EARS Monthly Training & Mentoring Session – August 12
The Edmond Amateur Radio Society (EARS) hosts a monthly Training and Elmer Session before each board meeting. Whether you’re a new ham or a seasoned operator, these sessions provide valuable information and a chance to grow your skills.
📅 Date: Tuesday, August 12
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Edmond Fire Station 5 – 5300 E Covell Rd
August Topic: Radio Programming
Presenter: Randy, KG5GOV
Following the presentation, we’ll have time set aside to assist anyone needing help programming their radios—so bring your equipment and your questions.
We look forward to seeing you there!
John, N5RET
help@k5eok.org
EARS August Board Meeting – August 12 at 7:00 PM
The Edmond Amateur Radio Society (EARS) holds its monthly board meeting on the second Tuesday of each month. Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 12th at 7:00 PM at Edmond Fire Station 5, located at 5300 E Covell Rd, just east of I-35.
The meeting will be held in the training building down the hill by the tower. The blue pin on the map below marks the exact location.
If you have any trouble finding us, just call on the repeater and we’ll guide you in.
All are welcome—we hope to see you there!
Steven, N5ZQ
3905 Century Club Mobile Antenna Shootout – Open to EARS Members
The 3905 Century Club will hold its annual Eyeball Convention at the fairgrounds in Guthrie from August 14th through 17th.
As part of the convention, they will host a Mobile Antenna Shootout on Saturday. This fun and competitive event measures HF signal strength and pits your mobile station against others to see who has the strongest signal.
They have opened the competition to EARS members, but registration is required — no walk-up entries will be allowed.
To register:
- Visit 3905ccn.org
- Follow the link to the Eyeball Convention
- Register for the Mobile Shootout
Competition categories include:
- Top Gun
- Big Gun
- Shotgun
- Pop Gun (special category)
Don’t miss the chance to test your signal and show what your mobile setup can do!
Clay, WA6LBU
EARS Fall Technician License Class 2025
Welcome to Amateur Radio
The Edmond Amateur Radio Society (EARS) invites aspiring operators to join its 2025 Technician License Course – Fall, an engaging and supportive way to begin your journey into amateur radio. This “hobby of hobbies” not only opens access to a world of technology and communication but also connects millions of hobbyists globally.
What You’ll Learn
- Technician License Exam Prep: The class prepares you for the 35-question entry-level exam, where you must answer 26 correctly to pass. Successfully passing enables you to obtain your FCC Technician license and begin transmitting.
- Why It Matters: The Technician license grants privileges on all amateur bands above 30 MHz and limited HF access, offering an ideal foundation to explore VHF/UHF bands, FM, digital modes, and more.
Class Format & Logistics
- Schedule: A 9-week course starting Wednesday evenings, 6:30–8:30 PM, beginning August 27, 2025.
- Location: Fully online via Zoom, with recorded sessions accessible through private YouTube links. No Zoom account required.
- Cost: The course is free, making it accessible to anyone ready to learn.
- Materials:
- Primary Text: Gordon West Technician Class book (2022–2026 edition).
- Additional study options include the ARRL Technician Manual (5th Edition).
- Free online study tools and flashcards (e.g., hamstudy.org), and helpful YouTube walkthroughs (e.g., by Dave Casler) are also recommended.
Why Take a Class?
Though self-study is an option, classes offer invaluable benefits:
- Expert guidance from experienced instructors.
- Solid structure and accountability in a group setting.
- Live Q&A that helps clarify complex topics efficiently.
- Recordings ensure you can revisit tricky concepts as needed.
How to Join
- Registration: Required and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit k5eok.org and go to the “Activities” tab, then “Technician License Class” to secure your spot.
- Questions? Email class@k5eok.org for more information.
Summary Table
| Class Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 9 weeks |
| Start Date | August 27, 2025 |
| Time | Wednesday, 6:30–8:30 PM |
| Format | Online via Zoom (recordings provided) |
| Cost | Free |
| Materials | Gordon West 2022–2026 book, ARRL manual, online resources |
| Registration | k5eok.org |
| Questions | class@k5eok.org |
Final Thoughts
EARS offers an accessible, high-quality pathway into amateur radio with its Fall Technician License Class. Whether you’re curious about radio communications, emergency preparedness, or satellite contacts, this free course sets you up for success. Sign up early to secure your spot and get ready to embark on a rewarding, worldwide hobby!
