{"id":66100,"date":"2026-05-20T09:15:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T13:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=66100"},"modified":"2026-05-20T09:15:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T13:15:31","slug":"staying-the-course-w9ims-stages-its-second-special-event-of-the-month-celebrating-the-indy-500","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2026\/05\/staying-the-course-w9ims-stages-its-second-special-event-of-the-month-celebrating-the-indy-500\/","title":{"rendered":"Staying the Course: W9IMS Stages its Second Special Event of the Month, Celebrating the Indy 500"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

It\u2019s back to the track for amateur radio station W9IMS. Less than 2 weeks after concluding their first special event of the year, members of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Amateur Radio Club will take to the airwaves from now through Sunday, May 24, to commemorate the legendary Indianapolis 500.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you already worked or tuned in W9IMS during the initial event, the IndyCar Grand Prix, this is your chance to snare the second of three contacts required for the 2026 Checkered Flag Award. To earn this certificate, radio amateurs must contact all three W9IMS events in the same year (SWLs may substitute reception reports). The third special event, honoring the NASCAR Brickyard 400, will fire up from July 20-26.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if you missed the Grand Prix, you\u2019re still eligible for a colorful and collectible QSL card marking the 110th running of the Indy 500. The current operation is slated to conclude at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, May 25 (Indy time) or 0359 UTC Monday, May 26.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tips on finding W9IMS:<\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Check DX Summit (<\/span>www.dxsummit.fi<\/b><\/a>) for spots listing the current frequency or frequencies of W9IMS. You can customize your search by typing \u201cW9IMS\u201d in the box at upper right.\u00a0 <\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Go to the W9IMS page on QRZ.com (short cut: www.w9ims.com<\/b><\/a>) and look for the heading, \u201c2026 Operating Schedule.\u201d The Indianapolis 500 link opens into a weeklong schedule of individual operators and their reserved time slots. Although the special event can be activated at any time throughout Race Week, your odds of snaring the station improve dramatically during hours with a listed op. <\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Look for the Indy 500 station on 20 and 40 meters \u2013 on or near 14.245 and 7.245 MHz \u2013 and there\u2019s a bonus band if you plan to attend the race or be in the Indianapolis area on Race Day. Each year on the morning of the 500, W9IMS operates simplex FM on 146.52 MHz, working hams situated in the grandstands and the infield of the track, as well as those en route or residing in the local area.<\/li>\n
  4. Remember that the published schedule can be shortened by adverse circumstances, such as local thunderstorms, solar flares, and a lack of calling stations. Don\u2019t wait till the final hour to hunt W9IMS!<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. However, radio amateurs who still haven\u2019t worked W9IMS by Sunday may benefit from the policy changes that usually kick in at the end of Race Week. W9IMS ops tend to start calling for \u201conly stations that have not worked this event\u201d and may switch to contest-style operations, exchanging only signal reports to put more contacts in the log.<\/li>\n
  6. Keep in mind that both hams and SWLs are eligible for QSL cards and the certificate. So if you\u2019re unable to work W9IMS by Sunday night, you can create a reception report by copying down details of other contacts \u2013 such as date, frequency, UTC, and the callsigns of a few stations you heard W9IMS working. SWL reports count as credits too, but the certificate will likely feature your name instead of your call.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. If you succeed in bagging W9IMS, congratulations! The station website (<\/span>www.w9ims.com<\/b><\/a>) contains everything you\u2019ll need to know about obtaining your QSL cards and certificate.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    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.<\/span><\/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 It\u2019s back to the track for amateur radio station W9IMS. Less than 2 weeks after concluding their first special event of the year, members of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Amateur Radio Club will take to the airwaves from now through Sunday, May 24, to commemorate the legendary Indianapolis 500.\u00a0 If […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_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},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[713,81,545,3,43],"tags":[3963,7035,6168],"class_list":["post-66100","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-hc8","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":33939,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/today-w9ims-last-special-event-station-of-2018\/","url_meta":{"origin":66100,"position":0},"title":"Today: W9IMS last special event station of 2018","author":"Thomas","date":"September 3, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post contributor, Brian D. Smith (W9IND), who shares the following information about SWL-friendly awards offered by his amateur radio club to commemorate the three major auto races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Brian writes: W9IMS: Last special event station of 2018 Amateur radio station W9IMS will conclude\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Current Events"","block_context":{"text":"Current Events","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/current-events\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/W9IMS-QSL.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/W9IMS-QSL.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/W9IMS-QSL.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":32007,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/05\/today-w9ims-special-event-honoring-races-at-the-indianapolis-motor-speedway\/","url_meta":{"origin":66100,"position":1},"title":"Today: W9IMS special event honoring races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway","author":"Thomas","date":"May 12, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post contributor Brian D. Smith (W9IND), who shares this information about SWL-friendly awards offered by his amateur radio club to commemorate the three major auto races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: Indianapolis Motor Speedway special event stations: Act now for your shot at a 2018 certificate! Attention,\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\/2018\/05\/2012_Composite.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/2012_Composite.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/2012_Composite.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":37020,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/04\/w9ims-new-season-of-indianapolis-motor-speedway-themed-special-events\/","url_meta":{"origin":66100,"position":2},"title":"W9IMS: New season of Indianapolis Motor Speedway-themed special events","author":"Thomas","date":"April 26, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Brian D. Smith (W9IND) who shares the following W9IMS press release: Amateur radio station W9IMS prepares to unveil a new season of Indianapolis Motor Speedway-themed special events, with three QSL cards and a certificate available to hams and SWLs. DATE: April 24, 2019 Three\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-QSL-Card-2018-1024x649.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/W9IMS-QSL-Card-2018-1024x649.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/W9IMS-QSL-Card-2018-1024x649.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":66100,"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":65995,"url":"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\/","url_meta":{"origin":66100,"position":4},"title":"Seven Days in May: Earn an Indianapolis Motor Speedway QSL and the first step toward the 2026 Checkered Flag Award","author":"Thomas","date":"May 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Contests"","block_context":{"text":"Contests","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/contests\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2025-GP-front.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2025-GP-front.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2025-GP-front.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2025-GP-front.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2025-GP-front.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2025-GP-front.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":52823,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/05\/w9ims-a-radio-run-at-the-indy-500\/","url_meta":{"origin":66100,"position":5},"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":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66100","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=66100"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66100\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66101,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66100\/revisions\/66101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66100"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66100"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66100"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}