What’s New in the 102nd ARRL Handbook?

Trying to fit an antenna into a small yard? The latest ARRL Handbook expands its coverage of compact and stealth antennas and using a NanoVNA for measurements. Those are useful topics for QRP operators who want to make the most of a modest station.

ARRL says the new edition is now shipping and also expands its coverage of software-defined radio and FreeDV. See the full announcement for details on what’s new and the available editions:
https://www.arrl.org/news/a-century-plus-of-radio-innovation-the-102nd-arrl-handbook-is-now-available

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Receive SSTV Pictures From the ISS November 9–16

ARISS has announced “Space Memories,” an International Space Station slow-scan television (SSTV) event planned for November 9–16, 2026. The pictures will be sent on 437.550 MHz FM, in the 70-centimeter band.

A UHF receiver, an antenna, and SSTV decoding software are enough to try receiving a picture during a pass. Be ready to adjust the receive frequency as the ISS moves overhead. Check the official ARISS announcement for exact times and decoder settings before you listen.

Official ARISS event page:
https://www.ariss.org/upcoming-sstv-events.html

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Could Region 1 Gain More Room on 40 Meters?

A wider 40-meter band is among the spectrum priorities discussed at IARU Region 1’s 2026 conference, according to a November 4 report from Croatia’s national amateur-radio association, HRS.

Member societies are being encouraged to discuss extending the band to 7300 kHz with their national regulators. This does not change operating privileges; national approval would still be required.

The conference also addressed protecting amateur operations on 23 centimeters alongside satellite-navigation services and broader HF spectrum concerns.

Read the HRS conference report:
https://www.hamradio.hr/iaru-r1-konferencija/

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CQ WW CW 2026: Two Rule Changes QRP Operators Should Know

Planning to run five watts in CQ WW CW on November 28–29? The QRP limit is still 5 watts, with assisted and unassisted single-operator categories. Two rules are changing this year:

• The operator must initiate frequency changes, calls to other stations, and logging each contact. Software can assist within your entry category’s rules.

• Logs are now due within 48 hours of the finish: December 1 at 2359 UTC.

Check the official CQ WW rules before the contest:
https://www.cqww.com/rules/

Read The Full Article @ ke2yk.com 

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HOA Antenna Restrictions? Hams Need a United Voice

Restrictive HOA rules can keep hams from putting up useful antennas—even for a five-watt station. An HOA advocacy group is opposing federal bills aimed at protecting amateur-radio antenna installations.

Want to help? Learn what the bills propose and tell your members of Congress why practical antennas matter. This is an ongoing debate, not a change in law.

Read the report at Amateur Radio Daily.

For practical ham-radio guides, visit KE2YK.com.

HOA Group Pushes Back on Ham Radio Antenna Bill

Living in an HOA community can make putting up a ham antenna tough. The Community Associations Institute, which represents community associations, is opposing the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act. It wants associations to keep control over antenna approval.

The proposed bills, H.R. 1094 and S. 459, aim to give hams more protection from private antenna restrictions. For QRP operators working with limited antenna space, this is worth following.

The October 21 report covers lobbying efforts—not a new vote or change in law.

Read the full story at Amateur Radio Daily.

For practical antenna ideas and ham-radio guides, visit KE2YK.com.