Wireless Women yl.beam #150 march 2026

Contents
World Wide YL Award ;   YLRL &   ALARA
3rd annual International Women's Day YL POTA Party 2026
VKFF YL Awards for 2026
1st YL POTA Activator in E7.Bosnia and Herzegovina;
“CQ, CQ, II International Women's Day Diploma” Costa Blanca ARA
Lighthouse Weekend, 4 x YLs part of  Dxpedition N4T Dry Tortugas, USA
FAROS AMERICANOS/ February 20- 22, 2026
Out-and-About
   VU2JFC Saborni at Ganga Sagar 2026
   Yukiko Maki, 7K4TKB ;
   Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti (IZ0UDF}
   Esther (GI0AZA) Irish Mountain Goat
RIP: Sharon Taratula
Contact & Calendar

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World Wide YL Award registrations online now
 I am happy to announce that  the website for the world wide YL award is online now:  https://hamaward.cloud/wwayl

The event will take place from March 9th to 16th, 2026.
You may either take part as "activator" or as "hunter".
As activators please register at the above website and also register at hamaward.cloud - the online platform for logging your QSOs.
The hunters just need to go on the bands and enjoy the radio, no logging required.
Please pass on this information to all YLs interested. This will be a really exciting event!
Best regards, 73 and 33  Veronika Wigand DL4VER Sun 8 Feb, 2026

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YLRL Young Ladies' Radio League  17 Feb 2026
You can earn some YLRL Certificates in the YL WWA, March 9-15.
All activators are women, so it will be easy to figure out which certificates you’ve earned as you hunt the operators. https://ylrl.net/certificates/
See YL WWA Activators at https://hamaward.cloud/wwayl/teams?sub_menu=yl26

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 Let our voices be heard

To celebrate International Women's Day ALARA (Australian Ladies Amateur Radio)  will issue special certificates to YLs who make at least 5 contacts with other radio operators on Sunday March 8th 2026.  OMs need to contact 5 YLs.  Any Amateur Radio mode can be used.  For more details contact publicity@alara.org.au

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 3rd annual International Women's Day YL POTA Party 2026

Sunday, March 8, 2026     Activate a park during the 24 hour event window
Frequency: Any amateur radio frequency within your license class
Location: Any POTA Park (or Hunt POTA from Home)
Submit your POTA activations to the POTA Database.
Share your experiences and photos on social media using the hashtag #YL_POTA_PARTY

YL POTA Party 8 March  https://www.youtube.com/live/avcWT14_V04

Listen 32 mins in to 2E0OHT / KC1OHT Shannon & W1GRL Marion discussing this event, on The European Ham Radio Show #136

