What's happening at BCARA
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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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)
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 via the Moon took place on 1296 MHz.
Today we’re on CW, phone, SSB, FM, packet, TV, PACTOR, PSK31, RTTY, and other modes, bouncing signals off the ground, ionosphere, and the Moon. Hams are active in nearly every country of the world and from ages less than 10 years to more than 100. Read More
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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.-
RAC Vice-President Brent Taylor, VY2HF, Silent Key
by Allan Boyd, VE3AJB/VE3EM, President, Radio Amateurs of CanadaRadio Amateurs of Canada has received the sad news that RAC Vice-President Brent Taylor, VY2HF, became a Silent Key on May 21, 2026, at the age of 66.The sudden loss of Brent has deeply shocked Radio Amateurs of Canada and the Amateur Radio community across Canada and beyond. RAC extends its sincere condolences to Brent’s wife Jani...
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Senator Ted Cruz Praises Amateur Radio Volunteers for Emergency Preparedness
Senator Ted Cruz, in a strong pre-Memorial Day message, publicly highlighted the critical role that Amateur Radio Service volunteers play during disasters, praising and thanking ham radio operators who provide essential communications when storms and emergencies knock out power and cellular networks and communities are cut off. Sen. Cruz observed that in these emergencies it is ham radio operat...
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ARRL Solar Update
Solar activity continued at low levels during the past 24 hours withfour active regions on the visible disk. The largest events were aC1.0 on May 20 from the northeast limb and a C1.0/Sf, also on May 20,from Region 4439 that was accompanied by Type-III radio sweeps. Thisregion was responsible for the majority of the period’s activity,which otherwise included a B8.7 flare on May 20 from Region 4...
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Interview with the ARRL CEO: Remote Operating
ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA, and Dick Strassburger, N9EEE, Editor of Solid Copy, the monthly newsletter of CWops, were guests on episode 94 of The DX Mentor (May 15, 2026) for a discussion about remote operating. The show is hosted on YouTube by Bill Salyers, AJ8B.Strassburger led the discussion, which included Minster describing the contest station he frequently operates on the Caribbean isl...
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Report from the World’s Largest Hamfest
Radio amateurs from around the world descended on Xenia, Ohio, last weekend for Hamvention® 2026. The three-day event featured five indoor exhibit halls for vendors and organizations, four parallel tracks of forums, and a massive flea market that filled the infield of a horse racing track and spilled over into surrounding areas. In addition, Hamvention served as the anchor for a variety of outs...
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Outstanding Contesters and DXers Recognized