Mississippi Section

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
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 Dec 2024 - Flowood/Jackson
2024-12-01 13:30 - 15:00 | Red Cross, 9 River Bend, Flowood, MS, 39232, United States

Mississippi Parks On The Air
2025-04-12 08:00 - 18:00
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 - Fulton Area
2025-04-19 09:00 - 12:00 | 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.

Papa Jack Trade Day - Pontotoc
2025-10-18 08:00 - 14:00 | 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

ARRL Day in the Park
2025-10-18 09:00 - 14:00 | 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)

2025 Repeater Roundup
2025-11-01 07:00 - 19:00
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

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.

New Year's Eve On-Air Party
2025-12-31 23:00 - 23:59 | 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.

Capitol City Hamfest
2026-01-30 16:00 - 2026-01-31 15:00 | 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

VE Test Session - Tupelo
2026-02-14 14:00 - 16:00 | 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

CMARA 3rd Saturday Event
2026-02-21 09:00 - 17:00 | 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

Simulated Emergency Test (SET)
2026-03-14 07:00 - 19:00
SEC KC5IMN advises that the upcoming Mississippi Section Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Simulated Emergency Test (SET), codenamed ‘Operation Undead,’ is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The scenario involves a disruption of commercial communications infrastructure, coupled with a localized biological threat that requires specialized public health coordination for quarantine and resource allocation. The mission for Mississippi ARES will be to coordinate amateur radio operators to support overflow and emergency communications for Public Safety, Public Service, and State and Local Government entities, focusing on the Public Health sector. The exercise will utilize various Amateur Radio networks including HF, VHF, UHF, Analog, SSB, and Digital modes, with the primary goal being to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of emergency preparedness and demonstrate Amateur Radio capabilities to served agencies and the public.

Jackson County Hamfest
2026-03-20 08:00 - 2026-03-21 14:00 | St. Martin Community Center, 15008 Lemoyne Blvd, Biloxi, United States
Please visit https://jcmsara.org/hamfest/ for more details as the event get closer.
If you have any questions please send them to club vice president Charlie Hardt, N2PKW or jchamfest@gmail.com
Start/end times approximate at this time. Updates to be posted as more info is provided.

Columbus Hamfest
2026-03-21 08:00 - 14:00 | Columbus Post 69 Legion Hall, 308 Legion Drive, Columbus, MS, 39705, United States
Hamfest sponsored by the American Legion ARC on March 21, 2026 at the Columbus Post 69 Legion
Hall.
Doors open at 0800, 7am for vendors. Vendor tables $10 each or 3 for the price of 2. General Admission $5.
308 Legion Drive, Columbus, MS 39705
Contact Kenneth Phelps KC5KPG at (662) 630-0050 for more information.

2026 Mississippi QSO Party
2026-04-04 09:00 - 21:00 | On-Air
The Mississippi QSO Party (MSQP) is held the first weekend of April each year. The 12 hour event encourages ALL Mississippi hams to get on the air handing out Mississippi QSOs to hams around the world. This is also an excellent event for county hunters since many participants will operate mobile or portable from rare counties around the state. High scoring participants in each category will receive a beautiful solid wooden plaque recognizing their accomplishment.
2026 MSQP Dates April 4 2026 9am-9pm Central Time (1400 April 4 – 0200 April 5 UTC)

Monthly EMCOMM Checkin on 3.862MHz
2026-05-07 18:00 - 19:00 | On-Air 3.862Mhz
This net meets on the 1st Thursday of each month. All Mississippi Hams are invited to checkin and participate.

ARRL Field Day
2026-06-27 13:00 - 2026-06-28 13:00
Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the most popular event in ham radio.
Many groups in Mississippi will be hosting public Field Day Operations. Use the ARRL Field Day locator tool to find one near you and join in the fun!!

W1AW/5 Year of the Club Operation from Mississippi
2026-11-18 - 2026-11-24
On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The ARRL will support the 2026 yearlong celebration by sponsoring the Worked All States 250 Award (WAS250)( page 76 January QST). During the year W1AW portable will twice visit all 50 states. Mississippi’s turn will be April 1-7, 2026, and November 18-24, 2026. W5UE will be coordinating the activity and can be reached at w5ue@arrl.net. This will be very similar to the 2023 Volunteers on The Air (VOTA) operating event that many of you may have participated in. This is your chance to again be W1AW/5 from your home station. ALL Mississippi Amateurs are encouraged to participate.
