Bella Vista Radio Club Website

Bella Vista Radio Club Technician License Class
2024-10-26 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA), 3424 S. Downum Road, Springdale, AR, 72762
(entry level FCC amateur radio license – registration below)
October 26th and November 2nd
9 am – 3 pm
VE License Testing 11/2 @ 4 pm
Location:
NW Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy
3424 S. Downum Road
Springdale, AR
Required Textbook – Technician Class Manual – 2022/2026 Element 2- Gordon West WB6NOA
Available at: Amazon
There is no cost for this 2-Saturday class!
Registration at: BVRC website
Instructor – Tom Northfell W5XNA
ARRL Registered Instructor

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Mt. Magazine W5XNA Special Event
2024-09-14 - 2024-09-15 | AR

Joplin Hamfest
2024-08-23 12:00 - 2024-08-24 14:00 | Joplin Family Worship Center, 5290 E. 7th St., Joplin, MO, 64801, United States
Joplin ARC Hamfest
New location
5290 East 7th Street, Joplin, MO 64801
GPS Coordinates 37.08337, -94.43332

4th Annual BVRC CW Roundup 2024
2024-08-17 19:00 - 20:00 | AR
Date: Saturday, August 17, 2024
Time Period: 7pm – 8pm local time (0000-0100Z, August 19) Frequency: 3.540 – 3.560 MHz
Operating classes: CLASS A – BVRC member – Experienced CW operator
CLASS B – Newcomer or newer CW operator (BVRC member or non-member)
CLASS C – Non-BVRC member – Experienced CW operator
CLASS D – Listeners who copy and log only, with the use of FL Digi, code readers, etc.
CQing: Send “CQ CWR CQ CWR”
Exchange: Signal report (including operating class) / QTH (your location) / name
Example: If you are a newer CW operator and you are in QSO with K5XYZ whose signal is readable, their signal strength is registering a ‘7’ on your S-meter and their signal tone is good, your callsign is
W5ABC, you live in Bentonville, and your name is Albert, you would
send something along the lines of:
K5XYZ DE W5ABC (K5XYZ this is W5ABC) BT (break) RST IS 579 B 579 BT
QTH IS BENTONVILLE, AR BENTONVILLE, AR BT NAME IS ALBERT ALBERT BT
HW CPY? (How did you copy my transmission?) K5XYZ DE W5ABC K (Over)
The other station would then reply with their information using the same format. After the exchanges are completed, short informal remarks can be made during the QSO if desired, after which the contact would end with something along the lines of:
TNX FER QSO (thanks for the QSO) GL ES 73 (Good luck and best wishes) K5XYZ DE W5ABC SK (end of contact)
Description of event: This 1-hour event is not a contest. Rather, it is a celebration of our area newcomers, returners to the mode of CW, and listeners. It is also intended to enable our veteran CW operators to enjoy helping the newcomers in making CW contacts. There are no points scored, and no results or standings posted. You do NOT have to bea member of BVRC to participate.
A handsome certificate will be issued to each participant submitting a log entry from the event.
Send logs no later than Saturday, August 26, to Don Banta – K5DB:
Regular mail log: Don Banta 3407 Diana St. Springdale, AR 72764
Electronic log: arsk5db@gmail.com Attach file: [call].log

Huntsville Hamfest 2024
2024-08-17 09:00 - 2024-08-18 15:00 | Von Braun Center, 700 Monroe Street, Huntsville, AL, 35801, United States
ARRL Southeastern Division Convention

Shreveport-Bossier Hamfest
2024-08-10 07:00 - 14:00 | Louisiana State Fairgrounds Agriculture Building, 3206 Pershing Avenue, Shreveport, LA, 71109, United States
The Shreveport Amateur Radio Association (SARA) is pleased to sponsor the Shreveport-Bossier Hamfest. Rendezvous with old friends and make new ones. Browse the latest equipment from our featured vendors. Sell your used gear or find the perfect new or used equipment for your rig.
FREE Parking — Easy Access

Ham Holiday 2022
2024-07-26 - 2024-07-27 | Oklahoma City Community College, 7777 S. May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK, 73159, United States
This year the Ham Holiday, Oklahoma City’s Hamfest since 1974, will be at the Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) at 7777 S. May, Oklahoma City, OK.
Follow the arrows and use parking lot D.
Lots of Free parking. Easy access from I-240 & May. Make your plans to see us there.

