Public Service Volunteer Opportunities!
Ham radio operators serve our communities by providing volunteer communications support for many types of events including festivals, marathons, bicycle events, parades, fairs, and more…. all in the interest of participant and community safety. We encourage you to review the following:
Guide to Volunteering at Amateur Radio Public Events which includes tips on what to bring and what to expect!
Checklist for FCC Part 97 Compliance while Volunteering at Public Service Events
April 26, 2026
OAK LAWN IL: This 5K walk/run benefits 13 programs that serve the blind, deaf, youth, and handicapped. The event occurs between Richard’s High School and the Wolfe Wildlife Area in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Amateur radio volunteers provide course monitoring, net control, and help ensure the safety of all participants. Radio volunteers are coordinated through Cindy Schaustas (N9CAS) and the Hamfesters Ham Radio Club (W9AA).
May 2, 2026
WHEATON IL: Beautiful and historic Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL was the host of this 10K, 5K, and Kid Mile event to benefit the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Amateur radio volunteers set-up throughout the park to monitor the safety and progress of event participants. Volunteers assisted beginning at 7:00am (briefing at 7:15am) and assignments ended around 11:00am. Volunteers could remain for the festival, a free beverage, and the enjoyment of food trucks, music and festival activities. Radio volunteers are coordinated through Dan Kyburz (AA9DK) and DuPage County ARES who are accepting registrations here.
May 9, 2026
OTTAWA IL: This event offers a 5K, 1/2 marathon, and full marathon event among the awe-inspiring scenery of the Illinois River and Starved Rock area. The event begins in Ottawa, IL and winds along Route 71 to Starved Rock State Park near Oglesby, IL and then back to the finish line in Ottawa. Amateur radio volunteers operate on and along the course to provide assistance to runners at rest stops and along the route while also exchanging valuable information to race organizers and emergency service teams. Volunteers are organized through Scott DeSantis (KB9VRW). Scott is offering returning volunteers the opportunity to sign-up early by using this form.
May 16, 2026
WHEATON IL: This 5K walk/run event occurs within the DuPage County Forest Preserve at Herrick Lake. Proceeds benefit the Neurofibromatosis Network which seeks treatments and a cure for NF. Amateur radio volunteers operate on and along the course to monitor participant and community safety and handle calls for assistance. Volunteers arrive at 7am, participate in a briefing and report to their assigned checkpoints ahead of a 9am event start (should be wrapped-up by 11am). Radio Volunteers are coordinated through Dan Kyburz (AA9DK) and DuPage County ARES who are accepting registarations here.
May 17, 2026
LOMBARD IL: Join a team that helps ‘stage’ parade participants, track their progress, monitor spectators and the parade route, and coordinate with organizers. This parade begins at 1:30pm and travels North down Main Street in Lombard before heading West on Maple. Radio volunteers are organized through Ham Radio Chicago and Tim Sheeler (KC9YFI).
May 17, 2026
DARIEN IL: This 5K & 10K run event also features a 1-mile walk/run with a ‘fun run’ for the kids. It runs between Cass Avenue and Clarendon Hills Road between 69th and 71st street. There’s a lot of ground to cover for our amateur radio volunteers who watch for safety or route concerns, report progress, and coordinate with event organizers. Radio volunteers are organized through Lou Bedoe (KC9BHE) and the DuPage Amateur Radio Club (DARC).
May 23, 2026
WESTERN SPRINGS IL: This 5K & 10K event also includes double 5K & double 10K runs and a short Fun Run for kids. It begins at 8:30am at the Grand Avenue Community Center in Wester Springs. The beneficiary for this event is not yet known. This neighborhood race covers many city blocks leaving radio volunteers with a great deal to monitor for safety, course conditions, weather, etc. Volunteers are organized by Scott Gercken (KB9LCD) and the Six Meter Club of Chicago (SMCC).
May 24, 2026
LAKE OF THE HILLS IL: This 100-mile bike ride through the rolling hills of McHenry County benefits the People for Parks Foundation providing scholarships for children and families in need so they may participate in park programs. Volunteer radio operators are needed to provide radio-equipped Support & Gear (SAG) vehicles or Transport vehicles. See our Guide to Volunteering for a description of these roles. Volunteers may assist for 4-hour shifts; morning or afternoon or both! The day begins at 6:30am and concludes around 4:30pm. Volunteers are organized by Keith Soldner (KC9ZON) and the Suburban UHF Amateur Repeater Society.
