{"id":66640,"date":"2026-07-22T14:25:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T18:25:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=66640"},"modified":"2026-07-22T14:25:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T18:25:33","slug":"the-w9ims-brickyard-400-special-event-third-times-a-certificate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2026\/07\/the-w9ims-brickyard-400-special-event-third-times-a-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"The W9IMS Brickyard 400 Special Event: Third Time\u2019s a Certificate"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Trifectas aren\u2019t usually associated with auto racing, but this week\u2019s run-up to the NASCAR Brickyard 400 will find thousands of amateur radio operators and SWLs pursuing just that: contact with the third and final Indianapolis Motor Speedway special event station of 2026.<\/p>\n

In their quest for a colorful certificate, the Checkered Flag Award, radio enthusiasts who already worked or tuned in W9IMS during the previous two special events in May are now aiming for the clean sweep. The station will be on the air at various times from now till 11:59 p.m. on Race Day Sunday, July 26 (Indy time)\/0359 UTC Monday, July 27.<\/p>\n

But even if you missed out on either or both of the first two special events, which honored the IndyCar Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500, there\u2019s still time to claim a collectible bounty. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Amateur Radio Club, the events\u2019 organizer, offers an all-new commemorative QSL card for each race.<\/p>\n

So how to win the paper chase?<\/p>\n

W9IMS operates almost exclusively on 20 and 40 meters, with preferred frequencies of 14.245 and 7.245 SSB. But QRM can send the station far from those usual hangouts.<\/p>\n

Here are a few tips on locating W9IMS:<\/p>\n

1. Go to the W9IMS web page (www.w9ims.org<\/b><\/a>) and look for the heading, \u201c2026 Operating Schedule.\u201d Click on the \u201cBrickyard 400\u201d link, which opens into a weeklong schedule of individual operators and their reserved time slots. Although participants frequently get on the air at unscheduled times, your odds of catching the station improve significantly during hours with a listed op.<\/p>\n

2. Even if no operator is scheduled, check DX Summit (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.<\/p>\n

3. Your best chance for finding W9IMS active on weeknights is during the station\u2019s prime time: 6 to 10 p.m. in Indy (2200-0200 UTC). However, operators may show up an hour or two early or continue till 11 p.m. and even past midnight if band conditions allow. It can also be fruitful to check DX Summit during mornings and early afternoons.<\/p>\n

4. Remember that the published schedule can be shortened by adverse circumstances such as local thunderstorms, a lack of calling stations, and solar anomalies. Don\u2019t wait till the last hour to hunt W9IMS.<\/p>\n

5. Even so, if you still haven\u2019t worked W9IMS by the final weekend, don\u2019t give up too soon. Toward the end of the operation, ops often call for \u201conly stations that haven\u2019t worked us this week\u201d and\/or switch to a contest-style format, exchanging just signal reports to give more paper chasers a chance.<\/p>\n

6. Keep in mind that both hams and SWLs are eligible for QSL cards and the certificate. So if you\u2019ve made two QSOs and haven\u2019t completed the trifecta by Sunday evening, you can use an SWL report for your third credit. Just copy down the basic details \u2013 such as the time (UTC), date, frequency and the callsigns of three stations you heard W9IMS working. The certificate may feature your name instead of your call, but should otherwise be indistinguishable from a standard-issue Checkered Flag Award.<\/p>\n

7. Still have questions? Email w9ims@w9ims.org<\/a> for the answers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Brian D. Smith, W9IND Trifectas aren\u2019t usually associated with auto racing, but this week\u2019s run-up to the NASCAR Brickyard 400 will find thousands of amateur radio operators and SWLs pursuing just that: contact with the third and final Indianapolis Motor Speedway special event station of 2026. In their quest for a colorful certificate, the […]<\/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_feature_clip_id":0,"_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":[3],"tags":[6168],"class_list":["post-66640","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-w9ims"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-hkQ","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":33939,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/today-w9ims-last-special-event-station-of-2018\/","url_meta":{"origin":66640,"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":66640,"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":39462,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/09\/w9ims-last-chance-for-the-checkered-flag-award\/","url_meta":{"origin":66640,"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":63451,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/07\/taking-the-checkered-flag-at-indy-by-racing-and-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":66640,"position":3},"title":"Taking the checkered flag at Indy by racing and radio","author":"Thomas","date":"July 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Brian D. Smith, W9IND It\u2019s Brickyard 400 week in Indianapolis, and the checkered flag awaits \u2013 not only for NASCAR drivers, but also for radio enthusiasts who\u2019ve contacted all three of the 2025 special events staged by amateur radio station W9IMS. From now through the end of Sunday (Race\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\/2025\/05\/2024-GP-Front-w9ims.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2024-GP-Front-w9ims.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2024-GP-Front-w9ims.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2024-GP-Front-w9ims.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2024-GP-Front-w9ims.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/2024-GP-Front-w9ims.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":37020,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/04\/w9ims-new-season-of-indianapolis-motor-speedway-themed-special-events\/","url_meta":{"origin":66640,"position":4},"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":60240,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2024\/07\/winning-with-flare-an-easier-path-to-the-w9ims-checkered-flag-award\/","url_meta":{"origin":66640,"position":5},"title":"Winning with flare: An easier path to the W9IMS Checkered Flag Award","author":"Thomas","date":"July 17, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"By Brian D. Smith NASCAR comes to Indy this Sunday, which means that from now until then, you have a chance to snare the third and final QSL card in the 2024 set of amateur radio station W9IMS. Better yet, you can earn this year\u2019s Checkered Flag Award with less\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\/2024\/07\/W9IMS.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/W9IMS.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/W9IMS.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/W9IMS.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/W9IMS.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/W9IMS.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66640","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=66640"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66640\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66642,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66640\/revisions\/66642"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66640"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66640"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}