Happy New Year!
I’d like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! Is it really already 2026? It sure feels like time goes faster every year.
I’m looking forward to getting to know those of you I haven’t met yet, and spending more time with the rest of you as well. Remember, this is your club, so please jump in and get involved! If you have ideas, suggestions, or need help with anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the officers or board members.
Once again, Happy New Year!
Steven, N5ZQ
Happy Membership Renewal Season!
We truly appreciate your continued support of the amateur radio community! Your nominal contribution of $25 for an individual membership or $35 for a family membership helps fund services that benefit the local ham community and supports other amateur radio clubs in the area.
We also sincerely recognize and thank you for the time and effort you invest in community service events—it makes a real difference.
To renew your membership, please visit: https://k5eok.org/membership-form/
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to email me anytime at membership@k5eok.org.
Jhansi, KJ5FVK
Indian Nations Hamfest in Henryetta, Oklahoma
The Indian Nations Hamfest is a one‑day amateur radio gathering scheduled for January 10, 2026, in Henryetta, Oklahoma. Sponsored by the Crossroads Amateur Radio Club and the Henryetta Amateur Radio Club, this event brings together radio enthusiasts from across the region for a day of fellowship, gear, and conversation. ARRL
Held at The Briefcase, located at 315 W. Main Street in Henryetta, OK, the hamfest is sanctioned by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and offers a classic hamfest experience for both seasoned operators and newcomers alike.
Attendees can expect ample opportunities to meet other hams, explore amateur radio equipment, and participate in activities centered around the hobby. A talk‑in frequency of 146.520 MHz provides on‑site communication and coordination during the event. ARRL
The Indian Nations Hamfest continues Oklahoma’s tradition of vibrant amateur radio gatherings each year, serving as a welcoming start to the amateur radio calendar for many in the state and beyond.
EARS Monthly Training & Mentoring Session – January 13th at 6:00 PM
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, January 13th
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Edmond Fire Station 5 – 5300 E Covell Rd
August Topic: More on Radio Operations
Presenter: John, N5RET
We look forward to seeing you there!
John, N5RET
help@k5eok.org
EARS January Membership and Board Meeting – January 13th 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 be Tuesday, January 13th at 7:00 PM at Edmond Fire Station 5, located at 5300 E. Covell Rd, just east of I-35.
This meeting will also serve as our Annual Membership Meeting, and we encourage all available members to attend.
The meeting will be held in the training building, located down the hill near 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 be happy to guide you in.
All are welcome—we hope to see you there!
Steven, N5ZQ
Winter Field Day 2026: Logan County ARES Takes to the Air
Winter Field Day 2026 is just around the corner, and the Logan County ARES group is gearing up for another great opportunity to train, operate, and demonstrate the capabilities of amateur radio under real-world conditions. Winter Field Day is an annual event designed to test emergency communications readiness while encouraging hams to operate in challenging winter environments. It’s a perfect blend of preparedness, public service, and hands-on operating fun.
This year, the Logan County ARES group will be operating on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office training facility, located at 219 S. Broad Street in Guthrie. Setup will begin between 9:00 and 9:30 AM, with the goal of being on the air shortly after the event officially starts at 10:00 AM. Operating from the Sheriff’s Office training facility highlights the close working relationship between ARES and local public safety agencies and reinforces the role amateur radio plays in emergency communications.
All interested amateurs are encouraged to stop by, observe, and participate if possible. Winter Field Day is an excellent chance to practice emergency operations, try out equipment, sharpen operating skills, and enjoy some fellowship with fellow hams—all while staying warm indoors. Whether you’re an experienced operator or new to emergency communications, Winter Field Day 2026 promises to be a valuable and enjoyable event for the entire amateur radio community.
Steven, N5ZQ
Edmond Siren Test – Saturday, February 7th
The next monthly Edmond Outdoor Warning Siren Test is scheduled for Saturday, February 7th.
If you’ve been assigned a siren but are unavailable in February, please let Clay (WA6LBU) know as soon as possible.
We are also looking for a few more volunteers to adopt a siren. If you’re able to help or would like to be added to the siren monitoring list, please reach out!
📧 Contact Clay at: sirens@k5eok.org
Thank you for supporting this important community service!
Next EARS VE Test Session – Saturday, February 7th at 9:00 AM
The Edmond Amateur Radio Society will hold its next VE Test Session on Saturday, February 7th at 9:00 AM.
If you—or someone you know—plans to test, please visit the License Testing page and complete the sign-up form. This helps the VE team prepare to accommodate all participants efficiently.
Questions?
Contact Ralph Turner, N5AMR
📧 Email: Raltur47@gmail.com
📞 Phone: (573) 999-4748
We look forward to seeing new and upgrading hams there!
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 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
| North American QSO Party, CW | 1800Z, Jan 10 to 0559Z, Jan 11 |
| North American QSO Party, SSB | 1800Z, Jan 17 to 0559Z, Jan 18 |
| ARRL January VHF Contest | 1900Z, Jan 17 to 0359Z, Jan 19 |
| CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW | 2200Z, Jan 23 to 2200Z, Jan 25 |
| Winter Field Day | 1600Z, Jan 24 to 2159Z, Jan 25 |
| North American SSB Sprint Contest | 0000Z-0400Z, Feb 1 |
| Marconi Club ARI Loano Slow CW QSO Party | 1300Z-2300Z, Feb 1 |
| Vermont QSO Party | 0000Z, Feb 7 to 2400Z, Feb 8 |
| Minnesota QSO Party | 1400Z-2400Z, Feb 7 |
| British Columbia QSO Party | 1600Z, Feb 7 to 0359Z, Feb 8 and 1600Z-2359Z, Feb 8 |
| North American Sprint, CW | 0000Z-0359Z, Feb 8 |
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
- Indian Nations Hamfest – Saturday, January 10th – See announcement above for details
- January Mentoring Session and Training – Tuesday, January 13th at 6pm at Edmond Fire Station 5, 5300 E Covell
- January Membership and Board Meeting – Tuesday, January 13th at 7pm at Edmond Fire Station 5, 5300 E Covell
- All Ham Dinner – Thursday, January 15th at 6:30pm at Pickles Steakhouse, 1201 S Meridian Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73108
- Winter Field Day – Saturday, January 24th – See announcement above for details
- EARS Licensing Testing – Saturday, February 7th – Sign Up on License Testing page
- Edmond Siren Test – Saturday, February 7th 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
