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What's happening at BCARA

System Fusion is on the air! (click here)

System Fusion is on the air! (click here)

System Fusion Repeater is on the Air! BCARA powered up the new146.700 MHz Yaesu System Fusion repeater on 7/25/15. This terrific technology allows those that want to enjoy all the benefits of a digitial mode while maintaining analog capabilities.  No need to buy a new technology radio to use the same repeater, unlike DSTAR and DMR systems. If you don't hear anything on your FM radio, but see the signal strength meter active, then there is probably a digital mode QSO in progress.  No problem!  Watch for the repeater to drop out and just ID and join the conversation.  The...

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,...

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  • System Fusion is on the air! (click here)

  • What is Ham Radio? (click here)

  • Why should I get licensed? (click here)

  • Ham Radio History (click here)

  • Your First Station (click here)

Tour of "T" building at Mound Facility

Entrance to "T" building
Jack, KM8N was our tour guide
15 feet of reinforced concrete for the ceiling
30 inch thick walls inside the facility
Jack describing glovebox use
A photo of gloveboxes used in the lab
Copper panels covered the walls and ceiling in one room to enhance sensitivity of eqiupment
Concrete removed to eliminate contamination when facility was decommissioned
The July 29th tour group!

Headlines

 

new BCARA logo

 

Educating, Encouraging and Entertaining - Amateur Radio and BCARA 

Our own Rob, W8MRL placed 29th in the Winter Field Day contest in the 1H division. 

There were 239 stations in the 1H division during the January 2017 event.  (results updated 7/24/17)

 

 

BCARA will once again particpate in Field Day - June 24 and 25 

Field Day is Amateur Radio's Open House -  Every June, more than 40,000 hams throughout North America set up temporary transmitting stations in public places to demonstrate ham radio's science, skill and service to our communities and our nation. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. Field Day has been an annual event since 1933, and remains the most popular event in ham radio.

If you are licensed amateur radio operator or just want to see what it's all about, please join us at

Butler County Sportsman Rifle and Pistol Club
2131 Millville Rd
Hamilton , OH 45013

Time:  2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 24 through 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 25

 

Members of BCARA attended the Milford Hamfest on Saturday, June 17th.

Seen here are Eric-KG8FE, Kevin-W8KJ, Mindi-KC8CKW.  Also attending were Mark-KC8CIE, Joe-W8JBL, Bob-W8RES

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2017 Officers Announced

 

President - Mark Baden

Vice President - David Casteel

Secretary - Mark Haverkos

Treasurer - Charlie Carter

Board - Thurl Golden (term 2 of 2)

Board - Joe Luebbe (term 1 of 2)

 

 

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 onto the education segment. We'll be touching basic electronics, emergency communications and then the main presentation for the evening each month.

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

 

Yip Yips like CW

 

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
HF Round Table Friday's on 10 Meters 28.410 (+ or -) QRM at 9:00pm

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.

Solar Data