\/p>\n
Second Place<\/b>: Long Island CW Club, W2LCW, Global \u2014\u00a0Long Island CW Club Newsletter<\/i>, edited by Richard Spohn, WB2GXM<\/p>\n
Medium Clubs<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n
First Place<\/b>: Ozaukee Radio Club, W9CQO, Grafton, Wisconsin \u2014\u00a0The Ozaukee Radio Club Newsletter<\/i>, edited by William Shadid, W9MXQ<\/p>\n
Second Place<\/b>: East Greenbush Amateur Radio Association, W2EGB, East Greenbush, New York \u2014\u00a0Sidebands<\/i>, edited by Bryan Jackson, W2RBJ<\/p>\n
Honorable Mention<\/b>: Providence Radio Association, W1OP, Johnston, Rhode Island \u2014\u00a0The Old Professor<\/i>, edited by Thomas Greenwood, W1ER<\/p>\n
Small Clubs<\/b><\/p>\n
First Place<\/b>: Peekskill\/Cortlandt Amateur Radio Association, W2NYW, Greater Peekskill\/Cortlandt Area, New York \u2014\u00a0PCARA Update<\/i>, edited by Malcolm G. Pritchard, NM9J<\/p>\n
Second Place<\/b>: Morongo Basin Amateur Radio Club, W6BA, Morongo Basin, California \u2014\u00a0MBARC Beacon<\/i>, edited by Aaron Chesney, KM6IAU<\/p>\n
Special Commendations<\/b><\/p>\n
Best Newsletter for a Specialized Audience<\/b>: Families and Youth: Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society, W1STR, Natick, Massachusetts \u2014\u00a0Sci-Tech Amateur Radio Society News<\/i>, edited by Robert F. Phinney, K5TEC\u00a0<\/p>\n
Best Newsletter for a Specialized Audience: Global Audience<\/b>: Young Ladies\u2019 Radio League, K4LMB, Global \u2014\u00a0YL Harmonics<\/i>, edited by Kathleen Houlihan, WA5DUC<\/p>\n
Newsletter contest judges were:<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>ARRL Director of Publications and Editorial Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>ARRL Senior Director of Marketing and Innovation Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>NCJ Editor and PVRC Newsletter Editor John Pescatore, K3TN<\/p>\n ARRL News Editor, past Ohio Section PIC, and past coordinator of the Ohio Section Newsletter Contest John Ross, KD8IDJ<\/p>\n Outstanding Club Websites<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n The website contest focused on three key areas: layout, content, and accessibility. Judges with extensive experience in website development, systems administration, and web infrastructure evaluated the entries to identify sites that effectively serve their clubs and their audiences.<\/p>\n The winners are:<\/p>\n First Place<\/b>: Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club, W3ACH, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania \u2014\u00a0www.w3ach.com<\/b>, webmaster Caleb C. Jacobs, KC3VPB<\/p>\n Second Place<\/b>: Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club, W6EK, Auburn, California \u2014\u00a0www.w6ek.org<\/b>, webmaster Mike \u201cSmitty\u201d Smith, WB1G<\/p>\n Third Place<\/b>: Ventura County Amateur Radio Club, K6MEP, Ventura, California \u2014\u00a0k6mep.org<\/b>, webmaster David Schmidt, AI6VX<\/p>\n Website contest judges were:<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>ARRL New England Division Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Technical Coordinator Dan Brown, W1DAN<\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>ARRL member Erica Zavaleta, W7WXR. Erica is currently a DevOps Engineer managing web infrastructure for a regional ISP.<\/p>\n The winning websites and newsletters are worth a visit \u2014 not only to congratulate the clubs, but also to see how they organize information, promote activities, welcome newcomers, and communicate what makes their clubs active and relevant. They offer examples of different approaches to content, design, and audience \u2014 demonstrating that success doesn’t have to follow a particular template.<\/p>\n The contests are part of ARRL\u2019s broader Year of the Club effort to celebrate the vital role that amateur radio clubs play in building and sustaining the amateur radio community. Clubs are where many radio amateurs first find a mentor, learn a new skill, participate in an event, or make the connections that keep them active in the hobby.<\/p>\n \u201cClub leaders, newsletter editors, and webmasters: take a look at what these clubs are doing and borrow an idea or two for your own club,\u201d said ARRL Emergency Communications and Field Services Director Josh Johnston, KE5MHV. \u201cYear of the Club is a celebration of what clubs accomplish \u2014 and an invitation to keep building on that success.\u201d<\/p>\n ARRL and the contest judges are grateful for the enthusiastic response to the call for contest entries, and commend all entrants on the talent and time they devote to the creation of these important club communication tools.<\/p>\n The contest winners will be honored at the 2026 ARRL National Convention, hosted by the Huntsville Hamfest, August 21\u201323 in Huntsville, Alabama, and will also be featured in a 2026 issue of\u00a0QST.<\/i>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n