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
2019 officers : Pres. Kevin W8KJ, V.P. David KX8U, Sec. Mindi KC8CKW
Treas. Joe W8JBL, Board members: Matt N8NMB, and Rob W8MRL
BCARA thanks our veteran members for their service to our country:
K8CLC - Charlie, KD8VZD - Jeff, KD8VLU - Thurl, KC8RP - Richard, KX8U - David, KE8RMP - Ray
With our modest setup at Field Day we finished 19th out of 32 - 3A stations in the Great Lakes district.
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BCARA conducted an Emergency communications drill Sat Oct. 5th from 9am-11am. The 146.70 repeater, simplex, and a 2.4 ghz data mesh network was used. The drill went well, we learned a lot, and we will de-brief and discuss at the October meeting....join us
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The Butler County Amateur Radio Association offers
amateur radio operator's license examinations,
location;
Fairfield Township Administration Building
6032 Morris Rd, Hamilton, OH.
doors open 8am, session begins at 9am..
2020 Test Session Dates are not scheduled yet.
Please check back for updates after the first of the year.
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.
Walk-ins welcome - Preregistration not required.
Exams are free ... No test fees will be collected.
Additional information may be obtained from Thurl Golden, KD8VLU, (513-939-4891 or 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 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
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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.-
“Black Friday Sale” on ARRL Award Applications Made via LoTW
Starting at 0000 UTC on November 28, ARRL will be offering a 10% discount on all applications for DX Century Club, Worked All States, and VHF/UHF Century Club awards and endorsements, including plaques, made through ARRL’s Logbook of The World. (For WPX and WAZ, only award credits can be discounted as CQ Communications is the issuer of these awards.)The 10% discount will be taken off the total ...
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The Latest Episode of ARRL Audio News is Now Available
Listen to the new episode of ARRL Audio News on your iOS or Android podcast app, or online at http://www.blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/. Audio News is also retransmitted on a number of FM repeaters. Click here and then scroll down to see the list.
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The K7RA Solar Update
We have not seen any sunspots since November 2, and at that time they were only visible for two days, and prior to that no sunspots since October 2.According to Spaceweather.com, that recent sunspot, though very short lived, was a new Cycle 25 spot: https://bit.ly/2KJ7cyyThe average daily solar flux this week dipped slightly from 70.3 to 69.9. Geomagnetic conditions were quiet, with average dai...
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ARRL Self-Guided Emergency Communication Course EC-001-S is Now Available On Demand
ARRL’s EC-001-S online “Introduction to Emergency Communication” course is now available to students in an on-demand format, allowing students to register for the course and begin work at any time. This course is designed to provide basic knowledge and tools for any emergency communications volunteer. In response to the great course demand and to expand access to EC-001, ARRL developed a self-g...
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ARRL Legislative Advocacy Committee Drafting New Bill Addressing Antenna Restrictions
The ARRL Board of Directors Legislative Advocacy Committee is in the process of drafting a new bill to address the issue of private land-use restrictions on amateur radio antennas. The proposed legislation would be the successor to the Amateur Radio Parity Act. The Legislative Advocacy Committee, chaired by Pacific Division Director Jim Tiemstra, K6JAT, will report to the Board soon, once plans...
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WA6QBU Wins the November QST Cover Plaque Award
The winning article for the November 2019 QST Cover Plaque award is “A 160-Meter Window Line Loop” by Jim McLelland, WA6QBU.The QST Cover Plaque Award -- given to the author or authors of the most popular article in each issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll web page. Cast a ballot for your favorite article in the December issue today.