{"id":65995,"date":"2026-05-04T06:37:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T10:37:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=65995"},"modified":"2026-05-03T19:41:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T23:41:46","slug":"seven-days-in-may-earn-an-indianapolis-motor-speedway-qsl-and-the-first-step-toward-the-2026-checkered-flag-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2026\/05\/seven-days-in-may-earn-an-indianapolis-motor-speedway-qsl-and-the-first-step-toward-the-2026-checkered-flag-award\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven Days in May: Earn an Indianapolis Motor Speedway QSL and the first step toward the 2026 Checkered Flag Award"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>By Brian D. Smith, W9IND<\/strong><\/p>\n

The long wait is over for W9IMS paper chasers! As racing teams spend the coming week tuning up their speed machines, radio enthusiasts can tune in for their first chance at earning Indianapolis Motor Speedway QSL cards and the 2026 certificate.<\/p>\n

The first of three special events commemorating major auto races at the legendary 2-and-a-half-mile oval begins Sunday, May 3, and continues till 11:59 p.m. Indy time on Saturday, May 9 (0359 UTC Sunday, May 10) \u2013 Race Day for the 13th running of the IndyCar Grand Prix.<\/p>\n

To qualify for the certificate, known as Checkered Flag Award, hams and shortwave listeners must work\/tune in all three of this year\u2019s special events, which also include the Indianapolis 500 from May 18-24 and the NASCAR Brickyard 400 from July 20-26. But even if you fall short in attempting to bag the trio, you can still claim a colorful, collectible QSL card for each of the events you connect with.<\/p>\n

Prime time for W9IMS is 6 to 10 p.m. Eastern Time (2200-0200 UTC) on weekdays, sometimes extending to midnight (0400 GMT Sunday) and beyond, and the bands of choice are 40 and 20 meters \u2013 generally on or around 7.245 and 14.245 MHz. But QRM and other issues can prompt changes in frequencies. The best bet is to check for W9IMS spots on DX Summit (www.dxsummit.fi<\/a>) and eHam (www.eHam.net<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Also, while W9IMS can take to the airwaves at any time between now and the final Saturday signoff, you\u2019ll have a better chance of finding active stations by going to the W9IMS QRZ page (www.w9ims.com<\/a><\/strong>) and clicking the Grand Prix link under \u201c2026 Operating Schedule\u201d \u2013 which displays the time slots that operators have signed up for. The same page contains additional information about W9IMS QSL cards and the certificate.<\/p>\n

For radio amateurs who still haven\u2019t worked W9IMS by Saturday afternoon, note that toward the end of the event, operators often start limiting calls to stations that haven\u2019t yet worked the current special event. Another tip is to drop in for happy hour, the last hour of the last day \u2013 in this case, 11 p.m. Saturday (0300 UTC Sunday). That\u2019s when W9IMS ops traditionally switch to contest-style QSOs, exchanging only signal reports so they can log as many stations as possible. But remember, too, that W9IMS special events can end prematurely if they encounter sparse QSOs or unfavorable solar or weather conditions.<\/p>\n

And a final tip for hams: If you can hear W9IMS but can\u2019t complete a QSO in the waning minutes of the special event, don\u2019t give up. You can still create an SWL report by jotting down the details of other W9IMS contacts \u2013 including frequency, UTC, a signal report and the callsigns of several stations that you heard W9IMS contact. A valid report satisfies the requirements for a Grand Prix QSL card and the first of three credits for a certificate. SWL certificates feature operators\u2019 names instead of callsigns but are otherwise indistinguishable from awards issued to amateur radio operators.<\/p>\n