POTA YL Activation?
Activators can signal their intent to be on the air in advance using the POTA website, so that hunters are ready for them. Activators log all the contacts they make and upload them to the POTA website, which then allocates the rewards and shows league tables for everyone involved.
A successful activation requires a minimum of 10 contacts (QSOs) from a park in the designated list, within a single UTC day.
HAM RADIO WOMEN   KC1OHT  Shannon Gibney  · 1 Dec 2023
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VKFF YL Awards for 2026
During 2026, the Australian chapter of the World-Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program (VKFF) will be offering this special award.  There are two certificates to gain.   One for the ladies who activate a park and another for those who contact these ladies.  Six levels of awards will be available for multiple of 5 contacts up to 30 VKFF references.  The award will run for all of 2026 and can be applied for via email to National Co-Ordinator, Paul VK5PAS.  
See the VKFF website for more details
https://www.wwffaustralia.com/2026-vkff-ladies-award.html
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1st YL POTA Activator in E7.Bosnia and Herzegovina  20 Feb 2026
My name is Lamija Kapic, callsign E77LZ. From Bosnia and Herzegovina;  Got my licence in 2015 as a support to my husband E77PY. Back in 2013 he decided to renew the Radio Club that existed (1970-1992) before war in Bosnia. We had no older HAMs, no existing HAMs so we started from scratch… We had a deal with teachers in local Elementary and Middle school to introduce technical education and knowledge in alternative communication… And before we knew it we have to care for about 50 kids! It was overwhelming! In order to help my husband I have to studi first HI. Get my licence together with my 14 years old son Hamza E78KH in first class that we organized. Since then I was a mother to all these kids, secretary, vice-president and president in the club when my hubby got back to US for work. Every year we have 7 ARDF (amateur radio direction finding) competitions across the country. That’s a lot of work and lots of travel!
I'm the first YL POTA Activator in E7. I’m a member of E7POTA Team, still a member of radio club E74AAX and member of Association of Radio Amateur in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
My other hobby is knitting, mainly socks. I can do some FT8 contacts and knit simultaneously HI, two birds with one stone HI. Hope to catch you on the air, 73!
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American Lighthouse Weekend, February 20 - 22, 2026
4 x YLs part of  Dxpedition N4T Dry Tortugas & The Florida Keys:
Molly W3NY, Angela N3ARB, Elaine K3MET, Elisabeth N7MEB,
W3NY Molly and Friends'  sailed to the Park in a fishing boat to be active on the third DX expedition to Dry Tortugas. Garden Key Lighthouse USA-316 activated from Garden Key, located near downtown Dry Tortugas.
Dry Tortuga National Park, located about 112 kilometers west of Key West, Florida, is a remote destination of breathtaking beauty that offers a unique opportunity for amateur radio operators to participate in a Parks On The Air (POTA) and lighthouse activation. With its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and historical significance, this park is not only a haven for nature lovers but also an exciting destination for those seeking to establish connections and log contacts.
The Dry Tortugas are a small group of reefs, islands, and sandbars seventy miles from Key West. They are the final connecting point of the Florida Keys. Access to the park is limited. The only way to reach Dry Tortugas National Park is by ferry, boat, or seaplane. This makes the park a highly sought after contact in the amateur radio community around the world!

 Ham Nation episode 596 for April 9th, 2025. POTA Molly & Friends (start 16mins>47mins)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX15zk3qD8E  

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 XVIII° edición del "FIN DE SEMANA DE LOS FAROS AMERICANOS"
Cabo Vírgenes Lighthouse, located at the entrance to the Strait of Magellan  overlooking the South Atlantic Ocean, in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina,. 133 km from provincial capital Río Gallegos. The Cabo Vírgenes penguin colony is located a short distance from the Lighthouse.
 5 x YLs, + 5 x OM operators using special call sign AY1X  were active during the Lighthouse weekend.: QRZ.COM  Operators: Yls: LU9YBM Bianca; LU3YL Liliana;  LU5ILA  Leticia;  LU9IVN Veronica; LU1VYL Marina  

https://www.facebook.com/djlunanqn/videos/1479082603774378

From Chile, Maritza Fredes Naveas CE1RFI  and the Atacama Desert Radio Club CE1DDA, activated the Puerto Viejo Beacon (lighthouse NAC-102). Puerto Viejo is a small fishing cove. It's a long journey by land, about 16 hours from Santiago, Chile
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“CQ, CQ, II International Women's Day Diploma”
Organized by the Costa Blanca Amateur Radio Association (ACRACB) to enhance the commemoration and promote amateur radio activities, this award (for a single contact) is being offered according to the following rules:
1. Dates and times: From 06:00 UTC on Friday, March 6th to 02:00 UTC on Sunday, March 9th, 2026.
2. Scope: All stations worldwide holding a valid amateur radio license and SWL
3. Bands: HF – 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 30, 40, 80 meters. One contact per band per day is allowed.
* Machine-generated communications (MGM) will be valid: FT8, RTTY, PSK, CW, etc.
VHF: 145.425 MHz (FM) in Alicante. 144.975 MHz (FM) in Málaga.
DMR: TG 21403 (Alicante Province on the Brandmeister network).
VOI: Peanut room ACRACB.
PMR: PMR446 – Channel 5 (446.05625 MHz, narrowband FM, no C-tone).
CB: Alicante, FM channel 25, AM channel 20 as a secondary channel during evening/night.
4. Call: “CQ, CQ, II International Women's Day Diploma”.
More info: https://www.acracb.org/
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Out-and-About

VU2JFC Saborni  at Ganga Sagar 2026
The Gangasagar Mela, the week-long Hindu pilgrimage that takes place each January  (10 – 17, 2026)  where the Bay of Bengal meets the Ganges River, is a sacred time for millions throughout India.  The crowd size makes it a perilous time, so members of the West Bengal Radio Club (WBRC), who have been a  presence at the Mela for many years, are deployed with their radios into the crowd, connecting with a central hub. VU2JFC Saborni Nag Biswas was active again this year.

