• ARRL Foundation Grants $270,000 to Amateur Radio Clubs
• ARRL President Emeritus Harry Dannals, W2HD, SK
• Radio Club of America Announces 2022 Award Recipients and Fellows
• ARRL Mourns Loss of Caroline Kenney, QST Assistant Editor
• Route 66 On the Air Special Event
• Amateur Radio in the News
• ARRL Podcasts Schedule
• Announcements
• In Brief...
• The K7RA Solar Update
• Just Ahead in Radiosport
• Upcoming Section, State, and Division Conventions

The new ARRL Foundation Club Grant Program, funded by a generous grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), has awarded $270,000 to radio clubs that participated in the first round of applications.

The Club Grant Program, introduced earlier this year, includes $500,000 to be awarded to radio clubs with projects that will have the most impact on amateur radio, the community, and the future of radio technology. The grants will fund transformative projects that encourage the growth of active amateur radio operators and training opportunities, education programs for student groups and schools, and club revitalization. A second round of applications to award the program's remaining funding will open on September 7, 2022.

Twenty-four clubs were notified on Monday, August 29, that they are receiving grants. The ARRL Foundation received 128 applications in the first round, with requests totaling $1.74 million. The selection committee noted that it was difficult work deciding between many high-quality grant proposals considering the finite available funds. Radio clubs that did not receive grants in the first round may revise and resubmit applications in the second round.

An informational webinar will serve as an orientation to the program, providing information on how to apply. The webinar will take place on September 7 at 7 PM Eastern Time. Please register in advance to attend. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar:

Webinar: ARRL Club Grant Program: Round Two Kickoff
When: September 7, 2022, at 7 PM Eastern Time
Register: tinyurl.com/ARRL-Webinar-September-2022

The ARRL Foundation, established in 1973 by ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio^®, administers the Club Grant Program. ARRL has long recognized that it is in the best interests of amateur radio to encourage and support amateur radio clubs. Historically, clubs have recruited, licensed, and trained new radio amateurs and have provided the community setting for them to continue their education and training.

The new Club Grant Program will help clubs more easily provide and expand their important services. More information about the program can be found on the ARRL Foundation website at www.arrl.org/club-grant-program.

Harry Dannals, W2HD, President Emeritus of ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio®, died on August 30. He lived in Charlottesville, Virginia. In April, Dannals celebrated his 95th birthday and over 80 years of involvement in amateur radio. He served as ARRL President for 10 years, from 1972 - 1982, and his President Emeritus status was conferred in 1984. He was also an ARRL Life Member.

ARRL President Emeritus Harry Dannals, W2HD, SK | 1927 - 2022

In an interview, Dannals said that when he was 10 years old, he practiced Morse code with his best friend and was able to master 50 - 60 words per minute.

Dannals served in the Navy after graduating from Balboa High School in the former Canal Zone on the isthmus of Panama, where his father was Officer in Charge of a radio receiving site. Eventually, Dannals himself would become the supervisor of more than 20 radiomen and support personnel. He was discharged in mid-1946 and attended Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn (now Polytechnic Institute of New York University), where he prepared for his amateur radio license.

In writings shared by one of his children, Dannals wrote, "I found a way to prepare for my amateur license by doing a research paper for an English class using amateur radio as a resource. Among my references was the American Radio Relay League's (ARRL) Radio Amateur's Handbook with the latest ARRL license manual on the side! It worked, and my call sign, W2TUK, was received that year with a great deal of joy by me and my dad."

After graduation from college in 1950, he went on to work for the Sperry Corporation, where he worked in radar and other engineering programs. "During almost 40 years of my employment there, the company provided a club station, W2YKQ, which was on the air during lunch periods, a fact that made the more than 200 ham radio operators that worked at Sperry very happy," wrote Dannals.

While at Sperry, he met his future wife, Kay, and they were married for over 60 years. Dannals lived in Dix Hills, New York, prior to his retirement to Charlottesville, Virginia, in the early 1990s.

