History

The Bellbrook Amateur Radio Club (BARC) began as a communications support group for the City of Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Township Disaster Plan following the 1974 Xenia tornado and was officially founded July 4, 1976, with 20 charter members.

BARC is a 501(c)(3) organization that has been continuously active over the past 37+ years as a general purpose club with monthly meetings, educational programs, emergency preparedness, public service and currently has over 80 members from Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Township and the surrounding area.

BARC acquired space for our club house at the old Sugarcreek Elementary School in 2007. This space became the clubhouse and is used as a meeting room, training center, and a four station communications center. BARC’s basic operation is funded through modest annual dues and occasional donations by members. The communications center is used for general on-air operations by members, for individual or club contesting, for demonstrations and training, and as a BARC/Greene County ARES Emergency communications center in time of a local, county-wide, or regional disaster or communications emergency.

Meetings

BARC meets every third Thursday of each month. BARC meetings begin at 7:30PM and end approximately at 9:00PM. The clubhouse is located at the former Sugarcreek Elementary School in downtown Bellbrook. BARC also hosts a movie night every last Thursday of the month. Dinner ($5 donation) is usually provided starting at 7:00PM with the movie starting at 7:30PM.

Address

Street Address
Club house Phone: 937-985-7698
51 South East Street
Bellbrook, OH 45305

Club Mailing Address
P.O. Box 73
Bellbrook, OH 45305

Membership

To join the club, you can come to any of our meetings or movie night. You can also email us through our Contact page. Please fill out a membership registration and bring to one of our meetings or movie night.

ARRL Discounted Membership Offer BARC members are reminded that one of the benefits of Club membership is the opportunity to become an ARRL member at a discounted price. Effective January 1, 2016, ARRL membership will increase from $39 to $49 per year. This is the first increase in a number of years. BARC is an ARRL affiliated club and receives a commission for new first-time ARRL memberships transacted through the Club. BARC passes on this discount as a club membership benefit in order to promote ARRL membership. BARC members currently receive a $15 discount on a NEW first year ARRL membership cost when placed through the Club. Please contact BARC Treasurer, Paul Sharp KD8OPN, for details.

Kroger’s Rewards Program. Please remember to use your Kroger Card when shopping at Kroger’s and support BARC through the Kroger Rewards Program. If you have not yet signed up and need help, please bring your Kroger Card to the next BARC meeting and we’ll help you get registered. You can signup on line at Kroger.com, enter 83789 at organization prompt.

AmazonSmile Rewards Program. BARC is now registered in an Amazon rewards program called AmazonSmile. Charitable and non-profit organizations receive 0.5% of total purchase price (small but it adds up over time). A web page of basic Q&A info on the AmazonSmile program is available at: http://smile.amazon.com/about/ref=smi_se_ft_abt_saas. You must shop through smile.amazon.com for BARC to receive benefits. You can use your existing Amazon account. To sign up, simply select Bellbrook Amateur Radio Club as your preferred charity when prompted. AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for BARC members (and family and friends) to support BARC, at no cost to you, every time you shop at Amazon. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection & convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to BARC. So, be sure to register in AmazonSmile the next time you shop at Amazon and then log back in at AmazonSmile.

Repeaters and Nets

BARC operates both 2m and 70cm repeaters.
Remember to join your friends for the BARC weekly Net on Sunday evenings at 8:00 PM on the BARC 2m repeater, 147.045 (+)(no PL). The Net provides an opportunity between Club meetings to share news and information about Club and personal projects and activities.

IRLP and Echolink

IRLP Node: 4051
Echolink Node: 353955
The W8DGN repeater has an active EchoIRLP node available. Currently, IRLP connects and disconnects will not be audibly announced. Check: http://status.irlp.net/index.php?nodeid=4051 for current status.

To use IRLP on the W8DGN repeater, simply listen to be sure the repeater is not in use, then identify your station and state that you are beginning IRLP. There is no code needed other than to use the DTMF keys on your microphone to send the node number of the link you wish to open. When you have finished, use the DTMF keys to send “73,” which will terminate the link.

To use Echolink on the W8DGN repeater, simply listen to be sure the repeater is not in use, then identify your station and state that you are beginning an Echolink session. Using your DTMF keys dial * then the node number you wish to call. Again, once you have finished, use the DTMF keys to send “73” to terminate the link.

Special Services Club

On Thursday, 18 December 2014, BARC received a Special Service Club award from ARRL Ohio Section Manager, Scott Yonally. BARC is the 8th club in Ohio to receive this special certification. ARRL describes Special Service Clubs (SSC) as those that go above and beyond within their communities to:

• Recruit, assist, and train new ham radio operators
• Offer continuing technical and operational education and practical training
• Establish an effective presence in the community by publicizing and promoting Amateur Radio and providing public service and emergency communications support
• Promote individual and organized group operational activities and training
• Promote and maintain ongoing special interests and unique activities that give the club a special personality

Officers

Coordinators