Yukiko Maki, 7K4TKB from Japan, was active as T88YL from Koror Island, Palau, 28 - 31 January 2026.
The Republic of Palau, consists of more than 300 islands and islets surrounded by the warm waters of the Philippine Sea,

Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti (callsign IZ0UDF} headlined the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on February 6, 2026, at San Siro Stadium, guiding a young girl through a live, artistic interpretation of the galaxy. This performance celebrated science and humanity, featuring dancers representing a moving galaxy, inspired by the Voyager probes' Golden Record.
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 Esther with Dave EI5IMB, taken just after she made 'Goat'
GI0AZA  Esther JM Harper from Northern Ireland
Today I had the honour of being present for Esther’s (GI0AZA) Mountain Goat Award Earning Activation on her local summit, Benbradagh, Ireland.
The journey to this moment has been almost 10 years in the making for Esther and for anyone in the know, it is no small feat. Congratulations to Esther and of course to Ian by proxy (already a qualified Goat himself). An inspiration… 🤩  Take a bow.. 💪 

De Dave, EI5IMB. Irish Ham Radio 26 Jan 2026
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RIP: Sharon Taratula [ March 18, 1962. -  February 4, 2026] died  age 63, of New Britain, CT.
ARRL. (The National Association for Amateur Radio®) is saddened to share the news that Sharon Taratula, who served the League with dedication and distinction for 32 years, passed away on February 4, 2026.
Sharon joined ARRL on January 31, 1994, as DXCC Awards Technician. She later served as Administrative Assistant (1996), MVP Administrative Manager (2011), and from 2016 until her passing, as Award Manager. Over more than three decades, she became a cornerstone of support for some of the most recognized programs in amateur radio.
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CONTACT    Over time, people change  emails, callsigns etc.  if any of your details change, remember to let me know, otherwise you are likely to miss out.
 yl.beam news: Editor Eda (Heather) zs6ye.yl@gmail.com
newsletters can be found:  https://wrarc-anode.blogspot.com/
Italian Radio Amateurs Union: QTC U.R.I.
https://www.unionradio.it/qtc-la-rivista-della-unione-radioamatori-italiani/
West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society  https://wosars.club/category/yl-news/
https://www.facebook.com/CT2ISX    YLs-Amateur Radio Ladies-Portugal
Ham Yl       https://www.facebook.com/ham.yls

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Calendar
March 6 - 9, 2026. “CQ, CQ, II International Women's Day Diploma” Costa Blanca ARA
March 7     SARL YL QSO Party
March 7     Russian YL/OM Contest  Sat.07:00 - 10:59  open to all, YL's serving as    
                   multipliers. https://www.contest.ru/russian-yl-om-contest-en/  
March 8     International Women’s Day
March 8     International Women's Day - YL Parks On The Air Party (POTA)
March 9 – 15  YL WWA lasts one week,
March 10    NZ – WARO   Founded 10 March 1962.  2026 - 64 years ago

Wireless Women yl #149 feb. 2026

Contents

• Patty Martin, W5AZO 40 Years Award
• The 1st World Wide YL Award
• Parks On The Air (POTA)
• International Women's Day YL POTA PARTY 2026
• YL POTA Party - Erie Canalway, Spencerport, NY
• Silent Key   2E0PDQ Denise Carpenter    
• Silent Key Pamela Rose (G4STO)
• Contact & Calendar

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Patricia Martin  7 Jan, 2026 Here's an article to use if you like..

Patty Martin, W5AZO, received her Award for 40 Years in Amateur Radio in January 2026.  An active, Extra Class Amateur, she shared her exciting path through the hobby with her OM, Jim, W5AZN.

