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MDC Section News October 2026

  • MDC SECTION OPEN POSITIONS
  • MDC SECTION-WIDE ECHOLINK NET
  • SECTION MANAGERS NOTES
  • DIVISION NEWS
  • UPCOMING HAMFESTS & CONVENTIONS
  • EXAMS, ACTIVITIES, OPPORTUNITIES & SPECIAL EVENTS
  • STAFF REPORTS

MDC SECTION OPEN POSITIONS

We are looking for Emcomm group Leaders in the following areas:
Kent/ Queen Anne/ Somerset/ Worcester
For more information, please send an email to me at ab3wg@arrl.org

MDC SECTION-WIDE ECHOLINK NET

This month’s MDC Section wide EchoLink net will be held on Friday October 16, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET on the EchoLink WASH_DC Node 6154. The MDC Section EchoLink net is always held on the third Friday evening of every month at 8:00 PM eastern local time. EchoLink Link Repeaters for Net If you would like to join in on RF the following repeaters are linked.

  • KA2JAI-R Millersville 146.805- PL107.2
  • WB3GXW-R, 147.225(+), PL156.7 Hz, Calverton, MD
  • W3FDK-R, 146.73(-), PL141.3 Hz, Frederick, MD
  • K3CAL-R, 146.985(-), PL156.7, Sunderland, MD
  • WA3DZD-R Maryland FM Association
  • K3ORB – 443.450(+) PL151.4 Ocean Pines MD.

Repeater owners are encouraged to join our MDC Section EchoLink Net group and link your repeater – TU! Everyone is encouraged to join in and give any updates on what is happening in your part of the ARRL Maryland-DC Section. You may download the free software from: http://echolink.org/register_data.jsp or your App Store online. Thanks to John Creel WB3GXW for making the WASH_DC EchoLink server and his WB3GXW-R repeater available for the EchoLink nets.

SECTION MANAGER’S NOTES

MDC Section S.E.T.
We are announcing a Section Wide SET this year. A very simple task for all MDC hams. Identify the VHF, UHF, and 6-meter repeaters reachable from your QTH. Please visit the MDC Section Web page for details at: https://arrl-mdc.org/mdc-2026-set/

Please visit the new Baltimore Region Skywarn page – https://baltimoreskywarn.org/ – which also has a link to our MDC web page (Thanks Chris M!) I have added a link to this new page on the MDC web page as well.

MARINE CORPS MARATHON – 10/25/2026 is coming up soon. Please remember to allow local repeater frequencies remain clear for the duration of the event.

JOTA – takes place this weekend. More information at https://jotajoti.info/jota

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR GROUPS.IO EMAIL DISTRIBUTION SERVER using the link on our website or – Main+subscribe@mdc.groups.io
September is National Preparedness month. Find out more at Ready.gov/stand-ready.

Tu es 73,
Chris Van Winkle AB3WG
Maryland / DC Section Manager, ARRL
240-755-4257
AB3WG@ARRL.ORG

DIVISION NEWS
Please visit the Atlantic Division website https://atldiv.org/

UPCOMING HAMFESTS & CONVENTIONS

10/17/2026 – SMCARA Tailgate
Location: Hollywood, MD
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: SMCARA
Website: http://smcara.org/
Learn More

EXAMS ACTIVITIES OPPORTUNITIES & SPECIAL EVENTS

Please send me your upcoming ARC events, suggestions and comments. You may view upcoming Hamfests here: http://www.arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar

Petition to get VARA QSOs added to the Logbook of the World
https://chng.it/jNkLyfkBrF

FCC AMATEUR RADIO EXAMS:
VEC website or Laurel VEC for details.
https://larc-vec.org/home.php
Laurel VEC License Exam Search: https://larc-vec.org

NET CONTROL AND ALTERNATE OPERATORS NEEDED:
Baltimore Traffic Net – Contact Baltimore Traffic Net Manager, Don N3FQC N3FQC@ARRL.net. Join the net to learn Traffic Handling and Traffic Net procedures.

