Mississippi Section

CMARA 3rd Saturday Event
2026-02-21 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Pearl Park and Recreation Center, 850 Center City Drive, Pearl, MS, 39208, United States
Ham operators and non-operators, please come join CMSARA (Central
Mississippi Amateur Radio Association) at the Pearl Park and Recreation
facility in Pearl, MS. The entrance to the park is located at HWY 80 and
Center City Drive, on the east side of Pearl. Follow Center City Drive
in the South direction to the Pirate Park Walking Trail at the corner of
Center City Drive and Legion Lake Road. Set up area will be at the
parking lot for the walking trails.
This is a wide open area with plenty of parking and sunshine, but
limited access to trees. Good opportunity to practice set up without
benefit of tall trees.
Bring your portable ham radio setup including batteries, radios, tuners,
antennas, etc. that you can use to set up your portable operations
station or just show up and we will get you on the air via HF/VHF/UHF.
You can bring a chair to sit on if desired. I did not see any bathroom
facilities but there may be some. Be aware there may be other
activities going on in the park so respect their space. Invite them over
to play ham radio with us.
The purpose of this outing is to have fun, fellowship with others and
make contacts. Looking forward to seeing y’all there on February 21,
2026 at approximately 9 AM. I will be there early, hopefully.
Eugene
N5CMA

VE Test Session - Tupelo
2026-02-14 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Tupelo Airport, 118 Lemons Drive, Tupelo, MS, United States
Saturday February 14 is our regularly scheduled quarterly VE test
session at 2:00 pm. The test location will be the 118 Lemons Drive at
the Tupelo Airport. This is the building occupied by UAM, south of the
National Guard Armory, where the Tupelo Amateur Radio Club has met in
the past. If you know of anyone who has been planning to take an exam,
please pass a reminder to them.
Those taking exams need to bring photo ID, any valid CSCE’s, and $10
exam fee. Since May 20, 2021, all amateur examination applicants are
required to provide an FCC Registration Number (FRN) to the Volunteer
Examiners (VEs) before taking an amateur exam. Applicants who already
have an FCC license, whether for amateur radio or in another service,
already have an FRN and can use the same number. All prospective new
FCC licensees, however, will be required to obtain an FRN before the
examination and provide that number to the volunteer examiners on the
Form 605 license application. I can provide instructions to anyone
needing to obtain an FRN number.
Those wishing to take exams should notify me of their intention to sit
for an exam at dannyrgrimes@gmail.com or 662-322-2201. Our standing
policy is that, if by the Friday before the test, we appear to have no
examinees planning to test, the test session is subject to
cancellation.
VE’s please email me if you can attend so that I will know that we have
enough examiners to cover the session.
Thanks,
Danny
KB5YJG

Capitol City Hamfest
2026-01-30 16:00 - 2026-01-31 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Mississippi State Fairgrounds Trademart, 1200 Mississippi St, Jackson, MS, 39202, United States
At the Trademart on the Fairgrounds
1200 Mississippi St JACKSON MS 39202
Admission: $10/person
Tables $25 each
Children under 12 free
• Hourly Door Prize drawings
• Grand Prize Drawing Saturday
Schedule of events:
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30
——————————
5:00 P.M. Forum Room A
DRONES AND THE FAA
(Kerry N5KLT – FAA Licensed Commercial Drone Pilot)
6:00 P.M. Forum Room A
SIMPLE ANTENNAS: EMCOMM & POTA
(Eugene N5CMA, Scott KJ5ET & Johnny W5PFR)
SATURDAY MORNING JANUARY 31
————————————————-
8:00 A.M. Forum Room A
VE TESTING (Jim AE5SK)
9:00 A.M. Forum Room B
DIGITAL MOBILE RADIO
(General KD4VVZ & Robert KC5IMN)
10:00 A.M. Forum Room A
REPEATERS IN MISSISSIPPI
(Frank K4FMH & Chris AF5OQ)
Forum Room B
USEFUL HAM RADIO WEBSITES
(Drew KG5OVR)
11:00 A.M. Forum Room A
ARRL FORUM
(K5UZ, K5JMR & W5XX)
Forum Room B
DISASTER SERVICES
TECHNOLOGIES
RED CROSS
SATURDAY AFTERNOON, JANUARY 31
——————————————————-
12:30 P.M. Forum Room A
ARES
Robert KC5IMN
1:30 P.M. Forum Room A
MISSISSIPPI SECTION NETS
Bobby KF5BA & Jeff W5JGW
Forum Room B
PUBLIC LIBRARIES AS A TRAINING GROUND FOR YOUNG HAMS
Tamra KJ5KEX & Frank K4FMH

New Year's Eve On-Air Party
2025-12-31 23:00 - 23:59 (America/Chicago) | On-Air 3.862Mhz
Join our Section Manager, Malcolm – W5XX on the air beginning Dec 31 at 11pm CST on 75M (3.862MHz). All ham radio operators are welcome to join-in. The more the merrier.

