We are all volunteers here, and we have plenty of opportunities for you to be involved. Your help and expertise is needed – for tasks large and small. Consider helping where you can. See the detailed Event List below.
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January
1/3/26 KIDS DAY Twice a year, 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! Kids Day is designed to give on-the-air experience to young people and hopefully foster interest in getting a license of their own. It is also intended to give older hams a chance to share their station and love for Amateur Radio with their children. Kids Day always runs from 1800 UTC through 2359 UTC. Operate as much or as little as you like. For more information Click this link.
February
No Events Scheduled
March
3/21/26 The ride of March Horse Ride.This event will be hosted in the North Red Rock Road area, just north of the Stead Airport. The base camp, as well as the start and finish location, will be at the following coordinates: 39.816444, -119.909833. The event starts at about 0530 hours and ending before dark or when the last rider arrives back to the finish.
There will be approximately three to four field locations in addition to Net Control at base camp. We will need at least one communicator at each field location (a minimum of four operators), along with two NCOs at base camp. We typically prefer to have two communicators per station to allow for adequate relief and coverage. Exact station locations will be confirmed as we get closer to the event.
All locations are accessible with a standard two‑wheel‑drive vehicle. Each operator will be assigned a shift and a specific location on the course and will remain in contact with Net Control. Course volunteers in the area will check in with the radio operator to report conditions or issues, which will then be relayed to Net Control and communicated back as needed.
We will be using voice communications along with Winlink. Your primary responsibility will be tracking rider movement—recording bib numbers and times as riders arrive at or depart your station, as well as noting any riders who are pulled from the course. This information will be sent to Net Control via Winlink and/or voice. If all riders pass through your station early, we may be able to break down ahead of schedule. Please Click Here To Sign Up To Help.
3/26/26 Through 3/29/26 (Fri, Sat, Sun) Reno Off-Road & Motorsports Expo Location: Reno-Sparks Convention Center
Setup Hours
Wednesday, 26th — 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Show Hours
Friday — 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturday — 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sunday — 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday — 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM (Tear‑down)
WC‑ARES and SNARS are teaming up this year to host a joint booth at the Reno Off‑Road & Motorsports Expo. The WC‑ARES ECOMM‑2 Communications Trailer will be on display, along with:
Display tables featuring go‑boxes, equipment, and informational materials
Flyers and membership information for both WC‑ARES and SNARS
A variety of communications and emergency‑response resources for the public to explore
We are seeking amateur radio operators to help staff the booth throughout the event.
Please Click Here To Sign Up To Help.
April
4/4-5/26 Nevada All-State Trail Riders, Inc. Nevada Derby 24 Hr Event, The Nevada Derby, held annually on the first weekend in April at Fort Churchill, is scheduled for April 4, 2026. This long‑standing spring training ride continues the Nevada All‑State Trail Riders’ tradition of offering an early‑season conditioning event. In addition to the standard April ride, a 100‑mile distance will be included this year, providing riders with an extended challenge.
The 100‑mile event will begin at 0500 on Saturday and conclude by 0500 on Sunday morning, or when the final horse crosses the finish line before 0500. Operators should expect 4–5 stations plus Net Control, with veterinary checks located at Base Camp. For this reason, it will be necessary to have at least two people per station to support shift coverage.
Four‑wheel drive or high‑clearance vehicles are not required. The roads are rocky dirt roads—while not ideal for a high‑end luxury vehicle, any standard car or SUV should handle them without issue. Overnight accommodations will be available at no cost for radio operators who choose to stay on site. WC‑ARES will provide the necessary access pass. Please Click Here For Early Sign Up
May
5/9/26 Reno Ham Swap - Location: Cabela’s Reno – East Parking Lot Address: 8650 Boomtown Garson Rd, Verdi, NV (Reno)
The Reno Ham Radio Swap is a popular semi‑annual event (held each spring and fall) organized by the Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Society (SNARS). Licensed amateur radio operators gather to buy, sell, and trade ham radio equipment, parts, and electronics in an informal parking‑lot setting—traditionally hosted at Cabela’s in Verdi/Reno.