MDC Section Nets:
Baltimore Traffic Net – 146.670 tone 107.2 Echolink – N3FQC-R Daily 18:30 Backup – Millersville 146.805 PL 107.2 Echolink – KA2JAI-R node 9091 More information at https://www.baltimoretraffic.net/
Maryland Emergency Phone Net – 3820 / 1920 & 7243 kHz LSB Daily 1800L
Maryland Delaware DC – MDD meets daily at 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM local time on 3.557 MHz. CW
Maryland Slow Net – MSN meets daily at 7:30 PM Eastern Time on 3563 KHZ. CW
HF Hospital Net – The HF Hospital Net is held on the third Tuesday of every month. Start time is 1900L on 3820kHz

SECTION YOUTH COORDINATORS REPORT – W3EAB

There are two School Club Roundups during each school year in October and February. Each 5-day event runs Monday through Friday from 1300 UTC Monday through 2359 UTC Friday. A station may operate no more than 6 hours in a 24-hour period, and a maximum of 24 hours of the 107 hour event.

AFFILIATED CLUB COORDINATORS REPORT – K2EJ

**I am looking for volunteers to activate W1AW/3 Maryland from 11/11 0000z – 11/17 2359z for ARRL America250 Worked All States. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact me directly.

The Year of the Club

The ARRL is planning to promote the affiliated clubs in 2026. The anchor for their promotion will be the MARCONI Program, as highlighted at https://www.arrl.org/Marconi-program. POTA activations and Fox Hunting, along with 5 other activity programs, are central to the program. Another initiative in the ARRL plan is profiling high-performance clubs, and special recognition of clubs with 70-90% of their members also ARRL members. Finally, expect the League to roll out a yearlong operating event in honor of the US semiquincentennial celebration.

Steven Fook
K2EJ
steven@k2ej.com
chibasan3@aol.com
Ex: N2PIF, AC3AZ
ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator for Maryland-DC Section
ARRL ARES Emergency Coordinator for Harford County, MD
CWOps #3180, SKCC #19815, LICW #977, FISTS #20162, Ten-Ten #62165
224.220 MHz Repeater/PL 110.9, Allstar 51537, EchoLink 167177
Coming soon: 449.375 MHz Repeater/PL 107.2, Allstar 51587

Section Emergency Coordinator’s Report – KG4WWH

Please keep spreading the word about the Groups.io, I would encourage the use of emcomm-all for overall announcements regarding upcoming training and events (the MoCo show and tell, the PG monthly radio tests Etc.).
I would also encourage the creation of a file in the emcomm-all section where we can all place documents. One of the things I have found over the years is that everyone wants to know: what do you use for a bag? What do you carry for deployment? what is your go to weather site…. and so many more, but there is never a good repository that folks can refer to and make their own decisions, based on what those that have come before them have already tried. A perfect example, I am a member of a K-9 SAR team here in MD. My first question to the team was what backpacks do you like and why? The reason I ask this of operational folks is because they have tested it for their operational use. I have seen a couple that have pockets on the waist strap that would be perfect for dog treats or a tennis ball (or 2). And that is just one of MANY examples of questions that either I have asked, or I have been asked. The more we can document now, the more prepared we can help our future ARES members be prepared.

REMEMBER: You do NOT need to be a league member to join or participate in the groups.io. This is available for ALL within the MDC Section.

ECs, please remember to submit your FORM 2 (located here: https://www.arrl.org/public-service-field-services-forms). Please have it submitted by the 10th of the month for the previous month so I can go in and submit the FORM 4 before Chris publishes the monthly newsletter. If you are unable to access this form, please email so we can figure out why.

Thanks and be safe!

73,

Adam Karsin
KG4WWH
ARRL MDC SEC
kg4wwh.sec@gmail.com
kg4wwh@arrl.net
Hams over IP: 100084
MDC ARES Conference Bridge on HoIP: 10060
240-469-9316 – Cell

COUNTY EMERGENCY COORDINATOR REPORTS:

ANNE ARUNDEL:
Activity Details:
Two members tested Buddipole 2m antennas at Southern HS and Southern MS to determine if this antenna was usable at these poor coverage locations. The tests were successful. Two members also visited 5 county high schools to draft requirements for new antennas at the schools. Currently 5 Anne Arundel high schools have 2m/70cm antennas to facilitate amateur communications should they be used as emergency shelters. Two more are being added once the county funding can be executed. ARES members also supported the Run for the Lighthouse race, using simplex and cross-band repeaters to cover the course.
Administrative and Other Comments:
Weekly nets are held on Sundays at 2000L on W3CU/Millersville MD/146.805MHz. 3 nets were held in September. We also hold an ARES HF net on the 4th Tuesday of the month, 1930L, which is designed to foster in-county HF communications. 40m was used this month for LSB phone and USB VARA-AC modes. Participation from neighboring counties is encouraged, as the net emphasizes the use of HF for local emergency communications. Voice and digital messages are passed during the HF net.