Remember to stay on your toes once the Grand Prix operation is over \u2013 the Indy 500 special event begins only nine days later!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Brian D. Smith, W9IND The long wait is over for W9IMS paper chasers! As racing teams spend the coming week tuning up their speed machines, radio enthusiasts can tune in for their first chance at earning Indianapolis Motor Speedway QSL cards and the 2026 certificate. The first of three special events commemorating major auto […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[713,81,545,3,43],"tags":[3963,7035,6168],"class_list":["post-65995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-contests","category-current-events","category-ham-radio","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","tag-brian-smith","tag-indianapolis-motor-speedway","tag-w9ims"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-har","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":52823,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/05\/w9ims-a-radio-run-at-the-indy-500\/","url_meta":{"origin":65995,"position":0},"title":"W9IMS: A Radio Run at the Indy 500","author":"Thomas","date":"May 25, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"W9IMS: A Radio Run at the Indy 500 By Brian D. Smith, W9IND You can\u2019t win the Indianapolis 500 until they wave the checkered flag \u2013 and you can\u2019t win a W9IMS Checkered Flag Award unless you contact the Indy 500 special event. You\u2019ll have that opportunity from now through\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/2021-Grand-Prix-Front-QSL.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/2021-Grand-Prix-Front-QSL.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/2021-Grand-Prix-Front-QSL.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/2021-Grand-Prix-Front-QSL.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/2021-Grand-Prix-Front-QSL.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":53533,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/07\/w9ims-from-the-speedway-to-your-wall\/","url_meta":{"origin":65995,"position":1},"title":"W9IMS: From the Speedway to Your Wall","author":"Thomas","date":"July 24, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"From the Speedway to Your Wall: Taking the W9IMS Checkered Flag By Brian D. Smith, W9IND The Checkered Flag is in sight \u2013 for hams and SWLs who\u2019ve completed two-thirds of the chase for the annual W9IMS certificate. And for those who haven\u2019t, there\u2019s still a special QSL card awaiting\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-Indy-500-Back.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-Indy-500-Back.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-Indy-500-Back.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-Indy-500-Back.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-Indy-500-Back.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":39462,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/09\/w9ims-last-chance-for-the-checkered-flag-award\/","url_meta":{"origin":65995,"position":2},"title":"W9IMS: Last chance for the Checkered Flag Award","author":"Thomas","date":"September 7, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Brian (W9IND), who writes: If you\u2019re chasing the W9IMS Checkered Flag Award, this weekend marks your last chance to snare the third and final special event of the year. The Brickyard 400 operation will conclude at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8 (Indianapolis time)\/0359 UTC\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/W9IMS-2018-QSL-Card-Indy-1024x649.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/W9IMS-2018-QSL-Card-Indy-1024x649.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/W9IMS-2018-QSL-Card-Indy-1024x649.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44103,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/07\/w9ims-a-delayed-start-for-the-indianapolis-motor-speedway-special-event-station\/","url_meta":{"origin":65995,"position":3},"title":"W9IMS: A delayed start for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway special event station\u00a0","author":"Thomas","date":"July 1, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Brian D. Smith (W9IND), who shares the following announcement: W9IMS: A delayed start for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway special event station by Brian D. Smith, W9IND It\u2019s a late start for auto racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as well as the amateur radio\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Guest Posts"","block_context":{"text":"Guest Posts","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/guest-posts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/W9IMS-2018-QSL-Card-Indy-e1556280126932.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/W9IMS-2018-QSL-Card-Indy-e1556280126932.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/W9IMS-2018-QSL-Card-Indy-e1556280126932.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/W9IMS-2018-QSL-Card-Indy-e1556280126932.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":57413,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2023\/08\/how-to-earn-the-w9ims-2023-checkered-flag-award\/","url_meta":{"origin":65995,"position":4},"title":"How to Earn the W9IMS 2023 Checkered Flag Award","author":"Thomas","date":"August 6, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Once, Twice, Three Times a QSO: How to Earn the W9IMS 2023 Checkered Flag Award By Brian D. Smith Two out of three ain\u2019t bad, proclaims the late \u201970s classic rock song. But three out of three gets you the Checkered Flag Award from W9IMS. That\u2019s another way of reminding\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2022-Indy-500-Front.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2022-Indy-500-Front.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2022-Indy-500-Front.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2022-Indy-500-Front.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2022-Indy-500-Front.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2022-Indy-500-Front.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":49961,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/last-chance-to-grab-a-2021-w9ims-special-event-qsl-card\/","url_meta":{"origin":65995,"position":5},"title":"Last chance to grab a 2021 W9IMS Special Event QSL card!","author":"Thomas","date":"August 12, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Brian D. Smith (W9IND), who shares the following announcement: Last W9IMS Special Event of 2021 Brings a Final Chance to Qualify for a \u201cCheckered Flag\u201d certificate or QSL card If the month of May took you two-thirds of the way to the W9IMS Checkered\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/w9ims-qsl-card-e1620686981762.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/w9ims-qsl-card-e1620686981762.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/w9ims-qsl-card-e1620686981762.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/w9ims-qsl-card-e1620686981762.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65995","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65995"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65995\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65997,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65995\/revisions\/65997"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}