Central Oklahoma Communications Drill – August 11
Amateur radio operators have an opportunity to participate in the August 2026 Central Oklahoma Emergency Management Communications Drill on Tuesday, August 11, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. The exercise is designed to test several communications pathways that could be used to support emergency operations in Central Oklahoma.
The Incident Radio Communications Plan (ICS-205) for the exercise includes several interoperability resources, including 8CALL90, VCALL10, 7TAC75, and the W5DRO amateur radio repeater. The first three are public safety interoperability channels. For licensed amateur radio operators, W5DRO is the designated amateur radio pathway for participation in the drill.
Amateur Radio Participation
Amateur radio operators wishing to participate should use the W5DRO repeater:
W5DRO Repeater
Receive: 442.875 MHz
Transmit: 447.875 MHz (+5 MHz offset)
DCS: 411
Mode: Analog FM
Tactical Call: “Oklahoma County EOC”
The communications plan specifically identifies W5DRO as “Licensed Amateur Radio Operators Only.”
Operators who are available during the exercise are encouraged to monitor the repeater and participate as directed. Even a simple radio check or exchange during an exercise helps demonstrate whether a communications resource is available and usable when it may be needed during an actual incident.
Public Safety Interoperability Channels
The exercise will also make use of several public safety interoperability resources. The ICS-205 lists 8CALL90, VCALL10, and 7TAC75 as additional communications pathways. These are not amateur radio channels, and amateur operators should not transmit on them simply because they are participating in the exercise. Appropriate authorization and public safety radio equipment are required for those resources.
Those interested in learning more about these channels and Oklahoma’s statewide interoperability resources can review the Oklahoma Field Operations Guide (OKFOG). The guide contains information about interoperability channels and communications resources used by public safety agencies throughout Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Field Operations Guide (OKFOG)
Why Exercises Like This Matter
Communications exercises provide an opportunity to test systems before an emergency occurs. A communications plan may look good on paper, but an exercise can help determine whether operators can actually reach the intended system, whether equipment is programmed correctly, and whether the various communications pathways are ready to support an incident.
Amateur radio can provide another communications option within a larger emergency communications plan. Exercises such as this one also give amateur operators experience working within a structured communications environment alongside resources used by emergency management and public safety.
If you are available Tuesday morning between 9:00 and 11:00 AM, program or verify the W5DRO 442.875 MHz repeater (DCS 411) and listen for activity associated with the Central Oklahoma communications drill. This is a good opportunity to put your equipment on the air, exercise the amateur radio pathway, and help demonstrate the value of maintaining multiple communications options for emergency operations.
Steven, N5ZQ
EARS Monthly Elmer Training – August 11th 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, August 11th
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Edmond Fire Station 5 – 5300 E Covell Rd
Topic: 3D Printing for Ham Radio
Presenter: John, N5YZA
We look forward to seeing you there!
Randy, KG5GOV
help@k5eok.org
EARS Monthly Board Meeting – August 11th 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, August 11th 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
Join Us for the August EARS Dinner
Take a break from the radios for an evening of great food and even better conversation at our next Edmond Amateur Radio Society dinner!
We’ll be meeting on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Interurban, located at 1301 E Danforth Rd, Edmond, OK 73034. Whether you’re a long-time member, recently licensed, or just interested in learning more about amateur radio, you’re welcome to join us.
Our club dinners are a great opportunity to get to know fellow members, talk about current projects, compare equipment, share operating experiences, and simply enjoy spending time with others who share an interest in amateur radio. It’s a relaxed, informal evening with no agenda—just good food and good company.
To help us prepare, please take a moment to RSVP and let us know how many people will be in your party. This helps us provide Interurban with an approximate head count so they can better accommodate our group.
If you’ve been meaning to get more involved with EARS, this is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to do it. We hope you’ll make plans to join us on Thursday, August 20, at 6:00 PM at Interurban, 1301 E Danforth Rd, Edmond, OK 73034.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Help Someone Discover Amateur Radio This Fall
One of the best ways to grow our hobby is simply by inviting someone to become part of it.
Registration is now open for the Edmond Amateur Radio Society’s Fall 2026 Technician License Course, and we encourage every club member to help spread the word. If you have a friend, family member, neighbor, coworker, or someone you’ve met at Field Day or another club event who has shown an interest in amateur radio, this is the perfect opportunity to invite them to get licensed.
If you’re reading this newsletter and aren’t yet licensed, we’d love to have you join us as well. Whether your interests are emergency communications, public service, storm spotting, contesting, Parks on the Air, digital modes, satellites, electronics, or simply talking with people around the world, the Technician license is the first step into a hobby with something for everyone.
