Santa Net on 3.916 MHz is back for its 20th consecutive year, giving kids a chance to talk with "Santa at the North Pole" over real HF radio instead of a phone app.
📌 TL;DR — Santa Net on 3.916 MHz
- Core idea: Kids get on HF and talk with Santa through The 3916 Santa Net on 3.916 MHz.
- Why it matters: It turns Christmas into a shared on-the-air memory for young operators and their families.
- Key benefit: Simple check-ins, friendly net control, and a relaxed format that welcomes new hams and shy kids.
- Who it’s for: Hams with HF gear who want to share radio magic with children, grandkids, or neighborhood kids.
Run by The 3916 Nets, this year’s Santa Net kicks off Friday, November 28 and runs through Tuesday, December 23, 2025. The team expects more than 1,000 children to check in across the season, all on 3.916 MHz.
Operators around the country help relay the voice of Santa, so each kid gets a few moments of one-on-one conversation. As Pete Thomson, KE5GGY, puts it, the goal is to give families a shared Christmas experience they’ll always remember and to introduce young people to the excitement of amateur radio.
When and where to find Santa Net
The Santa Net meets on 3.916 MHz at 7:00 PM Central Time. Check-ins usually start about 15 minutes before the top of the hour, so it pays to be a little early and listen for net control. The schedule runs select nights from November 28 through December 23, with no net on Christmas Eve.
Quick Santa Net 2025 details
| Metric |
Value |
Why It Matters |
| Frequency |
3.916 MHz (The 3916 Nets) |
Gives everyone a single, consistent HF meeting spot for Santa. |
| Time & dates |
7:00 PM Central, select nights Nov 28–Dec 23 |
Easy evening slot for kids with school and family schedules. |
Share the magic of Santa Net this year
Santa Net is a simple way to turn your HF station into a holiday memory maker. It’s a low-pressure, high-fun event that shows kids why amateur radio is still worth having in a world full of screens.
- 3.916 MHz, 7:00 PM Central on select nights between November 28 and December 23.
- Perfect for kids, grandkids, and curious neighbors who have never talked on the air.
For the full 2025 schedule, tips, and updates, head over to the official site at cqsanta.com and get your family ready for a visit from Santa on 3.916 MHz.