BARC Christmas Lunch 12-13-25

We will be having our annual Christmas lunch on Saturday December 13th starting at 1PM. It will be a potluck style lunch at the First Christian Church in Galax, VA. Hope to see you there. 

 

 

Club Meeting 11.20.25

Our next club meeting is November 20th @ 7:30PM. We will meet at the Carroll County Fire and Rescue building at 499 Floyd Pike, Hillsville, VA. The AUXCOMM group will meet one hour prior at 6:30PM.

Carroll County AG Fair Ham Booth

A sign up form has been created for manning the Carroll County AG Fair Ham booth.

Click here to fill out a day and time slot. You may fill out the form multiple times for multiple time slots. 

Club Meeting 7.24.25

We will have a club meeting at the Carroll County Fire and Rescue facility at 499 Floyd Pike, Hillsville on Thursday, July 24, at 7:30 pm. We will follow the AUXCOMM meeting which will start at 6:30 pm.

No June Meeting

 Due to Field Day, we will not be having our regular club meeting for June.

Field Day 2025 Higher Ground Retreat Accommodations

We will be holding our annual ARRL Field Day at the Higher Ground Christian Retreat. There will be accommodations available. If you would like to rent a room or camp site, see the below website. 

http://www.highergroundretreat.com/contact.asp

 

 

New Event - MATRC Va Highlands CTR, June 2025

Our AUXCOMM group has been asked to provide communications for a new horse ride event. The MATRC Va. Highlands CTR is a three day event that takes place from June 20-23. Each day the ride begins at 06:30 and ends around 14:30. This event will use trails similar to the Iron Mountain Jubilee that occurs in August. Anyone wishing to be a volunteer communicator please contact Randy Lilly.

Club Meeting 4.24.25

We will have a club meeting at the Carroll County Fire and Rescue facility at 499 Floyd Pike, Hillsville on Thursday, April 24, at 7:30 pm. We will follow the AUXCOMM meeting which will start at 6:30 pm. We will have a business meeting followed by part 2 of Tommy's presentation on propagation.

Club Shirt Info

Below is some information on club shirts. More details and examples of artwork will be posted soon.

PC54P T Shirt- About $21.49 (+Tax)
436MP Polo- About $29.03 (+Tax)

(Per industry standards there will be an additional charge for larger sizes- +$2 for 2XL, +$4 for 3XL, +$6 for 4XL)

Upcoming Hamfests/Conventions

Upcoming ARRL Division Conventions and other major conventions

May 16 - 18 | Dayton Hamvention® Xenia, Ohio
May 30 - June 1 | SEA-PAC, ARRL Northwestern Division Convention, Seaside, Oregon
July 13 | Sussex NJ Hamfest, ARRL Hudson Division Convention, Augusta, New Jersey
August 21 - 24 | Northeast HamXposition, ARRL New England Division Convention, Marlborough, Massachusetts
September 20 - 21 | Midwest Superfest, ARRL Central Division Convention, Chillicothe, Illinois
October 10 - 11 | SPARK-CON, ARRL Midwest Division Convention, Sedalia, Missouri
October 10 - 12 | Pacificon, ARRL Pacific Division Convention, San Ramon, California
October 23 - 26 | HamCon Colorado 2025, ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention, Grand Junction, Colorado

Hamfests and Conventions

VA Hamfest/Conventions

04/12/2025 - Thawfest III
Location: Madison , VA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Greene County VA Amateur Radio Club
Website: https://gcvarc.net/thawfest-flyer/
Learn More


06/07/2025 - Manassas Tailgate
Location: Manassas Park, VA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Ole Virginia Hams
Website: https://w4ovh.net/welcome-to-manassas-hamfest/
Learn More

NC Hamfest/Convention

04/05/2025 - RARSfest, ARRL North Carolina State Convention
Location: Raleigh, NC
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Raleigh Amateur Radio Society
Website: http://www.rarsfest.org
Learn More