CALVERT:
Activity Details:
Members met on the K3CAL repeaters on the 17th to go over and practice putting together and sending Radiograms using the ARRL version 1320 2/11. This is usually done annually as a refresher.

Members finished setting up, testing, and installing a packet digipeater at the Lusby repeater site. This will allow our south county operators access to the Winlink gateway at Calvert Health Medical Ctr. in Prince Frederick as well as provide back-up gateway access to adjoining jurisdictions. The callsign is K3CAL-2, it operates on 145.030MHz FM, and has a feedpoint height of approx. 225′.
Administrative and Other Comments:
Our repeaters are 146.985 – ,PL 156.7 in Sunderland, MD and 444.950 + ,PL156.7 in Lusby MD. These repeaters were recently replaced with Kenwood NXR series repeaters and will be linked through Calvert County’s 800MHz public safety communications system infrastructure providing excellent coverage throughout the county and into adjacent counties. The W3PQS 6M repeater, 53.170 out, 52.170 in, PL 100 has its transmitter antenna on the roof of the Calvert Health Medical Center in Prince Frederick with a receive site on the State Highway tower in Prince Frederick, MD. This repeater also supports ARES/RACES in Calvert County. Also installed at Calvert Health Medical Center is the KC3WRX-10 Winlink packet/VaraFM gateway operating on 145.030MHz. Our monthly meetings are held at 7pm on the third Thursday of the month at the Calvert Public Safety Building, 315 Stafford Road Prince Frederick, MD 20678, coordinates N 38.536531, W 076.613805. Our web site is https://auxcomm.k3cal.org/

CARROLL:
Activity Details:
Coming off of summer break, Carroll EmComm Team ARES members performed radio equipment checks and digital message operations training transmitting messages and pictures using digital programs FLDIGI and FLMSG.

The Carroll EmComm Training (CemComm-T) net meets Thursday evening on 145.410 MHz (114.8 Hz) at 7:00 PM for training in message handling and digital operations using the FLDIGI suite and Winlink RMS.
Administrative and Other Comments:
On Saturday, 26 September, a member of CemComm-T participated in the Micheaux GRVL mountain bike event providing communication support at a Rest Stop where there was no cellular phone service. Messaging communication was maintained through VHF local repeaters and HF Winlink RMS.

District of Columbia:
Activity Details:
DC VE Team runs in-person exam sessions bimonthly at various public libraries in DC. Pre-registration is required at https://hamstudy.org/sessions/W3HAC/all
Administrative and Other Comments:
Nets are weekly on Mondays at 2000L on the 449.975(-5)MHz PL107.2Hz N3ERA DC repeater.
For more information about ARES visit aresdc.org or reach out to K4LIZ@arrl.net.

Howard:
Activity Details:
Howard County ARES-RACES convened four routine weekly ARES-RACES nets, and four routine informal Digital Practice nets (two FLdigi and two Winlink). Our monthly training activity was an informal Messaging Activity during which participants could practice conveying different types of messages, to include voice, formatted data, files, images, and Winlink messages of any type. These sessions were also available to help folks learn about various messaging techniques and practices – such as use of pro-words, and particular terms.
Administrative and Other Comments:
Weekly Nets – Sunday 8:00 PM on the CARA 147.135 repeater
Digital Practice Nets – follow our Weekly Sunday evening net
Monthly training drills – typically on the 4th Saturday of the month

Prince George’s:
Activity Details:
5 weekly (Tuesdays) VHF training nets in September 2026
Labor Day Parade Support on 9/7/2026
High Frequency Hospital Net (HFHN) – 9/15/2026

Report from MDCWINLINK-1 (N3XL): Well done to all those who checked in to the September 2026 MDC Section Digital Check-in exercise! There were 48 successful check-ins with the following breakdown: 4 Telnet, 4 Packet, 15 VARA FM, 8 VARA HF, 4 Ardop, 1 VARA HF Radio-Only, 2 Pactor, and 5 VarAC HF/FM. The following Maryland counties were represented: ANNE ARUNDEL, BALTIMORE, CARROLL, CHARLES. FREDERICK, MONTGOMERY, PRINCE GEORGE’S, and ST. MARY’S. We also had check-ins from AL, FL, NC, MS, PA, and VA.