Dannals volunteered for several appointments in the ARRL Field Organization: Official Relay Station (ORS); Official Phone Station (OPS); Official Observer (OO), and Emergency Coordinator (EC). He held elected positions as Section Communications Manager (SCM), Vice Director, and Director of the ARRL Hudson Division. He was elected President by the ARRL Board in 1972, and served for five two-year terms. During his office, he traveled extensively to help represent ARRL -- visiting all 50 states, the Canal Zone, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the United Kingdom. International travel fulfilled his role as US Representative to Region II of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).

Dannals recounted that during his presidency, preparations were made for the World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC) of 1979. Through the efforts of ARRL staff, volunteers, and the FCC, the conference led to the worldwide allocation of the 30, 17, and 12-meter bands (the WARC Bands).

ARRL President Emeritus Harry Dannals, W2HD, at the 2014 ARRL Centennial Convention in Hartford, Connecticut.

"Without question, the time devoted to ARRL matters, working with the very capable and dedicated staff, and my association with the board of directors was a wonderful experience," wrote Dannals. "Each year was punctuated by new developments for ham radio. A volume of great memories will never be forgotten."

"Since the time that he was President of ARRL, I always called him 'Prez.' And Prez would enjoy chatting about all of the wonderful people at Headquarters," said his son, Bob Dannals, W2GG, in a remembrance he shared with ARRL. "My dad considered each ham that he met to be a member of his extended family. He cared greatly and fought mightily for all hams in his administrative roles with ARRL. He would say that we are all members of the worldwide community that started with Marconi and continued with [Hiram Percy] Maxim. It's a wonderful legacy and I'm happy that he shared it with me (and everyone else he met)."

ARRL Roanoke Division Director Jim Boehner, N2ZZ (left) presents the Roanoke Division Award to ARRL President Emeritus Harry Dannals, W2HD, in 2018.

Dannals was the oldest member of the Albemarle Amateur Radio Club, an ARRL Special Service Club. In 2018, Dannals received a visit from ARRL Roanoke Division Director Jim Boehner, N2ZZ, and Vice Director Bill Morine, N2COP, who presented him with the Roanoke Division Award for his dedicated leadership to all amateur radio operators.

Dannals was also President Emeritus of the Quarter Century Wireless Association (QCWA), having served as President of the QCWA from 1989 to 1994. In 2016, Dannals was honored by QCWA for his 70 years as a radio amateur. In comments about the honor bestowed on him, Kay Craigie, N3KN, who was ARRL President from 2010 - 2016, said that Dannals set an example of "cheerfulness and enthusiasm, and friendliness to all hams, whether they qualify for QCWA twice over or are so new that they haven't memorized their call signs yet."

A viewing will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at 10 AM ET at the Church of the Incarnation, 1465 Incarnation Drive, Charlottesville, Virginia, followed by a church service at 11 AM ET. Interment will be at Holly Memorial Gardens.

The Radio Club of America (RCA) has announced its 2022 award recipients and Fellows, including amateur radio operator Edward M. Gable, K2MP. The 2022 awards and Fellows ceremonies will be held at the RCA Awards Banquet in the Atlanta, Georgia, Hyatt Regency on November 19, 2022.

ARRL Life Member Edward M. Gable, K2MP, is the 2022 recipient of the RCA Barry Goldwater Amateur Radio Award.

ARRL Life Member Edward M. Gable, K2MP, is the Barry Goldwater Amateur Radio Award recipient. This award recognizes significant achievements of excellence in the engineering and manufacturing of radio equipment.

Professor Akhlesh Lakhtakia is the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. This award recognizes very significant achievements and a major body of work accomplished over a lifetime, resulting in advancement of the art and science of wireless technology.

Arlene Harris is the Wireless Innovation Award recipient. This award recognizes innovative concepts or products in use in the wireless industry.

Patti Ryg is the Excellence in Sales and Marketing Award recipient. This award recognizes an individual who exhibits the "Esprit de Corps" of sales, marketing, and promoting in the wireless industry.

Donald Root is the RCA Special Recognition Award recipient. This award is for dedicated service to the RCA.

Evan Rolek is the Special Recognition Award recipient. This award is presented to an individual who has worked tirelessly to support the RCA. For decades, Rolek has supported the RCA Youth Activities Program.

