Huntsville Hamfest & ARRL National Convention
2026-08-23 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver) | Huntsville Hamfest – 22 Von Braun Center South Hall, 700 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL, 35801, United States
Welcome to Hamfest 2026!
Ticket Sales, Commercial & Flea Market registrations are all open. Hotel reservation links are open too for booking your stay in Huntsville.
For the first time since 2007, we will again host the ARRL National Convention. The League will have an increased presence with several representatives from HQ.
Forum scheduling will also grow this year with an additional room at the Embassy Suites.
Come join us August 22-23 in the air-conditioned South Hall of the Von Braun Center for fun, friendship, education, shopping for new & old, and more.
For more information: Website address: https://hamfest.org

Mailing Address:
Huntsville Hamfest Association, Inc.
PO Box 12534
Huntsville, AL 35801
Email: info@hamfest.org

Mad Gravel Race
2026-09-06 07:00 - 17:00, 2027-09-05 07:00 - 17:00, 2028-09-03 07:00 - 17:00, 2029-09-02 07:00 - 17:00, 2030-09-01 07:00 - 17:00 | Peaceful Valley Scout Ranch, 22799 Elbert Rd., Elbert, CO, 80106, United States
Elbert County is where you want to be to celebrate the Sunday of Labor Day weekend this year!

Located in Kiowa, Colorado, the Mad Gravel Race is a series of events that are held over the Labor Day weekend each year. ARESDEC is proud to provide communications support for Elbert County OEM and the event sponsor. There are three races of different distances, described below.

Hemi Hustle: 30 miles

At 30 miles, the Hemi Hustle is the best route for those that want a great sampling of the region while still enjoying the unique roads and views of Elbert County. On 100% gravel roads, this amazing course delivers the Hemi experience in a condensed form. While you get a custom number plate, it is not a competitive event. This is the shortest route, but know you still will conquer a very challenging course.

Hemi Five-O: 50 miles

At a hefty 50 miles, Hemi Five-O is slightly less sadistic than its parent. Plenty of mileage while still enjoying an epic tour of the eastern plains. Prepare yourself for some awe-inspiring moments while you take in a great panorama of Colorado’s high peaks. Pikes Peak alone is stunning in late spring with its snow-capped summit. Fully supported with an aid station in the middle so you can pack light.

Hemi: 100 miles

100 miles of pure bliss. The Hemi will cover over 6400 feet of climbing while topping out at 7300 ft. This course is a perfect blend of all the killer gravel roads in Elbert County. While you’ll get wide open power sections, expect some climbing that will test the legs over this distance. Wind in May east of the Colorado front range? Yeah it’s likely. 3 aid stations to serve your hydration and nutritional needs.

Mad Gravel and Rattler Racing have combined efforts with the Junior Cycling Project, a Colorado non-profit charitable organization to create this event. Together, they work to expand on the shared mission of getting juniors on bikes, introduce new cycling opportunities, and work with like minded non-profits to get bikes in the hands of those juniors in need. By working and partnering with the community, they advance the cause of supporting junior riders and give them the resources and avenues to help them grow. After all, they are the future of the sport!.
ARESDEC is proud to provide communications support to this important event and the community that supports them!

Heroes Gala - Douglas County Community Foundation
2026-09-11 17:30 - 23:00 | Centennial Airport-Signature Aviation South Jet Hangar, 8123 S. Interport Blvd., Englewood, CO, 80112, United States
ARESDEC is honored to participate in the Douglas County Community Foundation’s (DCCF) Heroes Gala at Centennial Airport. The Heroes Gala is the DCCF’s annual signature event that honors Douglas County first responders, Armed Forces members, and non-profit partner organizations supporting these brave heroes. It is an unforgettable night of inspiration and celebration helping raise funds for DCCF and the Community Emergency Relief Fund, which can quickly be accessed and distributed to provide direct assistance to our community, non profit partners, and first responders during catastrophic events affecting Douglas County.
ABOUT ARESDEC:
ARESDEC or Amateur Radio Emergency Service of Douglas and Elbert Counties is an all-volunteer public service organization, consisting of licensed and trained Amateur Radio operators who provide communications for community events and in times of emergency. We are one of 28 ARES districts in the state of Colorado serving Douglas and Elbert Counties.
For more than 30 years, ARESDEC has been serving our community in times of emergency and disaster by providing volunteer communications services to public safety agencies and support organizations (i.e., American Red Cross and Salvation Army). We are a service organization comprised of amateur radio operators who donate our time, equipment, and expertise. We train our members to use best communications practices to effectively assist our served agencies.
We are honored to participate in this signature event each year.
For more information about ARESDEC, please contact us at PIO@aresdec.org.

