Oklahoma QSO Party: Celebrate Amateur Radio on the Airwaves!
Each spring, amateur radio operators across the nation tune their rigs and antennas to join one of the Midwest’s most popular state operating events — the Oklahoma QSO Party (OKQP). This annual event brings hams together for a weekend of friendly competition, collaboration, and fun radio traffic from the heartland.
What It Is
The Oklahoma QSO Party is a state QSO party — an operating event where stations inside Oklahoma and around the world make as many contacts (“QSOs”) as possible over a designated weekend. While anyone can participate, the party especially highlights Oklahoma county activity and gives operators a chance to connect with hams from every corner of the Sooner State.
Held each March, the event runs approximately 31 hours, beginning Saturday afternoon and continuing through Sunday evening. This extended schedule allows operators to take advantage of varying band conditions and operating styles across the weekend.
How It Works
Participants may operate in several categories, including fixed, mobile, and multi-operator classes. Contacts may be made using CW, phone (SSB), or digital modes on the HF bands from 80 meters through 6 meters.
During the contest:
- Oklahoma stations exchange an RST signal report and their county.
- Non-Oklahoma stations exchange an RST report along with their state, province, or country.
Points are awarded for each valid QSO, with different point values depending on mode and band. Multipliers include Oklahoma counties, U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and DXCC entities. Bonus points are available for accomplishments such as mobile operation and activating multiple counties.
Why It Matters
The Oklahoma QSO Party is more than just a contest — it’s an opportunity to:
- Put all 77 Oklahoma counties on the air
- Improve operating and contesting skills
- Help participants work toward awards like Worked All States (WAS)
- Encourage mobile and portable operations, often activating rare or hard-to-work counties
For many operators, OKQP is also a social tradition — a chance to test new equipment, enjoy HF operating after winter, and reconnect with familiar callsigns year after year.
How to Join In
The Oklahoma QSO Party is open to all licensed amateur radio operators, whether located in Oklahoma or anywhere else in the world. Full rules, operating details, and log submission instructions are available on the official OKQP website maintained by K5CM.
Mark your calendar, get on the air, and be part of one of Oklahoma’s favorite amateur radio events!
Steven, N5ZQ
Volunteers Needed: Stockyards City St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 14, 2026
The Stockyards City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is coming up on Saturday, March 14, 2026, and we’re looking for volunteers to help with event communications.
All volunteers should plan to arrive by 7:45 AM, and we expect to wrap up around 11:00 AM.
This is a fun parade and a great opportunity to get involved with a community event. No experience is necessary—if you’re new, we’ll pair you with a more experienced volunteer who can help guide you.
If you’re able to participate, please sign up using the form at: https://k5eok.org/st-patricks-day-parade/
If you have any questions, feel free to email us at parades@k5eok.org.
Thank you for supporting the Stockyards City St. Patrick’s Day Parade—we hope to see you there!
Andrew, KF5YEP
Get On the Air! EARS Spring Technician License Class Starts March 4
Are you—or someone you know—curious about amateur (“ham”) radio? Want to learn how to communicate using radios, build new technical skills, and join a fun, welcoming community? The Edmond Amateur Radio Society (EARS) is excited to offer its Spring Technician License Class, the perfect first step into the world of amateur radio.
This entry-level course prepares students for the FCC Technician Class license exam, the first of three amateur radio licenses. Earning this license gives you access to popular VHF and UHF bands used for local communications, repeaters, emergency support, and digital modes.
Class Details
- Starts: Wednesday, March 4
- Time: 6:30–8:30 PM (Wednesdays)
- Format: Weekly Zoom sessions with live instruction
- Cost: Free! (Students provide their own textbook)
- Textbook: Gordon West Technician Class License Prep (2022–2026 edition)
The class is taught online via Zoom, and no Zoom account is required. Registered students will receive the meeting link and password by email. Sessions are also recorded and made available to students, making it easy to review material or catch up if you miss a week.
Why Take the Class?