Ellen O'Hara is the RCA Special Services Award recipient. This award was established to recognize RCA members who have performed significant work to advance the goals and objectives of the RCA.

Jim and Felicia Kreuzer are the Ralph Batcher Memorial Award recipients. This award is presented to an RCA member for their significant work in preserving the history of radio and electronic communications. Jim and Felicia have made numerous contributions to historical preservation and educational efforts at the Antique Wireless Association and the RCA, including many exhibits, publications, and programs.

Paul Scutieri is the President's Award recipient. This award recognizes the demonstration of unselfish dedication to the work of the RCA.

The following individuals have been elevated to Fellow status in 2022:

• Lynn Bisha

• Professor James Breakall, PhD

• Neil Horden

• Jason Kern

• Pete Varounis

Founded in 1909, The Radio Club of America includes professionals from across the wireless communications industry.

ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio^® mourns the passing of our colleague and friend Caroline Kenney. Kenney died August 18, 2022, after battling with cystic fibrosis. She was 28 years old.

Kenney was an Assistant Editor for QST, ARRL's monthly membership journal. "Over the past 6 years, Caroline has been a committed professional member of our editorial team," said CEO David Minster, NA2AA, in a message he shared with the ARRL staff and Board of Directors. "Despite having to live a life with illness, she always rose above it, excelling in her job as Assistant Editor, pushing us and herself to do better. To be better. The world is a lesser place today. God bless her and her family."

Kenney was born in Willimantic, Connecticut, and attended The Woodstock Academy, class of 2012. She received Highest Honors when graduating with her bachelor's degree from Assumption College, in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 2016. Although she worked as a full-time editor at ARRL, her dream was to become a published author.

Editorial Director Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY, shared that Kenney had joined the ARRL staff fresh out of college, quickly fulfilling the role of an incisive editor. "Her skills and contributions grew over the years," said Schoenfeld. "She approached her work with an intensity that never abated, even in these past weeks. She was also a joy to be around. I dearly wish she were still among us; I miss her already."

Donations in Kenney's name can be made to the Boomer Esiason Foundation, a group that supports the cystic fibrosis community, at www.esiason.org/donate. She was gifted a college scholarship through this foundation when she was attending Assumption College.

-- Thanks to Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory for some information.

The annual Route 66 On the Air Special Event will take place September 10 - 18, 2022. The purpose of the event is to commemorate the history of the "Mother Road" connecting the east and west United States.

Now in its 23rd year, the Northern Arizona DX Association (NADXA) started the event, which is now coordinated by the Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club (CBARC) in San Bernardino, California.

There will be 21 stations with 1x1 call signs on the air from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, all with consecutive calls starting with W6. NADXA will operate three of the 21 stations, including W6G (Flagstaff, Arizona), and W6S (Arizona Rover 1). They'll set up at various spots along Route 66 east of Flagstaff, and W6T (Arizona Rover 2) will be set up in Bellemont. Later in the week, the event will be moved to Parks, on old Route 66, west of Flagstaff.

The history of the Mother Road began in 1926, when US Highway 66 was established. It was the first major improvement to the link between the west coast and the nation's heartland. Through stories, songs, and TV shows, the highway came to symbolize the freedom of the open road, inspiring many to see America in its entirety. The demise of Route 66 began in the 1950s, as construction began on the new interstate highway system. US Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1986, but today, small portions of the highway still exist in several states.

For more information on participating stations, certificates and decals, and the Route 66 On the Air Special Event, visit the Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club (CBARC) and Northern Arizona DX Association (NADXA) websites.

Visit the ARRL Special Event Stations database at www.arrl.org/special-event-stations to find other on-the-air events and commemorations.

ARRL Public Information Officers, Coordinators, and many other member-volunteers help keep amateur radio and ARRL in the news.

"HAMs to unveil new communication trailer this week." / The Star (Indiana), August 27, 2022. -- Northeastern Indiana Amateur Radio Association is an ARRL Affiliated Club.

"NCFL residents get training on HAM radios in case of a major disaster." / WCJB - TV (Florida), August 28, 2022. -- Thanks to Alachua County ARES^®/RACES and the North Florida Amateur Radio Club, an ARRL Affiliated Club.

