UHF VHF QSO Party
2026-04-11 - 2026-04-12 | SD
For everyone and also Getting our new Hams from the course on-air, helping them get over mic fright. Also, another ARES capability scenario.

April 2026 Club Meeting
2026-04-17 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Denver) | SDSMT EEP251A, 486 Technology Ct, Rapid City, SD, 57701, United States
**CQ CQ CQ all call signs** We need your voice. Please answer this CQ
The April meeting will be held at the South Dakota School of Mines in the Electrical Engineering/Physics building room 251A. Social Hour will start at 6:00pm with the meeting to commence around 7:00pm.

May 2026 Club Meeting
2026-05-15 19:00 - 20:00 | SDSMT EEP251A, 486 Technology Ct, Rapid City, SD, 57701, United States
**CQ CQ CQ all call signs** We need your voice. Please answer this CQ
The May meeting will be held at the South Dakota School of Mines in the Electrical Engineering/Physics building room 251A. Social Hour will start at 6:00pm with the meeting to commence around 7:00pm.

Fox Hunt and Family Picnic
2026-05-16 | SD
This has always been fun and will be again this year. Find The Fox is a great activity for everyone, especially new Hams and their families. Oh, what am I saying, even the older Hams enjoy this romp around trying to find the signal direction and narrowing down on the FOX. The hope is for all to end at a nice scenic and relaxing spot for a picnic with friends and families.
More details will be posted on the Club group i.o. page.

HF QSO Club Picnic/Camp with Families (updated 8May2026)
2026-05-16 - 2026-05-17 | SD
New update posted 8May2026 —QSO Club Picnic with families at Sheridan Lake South Campground. Need for some clean air fun on HF bands outside of the city RF noise. This will be a great time to show your family and introduce those kids and grandkids to the fun of Amateur Radio. Picnic on May 16 with option to camp. Several of us will be camping and planning on more relaxing fun on May 17th.
May 16 is the first day of required for campsite reservation. Even if you don’t plan on camping you will still need a vehicle pass from the National Forest Service Permit. There should be no need for a campsite unless you plan on camping. Remember that this is a public campground and others may already be there. We will have at least two campsites occupied, complete with a couple antennas already up and ready for you to connect your radio to have some fun. We are hoping to already have campsites: 69 and 67 There is no guarantee to have either of these campsites until 1:00 in the afternoon although we will try to secure them by 11 a.m.
We are not sure if campfires will be allowed but we should plan on a no fires rule! We will have a propane grill just in case of no fire. There are vault toilets available. The Club is providing some burgers and brats. Potluck for the rest so bring something to share even if it is a bag of chips and or cookies! Drinks are on you.
There just maybe a Radio Fox Hunt in the nearby area! Not sure when the fox hunt will begin. Please stay tuned and check the Group io page for more details the week prior to the event including a weather report.

June 2026 Club Meeting
2026-06-19 19:00 - 20:00 | SDSMT EEP251A, 486 Technology Ct, Rapid City, SD, 57701, United States
**CQ CQ CQ all call signs** We need your voice. Please answer this CQ
The June meeting will be held at the South Dakota School of Mines in the Electrical Engineering/Physics building room 251A. Social Hour will start at 6:00pm with the meeting to commence around 7:00pm.

Amateur Radio Exam Session
2026-06-20 09:00 - 12:00 | HomeSlice Media Group, 333 West Blvd, Rapid City, SD, 57701, United States
The ARRL credentialed Volunteer Examiners who operate alongside the Black Hills Amateur Radio Club will be hosting an exam session on Saturday June 20th at 9:00am. All current exam elements, Technician through Extra, will be available.
The Exam will take place at the HomeSlice Media Group offices located at 333 West Blvd, Suite 200, Rapid City, SD 57701. The First Interstate Bank Building on the corner of West Blvd and Omaha. Park on the West side of the building and someone will provide access through the main entrance.
Please bring your original license (if any) along with a copy of it, a photo ID, and you will need a FRN. Exam Candidates are REQUIRED to register in the FCC Cores system and receive a FRN (Federal Registration Number) before exam day. Currently the exam fee is $15, please bring check or cash. Exact change is appreciated.
Pre-registration for testing is recommended but not required. Please contact Chris KDØRAS to register or for more information.

ARRL Kids Day
2026-06-20 10:00 - 15:00 | SD
ARRL offers an event designed to promote Amateur Radio to our youth. Share the excitement with your kids or grandkids, a Scout troop, a church or the general public! The club has not tried this for many years, so we hope to get a feel for how to best accomplish an event like this. Keeping it simple by locating it at an easy access location: Canyon Lake.
A very loose plan at this point is that we will have a pavilion at Canyon Lake but also have several locations around Canyon Lake for people to key up (on simplex) under the direct supervision of a licensed operator. Most comm. will be VHF but there will be one or two locations with HF capability. No stakes may be driven in the ground at Canyon Lake. I see a simple dipole from an umbrella stand a possible option!
ARRL treats this as a twice a year contest. I don’t believe we will be “contesting”. We simply want to get involvement and excitement.

