Simulated Emergency Test (SET)
2026-03-14 07:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago)
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.
