What's happening at BCARA
What is Ham Radio? (click here)
What is Ham Radio? Amateur Radio (ham radio) is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics and communication together. People use ham radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space, all without the Internet or cell phones. It's fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need. You can set up a ham radio station anywhere! In a field... ...at a club station.... ...or at home. Although Amateur Radio operators get involved for many reasons, they all have in common a basic knowledge of radio technology and operating principles,...
Why should I get licensed? (click here)
Why should I get licensed? Before you can get on the air, you need to be licensed and know the rules to operate legally. US licenses are good for 10 years before renewal and anyone may hold one except a representative of a foreign government. In the US there are three license classes—Technician, General and Extra. Technician License The Technician class license is the entry-level license of choice for most new ham radio operators. To earn the Technician license requires passing one examination totaling 35 questions on radio theory, regulations and operating practices. The license gives access to all Amateur Radio frequencies above...
Ham Radio History (click here)
In 1873, James Clerk Maxwell presented his theory of the electromagnetic field. In 1901 Guglielmo Marconi communicated across the Atlantic with a radio device using high power and giant antennas. To curb interference, Congress approved the Radio Act of 1912, which required amateurs to be licensed and restricted to the single wavelength of 200 meters. In 1914 the American Radio Relay League was founded by Hiram Percy Maxim, who found that messages could be sent more reliably over long distances if relay stations were organized. Transatlantic transmitting and receiving tests began in 1921 and by July 1960 the first two-way contact...
Your First Station (click here)
Your Amateur Radio station may change, but you have to start somewhere, right? Here are some fundamentals that all Amateur Radio stations have in common: Transceiver Power Supply Antenna System The Transceiver Selecting your transceiver will largely depend on how much you want to spend and what you hope to do. If you want to explore long-distance contacts on the HF bands, you’ll need an HF transceiver. If you are interested in chatting with local friends on the VHF or UHF bands, look for a VHF+ FM transceiver. Build Your Own Radio Most hams buy their radios factory assembled,...
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What is Ham Radio? (click here)
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Why should I get licensed? (click here)
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Ham Radio History (click here)
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Your First Station (click here)
Headlines
Educating, Encouraging and Entertaining - Amateur Radio and BCARA
2024 officers : Pres. Richard N8MQO, V.P. David KX8U,
Sec. KB8QKJ Frank, Treas. W8XLV Erik,
Board members: Richard KC8RP, and Matt K8KMB
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APRS for Everyone!
Here is the link to the file presented at the October meeting by David, KX8U
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FIELD DAY 2025
BCARA will be participating in the ARRL Field Day.
Field Day is always the fourth full weekend of June, beginning at 1800 UTC Saturday and running through 2059 UTC Sunday.
We will be at Butler County Sportsmen Rifle & Pistol Club
2131 Millville Ave, Hamilton, OH 45013
This is open to the public Come and learn about amateur radio as we make radio contacts across the county and around the world!
There is another amateur radio license exam coming up. Click the link Test Session link on the left side of this screen for more detaisl
Have you completed an RF exposure assessment
on your amateur radio station?
Click the link below.
RF Exposure Calculation Information
BCARA meetings are the 2nd Monday each month at 7pm. and are held at:
This is located on the corner of Morris Rd and Millikin Rd. Near Butler Tech. Wheelchair accessible.
We strive to provide education topics that the membership wants. Each meeting has a short business section and then into a program or training segment. Topics such as basic electronics, emergency communications, or...
Join us in person or on the air. 146.700 + pl 123 FM or System Fusion digital.
Butler County Health Department
Please come and join us, even if you are not yet...an Amateur Radio Operator, You are welcome to our events and meetings. Our group is fun, helpful and we enjoy fellowship with each other. Our monthly meetings usually include education topics or presentations. If you need assistance getting licensed, BCARA has many members and resources to help you get there. Please visit us soon. 73
BCARA email reflector. To sign-up or make changes to your account click here: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/bcara
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Meetings
Solar Data
ARRL News
American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.-
ARRL Headquarters will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2025
ARRL Headquarters will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2025, in observance of President’s Day. There won't be any W1AW bulletins or code practice that day. ARRL HQ will reopen on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 8 AM EST.
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The ARRL Solar Report
NOAA reports a G1 (Minor) geomagnetic Storm Watch has been issuedfor 14 Feb, 2025. A coronal hole high speed stream is expected tomove into a position favorable for enhanced interaction between thehigh speed stream and Earth's magnetosphere. These enhancements arelikely to cause elevated geomagnetic responses, with G1 (Minor)storm levels likely.From Spaceweather.com: Another solar wind stream i...
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RigExpert’s Administrative Office Destroyed in Russian Missile Attack — Production Remains Intact
On February 12, 2025, RigExpert’s administrative office, in Kyiv, Ukraine, was destroyed by a Russian ballistic missile. All employees are reported to be safe.RigExpert is a leading manufacturer of antenna and cable analyzers and officials said they are committed to restoring operations as soon as possible.“Our top priority is the safety of our team and the continuity of our operations,” said A...
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Grant will Help Young Amateur Radio Operators Become Contesters
A $10,000 grant to the University of Scranton, from the Frankford Radio Club (FRC)in Pennsylvania, will support the development of a contest dashboard that will leverage the popularity of amateur radio operator contests to benefit science, technology, students and Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) community members.Through the grant, a team of university students, faculty, and FR...
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Amateur Radio Emergency Service Renews Relationship with Red Cross in Puerto Rico
Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES®) in the Puerto Rico Section of ARRL The Narional Association for Amateur Radio® has signed a renewal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the American Red Cross Puerto Rico Region. The agreement establishes a framework of cooperation and a close working relationship with ARRL ARES volunteers.Both ARES and the Red Cross agree that, with the resources of ...
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Robert “Bob” Naumann, W5OV, Silent Key
Bob Naumann, W5OV, passed away at his home in Texas on February 10, 2025. Naumann was a mentor to many in the Amateur Radio Service, and well known in the ham radio contesting and DX community. He served on the headquarters staff of ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio as Director of Operations from 2021 to 2024. He was an ARRL Life Member and a member of the ARRL Diamond Club.ARRL C...