Six Radio Events Activities Worth Considering

Event Snapshot

1. Receive Pictures from the International Space Station

The International Space Station, or ISS, can send still pictures as audio tones. Slow-scan television, or SSTV, software turns those tones into an image. This is a useful receive-only project to explore with a newer ham or visitor.

Use the updated schedule: An October 20 ARISS-Europe bulletin carried by AMSAT-UK gives approximately 15:10 UTC on October 22 through 17:45 UTC on October 26. In Schaumburg, that is 10:10 a.m. CDT Thursday through 12:45 p.m. CDT Monday. This extends the earlier October 25 end date in Kirk’s linked guide.^[2]

The announcement specifies 437.550 MHz FM and Robot 36 decoding, with 36-second image transmissions followed by two-minute gaps. The image series features ARISS hardware. ARISS means Amateur Radio on the International Space Station; FM means frequency modulation.^[2]

Five Steps for a First Reception Attempt

1. Find a local pass. Use a current satellite-tracking tool set to your location.
2. Prepare the receiver. Confirm it can receive the announced frequency and mode.
3. Allow for Doppler shift. The satellite’s motion changes the received frequency. Kirk’s guide suggests about 437.560 MHz on approach, 437.550 MHz near mid-pass, and 437.540 MHz as it moves away.
4. Choose a clear location and record the audio. Saving the tones lets you try decoding after the pass.
5. Decode in Robot 36 mode. Save the result and compare notes with another member.^[8]

Start with Kirk’s five-step ISS picture reception guide. Before each attempt, check the ARISS operations calendar for schedule changes.^[9]

2. Find Your Next Radio Interest

Next, browse AmateurRadioEvents.com’s guide to ten popular radio activities. Treat the publisher’s selection as a starting point for exploration.^[3]

The guide includes:

• FT8 and FT4: computer-assisted modes for brief digital contacts.
• JS8Call and WSPR: weak-signal text messaging and propagation reporting. WSPR means Weak Signal Propagation Reporter; propagation describes how radio signals travel.
• BrandMeister DMR and Yaesu System Fusion/C4FM: digital voice options.
• ISS SSTV and Parks on the Air: picture reception from space and portable park operating.
• ESP32 projects and Meshtastic/LoRa: small programmable electronics projects and low-power radio mesh messaging.^[3]

Choose one topic and ask a SARC member for a demonstration. A short introduction can help you decide what to explore before buying equipment.

3. Check In to the Deep Dish Digital Net

A net is an organized on-air gathering. The Deep Dish Digital Net invites licensed operators to join every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Central. Its flyer lists ChicagoLand Control Center, Local 2, DMR+ talkgroup 3166, with server CLAND, 209.225.101.170. DMR means Digital Mobile Radio.^[4]

The network’s talkgroup matrix lists Local 2 as talkgroup 3166 on timeslot 2. However, availability depends on the repeater and its owner’s configuration. Confirm the network, talkgroup, timeslot, and access method for your station before the net.^[10]

Then listen to the check-in instructions. Give your callsign clearly, keep your first transmission brief, and follow the net control operator. Ask an experienced DMR user for help with setup ahead of time.

4. Browse the ARRL Online Auction

The 21st annual ARRL Online Auction runs through October 22, 2026. ARRL announced more than 200 items, with proceeds supporting its education programs. ARRL is the national association for amateur radio.^[11]

Visit the official ARRL Online Auction to browse. Bidding requires an auction account; regular ARRL website credentials do not work there. Each item has its own closing time, so read the listing and auction terms carefully.^[5]

For a newer ham, browsing can also be a learning exercise. Pick an unfamiliar piece of equipment and ask a member what it does.

5. Visit the Tri-Town Parks on the Air Outing

The Tri-Town Radio Amateur Club, W9VT, invites everyone to a Parks on the Air outing on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The flyer names William Powers State Recreation Area at Wolf Lake, 12949 Avenue O, Chicago, and welcomes people who want to learn park activation and make contacts.^[6]

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources lists the site’s full name as William W. Powers State Recreation Area, at 12949 Avenue O, Chicago, IL 60633. Check the park’s official page for access information and closures before leaving.^[12]

POTA means Parks on the Air. An activator operates from a listed park; a hunter contacts park stations from elsewhere. You can therefore explore POTA from home as well as outdoors.^[13]

The flyer does not list an end time or a meeting point inside the park. Confirm those details and any weather changes through the portable operating events listing and linked flyer. If you are new, ask to watch a station setup and see how contacts are logged.

