ARRL - Indiana Section

Latest information from BMV about the Indiana Amateur Radio License Plate:

According to BMV, the vendor issue affecting the new redesign of the Indiana Amateur Radio License Plate has been resolved.

Per the BMV: "All operators that have received the 'covered bridge' plate since 2/13/2026 do not need to return to the branch. The vendor will send them a new plate at no cost."

Also per the BMV: "If you have an existing 'covered bridge' plate (issued before 2/13/2026), you can get the new-design plate by going to a BMV branch and ordering a duplicate plate. Duplicate plates are $9.50."

If you have questions or concerns, please email me at [email protected].

At the Wabash Valley Amateur Radio Association, Inc. Hamfest.

At the Columbus Hamfest https://carcnet.net/hamfest-2026/

The National Weather Service offices that serve Indiana will be hosting severe weather spotter training sessions this spring. Some are in-person, some are virtual. To find out more, check the
following websites:

Indianapolis https://www.weather.gov/ind/spotter_talks

North Webster https://www.weather.gov/iwx/Spotter_Event_List

Wilmington OH https://www.weather.gov/iln/spottertrainingschedule

Louisville KY https://www.weather.gov/lmk/skywarn

Paducah KY https://www.weather.gov/pah/spottertraining

Chicago IL https://www.weather.gov/lot/seminar

House Bill 1152 was signed into law by Governor Braun yesterday and adds the following to the Indiana Code:

SECTION 6. IC32-25.5-3.4 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]:

Chapter 3.4. Homeowners Association Regulation of Amateur Radio Antennas

Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "amateur radio antenna" means an antenna, support structure, tower, feed line, or related equipment used by an amateur station as defined by 47 CFR 97.3.

Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "governing documents" has the meaning set forth in IC 32-25.5-2-3.

Sec. 3. This chapter applies only to a homeowners association's adoption or amendment of governing documents after June 30, 2026.

Sec. 4. A homeowners association may not adopt or enforce a regulation, rule, or other policy that has the effect of prohibiting a person from maintaining an amateur radio antenna on a property that the person owns, rents, or leases.

https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1152/details

Congratulations to Hunter Reed KD9YLQ, Campbell Reed KD9GEK, and State Senator Scott Alexander for getting this legislation passed.

Update to add: According to Hunter Reed KD9YLQ, the ham who wrote the amendment for State Senator Alexander, "the bill would require that once an HOA updates its governing documents, then they have to comply with the law." There's nothing in the law that would require an HOA to change or not enforce their existing rules unless the rules were adopted or amended after June 30, 2026.

Also note that there is nothing in this law that pertains to you if you don't live in an HOA. If you have no existing HOA, you are only bound by whatever zoning or building development ordinances apply to your property.

At the Laporte Cabin Fever Hamfest.

Indiana Section ARES The Indiana Section ARES HF Net is underway on 3900 kHz. KB9WSL is Net Control.

Update from BMV staff: "There was a miscommunication with the vendor regarding date to begin using the new design. This has since been rectified. If an operator has received the old design and they purchased a duplicate plate to get the new design, the operator may return to the branch to order a duplicate plate at no cost to them."

Update from BMV staff: The new design Indiana Amateur Radio License Plate will be available for order at BMV branches starting February 13, 2026.

Indiana Amateur Radio License Plate | ARRL Indiana Section By AK9R, 6 February, 2026 The new design Indiana Amateur Radio License Plate (IARLP) will be available for order at BMV branches starting February 12, 2026.Indiana Code 9-18.5-9 establishes Amateur Radio Operator License Plates.IC 9-18.5-9-6 goes on to set the fee at $8.00 in addition to the normal....

Indiana Section ARES The Indiana ARES HF Net is underway on 3.900 MHz LSB. KD9SFY is Net Control.

At the HCARS Hamfest.