2026 CACTUS EVENT:

Thank you to those who participated in the 2025 event, we had a blast and we hope it was fun for you also! We're looking forward to seeing you soon!

2026 Oct 9 - Oct 18 - CACTUS Special Event
   "Prickly Signals from the Sonoran Desert"

This special event is to promote amateur radio and celebrate the unique cactus of the USA southwest.  Join in the fun and contact one of the 6 special station call signs (CACTUS K7C, W7A, N7C, K7T, K7U, K7S) along with the 2 bonus stations (K7RST, AK7AZ).  All HF bands will be in play, with the exception of 60 meters.  Simplex and repeater contacts on 2 meters and 6 meters are encouraged.  All popular modes of operation may be represented - SSB, AM, CW, RTTY, FM, FT8, PSK, etc.  The mode of operation is the special operators choice, check the TBD: Public view of CACTUS Operator schedule (no password needed) for current information.

Details

Dates: October 9 (Friday) 5:00am MST - October 18 (Sunday) 4:59pm MST
    2026-10-09 12:00 UTC - 2026-10-18 23:59 UTC

Operating Stations:
- CACTUS K7C, W7A, N7C, K7T, K7U, K7S
- Bonus stations: K7RST, AK7AZ

Exchange

The exchange for this event is not fixed, but typically is:
CALL SIGN
RS / RST / RSQ
STATE / PROVINCE or COUNTRY

A typical exchange as an example:
(CACTUS op) CQ CACTUS Special Event this is K7U Kilo 7 Uniform
(caller) Kilo Charlie 1 Sierra Quebec
(CACTUS op) KC1SQ thanks for the call, you’re 57 in Tucson Arizona
(caller) QSL, you’re 59 in Maine, 73 and good luck
(CACTUS op) Thanks, 73, QRZ CACTUS
(CACTUS op) If no immediate response, go back to CQ

Keep it fun and relaxed. And let them know they can get more information on the appropriate qrz.com page: K7C W7A N7C K7T K7U K7S K7RST AK7AZ

Viewing the schedule of operators

To see who's on when, and where to look for them, anyone can browse the TBD ; CACTUS operator's schedule..

Spotting

If you work a CACTUS station, you are encouraged to spot it for others.  
We suggest DX Summit.

Live logs during the event

CACTUS operators will be logging with Wavelog. A searchable public view of each log is available at these links: TBD
K7C W7A N7C K7T K7U K7S K7RST AK7AZ

QSL Card Manager

Send your QSL card requests to:

Radio Society of Tucson, Inc.
Attention: QSL card request manager
PO Box 13603
Tucson AZ 85732-3603

The suggested donation is $2.00 for the first card and an additional $1.00 for each additional card. One card = $2, two cards = $3, three cards = $4, four cards = $5, 8 cards = $9, etc. Donations are voluntary, of course.

In addition, we request 1 Self Addressed Stamped Envelope for each group of 4 cards. 1-4 cards = 1 SASE, 5-8 cards = 2 SASEs, etc.

As a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization your donations help us a lot in managing our costs. The Radio Society of Tucson is incorporated as a STEM outreach and STEM teaching organization. We conduct at least two Technician classes each year, two merit badge classes for Scouting America, and free VE testing, plus a lot of other hands-on operating events like our CACTUS event and Radio Days in the Park

QSL card requests and Certificate requests should not be combined as we have two different processes for handling them.

Certificate Request Manager

You can receive a participation certificate for working one or more CACTUS stations. (See example below - TBD)

If you operated a CACTUS station call sign and did not receive your operator certificate in person at a Radio Society of Tucson (RST) General Meeting, you can request your certificate by sending a self-addressed, stamped, 9" x 12" envelope.

