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When Greene County calls,
BARC answers.

Amateur radio operators have provided emergency communications for their communities since the hobby began. BARC has been serving Greene County in this capacity since our founding after the 1974 Xenia tornado — and we're still ready.

🚨 ARES affiliated
📡 Greene County EmComm
🏃 Marathon & event support
🔋 4-station emergency center
1974
Xenia tornado — our founding
49 yrs
Serving Greene County
4
Emergency comm stations
GCARES
Greene County ARES affiliate
Our mission

Communications when it matters most

BARC was founded specifically in response to the communications failure during the 1974 Xenia tornado. When the grid goes down, phone lines fail, and internet stops, amateur radio keeps working. BARC members train year-round to ensure we're ready when called.

Our four-station emergency communications center at the St. Pierre Education Center is equipped and ready to operate on emergency power. BARC serves as a communications resource for Greene County Emergency Management and is affiliated with Greene County ARES (GCARES).

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What we do

Public service activities

🚨
ARES emergency activations
Activated by Greene County Emergency Management during disasters — providing communications when commercial systems fail.
🏃
Marathon & race communications
Communication support for road races and marathons in Greene County — coordinating checkpoints, finish lines, and medical teams.
🎺
Parade & community events
Radio communications for community parades, festivals, and public events where reliable contact between coordinators is essential.
Severe weather nets
Activation during tornado warnings and severe weather events — coordinating with the National Weather Service and county EMA.
🏥
Served agency support
Communications support for served agencies including Greene County EMA, Red Cross, and other organizations as requested.
📋
Emergency preparedness training
Tabletop exercises, Simulated Emergency Tests (SET), ICS training, and Winlink message handling exercises.
ARES affiliation
Amateur Radio Emergency Service

BARC is affiliated with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), a program of the ARRL that coordinates amateur radio operators for emergency communications. Our local ARES affiliate is Greene County ARES (GCARES).

Visit GCARES →
Ready to volunteer for public service?
ARES membership is open to all licensed amateurs. Training is provided. Contact our ARES Emergency Coordinator or visit the GCARES website to get started.