Powhatan ARES is a volunteer group of licensed radio operators providing emergency communications in Powhatan County. We meet every other month. Join our VHF Net Mon 7 PM 147.315 MHz + (74.4 PL) or HF Net 2nd Mon 6:30 PM 80 m LSB. ARES Overview The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment, with their local ARES leadership, for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes. Powhatan ARES Powhatan ARES operates within District 1 of the Virginia Section of ARES, utilizing the N4POW repeaters. This group participates in training sessions, exercises, and activations as requested by government officials. Leadership Emergency Coordinator: Carl Cash, KF4UBE Assistant Emergency Coordinator & ARES Net Manager: Ray Sommer, W2AUS Assistant Emergency Coordinator, ICS 205 & MOU: Mark Robinson, N4MDR Assistant Emergency Coordinator, MSU : James Childress, KQ4IJI Assistant Emergency Coordinator, Training and Exercises: Curt Nellis, KD4JLY Eligibility and Membership: To be eligible for membership, individuals must possess an FCC Amateur Radio License (any class). Our membership is open to both newcomers and experienced operators committed to honing their skills and contributing to emergency preparedness efforts in Powhatan County. When you join Powhatan ARES, you'll gain access to training courses, opportunities to participate in drills and exercises, networking with like-minded individuals, and the chance to make a meaningful contribution during emergencies. While having emergency-powered equipment is encouraged, it is not mandatory for membership. How to Join Powhatan ARES: To become a member, follow these steps: Complete the ARES Membership Form and retrieve a copy of your Amateur Radio License . Attend a Powhatan ARES Team Training Meeting in person and submit both documents to the Powhatan ARES Emergency Coordinator, or email them to: PowhatanARES@proton.me ARES Meetings: Meetings occur on the second Saturday of odd months from 9-12:00 PM, with locations varying based on the month's training agenda. See the "What's Next at PARC" section on the home page and the PARC calendar for days and times. Weekly Nets: Powhatan ARES VHF Net: Every Monday at 7:00 PM on the 147.315 MHz + (74.4 PL) repeater. Powhatan ARES HF Net: Every Second Monday at 6:30 pm. We will start on 80m LSB, and if time permits try 40m LSB. We only have 30 minutes before the ARES VHF FM net begins so comments must be very short. 80m frequency: Start at 3.947 minus/plus 10kHz 40m frequency: 7.240 minus/plus 10kHz The net serves for training and announcements, emphasizing emergency communication. All licensed amateurs within range are encouraged to participate, regardless of affiliation. For more information, contact PowhatanARES@proton.me Calendar

