Events in the area for 2026 will be posted on this page as they are scheduled.
WAS 2026 event – a major year-long operating event: the ARRL America250 Worked All States Award. This event celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States and coincides with the ARRL Year of the Club. Here is link for more information – https://www.arrl.org/america250-was
The 2026 Shack Days schedule
| Shack Days for 2026 (Sponsored and organized by SPARK): |
| 24 Jan: Winter Field Day. All month: “WINTERHEAT” VHF/UHF simplex event. |
| 21 Feb: Winlink Refresher |
| 21 Mar: Portable operations in conjunction with the Virginia QSO Party (VAQP) at Gosnold’s Hope Park |
| 18 Apr: HF Digital Day (VarAC, FT8, JS8, VARA HF Winlink) |
| 9 May: Field Day alternate location site survey training & portable operations |
| 27-28 Jun: Field Day. |
| 18 Jul: APRS / C4FM / DMR / D-STAR on the Air |
| 19 Aug: Programming Your Handheld |
| 12 Sep: TBD |
| 17 Oct: Portable GOTA Day |
| 7 Nov: Dual Band Experimentation Day (icw Veterans’ Day Parade PSE) |
| 1 Dec: TBD |
Be sure to visit our Gallery for pictures of some of the Shack Days
SKYWARN SPOTTER TRAINING 2026:
https://www.weather.gov/akq/SKYWARN
Skywarn Recognition Day (SRD) 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, 2026.
This annual event, co-sponsored by the National Weather Service (NWS) and the ARRL, traditionally runs for 24 hours (0000 UTC to 2359 UTC) and celebrates the contribution of amateur radio operators to the Skywarn program.
Important Note on the 2026 Event
While the date is set based on the “first Saturday in December” tradition, there has been recent discussion regarding the format of the event. The 2025 event was cancelled to allow the NWS and ARRL to redevelop the spotter appreciation event for 2026. This means the 2026 celebration may look different than previous years, potentially moving beyond the traditional “NWS station contact” format to a new structure that focuses on broader spotter appreciation.
Local Activities near Wakefield, VA
The NWS Wakefield office (AKQ) is usually a very active participant. While the specific 2026 Recognition Day operating schedule for the Wakefield station has not yet been posted (it typically goes live in late October or November),
HF/VHF Operations: Amateur radio operators often set up at the Wakefield office or operate remotely to exchange signal reports and weather data with other NWS offices.
How to Participate
Register for an SRD Number: As the date approaches, you can register on the official NWS Skywarn Recognition Day page to get a unique identifier for the event.
Monitor Local Nets: Keep an ear on local 2-meter repeaters for Wakefield-specific Skywarn nets that often activate during the celebration.
Digital Modes: Many NWS stations now participate via FT8 and Winlink in addition to SSB and FM.
Upcoming training, licensing classes, and exam sessions sponsored by SPARK:
Technician class is scheduled to start the first Saturday in September – Contact Don Mertz at don.kj4mz@gmail.com for details.
Classes and exams take place at the American Red Cross, 1323 West Pembroke Avenue, Hampton. Enter at the end of the building next to the generator.
The class is free, other than the purchasing of the study manual:
Ham Radio License Manual information (ISBN: 978-1-62595-156-4, 5th edition) is located at:
https://home.arrl.org/action/Store/Product-Details/productId/2003373064 or on Amazon.
These classes are sponsored and organized by SPARK. If you are interested in attending a class or an exam session, please email Don Mertz at don.kj4mz@gmail.com.
As a special bonus, individuals who complete our six-week course and pass their exam at the Red Cross will receive a free membership to SPARK for the remainder of the calendar year! Learn more at w4qr.org.
The Dayton Hamvention 2026 is coming soon:
Visit their website for details – https://hamvention.org/
Visit the ARRL site for details and this years rules – Field Day 2026
Ham Radio Fest & Swap Meet 2026
– Ticket Sales have NOT started yet – updates and more to come…
