Join Us for the October EARS Dinner
Good food, great conversation, and plenty of amateur radio stories—it’s time for another EARS club dinner!
Join us on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Joe’s Famous Pizza, located at 900 S Kelly Ave, Edmond, OK 73003.
Our bi-monthly dinners are one of the best opportunities to get to know fellow club members outside of meetings and on-the-air activities. Whether you’ve been licensed for years or are brand new to amateur radio, everyone is welcome. Feel free to bring your spouse, family, or a friend who may be interested in learning more about EARS.
Planning to Join Us?
Please visit the EARS Bi-Monthly Dinners page on our website to RSVP and let us know how many people will be attending in your party. While RSVPs are not required, they help us provide the restaurant with an estimated head count so they can better accommodate our group.
➡ Visit: https://k5eok.org/ears-bi-monthly-dinners/
We hope you’ll make plans to join us for a fun evening of fellowship, great food, and amateur radio conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!
Gary, AE5GS
Join Me at the Second Annual Oklahoma POTA Meet-Up
The Oklahoma Parks on the Air group will hold its second annual activation and meet-up on October 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ski Point Pavilion A at Lake Carl Blackwell, POTA site US-10658, in Stillwater.
Brandon, KI5ZIR, and I attended last year’s event and had a great time. I plan to attend again this year and hope others will join us.
The event will feature multiple radio stations, a special group 2-meter activation and a grilled lunch with hot dogs and bratwurst. It’s a great opportunity to see a live POTA activation, ask questions, get on the air and enjoy fellowship with other amateur radio enthusiasts.
Experienced operators, newcomers and anyone curious about Parks on the Air are welcome.
Dee, KJ5FVI
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 October 3rd
Our next monthly Edmond Outdoor Warning Siren Test will take place on Saturday, October 3. 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 October 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, October 3, 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, October 3rd at 9:00 AM
The Edmond Amateur Radio Society will hold its next VE Test Session on Saturday, October 3rd 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 – October 13 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, October 13
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Edmond Fire Station 5 – 5300 E Covell Rd
Topic: CW
Presenter: Clay, WA6LBU
We look forward to seeing you there!
Randy, KG5GOV
help@k5eok.org
EARS Monthly Board Meeting – October 13 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, October 13 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?
Moonwalk on the Airwaves
During the Apollo 11 moon landing in July 1969, Kentucky ham operator and amateur radio astronomer Larry Baysinger, W4EJA, independently received 35 minutes of communications from the astronauts on the lunar surface.
His homemade station included a modified 20-year-old Army tank receiver and an 8-by-12-foot steerable antenna assembled from spare aluminum, nylon cord, and chicken wire. Because clouds made the Moon difficult to see, Baysinger and a local reporter aimed the antenna by sighting along it like a gun. As the Moon drifted out of the antenna’s narrow beam, the signal disappeared—compelling evidence that it really was coming from the Moon.
The radio audio arrived about five to ten seconds before the television broadcast. Baysinger had hoped to hear something NASA might have filtered out, but he later reported that everything he heard was also carried on TV. His remarkable accomplishment received brief local attention and was then largely forgotten for decades.
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
| Collegiate QSO Party | 0000Z, Oct 4 to 2359Z, Oct 5 |
| California QSO Party | 1600Z, Oct 3 to 2200Z, Oct 4 |
| Arizona QSO Party | 1500Z, Oct 10 to 0500Z, Oct 11 |
| Pennsylvania QSO Party | 1600Z, Oct 10 to 0400Z, Oct 11 and 1300Z-2200Z, Oct 11 |
| South Dakota QSO Party | 1800Z, Oct 10 to 1800Z, Oct 11 |
| New York QSO Party | 1400Z, Oct 17 to 0200Z, Oct 18 |
| Illinois QSO Party | 1700Z, Oct 18 to 0100Z, Oct 19 |
| ARRL EME Contest | 0000Z, Oct 31 to 2359Z, Nov 1 |
| North American SSB Sprint Contest | 0000Z-0400Z, Nov 1 |
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
- Location: Lake Carl Blackwell
- Repeats: 2nd Tuesday Monthly - Location: Edmond Fire Training Center
- Repeats: 2nd Tuesday Monthly - Location: Edmond Fire Training Center
- Location: Jo's Famous Pizza
- Location: Ardmore Convention Center
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
