Top Emergency Responders in Pennsylvania join host Jay Silber, WA2UAR
– the PIC for the ARRL Eastern PA section – to help ensure legislation
intended to stop distracted driving does not interfere with the use of
Amateur Radio Operators using mobile rigs.
Legislation to replace last year’s failed HB37 distracted driving
bill, will be introduced again by Representative Rosemary Brown (189th
legislative District covering parts of Pike and Monroe Counties). The
EPA ARRL leadership team is in touch with Representative Brown’s
office in an effort to add exemption language for hams in the new
legislation.
Watch the Red Cross’ Greater PA Emergency Communication lead, David
Herzog, describe the value of Amateur Radio mobile operations in
emergencies. K3RF, Bob Famiglio, the ARRL Vice-Director of the
Mid-Atlantic Region gives solid legal grounds for the exemption. And
Chester County, PA EC David Flad talks about the real emergencies and
incidents he’s participated in using his mobile rig.
A YouTube Premiere means you can join in the chat during the event, starting at 8 PM. The program runs just under half an hour. Hope to see
you there.
Jay Silber (WA2UAR)
Public Information Coordinator
ARRL-Eastern Pennsylvania
Tel: 610 662-8032
Email: JaySilber@arrl.net
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ARRL Eastern Pennsylvania Section
Section Manager: George W Miller, W3GWM w3gwm@arrl.org
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QSO Today Virtual Ham Expo on Saturday and Sunday, August 8 – 9, 2020.
Attendance is free and registration is now open at https://www.qsotodayhamexpo.com with early bird prize incentives for registering by July 24, 2020.
Built on a live, virtual platform used by Fortune 500 companies and major universities, this ARRL–sanctioned hamfest will let you:
Learn from a packed line-up of 70+ world-renowned ham radio speakers such as Ward Silver, N0AX, on Grounding and Bonding; Glen Johnson, W0GJ, on DXpeditions, and John Portune, W6NBC, on building slot antennas for HOA.
See demos of the latest ham radio equipment from the world’s top equipment companies. You can ask questions and engage with Exhibitors through video, audio, or chat.
Share ideas and network with your fellow ham radio operators throughout the Expo.
And if you’ve never been to a Hamfest or Expo, you can participate from the convenience of your home or office without spending a dime on travel!This platform simulates a full convention experience with an exhibit hall and exhibit booths staffed by live attendants, speaker auditorium, lobby, and lounges.
On Monday, June 15th, at 7:30 PM the ARRL EPA Section will be holding a webinar on the 13 Colonies Special Event coming up on July 1st through the 7th.
Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, will be the presenter.
If you registered previously you should have received the login instructions for this meeting.
Zoom has added additional security, including encryption, to the level of service we are subscribed to in case you are concerned about security issues. You will not notice these changes but they are in place.
If you are not registered and would like to attend, please contact me at w3gwm at arrl dot net
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George Miller W3GWM Eastern Pennsylvania Section Manager
Join us on Friday, March 6, at 7:00 pm at St. James Lutheran Church in Limerick, PA for a presentation by the ARRL EPA Section Mgr., George Miller, W3GWM, via a Zoom videoconference. Refreshments served. All are welcome to attend.
There will also be an amateur radio license exam at 5:00 pm at this location. See theLicense Exams page to learn how to sign up, and for more details.
To: All Amateur Radio Emergency Coordinators throughout the United States
From: Radio Relay International
Ref: The Future of the Winlink System and PACTOR
Does your ARES, RACES or similar local emergency communications unit use Winlink, DTN or similar digital infrastructure as a component in its preparedness and response operations? Do you have plans to do so in the future? If so, you must act now to protect this valuable asset!
Winlink and the PACTOR modes on which it is based have been around for decades and have become an extremely important tool in Amateur Radio public service communications. Two important worldwide emergency communications networks built by volunteers who donated their time and energy are predicated on its continued use. These networks, one of which is the familiar Winlink system, have been good neighbors to their fellow radio amateurs for many years.
Recently, a small cadre of individuals have sought to diminish or eliminate the Winlink program as it currently exists. Their motives are unclear. However, in doing so, they have made the PACTOR mode of communications their target. In their efforts, they have made inferences and accusations that have proven quite controversial. Most recently, they have asked the Federal Communications Commission to issue a declaratory ruling that would essentially prohibit the use of PACTOR, thereby rendering many long-standing emergency communications networks inoperative.
Our goal is to communicate the importance of PACTOR and the networks built on its capabilities to the Federal Communications Commission. In particular; it is essential that we leverage the support of the local and state emergency management and public safety community to protect these networks from the agenda of a very small but well-funded minority of individuals.
Attached you will find a preformatted radiogram message. We respectfully ask that every Amateur Radio emergency coordinator contact his local, district or state emergency management directors, sheriffs, fire service officials, hospital agencies and other public safety officials in his jurisdiction and ask that they authorize its transmission on their behalf. It’s a simple matter to pick up the telephone. Our goal is to collect a minimum of 500 to 1000 of these radiograms signed by emergency services officials throughout the United States supporting the continued use of PACTOR as an essential tool in the emergency communications field. These radiograms will be collected at a central location and included as an exhibit in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission.
YOU MUST ACT NOW TO SAVE PACTOR AND THE NETWORKS THAT RELY ON IT, INCLUDING THE WINLINK SYSTEM!! There is no time to waste.
A request for declaratory ruling to eliminate PACTOR calls for a comment deadline on December 2. This gives us only a few weeks to act and prepare a response filing. Therefore, please complete the attached radiogram form and return it by no later than November 22.
Two documents are attached. One is an example form with a standard text and simulated signature provided for guidance. The second is a fillable PDF on which you can enter the name, title and agency of the official originating the message is attached. This process only requires a few phone calls on everyone’s part.
Please do NOT change the text. Simply add the required information for the signature and send the message either via a traffic net or it may be emailed directly as a completed PDF to the address shown on the form.
2026 MEETINGS First Friday Meetings are at 7:00 pm
at St. James Lutheran Church, except in Summer
⇒ Jan. 2 AM/FM Broadcasting, part 2
⇒ Feb. 6 Radio Astronomy
⇒ March 3 Space Weather II
⇒ April 3 GNU Radio
⇒ May 1 Alaska Trip
⇒ June 5 Ice Cream Social
⇒ Summer Recess
2026 EVENTS
⇒ May 3 PAARC in the Park
LICENSE EXAMS Held on most first Fridays at 5:00 pm except June, July & Aug. 2026 No walk-ins. Dates may change.
Next exam:
Sept. 4 Register for an Exam
2025 MEETING HISTORY ⇒ Jan. 3 Antenna Analyzers ⇒ Feb. 7 Senior Scams
⇒ March 7 Tech Talk
⇒ April 4 POTA
⇒ May 2 AM & FM Broadcasting
⇒ June 6 Fox Hunt
⇒ June 6 Ice Cream Social
⇒ June 14 Fox Hunt
⇒ Sept. 5 SKYWARN
⇒ Oct. 3 Space Weather ⇒ Nov. 6 Thursday Meeting
Board Nominations & Social ⇒ Nov. 10 Board Meeting ⇒ Dec. 5 Member Night
