W4CAR organizes a semi-annual ham radio excursion to the Shenandoah Mountains, fondly known as “The Shenandoah Shenanigans.” These three-to-four-day adventures combine the outdoors, friendship, and amateur radio. Activities include mountain hiking, land navigation, and remote communications using propagation techniques such as Near Vertical Incidence Skywave (NVIS) from the valleys.

Participants camp and hike in Shenandoah-area campgrounds and parks while experimenting with portable power, different antenna configurations, and the many communication modes available to amateur radio operators.

Can't make it to the mountains? You can still participate from home base in Chesapeake, throughout Hampton Roads, or at local parks such as Northwest River Park in Chesapeake, Virginia.

This homegrown event continues to grow, offering newcomers and experienced operators alike an opportunity to build skills, explore new capabilities in ham radio, enjoy the outdoors, and make lasting friendships.

Come join the adventure—everyone is welcome!

The best way to get involved with Shenanigans is to attend one of our general club meetings where we hold a shenanigans brief with the most up to date information on planning events and POC’s every meeting. See the club calendar here.

FALL 2026 SHENANIGANS COMMS PLAN

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xWrOYAp3TJZobiGmunR65vfZzSsDb23N/view?usp=sharing

MESHTASTIC CHANNELS

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11yVzIGOIKbki-4WP-u3nOXpl2bMLMI6c/view?usp=sharing