Cumberland Amateur Radio Club

SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (WES) September
2026-09-12 08:00 - 2026-09-13 19:59 (America/New_York) | On-The-Air, General Delivery, Dillsburg, PA, United States
SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (WES)
UTC Dates and Times
Begin: Saturday September 12, 2026 at 1200Z
End: Sunday September 13, 2026 at 2359Z
The event follows the same UTC year-round. The local time will change as Daylight Saving Time takes effect or ends.
Eastern Standard Local Dates and Times
Begins: Saturday 07:00 a.m.
Ends: Sunday 06:59 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Saving Local Dates and Times
Begins: Saturday 08:00 a.m.
Ends: Sunday 07:59 p.m.

This event repeats each month beginning on the second Saturday.
Operate up to 36 hours.
Event Website: https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/

The SKCC Weekend Sprintathon often features some type of Bonus Points.
The September Bonus Point theme is CLUB STATIONS.
In their exchange, Club Stations that have an SKCC Member Number will send the Operator Name followed by /ARC or /CLUB.
Each such QSO earns 5 Bonus Points.

SKCC runs a monthly activity, which is a great environment for getting comfortable with contest-like CW QSOs.
The Weekend Sprintathon (WES) spans a weekend, each with a fun theme for collecting bonus points.
These events provide a great opportunity for those seeking various SKCC recognition levels, besides contacting friends old and new!
Typically, SKCC operators will QRS to the speed of the station calling them.

License Exam - Keystone VHF Club - September
2026-09-12 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | York County Dept of Emergency Services, 120 Davies Drive, York, PA, 17402, United States
License Exams are offered on the Second Saturday of ODD Numbered months at 10:00 a.m.
License Exam conducted by the Keystone VHF Club — W3HZU
Administration by Laurel Volunteer Examiner Coordinator — No Testing Fee.
The FCC does require a $35 fee for issuing a license after you have passed the license exam.
FCC FRN (registration number) is required for testing. Obtain your FRN prior to the date of the event.
Pre-Registration Preferred
Note: If no pre-registrations have been made by Thursday morning prior to the exam date the Exam Session will be cancelled without notice.
See Keystone VHF Club website for details of the Pre-Registration procedures.
https://www.w3hzu.com/laurelVEC.php

Keystone VHF Club Contact Person: Ralph Brandt, K3HQI eMail: K3HQI@arrl.net 717.885.3063
Exam Registration website: https://www.yorktownshiprec.com
Editor’s Note: It is not clear to me how you register at this site. You may need to contact Mr. Brandt for guidance. (see above)

Colorado QSO Party
2026-09-12 10:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | On-The-Air, General Delivery, Dillsburg, PA, United States
Colorado QSO Party — COQP

Lots of changes for 2026 — New Date, New Times, New Event Sponsor, New Website

UTC Dates and Times
Begin: Saturday September 12, 2026 at 1400Z
End: Sunday September 13, 2026 at 0359Z
Rules, Scoring, Reporting and a lot of Additional Information on their website.
For your convenience, please use our Event Website link.
Event Website Link: https://coloradoqsoparty.org/
Event Sponsor: The Grand Mesa Contesters of Colorado (GMCC)
Event Sponsor Website: https://grandmesa.org/
Website is in its early stages of construction. Check again later.

ARRL VHF Contest September
2026-09-12 14:00 - 2026-09-13 22:59 (America/New_York) | On-The-Air, General Delivery, Dillsburg, PA, United States
ARRL VHF Contest September
UTC Date and Time:
Begin: Saturday September 12, 2026 at 1800Z
End: Monday September 14, 2026 at 0259Z
Always the second full weekend of September.
Event Website: https://www.arrl.org/september-vhf/
See the ARRL website for complete contest rules.
For your convenience, you may wish to use our Event Website link.
#####

License Exam - SMRA - September
2026-09-15 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Cumberland County Public Safety Center, 1 Public Safety Dr, Carlisle, PA, 17013, United States
The South Mountain Radio Amateurs will conduct a License Exam session on the following dates:
The third Tuesday of each month.
This exam will be conducted under the authority of W5YI Volunteer Exam Coordinator

The testing session is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.
Pre-Registration is required.
Visit https://www.N3TWT.org to familiarize yourself with their testing policies.
From the menu bar, click WHAT IS SMRA, then click SMRA TESTING POLICIES.
NCVEC Form 605 Required
Testing Candidates must obtain an FCC FRN Number prior to the day of testing.

