EARS Field Day 2026 Plans Announced
ARRL Field Day is coming up June 27–28, 2026, and I’m excited to announce that EARS will once again be participating this year.
This year’s Field Day location will be:
Oklahoma City Gun Club
12465 E Sorghum Mill Rd
Arcadia, OK 73007
We will be operating from the pavilion and large open area just inside the main gate. The site provides a very large area for antennas and operating positions and should give us plenty of room for multiple stations and activities throughout the weekend.
Current plans are to operate as a 3A Field Day station with:
- Three HF operating stations
- One 6-meter VHF station
The site includes:
- Restrooms
- Water access
- AC power for lighting and fans
We will be using a generator to power the radios, computers, and primary operating equipment.
The pavilion itself is not air conditioned, but we are currently exploring the possibility of bringing in a large air-conditioned tent. That is not yet confirmed.
Field Day officially runs from 1:00 PM Saturday, June 27 through 1:00 PM Sunday, June 28, and we plan to operate the full 24 hours.
We currently plan to begin setup between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM on Saturday morning, and we will need help from club members throughout the weekend.
In addition to volunteers, we will also need additional equipment support. The club currently has one radio available for use, but to fully staff our planned stations we will need approximately three additional radios from members for the weekend.
We will need volunteers to assist with:
- Antenna setup
- Radio and computer setup
- Operating positions
- Logging
- General support throughout the event
- Tear-down Sunday afternoon
Whether you are an experienced operator or a brand-new ham, there will be opportunities for everyone to participate. Field Day is a great chance to get on the air, learn something new, and spend time with fellow club members.
Additional details and operating plans will be announced soon. Visit the Field Day Page for updates. I look forward to seeing everyone at Field Day 2026!
Matthew, KJ5JSL
Editor’s Note:
A huge thank you to Matthew, KJ5JSL, for volunteering to coordinate the EARS Field Day 2026 effort. Events like Field Day only happen because members are willing to step up and help lead them, and the club greatly appreciates his willingness to take this on.
Ted Cruz Highlights Critical Role of Ham Radio Operators
Senator Ted Cruz recently released a video recognizing the important role amateur radio operators continue to play during emergencies and disasters. In the message, Cruz praised ham radio volunteers for stepping in when severe weather and other disasters disrupt power, cellular service, and normal communications.
The video highlights how amateur radio operators provide critical communications support during emergencies, helping reconnect communities when other systems fail. Cruz pointed to major disasters such as Hurricane Harvey in Texas as examples of amateur radio operators serving their communities when reliable communication was desperately needed.
As the country enters another severe weather season, Cruz emphasized that amateur radio remains an important part of emergency preparedness and public service. He also thanked amateur radio operators for their continued dedication, service, and commitment to helping others during difficult times.
Cruz currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and his comments reflect increasing recognition at the national level of the value amateur radio brings to communities across the country.
You can watch the full video here: Ted Cruz Amateur Radio Video or it is embedded below.
LibertyFest 2026 – Volunteer with EARS
LibertyFest has been named one of the Top 10 July 4th Festivals in the United States by CNN and USA Today—and it happens every summer right here in Edmond, Oklahoma.
The Edmond Amateur Radio Society (EARS) plays a key role in supporting LibertyFest each year. We provide communications for several major events, helping ensure everything runs smoothly and safely. To make that happen, we rely on a dedicated team of volunteers—both licensed amateur radio operators and those who are not yet licensed.
In short — we need you!
2026 Events Needing Volunteer Support
Rodeo
Carl Benne Arena – 300 N. Kelly
Friday & Saturday, June 26–27
4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Car Show & Park Fest
E.C. Hafer Park – 1034 S. Bryant
Saturday, June 27
6:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Parade
Downtown Edmond
Saturday, July 4
6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Fireworks
UCO
Saturday, July 4
5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
What Volunteers Will Be Doing
Volunteers will be assisting with a variety of roles depending on the event:
- Rodeo: Traffic control and parking coordination
- Car Show & Park Fest: Logistics support and golf cart shuttle operations
- Parade: Participant check-in, staging, and general logistics
- Fireworks: Safety and security support throughout the event area
No matter your experience level, there’s a place for you to help.
Whether you can help with one event or several, your participation makes a real difference. LibertyFest is one of the largest events in our community, and it’s a great opportunity to put your radio skills to use while supporting Edmond.
Ready to volunteer? Please complete the signup form on the LibertyFest page.
To learn more about LibertyFest 2026, visit LibertyFest at www.libertyfest.org.
Andrew, KF5YEP
Edmond Siren Test – Saturday, June 6th
The next monthly Edmond Outdoor Warning Siren Test is scheduled for Saturday, June 6th.
If you’ve been assigned a siren but are unavailable in June, 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, June 6th at 9:00 AM
The Edmond Amateur Radio Society will hold its next VE Test Session on Saturday, June 6th 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 – June 9th 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, June 9th
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Edmond Fire Station 5 – 5300 E Covell Rd
Topic: Slack Usage for EARS
Presenter: Steven, N5ZQ
We look forward to seeing you there!
Randy, KG5GOV
help@k5eok.org
EARS Monthly Board Meeting – June 9th 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, June 9th 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
Did you know?
Did you know that amateur radio operators were among the first people to prove that radio signals could travel around the world? In December 1921, ham radio operators successfully completed the first transatlantic amateur radio communication between Connecticut and Scotland using Morse code and homemade equipment. At the time, many experts believed shortwave signals could not travel such long distances — but amateur radio operators proved otherwise, helping pave the way for modern global radio communications.
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
| Kentucky QSO Party | 1300Z, June 6 to 0100Z, Jun 7 |
| ARRL Inter. Digital Contest | 1800Z, Jun 6 to 2400Z, Jun 7 |
| Atlantic Canada QSO Party | 1400Z, Jun 7 to 0100Z, Jun 8 |
| ARRL June VHF Contest | 1800Z, Jun 13 to 0259Z, Jun 15 |
| West Virginia QSO Party | 1600Z, Jun 20 to 0400Z, Jun 21 |
| ARRL Kids Day | 1800Z-2359Z, Jun 20 |
| ARRL Field Day | 1800Z, Jun 27 to 2100Z, Jun 28 |
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
- EARS Licensing Testing – Saturday, June 6th – Sign Up on License Testing page
- Edmond Siren Test – Saturday, June 6th at 11:30am – Send email to sirens@k5eok.org
- June Mentoring Session and Training – Tuesday, June 9th at 6pm at Edmond Fire Station 5, 5300 E Covell
- June Board Meeting – Tuesday, June 9th at 7pm at Edmond Fire Station 5, 5300 E Covell
- ARRL Field Day – June 27th – 28th – Details in article above
- LibertyFest – Multiple events from June 26th through July 4th – Info and sign up at k5eok.org/libertyfest
Monday Night Information Net
Route 66 10-meter HF Net
Saturday Morning Breakfast
Saturday Morning Breakfast Net
Monday Night Information Net
Route 66 10-meter HF Net
Saturday Morning Breakfast
Saturday Morning Breakfast Net
License Test Session
Siren Test
Monday Night Information Net
Route 66 10-meter HF Net
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