In the September MDC Digital EMCOMM Challenge participants created RRI Health and Welfare Radiograms using Winlink forms (Task 1), and VarAC ICS-213 message forms (Task 2). ARL Radiograms were created using Fldigi (Task 3). Fldigi messaging was incorporated for interoperability with ARES groups that use the ARRL Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System (NBEMS).

Participants successfully completing Challenge tasks were as follows:
Task 1, Winlink: KA2JAI, KB3SPH, KC3QLX, N3JAE, N3RQV, N4TYS, NS3X, NW3K
Task 2, VarAC: KA2JAI, KB3SPH, KC3QLX, N3XL, N4TYS, NS3X
Task 3, Fldigi: KA2JAI, KB3SPH, KC3QLX, NS3X.
HOME RUNS (completing all 3 tasks): KA2JAI, KB3SPH, KC3QLX, NS3X.
Target Stations performing message relays: AC3EW, KB3SPH, KN3U, N3HU, NS3X and N3WOF.

The map of Challenge participants can be viewed at the following link:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=14DmXUWPmI7d5spxxFUgjd_p7A4GbTa4&usp=sharing
Administrative and Other Comments:
PRGE ARES Website: https://pgares.org
PRGE ARES Internet Forum: https://groups.google.com/g/pgares
PRGE ARES Groups.io: https://mdc.groups.io/g/PG
Nets: Regularly scheduled weekly training VHF nets on the K3ERA Repeater,
145.23 MHz pl 110.9 on Tuesdays at 1930 ET (Echolink node N3XL-R).
If you would like to be a member of PRGE ARES, send an email request to
kb3sph@arrl.net to receive a membership application.
The monthly HF Hospital Net is held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month on 3820 kHz at 1900 ET.
Meetings: Monthly meeting held the 3rd Monday of the month at the Fire Services Building, 6820
Webster St, Landover Hills, MD at 1900 or on Zoom, WX dependent.

WASHINGTON:
Activity Details:
Topic for the ARES net was Mesh Networks: Meshtastic and Meshcore. The ARA also supported Wings and Wheels at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum.

SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGERS REPORT – W3YVQ

MDC STM REPORTS FOR 2609, SEP 2026

MDC NETS 2609:
MEPN/C2, MARYLAND EMERGENCY PHONE NET; 3820 KHz/LSB
DY, Pre-net: 2130Z, Net: 2200Z; EL: WB3GXW-L (WASH_DC alt.)
Liaisons: EL/3RN2/WVA/DTN/BTN/MDD/WL2K/DTS
MEPN 2609 W3YVQ QND/30 QNI/312 QTC/49 MINS/631

BTN/C4, BALTIMORE TRAFFIC NET; 1830L, DY
FM: 146.67/R/-0.6/107.2 EL: N3FQC-R/286640
Alt1: 146.805/R/-0.6/107.2 EL: KA2JAI-R/90911; Alt2: 146.55 Simplex.
Liaisons: MEPN/WL2K/DTS/MDD (EL: WB3GXW-L as needed.)
BTN 2609 N3FQC QND/30 QNI/325 QTC/44 MIN/522

MDD/C4, MARYLAND/DC/DELAWARE NET, 3557 KHz/CW, DY
1900L and 2200L; (EL: WB3GXW-L as needed.)
Liaisons: 3RN4/DTN/MEPN/BTN/MSN/WL2K/DTS
MDD 2609 AA3SB QND/59 QNI/151 QTC/13 MINS/231 EST

MSN, MARYLAND SLOW NET, 3563 KHz/CW, DY, 1930L, TRAINING
Liaisons: MDD (1900L and 2200L); (EL: WB3GXW-L as needed.)
MSN 2609 N3AEA QND/22 QNI/52 QTC/9 MINS/240

PSHR 2609
KD2QAR 127, W3YVQ 120, NI2W 101, WB3FTQ 75,

SAR 2609
WB3FTQ 81, NI2W 31, W3YVQ 25, KD2QAR 24,

HF PROPAGATION 2609 – SEP 2026
Solar Cycle 25 X-ray Flares: M=3, X=0

MEPN NVIS propagation (2130Z to about 2220Z) has
continued to gradually improve as fall approaches.
Signals on early MDD/4 and 3RN/4 were fair most
evenings with 40M NVIS still possible. Both late
session s conditions were fair to good with the NVIS
MUF remaining above 4 MHz at 0200Z.

