Welcome to the Delaney.rocks Web site.

This site provides resources to those interested in amateur radio, as well as post files and information for those who have inquired about more detailed information.

Keep an eye on the local page local activities such as hamfests and local meeting information.

Also, helps to always know the rules (Part 97) – FCC Part 97 has been amended as of January 8, 2024, specifically Part 97.305 and Part 97.307. Click here to view the latest FCC Part 97 rules.

Know someone studying for their license? Check out Amateur Radio Study Buddy at https://study.affirmatech.com– a great tool on your PC or phone. More information about getting your amateur radio license can be found on the Getting Started/Links tab.

Be sure to check out the local events tab for amateur radio happenings in our area.

HOT Topics – see the News section for more

Do HOA Antenna Restriction Efforts Require a Change?

Homeowners associations exist in all 50 states, with some being more restrictive on amateur radio antennas more so than others.

The ARRL started out 2025 supporting and soliciting for support of the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act (H.R. 1094/S. 459).  This bipartisan measure aims to limit HOA restrictions on amateur radio antennas, allowing reasonable installations for emergency communications while exempting small antennas from prior approval.

With the legislative calendar now well into 2026 and no momentum reported, it risks dying again at session’s end unless prioritized amid competing priorities.  In fact it has slim chances (under 20%) without sudden committee action or leadership push—most bills at this stage fail, especially niche ones reliant on grassroots efforts.

Recently, in other ARRL News, Indiana’s Governor signed House Bill 1152 into law that put restrictions on a number of HOA related items but also prohibited HOAs in Indiana from adopting or enforcing a regulation, rule, or other policy that prohibits a person from maintaining an amateur radio antenna.

In today’s current federal legislative climate, it’s hard enough to get them to work on issues that have already been passed by states for items as simple as changing how daylight savings time works.  Bills such as the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act don’t quite hold the weight when compared to the high-visibility items that our divided federal government spend their limited time in session discussing.

As Harry S. Truman said, “if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.”  With today’s stalemates in just trying to keep the federal government open, perhaps we need to seek out a different approach to antenna restrictions.

With Indiana’s recent victory, perhaps we need to divide and conquer, by working toward changes on a state HOA level as opposed to the federal level.  Hams in HOA-heavy states like Florida could replicate this by lobbying state reps, especially post-hurricanes when emergency comms shine; Reddit and QRZ forums already buzz about it as a template.

Although I applaud the ARRL’s efforts in drumming up support of the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act, I believe the pragmatics need to be examined about the real possibility of passing a law on the federal level.  Perhaps we should learn from Indiana and divide our grass root efforts directed toward state legislators where we have a much greater chance of making a change.

LWRA QRP to feature VarAC as their “Tailgate Tech” theme for the March 2026 QRP

On Saturday, March 28, 2026, the Lake Wales Radio Amateurs (LWRA) will feature VarAC, an outstanding digital mode that uses VARA HF, as it’s theme for their “Tailgate Tech” at the QRP to be held at Lake Shipp Park, 1649 Lake Shipp Dr., Winter Haven, FL 33880.

The club will feature operations on 10 meters, a place where Technician Class operators can use this wonderful digital mode that allows for keyboard to keyboard chats as opposed to simply exchanging signal reports.  VarAC also has an emcomm mode and can share files, images, game play with other hams, and a new BBS mode.

Although most activity on VarAC occurs on 20 and 40 meters, we hope to provide a mode which Technician Class operators can enjoy modes other than voice on 10 meters.

The LWRA is expected to update their QRP page at https://lwra.us/qrp shortly to add further details for this QRP.

So, when will the NXDN Official Announcement for the Anytone, BridgeCom, and BTECH take place?

Feb 17, 2026 – So, it’s no secret that the Anytone AT-D890UV, the BridgeCom Maverick, and the BTECH DA-7X2 will all, using the leaked firmware on the Internet, do NXDN, along with the traditional DMR, FM, APRS, etc., that we are used to.  And, although it’s nice to be able to do that now, unofficially, when will the official NXDN designation and update be released for the radios? They’re all being marketed as “multi-protocol digital and FM transceivers.”