BVRC General Class Week 2
2024-07-20 09:00 - 2024-07-21 15:30 | Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA), 3424 S. Downum Road, Springdale, AR, 72762
BVRC General Class Week 2
Saturday July 20th, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sunday July 21st, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Testing @ 3:30 p.m.

BVRC General Class Week 1
2024-07-13 09:00 - 2024-07-14 15:30 | Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA), 3424 S. Downum Road, Springdale, AR, 72762
BVRC General Class Week one
Saturday July 13th, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sunday July 14th, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Field Day 2024
2024-06-22 08:00 - 2024-06-23 17:00 | Metfield Park, 49 Commonwealth Road, BELLA VISTA, AR, 72714, United States
Setup: Field Day is always the fourth full weekend of June, beginning at 1800 UTC Saturday and running through 2059 UTC Sunday. June 22 9 a.m. CDT
Operating begins at 1 p.m. CDT, and ends June 23 at 12:59:59 p.m. CDT (24 hours).
Directions: From Hwy 71, look for directional signs at Trafalgar & McNelly Rd/Hwy 340;eastward looking for other directional signs to Commonwealth Rd; then east a short distance on Commonwealth to the Metfield Pavilion parking lot, where you’ll find us!
Look for the lead-in signs. A more detailed event itinerary will be published closer to the event. We hope you plan to attend and participate!

SMARC Pre-Field Day Hamfest
2024-06-01 08:00 - 15:00 | The Salvation Army Springfield, 1707 W Chestnut Expy, Springfield, 65802, United States
The Southwest Missouri Armature Radio Club is back this year with an even bigger event! We’ve extended to 100 tables this year as well as outdoor vendor and tailgater area.
You can still purchase discounted advanced entry tickets and tables online with paypal or a credit/debit card. We’ve already sold half our tables so far this year with months to go to the event.
We’ll be doing license examinations, special classes (common mode, introduction to amateur radio, ARRL and more), lots of tables and lots of commercial vendors too!

Arkansas QSO Party
2024-05-18 09:00 - 21:00 | AR

Pea Ridge Tailgate
2024-05-18 08:00 - 15:00 | Pea Ridge City Park, 2344 Hayden Road, Pea Ridge, AR, 72751
KA4AFE Memorial Pea Ridge Tailgate
The Spring edition of the Memorial KA4AFE Pea Ridge Tailgate/Swapmeet is now famous! Stop by for a great fun and food!
8:00 AM at the Pea Ridge City Park, NOT the National Military Park
Location: 2344 Hayden Road, Pea Ridge, AR. 72751
Let’s all get over to our only local area hamfest, and support these guys! Word is that this may be the last Pea Ridge Tailgate!

Dayton Hamvention
2024-05-17 - 2024-05-19 | Greene County Fair and Expo Center, 210 Fairground Road, Xenia, OH, 45385, United States
Our theme of “Expanding Our Community” is one that describes every Elmer’s efforts. They give back to the hobby by teaching and encouraging others to either start or expand their radio knowledge. This takes many forms. Some of these are electronic knowledge, new modes of radio communications, learning emergency communication requirements, and finding unrelated fields/hobbies that augment radio communication and knowledge. Experimentation is the bedrock of Amateur Radio. How are you expanding our community?
We must keep our eyes and ears open around us to take advantage of growth opportunities.
Additionally, this year, we host and feature the ARRL National Convention. They will have excellent speakers and opportunities to learn.
This is your chance to see all your radio friends from around the world. It is exciting to be part of the Amateur Radio Community.
Tune to 1620 AM on your way into Hamvention for daily weather forecasts, parking information and event updates. Typical range is a 5 miles from the Greene Co Fairgrounds.

ARRL SSB Rookie Roundup
2024-04-21 12:00 - 19:00 | AR
1800 UTC through 2359 UTC (1pm – 6:59pm local Daylight Savings time).
Mission: To encourage newly-licensed operators (“Rookies”) in North America (including territories and possessions) to operate on the HF bands and experience competitive Amateur Radio operating. Experienced operators (“Non-Rookies”) are strongly encouraged to participate and help new operators – either on the air or in person.
Objective: Rookies exchange information with as many other stations as possible on the 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter HF bands. Rookie entrants are encouraged to read “HF Contesting – Good Practices, Interpretations and Suggestions.”

HamBash 2023
2024-04-20 08:00 - 13:00 | Ararat Shrine Temple, 5100 Ararat Drive, Kansas City, MO, 64101, United States
“We Talk so They can Walk”
The Ararat Radio Club is dedicated to using their communication skills to assist the Shrine in its mission. “We talk so they can walk” is our motto.

N5T Train Mobile Special Event
2024-04-20 | Arkansas and Missouri Railroad, 305 E Emma Avenue, Springdale, AR, 72764, United States
Bella Vista area Radio Club announces a very special operating event – the N5T Train Mobile Event on the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad excursion train! This will be the trip of a lifetime, affording BVRC members the opportunity to operate from a moving train – train mobile! Train mobiles are extremely rare and the pileups from stations wishing to work them are always large – a great operational experience!
This will be a day-long 134-mile round trip which includes a three-hour layover in historic downtown Van Buren where you can enjoy lunch in one of several local cafes, shop along Main Street, and enjoy the rich architecture of the historic downtown buildings. The trip will travel through breath-taking views of the Boston Mountains, through the quarter mile tunnel at Winslow, and over high trestles, the highest being over 125 feet from the valley floor. Join us for exciting operating and great fellowship! Details about this extraordinary event are HERE.

Green Country Hamfest (Claremore)
2024-04-12 16:00 - 2024-04-13 15:00 | Claremore Expo Center, 400 Veterans Parkway, Claremore, OK, 74017
2023 Oklahoma State Convention
Friday open to public at 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday open to public 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Setup Friday 12 p.m.
Setup at 7 a.m. Saturday until 8 a.m..

Memphis Freefest
2024-04-06 09:00 - 15:00 | Bartlett Station Municipal Center, 5868 Stage Road, Bartlett, TN, 38134, United States

2024 Solar Eclipse
2024-04-05 - 2024-04-09 | Spadra Park, Jamestown Road, Clarksville, AR, 72830, United States
We will be out in force on April 8th, 2024, at Spadra Park just 2 miles south of I-40 in Clarksville, around 1:50 P.M. CST.
1) We now have five rigs as part of our campout to add to the fun this weekend:
Jan and Prudence Hagan
Robert and Dana Hill
Dana and Connie Widboom
Glenn Kilpatrick
Joe and Mary Lou Hott
2) Big news is that NASA has chosen Russellville, AR as the site of their live national broadcast of the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse. Our campground is just a few miles from Russellville right in the middle of the total eclipse zone. Here is an article about NASA’s plans:
NASA’s Live Solar Eclipse Broadcast in Russellville, AR
Well, our BVRC Solar Eclipse Adventure is coming up in less than three weeks at Spadra park in Clarksville and I have requested sunny warm days for the entire weekend including Monday, April 8th!
First, here are again some reminders and considerations to make your camping experience at Spadra the most enjoyable:
1. Consider bringing bicycles to get around the campground as our campsites are in a row together but are spaced pretty far apart. This will make it easy to visit each other during the weekend.
2. Bring lawn chairs and a large folding table if you have one for our Solar Eclipse Potluck and other activities.
3. Bring 100 to 150 feet of potable water hose. There is not water available at each site. If you have enough hose, it may be possible to share a water connection with a site that does have water. If not, we can fill your freshwater tank from the water connection at our site before you move on to set up at your site.
4. If you have a portable dump tank, you might want to bring that along. We will be camping from Friday to Tuesday, so you may need to dump your tanks. Using a portable dump tank is better than having to move your rig to the dump station and back.
5) Spadra COE is located in the Dardanelle Wildlife Management Area, US-7280.
Activating this park as a Parks On The Air site during the solar eclipse weekend is sure to be an attraction to POTA hunters around the country and the world.
Weekend Schedule of Activities
I know that we will have lots of time for radio operations, relaxing and “hanging out” during the weekend, but, in consideration of our significant others who will not be operating I have a proposed schedule for this special weekend that will balance opportunities on the air with fun and interesting activities surrounding the solar eclipse designed to be interesting to us all. Here is the proposed schedule:
Friday, April 5th
“Dessert Night Around the Firepit” 7:30 pm – After you arrive, set up and have dinner join the Hagans at site C5 for dessert and conversation around the firepit. Bring a beverage and a dessert to share if you like. The Hagans will have desserts for you to sample as well. We will coordinate our radio operations plans for the weekend over dessert.
Saturday, April 6th
At 11:00 am, we’ll take a trip into Russellville for NASA’s Solar Eclipse Presentation and a visit to the Eclipse Market 2024. After, we can have a homestyle early dinner at one of Russellville’s local favorites, the Old South restaurant, recently rebuilt after being destroyed by fire last year. Later in the weekend, Russellville will be packed, so this is a good opportunity to avoid the biggest crowds.
Sunday, April 7th
“Breakfast burritos with fresh fruit by WB5JAN and KI5TGY” 8:30 am. Join us for a Sunday breakfast with burritos filled with eggs, bacon, and cheese as well as fresh fruit, orange juice and coffee to get our Sunday going.
“Antiques, Resales, and Shopping and Lunch” 11:00 am For those not busy with radio operations, explore the many antique stores and other shopping opportunities around the area.
Monday, April 8th
The Zone of Totality starts shortly after 1:45 pm. Let’s take a quick break from our “oohs and aahs” during the totality to get a group picture with our solar glasses! The totality will go fast, but the memories will stay with us for life.
Total Solar Eclipse Potluck 4:00 pm. Sure, it’s called a potluck, but in our case it’s mostly luck as many people are bringing one of their specialties to share. With our guests joining us for the day, we will have about 14 or 15 of us for the potluck.
Here is the menu:
Angus Cheeseburgers on Brioche Buns – The Hagan’s
Famous Family Recipe Baked Beans – The Hill’s
To Die For Deviled Eggs – The Widboom’s
Best Potato Salad Money Can Buy – Glenn Kilpatrick
Solar Salad and Eclipse Chips – The Hott’s
Potluck Side Dish or Dessert – Tom Northfell, W5XNA, Rebecca Garrett, N5REB, Mark Whittlesey, W0KYZ, Jill Grow, K0MQT
OK, let’s have some fun!
I’m looking forward to sharing this major cosmic event with you all!
Jan
WB5JAN

BVRC CW Academy
2024-04-01 08:00 - 17:00 | Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy (ALETA), 3424 S. Downum Road, Springdale, AR, 72762
The 4th BVRC CW Academy will begin Monday, April 1, 2024! If you
are interested in learning and adding Morse code to your amateur
radio experience, if you enjoy a classroom atmosphere, and if you
would like to join other beginning students in learning the code, here
is a heads-up for you to sign-up for the classes.
Class Schedule – Classes will be held every two weeks on Monday evening, with one exception:
There will be 10 class sessions: April 1, April 15, April 29, May 13,
May 28 (Tuesday after Memorial Day), June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22, and
August 5.
(A virtual class orientation will be held Thursday, March 14.)

OzarkCon QRP Conference
2024-03-31 12:00 - 2024-04-01 21:00 | Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center, 3050 Green Mountain Drive, Branson, MO, 65616
OzarkCon 2024 will be LIVE in Branson, Missouri.

Ozark Amateur Radio Society HAMFEST
2024-03-23 08:00 - 13:00 | Mt. Vernon Art & Recreation Center, 822 W Mt Vernon Blvd, Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712

Arkansas River Valley Hamfest
2024-03-02 | Dardanelle Community Center, 2011 Highway 22, Dardanelle, AR, 72834, United States
Formerly the Russellville Hamfest
Sponsor: Arkansas River Valley Amateur Radio Foundation

Hoxie Winterfest 2024
2024-02-17 15:00 - 2024-02-18 15:00 | Hoxie Service Center, 500 SW Lawrence St., Hoxie, AR, 72433
LCARC Winterfest 2024
Sponsor: Lawrence County Amateur Radio Club

Capitol City Hamfest 2023
2024-02-02 16:00 - 2024-02-03 15:00 | Mississippi Trademart, 1200 Mississippi St, Jackson, MS, 39202, United States
In the Trademart at the State Fairgrounds
FRI 4 PM to 7 PM, SAT 8 AM to 3:00 PM
VE Testing at 8 a.m. Saturday
Talk-in on 146.76 NO TONE

Winter Field Day
2024-01-27 13:00 - 2024-01-28 13:00 | AR
Winter continues in the Ozarks! Time to relax after the hectic holiday season, right?!
Well……NOT for a few hardy & ambitious BVRC members!! Under the able direction of Team Captain Alex KI5EQK, they will be operating a Mobile Station in a fairly remote location in NW Arkansas for Winter Field Day 2024:
Coordinates are 36.138736, -94.216361 (– you’ll get extra credit if you can pinpoint where that is!);
Will be setting up Alex’ cargo trailer early Saturday morning (27JAN2024);
Will be operating under club callsign N5BVA;
Will be using two separate portable dipole antennas;
Will operating using portable generator power;
Will be simultaneously using two or more transceivers;
Will be operating on several HF bands & modes (– to be announced later);
Will be operating continuously from Saturday/27JAN2024/1300CST through Sunday/29JAN2024/1259CST;
The public is invited; but to ensure adequate parking space, please contact Rick KG5MWG rjpope1@yahoo.com, 479-306-9255) in advance about your ETA.
If YOU would like to volunteer in this important exercise, licensed or not, please contact Alex KI5EQK (479-445-4153)!
Winter Field Day Association (WFDA) is a dedicated group of Amateur Radio Operators who believe that emergency communications in a winter environment is just as important as the preparations and practice that is done each summer but with some additional unique operational concerns.
Winter Field Day runs for 24 hours during the last full weekend in January each year from 1900 UTC (2pm EST) Saturday to 1900 UTC (2pm EST) Sunday.
Sponsor: Winter Field Day Association

Winterfest
2024-01-27 08:00 - 13:00 | Gateway Convention Center, One Gateway Drive, Collinsville, IL, 62234
Sponsor: St. Louis and Suburban Radio Club
ARRL Midwest Convention

Cowtown Hamfest 2023
2024-01-19 15:00 - 2024-01-20 15:00 | Forest Hill Civic and Convention Center, 6901 WICHITA STREET, FOREST HILL, TX, 76140
And ARRL North Texas Section Convention
Friday 3 p.m. -7 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. -3 p.m.

BVRC Bella Vista License Testing
2024-01-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Bella Vista Public Library, 11 Dickens Place, Bella Vista, AR, 72714, United States