"How fast time has flown. Such a joy this hobby and service has been as an FCC Licensed Amateur Radio Operator for 40 Years!"

"Jim and I took our first tests together in Dallas, Texas in 1986, and were thrilled to pass!! We were first licensed as KB5AZO and KB5AZN. We upgraded over the years through all the ranks up to Extra Class with 20 wpm Morse Code as a requirement in those early years. At that time we changed our calls to W5AZO & W5AZN."

"Since then, we've utilised this unique technical knowledge and skills to work disaster situations, participated in  Skywarn and RACES, Emergency Communication during tornados and natural disasters, helped save folks in a boat during a storm in Bermuda, activated lighthouses (ARLHS) and parks, (POTA) worked special events like airshow and hot air balloon races, worked in traffic nets, fixed and created radios in a Tuna Tin Can, antennas, and more."

"I was Certified and able to serve as a Volunteer Examiner for both W5YI and ARRL Helping others to learn Morse Code, and promoting the use of CW in various organisations, has challenged me to renew that aspect of the hobby, while encouraging others to join me."

"Ham radio friendships create a deep and special bond. Jim and I have travelled the USA, Canada  and several countries meeting up with various ham friends. We also attended State and National Conferences, giving lectures and presentations to various groups including the Scouts, youth and women."

In 1986, we enjoyed our first trip to the  Hamvention in Dayton, Ohio, where we met ham radio "greats" such as Gordon West and Bob Heil. We even ended up staying at the home of the organisers and met numerous foreign hams who we stayed in touch with for all these years.

I now feel blessed with literally hundreds of warm friendships all over the world -- with radio operators and their families and have visited some in their homes in Ireland, Canada, and other places!

Emergency Communications is an important part of our licensing. Field Day and other activities gave me the chance to see various setups, antennas, power options and even make contacts via Moon Bounce with the Dallas Amateur Radio Club.

I had the honour of being the first Woman Amateur Operator in the USA to complete all 3 modules of the ARRL Emergency Communications Course.

Jim utilised his skills offering service during and after Hurricanes Katrina (2005) and Ike (2008), as well as after the Shuttle Columbia  Disaster (2003). We've both been honoured to participate whenever and wherever Emergency communications was required.

In the 1990s we were involved with the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society (ARLHS) and founded the Texas Radio Lighthouse Society to draw attention to the need to preserve and renovate these Beacons from our history. and in 2011 was named  "Lighthouse Activator of the Year" for 2010.

Since 2014 we've been deeply involved with Parks on the Air (POTA) -- earning awards in every category while enjoying the beauty of our National and State Parks. The unique challenges of operating portable from swamps to mountaintops (while handling enormous 'pile-ups') helps to keep us ready for any  emergency.

As we look at 2026, we have so much to be thankful for, but this aspect of my life has truly enriched and strengthened me these 40 years!  I would highly recommend it to anyone.

And, yes, I'm so thankful to Jim, W5AZN, for asking me to "study with him" when we first got married -- it has changed my life and given me great joy."

 12 Jan, 2026  It's been a hoot being this involved in Amateur Radio.

I'm 72 now and I told my husband, if I  ever have a stroke and cant speak -- just  get me a keyer so I can do CW, HA!!!   Can't keep a good YL down, ha!!!   Patty, W5AZO

W5AZN  KB5AZN- Jim Martin         W5AZO / KB5AZO  - Patty Martin
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The 1st World Wide YL Award   (https://hamaward.cloud) is planned for March 9-15, 2026.

Max IW1FRU informed Heike, DL3HD, the representative of the German YLs, about the WWA (World Wide Awards) at the last HAM Radio Friedrichshafen,  and offered to organise an YL Award.

We did it!

The announcement will be posted on the above website at the beginning of February. 2026

Unlike the WWA (which is still running until the end of January), we will not be forming teams.
Each YL can register with her call sign and then start transmitting.
This is sure to be a huge event and we can expect some great pile-ups.
Now it's just a matter of getting this information to as many YLs as possible.  
Use your contacts. If I find out more, I'll be happy to keep you updated. 
Please forward this information to all the YLs you know. ,  73 and 33   
Veronika  DL4VER,
Germany. YL - Referentin Distrikt Hessen (F)   Tel. 0151 27589550

Parks On The Air (POTA) is an amateur radio activity that encourages operators to set up portable stations in parks and make contacts from the field. The YL POTA Party is an exciting way for women of all ages to experience portable operating, learn by doing, and enjoy time on the air together. You do not need to be licensed to participate.

