Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club
Houston's Largest Ham Radio Club
Welcome to BVARC!
The Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club (BVARC) is the largest, most active amateur radio club in southeast Texas. The club was organized in 1978, and was formed to assist the cities of Stafford and Missouri City during emergencies and weather events as an emergency communications group. Since then, the club has grown 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.
BVARC Roster Lookup
If you are interested and would like to get into amateur radio, BVARC is a great place to start. With over 330 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 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 to 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. Either way, you can always connect to the membership to find out more about the hobby and the many facets it has. Remember it is truly a hobby that has only one barrier = C.
73,
Mike Hardwick, N5VCX
President713-826-6917
What is Amateur Radio?
Amateur radio, often called Ham Radio, is both a hobby and a service in which participants, called “hams”, 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.
BVARC Sponsored NETS
Monday:
12noon Stir Crazy Net – 146.94
8pm Public service net – 146.94
Tuesday:
12noon Stir Crazy Net – 146.94
7:30 pm QuestionAir Net – 146.94
Wednesday:
12noon Stir Crazy Net – 146.94
7pm Rag Chew Net – 3.910 Mhz
Thursday:
12noon Stir Crazy Net – 146.94
Friday:
12noon Stir Crazy Net – 146.94
General Club News & Events
If you would like to eat at a general meeting, please RSVP to n5vcx@att.net
BVARC POTA December 17th
The next BVARC Parks On The Air (POTA) event is coming up on Sunday, December 17th at Sheldon Lake State Park! The hours at this park are a little shorter than usual, so we will be at the park from 10am until about 4pm so we can pack up before they close at 5pm. We don’t anticipate many mosquitoes this time around (but we will have bug spray if needed). It should be a great time with friends and we’ll be cooking up some sausages with chips and drinks. Please come on down and join the club for this fantastic event where we get to be outdoors and get on the radio. As usual we will have radios and an antenna provided, but if you would like to bring out your own equipment you’re more than welcome to do so. You can call us on 146.520 MHz simplex if you need directions to find us in the park.
Where:
Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center
14140 Garrett Rd.
Houston, TX 77044
When:
Sunday December 17th, 2023
10am-4pm
Contact Kori Rahman WX5KR at kori113@gmail.com, or Anthony Morones W5LIC at w5lictx@gmail.com for more information.
BVARC VE Test Session Saturday Dec 9th at 10:30am
Future dates
BVARC Meeting, Dec 14th, 2023, 7:00pm
Meeting Location:
Volunteer Fire Station #4
16005 Bellaire Blvd.
Houston, TX 77083
The ZOOM link will be active the Monday before the 14th.
BVARC Extra Time Oct. 21st
November 18th
December 16th.
December Brews with BVARC
When:
Tuesday December 12th at 6:30pm
Where:
Texas Leaguer Brewing Company
13503 Pike Rd.
Missouri City, TX 77489
Newest Members
Michael Trujillo –
Elizabeth Signorotti – KI5WEG
Kristan Sears – KI5VVT
Fox Piacenti – KW6FOX
Donald Burris – KJ5CCG
Rod Neumann – W5IE
Dale Henson – KE0FE
Larry Lane – KF5OXQ
David Lira – KJ5BGL
Lynn Loden – KI5WWU
Christopher Pommier –
Addyson Carroll- KJ5BVL
Levi Carroll – KJ5BVM
Jason Carroll – KJ5BVI
Venketa Appala – KJ5BVS
David Reck – KJ5BMB
Wesley Fangman – KI5SUB
Ethan Fangman –
Telesforo Figueroa – KP4P
Chuck Hale – KF5UXP
Newest Life Members
Jeff Greer – W5JEF
John Denison – KD5YOU
Donovan Bali – KG5BDZ
Lynn Loden – KI5WWU
John Holmes – K4VMG
John George – K9GUL
Matthew Miller – K5LKV
Jeffery Macmillian – KC5TT
Allen Stallings – KI5WJJ
Mark Brantana – N5PRD
Michael Doerge – KI5SKL
David Reed – W5SV
Howard Barnwell – KI5WNN
Richard Weeks – KI5JML
Brad Phillips – KD8YOP
Peter Mendoza – KD6QZH
Terry Leatherland – K5PGF
Recent Silent Keys
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
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
Matthew Miller – K5LKV – POTA $10
Richard Bonica – KG5YCU – POTA $50
Rudolph Pickut – KI5LQS – POTA $10
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
BVARC Sponsored On Air Nets
Monday:
12noon Stir Crazy Net – 146.94
8pm Public service net – 146.94
Tuesday:
12noon Stir Crazy Net – 146.94
7:30 pm QuestionAir Net – 146.94
Wednesday:
12noon Stir Crazy Net – 146.94
7pm Rag Chew Net – 3.910 Mhz
Thursday:
12noon Stir Crazy Net – 146.94
Friday:
12noon Stir Crazy Net – 146.94
Donate to BVARC
We do get a lot of Donations, as well as questions about donations.
BVARC is a 501c Organization, your donations to BVARC are Tax Deductible as well as a benefit to the Ham Radio community.
You can donate below with your credit card, or you can donate in person at one of our meetings. You can not only donate cash, but you can also donate equipment or supplies.
Ask our Treasurer for a receipt.
DONTATE TO BVARC
Donate to BVARC!
Support your local Ham Club
$10 Donation
$50 Donation
Donate to 146.94 Repeater Fund!
$10 Donation
$50 Donation
Donations
Donate to BVARC!
Support your local Ham Club
$10 Donation
$50 Donation
Donate to POTA!
Food, Drinks, shelter all cost money
$10 Donation
$50 Donation
Donate to Field Day!
$10 Donation
$50 Donation
Donate to 146.94 Repeater Fund!
We all use the repeater everyday.
$10 Donation
$50 Donation
Donate to Museum Ship Weekend!
Help with Expenses
$10 Donation
$50 Donation