Contact: smraham@gmail.com 717.347.4261

Testing Location:
Cumberland County Public Safety Center
1 Public Service Drive
Carlisle, PA 17013
The testing location address shown above may not be known to some GPS devices.
The testing location is across the street from the Cumberland County Prison which is located at 1101 Claremont Road, Carlisle, PA.

CARC Monthly Meeting - September
2026-09-16 17:15 - 19:55 (America/New_York) | Hoss’s Steak House, 61 Gettysburg Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA, 17055, United States
CARC Members, Visitors and our Guests get together for a face-to-face meeting on the third Wednesday of each month (January through November).
Meetings almost always are held at the Hoss’s Steak House located at 61 Gettysburg Pike, Mechanicsburg (Upper Allen Township).
Arrive by 5:15 p.m. (or earlier) if you wish to enjoy dinner before the meeting (Dutch Treat). This is your opportunity to reward Hoss’s for providing the meeting room for our use FREE OF CHARGE.
The Club Meeting begins at 6:40 p.m. We strive to finish our work and end the meeting by 7:55 p.m.
There usually will be a Zoom Web Meeting option for those who are unable to attend the meeting in-person. Zoom Meeting Room opens about 6:30 p.m.
Additional meeting information, including planned topics and confirmation of the meeting location, appears in the Things-To-Do / CARC Events page.
#####

License Exam - Cross Keys Village - September
2026-09-19 09:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Harmony Ridge Community Center, 620 Harmony Drive, New Oxford, PA, United States
Cross Keys Village Amateur Radio Club — W3CKV
In conjunction with
Adams County Amateur Radio Society — W3KGN
License Exams are offered on the Third Saturday of ODD Numbered months at 9:30 a.m.
License Exams are conducted in the Harmony Ridge Community Center, Encore Room
2990 Carlisle Pike, New Oxford, PA 17350
Pre-Registration and an FCC FRN are required prior to the day of the event.
Pre-Registration Online Form can be found at: https://www.w3kgn.org Look for “VE Examinations” in the left-side menu bar.
Contact Person: Perry Wood eMail: ckvarc.ve.testing@gmail.com
This exam will be conducted under the authority of the Laurel Volunteer Exam Coordinator.
Laurel VEC does not charge a testing fee for administering license exams.
Note: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a $35 fee which must be paid before a new license or renewal is issued.

SKCC Straight Key Sprint (SKS) September
2026-09-22 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | On-The-Air, General Delivery, Dillsburg, PA, United States
SKCC Straight Key Sprint (SKS)
UTC Date and Time:
Begin: Wednesday September 23, 2026 0000 Z
End: Wednesday September 23, 2026 0200 Z
Always the 4th Wednesday UTC at 0000Z for two hours.
The event follows the same UTC year-round. The local time will change as Daylight Saving Time takes effect or ends.
Eastern Standard — Local Dates and Times
Begins: Tuesday 07:00 p.m.
Ends: Tuesday 08:59 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Saving — Local Dates and Times
Begins: Tuesday 08:00 p.m.
Ends: Tuesday 09:59 p.m.

Exchange: RST, QTH (State), Name, SKCC Number
Event Web Site Link: https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/

Ham Radio Lunch September
2026-09-24 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Hibachi Grill and Buffet, 5080 Jonestown Road -- Route 22, Harrisburg, PA, 17112, United States
Ham Radio Lunch
The LAST THURSDAY of the month, except major holidays. Noon +/- to “whenever”.
(Editor’s guess-timate of 1:30 p.m. was used in the calendar entry._
Location:
Hibachi Grill and Buffet
5080 Jonestown Road
Harrisburg, PA 17112
This is the same shopping center as the Hobby Lobby store and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Just one or two doors away from the Hobby Lobby. Across the street from Home Depot.
No reservations… No sponsor… No club affiliation required. Just show up.
The group will be in the back room to the far left as you come in. The Hostess knows where to direct you.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages are FREE.
There is always a large table available for HAMFEST ITEMS. Bring your stuff.