Southern Miss Pow-Wow Special Event Activity
2025-11-17 - 2025-11-22
Mississippi hams will be operating in week-long Special Event Station (SES) using callsign W0W (W-ZERO-W) in celebration of the annual Southern Miss Pow-Wow event. From 0000 UTC Nov 17 through 2359 UTC Nov 17 Mississippi hams will operate using callsign W0W from their home stations. Coordinators are: Curt, N5CW and Randy, W5UE. For details on how to participate please email to w0w@arrlmiss.org for more information. This email address will reach all three of the above. Special QSL available via N5CW with SASE or SAE+ adequate funds for postage.

2025 Repeater Roundup
2025-11-01 07:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago)
The Magnolia ARC will host the 2025 Repeater Roundup on November 1, 2025, from 7AM to 7PM. That’s 12 hours to work as many repeaters as possible, log lots of QSOs, and snag some helpful multipliers. All call signs are welcome to participate; club membership is NOT required to take part.
We’d like to see as much of North Mississippi as possible take part, which means adding more repeaters. It needs to be a challenge, but still something a new ham can enter and not only have fun but also rack up some serious points. This is a contest for all Hams, regardless of experience or gear. A handheld Baofeng can do just as well as an Icom 820H, if the Ham is willing to put in the miles and the effort.
Last year, some folks wanted to see more repeaters added to the list, so here is your chance to shape the future. If you’d like to suggest a 2 meter or 440 repeater for the Roundup, email your suggestions to ag5nd@arrl.net. Last year’s repeater list is available from ag5nd at the same email address.
Three files have been uploaded to the FILES section of the Magnolia ARC Facebook page, and these are the files you will need to download and print. They are Instructions, Log Sheet, and Repeater List. The link to the files page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/497073537139477/files/files

ARRL Day in the Park
2025-10-18 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Old Trace Park, 422 Post Road, Ricdgeland, MS, 39157, United States
The Jackson ARC invites you to this year’s ARRL Day in the Park Saturday October 18, 2025 from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm at Old Trace Park. The folks at Ridgeland Parks and Recreation graciously allowed us to use their Recreation Center adjacent to the main parking lot. This will be a fun time of fellowship and food (Dutch Treat from Food Truck). At noon there will be a few comments by W5XX followed by multiple door prizes. In addition, Flea Market tables will be available, or you can tailgate in the parking lot. For those interested, the Mississippi State Fair will be open for “after Day in the Park fun and games.”
Old Trace Park is located at 422 Post Road in Ridgeland. Parking Gate code of
0123#. To get there follow the signs to the Bill Waller Craft Center on Rice Road and then continue on Rice Road a short distance until you get to a stop sign at the intersection with Post Road. Take a right on Post Road and Old Trace Park will then be the second right. The Rec Center will be on the right side of the large parking lot as you drive in. For further information contact AK5J at cell 601-709-6740 or email ak5j@arrl.net. Talk-In: 146.64 (77 Hz) linked to 146.76 (77 Hz)

Papa Jack Trade Day - Pontotoc
2025-10-18 08:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Tanglefoot Trail Pavilion, 139 West Reynolds Street, Ponotoc, United States
The Tupelo Amateur Radio Club will host its annual Papa Jack Trade Day
on Saturday, Oct 18 from 8 am until 2pm. This will be at
the Tanglefoot Trail Pavilion on 139 West Reynolds Street in
Pontotoc. All vendors are welcome to set up for the sale or trade of
Ham related items. For more info contact WJ5K at wj5k@yahoo.com

