6 Sep 2009
Club Info
OFFICERS
| President: | Dwain Miller | KD6MHC |
| Vice President: | Royce Adair, | KC7PHQ |
| Secretary-Treasurer: | Chrissy Miller, | KG6VGR |
| Director: | Warren Weber, | W7WEB |
The Bonner County Amateur Radio Club was initially established in 1961 by a small group of amateur radio operators with a strong desire to promote amateur radio, to join together in fellowship, and to provide a service to the communities within Bonner County. In May 1969, it became an American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Affiliated Club. In 2002, the club incorporated and is recognized as a 501c3, nonprofit organization. On 14 Feb 14 2003, the Club was granted a sequentially numbered call of KD7UJQ and on July 2, 2003, the Club's call sign was changed to K7JEP in memory of Neal Fredstrum who became a silent key in January 2003.
As an ARRL Affiliated Club, 51% or more of BCARC members belong to ARRL. This organization is the amateur radio operator's advocate in Washington. As as affiliate, the Club will receive a one time $15.00 rebate on member's first time ARRL membership dues or if rejoining after a 2 or more years' absence. Reinstated is the $2.00 rebate for renewals of 2 or more years. Download directions and special application. Acrobat reader is required. If another format is desired or you need it sent by snail mail, contact Chrissy.
Click HERE for a copy of the Club bylaws.
Club Dues
Club dues support the club's repeater and is used to purchase items that can be use by all members. Dues are due in January, $12.00 per year for each licensed amateur radio operator or $18.00 per family if there is more than one amateur radio operator living at the same address.
Please prorate dues to the end of the year ($1.00 or $1.50 per month) if renewing or joining for the first time. You may pay for more than one year at a time. Send dues to Evelyn at the above address.
For newly licensed HAMs (licensed for less than one year), dues are waived for the remainder of the calendar year in which they join. Download an application and send the completed form to Evelyn.
ACTIVITIES
The Club meets twice a month. See the Calendar for current dates and times of the breakfast and the business meetings. Sometimes guests are invited to present a topic of interest and sometimes there is a short training or project.
For the past several years, members have assisted with the annual Lion's Club 4th of July Parade. Until cancelled, BCARC provided communication along the Lake-to-Forest Triathlon bicycle route. A radio station or booth is sometimes set up during the annual Fair. Other activities include an annual picnic.
One or two members meet regularly with the county Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). When regular forms of communication fail or are overloaded, BCARC members and nonmembers will be prepared to assist in the emergency. A number of members are ARES and RACES volunteers, three are members of Army MARS, and one is a member of SHARES. If interested in ARES, download the application from their site. If interested in the Army MARS (military affiliated radio service) program, visit their website or contact KC7PHQ or K7EVE.
Long Distance Assistance
On November 23, 2002, K7PGC was involved in a conversation on 17 meters when an emergency call came in from an amateur radio operator requesting that Nevada Highway Patrol and EMS be notified of a single vehicle roll-over accident at mile marker 27 on Hwy 6 between Tonapah and Warm Springs. The driver was conscious but trapped in the vehicle. The following is an e-mail message exchanged between the two following the incident:
K7PGC: I lost contact with you after I told you that I had contacted NV Highway Patrol. I hope everything turned out alright for the fellow in the roll-over accident. I'm sorry that it took longer than it should have. Information gave me a non-working phone number. I had to call Idaho State Police who gave me the correct number for NV.
NV HAM: Thank you for your help in handling the call. The accident took place in rural Nevada where there was no cell phone coverage and the EMS/NHP first responders required nearly an hour to arrive after being notified. Sadly, the gentleman died shortly after I arrived. He came around a corner and lost control trying to avoid some wild horses on the roadway. I think his neck was broken and little could be done, but we all did what we could. Your part in contacting NHP is appreciated.
