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We have prepared this web page in hopes that we can interest you in becoming involved with one of the finest hobbies in the world--Amateur Radio. With just the click of a switch, you have the ability to talk to a friend across town, a missionary in Africa, a sailing vessel in the Indian Ocean or perhaps an American astronaut or Russian cosmonaut! The world really is just at your fingertips! Sound interesting?.....read on!
The Peninsula Amateur Radio Club, (PARC) is an organization for, and of, "HAM" radio operators that provide different avenues of interest to local amateurs. Within our membership, there is active participation in all modes of operation (Morse Code, voice, digital, etc). We are committed to public service and stand ready to provide assistance in all areas of emergency communications.
PARC was originally formed sometime in the mid 1930's prior to WWII, but was inactive during the war years because Amateur Radio activities were prohibited. After the war, Amateurs from Newport News, Hampton and surrounding areas reorganized the club around 1946 when Amateur Radio operations were again allowed. PARC was very active in Civil Defense Emergency Communications during the ensuing years. PARC ceased formal operations for a short time in the late 1960's. The Virginia Amateur Communications Association (VACA) was organized in March 1978 and conducted classes for new Amateurs, just as we do today. VACA was known as a fun and family oriented organization, as it promoted get togethers for members and families. We, proudly, carry on that tradition. In April 1989, VACA and PARC were consolidated. The result is the present PARC.
Meetings are held the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 P.M. at Warwick High School on Warwick Boulevard in Newport News. Usually, the first meeting is for business and the second is a general interest presentation. Meetings last about an hour and then "Dutch treat" at Angelo's Restaurant on J. Clyde Morris Blvd. Also, some members meet each Saturday at around 7:30 A.M. at Angelo's for breakfast for informal discussions about club projects. We welcome you to join us for any of the meetings or get togethers. No one is a stranger!
Annual dues are: $15.00 for one, $18.00 family and $5.00 for students (full time students in school nine months of the year). Dues are payable at the beginning of the year and new members pay on a pro rata basis for the remaining portion of the year. An application blank with instructions is included elsewhere in this website and is downloadable in Adobe Acrobat form.
PARC operates and maintains a 2 Meter repeater on 145.230 mHz. with an off-set of minus 600 kHz. and a 70 cm machine on 442.9 mHz with a plus 5 mHz off-set (100Hz PL tone required). The 2 Meter repeater operates at 100 watts output with an antenna height of 150 ft. Both of these machines are "open" and are available 24 hours a day. Autopatch service is available on both repeaters for PARC members only. Both machines operate under the call sign W4MT. The 2 Meter machine has an operating radius of approximately 40 miles while the 70 cm machine currently has somewhat less range.
A 2 Meter net is conducted Monday night at 7:00 P.M. on the club repeater, at 145.230 MHz. A 10 Meter net is conducted on Thursday, at 8:00 PM at 28.450 MHz. Both nets are informal and open to all duly licensed Amateurs. Comments are informal.
The club publishes a periodic newsletter "PARC VIEWS" and is supplemented with E-mail releases. It has articles of interest to club members. The editors invite and encourage anyone to submit items of interest for publication. The newsletter includes a swap shop to buy-sell-swap amateur equipment. Our newsletter is distributed in printed form and also in electronic form. A copy of the latest newsletter is included in downloadable for on this website.
Many of our members are active in the Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) organization. Simulated emergency exercises are held throughout the year and all club members are encouraged to participate. Among the groups that we have supported in the past are the March-of-Dimes Run, the local Special Olympics and other charitable or community services causes.
Our largest project is the annual ARRL field day exercise and contest which is conducted the last weekend in June. The purpose of field day is to set up and operate an emergency radio station with non-commercial power. This simulates conditions that may be encountered during a major disaster. Field Day activities provide valuable operator training. When the Field Day weekend arrives, members meet on Saturday morning to erect towers, antennas, lay cables, set up equipment, tents and other support facilities. The operating part of the exercise begins at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday and ends at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday. Food and drinks are provided by "pot luck". We have "chief cooks and bottle washers" that provide grills, coffee pots, and other "goodies" to make the weekend a fun time. Sunday breakfast is served as the sun is rising. What could be finer?? All the equipment is taken down on Sunday afternoon. Don't miss this weekend of ham radio, fellowship and food... great fun!
PARC conducts a Technician class two evenings a week ... January through March at Warwick High School. The cost is $20.00, which includes a one year club membership. The club also has training videos and equipment available on a loan basis to members. ARRL sponsored Licence Testing sessions are held in this area at various times and locations by PARC and other groups. The current schedule of test opportunities is in downloadable form elswhere on this website.
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