While self-study is possible, this class offers the advantage of experienced instructors, live Q&A, and encouragement from fellow students working toward the same goal. It’s a supportive, low-pressure way to learn and a great introduction to the amateur radio community.
After the course, students are encouraged to take the FCC Technician exam. Local Volunteer Examiner (VE) test sessions are typically held monthly (a small exam fee applies).
Help Spread the Word!
If you know someone who might be interested in amateur radio—friends, family members, coworkers, students, or neighbors—please invite them to sign up for the class. No prior radio experience is needed.
A printable flyer that can be shared or distributed is linked below
For full details and registration information, visit the EARS Technician License Class page or email class@k5eok.org.
Let’s grow amateur radio together—one new operator at a time!
Harvey, W0HGJ
Edmond Siren Test – Saturday, March 7th
The next monthly Edmond Outdoor Warning Siren Test is scheduled for Saturday, March 7th.
If you’ve been assigned a siren but are unavailable in March, 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, March 7th at 9:00 AM
The Edmond Amateur Radio Society will hold its next VE Test Session on Saturday, March 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!
EARS Monthly Training & Mentoring Session – March 10th 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, March 10th
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Edmond Fire Station 5 – 5300 E Covell Rd
February Topic: Contesting / Oklahoma QSO Party
Presenter: John, N5RET
We look forward to seeing you there!
John, N5RET
help@k5eok.org
EARS Monthly Board Meeting – March 10th 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, March 10th 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, 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
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
Net Control Operators Needed for Weekly EARS Nets
We are currently looking for volunteers to serve as Net Control Operators (NCOs) for all three of our weekly nets:
- Monday Night Information Net
- Monday Route 66 10m Net
- Saturday Morning Breakfast Net
No prior net control experience is required. We provide scripts, guidance, and training, and this is a great opportunity to build confidence, operating skills, and help support the club’s on-the-air activities.
If you’ve ever been curious about running a net—or just want to give back to EARS—this is an excellent way to get involved.
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact me at netmanager@k5eok.org.
We’d love to have you on the mic!
Anthony, K5AJT
Net Manager
Severe Weather Spotter Training – 2026
This year’s severe weather spotter training will be held at the National Weather Service in Norman on Thursday, March 26, at 6:30 PM. We rotate the location every other year between Edmond and Norman.
National Weather Service Office
120 David L Boren Blvd
Norman, OK 73072
Room #1313
If you are unable to attend this session, there are several other trainings offered around the state. This training is free and open to the public.
All ARES members are strongly encouraged to attend one of these NWS spotter training sessions.
Severe weather spotting and accurate reporting are critical components of our mission during weather events. This training helps ensure we remain qualified, informed, and ready to support emergency management and the National Weather Service when activated.
If you plan to participate in severe weather operations this season, please make every effort to attend at least one session.
Additional 2026 NWS Norman Spotter Training Opportunities
| Location | Day / Date | Time | Venue / Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinar 2 | Tue, Mar 3 | 6:30 PM | Online (GoToWebinar) |
| Watonga, OK | Mon, Mar 9 | 6:30 PM | C & A Emergency Response Center |
| Fairview, OK | Tue, Mar 10 | 6:00 PM | Northwest Technology Center |
| Webinar 3 | Tue, Mar 10 | 6:30 PM | Online (GoToWebinar) |
| Arnett, OK | Mon, Mar 23 | 6:30 PM | Arnett Fire Dept. |
| Blackwell, OK | Tue, Mar 24 | 6:30 PM | Kay Room |
| Norman, OK | Thu, Mar 26 | 6:30 PM | National Weather Center – Room 1313 |
| Pauls Valley, OK | Sat, Mar 28 | 10:00 AM | Garvin County Community Center |
| Duncan, OK | Mon, Mar 30 | 6:30 PM | County Fair Grounds, Prairie Room |
| Cheyenne, OK | Tue, Mar 31 | 6:30 PM | Roger Mills County Fairbarn |
| Advanced Webinar | Wed, Apr 1 | 6:30 PM | Online (GoToWebinar) |
A complete and up-to-date schedule is available at: https://www.weather.gov/oun/spottertalk
Training Resources
- Basic Spotter Guide (PDF): https://www.weather.gov/media/oun/spottertraining/basicspotterguide.pdf
Ben, KJ5IEB
Did you know?
