My memory tends to run things together, but I think this is the overall story.  Russellville started out in June, I think.  It was hot, but for some reason, it was moved to earlier, probably February.  Jay, I remember you doing a QRP meeting and we threw a dipole in the trees and worked some CW stations in the contest.  I think it was Memphis, and maybe others, who kept ending up on the same weekend, and we were always the smallest.  I think we also got bit by wintry weather a time or two.

At one point, I think we decided that we had enough followers to just establish the first Saturday in March as the date and let others deal with it.  We have also been hit with winter weather in March.  WB0W was our main dealer and one year he couldn’t make it down from KC because of black ice.  

I don’t think anyone ever considered contests when setting the date.  I would always prefer avoiding major contests.  I worked at the hamfests but wasn’t usually a principal mover in setting the date.  

I remember when we did the big POTA operation outside at Dardanelle, we also introduced some new ops to DX contests by putting them on 10M SSB.  

I could look back through old newsletters, but I’m too lazy to do that!  

73,
Dennis/RZ

On Sun, Feb 22, 2026 at 8:03 AM <w5znjoel@gmail.com> wrote:

Jay,

 

If the Russellville hamfest used to be on that date then why did they move it to the weekend of the ARRL International DX Contest- Phone which has always been on the first full weekend of March?????? That doesn’t seem to be the reason for the date change.

 

While DX and contests are important to us I still contend the large majority of local hamfest attendees and organizers could not care less about it and any attempt to change a hamfest date based solely on the fact the current date falls on a contest weekend is futile.

 

As you note, selecting a date for an event the is suitable to everyone is extremely difficult. That’s obvious from trying to schedule ADXA events !!!

 

73 Joel W5ZN

 

From: adxa-bounces@mailman.qth.net <adxa-bounces@mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Jay Bromley
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2026 9:08 PM
To: Jussi Eloranta <eloranta@aa6kj.hopto.org>; w5znjoel@gmail.com
Cc: adxa@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [ADXA] Winterfest ADXA members today

 

HI Jussi,

Kathy and I had thought about coming over, but there is just too much going on here right now.  

 

Russellville's hamfest use to be on that date as well and they moved it off to the ARRL SSB test.  The problem with most hamfests, is that you will plow right into someone else's hamfest if you are not careful.  Hamfest dates can be hard to adjust to at times.  

 

Glad you guys had a good one!   

 

73 de jay/w5jay..

 

From: adxa-bounces@mailman.qth.net <adxa-bounces@mailman.qth.net> on behalf of Jussi Eloranta <eloranta@aa6kj.hopto.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2026 8:48 PM
To: w5znjoel@gmail.com <w5znjoel@gmail.com>
Cc: adxa@mailman.qth.net <adxa@mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [ADXA] Winterfest ADXA members today

 

They do know about the contest now. If our club doesn't move it, I won't be there next time. For me the contest takes higher priority. I just had blindly promised to be there this year without thinking about the contest schedule.

Jussi (aa6kj)

Feb 21, 2026 8:37:56 PM w5znjoel@gmail.com:

75 percent of the people who attend, and the organizers, of the Hoxie hamfest have no clue what the ARRL International DX contest is. Another 20% don't care.

While it would be a valiant attempt, it would be futile to try to move the date for such a local event that has been established for years.

73 Joel W5ZN

-----Original Message-----
From: adxa-bounces@mailman.qth.net <adxa-bounces@mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of David Norris via ADXA
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2026 5:19 PM
To: Jussi Eloranta <eloranta@aa6kj.hopto.org>
Cc: adxa@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [ADXA] Winterfest ADXA members today

I agree with Jussi,

Need to move it off ARRL DX CW weekend. I’m having CW withdrawals…

It was great seeing everyone!

73

David A. Norris, K5UZ
Director, Delta Division

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 21, 2026, at 3:32 PM, Jussi Eloranta <eloranta@aa6kj.hopto.org> wrote:

 Hi,

Yes, the winterfest went really well! Unfortunately it overlapped with the ARRL DX contest - I hope I can change that for the next time.

All cleared up now and I ready to hit the sofa ;-)

Jussi (aa6kj)
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