Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club

Houston's Largest Ham Radio Club

BVARC Roster Lookup

Welcome to BVARC!

The Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club (BVARC) (organized in 1978) is One of the largest, most active amateur radio club in Texas. The club is growing and expanded its activities over the greater Houston area.

BVARC is a general interest club with an impressive record of public service. From contests to educational classes to supporting area fund raising events, BVARC has always been active in displaying the “art” of amateur radio. By being active and committed, it has brought the recognition and status as a “Special Service Club” from American Radio Relay League (ARRL) which is a national organization for amateur radio.

When you become a member of BVARC you join a family of ham radio enthusiasts that have decades of knowledge and experience to share. Our membership is not just for amateur radio operators but is open to anyone with an interest in amateur radio and we welcome anyone licensed or not.

If you would like to get into amateur radio, BVARC is a great place to start. With over 340 members, you will have plenty of assistance to help you along your path into the hobby. Even if you are a newly licensed amateur radio operator or “ham” we are here to answer questions as you learn more about the hobby.

Our in-person meetings are held normally on the second Thursday of each month at the Community Volunteer Fire Department Community Center, 16005 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, 77083. The Fire station is approximately 1.5 miles west of the intersection of Bellaire Blvd and Highway 6. If you need directions, you can always give a call out on the 146.94 repeater (minus offset/167.9 tone)

So come out to a meeting and talk to some of the members to learn about the hobby. If you cannot make the meeting, most of them will also be held on ZOOM. Information on this website.

Upcoming Events

February 08 (Sun) 6:00 PM
Board of Directors Meeting ZOOM
February 12 (Thur)
BVARC General Meeting
7:00PM -9:00PM
Rick Hiller W5RH on the finer points of receiving antennas- HOUSTON TRANSTAR 6922 Katy Rd
February 14th (Saturday) CERT Rodeo in Atascocita (HCFMO)Contact Jeff Walter KE5FGA for details
February 20 and 21st
Greater Houston HamFest
Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, Rosenberg TX.
February 27 and 28th
Orange, Texas Hamfest
11475 HWY 1442 Orange TX 77630
March 07 (Sat) Irving Hamfest
March 21st (Sat)Buffalo Bayou Regatta Lee Glassman WA5LEE for details
Apr 10-11 Belton Hamfest
June 06-07 DFW Hamfest
June 27-28
BVARC Field Day
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 pl167.0
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?

Amateur radio, often called Ham Radio, is both a hobby and a service we use various types of radio communication equipment to communicate with other radio amateurs for public service, recreation, and self-training.

Amateur radio operators enjoy personal (and often worldwide) wireless communications with each other and are able to support their communities with emergency and disaster communication if necessary.

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.

General Club News & Events

BVARC Committees (Teams)

The club needs your help, there are many volunteer spots available at every event we hold.. But we do need some more permanent volunteers that can participate with a committee or committees of folks in particular areas.

Membership Committee

New membership as well as member retention, greet new members at meetings and events, know who the new members are, acknowledge them and make them feel welcome, encourage them to get involved… Email membership reminders… Roll call at meetings..

Hamfest Committee

Financial Committee

Our elected treasurer has access to the clubs money, the financial committee will structure the accounts, design the reports and structure the profit and loss statements as well as project budgets.. For presentation to the Board.

Website Committee

Websites

Web committee, plan basic yearly strategies, and make daily changes, someone good with LOOKS and someone good with Function… Solicit advertisers for inclusion on website.

Field Day Planning

Meeting Event Planning

IN PERSON MEETINGS

build relationships, make conversations, and help build club strategies…

ZOOM MEETINGS

you can be lazy

Food Committee

Sometimes food is served at meetings, events and so on.. We need coordination of our drink coolers, coffee pots, food supplies and tools.. Planning and budgeting of food for events and meetings.

Marketing

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..

Merchandise

BVARC Merchandise

Merchandise like Tshirts, Mugs, badges and more.

On Air Net Team

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

Greater Houston HamFest Date Change for 2026

Due to an unexpected change in reservation policy, the Greater Houston HamFest lost the March 6th and 7th, 2026 dates. The new dates will be in February and the new schedule for 2026 will be:

Thursday, February 19, 2026 Vendor Set-up only 1 pm to 5 pm
Friday, February 20, 2026 Vendor Set-up only 8 am to 12 noon
Friday, February 20, 2026 Doors Open 12 noon to 6 pm
Saturday, February 21, 2026 Vendor Set-up only 6:30 am to 8 am
Saturday, February 21, 2026 Doors open 8 am
Saturday, February 21, 2026 Raffle drawing 2 pm
Saturday, February 21, 2026 Doors Close 3 pm
Saturday, February 21, 2026 Facility closes 5 pm Ticket and tables sales to start sometime in mid-October.

A few of the new equipment vendors will be back for 2026 – HRO, ABR, Expert Amps (Main Trading) and Mastrant and many others. So mark your calendar with the new dates!

BVARC Elmers

Hams Helping Hams
Working on a system to make it easy for BVARC members to find expert help from other BVARC members. Ideas on this can be emailed to n5vcx@att.net

Persons to Call
Mike Hardwick – N5VCX – n5vcx@att.net – 713-826-6917

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.

HAMIAM

A few folks have asked about HAMIAM.. it is kind of a joke between some BVARC members.. it is a secret word implanted in an email, text article or website to determine who reads it.. normally a sentence that says “if you read this reply with hamiam.” Stemming from conversations about who reads or cares about some folks efforts..

