Emergency Communications
Help neighbors stay connected when phones, power, or internet are disrupted.
CCARC | N7RB Helena, Montana
Ready to Get Started in Ham Radio?
Capital City Amateur Radio Club (CCARC) helps new and advancing operators in Helena learn the basics, prepare for license exams, and make their first contacts with support from local ham radio operators.
What is Amateur Radio?
Amateur radio, often called ham radio, is a practical way to learn wireless communication, serve your community, experiment with technology, and make real contacts without needing cell service.
Outdoor Adventure
Use lightweight radios on trails, summits, parks, and public lands.
Talk Around the World
Make contacts across Montana, the country, and the globe.
Digital Technology
Explore modern wireless data, satellites, weak-signal modes, and software-defined radio.
Community Service
Support events, public safety partners, and community preparedness.
Build and Experiment
Learn antennas, electronics, propagation, and practical problem solving.
Start here
Your Path to Getting Licensed
1
Join a Technician Class
Learn the basics with local instructors and other beginners.
2
Practice with HamStudy
Use short study sessions and practice exams at HamStudy.org.
3
Take the FCC Exam
Sit for a local Volunteer Examiner session in Helena.
4
Get on the Air with CCARC
Make your first contacts with help from club members.
Upcoming License Classes
CCARC offers a friendly path into amateur radio with seasonal courses for new and advancing operators.
Technician Prep Course
Hosted twice per year: Q1 and Q3.
General Prep Course
Hosted twice per year: Q2 and Q4.
Submit the class interest form and a club volunteer will follow up with next steps.
Visit a Club Meeting
Visitors are welcome. Meetings are a simple way to meet local operators, ask beginner questions, and see what the club is doing next.
- When
- First non-holiday Monday of each month at 7:00 PM
- Where
- Salvation Army church, 1905 Henderson St., Helena, MT
- Online option
- Join the monthly Google Meet
Take an Amateur Radio Exam
CCARC offers in-person Volunteer Examiner testing in Helena about every 6 weeks. Exams are available for all amateur radio license classes, use tablet-based testing, and remote testing is not currently offered.
Exam sessions include
- All amateur license classes
- Tablet-based testing
- Local in-person sessions in Helena
- Help understanding what to bring
Get On the Air
Listen first, check in when ready, and get familiar with local radio activity.
Tuesday ARES Net
7:30 PM on the 147.22+ repeater
Saturday Coffee Net
9:00 AM on the 147.22+ repeater
Sunday Trivia Net
7:30 PM on the 147.22+ repeater
Belmont repeater 147.22+ with 100.0 Hz tone. Backup simplex: 147.50 MHz.
Next Big Event
Field Day 2026
Join CCARC for Field Day on June 27-28, 2026 at Quigley Group Campground atop MacDonald Pass, west of Helena.
Coordinates: 46.560979, -112.304516. Operate, learn, connect, and help keep amateur radio strong.
What We Do
Field Day
A yearly hands-on operating event that combines radio skills, public outreach, and emergency readiness.
POTA and SOTA
Portable operating from parks and summits for people who like radio with fresh air.
Emergency Communications
Training and practice for useful communications when normal systems are unavailable.
Local Event Support
Provide radio communication support for Helena-area races and endurance events throughout the year.
Repeaters
Local infrastructure that helps handheld and mobile radios cover the Helena area.
Digital Modes
Computer-assisted radio tools for messaging, long-distance contacts, and experimentation.
Mentoring New Hams
Friendly help choosing gear, making first contacts, and learning local radio habits.
CCARC Newsletters
Catch up on recent club news, operating notes, event reports, and member contributions.
Latest Edition
May 2026 Newsletter
Read the latest CCARC newsletter for club updates, event notes, local radio activity, and member contributions.
To sign up to receive the monthly newsletter, contact Marla Unruh, KM7LIB, at mkulib@gmail.com.
Ready to Start?
Whether you are curious about preparedness, hiking, electronics, STEM, or community service, CCARC can help you take the next step.