Free Online Amateur Radio Class

A free, weekly, 3-hour Amateur Radio Operating Class via Zoom will begin on Thursday April 3rd and run through June 19th at 6:30PM eastern time. If anyone is interested in registering for the classes, please contact Rol Anders, K3RA, at roland.anders@comcast.net. 

Subjects include: 

• All about operating - A general introduction 
• Amateur Radio Organizations - Local to International 
• Ham Radio Awards
• DXing - History and tips from the experts
• QSLing - How to get that needed card for DXCC or WAS
• VHF/UHF Weak Signal Work and Roving
• Image Operation - Slow scan and fast scan TV
• Remote station control over the internet
• Learning CW in the no-code era
• Digital Modes - From RTTY to FT8 and beyond
• Contesting - How to get started, tips for the beginner and intermediate contester
• Logging software - What's available, how to use
• Propagation - A general intro to HF propagation
• Amateur Satellites - How to get started
• Portable (Backpacking) operation - Tips from an expert
• Setting up a modern (or not so modern) HF station, Lightning protection and Grounding
• Traffic Handling
• Public Service, Emergency Communications 
  

Club Meeting 3.27.25 - NEW LOCATION

Based on past discussions in our Club meetings, and the results of the recent online survey, our next meeting will be at the Carroll County Fire and Rescue facility at 499 Floyd Pike, Hillsville VA 24343 on Thursday, March 27th at 7:30 pm. We will follow the AuxComm meeting which will start at 6:30 pm at this location.
Please note: It is best to park in the first lot right after coming through the gate, and make sure to avoid blocking any doors on the building and paths that the ambulances travel

AUXCOMM Upcoming Events 2025

 

The SW VA AUXCOMM Association participates in several public service events throughout the year. These events show the usefulness of the amateur radio service and act as a form of practice for emergency communication events. 

If you are interested in volunteering for any of these events, please either email Randy Lilly (KE4RL) or briarpatcharc@gmail.com. 

April 05, 2025 - Appalachian Journey Bike Ride, Floyd County, VA

April 12, 2025 - New River Trail 25-50-100K Run, Fries, VA 

April 17-20, 2025 - No Frills Horse Ride, Star Tannery, VA (Exit 296 on I81)

June 12-15, 2025 - Old Dominion Horse Ride, Orkney Springs, VA

August 22-23, 2025 - Iron Mountain Jubilee Horse Ride, Cripple Creek, VA

September 20, 2025 - New River Trail Challenge Triathlon, Foster Falls, VA

October 16-19, 2025 - Fort Valley Horse Ride, Fort Valley, VA (Exit 296 on I81)

BARC Member Survey 2025

One of our goals for 2025 is to have someone present a topic of interest at each of our meetings for about 15 to 30 minutes. Please take a moment to fill out our short survey on what topics you would like to hear about or give a presentation on. 

Click here to take the member survey.

December Reminders

Hi everyone!

I hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving! I wanted to send a couple of quick reminders out to everyone from the Briarpatch Amateur Radio Club:

The Net is every Tuesday night at 8pm local time. The 147.090+ 103.5 tone W4BRC/R repeater is back on line and now located at its new home on Poplar Knob. The N4VL system is still linked in during the net, so please come and check in however you can hear the net best. The net roster and preamble (a new one "updated" to be sent shortly) are on the website if you need them, or you can contact me at anytime and I'll snail mail you a copy.

http://www.briarpatcharc.com/

Our Next meeting will be December 14th at 1pm at the First Christian Church in Galax. It is a covered dish meal. There is a silent auction for club members that will conclude that day. Items and bidding information is listed on the website.

Last call for anyone interested in being a net control for 2025. I hope to finalize the Roster by Thursday. Please send me an email if you'd like to be added. I think I have contacted everyone in person or via email now that is currently listed.

Dues Are Due at the Christmas Dinner! David and Brandy will have updated information at the Dinner. If you have any questions Please contact David Roten or myself and we will get you the information you need. 

Keep an eye out for additional announcements and information. I may have a couple until I get everything caught up.

Thank you!


Brandy Puckett- KI4CPJ
Secretary

POTA on the Parkway 10.20.24

Some of our club members activated the Blue Ridge Parkway this past Sunday. A shoutout to everyone who was present:

David Puckett, AJ4BD
Brandy Puckett, KI4CPJ
Steve Wood, KO4GOQ
Scott Alexander, KO4HWD
Dan and Mae Gates, KQ4HUR
Michael Heiney, KQ4JQK
April Heiney, KQ4KAJ along with their sons Mason and Alex
Tina Puckett, KI4BMU

Be sure to checkout our full photo album of the even and take a look at the comet photo taken by April Heiney!

Burying Cable to 709

Recently a number of our club members completed the chore of burying cable to power our 709 repeater. A huge thanks goes out to the following:

Dan and Mae Gates (their home, drinks, and pizza) for raking, shoveling, and running the trencher. 

Tommy Lineberry who brought and ran the trencher, and was the main operator in the endeavor. 

David Roten for bringing his tractor which was a great aid in filling the trench and bringing Maggie for support. 

Frank Semones, David Puckett, Scott Alexander, Brandy Puckett, Junior Diamond, Dick Newel, Michael Heiney, April Heiney, Mason Heiney, and Alex Heiney, for all the hard work shoveling, raking, and smoothing!

See the full photo album here.