05/03/2025 - UnFest
Location: Goldsboro, NC
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Wayne County Amateur Radio Assoc.
Website: http://www.k4cyp.com
Learn More


07/12/2025 - Firecracker Hamfest
Location: Salisbury, NC
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Rowan County Amateur Radio Society
Learn More

07/26/2025 - WCARS Hamfest
Location: Waynesville, NC
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society
Website: http://wcars-club.org/
Learn More


08/09/2025 - 25th Annual Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society Swapfest
Location: Fayetteville , NC
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society
Website: http://cfarsnc.org/
Learn More


08/30/2025 - 08/31/2025 Shelby Hamfest, ARRL North Carolina Section Convention
Location: Shelby, NC
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Shelby Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://shelbyhamfest.com
Learn More

SC Hamfest/Convention

04/05/2025 - The Ridge Amateur Radio Club Tailgate Party
Location: Batesburg-Leesville , SC
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: The Ridge Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://www.w4rrc.org
Learn More


04/19/2025 - Ham Radio Tailgate and Swap Meet
Location: Aiken, SC
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: American Legion Post 26
Learn More


04/26/2025 - Columbia Amateur Radio Club Swapfest
Location: Columbia, SC
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Columbia Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://www.w4cae.com
Learn More


08/09/2025 - Florence Hamfest
Location: Florence, SC
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Florence Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://www.w4ulh.com
Learn More

TN Hamfest/Convention

04/12/2025 - FreeFest
Location: Bartlett, TN
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Mid-South Amateur Radio Association
Website: http://maraonline.org/freefest
Learn More


04/19/2025 - Greeneville Hamfest
Location: Greeneville, TN
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Andrew Johnson ARC
Website: http://www.greenevillehamfest.com
Learn More


06/21/2025 - Knoxville Hamfest, ARRL Tennessee State Convention
Location: Knoxville, TN
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: Radio Amateur Club of Knoxville
Website: http://WWW.W4BBB.ORG
Learn More


07/19/2025 - Greater Nashville & Middle Tennessee HamQuest
Location: Lebanon, TN
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Wilson County Amateur Radio Club
Website: http://midtnhamquest.com
Learn More


07/19/2025 - MCARC Ham Fest
Location: Athens, TN
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: McMinn County Amateur Radio Club
Website: https://mcminnarc.com/
Learn More


08/23/2025 - Cedars of Lebanon Hamfest
Location: Lebanon , TN
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Short Mountain Repeater Club
Website: http://smrclub.com
Learn More

WV Hamfest/Convention

05/04/2025 - Jackson County Amateur Radio Hamfest and Flea Market
Location: Ripley, WV
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Jackson Colunty ARC
Website: KB8ZSG@gmail.com
Learn More


07/26/2025 - ARRL West Virginia State Convention and Ham Fest
Location: Sutton, WV
Type: ARRL Convention
Sponsor: West Virginia State Amateur Radio Council
Learn More

KY Hamfest/Convention

04/05/2025 - E-town Hamfest (The Lincoln Trail Amateur Radio Club's 47th Annual Hamfest)
Location: Elizabethtown , KY
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Lincoln Trail Club
Learn More


09/06/2025 - Greater Louisville Hamfest 2025
Location: Shepherdsville, KY
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Greater Louisville Hamfest Association, Inc.
Website: http://LouisvilleHamfest.com
Learn More


09/13/2025 - Richmond KY Hamfest
Location: Richmond, KY
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Central Kentucky Amateur Radio Society (CKARS)
Website: https://www.ckars.org
Learn More

GA Hamfest/Convention

04/12/2025 - NW Georgia Hamfest & Tailgate
Location: Lindale, GA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: NW Georgia ARC
Website: http://www.w4vo.org
Learn More


04/26/2025 - Calhoun Hamfest
Location: Resaca, GA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Cherokee Captial Amateur Radio Society
Website: http://www.k4woc.com
Learn More


05/10/2025 - Forsyth Georgia Tailgate & Swap Meet
Location: Forsyth, GA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Put on for Amateurs by Amateurs
Website: http://barnesvillega.net
Learn More


09/06/2025 - Dalton Swapfest
Location: Dalton, GA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Dalton Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (W4DRC)
Website: https://www.qrz.com/db/W4DRC
Learn More


10/03/2025 - 10/04/2025 Hamfest Chattanooga 2025
Location: Ringgold , GA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Chattanooga ARC & North Georgia GMRS Network
Learn More


10/18/2025 - Savannah Hamfest and Swapmeet
Location: Savannah, GA
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Coastal Amateur Radio Society
Learn More

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.  

