Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club
Houston's Largest Ham Radio Club
BVARC Roster Lookup
Experience the Art of Amateur Radio with BVARC
At BVARC, we believe the best way to learn radio is to see it, touch it, and operate it.
Since 1978, the Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club has been the heartbeat of ham radio in Greater Houston. We aren’t just one of the largest clubs in Texas—we’re a hands-on community where the “Cool Factor” of radio comes to life.
BVARC is where technology meets tradition. You don’t need a license to join—just a curiosity for how things work. Come learn from our “Elmers,” get your hands on a live HF rig, and join a family of enthusiasts dedicated to the craft of communication.
Join Us at Our Next Meeting
Our in-person meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at:
Community Volunteer Fire Department Community Center 16005 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, 77083 (Approx. 1.5 miles west of the intersection of Bellaire Blvd and Highway 6)
Need directions or a talk-in?
Give a call out on the 146.940 MHz repeater (– offset / 167.9 tone). There is almost always someone listening to help guide you in!
Upcoming Events
- May 21 – TXDS – 7 PM online via Zoom . Dave McCarty K5GN will present
- May 29 – Radio Fiesta – chertz Civic Center , 1400 Schertz Pkwy, Schertz, TX
- June-July 2026 World Cup SES event https://wc2026ses.org
- June 05-07th –
MUSEUM SHIPS WEEKEND
(0000Z) 06 Jun 2026 –
(2359z) 07 Jun 2026
Please note: This is not a contest
It is a FUN Event! - June 06-07 DFW HAM Expo Hamfest
- June 07 – 6PM – Board of Directors Meeting ZOOM
- June 13 – Ham license testing starting at 10:30 BVARC test session will be at the Bayland Park Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet St., Houston TX 77074 am
- June 27-28
BVARC Field Day – part picnic, campout, practice for emergencies, informal contest, and most of all, fun! - July 11 – Ham Radio Testing – BVARC test session will be at the Bayland Park Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet St., Houston TX 77074
- July 11 – Texas City Hamfest – 8 AM – 2 PM. Charles T. Doyle Convention Center , 2010 5th
Avenue North , Texas City TX 77590 - July 19 – Antenna Build Party – Details to be announced
- October 2-3 Belton Hamfest
- If you know of other ham radio events that are not listed here, it is because you haven’t told me yet.. web@bvarc.org
BVARC Sponsored On Air Nets
Monday:
12noon Stir Crazy Net – 146.94 pl167.9
8pm Public service net – 146.94 pl167.9
Tuesday:
12noon Stir Crazy Net – 146.94 pl167.9
Wednesday:
12noon Stir Crazy Net – 146.94 pl167.9
7pm Rag Chew Net – 3.910 Mhz
Thursday:
12noon Stir Crazy Net – 146.94 pl167.9
Friday:
12noon Stir Crazy Net – 146.94 pl167.9
What is Amateur Radio?
It’s the ultimate insurance policy for a connected world.
Commonly known as “Ham Radio,” it is a federally licensed radio service that operates entirely independent of the grid. While we use it for fun and global friendship, it serves a vital purpose: When everything else fails, Ham Radio works.
No Cell Towers, No Internet: Whether it’s a grid-down emergency, a hurricane, or a remote camping trip, Hams can send emails, data, and voice signals across the state or across the world using nothing but a battery and a wire in a tree.
Off-the-Grid Capability: Amateur Radio is a DIY “Maker” hobby. We learn how to build our own power sources, program our own gear, and maintain a lifeline when commercial networks are overwhelmed or offline.
A Community of Experts: You don’t have to figure it out alone. BVARC is full of “Elmers”—experienced operators who can teach you how to move beyond a basic handheld radio and master the art of truly independent communication.
How Do I Become a Ham?
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. There are three license classes: Technician, General and Extra.
BVARC holds VE exam sessions every month for anyone who wants to get their amateur license or upgrade an existing license.
