Welcome to the 28th Annual Wisconsin Section ARES/RACES Conference/ARRL State Convention!  This year's event will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at the McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, and we want you to attend!  What better way to get updates from the last year, reconnect with fellow hams, obtain some awesome new information, and have a chance at winning some great prizes.

A big thank you to WeComm, Ltd! We could not do this event without our continued partnership with them. WeComm has been supporting Wisconsin ARES/RACES and this Conference for well over 20 years. We have another great conference in store for our attendees this year.

Thank you as well to The McMillan Memorial Library, all our wonderful speakers, and to all the fantastic companies with their generous prize donations!

Thank you from all of us on the 2026 Wisconsin ARES/RACES Conference Committee:  Kyle Schaefer, KC9SDK; Tom Burger, KA9KJE; Nicholas Proulx, KC9YLK and Myron Oestreich, KB9STB.

Visit the Wisconsin ARES / RACES site at: ARES/RACES – ARRL Wisconsin Section (wi-arrl.org) 

The WeComm network now consist of 11 voice repeaters linked via internet connections to provide the best possible voice communications between repeater sites. Our network now covers the majority of the State of Wisconsin, with a few fringe areas which are also very challenging RF areas. Our hopes would be to one day fill the remaining voids to offer complete statewide coverage.

It is an expensive endeavor running such a large network. The annual cost to run WeComm is $17,000.00. Post 9-11 grant money was readily available which aided in the development and execution of this network. But over time these grants are no longer available. As we search for new opportunities in the area of grant money we also want to remind the users of the network that donations are gladly accepted. There are several ways to donate to WeComm. Cash donations can be sent to the address below. Anyone Donating over $ 50.00 has the option to get a Wecomm Supporter T-Shirt and send your shirt size to [email protected]. 

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to WeComm.

For donation information please contact us at [email protected] or send your checks or money orders to:

WeComm, Ltd.

113 Falcon Crest

Black Earth, Wisconsin, 53515

Every donation receives a receipt/thank you letter for tax purposes.

Thank you for your support!

**Anyone donating over $50 to WeComm will qualify to receive a "WeComm Supporter" t-shirt as a gift.**

You don't have to be a new ham to learn something new in the world of amateur radio.  We realize there are a lot of members that get their ticket and need a kicking-off point to jump into the vast abyss of what they can get into.  Or it could be that you've been in the business awhile but are looking to explore a new avenue.  Maybe it's learning about POTAs and portable antennas, maybe it's working toward upgrading your license and a book is their best form of learning, or maybe it's how to storm spot and how to do it safely?  Whatever it is, someone wants to learn about it.  If you have a new book that you haven't even cracked the cover of or have a used book that you'd like to see get a second life, bring it along with you to the Conference.  We will have a spot for new and seasoned members to give a book or take a book.  And, if there are any leftover books at the end, they will be given a new life at either the McMillan Memorial Library as a big thank you for letting us use their facility year-after-year or to another local library or ham in need!

You mean.....there's a chance to win a door prize and all I have to do is show up to the Conference?!?!  Count me in!

The Wisconsin ARES / RACES Conference has so many wonderful sponsors and, as many of you already know, attending the Conference in-person has its benefit to be in a chance drawing for a prize.  But, in order to be eligible, you must register before 4pm on Thursday October 9.

What prizes you might ask?  Well, as we get closer to the Conference, we will start to reveal some of our great sponsors and we'll leave what they've donated to your imagination.....until Conference Day!

BUT WAIT.....there's more!  While we will have door prizes for general admission, we will have tickets available for purchase for raffle prizes on site as well.  Will there be a 50/50 drawing?  Perhaps!  Will there be other raffle prizes?  Also perhaps!  Stay tuned to social media for the details as we get closer to the conference!

Don't want to have to get up early for a long drive before the Conference?  You stayed for the post-Conference dinner social and now you've got that food coma?  Think about staying the night at The Hotel Mead & Conference Center across the street from The McMillan Memorial Library or at one of the other area local hotels or motels.

There is a block of rooms reserved at The Hotel Mead & Conference Center across the street from the McMillan Library for Friday (10/10) and Saturday (10/11) evening.  Please give them a call at: (715) 423-1500 and push 1 for the front desk/receptionist to reserve a room under the WI ARES/RACES Conference for a discounted price of $130/night for a Queen room.  You can also visit their website at: http://www.hotelmead.com/.

Click the Lodging and Hotel button on the top right of the page to see all your available options.

Looking to catch up with some of your fellow hams after the conference?  Join us at the Savory Steakhouse for some truly savory food, refreshments, and lots of great company.  We'd love to see you!  This will be an order off the menu/Dutch treat get together.  Sit down time will be 6 p.m

RSVP to Savory by calling them (we don't handle the dinner reservation) at 708-218-5621 by the evening of October 6.  Please be ready to give them a guest number and your menu selections.  This will help the staff at Savory be able to serve everyone in a timely and efficient manner.

Savory's menu: Menu - Savory Steakhouse - Fine/Casual Dining - Wisconsin Rapids, WI