On Saturday, February 28th, 2026, the National Guard Armory in Perry, Iowa, will host the 16th Annual HARC Winter RF Fest. This ARRL-sponsored event will run from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, bringing together the local amateur radio community for a morning of fellowship and technical exchange.
Event Highlights
The armory floor will be filled with opportunities for both seasoned hams and newcomers:
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The Swap Meet: Vendors and hobbyists will offer a variety of gear, with a consignment table provided for those looking to sell equipment.
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Door Prizes: Attendees will have the chance to win high-value equipment, including a Xiegu G90 HF Radio, Baofeng UV-5R handheld transceivers, and gift cards for D&L Antenna.
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Special Activities: The schedule will include a Silent Key Ceremony to honor departed operators, DXCC Card Checking for award verification, and—weather permitting—the NØBKB Memorial Balloon Launch.
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Technical Sessions: Discussions and demonstrations will cover diverse topics such as Meshtastic, Slow Scan TV (SSTV), and Fox Hunting.
Admission and Licensing
For those planning to attend or upgrade their credentials, the following fees and schedules will apply:
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Admission: Entry is $10.00 at the door, and payment by credit card will be accepted for both admission and table fees.
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Swap Tables: Tables are available for $15.00 (admission is not included in the table fee), and interested sellers can register online at harciowa.org.
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License Testing: An ARRL license exam session will be held with registration at 9:00 AM and testing beginning at 9:45 AM. A $15.00 fee applies for the exam.
Navigating to the Fest
If you are driving into Perry, the club will maintain a talk-in frequency on 145.190 MHz (negative offset, 114.8 tone) to assist with directions to the armory at 2930 Willis Avenue.