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What is Ham Radio? (click here)

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? (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)

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 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,...

  • What is Ham Radio? (click here)

  • Why should I get licensed? (click here)

  • Ham Radio History (click here)

  • Your First Station (click here)

Headlines

  new BCARA logo

 

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 Rob W8MRL

...................................................................................................

 

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:

Fairfield Township Administration Bldg.
6032 Morris Rd. Hamilton,OH 45011

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.

 

 BCARA -official emergency communications partner with the 

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


 

https://youtu.be/AAmQsljI0gE

Repeater site antennas

 

Meetings

BCARA meetings are the 2nd Monday each month at 7pm.

Fairfield Township Administration Bldg. 6032 Morris Rd. Hamilton,OH 45011
This is located on the corner of Morris Rd and Millikin Rd.  Near Butler Tech.  Wheelchair accessible.
 Please join us on our new, high profile, repeater! Serving the entire Tri-State area @ 146.700(-) PL 123 Please check into our weekly Net: Tuesday's on 146.700(-)  PL 123.0 at 7:00pm

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.
  • Thursday, Octover 10, 2024 9:30 AM Eastern Update:Amateur radio operators are in service across the State of Florida. The Florida SARNET has been placed in a restricted net condition to ensure traffic can flow as needed. The net is limited for agency/EOC and emergency traffic only. ARRL member-volunteers are serving with the state emergency operations center, as well in local shelters and count...

  • Editor’s note:  The following story was submitted by Don Gardner, W7PJ, ARRL Idaho Section Emergency Coordinator.On the evening of September 21, 2024, Greg Owen, WX7Z, heard an amateur radio emergency call on the VHF frequency known as the national simplex calling frequency, 146.52 MHz. Ed Clark, K7ELC, was calling to get medical help for a 51-year-old man who had rolled his four-wheeler. Mac M...

  • The first weekend of October is when ARRL encourages local groups to hold the Simulated Emergency Test, or SET. Throughout September, ARRL shared materials about resilience through National Preparedness Month. Now, as entire areas are washed away in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the utility value of amateur radio is more necessary and visible than ever. When disaster strikes, infrastructur...

  • There is funding available to organizations for eligible amateur radio-related projects and initiatives, particularly those with a focus on educating, licensing, and supporting amateur radio activities. Youth-based projects and initiatives are especially encouraged. The ARRL Foundation grants program accepts proposals on a cyclical basis three times a year, in February, June, and October. Award...

  • ASWFC GEOMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE WARNING ISSUED AT 0042UT/04 OCTOBER 2024 BY THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE WEATHER FORECASTING CENTRE.Two coronal mass ejections first observed on 01-Oct and 03-Oct areexpected to impact Earth over 04-05 Oct. Lack of analyzable coronagraph imagery makes arrival time predictions uncertain.INCREASED GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY EXPECTED DUE TO CORONAL MASS EJECTION FROM 04-06 OCTOBER ...

  • ARRL® The National Association for Amateur Radio® is tracking how amateur radio is proving critical in areas hit hard by Hurricane Helene, especially in North and South Carolina, portions of Tennessee, and beyond. In the hardest-hit Asheville, North Carolina, area, homes and entire towns have been swept away by flood waters and mudslides. Over 200 people have been killed, and many more are stil...