The Only Private Citizens Ever Allowed to Transmit from a U.S. Nuclear Weapons Test
Federal Communications Commission once authorized amateur radio operators to transmit live from a U.S. nuclear weapons test.
In the 1950s during Operation Teapot at the Nevada Test Site, a small group of licensed amateur radio operators were allowed to set up stations and transmit from within the test area. They were there as technical observers, studying electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects and signal propagation during and after the detonation.
A few fascinating details:
- 📡 They monitored how ionizing radiation affected radio propagation.
- ⚡ Some equipment experienced interference and unusual signal behavior.
- 🧪 It was one of the earliest real-world observations of EMP effects on communications gear.
- 📝 Special temporary authorizations were issued just for the event.
To this day, it remains one of the most unusual operating environments ever officially permitted for amateur radio.
Total Lunar Eclipse & “Blood Moon” — Early Morning of Tuesday, March 3
Set your alarm! A total lunar eclipse will occur in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 3, 2026 (not the night of March 3).
In Edmond, Oklahoma (CST) the eclipse schedule is:
- Partial eclipse begins: 2:44 AM
- Totality begins (Blood Moon starts): 4:07 AM
- Maximum eclipse: 5:33 AM
- Totality ends: 6:59 AM
During totality, the Moon will glow a deep red or copper color—commonly called a “Blood Moon”—as Earth passes directly between the Sun and Moon.
No special equipment is needed—just head outside before sunrise and look up. Clear skies permitting, it should be a beautiful sight! 🌕
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
| ARRL Inter. DX Contest, SSB | 0000Z, Mar 7 to 2400Z, Mar 8 |
| Oklahoma QSO Party | 1500Z, Mar 14 to 0200Z, Mar 15 and 1500Z-2200Z, Mar 15 |
| Idaho QSO Party | 1600Z, Mar 14 to 0400Z, Mar 15 and 1400Z, Mar 15 to 0200Z, Mar 16 |
| North American Sprint, RTTY | 0000Z-0359Z, Mar 15 |
| Wisconsin QSO Party | 1800Z, Mar 15 to 0100Z, Mar 16 |
| Virginia QSO Party | 1400Z, Mar 21 to 0400Z, Mar 22 and 1200Z-2400Z, Mar 22 |
| Sasquatch Stomp | 1900Z, Mar 27 to 0300Z, Mar 28 |
| Louisiana QSO Party | 1400Z, Apr 4 to 0200Z, Apr 5 |
| Mississippi QSO Party | 1400Z, Apr 4 to 0200Z, Apr 5 |
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
- Monday Night 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
- Spring Technician License Class – Wednesdays Starting on March 4, 2026
- EARS Licensing Testing – Saturday, March 7th – Sign Up on License Testing page
- Edmond Siren Test – Saturday, March 7th at 11:30am – Send email to sirens@k5eok.org
- Elk City Hamfest – Saturday, March 7th
- March Mentoring Session and Training – Tuesday, March 10th at 6pm at Edmond Fire Station 5, 5300 E Covell
- March Board Meeting – Tuesday, March 10th at 7pm at Edmond Fire Station 5, 5300 E Covell
- Stockyard’s City St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Saturday, March 14th – Sign up on the Parade Page
- Oklahoma QSO Party – March 14-15, 2026 – See announcement above for details
- Skywarn Training in Norman – Thursday, March 26th at 6:30pm
- Altus Hamfest – Saturday, March 28th
- Green Country Hamfest – Friday and Saturday, April 10-11
License Test SessionRepeating Event
Monthly Mentoring and TrainingRepeating EventMonthly
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