YU3AWA Marija an active POTA operator from Serbia.


International Women's Day YL POTA PARTY:
Celebrate Women in Ham Radio!

Join us on March 8th for a special International Women's Day YL POTA PARTY! This event is open to all female amateur radio operators and enthusiasts, regardless of POTA experience.

Date: March 8th, 2026
Location: Any POTA park (or hunt POTA from home!)
Frequency: Any amateur radio frequency within your license class
Note: This event is not sponsored by the Parks On The Air Foundation.

What to expect:
Activate a park during the 24-hour event window. Submit your POTA activations and share your experiences with other participants.
Connect with other YLs from around the world. Share stories, tips, and support.
Learn more about POTA and how to get involved.

Why participate?
Celebrate the achievements of women in ham radio.
Connect with other YLs and build a supportive community.
Have fun and enjoy the POTA hobby.

How to participate:
Activate a park during the 24-hour event window
Submit your POTA activations to the POTA database.
Share your experiences and photos on social media using the hashtag #YLPOTAParty.
We encourage you to wear pink and/or decorate your station to show your support for International Women's Day!

Spread the word and invite your friends to join the party!
Together, we can make this a memorable event for all YLs in ham radio!
Event by KC1OHT Shannon Gibney, kc1oht@gmail.com

Similar YL POTA parties are held each year around International Women’s Day, with gatherings planned worldwide to celebrate women’s contributions to radio and their involvement in the hobby.

YL POTA Party - Erie Canalway, Spencerport, NY - March 7, 2026

On Saturday, March 7, women interested in amateur radio and portable operating are invited to spend the day together at Owens Lodge, Pineway Ponds Park along the Erie Canal in Spencerport, NY for a relaxed YL POTA Party.

Starting at 9:00 AM, the day kicks off with setting up portable stations and getting on the air, with plenty of time to operate, chat, and enjoy food throughout the day (we just need to be out by 9 PM). Bring your own portable equipment or operate from ours.

Please RSVP to Angela N3ARB and Matt K2EAG by email at brown@brownbuffalo.com .
You can also visit us at upstatenypota.com  
This is an unofficial event and is not sponsored by Parks On The Air.
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Silent Key   2E0PDQ Denise Carpenter
 4 Jan, 2026  Good Afternoon,  Sadly I have to  report that Dear Denise 2E0PDQ passed away on the 26th of November, 2025.

I know she was well loved within the amateur radio fraternity.  She helped support the CHRG and help collect funds to keep three repeaters up on Caradon Hill in South East Cornwall up and running. Kind regards John G1YDQ

Bio. from QRZ.COM 2016: I'm married to John G1YDQ and we live just above the lovely fishing village of Polperro in S.E.Cornwall. I took the intermediate exam in December 2004. My Son Pete (G7VHJ) became licensed in 1995 also my Daughter-in-law Awen (2E1IFM) is licenced as are their children Karl (2E1IFN), Bryony (2E1IJL) and Richard (2E1KID). My Son-in-law Martin (G7UWI) has been licensed since 1995 and my Daughter Kirstie recently achieved the M3UWI call (2005) and their son Ricky is now 2E0UWI and younger granddaughter Abigail is now also licensed. 

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Silent Key Pamela Rose (G4STO). – 25th September 1944 – 11th November 2024.

Pam has been a member of the club since the late 1970’s having joined with her late beloved husband Joe, who sadly died suddenly in 1992. Both of them loved the club and the hobby and Pam following his death, was determined to fulfil Joe’s wish by helping to keep the club on ‘an even keel’. Taking on various positions on the committee, including the chairperson, treasurer at times and for nearly 3 decades as club Secretary. (Lincoln Short Wave club based in the village of Aisthorpe, UK)

Pam knew exactly what was required of her, she was a completely reliable person and was able to give 100% to our club business, despite many other interests she pursued in her local area. In the last few years, she also amazingly found time to have her hair completely shaved off on a couple of occasions, in a bid to raise, very successfully, much needed cash for cancer charities. She was a lovely lady with a drive that was the envy of many.

