Big Island Amateur Radio Club: A Well-Established Option with Diverse Interests

The ARRL search results also revealed the Big Island Amateur Radio Club (BIARC), another club located on the Big Island of Hawaii. Here's what they offer:

A Longstanding Club with Diverse Interests

Founded in 1978, BIARC boasts a membership of around 73 active members and caters to a wide range of interests:

• Contest: Participating in amateur radio contests to test skills and compete with other stations.
• Digital Modes: Exploring the latest digital communication techniques for ham radio.
• DX: Pushing the boundaries of long-distance communication.
• General Interest: Enjoying all aspects of amateur radio operation.
• Public Service/Emergency: Likely contributing to community events and emergency communication efforts.
• Repeaters: Utilizing repeaters to facilitate communication among members and with other stations in the area.
• VHF/UHF: Likely focusing on communication within the Very High Frequency and Ultra High Frequency bands.

Comprehensive Services and Resources

BIARC offers a variety of services and resources for its members:

• Club Newsletter: A publication with club news, updates, and announcements.
• Entry-Level and General/Higher License Classes: They offer classes for obtaining your first license and upgrading to higher levels.
• License Test Sessions: They provide opportunities to take your ham radio license exams.
• Mentorship: Experienced members can guide newcomers on their ham radio journeys.
• On-The-Air Bulletins (potentially): They might share regular updates and announcements via radio broadcasts – confirmation is needed.
• Repeater: They manage a repeater to facilitate communication among members and with other stations in the area.

Schedule and Location

BIARC follows a more traditional meeting schedule:

• Schedule: 2nd Saturday of each month at 2:00 PM.
• Location: Keaau Community Center, Keaau.

Connecting with BIARC

Here's how to get involved with BIARC:

• Website: Visit their website (http://www.biarc.net) for any updates (be aware the information might not be fully current).
• Contact: Reach out to Leslie D. Hittner K0BAD, the secretary, at nh7fy@yahoo.com or by phone at (808) 333-5593 (daytime) or (808) 430-5579 (evening).

A Good Choice for Diverse Interests

The Big Island Amateur Radio Club seems like a good option for anyone with varied interests in amateur radio on the Big Island. They offer a well-rounded selection of activities, resources, and a traditional meeting schedule. Considering the website information might not be fully current, contacting them directly to get the latest details is recommended.