With the Anytone, we know it’s coming, it’s right on the box with the NXDN designation, but the radio doesn’t ship with that functionality.  BridgeCom systems, in their specifications, on the very last line mentions “PLUS more updates to come as additional features are added.”  BTECH, on their Web site in the specifications says “upgraded dual-receiver hardware is platform-ready for future digital modes (planned: where supported/approved, e.g., NXDN) delivered via firmware updates. “

Some have mentioned the “upgrade” will come out eventually and the legalities are being sorted out, but will it be at an added cost?”  For the Anytone, I would hope that wasn’t the case as NXDN is front and center on the box.  

Regardless of how the upgrade will be released, it will be eventually.  This is a good thing as it’s nice to have options for hams who’ve always wanted to get on NXDN to enjoy it’s wonderful voice and data qualities, but didn’t have the big bucks to buy a commercial Land Mobile Radio.

As an added note, if you have one of these, and are looking for a codeplug to get started with, let me know.  My email is good on QRZ, 73 from Russ N4RTD.

A HamClock Revival!

We initially reported that Elwood Downey, WB0OEW, posted on the Clear Sky Institute Web site, that HamClock has reached end-of-life, the last release is version 4.22 and that all HamClocks will cease to function in June 2026.

Hams can be resourceful when a crisis occurs, and it seems in this case, that a crisis has brought together hams toward a common cause, and that was to keep HamClock alive!

HamClock.com is now ONLINE as a  community-operated backend server so your HamClock keeps working past June 2026. Point it to them and forget about it.

For more information, visit https://hamclock.com

A New Interactive Repeater Directory now Online

A new repeater directory is now online “redefining how repeater data is owned, verified, and trusted.  I met the developer for this new tool at Hamcation in Orlando on February 13, 2026.  He stated he was a programmer with a passion for ham radio and was excited to bring this new tool online.  

This site can be found at https://amateurrepeaterdirectory.org/ and is a must see.  It has a great deal of functionality and the online video at the site will show you the power of this new tool.  More features are being added and the amateur radio community can help make this site an accurate reflection of the repeaters in our communities.  Give the site a try!

Sad news regarding HamClock

Elwood Downey, WB0OEW, posted on the Clear Sky Institute Web site, that HamClock has reached end-of-life, the last release is version 4.22.  All HamClocks will cease to function in June 2026. Thank you for your interest.

This application has been run by many hams, including myself.  I run it under Linux, but some have created digital frames with a Raspberry Pi to have a stand-alone version of the ham clock in their shack.

In a post on Facebook, it stated that “Due to the recent news of the death of Ellwood Downey (WB0OEW), the creator and maintainer of the HamClock software, I ask for prayers for his family.  I am ceasing the sales of HamClocks until we as a community can work on a functioning replacement.  I would appreciate the focus of this group (Hamclock Heaven) to contribute solutions for how we can get a functioning server and edit the code to allow this to work.”

2026 is the ARRL’s Year of the Club – a  celebration of Amateur Radio Clubs.  You’ll find more information regarding this special commemoration by clicking here.  Are you looking for an ARRL Affiliated Club in your area?  If so, click here and be part of the camaraderie that is Amateur Radio.

NCVEC has released the 2026-2030 Technician Class License Question Pool

On December 18th, 2025, the National Conference of Volunteer Exam Coordinators released the 2026-2030 Technician Class (Element 2) Question Pool into the Public Domain.

The new pool contains 409 questions (27 new, 30 removed, and about 155 modified), compared to 412 questions in the prior pool.

For those studying now, keep using the materials you have now, unless you plan on testing after June 30, 2026. On July 1, 2026 the new Question Pool will be used for Technician Class exams.

To see this question pool, click here.

When is the last time you cleaned your mobile antenna?

We wash our cars to get all the dirt, grime, and road debris off of them, but what about antennas?  Yes, over time antennas can lose performance because of buildup on them.

