Aug 11

Updated Web Presence

To make it easier for our club members to manage online news and media postings, our main online presence has moved to various other services and a brand new domain at w5bcs.radio:

  • The top-level page currently redirects to our Facebook page, where members can post information about club events.
  • The “Secretary’s desk” hosts minutes and content from official club business (nets, meetings, etc.)
  • We have a club Wiki for members and especially committees to record general knowledge and information like event planning notes, resource directories, etc., for posterity.
  • Members can manage their contact information, see the club roster, and pay dues at HamClubOnline.
  • There is also a new Listserv at the new domain (w5bcs@w5bcs.radio) for dissemination of club announcements.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bryanarc.org/updated-web-presence/

Jul 26

Field Day 2022 Results

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a month since ARRL Field Day 2022. It was hot. I mean, HOT! But, everyone managed and seemed to have a great time. We had 52 people signed-in including club members and visitors.

Operating as 3A, we made 109 CW and 147 phone contacts for a total claimed score of 730 points. We claimed 1,130 bonus points. That makes a total preliminary score of 1,860 points! That number will rise as contacts that were donated from individual Field Day operators are factored-in.

Thanks to everyone who donated, helped, and worked to make ARRL Field Day 2022 a success!

[Show slideshow]

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bryanarc.org/field-day-2022-results/

Jun 19

Field Day 2022!

ARRL Field Day is this week!

Saturday and Sunday, 25-26 June

Brian Bachmann Park, College Station, TX

1600 Rock Prairie Rd, College Station, TX 77845

Brian Bachmann Park.

Important safety notes:

  1. If you will be working around the antenna trailers, you must have closed-toe shoes (no crocs, sandals, or flip-flops), a hard hat, and safety glasses.
  2. It will be very hot. Watch the weather forecast, dress appropriately and bring a water bottle with you. You will need to drink water frequently, stay in the shade as much as possible, and take frequent breaks. We will have fans on-site, some air-conditioned space for recovery, and plenty of ice. You will really need to take care of yourself. Here is a link to the National Weather Service article about heat safety: https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat


If you’d like to help with Field Day setup this Saturday, start time is at 08:00 CDT at
Radio operations start at 13:00 CDT. Consider working the overnight shift, it will be cooler. 20:00-00:00, 00:00-04:00, 04:00-08:00.


The Volunteer Examiners team will administer tests at 13:00 CDT.


Dinner at 18:30 CDT
Smoked brisket, pork shoulder, sausage and beans
Side dishes and desserts, pot luck; bring something to share!
Goodwill offering basket at the door.

Raffle Prize drawings after dinner. (Need not be present to win.)

Small Door prizes hourly.


We always need plenty of help disassembling and stowing Field Day equipment.  Stop by Brian Bachmann Park at 13:00 this Sunday and lend a hand.  The more the better.

Can’t make it to Field Day this year? Consider operating at your home and contributing your contact score to the Bryan Amateur Radio Club. You can contribute to the W5BCS Field Day without even being there! You can read more about ARRL Field Day rules here: http://www.arrl.org/field-day-rules

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bryanarc.org/field-day-2022/

Apr 21

March and April 2022 meetings

Always lots of good conversation when this club gets together. And two great presentations: Paul Bilke, KF5WGJ taught us about 3D printing and, in April, we learned about Bryan, TX broadcast and amateur radio history from Don Link, WB5CKO. If you can make it, we’d love to see you at our meetings. Your next opportunity is Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the American Legion Post 159.

[Show slideshow]

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bryanarc.org/march-and-april-2022-meetings/

Feb 16

January 2022 Meeting

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Lots of good conversation and comradery at our January meeting! Photos courtesy of Kevin L. Walton (N4RMF)

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bryanarc.org/january-2022-meeting/

Nov 16

Photos from Bryan 150 Special Event Station

Special thanks to Kevin Walton (K4RMF) for taking these photos!

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bryanarc.org/photos-from-bryan-150-special-event-station/

Nov 06

Bryan Amateur Radio Club Bryan 150 Special Event Station

City of Bryan 150

On the 29th of November, 1871, The City of Bryan was chartered. A 150 year history of railroads, agriculture, freedmen, immigrants, and Texas A&M University followed with The City of Bryan at “The Heart of The Valley”. Since 1954, The Bryan Amateur Radio Club has been a part of the Bryan society. With an initial focus on emergency communications, The Bryan Amateur Radio Club has promoted Amateur Radio in the Brazos Valley through radio activities, education, and community service.

W5BCS Logo

Join us on the air as we help to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the City of Bryan. We will be sending out a QSL card for every contact made with our W5BCS special event station at the Brazos Valley Farmer’s Market on 13 November2021. Operating time will be 08:00 to 12:00 CST. 14.230MHz, if it’s available.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bryanarc.org/bryan-amateur-radio-club-bryan-150-special-event-station/

Oct 16

Kit Build Photos from October 2021 Meeting

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bryanarc.org/kit-build-photos-from-october-2021-meeting/

Sep 21

18 September 2021 BARC Meeting

September 2021 BARC Meeting

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A small but dedicated group for our September meeting. After our brief meeting, Gerald Golub, W5VUI, educated us about using generators for emergency power. Lots of good information from someone with experience!

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bryanarc.org/18-september-2021-barc-meeting/

Aug 22

21 August BARC Meeting

20210821_111642

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If you couldn’t attend our August meeting, we missed you. Beforehand, the VE team administered license exams and there were five new Technician Class operators! See the minutes for more information about some of our discussions. After our meeting closed, there was an informative presentation by Ron Hambric, N5SBN and Jim Hanks, W5CYN. Ron set the stage for the importance of emergency messaging and communications and Jim gave us some details about how he maintains emergency messaging communications with his family and friends using Winlink. We’re grateful for Ron and Jim educating us about this specific use of amateur radio technology. Following are some web resources from Jim’s presentation:

Learn more about Winlink: https://www.winlink.org/

The KM4ACK YouTube channel to learn more about Winlink forms, Raspberry Pi in amateur radio and more: KM4ACK – YouTube

Th OH8STN YouTube channel to learn more about portable and low-power operations: OH8STN Ham Radio – YouTube

Need to know what carrier your friend or family use for their telephone service? You can enter their number here and find out: https://www.freecarrierlookup.com/

Then, you can send them text messages using WinLink or another email messaging service. Jim provided the email domains for many of the major US carriers:

Mobile carrierSMS gateway domainMMS gateway domain
Alltel[9]sms.alltelwireless.commms.alltelwireless.com
AT&T[10]txt.att.netmms.att.net
Boost Mobile[9]sms.myboostmobile.commyboostmobile.com
Cricket Wirelessmms.cricketwireless.netmms.cricketwireless.net
FirstNettxt.att.netmms.att.net
Google Fi[11]msg.fi.google.com
MetroPCSmymetropcs.commymetropcs.com
Republic Wireless[12]text.republicwireless.com
Sprint[9]messaging.sprintpcs.compm.sprint.com
T-Mobile[9]tmomail.nettmomail.net
U.S. Cellular[9]email.uscc.netmms.uscc.net
Verizon Wireless[13]vtext.comvzwpix.com
Virgin Mobile[9]vmobl.comvmpix.com
Wireless carrier email-to-SMS gateways.

We learned a lot! If you would like to share something with the club that is related to amateur radio, let us know! We’d love to help you get a presentation scheduled.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bryanarc.org/21-august-barc-meeting/