May 25, 2026
ELMHURST IL: This annual event starts at 9:30 a.m. (volunteers start at 7am), begins at York & Third St., and makes its way to Wilder Park and eventually to Prospect Avenue and the Veterans Memorial. Amateur radio volunteers help ensure the progress of the parade participants and the safety of onlookers while assistant event personnel. Lunch is provided! Volunteers are organized through the York Radio Club and interested licensed radio operators may inquire at the club’s contact page.
May 30, 2026
SUGAR GROVE IL: This 5k & 10k event is help along the scenic Gilman Trail which winds through forest, prairie, and neighborhoods as it connects to the Waubonsee Community College campus. This event raises funds for student scholarships. Radio volunteers take station along the course to monitor participant progress, relay assistance requests, and help ensure event safety. Once finished, volunteers can stay to enjoy food trucks, music, and festival activities. The volunteering begins at 7:00am and concludes around Noon and is organized through Dan Kyburz (AA9DK) and DuPage County ARES.
June 7, 2026
CHICAGO IL: This 13.1-mile event through Chicago’s West Side weaves through vibrant and culturally diverse neighborhoods, starting and finishing in Garfield Park. Amateur radio volunteers assist in several areas including monitoring event and participant safety at aid stations, assisting at pre-finish, mobile triage, net control and more. Radio operators are organized through Rob Orr (K9RST) at Ham Radio Chicago and those interested in volunteering may sign-up here.
June 14, 2026
SUGAR GROVE IL: This bicycle event provides 12, 28, 51, 73, 103, and 133-mile routes through the farmlands of Sugar Grove and nearby towns. Amateur radio operators provide rider support and communications on and along the route while coordinating with event officials. Radio volunteers are organized by Terrence Pogge (K2POG) and the Kane County ARES team in cooperation with Kane County Office of Emergency Management (OEM).
June 20, 2026
WATERLOO WI: This event raises funds for childhood cancer and related blod disorder research through Midwest Athletes Agains Chidhood Cancer (MACC). This is a bike event with routes that span 5, 13, 27, and 65 miles across the heart of America’s Dairy Land. Amateur radio operators provide rider support, assistance at rest stops, on-route monitoring and communications and more. The radio team for this event is organized by John Cankar (N9GUU) and the North Shore Radio Club (NS9RC).
June 20, 2026
MOKENA IL: Benefitting the homeless pets of the no-kill NAWS Humane Society of Mokena, this event offers the community a 5K run/walk in the beauty of the Hickory Creek Preserve. Amateur radio operators will monitor the course for spectator and participant safety, relay medical assistance requests, and provide other communications support. The volunteer radio group for this event is organized by Mike McGuire (K9ACM) and the Suburban Technical Amateur Radio Systems (STARS) team. Volunteers may sign-up here.
July 4, 2026
WHEATON IL: Radio team members help ‘stage’ parade participants, track their progress, monitor spectators and the parade route, and coordinate with organizers. This parade travels North down Main Street from downtown Wheaton. The radio team arrives at 8:45am to prepare for an 11am start. The team is organized by Mike Wilson (N0MO) and the Wheaton CommunityRadio Amateurs (WCRA).
July 4, 2026
HOFFMAN ESTATES IL: The radio team begins at 7:30am ahead of the 9am start on Illinois Ave (done by 10:30am). Volunteers help ‘stage’ parade participants and is organized through Rob Glowacki (N9MVO) and the Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club (SARC).
July 19, 2026
CRYSTAL LAKE IL: The event benefits the Girls on the Run of NW Illinois which is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young girst through mentorship, physical activity, and confidence-building programs. The event includes various timed swims in the Three Oaks Recreation Area Lake as well as a run course in the neighboring recreation area. Radio operators help ensure the safety of participants and spectators and are organized through Keith (KC9ZON) and the Suburban UHF Amateur Repeater Society.
July 26, 2026
SYCAMORE IL: The annual Fizz Ehrler Memorial Turning Back Time Car Show is a big event in beautiful downtown Sycamore. Amateur radio volunteers assist organizers with communications, traffic assistance, safety monitoring, and more. Volunteers are organized through Robert Yurs (W9ICU) and the Kishwaukee Amateur Radio Club (KARC).
