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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)

Headlines

 

new BCARA logo

 

Educating, Encouraging and Entertaining - Amateur Radio and BCARA 

 

 

2020 officers : Pres. Kevin W8KJ, V.P. David KX8U, Sec. Mindi KC8CKW

Treas. Joe W8JBL, Board members: Richard KC8RP, and Rob W8MRL

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

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..

BCARA Test Dates canceled- until further notice due to covid

DIAL Test Dates canceled (Miami University - Middletown)

 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) .

 

If you are applying for your first license, YOU MUST OBTAIN AN FRN NUMBER 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, (513-939-4891 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

 

In person BCARA meetings are cancelled until further notice due to COVID-19 - please check -in/listen to the weekly net on 146.700 PL 123 at 7pm on Tuesday evenings for further 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

 

 

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.
  • Radio Amateurs in Western Pennsylvania to Commemorate KDKA Broadcasting Centennial

    Pittsburgh radio station KDKAwill celebrate 100 years of radio broadcasting in November, and Pennsylvania radio amateurs will honor that milestone in a multi-station special event. KDKA dates its broadcasting history to the airing of the Harding-Cox presidential results on November 2, 1920, and the station has been on the air ever since. The special event, which will involve the operation of fo...

  • ARRL Urges Members to Join in Strongly Opposing FCC’s Application Fees Proposal

    ARRL will file comments in firm opposition to an FCC proposal to impose a $50 fee on amateur radio license and application fees. With the November 16 comment deadline fast approaching, ARRL urges members to add their voices to ARRL’s by filing opposition comments of their own. The FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) MD Docket 20-270 appeared in the October 15 edition of The Federal Registe...

  • New Zealand Radio Amateurs Lose Access to 60 Meters

  • Hurricane Watch Net Goes Back on Duty as Another Storm Heads for the Gulf Coast

    [UPDATED 2020-10-28 @ 1345 UTC] As the Gulf Coast braces for yet another hurricane, the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) has announced plans to activate on Wednesday morning at 1500 UTC on 14.325 MHz for Hurricane Zeta. Simultaneous operation on 14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz will begin at 2100 UTC. Once activated, the net will remain in operation on 14.325 MHz for as long as propagation permits and will re...

  • WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center will Activate, Other Resources on Alert

    In response to Tropical Storm Zeta, WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center in Miami will activate at 0000 UTC on October 27 (the evening of October 26 in North American time zones) to monitor 14.325 and 7.268 MHZ as well as the VoIP Hurricane Net and other resources. WX4NHC requests surface reports from stations or vessels in the affected area, with or without weather data for use by NHC Forec...

  • The K7RA Solar Update

    The K7RA Solar UpdateTad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, reports:Sunspots appeared every day of the past reporting week. Compared to the previous 7 days, the average daily sunspot number increased from 13.1 to 15. Average daily solar flux rose from 73.1 to 74.5. Geomagnetic indicators were up slightly, with average daily planetary A index rising from 2.7 to 5, and middle latitude A index going from 1.9 to...

Solar Data