BCRA History

  The BCRA/FRARC is two ham radio clubs combined into one: the Bristol County Repeater Association, and the Fall River Amateur Radio Club. The BCRA was originally from Somerset, MA and eventually combined with the FRARC to create one club.

  From all accounts, the club, once known as the Fall River Amateur Radio Club, has been in existence since 1929. In a letter dated back to 1960, the ARRL had a record of the club being an ARRL-affiliate club from late 1929, with a brief affiliation interruption in 1937.

  In 1960, the club was credited with having the club call W1ACT, $4.00 dues, and indicated working frequency of 3885 KHz, an Emergency Coordinator (W1YHY), and as many as 10 AREC members. The club members possessed a number of "mobiles, dynamotors, vibropacks, and a gas-driven unit..."

  Also recently uncovered was a 1953 note from the FCC responding to a query from the club concerning the history of the W1ACT call sign. According to the FCC, the earliest record found of W1ACT being issued to the Fall River Amateur Radio Club is in the Department of Commerce publication of Amateur Radio Stations in the U.S. edition of June 30, 1930, which also indicates that J. Wilbur Wilson was the secretary and the location was 1998 North Main St.

  Today's BCRA is an active group involving itself in Public Service, Public Safety, along with educational programs.  In recent years we have supported parades and road races for their communication needs, and practiced many drills in conjunction with the local Emergence Management Agency.  There currently is a group of members who are working with a local middle school to get kids licensed, and involved in Ham Radio.  We also have our regular annual events such as Field Day, and a DX-Pedition to the Gay Head lighthouse on Marthas Vineyard island.  We always finish off the year with a fun filled holiday party in December.

  Membership is only $20 per year, and  we typically maintain around 50 members, with many of them actively participating in regular events.  All club gatherings are open to anybody who wishes to attend, and we always welcome newcomers to join in the fun. 

  Please join us for our monthly Business Meetings followed by a social chat.

Union United Methodist Church
 600 Highland Ave., Fall River, MA

 Talk-in will be on the club repeater, 145.150 pl 123.0

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