Current Section Report (September 2026)
Section Manager: Malcolm Keown, W5XX. Section Website at www.arrlmiss.org. Webmaster: W5UE, ASM: K5BAK, K5DSG, K5LDA, KF8PD, K5VOK, W4WLF, KB5YEE, SEC: KC5IMN, SGL: AK5J; STM: WV5Q, TC: N5JGK
SEC KC5IMN reports that between October 6 and October 9, 2026, Mississippi ARES monitored, mobilized, and staged statewide operational readiness for Hurricane Isaias. Initial numerical modeling and dynamic guidance presented significant spread across the central and northern Gulf Coast, indicating potential Category 2 to Category 3 landfall anywhere between southeastern Louisiana, coastal Mississippi, southern Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle.
Mississippi was exceptionally fortunate to miss a direct strike from the hurricane. The system rapidly intensified over unseasonably warm Gulf waters (84°F–86°F), reaching peak sustained winds of 120 mph (958 mb central pressure). Crucially, the ultimate steering pattern and center track did not solidify until just hours prior to landfall steering the core sharply northeastward toward southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
Because of this late eastward deflection, coastal and southeastern Mississippi remained on the weaker western (clean) side of the circulation, averting catastrophic storm surge (3–7 ft forecast) and widespread hurricane-force wind damage. Mississippi ARES activated on SSB and DMR at 1200 CDST on Friday, October 9, and stood down at 2200 CDST that evening.
***** KD5KMO reports from Houston that the Chickasaw ARC set up an information tent at the Flywheel Festival which is a long-running biannual community celebration held in Houston. It brings together ‘rusty iron’ enthusiasts and families from across the region to celebrate mechanical history and local culture
Jonathan says the Chickasaw ARC tent set up resulted in plenty of visitor traffic and out of the crowd 15 Hams signed the register…even some from out-of-state. The primary objective was to promote Ham Radio and be available to answer questions. A lot of rag chewing was done and couple of non-Hams showed an interest in getting licensed. Looking forward to getting them to our meetings
**** From AK5J in Jackson. Hams from the Jackson Metro ARC and Vicksburg ARC assisted with communications for the Walk for Diabetes in Jackson on September 26. A very large crowd of walkers participated in this event which was held at LeFleur’s Bluff State Park. All of the rest stops were covered by Hams along with net control at the Walk Headquarters. The Hams provided updates during the walk and were also able to call for a motorized cart to help a walker, who experienced medical problems. Hams participating were K5XU, K5KKD, AK5J and W5VMS. A couple of volunteers from Vicksburg also assisted with GMRS radios.
***** W5PID reports from Bovina that the latest Central Mississippi ARA 3rd Saturday Expedition brought a great turnout of approximately 20 participants together for a day of Ham Radio, learning, and fellowship. The tree-lined grounds of the Clinton Public Library served as a perfect backdrop for the day’s activities.
On the technical front, CMARA set up five HF stations with four SSB stations and one CW station operated by K5RAP. Adding to the day’s excitement, several operators spent their morning successfully chasing and responding to various Parks on the Air calls, keeping logs full and antennas busy.
Beyond general operations, the expedition highlighted several individual milestones and unique technical experiments. A major highlight of the day was welcoming newly licensed hams Grayson, KJ5RSK, and Mary KJ5RSL, a ‘mother/son’ duo, to the airwaves. The duo hit the ground running, successfully logging eight to ten solid 2m contacts. Also, KG5SQZ and KI5VKY generated plenty of interest as they experimented with a walk-around Ham Radio pack for the 20-meter band. Meanwhile, W5PFR stayed busy providing technical support by programming local repeaters and frequencies into handheld radios for members. CMSARA members look forward to seeing everyone at the next “expedition” at Rocky Springs on October 17th! We will meet the at the picnic area at about 8am.