Our History Powhatan Area Radio Club came into existence in 2017. The club was formed to expand Amateur-Radio within Powhatan County, and began with several local radio-operators meeting for Breakfast at a local restaurant. The "Ham-Breakfast", as it became known, quickly outgrew the first location, and moved to the County Seat restaurant, where the club still hosts the monthly Ham-Breakfast at 08:00 on the third Tuesday of each month, except December. About the same time, Powhatan County hired a new person to fill the retiring Emergency Manager position. The person selected was a licensed Amateur-Radio operator (strictly a coincidence). Knowing the value of the experienced Amateur-Radio community during emergencies, he set out to enlist the help of the Emergency Coordinator for the local ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Services group, or ARES as it is referred to by "Hams". Initial meetings between the Emergency Manager and the ARES-EC identified a need for additional radio repeater equipment to support ARES operations in Powhatan County. With only one of the Richmond wide-area repeaters providing reliable coverage to most of the County, the need for a repeater centrally-located in Powhatan seemed paramount for local ARES operations. In an unusual arrangement, Powhatan County Emergency Management entered into an agreement with the local radio club PARC, to jointly install and operate a local Amateur-Radio repeater station. Through this public-private partnership, a grant request was submitted to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), and $25,000 was awarded to Powhatan to build an Amateur-Radio repeater station for ARES, and general Amateur-Radio use. Powhatan Department of Public-Utilities provided antenna locations atop a new water-tower on high-ground, centrally located in Powhatan County. Powhatan Area Radio Club was responsible for the design, installation and maintenance of the equipment. A club call-sign, granted by the Federal Communications Commission, allows the operation of the N4POW repeaters, with Powhatan County Emergency Manager as the license trustee. This joint-venture between VDEM, Powhatan County, and the local radio club is a win-win for everyone. The community gets a much needed radio repeater for all licensed operators to use free-of-charge, and the County gets involved Amateur-Radio operators ready to respond to any emergency with top-notch repeater equipment to back-up their abilities. Radio equipment like the N4POW repeaters would cost well in excess of $80,000 to commercially construct. Rent, electricity, and internet add hundreds to recurring monthly expenses. Were it not for the joint-partnership, a small club like PARC would be unable to support a project like this repeater system. The repeater adds siginificant additional radio capibilities to Powhatan, Amelia, Cumberland, and Goochland, as well as into Chesterfield and Henrico counties. In support of general, and ARES operations, FM and C4FM modes will automatically be handled on the VHF, WIRES-X linked repeater at 147.315 MHz, with a tone frequency of 74.4 Hz. A DMR repeater on the UHF band will link Richmond, Petersburg, and Powhatan full-time, providing a very large coverage area for local HT users. Our DMR is on 443.350 MHz, with standard DMRVA code-plug configurations. Additionally, a WINLINK gateway will be operating on 145.730 MHz, providing 24x7 access to the International Winlink Mail System. All equipment is housed inside a secure environmental structure (shack) with UPS backup, and generator for extended backup power. Antenna elevation is just below 200 feet AGL at 530' ASL. We welcome all licensed operators to freely use all of the features our repeaters offer. They are available for general use, except during official ARES operations. ARES traffic always has priority on these repeaters. Compliance with all FCC rules & regulations, and general courtesies of the air-waves is expected of all users, at all times. In the event of abuse, we reserve the right to limit repeater availability until such abuse is no longer an issue. We will attempt to identify any sources of malicious interference, and report offenders to the FCC, Enjoy the N4POW repeaters, and check out the other fun things happening at Powhatan Area Radio Club. 73's Jim KK4IUH Founding Member

Tom's Tech Tips Tom - KB4PIX How to make an End Fed Halfwave Antenna and its 49:1 UNUN Is that coax cable any good?? Balanced & Unbalanced Feed Line Coax Cable Specifications

Join us for Powhatan Area Radio Club 2026 Summer FIeld Day! PARC Summer Field Day 2026 See Ham Radio in Action. Step up and Try It Yourself. Open to the Public. New to Field Day? Field Day is PARC's ham radio's open house. It combines public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills all in a single event. We invite the public to come learn more about ham radio and try to make a contact! Plan Your Visit No license required! You can operate an amateur radio with a licensed operator! Watch ameteur radio in action Outdoors under pavilion Family‑friendly Where all the fun begins! Saturday - June 27 Breakfast – 8 AM (County Seat Restuarant) Setup – 9 AM Go On Air – 2 PM VE Testing – 10 AM - 12 PM Club Dinner – 6 PM (Raffle Drawing) Sunday - June 28 Resume Operations – 8 AM Tear‑Down – 2 PM After Action Review – 3 PM Where to Find Us Large Pavilion, Fighting Creek Park 2201 Mann Road Powhatan, VA 23139 Location PARC Summer Field Day Events Operating & Logging Saturday & Sunday Licensed and unlicenced operators are welcome to operate during Field Day. Signing up is not required, but reserving a one‑hour time slot in advance is recommended. Walk‑in operators and visitors are always welcome. PARC Radio Station (Yeasu FT-710) Bring Your Own Radio Station All stations use battery power only. We also need loggers to record stations contacted during Field Day. Reserve Slot PARC Dinner Join us for the annual PARC Field Day Dinner on Saturday the 27th at 6:00 p.m. Families are welcome, and an RSVP is requested so we can make sure we have enough for everyone. Curt, Debbie, & Vicki have all the dinner covered this year, so no need to bring a dish to share. We do ask that you consider bringing a dessert to share after dinner. RSVP closes at Noon on Thursday June 25th, so don’t delay. Saturday the 27th at 6 pm Menu & RSVP VE Testing Saturday the 27th, 10 am to 12 pm Get or upgrade your amateur radio license during Summer Field Day with the KC4TS VE Team. Registration encouraged by walk-ins welcome. For fees and what to bring, visit the KC4TS VE website or contact David Thomas, WD3O, at thomasdavida@gmail.com . Learn More PARC Raffle Drawing: Saturday the 27th at 6 pm A limited number of tickets are on sale now for just $5 each. You may purchased them at any club event or at the raffle. You do not have to be present to win. All proceeds will go toward equipment for PARC. Calender Volunteer Signup We need volunteers to help make Summer Field Day a success. If you can help with setup, take-down or general event support, please sign up. We also welcome loaned equipment that can support the stations and site operations. Sign Up