Our 10-week online Technician License Course begins Wednesday, August 26, and meets each Wednesday from 6:30–8:30 p.m. via Zoom. The course is completely free, with experienced volunteer instructors guiding students through the current FCC Technician question pool and answering questions along the way. Classes are recorded, so registered students can review any session they miss.
Enrollment is limited to 20 students, so early registration is encouraged.
Students will need their own copy of the ARRL Ham Radio License Manual, 6th Edition, which covers the 2026–2030 Technician question pool. After completing the course, students can take the 35-question FCC Technician examination offered by our local ARRL Volunteer Examiner team or another VE team in the Oklahoma City area.
If you know someone who has been thinking about getting their license, now is a great time to encourage them to take the next step. A personal invitation from a fellow amateur radio operator is often all it takes to introduce someone to a hobby they’ll enjoy for years to come.
For more information or to register, visit the technician license class page or email class@k5eok.org. A flyer is available below to share with others.
Harvey,W0HGJ
Route 66 On The Air — September 12–20
This September, amateur radio will once again help celebrate one of America’s most famous highways during the annual Route 66 On The Air special event.
The 2026 event will be held September 12–20, beginning at 0001 UTC on September 12 and ending at 2359 UTC on September 20.
This year’s event is particularly special because 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Route 66. Established in 1926, the historic highway became one of America’s best-known roads, stretching from Chicago to Southern California and passing directly through Oklahoma.
Celebrating the Mother Road by Radio
Route 66 On The Air is sponsored by the Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club (W6JBT) in San Bernardino, California. Amateur radio clubs and operators along the historic route put special event stations on the air representing communities from one end of Route 66 to the other.
For nine days, amateur radio operators around the country — and potentially around the world — can listen for these stations and add them to their logs.
Stations may be heard on several amateur radio bands and using a variety of modes throughout the event. Because activity depends on individual operators and band conditions, part of the fun is tuning around and seeing which Route 66 stations you can find.
Route 66 and Oklahoma
Oklahoma has a particularly strong connection to the Mother Road. Route 66 crosses a large portion of our state and passes directly through the Oklahoma City metro, including Edmond and Arcadia.
That makes Route 66 On The Air a great event for EARS members. You can chase the special event stations from your home station, or use the occasion as an excuse to get outside and try some portable operating from somewhere along historic Route 66.
Whether you make one contact or try to collect stations from across the entire route, it’s a fun way to combine amateur radio with a little American history — especially during Route 66’s centennial year.
Mark your calendar and listen for the Route 66 stations!
Route 66 On The Air
September 12–20, 2026
0001 UTC September 12 through 2359 UTC September 20
Official information and updates are available at W6JBT.org.
Texoma Hamarama Returns to Ardmore October 24
One of Oklahoma’s longest-running amateur radio traditions returns this fall! Texoma Hamarama 2026 will be held Saturday, October 24, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Ardmore Convention Center, 2401 N. Rockford Rd., Ardmore, Oklahoma.
With roots going all the way back to 1948, Texoma Hamarama is a great opportunity to spend a Saturday surrounded by amateur radio. Whether you are looking for equipment, hunting for a bargain, interested in learning something new, or simply want to visit with other hams from around the region, there should be plenty to see and do.
Buy, Sell & Trade
A big part of any hamfest is the flea market, and Hamarama will once again provide plenty of opportunities to browse used radios, accessories, components, antennas, and all of the miscellaneous treasures that tend to follow amateur radio operators around.
If you have equipment of your own that needs a new home, flea market tables are available for $15 when purchased online or $20 at the door.
Commercial vendors will also be on hand. Announced vendors include B&H Sales, formerly Derby Radio Shack, with used radios and amateur radio accessories, along with TheHamStop.com, offering antenna-building and other specialty items.
Forums and License Testing
Educational forums are another important part of Hamarama. The 2026 forum schedule has not yet been announced, but previous years have featured a wide variety of amateur radio topics, including ARES, AUXCOMM, Meshtastic, AllStar, AREDN, digital modes, repeaters, DXing, and more.
The SCARS VE team will also provide free FCC amateur radio license testing at 11:00 a.m. If you know someone who has been thinking about getting licensed, Hamarama could be a great opportunity to bring them along.
There is even an extra incentive for prospective new hams: anyone who passes the exam for their first amateur radio license at Hamarama will receive a refund of their Hamarama admission price or a free Hamarama ticket.
Children under 16 are also admitted free with a paid adult, making this a good opportunity to introduce younger family members to amateur radio.
New for 2026: The Hamarama Super Bundle
A new option for this year’s Hamarama is the $40 Super Bundle, which combines admission and raffle tickets into one discounted package.
Purchased separately, the items included in the bundle have a total value of $50. The online Super Bundle includes:
- One $10 Hamarama admission ticket
- One $20 Icom IC-7610 Super Raffle ticket
- Eleven $2 general raffle tickets
That gives you admission to the hamfest plus chances at several of the biggest prizes of the day while saving $10 compared with purchasing everything separately.
