02/26/2026
Newington, CT - ARRL[1] The National Association for Amateur Radio¿ is pleased
to announce that Icom America[2] is the Official Sponsor of the ARRL Year of the
Club, supporting the initiatives that spotlight and strengthen ARRL Affiliated
Clubs throughout 2026.
The ARRL Board of Directors designated 2026 as the ARRL Year of the Club[3],
recognizing the essential role that local amateur radio clubs play in building
community, mentoring new operators, and delivering public service at the
grassroots level. This nationwide focus celebrates clubs as engines of civic
engagement and increases public awareness of the Amateur Radio Service through
local connections across the United States.
"Amateur radio clubs are the backbone of the hobby," said Ray Novak, N9JA,
Senior Sales Manager at Icom America. "Icom works closely with them to support
education, growth, and engagement. Strong clubs create strong communities, and
Icom is proud to support them."
Supporting Clubs On the Air and Beyond
ARRL has emphasized the broader impact of the initiative. "The Year of the Club
places a spotlight on the vibrant community of radio clubs," said ARRL CEO David
Minster, NA2AA. "By investing in clubs, Icom and ARRL are reinforcing the local
foundation of amateur radio-where mentorship begins, technical skills are
shared, and public service takes root," said Minster.
Through its sponsorship, Icom is supporting content that highlights the work of
radio clubs in QST, ARRL newsletters and publications, and through resources and
activities designed to help clubs thrive.
As part of ARRL's broader 2026 activities, ARRL has launched the America250
Worked All States[4] (WAS) operating event, a year-long on-air activity
encouraging amateur radio operators worldwide to make contact with all 50 US
states in honor of America's 250th anniversary. Radio clubs are participating
and supporting a special endorsement for operators who contact ARRL Affiliated
Clubs in all 50 states during the year. In addition, clubs and hamfests are
hosting W1AW/portable activations in all 50 states, creating another endorsement
opportunity for participants.
ARRL also announced that the theme of 2026 ARRL Field Day[5], held June 27-28,
will be "Amateur Radio: A National Resource." Since 1933, Field Day has been the
largest on-the-air operating event in North America, showcasing amateur radio's
readiness to provide resilient communications in times of need while engaging
the public through hands-on demonstrations and community outreach. This year's
Field Day will emphasize club participation and the use of club call signs.
For more information about the ARRL Year of the Club, the America250 Worked All
States operating event, and 2026 ARRL Field Day, visit www.arrl.org[6].
About ARRL¿
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio¿ was founded in 1914 as The
American Radio Relay League, and is a noncommercial organization of radio
amateurs. ARRL's mission is to promote and protect the art, science, and
enjoyment of amateur radio, and to develop the next generation of radio
amateurs. ARRL supports members with opportunities to discover radio, to develop
new skills, and to serve their local communities. ARRL's youth initiatives
include programs to inspire students and advance STEM education through amateur
radio, and to encourage pathways to higher education and careers in wireless
communications and related technical fields. ARRL is also the Secretariat of the
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). For more information about ARRL and
amateur radio, visit www.arrl.org[7].
About Icom America
Icom is a world leader in the amateur radio market. Icom makes amateur radios
for use in long-range (HF) and short-range (VHF, UHF) communications. Digital
technology is transforming the market, and Icom helped pioneer the development
of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) equipment. Icom is also a leader in product
development for the D-STAR digital mode, a global open protocol that is on the
cutting edge in Amateur Radio today.
[1] http://www.arrl.org/
[2] https://www.icomamerica.com/lineup/amateur/
[3] https://www.arrl.org/year-of-the-club
[4] https://www.arrl.org/america250-was
[5] http://www.arrl.org/field-day
[6] http://www.arrl.org/
[7] http://www.arrl.org/
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