BCARA History

Past Presidents of BCARA

In the Beginning

In July 2010 a group of local operators N8KYX, KD8OFL, KB8PMY and KD8LCD were discussing how nice it would be to have a group of hams that would build a repeater and enjoy some fun activities together. A couple of weeks later they were doing just that. Ryan KB8PMY put together a low profile repeater. The repeater didn't last long due to frequency conflict and lack of a site to put it up. Building on the premise, they planned to start a new group that would be of interest to other hams. The group would have to be fun, active in the community, and one which would be active as a group, where members and officers participate and share ideas, events and projects of interest to the members, not just a few individuals. Sharing with other members, operators and the community is what makes amateur radio a great hobby.

The Evolution

On August 8 2010 a group of Amateur Radio operators met and discussed forming a new group culminating in a decision to proceed with a association and elect officers. A drafted Constitution and By-Laws were introduced and Officers for 2010 and 2011 were elected to get the formation of a new group started.

In the September Meeting our name was voted on by the members present as "Butler County Amateur Radio Association" or "BCARA and over the course of the next two meetings were able to file our papers for articles of incorporation. This was complete as of October 27th 2010 during these monthly meeting  the drafted Constitution and By-Laws began to take shape and was approved by vote to become what is now the "Butler County Amateur Radio Association" or "BCARA" Constitution and By-Laws on November 8th 2010. Things were moving forward and coming together through all the hard work of it's now charter members.

BCARA Gets a Club Call

In the BCARA November’s Meeting It was discussed to apply for a callsign, and to appoint a trustee for the association call.  It was decided that Dan WB8EEW be appointed as trustee. The group helped Dan fill out the corresponding paper work to submit to the FCC for an official asociation Call. The paper work was submitted the very next day after the meeting. On November 16th 2010 we were granted a Call Sign of KD8PAN

On January 21st 2011 the Association's callsign changed from KD8PAN to W8WRK to commemorate the old Doron Brothers radio station call of WRK, WRK was Hamilton Ohios first radio station and it was operated by Joesph and Shuler Doron who were also amateur radio operators. Shuler Doron’s regular amateur station calls were “D5” (? to 1911) and “8AJT” (1912-1915)

BCARA Gets station location approval

A big thank you to Bob Anello, who owned the Property where the first Hamilton Ohio Radio Station WRK appeared. Bob was excited to let us use the original broadcasting building located on the famous Shuler and Joseph Doron Brothers' property. We were also given permission to setup a repeater at this location in the future as well. The building needed some work  that would be planned in the upcoming months. The Property still had the 80 foot tower that was used for the radio station.    

At a meeting in the spring of 2012 chaired by Don Jeffries, the BCARA members voted to approve the purchase of a new FT-450D from Yaesu.  The rig covers 6 - 160 meters, is compact and has state of the art IF DSP technologies.  This would be a great asset for the Association members to "make available to our community, state, and nation, skills and facilities to support safety and welfare of its citizens; and to conduct programs and activities that may advance the general interest and reputation of Amateur Radio in the local community." just as the founders of the group envisioned!

BCARA acquires a high profile repeater

In June 2013, a high profile 2 meter repeater system was donated to BCARA.  This repeater at 146.700 MHz covers the entire tri-state area and is a great asset.  The 147.000 machine remains a vital and useful tool for amateur radio operators in Butler County as well, as it is a solid machine with emergency backup power. The Association is blessed to have both available for use.

Public Service

In August 2013, BCARA and the Butler County Health Department (BCHD) signed a memorandum of understanding which established a relationship between BCARA and BCHD providing for BCARA to provide backup communications for the BCHD. To ensure communication capabilities will be effective when needed.  Regular tests will be performed to document the ability to establish communication links.

July 25, 2015 a new Yaesu System Fusion repeater was put on the air. This repeater allows the use of both traditional analog FM transmissions and C4FM digital mode.

To be continued...