VHF/UHF mobile antennas on vehicles accumulate road dirt, grime, bugs, and salt, which can degrade performance over time. Periodic cleaning restores efficiency by removing insulating layers that disrupt RF signals. Road debris typically causes a 15-30% signal strength reduction, or 3-5 dB loss in severe cases, depending on buildup thickness. Field tests have shown uncleaned units dropping to 70% efficiency after six months versus 95%+ for maintained ones .

So, how can you maintain their antennas to achieve maximum efficiency? Wipe them with isopropyl alcohol (70-90%) and a microfiber cloth quarterly; avoid abrasives to prevent surface damage.  For mobile mounts, clean mounting spots to avoid grit grinding paint or causing poor grounds. Inspect every 3-6 months in dusty/rural areas, monthly near coasts; use low-pressure air for radomes 

Amateur Radio 60 meter band receives a year end gift from the FCC, more frequencies for Hams!

The FCC, in a Report and Order released December 9, 2025, has given Amateur Radio operators additional spectrum in the 60 meter band from 5351.5-5366.5 kHz.

The new allocation to the 5351.5-5366.5 kHz (60-meter) band to the amateur service is on a secondary basis and they will continue to make available on a secondary basis the four existing channels outside of the 5351.5-5366.5 kHz band; and establish other operating guidelines for amateur use of the band.

So, not only do we maintain the four channelized frequencies on 60 meters, we now have additional allocation in the 5351.5-5366.5 kHz portion of the band.

You will need to be at least a General Class radio amateur to use the new allocations and be limited to 9.15 watts Effective Radiated Power.

You will be able to use CW, RTTY, Digital, and Phone in the new allocation.  Merry Christmas!

If you want to read the Report and Order, click here.

DXLOOK.com Launches Live HF Statistics Dashboard

DXLook.com, the live HF propagation map has released a new Statistics Dashboard — giving amateur radio operators an easy way to see what’s happening on the bands in real time.

The dashboard gathers live data from WSPRnet, PSK Reporter, and the Reverse Beacon Network to show activity by callsign, country, band, and mode.   Check it out at https://dxlook.com

Did You Know?

Many are aware of FCC Part 97.101(D), General Standards, which states “no amateur operator shall willfully or maliciously interfere with or cause interference to any radio communication or signal.”  You’ll hear this rule mentioned in some net preambles.

But… did you know that Florida itself has a rule regarding interfering with radio communications?  You can click here for a link to Florida Statute Chapter 877, Section 27, which states unauthorized transmissions to, or interference with, a public or commercial radio station licensed by the Federal Communications Commission is prohibited.

Did You Know #2?

Living in Florida, or one of the areas affected, you need to know this rule when operating on UHF.  Specifically, FCC Part 97.313 as we have some different power standards here in Florida.  

Part 97.313 states “(f) No station may transmit with a transmitter power exceeding 50 W PEP on the UHF 70 cm band from an area specified in paragraph (a) of footnote US270 in § 2.106, unless expressly authorized by the FCC after mutual agreement, on a case-by-case basis, between the Regional Director of the applicable field facility and the military area frequency coordinator at the applicable military base.”

To follow those guidelines, you need to pull up that footnote US270.  The portion that affects us in Florida states that “

US270 In the band 420-450 MHz, the following provisions shall apply to the amateur service:

(i) The peak envelope power of an amateur station shall not exceed 50 watts in the following areas, unless expressly authorized by the FCC after mutual agreement, on a case-by-case basis, between the Regional Director of the applicable field office and the military area frequency coordinator at the applicable military base.

(A) Arizona, Florida and New Mexico.”

US270 goes on further with specific military bases in other states and restrictions in operating in those areas.  For us in Florida though, just know that we have a 50 watt UHF power limitation.

My email is good on qrz.com, so if you wish to reach me directly, check out my QRZ page by clicking here.

Be sure to click on my social media icons on the home page, especially my YouTube channel, Spurious Emissions.

73 de Russ N4RTD

Are you a member of the ARRL, the National Association for Amateur Radio? If not, why? It’s a great organization that provides education, supports growth, advocates for spectrum, and much more. Learn more about joining the ARRL by clicking here.

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