Date: November 2024
Amount: $2,700

The Hot Springs Amateur Radio Club (HSARC) is dedicated to promoting amateur radio in Hot Springs and Edgemont, South Dakota. The club supports local events, provides emergency communications, and educates the public about the value of amateur radio.

With this grant from ARDC, HSARC is launching the Youth Licensing Sponsorship Program, which will cover licensing fees, study materials, and starter equipment for local youth. The club will work with local schools to offer students extra credit for participating in workshops. This initiative aims to remove barriers for young people interested in amateur radio, fostering interest in the hobby and STEM fields, while ensuring the club’s long-term growth and sustainability.

Learn more at https://k0hs.net.

Update

Sensing a decline in amateur radio interest and engagement among youth, as well as a need to upgrade the local amateur radio infrastructure, the Hot Springs Amateur Radio Club (HSARC) in Fall River County, South Dakota sought a grant from ARDC to help reduce the financial barriers to youth involvement in amateur radio and upgrade local repeater capabilities. The goal was to have between 10 and 15 new hams licensed within one year. Additional goals included fostering an interest in STEM careers among youth, introducing new young members to the club, and increasing emergency preparedness in the region.

With the grant secured, HSARC was able to purchase study guides and cover the cost of exams for new hams, as well as handheld transceivers for training and use. Multiple youth were licensed during the grant period. The club provided mentorship and on-air training to the new young hams. In addition, upgraded Yaesu DR2X repeaters were purchased and installed and infrastructure improvements helped link the towns of Hot Springs and Edgemont. These infrastructure-related efforts also enhanced communications reliability for local hams, area nets (the club has six nets per week), emergency volunteers and other rural users.

In addition, the HSARC used some of the grant funds to increase their community outreach efforts. They successfully publicized events by the use of radio and newspaper advertising and other printed materials. Community events were well attended, and included ARRL Field Day demonstrations, the Hot Springs Ham Radio tailgate and swap meet, and multiple school visits. The club’s website also now includes a full breakdown of the entire grant effort: https://k0hs.net/hsarc-ardc-2025-project-documentation-and-outreach/.