Oct 11, 2026
CHICAGO IL: The city hosts one of the seven major world marathons. It’s one of the largest races in the world by number of finishers — over 50,000! It’s also the largest volunteer effort by ham radio operators in the Midwest. Hundreds of amateur radio volunteers play a vital role in managing communications across the route in close partnership with medical teams, emergency service teams, race organizers, and others. Organized through Rob Orr at Ham Radio Chicago.
Oct 25, 2026
SYCAMORE IL: Help the team ‘stage’ parade participants, track their progress, monitor spectators and the parade route, and coordinate with organizers. The amateur radio services and volunteers for this event are organized through Robert Yurs (W9ICU) and the Kishwaukee Amateur Radio Club (KARC).
Nov 1, 2026
CHICAGO IL: This 5K, 10K, and 15K event begins in Grant Park at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Bean and winds through the Loop and the near South side before proceeding up the Lakefront Trail Northbound to the finish line by Buckingham Fountain. Amateur radio volunteers assist along the route to monitor for emergencies, help address any participant concerns, and provide communications throughout the event. Radio volunteers are coordinated through Rob Orr (K9RST) and Ham Radio Chicago.
Nov 8, 2026
GENEVA IL: This event winds across forested paths along the Fox River. Amateur radio volunteers are positioned at rest stops and other key locations along the route to help address any participant concerns, monitor for any emergencies, and provide communications throughout the event. Don’t forget the chocolate treats after the event is over. Radio volunteers for this event are organized through Mike Wilson (N0MO) and Ham Radio Chicago.
Nov 26, 2026
DOWNERS GROVE IL: Help the team ‘stage’ parade participants, track their progress, monitor spectators and the parade route, and coordinate with organizers. Click the button to volunteer through Don Hlinsky (N9IZU) and the DuPage Amateur Radio Club (DARC).
PAST/RECENT EVENTS: Look for them to potentially occur again next year and check back here for those updates.
May 10, 2025
SAINT CHARLES IL: Few settings are better than beautiful Pottawatomie Park in St Charles. Join the radio crew who will help monitor the course, communicate participant and volunteer needs, monitor the weather, and more. This is a special event that helps fund research to fight Multiple Sclerosis. It kept operators busy between 11am and 4pm. Volunteers are coordinated through through Mike Urso (K9FE) and the Fox River Radio League (FRRL).
June 21, 2025
PRINCETON IL: This event supports the Zearing Child Enrichment Center while using your radio skills and privileges to keep people safe and connected at this 10, 30, 50, & 65-mile+ bike event across some of the most beautiful terrain in North Central Illinois. It will be a full, fun day running from 5am to mid-afternoon. Volunteers are organized through Brian Duran (KD9AOK) and Bureau County, IL ARES.
Oct 18, 2025
WHEATON IL: This event occurs in beautiful Cantigny Park with its golf course and historic grounds. Radio volunteers help monitor the route, ensure participant safety, and maintain communications and readiness to assist in the event of any emergencies. This is organized by Dan Kyburz (AA9DK) and DuPage County Areas.
Aug 9, 2025 (no ‘26 HAM services)
SAINT CHARLES IL: With a start in beautiful Potawatomie Park along the Fox River, this bike ride offers routes of 5-miles, 12-miles, 27, miles, and 65-miles up and down the Fox River Valley. This event benefits the American Diebetes Association. Amateur radio teams were previously organized by Ham Radio Chicago. Beginning in 2026, the ADA has chosen to enage the services of a private event production company for their event safety and volunteer roles including SAG drivers, first aid, command center, etc.
March 22, 2026
CHICAGO IL: The Shamrock Shuffle is one of Chicago’s best spring races, welcoming everyone from professional athletes to beginner runners with a one-of-a-kind course that weaves its way through Chicago’s Loop, starting and finishing in Grant Park. This includes an 8K run, 1-mile run, and a 2-mile walk along wiht a wheelchair race that kicks it all off at 8:20am. Amateur radio volunteers provide course monitoring, net control, coordination with event and medical staff, etc. Radio volunteers are coordinated through Rob Orr (K9RST) and Ham Radio Chicago.