Pam was also instrumental in ensuring our club move from the Railway Club in the centre of Lincoln to Aisthorpe some 20 years ago, was done seamlessly, giving particular attention to the legal and planning aspects of the move. Similar support was given when we established a World War Two radio museum and radio shack at The Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby in 2005.

Pam was a great team person, gave unstinted support to the club chairpersons and the rest of the committees over the years. She also involved herself in a wide scope of club activities such as administering our annual general meetings, arranging Amateur Radio Examinations for new members, sorting summer Bar-B-Ques, fixing up our annual Christmas Dinner and setting our Christmas Quiz to name but a few! She was also a very good photographer. Her photographs, together with their associated stories, appeared regularly on our club website and in our club reports sent to the Radio Society of Great Britain to be published in RADCOM. She was indeed a multi-talented person.

Over the past five years or so Pam has represented The LSWC (Lincoln Short Wave Club)  on The National HAMFEST (Lincoln) Ltd board who manage the HAMFEST at the Newark Show-ground each September.

Pam was objective, acted as a communication hub on all aspects of our business and just got on with it without any fuss! You knew exactly where you stood with Pam, she was direct and stated clearly how she felt about any controversial issues. She did not however hold any grudges and moved on from any disagreements, which was very refreshing. If you wanted anything doing well, well ‘ask a busy person’ – Pam was that person!

Throughout her illness Pam never complained, indeed right up until a couple of weeks before being admitted to hospital in October 2023, she was taking our club committee meeting minutes and publishing within a couple of days as she has done for years. She approached her cancer diagnose as something to confront and overcome. During her last year Pam was very proud of the many miles she had covered on her bicycle to help keep herself as fit as she could. The chemo-therapy sometimes meant that she could not meet us at the club for a few days as she was, of course, vulnerable to infection. She dealt with her plight with great courage and dignity, she was a remarkable lady, highly regarded by us all at the club. We are so grateful for her dedication to our club over so many years, she will be missed. Her impressive legacy will be with us for many years to come.  

Written by Peter Kendall, M0EJL, Club President

CONTACT    Over time, people change  emails, callsigns etc.  if any of your details change, remember to let me know.  yl.beam news: Editor Eda (Heather) zs6ye.yl@gmail.com
newsletters can be found:  https://wrarc-anode.blogspot.com/
Italian Radio Amateurs Union: QTC U.R.I.
https://www.unionradio.it/qtc-la-rivista-della-unione-radioamatori-italiani/
West of Scotland Amateur Radio Society  https://wosars.club/category/yl-news/
https://www.facebook.com/CT2ISX    YLs-Amateur Radio Ladies-Portugal
Ham Yl       https://www.facebook.com/ham.yls

Unsubscribe: If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please email:  zs6ye.yl@gmail.com
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VP8TM - Falkland Isl.    14 - 28.02.26
Ops: yl DF3TS Martina as VP8TM & DC8TM / VP8TM Thomas Mueller
Bands: HF;  Modes: SSB & FT8
Webpage: https://www.qrz.com/db/DC8TM
 They will be activating SOTA, WWFF/POTA, IOTA, and Lighthouse.
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SYLRA 2026 (Scandinavian YL Radio Amateurs) in Sweden on Fårö, Gotland
Date 3.- 6. September  REGISTRATION is now open

Calendar Feb 2026
Feb 7 -8  5 edición Fin de semana de Parques Americanos American Parks Weekend Feb 11    International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Feb 13    World Radio Day Thursday
Feb 13 – 14 2026 YL-OM Contest  Friday- Saturday, https://ylrl.net/#:~:text
Feb 16    Aniversario  de  la Creación del Grupo Yl Argentina (7)
Feb 20 - 22     2026  - 18th  "American Lighthouse Weekend",
Feb 22    Girlguiding   World Thinking Day on the Air; 2026 celebrate 100 yeas
March 8          International Women’s Day