FARA Fest 2026 will be held Saturday, November 7, 2026 at the Upper Cape Cod Regional Vocational School. The Fest provides an opportunity for local hams to buy, sell, or swap items of interest to amateur radio operators. VE amateur radio operator license exam sessions are also held as part of the Fest.
FARA Fest details are shown on the FARA Fest Flyer. A copy of the 2026 FARA Fest Flyer can be obtained at:
We were able to overcome the technical hurdles with repeater interference, apparently caused by a malfunctioning radio. We provided a new service with communications with the Coast Guard Air Wing. We were able to communicate with the Coast Guard helicopter pilot on a simplex channel with Net Control and coordinate the flyover at the starting line with the singing of the National Anthem. It worked perfectly!
The Race was a great chance for new hams, as well as experienced hams, to participate in public service. This is a major, world class event that takes place in the confines of a small town. The service we provide is a crucial factor in making the Race a success.
We had several people inquiring at the information tent looking for a family member or friend. Fortunately, there were few runners that were in a medical tent this year. We provided the information that the family or friend needed to locate their runner.
A teenage girl felt ill on the ball field at the finish line area before the race even started. This information was reported by ham radio and an ambulance was dispatched.
We make a difference in all that we do! FARA had 26 licensed operators in 16 different locations for this year’s race. Thank you's to everyone who participated in the 2026 Falmouth Road Race. (Report thanks to Ralph N1YHS)
(Photos thanks to: KC1SAT, N1BOG, Chris-WA1CMR)
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Photos and information from Chris-WA1CMR
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Since the system was setup, and a candidate was available, a "live" exam session was conducted. When the candidate was ready, she logged into ExamTools, joined the exam session and started the online exam. Gene-KX1C, Mel-K1ELB, and Keith-KM1USR were assigned as VEs for the session.
The examiners were able to track how many questions she had completed as she progressed through the exam, and then received the notification that she had submitted the completed exam.
The elecronic grading was authorized and everyone was happy to see that the examinee received a passing score. Each VE verified her score and electronically signed the results. ExamTools filled out the required forms with all of the information and electronic signatures. The PDF was e-mailed to the candidate and the exam documents were submitted to the ARRL.
The photo shows the new amateur radio licensee, Lauren-KC1ZZP, in the center, surrounded by the VE's. FARA's first exam session using the new ARRL Exam Tools system, a historical moment!
Thank you's to Keith-KM1USR and the FARA VE crew for doing the work to switch over to the new technology-based examination system.
Special thanks to all the operators, both veteran and some new and young operators who did a great job. We had a couple of technical difficulties with the phone station in the beginning, but great minds figured it out. Also thanks to Hunter for donating his laptop for logging at the phone station.
Mike and his culinary talents provided our great meals! Thanks to all those who brought their delicious side dishes. Thanks as well as "Killer-Mouse Electric" for our generator power.
In addition to the regular contacts, several contacts were made on the GOTA Station Sunday morning, by people who came by to check out ham radio. Great public relations for FARA and ham radio.
State Rep Dave Vieira-KB1QND visited our Field Day site for about an hour. He checked out our communications trailer.
Our submitted score is 8,906 points. We made 1,512 CW contacts on 5 bands and 723 SSB contacts on 4 bands. We also earned 1,400 bonus points. FARA did extremely well for a 2A (two transmitter) operation.
Thanks again everyone!
There is a Field Day 2026 slideshow on the FARA website, lower left corner of the home page, https://www.falara.org. Thanks to Tom Kerrigan-KC3NDY, Andy Mish-KC1ZGO, Jim Leavitt-KC1KM, and Ralph Swenson-N1YHS for the photos.
Link to Field Day 2026 photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/9zh2Hn9m7zoxXyX8A
Testing will resume in September on the usual schedule.
As always, volunteers are needed for setup and teardown. CW and SSB operators are also needed for the 24 hour operation period from 2PM on June 27 through 2PM on June 28.
Save the date. Stay tuned for further announcements.
All are welcome to attend. There will be demonstrations and opportunities to make contacts with other stations across the USA.
#ARRLFD