Membership

Newest Life Members

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

Jeffery Carson – KF5ONT
David Stevens – KI5LDZ
Robert Schaer – N5DIB
Arthur Lim – KF5JHJ

Recent Silent Keys

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

Recent Donations

Jerry Athey – BVARC – $25.00
Ryan Medina – $100
Glen Jenkins – WB4KTF – BVARC $20
Richard Cary – K5RBC – POTA $10
Terry Leatherland – K5PGF – BVARC $50
Matthew Miller – K5LKV – BVARC $10
Robert Cullen – K5TPC – BVARC $20
Matthew Miller – K5LKV – FD $10
Richard Cary – K5RBC – FD $20
Richard Bonica – KG5YCU -FD $50
Matthew Miller – K5LKV – FD $10
Richard Cary – K5RBC- 146.94 $10
Richard Cary – K5RBC – FD $10
Matthew Miller – K5LKV – BVARC $10

History of 146.88 Machine

BVARC Board Meeting Minutes.. HISTORY (back to 1981)

Houston Area Repeaters

There are huge repeater lists on the internet everywhere!, We have thrown together some good starter frequencies for a new ham.

146.84	146.24	N5HAR	103.5 PL	Skywarn – Houston Emergency Operations Center
146.64	146.04	W5RRR	123.0 PL	Skywarn – Johnson Space Center
443.825	448.825	WB5UGT	CSQ	Skywarn (Saltgrass Link System) – Houston
146.92	146.32	WB5UGT	CSQ	Skywarn (Saltgrass Link System) – Houston
147	147.6	WD5X	103.5 PL	Houston ARES
29.64	29.54	WB5UGT	CSQ	Houston Downtown
52.25		WA5DTR	103.5 PL	Houston
53.11	52.11	WA5SIX	CSQ	Channelview
145.17	144.57	KA5QDG	103.5 PL	South Houston
145.19	144.59	W5BSA	CSQ	West Houston
145.27	144.67	W5PAS	123.0 PL	Pasadena area
145.29	144.69	W5PAS	103.5 PL	Pasadena
145.31	145.91	NE5TX	167.9 PL	Baytown
145.37	144.77	N5TRS	123.0 PL	Houston
145.43	144.83	W5SI	103.5 PL	Kingwood
145.45		KA5HKQ	127.3 PL	Pasadena
145.47	144.87	W5RPT	123.0 PL	South West Houston
146.62	146.02	KB5NNP	123.0 PL	Northeast of Downtown
146.66	146.06	W5NC	CSQ	Galleria Area
146.72	146.12	WA5TRC	123.0 PL	Rosehill (Tomball area)
146.76	146.16	K5WH	103.5 PL	North West Houston (old Compaq)
146.78		K5BAY	100.0 PL	Baytown Area Amateur Radio Club
146.86	146.26	K5HOU	100.0 PL	Clear Lake Area (CLARC)
146.94	164.340	KB5YBQ	RM
146.96	146.36	W5SFA	103.5 PL	Downtown Houston
147.06	147.66	KA5QDG	123.0 PL	Galleria Area
147.08	147.68	W5ATP	103.5 PL	Houston
147.1	147.7	KA5QDG	103.5 PL	Houston
147.26	147.86	KA5QDG		La Porte Fusion Mode
147.26	147.86	KA5QDG	123.0 PL	La Porte
147.28		W5SI		Kingwood
147.28	147.88	W5SI	103.5 PL	Kingwood
147.28		W5SI	192.8 PL	Atascocita
147.3	147.9	WA5DTR	151.4 PL	Northwest Houston
147.32	147.92	WA5QXE	100.0 PL	Houston
147.36	147.96	K5DX	CSQ	Houston (Greenway Plaza area)
224.1	222.5		103.5 PL	Houston downtown area
224.8		WD5X	103.5 PL	Houston
224.96		K5ILS	88.5 PL	Houston
440.1	445.1	AG5AA		Aldine
440.1	445.1	AG5AA		Aldine
440.1	445.1	AG5AA		Aldine
441.775	446.775	KD5DFB	CC 7	Downtown Houston
			TG *
			SL *
441.875	446.875	W5ICF	CC 2	Hobby Airport areaa
			TG *
			SL *
441.9	446.9	WA5SON	88.5 PL	Hockley
442		K5DX		Houston, IRLP
442	447	K5DX	103.5 PL	Houston, IRLP
442.05	447.05	WA5AIR	100.0 PL	Spring
442.475	447.425	NB5F	CSQ	Nassau Bay
442.6	447.6	KD5DFB	293 NAC	Houston (Allstar Link Capability)
442.65	447.65	N5LUY	156.7 PL	Cypress, Echolink
443.55	448.55	W5SI	103.5 PL	Humble Area
443.6	448.6	KC5TCT	103.5 PL	Channelview, Echolink, linked to 145.270
443.65	448.65	N5TZ		Houston (Closed) Armadillo Link
444.275	449.275	W5PAS	103.5 PL	Pasadena – can link to 145.29
444.3	449.3	N5ZUA	123.0 PL	Chase Bank Building, Houston (linked to WIN)
444.35	449.35	KA2EEU	103.5 PL	Spring area
444.375	449.375	W5NC	100.0 PL	NARS – Klein
444.375	449.375	KA5AKG	103.5 PL	Galleria area
444.45	449.45	K5WH	103.5 PL	Northwest Harris County (HP Complex)
444.475	449.475	N5LUY	CC 7	Cypress
			TG *
			SL *
444.825		W5SI		Kingwood
444.825	449.825	W5SI	CSQ	Kingwood
927.0625		N5TM	203.5 PL	Katy
1,292.10	1,272.10	W5VOM	103.5 PL	Houston