BVARC BADGES
Regular or Life member
General Club News & Events
BVARC Committees
Help us build the future
There are many volunteer spots available at every event we hold.. (Meetings, Events, On air Nets) But we do need some more permanent volunteers that can participate with a committee or committees of folks in particular areas. Please email: eddie.runner@yahoo.com
Richard Bonica – KC5YCU
Eddie Runner – NU5K
John Brockus – NE5EA
Any BVARC member
Need volunteers
IN PERSON MEETINGS
build relationships, make conversations, and help build club strategies…
ZOOM MEETINGS
you can be lazy
BVARC Website
Eddie Runner – Nu5K
HoustonHamfest Website
John Holmes – K4VMG
Mike Hardwick – N5VCX
Chuck Brown – N5CHB – BVARC Net Coordinator
Donovan
Club outreach – Hamfest, Farmers Markets, Events,
Richard Bonica – KC5YCU
Allen Briar – N5XZ
Maurice Songbird – W5RGO
Mike Shanks -KI5NPM
Mike Hardwick – N5VCX
Chuck Hale – W5WO
Mark Janzer
Chuck Hale – W5WO
Kirc – N5XJB
Marketing
Marketing is a huge thing, but we often forget, if we had a team to think about our marketing we might really increase club popularity. Make sure BVARC banners are at every event, Make sure we have club handouts at all events.. There is really no upper limit…
Social Media
We need some folks that can work magic with Facebook, Twitter, Redit, and so on..
BVARC Merchandise
Merchandise like Tshirts, Mugs, badges and more.
Chuck – W5WO
Terry K5PGF
John K5IZO
Chris AC5CM
Eddie NU5K
John Brockus – NE5EA
Kori Rahman – WX5KR
Eddie Runner – NU5K
Rick Hiller – W5RH
Elmers – Persons to Call with any questions at all about ham radio
Mike Hardwick – N5VCX – n5vcx@att.net – 713-826-6917
Kori Rahman – WX5KR – kori113@gmail.com– 770-298-8516
Eddie Runner – NU5K – Web Guy – web@bvarc.org – 713-569-8799
Would anyone else like to be on this list? Or help develop a list of subjects and experts to help new hams.
IN PERSON MEETINGS
build relationships, make conversations, and help build club strategies…
To Everyone : I want to thank you for volunteering to help me proof read this website. I am not very good at spelling sometimes, and I often hurry to get new information up on the site and do not notice simple errors.. They keep trying to fire me.. But I keep on keepin on.. Doing BVARC web pages since 2009.. I welcome any permanent help with the website as well.. if your interested email web@bvarc.org and or n5vcx@att.net
REPORT errors to:
Eddie Runner (NU5K)
web@bvarc.org
Membership
Newest Life Members
Daniel Armer – KN1HWK
Jerry Boyd – W5RG
Mike Hardwick – N5VCX
Steve Miller – K5KSM
Stephen Clark – W5ICR
Andrew Walker – KI5ZQS
Kevin Foto – KD5O
Kjell Anderson – KJ5EMP
Michael Palmer – K5MJP
Blake Alley – N5BAA
Arthur Murphy – AI5TG
Robert Beauchamp – AI5QE
Ronald Mahle – N6RAM
Thomas Larsh – K5TNL
Lee Usry – K5BLU
Johnathan Taylor – KI5OZK
Sean Linkenheimer -N5LNK
Jorge Guterrez – WK5J
Mark McGrath – N5VCM
Patrick Sloan – N5JRY
Kirc Bredin – N5XJB
Ivan Shabelev – KI5SSL
Reid WIlliams – KR3IDO
David Stevens – KI5LDZ
Robert Schaer – N5DIB
Arthur Lim – KF5JHJ
Recent Silent Keys
Ron Litt – K5HM
Robert J Polinski – KD5YVQ
Charlie Brindell – KJ5ICO
Steve Gottlieb – WA5OEN
Patrick Sloan – N5JRY
Robert Cullen – K5TPC
Willis Cook – K5EWJ
Mark Braun – W5THC
Gus Bernard – K5GMB
Charlie Prochaska – KG5KV
Cameron Mitchel – K5CAM
Michael Mustachia – KF5PHA
Steve Chancellor – KF5M
Michael Scarcella WA5TWT
Chris Heustis – W5GX
Howard Hargrove – KF5EYX
Ross Lawler – W5HFF
Tom Morton – W5TOM
Dan Gannon – WA5ANF
Area Weekly Social Gatherings
Saturday Breakfast
IHOP Stafford
6:30am
12725 Southwest Fwy, Stafford, TX 77477
Wednesday Lunch
LUNCH BUNCH: LUBY’S CAFETERIA
11:00am to Noon
10575 W Airport Blvd, Stafford, TX 77477