***** WJ5K reports from Tupelo that final details are being made for Papa Jack’s Trade Day. The event will be held in Pontotoc on October 17 from 8 to 12 at the Gateway Pavillion at 137 West Reynolds St. Set up is at 7 AM. The main prize is an IC-2100 sponsored by ICOM, ChattRadio, and the Tupelo ARC. Many more prizes are being provided by the ARRL and DX Engineering.
***** Club President AK5J reports from Jackson that the 2026 ARRL Day in the Park will be held on Saturday, October 24, at the Ridgeland Recreation Center at Old Trace Park on the Barnett Reservoir in Ridgeland. The host club is the Jackson Metro Amateur Radio Club assisted by the Vicksburg ARC and the hours will be from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. This will be a fun time of fellowship, forums, food, flea market, and other activities.
There will be forums on working satellites and POTA. Also, Steve Goodgame, K5ATA, who worked at ARRL Headquarters for a number of years and W5XX will give some remarks. A number of door prizes will be given away at noon.
Old Trace Park is located at 422 Post Road in Ridgeland. 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. Call-in is 146.640 – 77 hz tone.
For further information contact AK5J at cell no. 601-709-6740. You can also email ak5j@arrl.net.
… .. and EC Reports from around the State …
***** From AEC KG5RRF in Carroll County. We have five more members on DMR, one more on emergency power, and now average 18 check-ins on the Delta ARA Net every night. We have one new Ham in Carroll County (KJ5RXQ), expect four for testing next month, and are setting up a DMR talk group.
***** From KD5KMO in Chickasaw County, We continue to meet monthly and have some sort of training each meeting. In September, we learned about barometers and understanding pressures. We gathered at the Houston Fall Flywheel Festival (see above) and had a good showing of fellow hams to come by and sign the register. We have a couple potential prospects that have expressed interest in getting a license.
**** From DEC/EC KD4VVZ. George County ARES held a special testing session at Camp Shelby on September 23rd resulting in 4 upgrades. Coming up on October 10th GC ARES will have its annual special event station at the ‘Scratching Post.’ See QRZ call sign K5K for details.
***** From K9EYZ in Jackson County. Our group is encouraging simplex operations to back up our repeater, and we have practiced using alternate repeaters in the event our primary repeater goes down.
Here are some upcoming events to put on your calendar:
- Papa Jack’s Trade Day, Pontotoc, Oct 17, POC: WJ5K
- CMARA Picnic, Rocky Springs, Oct 17, POC: N5CMA
- ARRL Day in the Park, Oct 24, Ridgeland, POC: AK5J
- EMCOMM Checkin, Nov 5, 3862, 6 PM, POC: KC5IMN
- W1AW/5 second visit to Mississippi, Nov 18-24, POC: W5UE
- 2027 Capital City Hamfest, Trade Mart, Jan 29-30, POC: AK5J
- 2027 MSQP, April 2-3, POC:W5XX
….. and SEC/EC Reports in September from around the state: KC5IMN (SEC), K5DSC (Newton), K9EYZ (Jackson), AE5FK (Walthall), NI5I (Perry), KD5KMO (Chickasaw), N5LOK (Webster), KD5NDU (AEC)(Yalobusha), KJ5V (Oktibbeha), KG5OVS (Leake), AD5SG (Jones), KG5RRF (AEC)(Delta), KD5SQZ (Hinds), KD4VVZ George/Greene).
**** Welcome to the following new Hams in Mississippi in September:
K5CTH, Jesse – Biloxi; KJ5RPX, Jerry – Long Beach; KJ5RSK, Grayson – Clinton; KJ5RSL, Mary – Clinton; KJ5RSS, Nelson – Scooby; KJ5RSU, Jenna – Biloxi; KJ5RTC -Thomas – Carriere.
KJ5RTP, Tyler – Lake Cormorrant; KJ5RTR, Joseph – Union; KJ5RTX, Blanche – Meridian; KJ5RUU, Frank – Natchez; KJ5RVD, Roody – Picayune; KJ5RVF, Roxanne – Petal.
