About BCARC & K7JEP

Officers:

General:

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. In 2002, the club incorporated and is recognized as a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization. On 14 Feb 14 2003, the Club was granted a sequentially numbered call 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.

Dues:

Club Dues are $18.00 per year for individual membership.  Family members at same address receive a discount which is $9.00 for 2nd family member and $6.00 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 $1.50 per month (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 $1.50 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.

Associate Membership is available to any unlicensed individual who shares the Club’s mission and objectives.  Associate Members do not pay dues, vote or hold office. They may serve on committees and are welcome at all Club meetings and functions.

Honorary Membership is available to an individual, group, or business that has actively supported the Club. Honorary Members do not pay dues, and cannot vote, be on committees or hold office. Honorary 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. Acrobat reader is required. If another format is desired or you need it sent by snail mail, contact a club officer above.

Click HERE for a copy of the club by-laws.

We are also a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Donations are always welcome and are tax deductible.

Activities:

The Club meets twice a month. Please see the Calendar page for current dates, times and locations of the club breakfast, general meetings and other events of interest. We sometimes will have guest speakers to present a topic of interest, short training or project.

Club Nets are held every Tuesday evening except the 2nd Tuesday which is the general meeting. The Club Net meets on-the-air at 6:00 PM local time on 145.490 (- 107.2). In the event of an Emergency, we will also use 145.600 simplex.

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

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.

One or two 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 ARES and RACES volunteers, three are members of Army MARS, and one is a member of SHARES. If interested in ARES, download the application from their site. If interested in the Army MARS (military affiliated radio service) program, visit their website or contact KC7PHQ or K7EVE.