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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 28: Columbus, MS Hamfest April 4: Corinth Hamfest April 4: Mississippi QSO Party June 28/29:  ARRL Field Day...

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...

Just sort of on a lark, we decided to go to a non-local hamfest this year.  We wanted to see how things were done in other parts of the country, so in April we went to the Des Moines, Iowa hamfest.  This is the largest hamfest in Iowa (that's what we were told), and it lasted all of four hours.  Quality hours, to be sure, but still only four hours. It was a two-day drive up, and a two-day drive back.  We passed through Mississippi, Tennesse, Arkansas, Missouri, and finally arrived in Iowa.  The folks in Iowa are friendly, and...