Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club
Houston's Largest Ham Radio Club
BVARC Roster Lookup
ABOUT US
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!
General Club News & Events
Upcoming Events
- Jul 16th Thursday 11:30AM
The EX-ZED SPRED (FOOD)is held “more-or-less” every two weeks at a different restaurant every time (with a few exceptions from time to time for exceptional food). Any and all are welcome to join us for good times, laughter, stories, anecdotes and outright lies. Bring your XYL’s, too! We always have a good time!
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
10405 W Grand Pkwy S
Richmond, TX 77406
- Jul 26 – 7:15PM
Storm Simplex Exercise 146.940 MHz
Offset: –0.600 MHz
Tone: 167.9 Hz - Aug 9th Sun – 6PM
Board of Directors Meeting - Aug 13th Thur – 7PM General Club Meeting 15005 Bellaire Blvd.
- Oct 2-3 Belton Hamfest
- Nov 13th 14th Fri-Sat
Crossroads HamFest Columbus Club Hall
1458 County Rd 406
El Campo TX 77437 - Mar 5th and 6th 2027
Greater Houston 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
BVARC BADGES
Regular or Life member
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 can operate 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?
Anyone can listen.
But 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 will conduct a
Storm Simplex Communications Exercise on
Tuesday, July 28, 2026, from 6:00 PM to approximately 7:15 PM CDT.
The purpose of this exercise is to test:
- Member readiness to move from a repeater to simplex
- VHF simplex propagation throughout the Houston–Galveston area
- Direct station-to-station coverage
- Coverage gaps and weak-signal areas
- The need for geographic relay stations
- Backup communications procedures
This exercise may be conducted from your home, office, vehicle while safely parked, or portable station. There will be no central command post.
How the Exercise Will Work
The exercise will begin on the BVARC repeater:
146.940 MHz
Offset: –0.600 MHz
Tone: 167.9 Hz
Approximately 10 minutes after the net begins, the repeater will be declared unavailable.
When the repeater fails:
- Move immediately to 146.560 MHz simplex.
- Listen for Net Control.
- If Net Control is not heard within three minutes, move to 146.580 MHz simplex.
- If contact still cannot be established, call briefly on 146.520 MHz and listen for instructions.
- Stations may be directed to 147.540 MHz simplex for geographic relay operations.
- 446.000 MHz simplex will be available as the UHF backup.
What Members Should Have Ready
Please have:
- A programmed VHF/UHF radio
- A charged battery or backup-power source
- Your best available antenna
- Paper and a pen or pencil
- Your ZIP code or general operating location
- Information about your radio, antenna, and transmit power
- The attached frequency card and participant instructions
Members using handheld radios are strongly encouraged to participate. This is intended to identify what works, what does not work, and where BVARC may need relay stations or additional training.
All simulated traffic should be clearly identified with:
“This is an exercise.”
Any real-world emergency traffic will immediately take priority.
Please check in even if you believe you cannot reach Net Control directly. Another station may be able to relay your traffic, and that information is an important part of the propagation test.
We hope all BVARC members will participate and help us improve the club’s emergency communications readiness.
Richard Bonica, KG5YCU
President
Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club
Membership
Newest Life Members
Mike Williams – KK5SC
John Brockus – NE5EA
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
Allen Mattis – N5AFV
Robert Schaer – N5DIB
Orville Burg – K5VWW
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