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
- LICENSE TESTING
Bayland Park Community Center
6400 Bissonnet St.
Houston TX 77074
INFO - May 09 (Sat) 6PM – Board of Directors Meeting ZOOM
- May 16 POTA GALVESTON
- June 05-07 Museum Ships Weekend
- June 06-07 DFW HAM Expo Hamfest
- June 27-28
BVARC Field Day - 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
Celebration of Life Service for Robert Polinski, KD5YVQ will be held on April 18th, 2026 from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Bayland Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet, Houston, 77074.Robert was a 20 plus year member of Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club. He was also the Pasadena Radio Relay League repeater trustee for the 146.94 repeater.Robert also helped many BVARC members over the 20 years from ham radio projects to home repairs and upgrades.Please try and attend to celebrate the life of Robert Polinski, KD5YVQ.
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?
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.
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 – 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
Mark Janzer
Chuck Hale – KF5UXP
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 KF5UXP
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.
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