MODERN THREE LAYER MESSAGING IN MDC

The MDC Section helps maintain and operate three
networks for formal written-record message traffic
handling:

  1. The voice and CW manual NTS nets handling the
    legacy Radiogram: MEPN/SSB/C2, BTN/FM/Local,
    MDD/CW/C4, and the MSN/CW training net. These
    nets all have liaison with DTN and Winlink. DTN and
    Winlink may be used peer-to-peer or via the networks
    to exchange NTS and/or ARES(r) messaging.
    .
  2. RRI s Digital Traffic Network (DTN) handling the
    legacy Radiogram and the Hybrid Radiogram (the
    legacy format with email-formatted text (as in ICS
    form content). This network operates in parallel with
    the NTS and RRI manual net systems using Pactor
    HF hubs routing traffic by addressee, nation-wide,
    radio-all-the-way, 24/7. Liaisons to these Hubs,
    Digital Traffic Stations (DTS), are assigned to carry
    traffic to/from our Section NTS nets.
  3. The Winlink Radio-email Network handling messaging
    in the email format exchanged between network clients,
    and/or internet addressees through a firewall, with
    multiple addressees and copies and certain binary
    attachments. This network may be accessed via the
    internet, any local VHF/UHF packet radio Gateway, and
    any HF Pactor or VARA Gateway. Liaisons to this
    network, including NTS, ARES(r), and others, may
    send/receive emails to/from clients anywhere in the U.S.
    within minutes, 24/7.

MSN, the Maryland Slow Net (3563, 1930L daily) can
help you learn net and message skills on CW – and help
you get your speed up at the same time. (Net Manager,
Ron, N3AEA).

The MDC entry level BTN net teaches newcomers to be
familiar with checking into a directed traffic net; learning
how to be an NCS; learning to format, send, receive, and
deliver the legacy Radiogram; learning how to be traffic
network liaisons; learning the function and technology
of the digital networks and how to get started in those
modes.

Newcomers exposed to all three of these layers have a
better chance of learning and becoming interested in
participating in the modern NTS.

A NOTICE REGARDING MANNING

MDD is in urgent need of additional CW operators for
daily NCSs and liaisons to the higher nets. The 3RN/4
Region net has similar urgent manning needs. Contact
me if you think you can help.

Thanks to all the Section s traffic-net NCS operators,
RRI/DTN and WL2K stations, liaisons, and traffic handlers
for the continuing effort to keep the nets running and
the traffic moving.

73, W3YVQ, MDC ASM, STM
w3yvq atsign arrl dot net- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Skywarn Report – AI0K

This has been a strange year. After a slow start to severe weather, it
ended with a bang. The Baltimore/Washington NWS office issued a near
record number of warnings, most of them in August and September. The
majority were for the area south of I-66, but Maryland still got its share.

On top of this, the U.S. didn’t see its first hurricane until Isaias,
which reached Category 1 on October 8th and came ashore in the Florida
panhandle as a Category 2 on October 9th. This tied 1905 for the latest
first hurricane of the season. 1907 and 1914 seasons officially had no
hurricanes, but all of this was before satellites, so hurricanes were
only discovered if they made landfall or a ship came across them.
During the satellite era (since 1966), the latest first hurricane was on
September 11 in both 2002 and 2013. And since we are halfway through
October, which averages three hurricanes, and November, which averages
one, chances are we won’t have many more. Thank you, super El Nino!

As we near the end of Hurricane season (November is the official date),
we need to be looking at winter weather. With this in mind, the NWS has
several classes lined up with more coming but not yet finalized. On
Wednesday, October 28th, they have scheduled a Winter class in Glen
Burnie MD (Anne Arundel County). This is an advanced class and requires
Basics as a prereq. They have also scheduled Basics classes in
Gaithersburg MD (Montgomery County) on October 29th, Orange VA (Orange
County) on November 9th and Romney WV (Hampshire County) on November
12th. Basics classes are open to everyone, and those 18 and older will
get a Spotter ID. All classes are free but require registration. More
info and links to register can be found at
https://weather.gov/washington/skywarn. I plan to attend each of these
classes to answer questions about Amateur Radio’s involvement in SKYWARN.

Finally, we have one more ham/tailgate fest this year. On October 17,
the St. Mary’s County ARA has its tailgate fest in Hollywood MD. See
https://smcara.org/2026/09/12/tailgate-2026/. We will have a table at
this fest. Stop by and say hi!

—
73,
Jerry, AI0K
SKYWARN Amateur Radio Coordinator
National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington