Bella Vista Radio Club: Strengthening the Community in Bella Vista, Arkansas

Introduction: Hello, today we will introduce the Bella Vista Radio Club (Bella Vista ARC), a robust organization dedicated to promoting amateur radio and supporting the community in Bella Vista, Arkansas.

Overview of Bella Vista Radio Club:

• Call Sign: N5BVA
• Meeting Information: Bella Vista ARC meets on the 1st Thursday of each month at 7 PM Central. Meetings are held at the NW Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Center, 3424 S. Downum Rd., Springdale, AR 72764.
• Contact Information: Glenn D. Kilpatrick (WB5L) serves as the main contact. He can be reached at (479) 426-3295 or via email at n5bva@arrl.net.

Club Activities and Services:

• Specialties: Contest, Digital Modes, DX, General Interest, Public Service/Emergency, Repeaters, School or Youth Group, VHF/UHF
• Services Offered: Club Newsletter, Entry-Level License Classes, General Or Higher License Classes, License Test Sessions, Mentor, On-The-Air Bulletins, Repeater

Community Involvement:

• Membership: The club has a thriving membership of 245 members, with 224 voting members. Of these, 214 are voting licensed amateur operators, and 126 are ARRL members.
• Leadership:
  • Contact: Glenn D. Kilpatrick (WB5L)
  • President: Jan A. Hagan (WB5JAN)
  • Vice President: Joseph B. Hott (W5AEN)
  • Treasurer: Marc W. Whittlesey (W0KYZ)
  • Secretary: Dana G. Hill (W5DGH)
  • Editor: Don Banta (K5DB)

Mission and Activities: Bella Vista ARC's mission is to:

• Promote and educate the local community about amateur radio.
• Encourage new operators to engage in amateur radio and assist in obtaining licenses, acquiring equipment, installing antennas, and setting up stations.
• Support first responders in local emergency and non-emergency events.
• Train and maintain the readiness of local operators for both emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Foster diverse activities within the amateur radio community.
• Maintain an active local amateur radio club and repeater system for both normal and emergency usage.

Educational Focus: Bella Vista ARC places a strong emphasis on education by offering:

• Regular VE Testing: Held on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 2:00 p.m. in two locations: Bella Vista, AR, and Springdale, AR.
• Mentorship Programs: Providing guidance and support to enhance members' skills.

Events and Social Gatherings:

• On-The-Air Bulletins: Facilitating communication and information exchange.
• Repeaters: Supporting communication infrastructure for the community.

Invitation to Visitors: Bella Vista Radio Club welcomes visitors and new members. Whether you are an experienced ham operator, a newcomer, or just curious about radio, Bella Vista ARC invites you to join their meetings and events.

Conclusion: Thank you for learning about the Bella Vista Radio Club! For more details about their activities and how to join, please visit their website at Bella Vista Radio Club.

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