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? 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...
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 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,...
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
...................................................................................................
APRS for Everyone!
Here is the link to the file presented at the October meeting by David, KX8U
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Repeater site antennas
We have 5 guests and no members online
The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN), founded on Labor Day weekend 1965, is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025. The net, known for relaying surface observations into the National Hurricane Center, is also seeking volunteers to serve as net control operators. Net Manager Bobby Graves, KB5HAV, reports HWN is preparing for what could be, yet again, an above-average hurricane season and that the net...
Amateur radio operators are known for their desire and unique ability to provide public service through communications. Whether activated for a severe weather event or a local event such as a marathon or bike ride, the utility value and versatility of the Amateur Radio Service is enjoyed by communities around the country. One critical aspect of coordinating the communications is the role of net...
Spaceweather.com reports that sunspot 3981 has produced more than 20M-class solar flares, including two that almost reached category X.The activity is likely to continue today. The sunspot retains adelta-class magnetic field that harbors energy for frequentexplosions.The current solar forecast calls for there to be no G1 (Minor) orgreater geomagnetic storms. A potential glancing blow is possib...
ARRL is helping members get the most out of amateur radio through On the Air Live, a monthly series of training sessions. The live events are hosted by ARRL Education Specialist Wayne Greene, KB4DSF, and offer a deep dive into topics hams will find useful. “We had a great crowd at January’s On the Air Live,” said Greene. “We showed folks how to get started in slow scan television (SSTV).”The ne...
Paul Szczerbinski, W9KHO, an employee of Ham Radio Outlet in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, received a Certificate of Honor from HRO President Robert Ferrero, W6KR, for 60 years as an amateur radio operator. This is just the second time the award has been presented.Szczerbinski’s history in radio dates to 1964, when, after being honorably discharged from the United States Air Force, he began working for...