In the heart of Pennsylvania, where the rolling hills give way to the whispers of ancient oaks and the hum of everyday life, the Berks Amateur Radio Club (K3TI) stands as a testament to a quiet yet essential form of communication. Founded in the spring of 1979, this group of passionate individuals has long understood the power of radio waves—not only as a means of technological connection, but as a lifeline during times of need. They meet every third Friday of the month at 7:30 PM at the Township of Spring Fire Station #85 in West Lawn, PA, where their conversations, both technical and philanthropic, begin.
The club, though rooted in the amateur radio community, has evolved into a vital presence in Berks County, participating in community service and emergency preparedness efforts that reach beyond the borders of their own station callsigns. Their outreach began in earnest in 2019, when members contributed their time and skills to various charitable events. In May, they managed the Start/Finish checkpoint for the Make a Wish Foundation truck convoy, bringing smiles and hope to children who needed it most. Later that month, they provided route safety and medical support for the Walk MS event in Lancaster, a day that witnessed their quiet strength on the streets, ensuring participants could walk with peace of mind.
Their service continued throughout the year, as the club members participated in the KTA Trail Challenge in Lancaster and York Counties in September, offering radio sweeps across the rugged trails. When a struggling hiker suffered a cardiac episode, it was the Berks club’s quick response that ensured the individual received timely medical attention. This commitment to safety and service was the heartbeat of their existence in that year—a theme they would continue to embrace through every contact and every transmission.
But beyond the charity work and public service, the club remains a bastion of technical enthusiasm, fostering an environment where all are welcome to learn and grow. They celebrated Field Day 2019 at the Spring Township Fire Station and EOC, where twelve members came together, operating two stations and working over 100 contacts across the United States. The signals carried their voices as far as California, and for a brief moment, Puerto Rico too, as the magic of radio wrapped them in a global embrace.
As they prepare for another year of communication, education, and service, the Berks Amateur Radio Club continues to strengthen the invisible threads that bind their community together. With every transmission, every contest, and every helping hand extended during an emergency, they affirm their commitment to a world where technology is not only a tool for convenience but a bridge for humanity. In the quiet hum of radio waves, they find their purpose, their connection to each other, and to the greater world beyond.
For more information, you can visit their website.
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