ARESDEC Staff at Heroes Gala 2025 with Mobile Communications Center and Portable Radio Setup
Wade (K0WJF), Perry (W6AUN), Dick K8ZTT), Alex (W0AJO), Peter (W0OW), Peter (KC0FJA)

Fall Poker Run
2026-09-13 07:00 - 17:00, 2027-09-12 07:00 - 17:00, 2028-09-10 07:00 - 17:00, 2029-09-09 07:00 - 17:00, 2030-09-08 07:00 - 17:00 | Rampart Range, CO, United States
Twice a year, the Rampart Range Motorcycle Management Committee sponsors a non-competitive Poker Run for off-road motorcycles (no ATV’s) and riders of all ages. There is a short course (approximately 15-25 miles) and a long course (approximately 50-55 miles). Riders of all abilities are welcome. Prizes are awarded on the basis of the poker hand you draw at the final check point. The Fall Poker Run is not a race, it is an EVENT!
This is a non-competitive event and the 5 prizes awarded for each course are based on the rider’s luck in drawing one of the five highest winning poker hands consisting of five (short course) or seven (long course) total cards at the final checkpoint. It’s truly a wonderful experience.
ARESDEC will provide tactical communications & situational awareness for Poker Run event staff. ARESDEC members should expect to provide APRS/LoRa tracking, checkpoint communications, Forward Observer (FOB), observe Poker Run operations and monitor the Net, report any emergencies, medical issues, and/or disabled bikes, and report rider activity like first rider through, sweeps passing through the checkpoints, and event staff arriving and departing. We coordinate with Douglas County Search & Rescue (DCSAR) for their services if needed on the course.
ARES R1D5 Members can contact Training@aresdec.org or staff@aresdec.org if you have questions, suggestions or concerns. We look forward to working with the event sponsor and partners for a successful event!
Background: The Rampart Range Fall Poker Run is planned and run by the RRMMC (Rampart Range Motorcycle Management Committee). RRMMC is an all-volunteer, nonprofit corporation founded in 1972 to work with the Forest Service to promote and preserve dirt bike trail riding opportunities in the Rampart Range area of Pike National Forest near Sedalia, Colorado.
Event Website: http://rampartrange.org/poker-run/

NA0TC TechFest - by 285 TechConnect Radio Club
2026-11-14 08:00 - 15:00 | Bridge Church – Lakewood CO, 3101 S Kipling St, Lakewood, CO, 80227, United States
The 285 TechConnect Radio Club presents an annual TechFest in November, a club tradition since 2006. The TechFest has 5 hours of presentations on technical topics related to amateur radio, plus a “demo corner” where club members show off some of their operating technology, and a “free table” with donated items free for the taking.
Payment methods accepted at the door: Cash, Check, Zelle.

Highlands Ranch Turkey Day 5K Run
2026-11-26 07:30 - 12:00, 2027-11-25 07:30 - 12:00, 2028-11-23 07:30 - 12:00, 2029-11-22 07:30 - 12:00, 2030-11-28 07:30 - 12:00 | Shea Stadium, 3270 Redstone Park Circle, Highlands Ranch, CO, 80129, United States
A public service/camaraderie Thanksgiving morning event where ARES R1D5 provides communications support to event staff via observers primarily using HTs on a Simplex frequency. We provide situational awareness for the event participants and event staff to ensure a safe and fun event for all participants. Historically, proceeds have gone to the Douglas County Fallen Officer’s fund.
Objective(s):

Safely and effectively provide communications support and incident awareness to the Highlands Ranch Turkey Day 5K event supporting the Douglas County Fallen Officers Fund.
Establish and Maintain an ARESDEC ICP to serve as an effective Incident Communication Center using Amateur Radio to maintain situational awareness and aid event management with regard to problems on the course involving incidents, accidents, or injuries.
Coordinate with law and other first responders as warranted. Maintain public safety communications to DCSO elements providing traffic control for the event.
Maintain ARESDEC personnel accountability via pre-event Check-in, Roll Calls, and Demobilization reporting when returning to their home QTH (or other planned destination).

After working up an appetite, everyone will get to enjoy their favorite Thanksgiving festivities including family, friends and food. Maybe sneak a nap and watch some football!

