Now that 13 Colonies is over, many hams will shift gears to go full throttle for an operating event that, in the words of songwriter Bobby Troup, will let you “get your kicks” on a bygone and beloved highway that still inspires worshippers of the open road.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, Route 66 on the Air is a nostalgic blast from the past for operators who will once again attempt to reach special stations along the historic highway, which covered 2,448 miles from Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA. Opened in 1926 and fully paved in 1938, the route was known for its offbeat roadside attractions, thrilling landscapes, and legions of drivers who traveled its skid-marked path in search of America—or perhaps the perfect cheeseburger and milkshake.
Route 66 was removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985.
Troup’s popular 1946 rhythm and blues song, recorded by the likes of Nat King Cole and the Rolling Stones, mentions a travelog of stops along the route, including Oklahoma City, OK; Amarillo, TX; Flagstaff, AZ; Kingman, AZ; Barstow, CA; and San Bernardino, CA—all cities that will be represented by local clubs during the Route 66 on the Air event, which runs from September 7-15, 2024.
Find the complete list of 23 special event stations and rules at the Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club (San Bernardino), W6JBT, website. Per the website, the event was started by the Northern Arizona DX Association and taken over a couple of years later by the Citrus Belt club.
Sound like fun?
Get your station ready for future events like Route 66 on the Air at DXEngineering.com, where you’ll find transceivers, antennas, and everything you need to reach stations from California to Illinois and beyond.
Plus, visit SummitRacing.com for the Route 66 Chevy T-Shirt, Route 66 LED Off The Wall Sign, Route 66 Neon Sign, Route 66 Jigsaw Puzzle, and more.
Summit Racing is DX Engineering’s parent company.