How to Request Your Certificate

  1. Access the 2026 CACTUS Special Event Certificate Request Form (link TBD).
  2. Complete the form with the stations you worked, any achievements, endorsements, and your mailing address.
    (As a convenience, the Search Callsign button will automatically attempt to load your contacts from the CACTUS log and QRZ.)
  3. Indicate any special endorsements that cannot be calculated automatically (e.g., All Mobile, SWL).
  4. Print the completed form using the Print button on the form.
  5. Include a suggested donation of $5.00 (cash, check, or money order made payable to Radio Society of Tucson).
  6. Prepare your mailing package by including:
    • The completed and printed form.
    • Your donation
    • A self-addressed adhesive label (or a self-addressed, stamped 9" by 12" envelope)
    We will provide the outer envelope and postage.

Send your Certificate request to:

Radio Society of Tucson, Inc.
Attention: CACTUS Certificate Request Manager
PO Box 13603
Tucson AZ 85732-3603

Donations

The CACTUS Special Event is a not-for-profit event.  All donations are used to fund the next years event, and to defray  any expenses incurred. All donations are used for operating costs, supplies, equipment and RST initiatives. RST is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.  Donation is voluntary.  If you have difficulty with a donation, tell us on your log sheet, and we will send you the certificatge earned - No Questions Asked!

QSL Card Examples (K7A to be replaced with W7A)

Certificate Example - Hunter

Example CACTUS Hunter Certificate

Operator Instruction Summary

If you would like to help with this event by operating one of the special call signs, follow these steps:

  1. Contact N7DZ, Bill, at (rst-cactus-work-group@googlegroups.com) to get a userId for the TBD CACTUS Operator Self-scheduling Tool (userid/password required.)
  2. Use the schedule tool to sign up for the times, band, and mode that you will operate.
  3. A special call sign will be assigned to you by the schedule tool.
  4. Review the event logging tool instructions, and use the (TBD) event logging tool for your QSO's.
  5. If you have questions, contact rst-cactus-work-group@googlegroups.com (subject: HELP - your question)
  6. More detailed instructions are here CACTUS Operator's Guide

There will be Operator recognition as follows:

  1. Operator Plaques
    • Top Operator HF Voice (minimum of 100 QSOs)
    • Top Operator HF FT8 (minimum of 100 QSOs)
    • Top Operator 6M/VHF/UHF (Simplex or Repeater) (minimum of 100 QSOs)
    • Top Operator CW (minimum of 100 QSOs)
    • "1st Clean Sweep" Operator ("Clean Sweep" is making contacts as an operator of all eight CACTUS call signs.)
      - If the 1st Clean Sweep" operator is not also a "Top Operator", a "1st Clean Sweep" plaque will be presented.
      - If a Top Operator is also the 1st Clean Sweep or has a Clean Sweep, a 1st Clean Sweep or a Clean Sweep endorsement will be added to their plaque as appropriate.
  2. Operator Certificates
    • All operators will receive a paper certificate that includes personalizations such as: (subject to change depending on the final certificate design)
      • call sign
      • total number of QSOs
      • a Clean Sweep endorsement if appropriate
    • Operator Certificates will be distributed at an RST General meeting following the CACTUS event. If an operator cannot pick up the certificate in person, they can send a request to the Certificate Request Manager (see above.)

Operator Plaque Example

TBD

Operator Certificate Example

Example CACTUS Operator Certificate

Thank you for your help in making this an outstanding event!

FAQ's

Selected FAQ's:

Is this the first time this event has operated?
No, 2025 was year one for this event. 2026 will be our 2nd CACTUS event.
Why is the Radio Society of Tucson (RST) organizing and running the CACTUS event?
The RST president, Joe, K3TYE, suggested it. The Radio Society of Tucson is active in promoting amateur radio through regular meetings, operating events, educational classes, VE testing, contesting, and special events. Joe felt like clubs in the Sonoran desert had a unique opportunity to support amateur radio by creating a special event that leverages the beauty of the American southwest. We thank everyone who participated in our inagural event and we are looking forward to CACTUS 2026.
Is this a contest?
It's not really a contest. We do have QSL cards and participation certificates with Achievements and Endorsements that will be fun to have in your collection. Instructions for how to get a QSL card and a participation certificate are on this web page.

If you have further questions you can contact us by email: rst-cactus-work-group@googlegroups.com

CACTUS 2026 Resources

CACTUS 2025 Resources

2026-05-03 updated by RST Cactus Work Group.