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Mission Statement for the ARRL Illinois Section

The ARRL is a global community that welcomes all amateur radio operators.

As your Illinois Section Manager I believe each of us has the power of ideas to change perceptions and attitudes and ultimately make our hobby better.

My goal is to build the fastest growing, most rewarding section and use our successes to inspire and implement solutions that will benefit all.

To that end, I will make it a priority for both individuals and clubs in our Section to recruit new members–especially from the growing number of technologically competent youths that represent a potentially new generation of amateur radio operators– who in many cases can be introduced to amateur radio through coordination between ARRL-affiliated Illinois radio clubs and local school districts. We will also be reaching out to those who may have let their ARRL membership lapse and to newly licensed hams unaware of the benefits of ARRL membership.

Thomas Beebe W9RY

Section Manager Steps Down

From Central Division Director Kermit Carlson, W9XA

I regret to inform you that Ron Morgan, AD9I, has found it necessary to step down because of health concerns that became apparent just as he was ready to start a new term of office – and one that he was recently re-elected to in this spring season’s Section Manager election.

Morgan, of East Peoria, has served as the Illinois Section Manager since February 2017. He notified the Illinois Section membership yesterday; writing, “My decision was based on continued treatment and my inability to travel and serve the amateur community. Respectfully to all in the Section as it has been an honor to serve the ARRL in this capacity.”

Thomas Beebe, W9RY, of Marion, has been appointed as the Illinois Section Manager, effective July 1, to fulfill the two-year term of office that extends through June 30, 2022.

Wellness Net Final Totals

The ARRL Illinois Section Daily Wellness Nets have concluded, and participation was exceptional. A total of 748 amateurs checked in at least once during the time the nets were operating, and 94 Illinois counties were represented in the logs.

A searchable table showing the callsigns of everyone who checked-in to the nets can be found on this page.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who contributed to this project.

May, 2020 Illinois Set Completed

The May 30, 2020 Simulated Emergency Test wrapped up at 14:30 local time, with all of the major goals complete. A closing message was received from the American Red Cross which summarized their view of the exercise.

Thanks and congratulations to all of the many participants in this project.

New Day & Time for Digital Net

The Thursday evening Illinois Digital Net has moved to Sunday nights at 8:30 pm Central time. The net is bridged to to all of these modes:

Wires-X 21565
Brandmeister DMR 31171
TGIF DMR 31171
P25 31171
NXDN 31171
AllStar 42810
Dstar XLX334G, DCS334G, XRF334G
YSF REFLECTOR ILLINOIS LINK 83132

ARES to Support IEMA COVID-19 Response

Illinois ARES members are supporting the Illinois Emergency Management Agency’s (IEMA) COVID-19 response activities as AuxComm Radio Operator volunteers. Illinois ARES will coordinate the number and location of volunteer amateur communicators with IEMA on an ongoing basis for the foreseeable future.

In a separate activity, the daily Illinois ARES Wellness Net has been established to allow Illinois amateurs to stay connected and comment on their status. The net is informal and uses HF, EchoLink, digital nodes, and linked VHF/UHF nets. The Wellness Net has seen check-ins from more than 40 Illinois counties. Other local and regional wellness VHF/UHF nets have been activated throughout Illinois as well. — Thanks to Illinois Section Emergency Coordinator Robert Littler, W9DSR; Illinois Assistant Section Emergency Coordinator Jim Pitchford, N9LQF, and Illinois State EOC Liaison Roger Whitaker, K9LJB

The original source for this information comes from the ARRL Website

MEETING GUIDANCE

PLEASE READ AND SHARE

GUIDANCE FOR ARES MEETINGS:

EFFECTIVE NOW AND FOR THE NEAR TERM, ARES MEETINGS SHOULD BE VIRTUAL.

PLEASE USE VIDEO AND AUDIO CONFERENCE METHODS AS WELL AS RADIO NETS FOR YOUR MEETINGS- INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MEETINGS AS NECESSARY FOR TRAINING AND MAINTAINING MEMBER CONTACT.

STAY SAFE AND WELL.