"Hams complete amateur radio Emergency Communication course" / The Coastal Point (Delaware), August 30, 2022. -- Thanks to the radio amateurs of Kent and Sussex County and the ARRL Delaware Section.

Share any amateur radio media hits you spot with us.

The latest episode of the ARRL On the Air podcast (Episode 32) addresses the topic of scanning, with specific discussions about memory scanning, CTCSS tone scanning, priority watch, and more.

The latest edition of the ARRL Eclectic Tech podcast (Episode 67) features a discussion of power generation using graphene, synchronizing clocks with cosmic rays, multifrequency "vascular" antennas, and listening to Very Low Frequency (VLF) atmospheric signals as part of NASA's INSPIRE project.

Both On the Air and Eclectic Tech podcasts are available on iTunes (iOS) and Stitcher (Android), as well as on Blubrry -- On the Air | Eclectic Tech.

Of note for VHF contesters is the 2022 ARRL September VHF Contest, which begins on September 10 at 1800 UTC, and concludes on September 12 at 0259 UTC. The new Analog Only categories that were introduced for Single Operator participants in June will continue with this event, so there are plenty of ways to participate, no matter which modes (CW, SSB, or digital) you choose to operate. Operation is allowed on any amateur frequency from 50 MHz to light. Complete rules are available at www.arrl.org/september-vhf. -- Thanks to The ARRL Contest Update.

ARRL Headquarters will be closed on Monday, September 5, in observance of Labor Day. There will be no W1AW bulletin or code practice transmissions. ARRL HQ will reopen on Tuesday, September 6, at 8 AM EDT. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!

The 15th annual Ohio State Parks On The Air (OSPOTA) contest will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022. The event is held annually on the first Saturday following Labor Day. All 75 Ohio state parks can be used for the 2022 contest, and the contest period will be from 10 AM to 6 PM ET. OSPOTA was conceived with three main goals in mind: to promote public awareness of amateur radio and Ohio's beautiful state park system, to contribute to the recognition of Ohio's diverse ecology, and to promote camaraderie among the ranks of Ohio's amateur radio operators. Some minor changes to the rules have been made for 2022. Only standard Cabrillo log files will be accepted for entries. Text files, PDFs, CSVs, ADIFs, BINs, photos of logs, paper, etc. will not be accepted. For more information on the 2022 Ohio State Parks On The Air contest, visit their website.

Tad Cook, K7RA, of Seattle, Washington, reports for this week's ARRL Propagation Bulletin, ARLP035:

Solar disc image taken September 1, 2022, courtesy of NASA SDO/HMI.

The past week saw many interesting events. The observatory at Penticton, British Columbia (the source of 10.7-centimeter solar flux measurements) was overwhelmed by solar flares, and at 2000 UTC on August 28, reported a solar flux value of 251.9. The next day at 1700 UTC, 357.1 was reported. The 2000 UTC local noon numbers are the official solar flux number for each day, so for the August 28 value, I chose to report the 2300 UTC number of 133.5.

I checked with astronomer Andrew Gray at Penticton. He reported, "The high values are indeed because of solar activity. Both yesterday and today, flares occurred right during our flux measurements."

Solar activity increased this reporting week (August 25 - 31) with average daily sunspot numbers increasing from 58.7 to 74.9, and solar flux from 104.5 to 123.8.

Without that correction for August 28, the average daily solar flux would have been 140.8 instead of 123.8.

The average daily A index was a little lower, as the planetary values shifted from 12.6 to 10.1 and the middle latitude went from 11 to 9.4.

Three new sunspot groups appeared on August 25 at the beginning of the week, but none have appeared since then.

The predicted solar flux is 110 on September 1 - 2; 115 on September 3 - 5; 110 on September 6 - 7; 115, 120, and 124 on September 8 - 10; 130, 128 and 120 on September 11 - 13; 117, 105, and 102 on September 14 - 16; 98 on September 17 - 18; 104, 102, and 108 on September 19 - 21; 118 on September 22 - 23; 124 and 125 on September 24 - 25; 120 on September 26 - 28; 115 on September 29 to October 1, and 112 on October 2.