***** Congratulations to the following who upgraded in September:
KJ5GZC, Jeffrey – Mize; KJ5HZL, Larry – Vancleave; KI5JFV, Charles, Olive Branch; KJ5MQX, Laramie – Madison; KJ5PDC, Jason – Brandon; KJ5PDS, Kristopher Braxton.
***** Welcome to the following New ARRL Members in September:
N5MCP, Rembert – Sumrall; KJ5RPX, Jerry – Long Beach. WA5SQB, Fred – Poplarville.
Mississippi ARRL Membership as of October 1 was 742.
***** Welcome to the following renewals for another great year of ARRL Membership:
KG5AVH, William – Byhalia; K0DHE, Cody – Oxford; WC5J, Mike – Vicksburg; KE5MIS, Joesph – Water Valley; KD5OSA, James – Natchez; KE5WAY, Nicholas – Gulfport; and without calls known: Ryan Chunn – Leland; Marietta Haywood – Hernando.
***** Regret to report the passing of ….
K5CID of Jackson. Jim was born in the Delta and graduated from Ruleville Central High School. After graduation he was awarded an academic scholarship to Alcorn State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in biology.
He was drafted into the Army on the day he completed requirements for graduation from Alcorn. He trained at Fort Polk from there he shipped to Vietnam, where he did a one-year tour of duty. Upon his return, he continued his military career as a Special Agent in Criminal Investigation.
Following his retirement from military service he dedicated his time to ministering to the homeless and marginalized through Stewpot Community Services. There he conducted chapel services, offered spiritual guidance, and provided encouragement to countless individuals. Even as his health declined, he continued to share the Gospel and uplift those around him through his ministry at Stewpot.
Doug was a DXer and an active member of the Jackson ARC.
***** Club Newsletters (Editor): the Meridian ARC Spark Gap (W5MAV), the Mississippi Coast ARA Splatter (N5OCT)
HF Net Reports for September – sessions/QNI/QTC (Net Manager)
Magnolia Net 30/974/13 (KF5BA)
MS Baptist Hams Net 4/18/0 (WF5F) Sunday, 7263 at 4PM
MSPN 30/2147/25 (W5JGW)
Pine Belt ARA 10M Net 4/29/0 (K5TLL)
VHF Net Reports for September – sessions/QNI/QTC (Net Manager)
Capital Area Em Net 4/43/0 (K5XU)
Central MS ARES Net 7/65/0 (KD5SQZ)
Chickasaw County ARES Net 4/26/0 (KI5IKJ)
DARA EM Net 12/60/0 (KG5RRF)
Fulton/Itawamba Skywarn Net 4/103/0 (KB5NMB) 1 Em Net
Fulton/Itawamba 2M Simplex Net 1/9/0 (KB5NMB)
George County ARES Net 4/52/0 (KD4VVZ)
Jackson County ARES 4/87/0 (K9EYZ)
Jackson Metro ARC Net 4/35/0 (K5XU)
Leake County ARES Net 4/21/0 (KG5OVS)
Lowndes County ARES Net 5/43/0 (K5TCO)
Mississippi Coast ARA Net 5/123/0 (N5GQ)
Pine Belt ARC 2M Em Net 4/48/0 (K5TLL)
Pine Belt ARC Simplex 2M Net 1/16/0 (K5TLL)
South Central MS ARES Net 5/74/0 (AD5SG)
Vicksburg ARC/MLEN 5/56/0 (KG5YEE)
Walthall County ARES Team Net 3/30/0 (AE5FK)
W5YD ARES Weekly Net 4/16/0 (KJ5V)
Digital Net Reports for September:
Em Com Team 29/226/2 (K5TCO)
NE MS DMR Net 22/36/0 (KI5IKJ)
Traffic: WV5Q 143, AE5MI 19, W5XX 2 PSHR: WV5Q 110, AE5MI 94, W5XX 78