VE Testing - Fulton Area
2025-04-19 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Old Fulton Grammar School, 603 S. Cummings St., Fulton, MS, 38843, United States
The Northeast Mississippi Radio Amateurs, Inc will be holding a testing session on April 9th, 2025 at 9am at the Old Fulton Grammar School located at 603 S. Cummings St. in Fulton, MS, in the NEMRA clubroom. Look for the red testing sign for the entrance to the old schoolhouse (south side).
There is NO FEE for the testing; please bring at least 2 types of ID; one needs to be a state-issued photo ID, a copy of your current license, and any CSCE’s not reflected in your current license (example: you took the general test yesterday, passed, and want to take extra today, and the general upgrade has not been processed and posted yet).
As of Jan 1, 2021, Laurel VEC will no longer accept social security numbers; FRN only. The SS# entry has been removed from the application process and the session report. YOU MUST HAVE AN FRN OR A VALID CALL SIGN OR YOU CANNOT TEST.
ALL TEST SESSIONS WILL REQUIRE AN RSVP, OR THE SESSION WILL CANCEL DAY BEFORE. THE COST OF FUEL AND TIME LOST BY THE VOLUNTEERS ON A NO-SHOW SESSION HAS CAUSED THIS CHANGE. WALK INS ARE STILL WELCOME IF WE HAVE A SESSION OPENED FOR SOMEONE WHO RSVP’D.
Please contact Bobby at w1law@yahoo.com or John at k5fy.usa@gmail.com for more information or notification that you intend to test that day.

Mississippi Parks On The Air
2025-04-12 08:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago)
As of this writing, there at least 133 reference entities in the POTA database. Not all of them are parks. Only those with “Park” in the name will be used for MSPOTA.
There are twenty-one (21) State Parks in Mississippi, and we need to have most, if not all, of those 21 state parks activated by as many amateur radio operators as possible on the day of the event. This will entail the efforts and cooperation of multiple Mississippi clubs.
Except where noted in this document, POTA rules will apply. See https://pota.app/ for more details. All MSPOTA activators will operate as if they were activating a State Park for POTA. Co-activating is allowed. When activators mail their adi file to the certificate coordinator, please include the co-activators call signs, if applicable.
As in POTA the guidelines, all rules and regulations of the MS State Parks, will be followed. Fees need to be paid where they are required. If you use Pavilions then those need to be reserved and paid for.
Kudos go to the Jackson County Amateur Radio club, and the Area 51 Radio group for their fine cooperation, in making this happen for our State. Special thanks to all the Activators for the State Parks from whatever club or organization they come from, and of course, without all the hunters, this would not be an event!

VE Testing Dec 2024 - Flowood/Jackson
2024-12-01 13:30 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Red Cross, 9 River Bend, Flowood, MS, 39232, United States
The Jackson Amateur Radio Club is finally able to resume license testing sessions. The Red Cross has reopened their facility at 9 River Bend Pl in Flowood, MS to us. The schedule for the rest of this year is:
6 October 2024 at 1:30pm.
1 December 2024 at 1:30pm.
Contact Jim, AE5SK at ak5j@arrl.net for more info.

VE Testing Oct 2024 - Flowood/Jackson
2024-10-06 13:30 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Red Cross, 9 River Bend, Flowood, MS, 39232, United States

Corinth MS Hamfest 2024
2024-04-27 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Crossroads Arena – Corinth, 2800 South Harper Road, Corinth, MS, United States

Intro to Ham Radio
2024-03-02 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Rebecca Baine Rigby Library, 994 Madison Avenue, Madison, MS, 39110, United States
The Jackson Amateur Radio Club (msham.org) wants to show you that Ham
Radio is far different than you might think. “Hams” save lives, talk
to astronauts, some are famous, and all make friends everywhere.
You are invited to attend a presentation about Ham Radio at the Madison
Public Library.
March 2, 2024
10am – Noon
Rebecca Baine Rigby Library – Madison MS
994 Madison Avenue
Madison, MS 39110
Bring along as many potential Hams as possible.

Storm Spotter Class - Brandon
2024-02-13 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Rankin County Tornado Shelter, 651 Marquette Road, Brandon, MS, United States
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has declared the week of Feb 11-17 as
“Spring Severe Weather Preparedness Week”, and the Central Mississippi
Amateur Radio Association is preparing with
a Storm Spotter Class presented by the National Weather Service from
Jackson, MS. The class will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at
the Rankin County Tornado Shelter, 651 Marquette Road in Brandon and is
open to the public. Be ready for the severe weather by attending this
class and learning about the storms that come our way in the spring,
summer and fall.
7pm, 651 Marquette Road in Brandon on Tuesday, February 13th sponsored
by the Central Mississippi Amateur Radio Association. You do not have
to be a ham radio operator to attend this class but you are welcome to
become one.

