EARS Needs Volunteers for Cycle 66
EARS will once again provide communications support for Cycle 66, and we are looking for volunteers to join us on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Beginning and ending in downtown Edmond, Cycle 66 brings riders together for a day of cycling along historic Route 66. This year’s event is especially significant: it has been designated a Route 66 Centennial Certified event in celebration of the highway’s 100th anniversary. The event will feature multiple ride distances, including a new 100-mile route to Stroud, along with criterium racing and a finish-line festival.
Reliable communications play an important role in keeping an event of this size running smoothly. EARS volunteers help event organizers maintain contact across the routes, report rider and course conditions, and relay requests for assistance. It is a great opportunity to put your radio skills to practical use while supporting a major community event.
We will need a good number of volunteers to provide communications coverage. Operators of all experience levels are encouraged to participate, including members who have never worked Cycle 66 before. More information about assignments, equipment needs, reporting times, and event procedures will be provided as the event approaches.
We need your help! Please visit the EARS Cycle 66 page for additional information and to complete the volunteer signup form.
Signing up early will help the planning team build assignments and identify any remaining coverage needs. Let’s put together another great EARS communications team and help make this special centennial edition of Cycle 66 a safe and successful event!
Andrew, KF5YEP
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.
Edmond Outdoor Warning Siren Test – Volunteers Needed for September 5
Our next monthly Edmond Outdoor Warning Siren Test will take place on Saturday, September 5. This is an important public service activity that helps verify the operation of the city’s outdoor warning sirens while providing valuable feedback to Edmond Emergency Management.
We are still looking for volunteers to help monitor sirens during the September test. If you’ve ever considered helping with this project, now is a great opportunity. Monitoring a siren is simple—you’ll be assigned a location, observe the test, and report whether the siren operated correctly. It only takes a few minutes of your time each month, but the information you provide helps ensure these critical warning systems are ready when they’re needed most.
If you’ve already been assigned a siren but will be unavailable for the September test, please let Clay, WA6LBU, know as soon as possible so we can arrange coverage.
We’re also always looking for additional volunteers to adopt a siren on a long-term basis or to join our list of backup monitors. Having a few extra volunteers makes it much easier to cover vacations, work schedules, and other scheduling conflicts throughout the year.
If you can help monitor a siren on Saturday, September 5, or if you’d like to be added to the siren monitoring team, please contact Clay at:
Thank you to everyone who volunteers their time each month. Your participation helps ensure Edmond’s outdoor warning system is tested thoroughly and remains ready to serve our community when severe weather threatens.
Clay, WA6LBU
Next EARS VE Test Session – Saturday, September 5th at 9:00 AM
The Edmond Amateur Radio Society will hold its next VE Test Session on Saturday, September 5th 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 Elmer Training – September 8th 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, September 8th
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Edmond Fire Station 5 – 5300 E Covell Rd
Topic: HF Mobile Operation
Presenter: Ed, N5HVG
We look forward to seeing you there!
Randy, KG5GOV
help@k5eok.org
EARS Monthly Board Meeting – September 8th 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, September 8th 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?
The Legend of the Wouff Hong
The Wouff Hong is one of amateur radio’s strangest traditions. Around 1919, ARRL co-founder Hiram Percy Maxim—writing in QST under the pen name “The Old Man”—introduced this imaginary instrument as a humorous punishment for operators who caused interference, ignored proper procedures or behaved badly on the air.
Maxim later sent QST what he called a “real live Wouff Hong.” The ARRL Board had the mysterious object framed and displayed at headquarters, where it remains today. Although no one explained exactly how it was supposed to work, the Wouff Hong became an enduring symbol of courtesy, self-discipline and good operating practices in amateur radio.
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 EME Contest | 0000Z, Sep 5 to 2359Z, Sep 6 |
| Tennessee QSO Party | 1700Z, Sep 6 to 0300Z, Sep 7 |
| Route 66 On The Air | Sep 12 to Sep 20 |
| 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 |
| ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest | 0900Z, Sep 19 to 0759Z, Sep 21 |
| Texas QSO Party | 1400Z, Sep 19 to 0200Z, Sep 20 and 1400Z-2000Z, Sep 20 |
| Iowa QSO Party | 1400Z, Sep 19 to 0200Z, Sep 20 |
| New Hampshire QSO Party | 1600Z, Sep 19 to 0400Z, Sep 20 and 1200Z-2200Z, Sep 20 |
| Washington State Salmon Run | 1600Z, Sep 19 to 0700Z, Sep 20 and 1600Z-2400Z, Sep 20 |
| Wisconsin Parks on the Air | 1600Z-2300Z, Sep 19 |
| North American Sprint, RTTY | 0000Z-0400Z, Sep 20 |
| Maine QSO Party | 1200Z, Sep 26 to 1200Z, Sep 27 |
| Masonic Lodges on the Air | 1400Z-2200Z, Sep 26 |
| Collegiate QSO Party | 0000Z, Oct 4 to 2359Z, Oct 5 |
| California QSO Party | 1600Z, Oct 3 to 2200Z, Oct 4 |
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: Every Saturday - Location: Around The Corner
- Repeats: Every Saturday
- Repeats: 1st Saturday Monthly - Location: Edmond Public Safety Center – Matt Terry Hall
- Repeats: 1st Saturday Monthly
- Repeats: 2nd Tuesday Monthly - Location: Edmond Fire Training Center
- Repeats: 2nd Tuesday Monthly - Location: Edmond Fire Training Center
- 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
