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, K7A, 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 on 2 meters and 6 meters is encouraged.  All popular modes of operation may be represented – SSB, AM, CW, RTTY, FM, FT8, PSK, etc.  The mode of operation is the special operator’s choice.

Details

Dates: November 21 (Friday) 5:00am MST – November 30 (Sunday) 4:59pm MST
    2025-09-21 12:00 UTC – 2025-09-30 24:59 UTC

Operating Stations:
– CACTUS K7C, K7A, 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 K7A N7C K7T K7U K7S K7RST AK7AZ.

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:
K7C K7A N7C K7T K7U K7S K7RST AK7AZ

QSL Card Manager

Send your QSL card requests to (suggested donation, $2.00): 

Radio Society of Tucson, Inc.
PO Box 13603
Tucson AZ 85732-3603

Certificate Request Manager

You can receive a participation certificate for working one or more of the CACTUS operating stations. (See example below)

  1. Access our 2025 CACTUS Special Event Certificate and QSL Request. Fill it in, and use the [Print] button to print a copy. (Or use the [PayPal] button to skip the USPS)
  2. A $5.00 donations is suggested.  Include a return self addressed LABEL for your certificate return envelope.
  3. Send your return label, donation, and log sheet to: Radio Society of Tucson, Inc. PO Box 13603, Tucson AZ 85732-3603.
  4. Indicate any endoursements to be included on the certificate: All QRP, All CW, All Mobile, All Digital
  5. Indicate if you are a Shortwave Listener (SWL)
  6. We will include the “Clean Sweep” achievement if your log shows that you contacted all eight stations.
  7. We will provide the return envelope and postage.  No extra postage is required for DX requests.

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

Certificate Example

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 (bill@wizardofaz.net) to get the link for the event scheduler tool.
  2. Use the schedule tool to sign up for 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 event logging tool for your QSO’s.
  5. There will be “Top Operator” award plaques for:
    1. Top Operator HF
    2. Top Operator 6M/VHF/UHF Simplex.
    3. Top Operator-CW
    4. Top Operator-Conversational Digital Modes
  6. If you have questions, contact rst-cactus-work-group@googlegroups.com
  7. More detailed instructions are here CACTUS Operator’s Guide

The CACTUS event begins Friday 21rst in the morning and runs through Sunday 11/30 at 5pm AZ local time. There will be several locations available as “club stations” which means open for visitors or guest operators. The schedule of open hours for these is available at this link:
RST CACTUS2025 Club Station Open Hours.

If you want to reserve time at one of these, please use the CACTUS scheduler at: RST CACTUS Scheduler and use the club station dropdown to indicate that you plan to operate at the club station rather than at your home QTH. 

In the case of the N7NBV Barn and Corral locations, or at the Days in The Park locations, you can pre-schedule or just drop in and we’ll schedule you on the fly if the hour is not already reserved. For John Sartin’s AI7AZ QTH please contact him before scheduling or email to his address on qrz.com.

We appreciate your help in making this an outstanding event!

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

đź“šđź”—Resources (all links and info you need to know)

Source: K7RST – Callsign Lookup by QRZ Ham Radio
Uploaded by Ana, WV3RSE