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It's November, and before we know it, 2026 will be knocking on the door wanting to know what's next.   With that in mind, here is the 2026 ham radio calendar for the North Mississippi area.  Disclaimer:  Dates can change, and some dates may not have been announced yet.  If you know of something left off of this list, or a date that's changed, please email Sales@FatCat.Parts so I an update this article. January 30/31: Jackson MS Hamfest March 6/7: Birmingham Hamfest March 14: Statewide SET (Simulated Emergency Training) March 21: Columbus, MS Hamfest  (date corrected 2-10-2026) April 4: Corinth Hamfest...

The 2026 Capitol City Hamfest (AKA Jackson Hamfest) went off without a hitch, which is amazing considering the hamfest was just outside a major ice/winter storm, and thousands and thousands of Mississippi residents were without power.  The worst of the storm was in the most northern counties of Mississippi, basically anything north of Highway 82,   The storm hit Friday, January 23, and as I write this on February 10, thousands of north Mississippians are still without power.  Power lines and power poles are still on the ground in a lot of areas, and power crews from as far away as...

Papa Jack's Trade Day has changed over the last few years.  Much like a caterpillar changing into a butterfly, it has slowly become larger and better to gaze upon.  A few years ago, it was held at the Tupelo airport, in the parking lot, and was literally a tailgate event.  Later it moved to the farmer's market downtown, which gave the hamfest some protection from rain and drizzle.  In 2025, it moved to the downtown pavilion in Pontotoc, which is its latest and greatest incarnation. The pavilion is just off of downtown Pontotoc, on the site of what was once...

The Huntsville Hamfest was August 16/17, 2025, in the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Al.  As usual, the hamfest was well run, well organized, and all the hosts were friendly.   as soon as we arrived to load in, the bevy of hamfest volunteers showed up to help us unload and carry stuff to our tables.   The event space opened Friday morning for load in and set up, and by late afternoon most of the tables were occupied.   Friday night folks got together at 88 Buffet, a Chinese buffet dinner place.  The designated room was full, with spillover into the main...

This is probably the most laid-back hamfest we go to each year.  It's in Cullman, Alabama, at the county fairgrounds.  It's held in July, in an un-air conditioned cement block ag building.  Okay, I know, that sounds like a hot, hot place to be in July, but it's really not.  Oh, it's warm, but it's not hot.  The host club wrangles up swamp fans (water-cooled, tall, floor fans) and places them at strategic points in the building, and it stays very comfortable.  Yes, it's warm, but still comfortable. It's about a three hour drive from Starkville, near Huntsville.  We arrived...