The camp for young amateur radio operators in North, Central, and 
South America will operate special event station W4Y while camp is in session from June 14-19, 2026 in Huntsville, Alabama, USA. The group will also contact the International Space Station; complete satellite & moonbounce contacts, launch balloons with scientific experiments to near space and to orbit around the world, setup software to aid in earning DXCC, and other mostly space themed activities; and livestream the ARISS contact & opening and closing ceremonies on YouTube.
COLUMBIANA, Ohio, June 12, 2026—Youth on the Air Americas Camp 2026 being held in Huntsville “Rocket City” Alabama will operate from the Bob Heil, K9EID Memorial YOTA Camp Amateur Radio Shack in person and remotely as the campers finish projects, between sessions, and during free time.
Activation of the W4Y callsign from the camp will begin the evening of Sunday, June 14th and conclude at 1700Z on Friday, June 19th.
In addition, campers will have the opportunity to operate during the following dedicated times:
- Monday, June 15th: 2300Z to 0400Z
- Tuesday, June 16th (Wednesday, June 17th UTC): 0100Z to 0400Z
- Wednesday, June 17th: 2100Z to 0400Z
- Thursday, June 18th: 2300Z to 0400Z
Campers will also have dedicated EME operating times on Monday, June 15th from 1500Z to 2100Z and satellite operating times on Tuesday, June 1st from 1700Z to 2200Z.
Campers will be able to ask questions of an astronaut direct via amateur radio on the International Space Station during the camp as well. The ARISS contact is currently scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 18th at 1636Z.
The opening and closing ceremonies and the International Space Station contact (ARISS) will be streamed live on the Youth on the Air YouTube channel. The opening ceremony is Sunday, June 14th from 2200Z to 0130Z. The closing ceremony is Friday, June 19th from 1500Z to 1700Z. The channel will also feature a daily highlight video spotlighting the activities of the previous day.
Finally, camper Jack McElroy, KM4ZIA will launch a high-altitude balloon to near space and two pico balloons which will hopefully circumnavigate the Earth. The high-altitude balloon will also contain at least 2 scientific payloads. One will study physiological effects of radiation led by scientists from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio; while another will analyze the effect of radiation on photographic film. Launch of the high-altitude balloon along with two pico balloons is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16 at approximately 1600Z. For tracking of the high-altitude balloon, follow W4Y-11 on APRS.fi. For tracking of the pico balloons on WSPR.net, watch for W9EAR-12 and KM4ZIA-1.
For more details about this camp, visit YouthOnTheAir.org/huntsville2026.
For additional information about YOTA Americas, please contact Public Relations at pr@youthontheair.org or Camp Director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG at director@youthontheair.org.