About BCARC & K7JEP

Thank you for visiting the site of one of the oldest amateur radio clubs in Northern Idaho. Your “All mode, all band” family club since 1961!

Contact Information:

For information on Bonner County Amateur Radio Club write to:

BCARC
P.O. Box 792
Ponderay, ID 83852
E-mail:  BCARC  or email direct to a club officer below

Officers: (Click on call sign to email officer)

General Info:

Bonner County Amateur Radio Club (BCARC) is a all mode, all band operational club, with interests ranging in all fields of Amateur Radio from DC to light and everything in between. Club is open to all licensed amateur radio operators and potentially licensed operators.

Interests include:
· HF and VHF/UHF SSB and FM phone.
· HF and VHF/UHF CW and digital modes.
· Club repeater K7JEP is open for use by all amateurs.
· Public service operations including emergencies, parades, fairs and more.
· HF and VHF/UHF DX’ing and contesting.
· Elmers, classes and more.
· Antenna raising parties and other help for all amateur radio operators.

The Bonner County Amateur Radio Club was initially established in 1961 by a small group of amateur radio operators with a strong desire to promote amateur radio, to join together in fellowship, and to provide a service to the communities within Bonner County Idaho. In May 1969, we became an American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Affiliated Club. On 14 Feb 14 2003, the Club was granted a sequentially numbered club call sign of KD7UJQ and on July 2, 2003, the Club’s call sign was changed to K7JEP in memory of Neal Fredstrum who became a silent key in January 2003.

Legal:

The Bonner County Amateur Radio Club, Inc. was incorporated in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) non profit charitable Idaho Corporation; Federal ID Number 82-0425697. This corporation is a NON PROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION and is not organized for the private gain of any person. It is organized under the Non Profit Public Benefit Corporation Law for public and charitable purposes. The purpose for which the corporation is organized is to transact any lawful business for which Non Profit corporations may be organized under the laws of the State of Idaho, as they may be amended from time to time and under Section 501(c)(3), Internal Revenue Code. Donations are always welcome. Check with your tax advisor or the IRS for tax deduction information on your donation.

Meetings:

The BCARC club general meeting is held the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM local time. Meeting location is at the VFW Hall, 1325 Pine St, corner of Pine and Division.

Please check the Home menu page for last minute updates to times and locations.

Click here for Google map to meeting location.

Nets:

BCARC Club Nets are held every Sunday evening on-the-air at 7:00 PM local time on the Bonner County linked repeater system. Please see the Repeaters menu page for current linked repeater status. In the event of an Emergency, we will also use 145.600 simplex.

Please check the Home menu page for last minute updates to times and frequencies.

We encourage all members to try their hand at being net control operator. Anyone interested in trying can download the club net preamble from the Downloads Page.

Dues:

Current Yearly Rate:

Individual: $18

Family 1st person: $18
Family 2nd person: $9 
Family 3rd+ person $6

Family members at same address receive a discount for each additional family member at the same address. Dues are due by the January meeting each year.  For newly licensed HAM’s (licensed for less than one year), dues are waived for the first 12 months in which they join. The remaining months between the end of their free 12 months and December 31st of that calendar year will be pro-rated at 1/12 the yearly rate for the remainder of that calendar year.  If joining for the first time and have been licensed for over 1 year, please prorate the membership dues at 1/12 the yearly rate per month for the remainder of the current calendar year. You may pay for more than one year at a time.

Full Membership is open to any licensed amateur radio operator. Full members can vote, be on committees and are welcome at all Club meetings and functions.

Guest Membership is available to an individual, group, or business that has actively supported the Club. Guest Members do not pay dues, and cannot vote, be on committees or hold office. Guest Members are welcome at all Club meeting and functions.

Membership dues for the club are used to maintain the club’s repeater, equipment insurance, website and general operating expenses. All club activities and services to the communities of Bonner County Idaho are provided strictly on a volunteer non paid basis in accordance with good amateur radio practice and with FCC part 97 rules.

As an ARRL Affiliated Club, 51% or more of BCARC members belong to ARRL. This organization is the amateur radio operator’s advocate in Washington. As as affiliate, the Club will receive a one time $15.00 rebate on member’s first time ARRL membership dues or if rejoining after a 2 or more years’ absence. Reinstated is the $2.00 rebate for renewals of 2 or more years.

Please contact one of our club officers if you are interested in becoming a member of BCARC or if you know of an event in Bonner County Idaho in need of communication support.

Download club membership application from the Downloads Page. Adobe Acrobat reader is required. Download free Acrobat reader here. If another format is desired or you need it sent by snail mail, contact a club officer above.

Download copy of the club by-laws from the Downloads Page.

Activities:

For the past several years, members have assisted with the annual Lion’s Club 4th of July Parade. Until cancelled, BCARC provided communication along the Lake-to-Forest Triathlon bicycle route. A radio station or booth is sometimes set up during the annual Bonner County Fair. Other activities include an annual picnic.

Please contact one of our club officers if you know of an event in Bonner County Idaho in need of communication support.

Some members meet regularly with the county Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). When regular forms of communication fail or are overloaded, BCARC members and nonmembers will be prepared to assist in the emergency. A number of members are also ARES, RACES and MARS volunteers. More information about Bonner County ARES/RACES can be found by visiting the Bonner Co ARES website. If interested in the Army/USAF/Navy MARS (Military Affiliated Radio Service) programs, visit MARS Wikipedia website.