2025 was a huge year for me with a ton going on including my wedding, several good trips , and lots of amateur radio activity. To kick off 2026, I thought I’d write down my plans for year as it relates to radio at this point:
New Zealand Trip (not a DXpedition)
From January 25th to February 7th, I’ll be in New Zealand for my honeymoon. While radio is not the focus of this trip (obviously), I will have satellite gear and QRP HF capabilities I intend on using a few times throughout the trip operating as ZL/KD8RTT. My goal is just to activate a couple grids on satellites and make some HF contacts just to say I did. We’ll be very busy traveling around both islands in less than two weeks, so these operations will occur with little or no notice. Follow my X account @kd8rtt where I hope to post ahead of operations if possible.
Orlando HamCation
I will be attending the Orlando HamCation to receive the Gordon West Ham Ambassador of the Year Award that was announced back in December. This was an absolute surprise and huge honor for me! I am very excited to make it back to HamCation after a couple years away as well. It will be a quick in and out trip for me traveling in Friday night and heading home Sunday night; I will just be at the show and award banquet Saturday.
Dayton Hamvention
I am planning to attend Dayton Hamvention to support the ARRL’s Collegiate Amateur Radio Program again this year. We usually organize a booth staffed with college students throughout the weekend, a forum for discussing collegiate amateur radio, and a college ham pizza dinner.
Youth on the Air Camp
I am planning to attend the 2026 Youth on the Air Camp in Huntsville, Alabama as a staff member again this year. In the past, I have led the kit building and antenna session and anticipate the same for this year.
Field Day
Last year’s Field Day was a huge success for our now-bustling amateur radio club at work (WA0RC). Too early to tell what shape this year’s operation will take, but I am fairly confident we will do something again.
Kansas QSO Party
As is now an annual event for me, I will be participating in the Kansas QSO Party as a station out in the field. Like in 2025, I am tentatively planning to visit a state park Saturday and grid corner or line Sunday but that won’t be finalized for quite some time. I have already been assigned K0T again this year as one of the official 1×1 calls for the event.
DL88 VHF and Satellite Grid Expedition
I’ve long wanted to make a major grid expedition trip, and it is looking like this may finally happen in 2026. My brother Andy, KK4LWR, and I have been kicking around visiting DL88 – the grid with a tiny portion located in a remote portion of Big Bend National Park in Texas – during the September VHF contest. Our tentative plan is to activate on 2m and 6m FT8/SSB and FM and linear satellites with a casually operated HF station for POTA. This operation has some unique logistics which we are in the midst of figuring out as it is in an area a few hours from paved roads with no other infrastructure (power, water, restrooms) nearby. We are hoping to make a go/no-go call on starting the real planning process in earnest this spring. Continuing somewhat of a tradition for this grid, special event call K5Z has been requested for this operation. Follow K5Z2026.com as we get further into the year for more information.
Plus More!
In addition to all of this, I will continue my effort to activate all Kansas State Parks on satellites. My goal is to finish that in 2026, so I expect to have many quick park activations spread throughout the year. I will also be going on a variety of other personal trips this year that will bring me to new grids to activate on satellites. While I now have a Flex Radio-based remote station for HF and 6m, most of my radio operation continues to occur portably for these special events and activities. It’s certainly shaping up to be another exciting year!