CQ WW DX Contest RTTY
2026-09-25 20:00 - 2026-09-27 19:59 (America/New_York) | On-The-Air, General Delivery, Dillsburg, PA, United States
CQ WW DX Contest RTTY
UTC Dates and Times
Begin: Saturday September 26, 2026 at 0000Z
End: Sunday September 27, 2026 at 2359Z

Contest Sponsor: World Wide Radio Operators Foundation
Event Website Links: https://wwrof.org and https://cqwwrtty.com/

License Exam - Nighthawk VE Team - September
2026-09-26 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Greenvillage Church of God, 5164 Philadelphia Ave, Chambersburg, PA, 17202-8944, United States
License Exam – Nighthawk VE Team
LAUREL VEC means no testing fee.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires a $35 fee payment prior to issuing a license.
Preregistration is preferred but not required.
Registration can be done by going to https://forms.gle/fDKs5U655vE6avZU6
Walk-ins are always welcome.
Contact Person Name: Joshua Burleigh
Contact Person eMail: kc3olo@arrl.net
Contact Person Telephone: (570) 220-5443
For License Exam session date and time verification purposes you may wish to visit the Laurel Volunteer Examiner Coordinator web site.
Search “Pennsylvania” and look for keyword “Nighthawk”, or use the link we provide here.
https://larc-vec.org/displayteam.php?team=Nighthawk
Start Time is 9:00 a.m.
End Time is a guess. Editor used 11:00 a.m. as a placeholder

Ham Radio Lunch October
2026-10-29 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Hibachi Grill and Buffet, 5080 Jonestown Road -- Route 22, Harrisburg, PA, 17112, United States

Ham Radio Lunch November
2026-11-19 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Hibachi Grill and Buffet, 5080 Jonestown Road -- Route 22, Harrisburg, PA, 17112, United States
Ham Radio Lunch
Editor’s Note: Mind the November event for potential conflict with the USA Thanksgiving Holiday which occurs on the fourth Thursday of the month.
The November 2026 meeting very likely will take place on the THIRD THURSDAY — November 19, 2026

The LAST THURSDAY of the month, except major holidays. Noon +/- to “whenever”.
(Editor’s guess-timate of 1:30 p.m. was used in the calendar entry._
Location:
Hibachi Grill and Buffet
5080 Jonestown Road
Harrisburg, PA 17112
This is the same shopping center as the Hobby Lobby store and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Just one or two doors away from the Hobby Lobby. Across the street from Home Depot.
No reservations… No sponsor… No club affiliation required. Just show up.
The group will be in the back room to the far left as you come in. The Hostess knows where to direct you.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages are FREE.
There is always a large table available for HAMFEST ITEMS. Bring your stuff.

License Exam - Nighthawk VE Team - November
2026-11-21 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Greenvillage Church of God, 5164 Philadelphia Ave, Chambersburg, PA, 17202-8944, United States

License Exam - Cross Keys Village - November
2026-11-21 09:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Harmony Ridge Community Center, 620 Harmony Drive, New Oxford, PA, United States
Cross Keys Village Amateur Radio Club — W3CKV
In conjunction with
Adams County Amateur Radio Society — W3KGN
License Exams are offered on the Third Saturday of ODD Numbered months at 9:30 a.m.
License Exams are conducted in the Harmony Ridge Community Center, Encore Room
Pre-Registration and an FCC FRN are required prior to the day of the event.
Pre-Registration Online Form can be found at: https://www.w3kgn.org Look for “VE Examinations” in the left-side menu bar.
This exam will be conducted under the authority of the Laurel Volunteer Exam Coordinator.
Laurel VEC does not charge a fee for administering license exams.
Note: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a $35 fee which must be paid before a new license or renewal is issued.

