Edmond Amateur Radio Society
Edmond Amateur Radio Society
Newsletter

EARS July 13, 2026 Newsletter

by |Published

Thank You to Our LibertyFest Volunteers

As LibertyFest 2026 comes to a close, I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who volunteered their time to help make this year’s events a success.

Over the course of nearly two weeks, our volunteers supported events across the community—from the rodeo and car show to the parade and fireworks. Whether you helped with traffic control, parking, parade check-in, logistics, golf cart transportation, safety and security, or simply pitched in wherever help was needed, your contribution mattered.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that successful community events don’t happen by accident. They happen because dedicated people are willing to give up their evenings, weekends, and holiday time to serve others. Every volunteer played an important role, and every shift that was filled made it easier to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for the thousands of people who attended LibertyFest.

I’d also like to offer a special thank you to the Edmond Amateur Radio Society (EARS) and the amateur radio operators who volunteered throughout LibertyFest. Their reliable communications and operational support helped keep our teams connected across multiple event sites and ensured information could be passed quickly whenever it was needed.

While we were grateful for everyone who volunteered, we also know there were times we could have used a few more helping hands. If you’ve ever considered getting involved, I hope you’ll think about joining us next year. Even a few hours of your time can make a meaningful difference and help spread the workload across more volunteers.

On behalf of the LibertyFest leadership team, thank you for your commitment, your flexibility, and your willingness to serve our community. We truly couldn’t do it without you.

We look forward to seeing you again next year!

Steven, N5ZQ
LibertyFest Operations Director

EARS Monthly Training & Mentoring Session – July 14th 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, July 14th
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Edmond Fire Station 5 – 5300 E Covell Rd

Topic: Parks on the Air (POTA)
Presenter: Mark, AG5XF

We look forward to seeing you there!

Randy, KG5GOV
help@k5eok.org

EARS Monthly Board Meeting – July 14th 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, July 14th 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

Ham Holiday 2026 Returns with a New Home

One of Oklahoma’s premier amateur radio events is just around the corner. Ham Holiday 2026 will take place July 24–25 and, for the first time, will be held at the Cleveland County Event Center in Norman. The new venue offers easier access, ample parking, more food options, and a more convenient layout for attendees.

Ham Holiday has been a tradition for Oklahoma radio amateurs since 1974 and serves as the ARRL Oklahoma State Convention. Whether you’re a longtime ham, a newly licensed operator, or simply interested in learning more about amateur radio, Ham Holiday offers something for everyone.

Attendees can browse vendor exhibits, explore the flea market, attend educational forums, meet fellow operators, and take advantage of free amateur radio license testing. Testing begins Saturday at 12:30 PM, making Ham Holiday a great opportunity for those looking to earn their first license or upgrade to a higher class. New operators who pass their first amateur radio exam at the event can even receive a refund of their Ham Holiday admission ticket.

This year’s event also features several exciting prize opportunities. The Super Raffle includes an Icom IC-7610 HF/50 MHz transceiver valued at more than $4,000, while the Grand Prize drawing features a Yaesu FTDX10 HF/50 MHz transceiver. Those who pre-register before July 17 will also be entered for a chance to win an Icom IC-2730 dual-band mobile radio.

In addition to the exhibits and prizes, attendees can enjoy a full schedule of forums covering emergency communications, ARES, DMR, Meshtastic, mesh networking, repeater operations, and other topics of interest to today’s amateur radio operators.

The event will be open Friday from noon until 7:00 PM and Saturday from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM. A talk-in repeater on 147.060 MHz (141.3 Hz tone) will be available to assist travelers arriving at the hamfest.

If you’ve never attended Ham Holiday before, this is an excellent opportunity to experience one of the region’s largest amateur radio gatherings. Mark your calendar, invite a friend, and plan to spend a day immersed in amateur radio fellowship, learning, and fun.

For tickets, schedules, and additional information, visit HamHoliday.com.

Did you know?

Trees as Antennas

Some amateur radio operators have experimented with using living trees as antennas. By connecting a radio to a metal spike driven into a tree trunk and using a good ground, the tree itself can radiate RF energy. While it’s far less efficient than a conventional wire antenna, successful contacts have been made—proving that, in a pinch, almost anything conductive can become part of an antenna system.

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, RTTY1800Z, Jul 18 to 0559Z, Jul 19
Alabama QSO Party1500Z, Jul 25 to 0300Z, Jul 26
10-10 Int. Summer Contest, SSB0001Z, Aug 1 to 2359Z, Aug 2
North American QSO Party, CW1800Z, Aug 1 to 0559Z, Aug 2
ARRL 222 MHz and Up Distance Contest1800Z, Aug 1 to 1800Z, Aug 2
ARRL EME Contest0000Z, Aug 8 to 2359Z, Aug 9
Maryland-DC QSO Party1400Z, Aug 8 to 0400Z, Aug 9
Kentucky State Parks on the Air1400Z-2200Z, Aug 8
North American QSO Party, SSB1800Z, Aug 15 to 0559Z, Aug 16
ARRL Rookie Roundup, RTTY1800Z-2359Z, Aug 16

Web Links

Here are a few links to other websites that may be of interest.

Upcoming Events

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

You may also like