Hunter Fountain –
KI5WUJ
Hunter is a student at the University of Arkansas, and current President of ARCUA, the Amateur Radio
Club of the University of Arkansas. ARCUA’s club station, W5YM, is located in the Science and
Engineering Building on the U of A campus. W5YM is one of Arkansas’ oldest amateur stations, first
being licensed by the Department of Commerce in 1916 as “5YM”.
Hunter acquired his Technician license at one of BVRC’s Technician license classes that was held in
August, 2022. It was at this class that he was introduced to BVRC, and joined shortly thereafter. He just
recently upgraded to General.
When asked how he first got involved with amateur radio, Hunter told us, “Essentially, I became interested in amateur radio by seeing it on the internet when I was around 15 or 16 years old. Initially it was interesting to me of how ham operators were able to talk (specifically on phone) with people locally, regionally, and globally. I never got around to looking more into the hobby and RF-based technologies until I got to the university. The reason for the time lapse was specifically due to the lack of hams I knew, as well as just being busy as a teenager. Once I started attending the U of A at 18, I had more free time and discovered the digital side of RF and how it ties to my degree path (Computer/Electronics Engineer) via the internet. My interest in the hobby slowly began to grow. Around 2 years later, I finally got around to reaching out to W5YM and met with (at that time) ARCUA advisor Dr. Larry Roe – WJ5V in the club’s shack. The rest is history.”
We also asked Hunter what his favorite areas of amateur radio to which he replied, “Well there are so
many! At the moment, I would say learning about how to build, maintain, and conduct networks over RF
digitally. So this can be sending e-mails via WinLink or general information via APRS. Also including the
non-packet based linked repeater networks like the N5UFO Link System of Tem Moore – N5KWL and the
Northwest Arkansas Skywarn Link System – WX5NAS and Natural State Network of Jon Williams –
K5DVT. I’m interested in this facet due to how multiple radios can communicate data with one another all
while not requiring something like the internet or telephone network to function.
“A close second would be contesting!”
Hunter said that, so far, his most memorable radio experience was participating in this year’s BVRC Field
Day, as well as learning about and working on W5YM’s equipment. One particular example is
something as “simple” as upgrading the U of A’s club station rotator system over the span of the past year.
He said there are a lot of moving parts, and they couldn’t have done it without the help of W5YM’s
alumni/elmers (some of which are also members of BVRC). Hunter said he learned a lot from them.
In addition to his course studies, Hunter also has other hobbies such as cooking, history, programming, and working on his vehicle.
Hunter is just one of many examples of the younger generation of BVRC. It is a pleasure to have him as
a member. (As well as all of them!)