The admission ticket also enters you into the pre-registration drawing for an Icom IC-2730 dual-band mobile radio. The Super Raffle ticket gives you one of only 300 chances to win the Icom IC-7610, and the eleven general raffle tickets can be used for the hourly drawings and the Grand Prize drawing for a Yaesu FTDX10.
The $40 bundle is available online. If Super Bundles are still available at the door, the package will include 10 general raffle tickets instead of 11, making advance purchase the better deal.
Plenty of Radios to Win
Even if you don’t purchase the Super Bundle, there are several ways to get in on the prize drawings.
The 2026 Grand Prize is a Yaesu FTDX10, with the drawing scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Those who purchase their admission tickets before October 17 will also be entered into the pre-registration drawing for an Icom IC-2730 dual-band mobile radio.
For those looking for an even bigger prize, the $20 Super Raffle features an Icom IC-7610 HF/50 MHz transceivervalued at more than $3,500. Only 300 Super Raffle tickets will be sold, and you do not have to be present to win the IC-7610.
Hourly prize drawings will begin at 9:00 a.m., with attendees required to be present to win those prizes. There will also be a separate non-ham prize drawing for a 40-inch flat-screen television.
Make a Day of It
Food and refreshments will be available on site beginning at 7:00 a.m., with coffee, donuts, breakfast burritos, drinks, and several lunch options planned.
For those coming from the Oklahoma City and Edmond area, Ardmore is close enough to make Hamarama an easy day trip. It can be a fun opportunity to get a group of club members together, make the drive south, browse the tables, sit in on a forum or two, and catch up with fellow hams from across Oklahoma and North Texas.
Texoma Hamarama 2026
Saturday, October 24, 2026
8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Ardmore Convention Center
2401 N. Rockford Rd., Ardmore, OK 73401
Advance admission tickets are $2 less than admission at the door, with the pre-registration discount ending at midnight on October 17. Admission tickets, the new Super Bundle, raffle tickets, Super Raffle tickets, flea market tables, and other options can be purchased online at hamarama.org/tix.
If you haven’t been to Hamarama before—or haven’t made the trip in a few years—consider putting October 24 on your calendar. It should be a great day of amateur radio, equipment, learning, and fellowship with hams from throughout the region.
Did you know?
Amateur radio has been in space since 1961. OSCAR 1, the first amateur-radio satellite, was launched on December 12, 1961—just four years after Sputnik. The roughly 10-pound satellite transmitted “HI” in Morse code on the 2-meter band. Even more cleverly, the speed of the Morse message varied with the satellite’s internal temperature, allowing hams around the world to help collect telemetry. Its batteries lasted only a few weeks, but OSCAR 1 launched an amateur-satellite tradition that continues more than six decades later.
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, SSB | 1800Z, Aug 15 to 0559Z, Aug 16 |
| ARRL Rookie Roundup, RTTY | 1800Z-2359Z, Aug 16 |
| Hawaii QSO Party | 1600Z, Aug 22 to 0200Z, Aug 24 |
| Ohio QSO Party | 1600Z, Aug 22 to 0400Z, Aug 23 |
| U.S. Islands QSO Party | 1200Z, Aug 29 to 0300Z, Aug 30 |
| World Wide Digi DX Contest | 1200Z, Aug 29 to 1200Z, Aug 30 |
| Kansas QSO Party | 1400Z, Aug 29 to 0200Z, Aug 30 and 1400Z-2000Z, Aug 30 |
| ARRL EME Contest | 0000Z, Sep 5 to 2359Z, Sep 6 |
| Tennessee QSO Party | 1700Z, Sep 6 to 0300Z, Sep 7 |
| Colorado QSO Party | 1400Z, Sep 12 to 0359Z, Sep 13 |
| New Jersey QSO Party | 1400Z, Sep 12 to 0200Z, Sep 13 |
| Ohio State Parks on the Air | 1400Z-2200Z, Sep 12 |
| ARRL September VHF Contest | 1800Z, Sep 12 to 0300Z, Sep 14 |
| North American Sprint, CW | 0000Z-0400Z, Sep 13 |
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
- Repeats: Every Monday
- Repeats: Every Monday
- Repeats: 2nd Tuesday Monthly - Location: Edmond Fire Training Center
- Repeats: 2nd Tuesday Monthly - Location: Edmond Fire Training Center
- Repeats: Every Saturday - Location: Around The Corner
- Repeats: Every Saturday
- Location: Interurban
- Repeats: 1st Saturday Monthly - Location: Edmond Public Safety Center – Matt Terry Hall
- Repeats: 1st Saturday Monthly
- Location: Golden Palace
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
