YO8KZG Amateur Radio Club Days 2026 – Friendship, Competition and Amateur Radio at Târgu Neamț

Amateur Radio Operators Gathered in Târgu Neamț for the 38th Edition of the YO8KZG Club Days

Between May 15–17, 2026, the Oglinzi Recreation Center near Târgu Neamț, Romania, hosted the 38th edition of the “Ion Creangă” Amateur Radio Club Days – YO8KZG. This year’s event was held under the theme “The Storyteller’s Road – The Destiny Road from Humulești to Țicău.”

The gathering brought together amateur radio operators, athletes, instructors, and radio enthusiasts from various branches of the hobby, creating an excellent environment for learning, networking, and sharing experiences.

Awards, Competitions and Amateur Radio Activities

Saturday’s program was exceptionally well organized and featured several award ceremonies and amateur radio-related activities.

Highlights included:

• Awards Ceremony for the “Ion Creangă International Radio Marathon” organized by YO8KZG
• Awards Ceremony for the “Moldavia Cup” organized by YO8KAN – Bacău Municipal Radio Club
• Awards Ceremony for the “Shortwave Student Cup 2026,” organized by the Piatra Neamț Children’s Palace in partnership with the Neamț School Inspectorate
• Awards Ceremony for the “Friendship Cup 2026”
• Amateur Radio Flea Market
• QRP Competition

The “Friendship Cup” was specifically designed to encourage interaction between different amateur radio disciplines, bringing together approximately 70 participants involved in Amateur Radio Direction Finding (ARDF), VHF/UHF operating activities, and High-Speed Telegraphy (HST).

Practical Training and Hands-On Experience

Throughout the day, participants took part in a variety of practical activities and demonstrations, including:

• Maze orientation exercises
• Amateur Radio Direction Finding (Fox Hunting) in the forest
• Map reading and signal triangulation training
• Demonstrations of ARDF equipment
• High-Speed Telegraphy (HST) practice sessions
• RufzXP and Morse Runner competitions
• Morse code learning demonstrations
• Amateur radio contacts on HF, VHF, UHF, and SHF bands
• SSB, CW, and digital mode demonstrations

One of the most valuable aspects of the event was the collaboration between participants from different amateur radio disciplines. Operators and athletes had the opportunity to learn from one another, gaining practical insights into branches of amateur radio outside their usual field of activity.

A Participant’s Perspective

Gabriela Cojocaru, YO8PUF, an HST athlete, shared her impressions from the event:

“I participated in a maze orientation activity together with ARDF and VHF/UHF students. Their coach prepared a maze with hidden control points. We used a map to navigate and an electronic finger chip that recorded every fox transmitter we found.”

“After completing the maze, we moved into the nearby forest for a fox-hunting activity. There we learned how to properly read maps and use a compass for navigation. The course was exciting and challenged both our attention and teamwork skills.”

“After lunch, it was our turn to introduce the telegraphy station to the participants. We taught Morse code letters and numbers and demonstrated software commonly used for telegraphy training.”

“It was a truly special experience filled with wonderful moments, new things to discover, and friendships that will certainly last over time.”

Promoting Amateur Radio Through Friendship and Education

The event at Oglinzi once again demonstrated the importance of amateur radio as a platform for education, friendship, technical development, and community building.

The exchange of knowledge between experienced operators and younger participants, combined with hands-on activities and a welcoming atmosphere, transformed the weekend into a memorable experience for everyone involved.

The event concluded around a traditional campfire, where participants continued sharing stories, experiences, and plans for future amateur radio activities.

Congratulations to the organizers and sincere thanks to all participants for their dedication, enthusiasm, and the outstanding atmosphere created throughout the weekend.

73 from Hadrian – YO2BTW!