6. Plan a Midwest Hamfest Visit

A hamfest is a gathering where radio enthusiasts meet, browse equipment, and exchange ideas. Kirk’s Midwest hamfest calendar lists three remaining opportunities for 2026. The table below uses the organizers’ current dates and hours.^[7]

At Fort Wayne, Kirk Musselman, K9MSG, is scheduled to present “Beyond the Shack: Unique Ways to Enjoy HF and FM!” from 1:00–2:00 p.m. Eastern in Archer Room A. That is noon–1:00 p.m. Central. HF means high frequency, a range widely used for long-distance amateur radio contacts.^[15]

Before traveling, check the organizer’s page for current admission, parking, forum schedules, and any changes. Fort Wayne is one hour ahead of Schaumburg.

How to Participate

Start with one manageable goal. You do not need to attempt all six activities.

If you are visiting or do not yet have a license, ask for a demonstration. Watching, listening, and asking questions are useful ways to begin.

flowchart TD
    accTitle: Choosing a radio activity and preparing to participate
    accDescr: Choose one activity and check its official details. Ask for help if needed. Prepare radio settings for an on-air activity, or plan a visit or online session, then participate and share a lesson.
    A["Choose one activity"] --> B["Check official schedule and details"]
    B --> C{"Ready to participate?"}
    C -- "Need help" --> D["Ask a member or event organizer"]
    D --> B
    C -- "Ready" --> E{"On-air activity?"}
    E -- "Yes" --> F["Prepare radio settings and equipment"]
    E -- "No" --> G["Plan a visit or online session"]
    F --> H["Take part and share one lesson"]
    G --> H

Suggested SARC Goals

Give It a Try

Choose one activity, check the latest details, and invite another SARC member to join you. A single decoded image, first net check-in, park visit, or useful conversation can give you a good next step in the hobby.

Thanks to Kirk Musselman, K9MSG, for sharing these ideas. Pass the roundup along to fellow operators. To share an event or request updates, use the Amateur Radio Events contact page.^[17]

Pick one activity and give it a try. Then tell another SARC member what you learned. 73!

Choose one activity, check the official details, and invite another SARC member. Share additional events through the Amateur Radio Events contact page.

References

1. Special Events & Info for Ham Radio Operators. Publisher: Amateur Radio Events.  ↩
2. ISS Slow Scan TV Oct 22–26. Publisher: AMSAT-UK, carrying an ARISS-Europe bulletin. Published October 20, 2026. ↩1 ↩2 ↩3
3. 10 of the Most Popular Amateur Radio Activities Introduced in the Past 20 Years (2007–2026). Publisher: AmateurRadioEvents.com. 2026. PDF guide. ↩1 ↩2 ↩3
4. Deep Dish Digital Net. Publisher: Amateur Radio Events. Event flyer. ↩1 ↩2
5. Welcome to the 2026 ARRL Online Auction!. Publisher: ARRL Online Auction / AuctionAnything. ↩1 ↩2
6. Tri-Town Radio Amateur Club POTA Outing. Publisher: Tri-Town Radio Amateur Club, W9VT; flyer shared by Amateur Radio Events. Event flyer. ↩1 ↩2
7. Hamfests. Publisher: Amateur Radio Events. ↩1 ↩2
8. Receive Photos from the International Space Station. Publisher: AmateurRadioEvents.com. 2026. PDF guide. ↩
9. ARISS calendar with scheduled contacts by the ARISS operations team. Publisher: AMSAT-ON. ↩
10. ChicagoLand Talk Group Matrix. Publisher: ChicagoLand Control Center. ↩
11. The 2026 ARRL Online Auction Is Now Open. Publisher: ARRL. Published October 14, 2026. ↩
12. William W. Powers State Recreation Area. Publisher: Illinois Department of Natural Resources. ↩
13. Getting Started with Parks on the Air. Publisher: Parks on the Air. ↩
14. Hamfest. Publisher: Fox Cities Amateur Radio Club. ↩
15. 54th Fort Wayne Hamfest & Computer Expo. Publisher: Allen County Amateur Radio Technical Society. ↩1 ↩2
16. Swap Meet: December 5, 2026. Publisher: Antique Radio Club of Illinois. ↩
17. Stay in Touch!. Publisher: Amateur Radio Events. ↩