What's happening at BCARA
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? 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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System Fusion is on the air! (click here)
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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
2018 officers : Pres. Kevin W8KJ, V.P. David KX8U, Sec. Mindi KC8CKW
Treas. Joe W8JBL, Board members: Eric KG8FE, and Rob W8MRL
Your BCARA Board is currently working on the 146.70 repeater restoration project. Look for big improvements soon.
Weekly Net is being held on 147.000 MHz
Please join us!
BCARA members and guests had a build session on August 18th, a part 2 kit build session is TBA
We started assembly of a "BITX40" 7watt, 40 meter SSB Rig and other projects.
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The Butler County Amateur Radio Association offers amateur radio operator's license examinations, at the Fairfield Township Police Department, 6485 Vonnie Vale Court, Hamilton, OH.
Current 2018 dates are:
OCT 27th
Our friends at Dial Radio Club in Middletown offer exams as well
SEPT 26th and NOV 14th
Applicants must furnish the original and one photocopy of their current license (if any), original of any certificates of successful completion of examination (CSCE) they may hold, positive (photo) identification, and license ID number (FRN) or social security (SSN) number.
If you are applying for your first license, please go to https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do and obtain a FRN. This web site is self explanatory and the FRN registration is free.
Walk-ins welcome - Preregistration not required.
Exams are free ... No test fees will be collected.
Additional information may be obtained from Thurl Golden, KD8VLU, (513-939-4891or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Carl Morgan, K8CM, (513-422-9384 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Talk-in will be available on W8WRK/R
146.700 - , 123 Hz PL
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 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.
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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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.-
The K7RA Solar Update
Sunspots are gone again this week, with none observed since September 12. Average daily sunspot number declined to zero this week from 7.6 last week. Average daily solar flux was unchanged at 68.6. Average daily planetary A index declined from 12.6 to 9.7, while average daily mid-latitude A index went from 10 to 8.3.The Autumnal equinox is this weekend, at 0154 UTC on Sunday, September 23, 2018...
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Puerto Rico Amateurs Beefing Up Hurricane Preparedness
September 20 is the first anniversary of Hurricane Maria's devastating arrival in Puerto Rico. Today, many amateurs there are better prepared for the next storm or other disaster that could disrupt conventional telecommunications. With this in mind, the ARRL Puerto Rico Section is hosting monthly meetings in various cities around the island commonwealth as part of an effort to establish an Amat...
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New Beta Version WSJT-X 2.0 Boasts Major Changes
As promised, the WSJT-X Development Group has announced a new “candidate release,” WSJT-X 2.0 rc1. This beta version of the popular digital mode suite incorporates many new FT8 and MSK144 features that will be of particular interest to the Amateur Radio contesting community. It incorporates all FT8 DXpedition Mode changes already developed in WSJT-X 1.9.1. “Enhancements to the FT8 decoder ensur...
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The Doctor Will See You Now!
“Tools for the Amateur Station” is the topic of the current (September 13) episode of the “ARRL The Doctor is In” podcast. Listen...and learn!Sponsored by DX Engineering, “ARRL The Doctor is In” is an informative discussion of all things technical. Listen on your computer, tablet, or smartphone -- whenever and wherever you like!Every 2 weeks, your host, QST Editor-in-Chief Steve Ford, WB8IMY, a...
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AMSAT Announces 2018 Board of Directors Election Results
AMSAT-NA has announced that Tom Clark, K3IO; Mark Hammond, N8MH, and Bruce Paige, KK5DO, have won new 2-year terms on the AMSAT Board of Directors. The First Alternate is Peter Portanova, W2JV. The Second Alternate is Scott Harvey, KA7FVV. Both will serve 1-year terms. The results of the voting, with 698 ballots cast, were: Tom Clark, K3IO, 574; Mark Hammond, N8MH, 507; Bruce Paige, KK5DO, 402,...
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Nominations Sought for 2018 ARRL Bill Leonard Award
The ARRL Public Relations Committee is seeking nominations for the 2018 Bill Leonard Award, which recognizes this year’s best newspaper, radio, or television news story about Amateur Radio. The award honors professional journalists or journalistic teams whose outstanding coverage highlights the enjoyment, importance, and public service value that Amateur Radio offers. It was created as a tribut...