Group 312 Chicago, in partnership with the Maine Township Office of Emergency Management, is looking for volunteers who want to support their community during emergencies, severe weather events, and other situations where additional help may be needed. We are building a team of dedicated individuals who are willing to step up and assist when it matters most. While amateur radio communication is one of the tools used by our team, the focus of this effort is broader. Our goal is to build a group of community members who are ready to assist with emergency preparedness and response while helping maintain strong connections between the community and local emergency management.

Our anniversary activity celebrating the first year of Group 312 Chicago has officially come to an end. For 30 hours the airwaves were busy as participants listened for coded words transmitted on talkgroup 3109311 (Group 312 INFO NET) through the FM Poland and SQLink networks. Thank you to everyone who joined the fun, stayed alert on the air, and worked together to solve the challenge. It was great to hear operators discussing and piecing together the intercepted words on the air.

It is hard to believe, but we are celebrating the first anniversary of Group 312. To mark this milestone, we are organizing a special on-air activity for our community. On March 12, 2026, we will host a 30-hour word-code hunt on the FM Poland and SQLink networks, on Group 312 INFO NET (3109311).

Linkify is a new SVXReflector client for Windows, developed by Adrian SQ8AM. It allows users to connect directly to the SVXlink/SVXReflector network from a Windows PC, without the need for Linux, Raspberry Pi, or virtual machine environments. This makes access to the SVXlink ecosystem significantly easier for operators who prefer working from a desktop or laptop computer.

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) has officially joined America250 as a Supporting Partner in the nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. America250 marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and will highlight the nation’s history, innovation, and the individuals who have shaped its development. ARRL’s participation recognizes amateur radio as an important part of America’s technological progress and long-standing tradition of public service.