 September/October 2026
In this issue...
Upcoming Community Deadlines and NoticesGrant Application Deadline: The next deadline for submitting a grant application is January 15, 2027. We will have decisions about applications received after this date in April 2027. If you’re planning to apply, be sure to review our Priority Areas for Funding, which highlights the types of projects that strongly align with our mission. 44Net Updates
Projects from our Community
Podcast / Livestream AppearancesWithin the last couple of months, 44Net Program Manager John Burwell KI5QKX has appeared on several podcasts and livestreams to discuss 44Net, 44Net Connect, and how amateur radio operators can use the service for experimentation. You can catch the recordings below:
Grantee Updates
If you’re an ARDC grantee with a project update, success story, or upcoming event, we’d love to hear from you. Send updates to giving@ardc.net and help us showcase the impact our community is making through amateur radio, digital communications, and open source technology. What ARDC Has Been Up ToChelsea Párraga KF0FVJ and John Burwell KI5QKX on Alliance Amateur Radio Network Director of Grantmaking Chelsea Párraga KF0FVJ and 44Net Program Manager John Burwell KI5QKX joined Todd Owen KE9DQS of the Alliance Amateur Radio Network for a conversation about ARDC and amateur radio. They shared what sparked their interest in amateur radio and discussed our grants and 44Net programs, projects from across our community, how the grantmaking process works, and ways to get involved. You can watch the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa_ulBBkhv8. HOPE 26 Hackers on Planet Earth 2026 (HOPE 26) happened from August 14 - 16, 2026 in New York, NY. Rosy Schechter KJ7RYV, Schuyler Erle N0GIS, and John Burwell KI5QKX attended the event. HOPE brings together technologists and social activists interested in using open-source technology for the benefit of society. During the event, John, our 44Net Program Manager, gave a talk titled Decentralized Networking Is a Social Problem, sharing lessons learned from fostering online communities. The team also connected with amateur radio enthusiasts, discussed ARDC’s grants and 44Net programs with interested attendees, and met people working on security, privacy, and community advocacy. ARDC grantees were also present at the conference: Peter Bloom of Rhizomatica gave a talk highlighting High-frequency Emergency and Rural Multimedia Exchange System (HERMES) technology, while ARDC alum Dan Romanchik KB6NU, Amateur Radio Evangelist, led a Technician licensing class. The enthusiasm for amateur radio, experimentation, and sharing knowledge made HOPE an exciting event, and we ‘hope’ to attend next year! JARL Ham Fair 2026 JARL Ham Fair 2026 occurred from August 29 - 30 in Tokyo, Japan. Staff members Rosy Schechter KJ7RYV, John Burwell KI5QKX, and Schuyler Erle N0GIS attended, as well as ARDC President Bdale Garbee KB0G, Treasurer Ria Jairam N2RJ, and Secretary Keith Packard K7WQ. Throughout the event, we had the opportunity to connect with amateur radio enthusiasts from Japan and around the world. more… IARU Region 1 General Conference Rosy Schechter KJ7RYV and Schuyler Erle N0GIS attended the IARU Region 1 General Conference, held September 19 - 23, 2026 in Vienna, Austria. During the conference, Rosy gave a talk about ARDC’s international mission, and both she and Schuyler connected with delegates from several countries to discuss possible grant opportunities. They also learned more about IARU R1’s plans for amateur satellite communications and the impact of the Austrian Amateur Radio Society’s (ÖVSVs) ARDC-funded Youngsters on the Air (YOTA) 2026 Summer Camp. The conference offered a valuable opportunity to build connections with the international amateur radio community and learn more about the projects making an impact across the globe. Maker Faire Bay Area 2026 Maker Faire Bay Area 2026 happened September 25 - 27 in Vallejo, CA. Staff members Rosy Schechter KJ7RYV and Schuyler Erle N0GIS, contractor Tim Požar KC6GNJ, and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) member Mickey Kappes KO6DOT attended the event. We shared booth space with the Benicia Amateur Radio Club and ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (VECs), with the VECs offering amateur radio licensing exams throughout the weekend. We connected with amateur radio enthusiasts, hackerspace organizers, and educators who were interested in learning more about our grants program. These conversations helped introduce ARDC and amateur radio to people from a wide range of backgrounds and interests. A big thank you to the folks that helped out at our booth throughout the weekend. We enjoyed connecting with the maker community and hope to attend again next year! Contact Us!We always want to hear from you:
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