Donated Equipment

Our club has been donated the following list of gear. We plan to have a silent auction at the club's annual Christmas dinner. Information about the auction can be found on our Auction Page. 

1. Handy Talkie
2. Kenwood Antenna Tuner AT-200
3. Icom 706MKIIG (HF, VHF, UHF, All Mode)
4. Icom IC-703
5. Kenwood TR-7625 2M
6. Kenwood TH-F6A
7. 10' Power Cord 12 AWG
8. Knight Kit Short Wave Receiver Spanmaster
9. VFO-820 Remote VFO
10. AEA Model PK-232 MBX
11. ARRL Handbook 2010
12. AEA Model PK-88 Packet Controller
13. Mirage A1015 50-52Mhz 150 Watt Amplifier 
14. Kenwood TS-600 6M All Mode
    
15. Kenwood TS-820s Serial#730175
    
16. Kenwood TS820s Serial#610806 B unit
    
17. 7 Radio Tubes
18. MFJ Model MFJ-752 Signal Enhancer
    
19. Advanced Electronic Applications Computer Patch Interface Model CP-1
20. Astatic D-104 Microphone
    
21. Kenwood MC-50 Microphone
22. Alinco DM-330MV Switching Power Supply
23. Workman K-16 Deluxe Commercial Speaker
24. MFJ Model MFJ-281 Cleartone Speaker
25. Kenwood Remote VFO VFO-820 (With Cord)
26. Kenwood Antenna Tuner AT-200
    
27. Kenwood Microprocessor Control unit RM-76
    
28. Kenwood MC-50 Microphone
    
29. Kenwood Model S-599 Speaker
30. ABCO Electronics Communications Noise Reduction Voicegate II
31. JABCO Voicegate 
32. DAIWA NS-660PA SWR/Power Meter
33. RG8X, 50ft 95-14400 OEM/USA with PL-259 Connector at one end
34. Diamond Duplexer MX-62M
35. Woodswire Model 799 (15A) Temp Power Tap
36. SS-2B-F Temp. Power Strip (15A)
37. Stratitec Model S1003-03 Power Strip (15A)

BARC Picnic Oct. 5th

We will be having our annual BARC Picnic on Oct. 5th @ 1PM. It will be a potluck style meal at the First Christian Church in Galax, VA. Be sure to bring your best home cooking!

Note: The September club meeting was canceled due to weather. We will be discussing club business at the picnic. 

Upcoming Events for July and August

There are a few upcoming events for July and August. The first of which is the Appalachian Trail Golden Packet event on July 20th. The Golden Packet event is an annual attempt to send an APRS packet from one end of the Appalachian Trail to the other using mountain top to mountain top stations. Our local point of operation will be at Comers Rock. If you think you may be interested in helping or just coming as an observer, please contact Frank Howard (WB1USN) or send a message to briarpatcharc@gmail.com. 

On August 23rd through the 25th, the Iron Mountain Jubilee horse riding event will take place. If you're interested in helping out with a public service event, this is a good one to get your feet wet. Please contact Randy Lilly (KE4RL) at (540)239-0457. He can pair you with someone that is experienced. For further details about the event, see their event website at https://www.ironmountainjubilee.com/. 

Our club will also be setting up a tent at the Carroll County Fair during the week of August 21-25. This event really helps to show the community what ham radio is and spark interest in the hobby. If you would like to help setting up for the fair or manning the tent, please send and email to briarpatch@gmail.com.