Perry County ARC License Exam — November
2026-11-22 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | Duncannon EMS Building, 16 Shermanta Drive, Duncannon, PA, 17020, United States
License Exam – Perry County Amateur Radio Club
LAUREL VEC means no testing fee.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires a $35 fee payment prior to issuing a license.
Preregistration is preferred but not required.
Registration can be done by calling (717) 275-0237
Walk-ins are allowed.
Location:
Duncannon EMS Building
16 Shermanta Drive
Duncannon, PA 17020
Contact Person Name: Matthew Morrison, KB3PSN
Contact Person eMail:
Contact Person Telephone:
For License Exam session date and time verification purposes you may wish to visit the Laurel Volunteer Examiner Coordinator web site.
Search “Pennsylvania” and look for keywords “Perry County Amateur Radio Club”. Or, “PCARC”.
https://larc-vec.org/displayteam.php?team=PCARC
Start Time is 2:00 p.m.
End Time is a guess. Editor used 4:00 p.m. as a placeholder

SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (WES) December
2026-12-12 07:00 - 2026-12-13 18:59 (America/New_York) | On-The-Air, General Delivery, Dillsburg, PA, United States
SKCC Weekend Sprintathon (WES)
UTC Dates and Times
Begin: Saturday December 12, 2026 at 1200Z
End: Sunday December 13, 2026 at 2359Z
The event follows the same UTC year-round. The local time will change as Daylight Saving Time takes effect or ends.
Eastern Standard Local Dates and Times
Begins: Saturday 07:00 a.m.
Ends: Sunday 06:59 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Saving Local Dates and Times
Begins: Saturday 08:00 a.m.
Ends: Sunday 07:59 p.m.

This event repeats each month beginning on the second Saturday.
Operate up to 36 hours.
Event Website: https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekend_sprintathon/

The SKCC Weekend Sprintathon often features some type of Bonus Points.
The December Bonus Point theme involves SKCC Stations named for Reindeer (10), Santa (1), Scrooge (1), and Elves (10).
As December WES draws near, please visit the website (listed above) for details of how the Bonus Point Stations can be recognized.
Please count each bonus station no more than once per band during this event.

SKCC runs a monthly activity, which is a great environment for getting comfortable with contest-like CW QSOs.
The Weekend Sprintathon (WES) spans a weekend, each with a fun theme for collecting bonus points.
These events provide a great opportunity for those seeking various SKCC recognition levels, besides contacting friends old and new!
Typically, SKCC operators will QRS to the speed of the station calling them.

License Exam - SMRA - December
2026-12-15 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Cumberland County Public Safety Center, 1 Public Safety Dr, Carlisle, PA, 17013, United States

CARC Monthly Meeting - December
2026-12-16 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | On-The-Internet, United States
NOTE: We usually would not have an In-Person meeting on December 16, 2026, but we probably will hold a Zoom Web Meeting as a social event.

Tentative plans — The Zoom Meeting Room will open about 6:30 p.m. The room will remain open until 7:30 p.m. as long as we have participants. If we have a lively group in the audience then the room will remain open longer into the evening.

The information posted below applies to our regular monthly meetings. If we choose to have a holiday-theme in-person meeting the date, time, and location are subject to change.

CARC Members, Visitors and our Guests get together for a face-to-face meeting on the third Wednesday of each month (January through November).
Meetings almost always are held at the Hoss’s Steak House located at 61 Gettysburg Pike, Mechanicsburg (Upper Allen Township).
Arrive by 5:15 p.m. (or earlier) if you wish to enjoy dinner before the meeting (Dutch Treat). This is your opportunity to reward Hoss’s for providing the meeting room for our use FREE OF CHARGE.
The Club Meeting begins at 6:40 p.m. We strive to finish our work and end the meeting by 7:55 p.m.
There usually will be a Zoom Web Meeting option for those who are unable to attend the meeting in-person. Zoom Meeting Room opens about 6:30 p.m.
Additional meeting information, including planned topics and confirmation of the meeting location, appears in the Things-To-Do / CARC Events page.
#####

Ham Radio Lunch December
2026-12-17 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Hibachi Grill and Buffet, 5080 Jonestown Road -- Route 22, Harrisburg, PA, 17112, United States
Ham Radio Lunch
2026 Prediction — The Last Thursday of December is New Years Eve December 31, 2026
In prior years, under similar circumstances, the event had been moved one week earlier in the month. But that will be Christmas Eve
Your Editor is posting this Event Calendar entry on Thursday December 17, 2026 and will verify details with the event sponsor in late November.

