| ARRL Year of the Club Contests Celebrate Outstanding Club Websites and Newsletters |
 As ARRL’s 2026 Year of the Club spotlight, Affiliated Clubs were invited to show how they use two important communications tools — their websites and newsletters — to engage members, strengthen their organizations, and promote amateur radio. The response was enthusiastic, with more than 80 entries submitted in each contest from clubs across the country. The contests were designed not simply to identify the “best-looking” website or newsletter, but to recognize radio clubs that are using these tools effectively to serve their members. A good club website can make it easy for prospective and current members to find information, learn about activities, and get involved. A good newsletter can keep members connected between meetings, share technical knowledge and operating opportunities, celebrate club accomplishments, and give members another reason to stay engaged. “The goal was to highlight the many creative ways radio clubs communicate with their members,” said ARRL Director of Publications and Editorial Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY. “We hope these winning websites and newsletters will give other clubs ideas they can adapt to their own organizations. There’s no single formula for an effective club communication — what matters is understanding your audience and giving them useful, interesting reasons to connect and keep connected with the club.” |
Outstanding Club Websites
The website contest focused on three key areas: layout, content, and accessibility. Judges with extensive experience in website development, systems administration, and web infrastructure evaluated the entries to identify sites that effectively serve their clubs and their audiences.
The winners are:
First Place: Cumberland Valley Amateur Radio Club, W3ACH, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania — www.w3ach.com, webmaster Caleb C. Jacobs, KC3VPB
Second Place: Sierra Foothills Amateur Radio Club, W6EK, Auburn, California — www.w6ek.org, webmaster Mike “Smitty” Smith, WB1G
Third Place: Ventura County Amateur Radio Club, K6MEP, Ventura, California — k6mep.org, webmaster David Schmidt, AI6VX
Website contest judges were:
- ARRL New England Division Vice Director Phil Temples, K9HI
- ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Technical Coordinator Dan Brown, W1DAN
- ARRL member Erica Zavaleta, W7WXR. Erica is currently a DevOps Engineer managing web infrastructure for a regional ISP.
The winning websites and newsletters are worth a visit — not only to congratulate the clubs, but also to see how they organize information, promote activities, welcome newcomers, and communicate what makes their clubs active and relevant. They offer examples of different approaches to content, design, and audience — demonstrating that success doesn’t have to follow a particular template.
These contests are part of ARRL’s broader Year of the Club effort to celebrate the vital role that amateur radio clubs play in building and sustaining the amateur radio community. Clubs are where many radio amateurs first find a mentor, learn a new skill, participate in an event, or make the connections that keep them active in the hobby.
“Club leaders, newsletter editors, and webmasters: take a look at what these clubs are doing and borrow an idea or two for your own club,” said ARRL Emergency Communications and Field Services Director Josh Johnston, KE5MHV. “Year of the Club is a celebration of what clubs accomplish — and an invitation to keep building on that success.”
ARRL and the contest judges are grateful for the enthusiastic response to the call for contest entries and commend all entrants on the talent and time they devote to the creation of these important club communication tools.
The contest winners will be honored at the 2026 ARRL National Convention, hosted by the Huntsville Hamfest, August 21 – 23 in Huntsville, Alabama, and will also be featured in a 2026 issue of QST.
THE SUBMISSION
The Ventura County Amateur Radio Club’s website, www.k6mep.org, stands as a vital digital gateway for amateur radio enthusiasts in Ventura County, California, and beyond. Established to support the club’s mission of fostering interest in ham radio operations, the site embodies the spirit of community, education, and technical exploration inherent to the hobby. As the online presence of the K6MEP club—a group comprising seasoned operators and eager newcomers—the website’s primary purpose is to connect individuals passionate about radio communications, provide accessible resources for learning and participation, and promote the practical and recreational aspects of amateur radio. In an era where digital tools enhance traditional hobbies, www.k6mep.org bridges the gap between virtual engagement and real-world activities, ensuring that members and visitors can stay informed, involved, and inspired.
At its core, the website serves as an informational hub, offering a user-friendly interface that welcomes both members and prospective hobbyists. The homepage immediately directs users to essential sections, such as ‘Club Info – About Us,’ which outlines the club’s history and objectives, emphasizing its role in uniting ham radio operators for discussions, operations, and mutual support. This reflects the site’s purpose in building a sense of belonging, where visitors can learn that the club is open to all, regardless of experience level. For instance, newcomers are encouraged to explore the ‘Help’ section, where they can submit questions about antennas, rig programming, or getting started in ham radio, receiving guidance from knowledgeable members. This interactive feature underscores the educational intent of the site, democratizing access to technical knowledge that might otherwise seem daunting.
A key purpose of www.k6mep.org is to facilitate community engagement through timely updates and event coordination. The ‘Club Announcements’ page is a dynamic repository of monthly posts, including ‘VP Says’ and ‘Pres Says’ columns that share insights on club activities, weather-related radio observations, and personal ham radio experiences. These announcements keep the community vibrant, highlighting events like the Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) on October 18, 2025, which involved collaboration with local Scouts to introduce young people to radio communications. Similarly, the ‘Calendar’ section lists upcoming meetings, portable operations, and celebrations such as the Decemberfest on December 12, 2025, held at Grace Lutheran Church. By centralizing this information, the website ensures members can plan participation, fostering camaraderie and hands-on involvement. Integration with Groups.io further enhances this connectivity, allowing users to sign up for email reminders, join discussions , and receive notifications about activities—transforming the site into a seamless extension of the club’s social fabric.
Education and skill-building form another cornerstone of the website’s purpose. The ‘Licensing’ page provides schedules for 2025 test dates, enabling users to obtain or upgrade their amateur radio licenses through structured sessions. This resource is invaluable for aspiring operators, aligning with the club’s goal of expanding the ham radio community. Additionally, meeting announcements often feature educational presentations, such as the August 8, 2025, session on the history of ham radio call signs, complete with raffles and discussions on upcoming events. While the site does not explicitly detail emergency services involvement, its emphasis on practical skills implicitly supports preparedness, as amateur radio often plays a role in community resilience during crises.
Ultimately, www.k6mep.org exists to promote amateur radio as an inclusive, enriching pursuit in Ventura County. By offering a blend of informational content, interactive tools, and event-driven features, the website not only sustains the club’s operations but also invites broader public interest. In doing so, it preserves the legacy of ham radio while adapting to modern digital needs, ensuring the hobby thrives for future generations. Whether for networking, learning, or simply exploring, the site empowers users to tune into the world of wireless communication with confidence and enthusiasm.”