Elizabeth Stampede
2027-06-03 - 2027-06-06, 2028-06-01 - 2028-06-04, 2029-06-07 - 2029-06-10, 2030-06-06 - 2030-06-09 | Casey Jones Park in Elizabeth, 4189 CO-86, Elizabeth, CO, 80107, United States
The first annual Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo was held at the end of May 1966. As a PRCA sanctioned rodeo since 1988, the Elizabeth Stampede has established itself as one of the best regional rodeos with the Mountain States Circuit.
Held in Casey Jones Park each year in June, the community from the surrounding areas within Elbert County and beyond come to celebrate the 4 days of events which include:

Nightly PRCA Rodeo
Parade along Main Street
Rodeo Barrel races
Concerts
Great food
and a whole bunch more!

ARESDEC is a proud partner with the Elizabeth Stampede and will provide Elbert County OEM and Stampede event staff with communications support for situational awareness, weather monitoring and reporting, medical incident reporting, assisting law enforcement and fire dispatch with communications support as needed.
We look forward to working together with the community and event organizers.

Spring Poker Run
2027-06-20 07:00 - 17:00, 2028-06-18 07:00 - 17:00, 2029-06-17 07:00 - 17:00, 2030-06-16 07:00 - 17:00 | Rampart Range, CO, United States
Twice a year, the Rampart Range Motorcycle Management Committee sponsors a non-competitive Poker Run for off-road motorcycles (no ATV’s) and riders of all ages. There is a short course (approximately 15-25 miles) and a long course (approximately 50-55 miles). Riders of all abilities are welcome. Prizes are awarded on the basis of the poker hand you draw at the final check point. The Spring Poker Run is not a race, it is an EVENT!
This is a non-competitive event and the 5 prizes awarded for each course are based on the rider’s luck in drawing one of the five highest winning poker hands consisting of five (short course) or seven (long course) total cards at the final checkpoint. It’s truly a wonderful experience.
ARESDEC will provide tactical communications & situational awareness for Poker Run event staff. ARESDEC members should expect to provide APRS/LoRa tracking, checkpoint communications, Forward Observer (FOB), observe Poker Run operations and monitor the Net, report any emergencies, medical issues, and/or disabled bikes, and report rider activity like first rider through, sweeps passing through the checkpoints, and event staff arriving and departing. We coordinate with Douglas County Search & Rescue (DCSAR) for their services if needed on the course.
Background: The Rampart Range Spring Poker Run is planned and run by the RRMMC (Rampart Range Motorcycle Management Committee). RRMMC is an all-volunteer, nonprofit corporation founded in 1972 to work with the Forest Service to promote and preserve dirt bike trail riding opportunities in the Rampart Range area of Pike National Forest near Sedalia, Colorado.
Event Website: http://rampartrange.org/poker-run/

Douglas County Fair & Rodeo
2027-07-23 - 2027-08-01, 2028-07-28 - 2028-08-06, 2029-07-27 - 2029-08-05, 2030-07-26 - 2030-08-04 | Douglas County Fairgrounds, 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock, CO, 80104, United States
The Douglas County Fair & Rodeo is a longtime tradition that holds a special place in the hearts of Douglas County residents. This highly attended event has been a showcase for the skills and talents of many for generations. Complete with PRCA rodeos, 4-H, FFA and Open Class exhibitors, Jr. Livestock Sale, carnival, entertainment and much more, this is a fun gathering for young and old.
During the Douglas County Fair, ARES R1D5 will be operating out of the Fair’s command center, and we are part of the DC Security and Facilities team. We will be using public safety talkgroups. This year we are sitting with those who are monitoring a large number of CCTV cameras installed around the fairgrounds. We will be communicating with law enforcement at the Fair, and with Douglas County Law or Fire dispatch if the need arises.
RADOs will be needed each day of the event to provide necessary coverage. Please contact Training@aresdec.org for more information.
Event website: https://www.douglascountyfairandrodeo.com/

Elbert County Fair & Rodeo
2027-07-24 - 2027-08-01, 2028-07-22 - 2028-07-30, 2029-07-28 - 2029-08-05, 2030-07-27 - 2030-08-04 | Elbert County Fairground, 95 Ute Ave, Kiowa, CO, 80117, United States
The Elbert County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) provides the request for County Fair ARES® support to provide situational awareness, weather monitoring and reporting, staff coordination, and onsite safety. We will work from an on-site Safety Station, monitor radio communications, and relay traffic as directed by Elbert County Fair Board Leadership. We will again be using DTRS (public safety radios) and those R1D5 members with Elbert County EOC training are highly desired, but not required, for this event.
RADOs needed to cover the entire event.
Event website: https://www.elbertcountyfair.com/