This event offers a great opportunity for local hams to connect, find equipment without shipping costs, and share knowledge. Setup typically begins early in the morning, with plenty of activity throughout the event. A raffle drawing will begin at 10:00 AM, featuring handheld radios and additional prizes.
Please Click Here for Swap Space Registration and Swap Info
5/16/26 The Stetina's Paydirt. Sponsor by Bike Monkey. This event is usually held in Carson City NV. In 2025 We were requested at six different locations. This is a one day event. Starting at 7:00 AM and finishing pretty close to 5:00 PM. At this event we use radio communications and digital & winlink. Please Click Here To Sign Up To Help.
June
6/6/26 NASTR 30-50-75 At Washoe Lake Horse Endurance - Start and finish will be located at Washoe Lake State Park. Sponsor by Nevada All-State Trail Riders, Inc. We need communicators, I don't have exact locations until it gets a little bit closer to the event. If you can help I can sure use you on this one day event. Please click here to sign up to help
6/27/26 Truckee Tahoe Gravel Race. Sponsor by Bike Monkey. 8:00 am Race start! ... Everything takes place at Riverview Sports Park on Saturday. This incredible venue features one of California's best bike parks.More information coming soon.Please Click Here To Sign Up To Help.
July
7/18-19/26 Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs. TRTER IS BACK! July 18-19, 2026. The return of TRTER 100 MILE and 100K in addition to the 50K & 23K. WC-ARES will provide radio operators for communications at 4 stations and start and finish. We need three volunteers for each location. Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Run is a 24 hr event.This will cover Day, Swing, Grave shifts. Most of our traffic will be reporting the runner drop-outs. Some stations require you to be deployed and camp overnight. Friday evening set-up: Start/Finish, Hobart, Tunnel Creek. Saturday morning set-up: Diamond Peak. Early setups are due to traveling to the location. 100 Mile Start - 5am and the 55K & 50 Mile Start - 6am Please Click Here To Sign Up To Help
7/25/26 Nevada All-State Trail Riders, Inc. Tahoe Rim Horse Ride 2026 Update, The Tahoe Rim Horse Ride one day event WC‑ARES is seeking communicators for the NASTR Tahoe Rim Horse Ride on July 25, 2026. This one‑day event requires operators to staff checkpoints and provide essential safety communications, including horse bib numbers, rider times, and status updates. This is also an excellent opportunity to operate your station equipment in a remote field environment, using both voice and data/Winlink communications. Non‑ham volunteers are welcome and will be paired with licensed radio operators. Your participation directly supports a dedicated group of endurance riders who rely on us for safe and reliable communication throughout the course. Please Click Here To Sign Up To Help.
August
No Events Scheduled
September
TBD for 2026 Reno Ham Swap - At Cabela's Reno - East Parking Lot 8650 Boomtown Garson Rd, Verdi, NV (Reno) https://snars.org/activities/renohamswap
9/26/2026 Virginia City 100 Horse Endurance Sponsor by Nevada All-State Trail Riders, Inc. This horse endurance is the Virginia City 100 Base camp is in Virginia City at the Rodeo Grounds. Please Click Here To Sign Up To Help.
October
10/17/26 for 2026 Red Rock Rumble Horse Endurance Sponsor by Nevada All-State Trail Riders, Inc. This horse endurance is location is in the Sandhills BLM area, Red Rock Road Reno. Please Click Here To Sign Up To Help.
10/31/26 Nevada Day Parade. We are looking for communicators to be placed along the parade route. Different ARES Members from other counties will be helping out also with this event. Please Click Here To Sign Up To Help.
November
No Events Scheduled as of 8/6/26
The City Sparks had to discontinue volunteers for Scheels Turkey Trot for 2026
December
No Events Scheduled
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