Official invitation: ROUTE 66 ON THE AIR 2026 - The centennial celebration!

Celebrating 100 Years of America’s Main Street — 1926–2026
Get your rigs ready — Route 66 is turning 100!

Saturday Sept 12th at 0001Z to Sunday Sept 20th at 2359Z

In 2026, amateur radio operators from across the country and around the world will once again come together to celebrate one of America's most recognizable highways during Route 66 On The Air.

This year is particularly special.

From its establishment in 1926 to the present day, Route 66 has represented travel, adventure, small-town America, friendship, and the freedom of the open road. For amateur radio operators, Route 66 On The Air gives us another way to keep that history alive: one contact at a time.
A Tradition That Began in 1999
Route 66 On The Air has its own history within amateur radio.

The event was originally founded and started in 1999 by the Northern Arizona DX Association, which operated the event for its first two years.

In 2001, the Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club (CBARC) took the reins and has proudly continued that tradition ever since.

That makes 2026 the 25th consecutive year that W6JBT and CBARC have sponsored Route 66 On The Air.

The official sponsoring club website for the event is:

W6JBT.ORG

W6C — Representing CBARC
For the 2026 event, the Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club, based in San Bernardino, California, will be represented on the air by:

W6C
An important distinction: W6C is CBARC's official sponsor callsign for the event; it is not the callsign for Route 66 On The Air as a whole.

Listen for W6C throughout the event and help us put San Bernardino and CBARC into your Route 66 log!

⭐ Participating Route 66 Stations
Along Route 66, participating stations will represent communities and locations associated with America's Main Street:

W6A • W6B • W6C • W6D • W6E • W6F • W6G • W6H • W6I • W6J • W6K • W6L • W6M • W6N • W6O • W6P • W6Q • W6R • W6S • W6T • W6W • W6Y • W6Z

Whether you're chasing every participating station or simply making a few contacts, everyone is invited to get on the air and be part of the celebration.

️ More Than Just Contacts
Route 66 On The Air is about much more than filling spaces in a logbook.

It's about celebrating Route 66.

It's about connecting operators around the world.

It's about enjoying amateur radio.

It's about building friendships.

And in this Centennial year, it's especially about honoring the people, places and memories that have made Route 66 an American icon for 100 years.

A highway that once connected communities through automobiles, roadside diners, motels and small towns will once again connect people through radio waves traveling across the country and around the world.

1926–2026 — Be Part of the Centennial
There will only be one 100th Anniversary of Route 66.

Whether you've participated in Route 66 On The Air for years or 2026 will be your first time, we hope you'll join us.

Turn on the radio.

Listen for the Route 66 stations.

Make some contacts.

Meet some operators.

Share some stories.

And help us celebrate a century of America's Main Street.

TUNE IN • JOIN IN • BE PART OF THE LEGACY!
W6C — ROUTE 66 ON THE AIR
Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club — San Bernardino, California
W6JBT — Proud Sponsor for the 25th Year in a Row
2001–2026
Official sponsoring website: W6JBT.ORG

Same Road • New Voices • A Stronger Future

 

Looking forward to it again this year. 73 from AZ….Norm - K7NWF

 

Outstanding event. I look forward to it again this year.

 

Heck, I might be on Route 66 then. I'm taking my rig, regardless.

 

Can't wait to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Route 66. See you on the air ! 73 de WD4AGF

 

This is one of my favorite events of the year. It's like traveling Route 66 via radio. Always look forward to hearing W6H. Bill is like a machine making QSOs. Very good op.

Curt
WU3U

 

I've always found this special event great fun! It's one of my favorites!

 

Got be one of the best AI generated qsl cards I have ever seen

 

Trying to make good use of the tools available wait until you see the QSL Card This was just to advertise the event.

 

It's definitely a cool looking design but I don't think it's meant as a QSL card...more of a poster announcing the event.

 

I've "worked 'em all" a few times and admit it is fun.

It's easier from here in FL than it was from Los Angeles, as from L.A. it was often difficult to hear the local stations along Rt. 66, which ends (or "starts") in Santa Monica. Had to catch the locals on 80m or 40m before the band went "long" and the locals got weak.

Now, they're all far enough away for 20 meters! Easier.

Good luck to all the ops.

 

Get your kicks, baby!!!!

 

Hope to catch you on the air Bert! 73 Norm K7NWF

 

As the NM W6H coordinator, we're looking forward to another great, fun year! Please help us get more in the log by reading W6H here on QRZ.com. We have lots of hints that will help us get YOU in the log. We do this for you folks, not for ourselves. 73, Bill, K8TE