MS Section Report

 Mississippi Section Report for July 2026

Section Manager: Malcolm Keown, W5XX. Section Website at www.arrlmiss.org. Webmaster: W5UE, ASM: K5BAK, K5DSG, KF8PD, K0UPW, K5VOK, W4WLF, KB5YEE, SEC: KC5IMN, ASEC: AA1NA, W5DIX; SGL: AK5J; STM: WV5Q, TC: N5JGK

 

***** July was a slow month for Mississippi Hams. Not much going on across much of the state.  This might be the result of post Field Day let down or just the heat when you step out the door. Nevertheless, better Fall Days are ahead. Club events are in the works for October in Ridgeland, Rocky Springs, Lucedale, and Pontotoc (see calendar below). Other events are on the planning board.

 

*****  However, there is still plenty of summer time enthusiasm left in the Central Mississippi Amateur Radio Association (CMARA). W5PID reports that CMARA conducted its scheduled Third Saturday Expedition at the Natchez Trace Overlook the morning of July 18th. Attendance included a mix of active operators and new visitors interested in Amateur Radio. 

 

Several members completed onsite radio operations, including a few successful activations of POTA entity US0642. Additional operators focused on making general contacts and assisting with setup and evaluation activitiesincluding testing new antenna configurations.The group also incorporated some WRL logging software into operations providing handson experience for members. 

 

At the end of the session a demonstration was provided by W5PID, who showcased the use of his air cannon for efficiently launching arbor lines into trees for antenna installations. This demonstration offered valuable insight into fielddeployment practices and was well received by remaining attendees.

 

The CMARA monthly expeditions successfully combine practical operating time, technical experimentation, and collaborative learning, reinforcing CMARAs commitment to skill development and community engagement within Amateur Radio.

 

***** And in a late Field Day report fromWF5N in Oxford  The University of Mississippi Amateur Radio Club (W5UMS) set up theirField Day operation at Clear Creek Recreation Area on Sardis Lake. They operated as a 3A station with the assistance of roughly 20amateurs. Much good food was eaten, much fun was had, and a few contacts were made. The club partnered with Lafayette County EMA toexercise their emergency response command vehicle, which provided power from a diesel generator and an air-conditioned space to operate from. The club's Buddipole Hexbeam performed well in its inaugural outing. As usual, copious notes were taken on ways to improve next year’s operation.

 

 

….. and  EC Reports from around the State …

 

From EC KD5KMO in Chickasaw County. We continue to have meetings once a month. At our July Meeting we had representatives from TVA to discuss whole house grounding, etc. Very good training: We advertise in our local newspaper each week hoping to recruit new members.

From EC W5OA in Alcorn County. We have a monthly meeting at the Corinth Roscoe Turner Airport at 9 AM on the Second Saturday.  Come join us!

From EC KD5SQZ in Hinds County.  Central Mississippi ARES had a surprise drill during its regularly scheduled VHF NBEMS practice session on July 27. The drill functioned as a mini-SET simulating a severe weather event with a radar indicated tornado approaching Pearl. Members received no advance warning creating a break from routine and encouraging participants to expect the unexpected. The scenario also required participants to adapt to changing conditions under simulated pressure.  Both positive and negative comments were welcomed after the Net. Feedback was positive and additional drills will be planned in the future.

From EC KJ5V in Oktibbeha County.  Working on a new repeater and a new repeater site.

From AEC KD5NDU in Yalobusha County. We are working on going from 800-watt solar panels on the Water Valley repeater to 1000-wattpanels for the winter months.

 

Here are some upcoming events to put on your calendar:

  

- EMCOMM Checkin, Oct 1, 3862, 6 PM, POC: KC5IMN  

    -    Scratching Post 2026, Lucedale, Oct 10, POC: KD4VVZ  

   -   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       

    -   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 July from around the state:  KC5IMN (SEC), K5DSC (Newton), AE5FK (Walthall), NI5I (Perry), KD5KMO (Chickasaw), KD5NDU (AEC)(Yalobusha), W5OA (Alcorn), KJ5V (Oktibbeha), KG5OVS (Leake), AD5SG (Jones), KD5SQZ (Hinds), KD5VCB (NM) Stone, KD4VVZ (George/Greene), KF5WVJ (Desoto).

 

Welcome to the following new Hams in Mississippi in July:

 

KJ5QYX,  Bruce – New  Albany; KJ5QZJ, Brandon – Biloxi; KJ5RAZ Ada – Lucedale; KJ5RBK, Zayne – Leakesville; KJ5RCU, Jonathan – Clinton; KJ5REF, Kevin – Olive Branch; KJ5RFZ, Carol – Lumberton; KJ5RGK, Jaden – Gluckstadt.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Congratulations to the following who upgraded in July: KG5ABR, Richard – Vicksburg; AJ5CA, Jack - Ocean Springs; KQ5LVA, Alexander – Perkinston; K3MFV, Michael -Diamondhead.

Welcome to the following New ARRL Membersin July: KJ5RCU, Jonathan in Clinton; KE5RJO, Linda – Hattiesburg; N5SMA, Steve – Ripley; KA5ZZJ, Raymond – Brandon; and without calls yet: William in Amory, and Gary in Liberty.

Mississippi ARRL Membership as of August 1 was 742.

Welcome to Jerry, WF5W as AEC for Jackson County.

Regret to report the passing of ….

*****  K5OAZ of Lumberton. Terry was an Eagle Scout and a proud 1960 graduate of Long Beach High School and Perkinston Junior College.   He honorably served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era and remained dedicated to fellow veterans as a member of the Disabled American Veterans.  He also gave back to his community as a Boy Scouts of America Scoutmaster. 

Terry dedicated more than 40 years of service to what is now the Stennis Space Center working with General Electric and Rockwell International/Rocketdyne, supporting NASA programs including the Saturn and Space Shuttle missions. Outside of work, Terry’s greatest passions were Ham Radio and fishing in the waters of the off shore islands.  

***** N5YW of Southaven.  As a youngster, flying was a major interest in Weldon’s life beginning with a 50-cent plane ride at a local fair. He began flying lessons in his early teenage years. He earned his pilot’s license as a teenager before he even obtained his driver’s license and eventually graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. 

Weldon began his professional aviation career by flying for commuter airlines for 10 years, first for Scheduled Skyways and then for Northwest Airlink. In 1995, Weldon joined Northwest Airlines, making the move to a major international carrier. He continued his career through Northwest’s merger with Delta Air Lines and retired in March 2016.  His flights took him all around the world, and he regularly flew to major cities in Europe and Asia, as well as throughout North, Central, and South America.  

On the fun side, Weldon was proud to have landed a jet or private airplane in every state in the United States except Vermont. He even landed amphibious planes on the Mississippi River. As a volunteer he served as a helicopter pilot for the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department from 2008 to 2012. Weldon truly enjoyed the exciting flights he made while assisting with search-and-rescue operations. 

Weldon was a great CW operator and participated in multiple Mississippi QSO Parties. He will be missed in the pile ups. 

*****  Club Newsletters (Editor): the Meridian ARC Spark Gap (W5MAV), the Mississippi Coast ARA Splatter (N5OCT)