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. We currently hold Membership Meetings on the third Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm at the clubhouse.
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 120 members from Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Township and the surrounding area.
BARC acquired space for our clubhouse 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.
Click here for photos of our events and here for the club newsletter, Full Quieting.
Street Address
51 South East Street
Bellbrook, OH 45305
Clubhouse Phone
937-310-1381
Club Mailing Address
P.O. Box 73
Bellbrook, OH 45305
The BARC clubhouse is room 1B/3B located on the first floor (lower level) of the former Sugarcreek Elementary School located on the east side of South East Street one block south of East Franklin Street (SR-725). East Street is the first street east of the traffic light in downtown Bellbrook. Sugarcreek Fire Station #1 is on the southwest corner of West Franklin and East Street. The building entrance for BARC is at the rear alcove on the south side of the building.
If you are unable to climbs stairs, please call on the BARC repeater 147.045 MHz (+ offset, no tone) or call the clubhouse phone 937-310-1381 and someone will direct you to another entrance.
Special Service Club
In December 2022, BARC received a renewed Special Service Club award from ARRL Ohio Section Manager, Tom Sly. BARC was 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
Other Organizations
BARC is very involved with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) providing Emergency and Auxiliary Communications during disasters. ARES is a part of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) who oversees all amateur radio activities in the Americas. If you are interested in learning more about ARES in Greene County, go to the Greene County ARES (GCARES) website. If you are in Montgomery County, go to the Montgomery County ARES (MoCoARES) website.
