The Blount County Amateur Radio Club is a general interest radio club for amateur radio operators of Blount County and its contiguous counties. Club meetings occur each Second Tuesday of the month at 7:00PM at the Blount County Memorial Museum, 204 2nd Street North, Oneonta, Alabama. Meetings are open to anyone interested in amateur radio as a hobby, and visitors are always welcome.
SERVICE
ACTIVITIES include SkyWarn storm spotter nets activated anytime severe weather threatens the Blount County area and Disaster Emergency Communications that may be required by the Blount County Emergency Management Agency. Weekly training nets to prepare amateurs for Emergency Communication are held each Sunday evening at 8:00pm on the club's two meter repeater (146.700 mHz - PL tone 91.5.
OTHER ACTIVITIES include participation in Field Day, the American Radio Relay League's annual communications exercise, held on the 4th full weekend in June. The Club's annual Swapmeet, an Amateur Radio flea market and social gathering, otherwise known as FREEZEFEST, will be January 7, 2023 at the cafeteria of the Locust Fork High School.
Volunteer examiners certified by the American Radio Relay League, administer periodic license examinations. Resulting licenses and upgrades are issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). VE Testing is held the second Saturday of each odd calendar month at 10:00am at the Family Dentistry Building in Snead, located at 88223 US Hwy 278. The ARRL fee for testing is $15.00. Please notify Jerry, WB4OWC, VE Liaison, prior to the exam date.
In order to take an amateur radio license exam, proof of identity is required:
• Photo ID — passport (current or expired), driver's license, employee or student ID;
• Birth Certificate;
• Social Security Adminstration Card;
• DD214, Service Discharge Certificate;
• Certificate of Marriage;
• School Diploma.
• If you are upgrading your license class, 2 copies of your Amateur License and any CSCE's you have.
The Amateur Radio Operator's View of the World
Recollections...
The Old Man (Hiram Percy Maxim) recognized the common bond that is shared by members of the amateur radio community. It's hardly a surprise, then, whenever two or more hams meet, they spend time recalling past events and activities. The snapshots shown below capture our club members in action. (Well, sorta-kinda. Maybe.)
An Open Invitation...
Whether you're new to the hobby or an old timer, and are not yet a member of the BCARC, we invite you to visit us at our monthly meeting. We meet every second Tuesday each month at 7:00pm at the Pine Mountain Community Center. Dues are $ 20.00/year, and 2021 dues may be paid now. The club is an ARRL affiliated club. An application/renewal form is available, as well as a renewal form for current members.
Join us in our local two meter net (146.700 mHz, PL 91.5) each Sunday evening at 8:00pm. If you're in the neighborhood, give us a shout. We would like to say "Howdy" as you go by.
Visit Our Facebook Page
We have an active group of FaceBook® followers, and we invite everyone to drop in from time to time. It's also a source of additional information about the early families who settled Blount County, as well of the County's history and heritage.
Current Solar Propagation Conditions
Whether it's a visit to the covered bridges, Palisades Park, County Caves, or a working farm, we're always willing to take time to chat. If you have time, drop in to visit the Blount County Memorial Museum for even more information.
For BCARC Members Only
If you wish to have a W4BLT.org email address, send your request to w4gzm@w4blt.org
