The ARRL has announced the following 2019 Field Day Schedule for W1AW

http://www.arrl.org/news/view/w1aw-announces-arrl-field-day-bulletin-schedule

When communications failed in Bonners Ferry Idaho it was local hams who kept communications going. A short article reports the story

https://www.bonnersferryherald.com/local_news/20190606/ares_save_the_day

The approaching field day is generating some media interest in ham radio, Here is one such article.

https://www.tricitynews.com/news/this-port-coquitlam-ham-radio-enthusiast-may-save-you-in-a-disaster-1.23847171

The Winlink team has made the following announcement

17 Meters added to the following Gateways that did not already have it, all modes.Frequencies are Center and update your channels lists or enter manually.
This increases the scan time so you may need to try a few connects to catch your desired frequency.
All gateways are Icom 7300 at 50 watts to OCF style antennas, and at government facilities with E-power.

YS1YS EL SALVADOR  18108.5
YN1SN NICARAGUA  18106.8
TI0BCR COSTA RICA  18107.3
HR0COP HONDURAS  18108.7
HI8COE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 18108.2

Continue reading [RAC-Bulletin] RAC supports Canadian National Parks on the Air event (CNPOTA): January 1 to December 31, 2019 →

There will be a special event station established as part of the National Parks on the Air program. A station will be established in Fort Langley. Fort Langley has a significant historical history in the development of British Columbia. If you would like to participate in this event please contact Fred Orsetti VE7IO.

The ARRL will hold their second Kids Day event for 2019. For all the information you need on this event go to

http://www.arrl.org/kids-day

An article describing the solar cycle and what is being done to further the theories on this cycle can be found at

Mexican radio amateurs provided communication support in late May from a fire scene in a remote area to civil protection authorities in Monterrey, Mexico. Two-member teams of volunteers were flown in via helicopter since May 20, the first day of radio support, when the fire had already been burning for a couple of days. The fire in Pajonal — about 20 kilometers south of Monterrey — covered more than 200 acres in rough terrain. Temperatures topped 100 °F.

Fueled by hot and dry conditions, Mexico’s 2019 fire season has been intense, leading to poor air quality. By mid-May, more than 100 wildfires were active in 17 Mexican states.

Teams had been using Winlink but added the weak-signal software Vara HF, after José Alberto Nieto, EA5HVK, provided a Vara license on short notice. Tom Whiteside, N5TW, in Georgetown, Texas, supported the effort from across the border, aiming his 40- and 20-meter arrays in the direction of the fire in Nuevo Leon. Alfonso Tamez, XE2O, president of Mexico’s IARU member-society Federación Mexicana de Radioexperimentadores (FMRE), was been among the volunteers.

In addition to HF digital traffic, the volunteer teams took advantage of VHF repeaters. HF antennas consisted of a 40-meter dipole for 40 and a steerable portable dipole. A generator is providing electrical power.

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Clarification:Vara HF was used as a higher speed connection protocol to Winlink gateways. Not as a standalone weak signal software.The indication given is that Winlink operations stopped for Vara HF PtP use, did not happen.. 
There was only ONE VHF repeater with spotty coverage.But great mention and Winlink worked well on 40 meters.

The Point Roberts Amateur Radio Club was the subject of a media article for the upcoming field day. To learn more go to