POTA Campout - Gautier
2023-11-17 - 2023-11-19 | Shepard State Park, 1034 Graveline Rd, Gautier, MS, 39553, United States

CMSARA November Meeting
2023-11-14 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Rankin County Extension, 601 Marquette Drive, Brandon, MS, United States
Next Central Mississippi ARA (CMSARA) meeting will be on November 14th at 7pm, 601 Marquette Drive and the program will be presented by Eugene, N5CMA on White
lightening…which should be interesting knowing Eugene….

VE Test Session - Jackson
2023-11-11 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | Crossroads of Life Church Gym, 6775 S. Siwell Road, Byram, MS, 39272, United States
VE TEST SESSION SaturdayNovember 11th, 2023
Central MS Amateur Radio Association.
Date: Saturday November 11th, 2023
Time: 1pm
All License class tests will be available.
Contact: Brian P. Alexander (601) 741-0873 Text preferred
Email: QSO.W5SSJ@GMAIL.COM
Location: Crossroads of Life Church Gym
6775 S. Siwell Road, Byram, MS. 39272
Please RSVP by text or email!!

VE Test Session - Meridian
2023-11-11 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Lauderdale Emergency Management Assoc, 2525 14th Street, Meridian, MS, 39301, United States
The Meridian Amateur Radio Club (MARC) is hosting a ARRL testing session
this Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the Lauderdale County LEMA office at
10:00AM. The LEMA office is located at 2525 14th Street in Meridian, Ms
39301. Point of contact is Eldon Richardson, W4IOS. Talk in frequency is
146.520. Phone number: (601)227-6690. Email:
eldon.richardson79@gmail.com
Walk-ins are welcome! Testing all classes of Amateur Radio!

Air Force MARS (AFMARS) 75th Anniversary Event
2023-11-05 00:00 - 2023-11-11 23:30 UTC | On-Air
AFMARS is celebrating its 75th anniversary by reaching out to the
Amateur Radio community for a special event. The event will kick-off on
November 5 at 0000 Zulu and end on November 11 at 2359 Zulu.
Representative stations located in each of the ten geographical AFMARS
Communications Wings will be on-the-air calling CQ and identifying
themselves as special event station callsigns. In addition, K4AF, the
MARS station located at the Pentagon, will be on the air as a part of
this event!
This event will take place on all HF bands (except 60m) using common
modes, including SSB, CW, and digital. The technician part of the 10m
band WILL be active for this event. Participants should monitor
frequencies and respond to QSO calls. Stations that receive an
acknowledgment and authentication code will be registered in the
official log.
Upon completion of the event, those stations that have been officially
logged in all ten Communication Wings will receive a QSL document.
Stations that make contact with the Pentagon MARS station will receive a
second QSL document. Details on how to get a certificate can be found
on the AFMARS official website (https://www.mars.af.mil) and the QRZ
event call sign page (https://www.qrz.com/lookup).
Contact KD5SBP for additional info.

Brashears Stand (Natchez Trace Pkwy) POTA Activation
2023-10-21 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Ham operators and non-operators, please come join CMSARA at Brashears
Stand on the Natchez Trace Parkway for our 3rd Saturday Ham Radio
portable setup. Brashears Stand is located northeast of Jackson, MS on
the Natchez Trace Parkway, at mile marker 104.5 {approximately 5 miles
east of I-55 interchange}. Brashears Stand is well shaded and has a
fairly large circle drive with large trees on the inside and outside of
the circle. Plenty room for several antennas. This location also
qualifies for POTA activations using Natchez Trace Park number K-0642.
Bring your portable Ham Radio setup including batteries, radios, tuners,
antennas, etc. that you can use to set up your portable operations
station or just show up, and we will get you on the air via HF/VHF/UHF.
You can bring a chair or plan on using the picnic table. There are NO
bathroom facilities at the site. Be aware there may be other activities
going on in the park so respect their space. Invite them over to play
Ham Radio with us.
The purpose of this outing is to have fun, fellowship with others, and
make contacts. Looking forward to seeing y’all at Brashears Stand
October 21, 2023, at approximately 9 AM. I will probably be there early
so come early if you want. In the event of bad weather, we will
reschedule to another weekend.

Scratching Post QSO Party
2023-10-07 06:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Lucedale City Park, Lucedale, MS, 39452, United States