The predicted planetary A index is 5 on September 1 - 2; 8, 20, 25, and 15 on September 3 - 6; 10 on September 7 - 8; 12 and 8 on September 9 - 10; 5 on September 11 - 12; 12, 15, and 10 on September 13 - 15; 8 on September 16 - 17; 5 on September 18 - 23; 14, 10, and 8 on September 24 - 26; 5 on September 27 - 29, and 30, 38, and 20 on September 30 through October 2.

The sunspot numbers for August 25 through 31, 2022, were 94, 88, 84, 79, 87, 50, and 42 with a mean of 74.9. The 10.7-centimeter flux was 117.8, 118.6, 127.5, 133.5, 130.6, 125.6, and 113.3, with a mean of 123.8. The estimated planetary A indices were 5, 5, 14, 7, 14, 13, and 13, with a mean of 10.1. The middle latitude A index was 5, 5, 11, 7, 13, 13, and 12, with a mean of 9.4.

Send your tips, questions, or comments to k7ra@arrl.net.

A comprehensive K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean..." and check out the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA.

A propagation bulletin archive is available. For customizable propagation charts, visit the VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.

Share your reports and observations.

A weekly, full report is posted on ARRL News.

• September 1 -- NRAU 10-Meter Activity Contest (CW, phone, digital)

• September 1 - 3 -- G3ZQS Memorial Straight Key Contest (CW)

• September 3 -- Russian RTTY WW Contest (digital)

• September 3 -- All Asian DX Contest (phone)

• September 3 -- Wake-Up! QRP Sprint (CW)

• September 3 - 4 -- SARL Field Day Contest (CW, phone, digital)

• September 3 -- AGCW Straight Key Party (CW)

• September 3 - 4 -- Colorado QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

• September 3 - 4 -- IARU Region 1 Field Day (SSB, phone)

• September 3 - 4 -- RSGB SSB Field Day (phone)

• September 3 - 4 -- IARU Region 1 145 MHz Contest (CW, phone, digital)

• September 3 - 4 -- PODXS 070 Club Jay Hudak Memorial 80-Meter Sprint (digital)

• September 4 -- WAB 144 MHz QRO Phone (phone)

• September 4 - 5 -- Tennessee QSO Party (CW, phone, digital)

• September 5 -- RSGB 80-Meter Autumn Series (SSB, phone)

• September 6 -- ARS Spartan Sprint (CW)

• September 7 -- VHF-UHF FT8 Activity Contest (FT8 4-char grid square)

Visit the ARRL Contest Calendar for more events and information.

• September 2 - 4 | Shelby Hamfest, hosting the ARRL North Carolina Section Convention, Shelby, North Carolina

• September 9 - 10 | Queen Wilhelmina Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Arkansas State Convention, Mena, Arkansas

• September 11 | ARRL Southern New Jersey Section Convention, Mullica Hill, New Jersey

• September 17 - 18 | QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo (online event). ARRL is a QSO Today partner.

• September 23 - 24 | HRO Superfest, hosting the ARRL Central Division Convention, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

• September 24 | Red River Radio Amateur Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Dakota Division Convention, West Fargo, North Dakota

• September 24 | Spokane Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington

• October 1 | Wichita Area Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Kansas State Convention, Wichita, Kansas

• October 1 | Rock Hill Hamfest, hosting the ARRL South Carolina Section Convention, Rock Hill, South Carolina

• October 7- 8 | Melbourne Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Florida State Convention, Melbourne, Florida

• October 7- 8 | Slidell EOC Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Louisiana State Convention, Slidell, Louisiana

• October 7- 9 | ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Cheyenne, Wyoming

• October 9 | Nutmeg Hamfest, hosting the ARRL Connecticut State Convention, North Haven, Connecticut

• October 14 - 16 | Pacificon, hosting the ARRL Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, California

• October 15 | Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference 2022, hosting the ARRL Wisconsin State Convention, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

• October 29 | CopaFest, hosting the ARRL Arizona State Convention, Maricopa, Arizona

Search the ARRL Hamfest and Convention Database to find events in your area.

Submissions for the ARRL Letter and ARRL News can be sent to news@arrl.org. -- John E. Ross, KD8IDJ, ARRL News Editor

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