Black Hills 100 Race
2026-06-26 - 2026-06-27 | SD
Yes, this is an ARES event for the club. We are certainly all familiar with this public service event. Six communication check points spring to life in support of this National level race in the Black Hills. The race covers a lot of ground with people from all over the USA and we provide the communications support at each Check Station. This does include an all-night operation. At each check point we love it when we can combine one or two experience hams with one or two newer hams that want to learn how an operation like this works. This is exciting and fun, which will create a lasting memory for you.
Ryan KE0LXT, our Pennington County ARES Director will make necessary announcements and creating the plan along with the roster of operators, so keep checking the club group i.o. page for updates. Even better, come to our club meetings.

ARRL Summer Field Day
2026-06-27 08:00 - 2026-06-28 17:00 | SD
This event does occur along with our Black Hills 100 Race communications support which makes for a very fun filled weekend. This is another one of those MUST DO events to have some of the greatest fun and experience in Ham Radio. Plus you get to spend all that time with your friends.
Every June, more than 31,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio’s science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the most popular event in ham radio
Ryan KE0LXT our Pennington County ARES Director will have his hands full with the Black Hills 100 Race but the other Club Officers and board members will be actively involved with organizing and planning.
All the details will follow and be posted on the Club group i.o. site and another way to stay informed on the details is to come to the Club Meetings.

Fort Meade Equine Race (TBD)
2026-07-04 - 2026-07-05 | SD
This is important community support providing much need communications for horse race support and safety. It usually spans two days, and you have the opportunity to camp there on the property or go home and return the second day. It is an early start and a late afternoon end each day. Communications support is normally VHS simplex, and most locations can be worked on an HT. Bring a comfortable chair and plenty to drink as there will be a lot of sitting and waiting for the next riders. Know that this is not a HEATED race. It is a leisurely enjoy the day kind of race. The race officials will bring you lunch and offer you supper as well.
Ryan KE0LXT will have the details and roster when he receives all the race particulars. This normally isn’t until the week prior to the event.

Tailgate Swap Meet
2026-07-11 08:00 - 12:30 | Faith Lutheran Church, 17 Indiana St, Rapid City, SD, 57701, United States
Hey! we all look forward to this. Get the Dream Deal. Seriously, this is the best deals you will find and you can sell all that gear you no longer need or want.
In the parking lot and the Fellowship Hall at Faith Lutheran Church
See the details on the Club i.o page and also at the Club monthly meetings

Mystic Mountain Run
2026-07-12 09:00 - 16:00 | SD
This is another opportunity to provide important community communications support for the Mystic Mountain Race.
Terry AD0HL takes on the planning and operations for this event. He will need 5-7 operators willing to spend much of the day working a station.
Details to follow: check the Club i.o. page and asks all the questions at the Club Monthly Meeting.

July 2026 Club Meeting
2026-07-17 19:00 - 20:00 | SDSMT EEP251A, 486 Technology Ct, Rapid City, SD, 57701, United States
**CQ CQ CQ all call signs** We need your voice. Please answer this CQ
The July meeting will be held at the South Dakota School of Mines in the Electrical Engineering/Physics building room 251A. Social Hour will start at 6:00pm with the meeting to commence around 7:00pm.

Heart of the Hills Race
2026-07-18 16:30 - 21:00 | SD
A small and short race but very important because it is run along one of the small winding paved roads in the evening in the Black Hills. The last runner sometimes comes in after sunset. From Hill City to Keystone. There is a lead car and a follow-up vehicle for runner safety. Seven operators are needed and VHF simplex is normally used. A simple HT can be used for some of the locations however some require a better antenna and more power. A good mobile rig is best.
Primary POC are Karen N0DUW and Betty KA7PJQ
Details will be sent out on the Club group i.o. page and of course, at the Club monthly meetings

August 2026 Club Meeting
2026-08-21 19:00 - 20:00 | SDSMT EEP251A, 486 Technology Ct, Rapid City, SD, 57701, United States
**CQ CQ CQ all call signs** We need your voice. Please answer this CQ
The August meeting will be held at the South Dakota School of Mines in the Electrical Engineering/Physics building room 251A. Social Hour will start at 6:00pm with the meeting to commence around 7:00pm.

Amateur Radio Exam Session
2026-08-22 09:00 - 12:00 | HomeSlice Media Group, 333 West Blvd, Rapid City, SD, 57701, United States
The ARRL credentialed Volunteer Examiners who operate alongside the Black Hills Amateur Radio Club will be hosting an exam session on Saturday August 22nd at 9:00am. All current exam elements, Technician through Extra, will be available.
The Exam will take place at the HomeSlice Media Group offices located at 333 West Blvd, Suite 200, Rapid City, SD 57701. The First Interstate Bank Building on the corner of West Blvd and Omaha. Park on the West side of the building and an examiner will provide access through the main entrance.
Please bring your original license (if any) along with a copy of it, a photo ID, and you will need a FRN. Exam Candidates are REQUIRED to register in the FCC Cores system and receive a FRN (Federal Registration Number) before exam day. Currently the exam fee is $15, please bring check or cash. Exact change is appreciated.
Pre-registration for testing is recommended but not required. Please contact Chris KDØRAS to register or for more information.

2026 Annual Club Meeting
2026-09-13 | SD
**CQ CQ CQ all call signs** We need your voice. Please answer this CQ
Important Election at this meeting.