Harvey, W0HGJ
class@k5eok.org
Why Space Weather Matters for Radio Operators
Space (solar) weather plays a significant role in radio communication. While its most noticeable effects are often seen on HF bands, solar activity can also impact VHF, UHF, and even higher frequencies under certain conditions.
Understanding space weather helps us better predict band conditions, plan operations, and troubleshoot unusual signal behavior.
Below is a recommended video from a trusted YouTube channel that shares updates on solar activity and space weather about every two weeks. The presenter breaks down complex topics in a way that’s easy to follow and incredibly informative.
📺 Watch the latest space weather report
If you haven’t already, I encourage you to follow her channel. It’s a valuable resource for amateur radio operators at all levels!
Upcoming HF Contests
Here are a few upcoming HF contests to keep an ear out for! These events offer a great opportunity to sharpen your operating skills, test your equipment, and connect with hams across the country—and the world.
For a more comprehensive list, check out the ARRL Contest Corral in QST Magazine, available as a downloadable PDF from the ARRL website.
You can also find up-to-date contest schedules and detailed information at:
🌐 contestcalendar.com
| ARRL EME Contest | 0000Z, Aug 16 to 2359Z, Aug 17 |
| ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest | 0900Z, Aug 16 to 0759Z, Aug 18 |
| North American QSO Party, SSB | 1800Z, Aug 16 to 0559Z, Aug 17 |
| Hawaii QSO Party | 0400Z, Aug 23 to 0400Z, Aug 25 |
| Ohio QSO Party | 1600Z, Aug 23 to 0400Z, Aug 24 |
| U.S. Islands QSO Party | 1200Z, Aug 30 to 0300Z, Aug 31 |
| Colorado QSO Party | 1300Z, Aug 30 to 0400Z, Aug 31 |
| Kansas QSO Party | 1400Z, Aug 30 to 0200Z, Aug 31 and 1400Z-2000Z, Aug 31 |
| Ohio State Parks on the Air | 1400Z-2200Z, Sep 6 |
| Tennessee QSO Party | 1700Z, Sep 7 to 0300Z, Sep 8 |
| ARRL September VHF Contest | 1800Z, Sep 13 to 0300Z, Sep 15 |
| North American Sprint, CW | 1800Z, Sep 13 to 0300Z, Sep 15 |
Web Links
Here are a few links to other websites that may be of interest.
- ARRL (American Radio Relay League) – https://arrl.org
- CORA (Central Oklahoma Radio Amateurs) – https://coraok.org
- Ham Holiday (OKC Hamfest) – https://hamholiday.com
- ARRL Oklahoma Section – https://ok.arrl.org
- South Canadian Amateur Radio Society (SCARS)
- DMR Info – https://w5nor.org/okdmr/
- They have lots of other good info on their website such as modes of operation, weather/emergency info etc.
- ARES
- ARRL ARES – https://www.arrl.org/ares
- OK ARES – https://aresok.org
- Winlink – https://winlink.org
- AREDN – arednmesh.org
- POTA (Parks on the Air) – https://pota.app
Upcoming Events
- EARS Information Net – Every Monday at 8pm
- Route 66 10m Net on 28.390 – Every Monday Following the Information Net
- EARS Breakfast – Every Saturday at approximately 6:30am at Around The Corner, 11 S. Broadway, Edmond
- EARS Breakfast Net – Every Saturday at 7am on 147.135 and 443.425
- August Mentoring Session and Training – Tuesday, August 12th at 6pm at Edmond Fire Station 5, 5300 E Covell
- August Board Meeting – Tuesday, August 12th at 7pm at Edmond Fire Station 5, 5300 E Covell
- August EARS Dinner – Thursday, August 21st at 6:30pm – Location TBD
- Fall Technician License Class – Starting August 27th – Sign Up on the Technician Class page
- EARS Licensing Testing – Saturday, September 6th – Sign Up on License Testing page
- Edmond Siren Test – Saturday, September 6th at 11:30am – Send email to sirens@k5eok.org
We’d love to feature your original content! If you’ve written—or would like to write—an article, we’d be happy to include it in an upcoming issue of the EARS newsletter.
Steven Christy, N5ZQ
n5zq@n5zq.us
