Emergency Communications
Help neighbors stay connected when phones, power, or internet are disrupted.
Capital City Amateur Radio Club · N7RB · Helena, Montana
Start your ham radio journey today.
We’ll send you free study resources and connect you with a local mentor who’ll help you through the exam and your first contact.
Our nonprofit mission
Radio education and service for the Helena community
Our mission is to make amateur radio accessible in Helena and Lewis and Clark County through education, license testing, mentoring, emergency communications training, and volunteer community service.
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
Next class starts Wednesday, February 3, 2027
Six Wednesdays, 6:00–8:00 PM, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Helena Downtown, 22 N Last Chance Gulch. Free.
Limited to 20 students. Register early!
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, typically ending by 8:00 PM (Helena local time)
- 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
What's a net? A net is a scheduled on-air gathering where hams meet on the same frequency on a recurring schedule. They are also used during emeregencies to direct radio traffic. A volunteer “net control” operator runs it, calling for check-ins and giving each station a turn to talk, so it stays organized and welcoming.
Anyone can listen on a scanner or handheld radio, no license needed. Once you're licensed, checking in is the easiest way to make your first contact.
Tuesday ARES Net
7:30 PM on the 147.22+ repeater
A structured practice net for emergency communications. A great way to hear how hams pass messages when it counts.
Saturday Coffee Net
9:00 AM on the 147.22+ repeater
A relaxed weekend check-in. Grab a cup of coffee and chat with local hams about radio, projects, and the week.
Sunday Trivia Net
7:30 PM on the 147.22+ repeater
A friendly on-air trivia game to close out the weekend. Easy, fun, and low-pressure for first-time check-ins.
Belmont repeater 147.22+ with 100.0 Hz tone. Backup simplex: 147.50 MHz.
Join Us This December
Upcoming Club Events
Head outdoors for a portable radio adventure, then meet fellow operators at our next club meeting.
December 5: Nerds on a Hike
Saturday, December 5, 2026 · 10:00 AM · Head Lane Trailhead
Local hams will lead a 2.4-mile round-trip hike (about 880 feet of elevation gain) and set up portable radio stations at the summit of Scratchgravel Hills for a Summits On The Air (SOTA) and Parks On The Air (POTA) activation. Step up to the mic and make a contact yourself. No license or experience needed!
December 7: Club Meeting
Monday, December 7, 2026 · 7:00–8:00 PM
Join us at the Salvation Army church, 1905 Henderson St., Helena, MT, or online via Google Meet. All times are local to Helena.
What We Do
Mentoring New Hams
Friendly help choosing gear, making first contacts, and learning local radio habits.
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.
Field Day
A yearly hands-on operating event that combines radio skills, public outreach, and emergency readiness.
- ARRL Field Day
- 2021 Balloon Launch
During this Field Day event the club launched an amateur radio balloon that rose to over 115,000 feet. Click the link for more information about the project.
Ready to Start?
Whether you are curious about emergency preparedness, outdoor adventure radio, electronics, STEM, or community service, CCARC can help you take the next step.