The LAST THURSDAY of the month, except major holidays. Noon +/- to “whenever”.
(Editor’s guess-timate of 1:30 p.m. was used in the calendar entry._
Location:
Hibachi Grill and Buffet
5080 Jonestown Road
Harrisburg, PA 17112
This is the same shopping center as the Hobby Lobby store and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Just one or two doors away from the Hobby Lobby. Across the street from Home Depot.
No reservations… No sponsor… No club affiliation required. Just show up.
The group will be in the back room to the far left as you come in. The Hostess knows where to direct you.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages are FREE.
There is always a large table available for HAMFEST ITEMS. Bring your stuff.

License Exam - HRAC - December
2026-12-19 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Vietnam Veterans of America, 8000 Derry St, Harrisburg, PA, 17111, United States
Harrisburg Radio Amateur Club — HRAC
License Exam Schedule: The third Saturday of EVEN numbered months. Testing starts at 9 a.m.
HRAC is part of the Laurel Volunteer Examiner group and administers Amateur Radio License Tests without a testing fee.
Note: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a $35 fee which must be paid before the license is issued.
Visit the HRAC website http://www.w3uu.org/license-exams to confirm the dates, times and locations as well as the possibility of additional License Exam dates.
Pre-Registration including FCC FRN Required. Visit their website http://www.w3uu.org/license-exams for complete information.

If you have questions or need assistance with license exam registration please see the form in the bottom left corner of the web page http://www.w3uu.org/license-exams
Answer the questions and press SUBMIT.

ARRL Rookie Roundup CW
2026-12-20 13:00 - 18:59 (America/New_York) | On-The-Air, General Delivery, Dillsburg, PA, United States
UTC Dates and Times
Begin: Sunday December 20, 2026 at 1800 Z
End: Sunday December 20, 2026 at 2359 Z

Event Website: http://www.arrl.org/rookie-roundup/

SKCC Straight Key Sprint (SKS) December
2026-12-22 19:00 - 2026-12-23 21:00 UTC | On-The-Air, General Delivery, Dillsburg, PA, United States
SKCC Straight Key Sprint (SKS)
UTC Date and Time:
Begin: Wednesday December 23, 2026 0000 Z
End: Wednesday December 23, 2026 0200 Z
Always the 4th Wednesday UTC at 0000Z for two hours.
The event follows the same UTC year-round. The local time will change as Daylight Saving Time takes effect or ends.
Eastern Standard — Local Dates and Times
Begins: Tuesday 07:00 p.m.
Ends: Tuesday 08:59 p.m.
Eastern Daylight Saving — Local Dates and Times
Begins: Tuesday 08:00 p.m.
Ends: Tuesday 09:59 p.m.

Exchange: RST, QTH (State), Name, SKCC Number
Event Web Site Link: https://www.skccgroup.com/operating_activities/weekday_sprint/

Luminary Lighting
2026-12-23 15:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Children’s Lake, Boiling Springs, PA
Members of the Cumberland Amateur Radio Club have volunteered to light the luminaries surrounding Children’s Lake in Boiling Springs.
Our service to the community takes place Wednesday afternoon, December 23, 2026.
In prior years we gathered at the lake about 3:30 p.m. and completed our work about the time of sunset. For this calendar entry your Editor listed a ending time of 5:30 p.m. which allows a margin for debriefing after the labor-of-love has been completed.
#####

ARRL Straight Key Night
2026-12-31 19:00 - 2027-01-01 18:59 (America/New_York) | On-The-Air, General Delivery, Dillsburg, PA, United States
UTC Dates and Times
Begin: Friday January 01, 2027 at 0000 Z
End: Friday January 01, 2027 at 2359 Z
Event Website: http://www.arrl.org/straight-key-night/
Submit your list of stations worked as well as SKN stories and photos, along with your votes for BEST FIST and MOST INTERESTING QSO, via eMail to:
straightkey@arrl.org before January 31, 2027
