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
ARRL Illinois Section Newsletter
August 2025
Only a few more hamfest to go this year. The next big one will be the Midwest Superfest on September 20 and 21. The Midwest Superfest will also be the host for the Central Division and Illinois Section conventions. It’s time to finish making your plans to attend now.
We have just completed the Illinois Frozen Prairie exercise on August 9. As is typical, it seems that even though our Section Emergency Coordinator was on the planning calls, when it came time for the exercise we were ignored. So instead of interfacing with the state agencies and the National Guard, ARES held their own exercise.
The intent of the ARES exercise was to move emergency traffic from the southern part of the state to the northern part via 2 meter simplex as well as contacting NC9IL in Spring field via HF. This is the second time for this type of exercise.
Now let me address the good, bad and ugly starting with the ugly.
Thanks to the sun’s activity, Propagation was horrible! I did manage to work NC9IL on 7227 kHz early in the exercise but it was very rough. As the day went on, it was impossible. Trying 3905 kHz was no better.
Now for the good.
We had active participation from amateurs in the southern part of the state. Traffic originated just over the state line in Paducah, Kentucky and quickly was passed through relaying stations to Effingham.
Then the bad.
While the operators in northern Illinois waited for the traffic, it stalled.
It could not be passed via simplex because we have a void of operators through the central part of the state. It did make it to Pontiac by using repeaters (not the simplex that was planned) and then it didn’t go any further.
When I look at the distribution of amateur operators in Illinois, there are plenty of operators throughout central Illinois. I’m sure many have 2 meter capability but they don’t seem to participate in the exercises. This does not bode well if we ever have a severe or catastrophic event.
Some of you have heard my presentation on earthquakes. There are several fault lines that impact southern Illinois. Those who live in the southern part of the state know there will be another major earthquake. It’s not a matter of if, but rather when. We also have a state that is prone to flooding and tornadoes.
When it happens, it is imperative we have paths of communication from the south to the north and north to the south. As we just experienced, HF may not be usable. That means VHF/UHF will need to be used and to do that we will need trained operators to handle emergency communications.
I hope our next exercise will be successful because we have participation throughout the state. Let’s train like we fight and fight like we train.
There are still rumors I’m hearing. The latest is they are doing away with the General and there will only be the Technician and Extra licenses. IT IS FALSE! If you hear a rumor, contact me before you spread it. I’ll let you know if it’s true or false.
Did you know ARRL Field Services is 100. Your Section Cabinet as well as the District Emergency Coordinators (DEC’s) and the Emergency Coordinators (EC’s) are all part of Field Services.
Stay tuned for events in 2026..
73
Thom
ARRL Systems Service Disruption
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.
