CALENDAR OF EVENTS-2026 will be posted as soon as available
Posted on this page are local events that may, not only interest HAM operators, but anyone in our surrounding communities.
Amateur Radio Classes and Exam Sessions for 2026
Class Schedule
5 Sep – 10 Oct 2026 Technician Class
9 Jan – 13 Feb 2027 Technician Class
6 Mar – 10 Apr 2027 General Class
Exam Schedule
17-Oct-26
12-Dec-26
20-Feb-27
17-Apr-27
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 $15, plus the purchase of the study manual: If you pass the test, the test fee is waved.
Ham Radio License Manual information 6th edition is available from 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.
SKYWARN SPOTTER TRAINING 2026: All scheduled training for this year is complete. See there website for any training that may be scheduled and to see next years schedule, when it is posted.
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.