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Fall 2023 Exam preparation classes The courses are described at https://rarclub.net/license/ General (second license) Thursday nights, 7pm to 9pm 5 weeks, October 10 to November 9, 2023 Classroom at Bon Air United Methodist Church Textbook: “ARRL General Class License Manual 10th Edition,” from Amazon, $29.66 Exams scheduled for November 11, see https://rarclub.net/ve-testing-choices/ for details. Instructors: Ken Zutavern, K4ZUT and Maylon Pearman, N4EG Minimum 4 students* Extra (highest license) Tuesday nights, 7pm to 9pm 6 weeks, October 3 to November 7, 2023 Classroom at Bon Air United Methodist Church Textbook: W5YI “2020-2024 Extra Class Paperback,” Amazon cost $32.95 Exams scheduled for November 11, see https://rarclub.net/ve-testing-choices/ for details. Instructors: Ken Liedner, WV0L, & Bruce MacAlister, W4BRU Minimum 4 students*, maximum 10 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Registration Tuition for all classes is $22 check or credit card. Registration and payment is online at https://rarclub.net/fcc-license-class-registration/ . Technician class: Friday September 1st is the last day of registration. General & Extra classes: Friday September 29th is the last day of registration. If in-person registration is needed, send a note to school@rarclub.net to arrange a time and place to meet. Skills Seminars Remote Station setup and operation, 2 nights via Zoom, Tuesday September 12 & 19, instructor Bruce MacAlister, W4BRU. You must be a member of the club to use the RARC remote station DStar setup and operation, will be taught in the spring after a repeater upgrade Antenna Modeling with EZNEC, Thusday October 5, 7pm via Zoom, instructor Robert Orndorff, W4BNO. The instructor will send EZNEC download instruction and other prerequisites by email before class Tuition is $10 Registration and payment is online at https://rarclub.net/fcc-license-class-registration/ Notes: Minimums allow students to drop out when life gets in the way and still have enough students for a class. Maximums are the limits of the classroom size. Tuition covers supplies for the instructors and donations to the church that does not charge for club use.

Club Events & Get on the Air Club Events Park Calendar of Events More Info PARC Club Meeting and Workshops More Info Earn Ham Radio License or Upgrade More Info Participate in Regional Nets More Info PARC Photo Albums More Info Join Park & Get On the Air Winter Field Day January 25-26, 2025 Virginia QSO Party 2025 March 15-16, 2025. Summer Field Day June 28-29, 2025 Summer Field Day June 28-29, 2025

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We had a great time at the 2021 Field Day

2023 arrl field day 2pm, Saturday, June 24th thru 2pm, Sunday, June 25th. Fighting Creek Park 2201 Mann Road Powhatan, VA 23139 ARRL Field Day is the most popular on-the-air event held annually in the US and Canada. On the fourth weekend of June, more than 35,000 radio amateurs gather with their clubs, groups or simply with friends to operate from remote locations. N4POW - 2A, VA 2 - HF Station's Field Day Schedule of Activities Friday, June 23th: 8am to Noon, antenna placement Saturday, June 24th: 8am to 2pm, final antenna and equipment setup 2pm, FIELD DAY BEGINS !!!! 2pm to Midnight, Making contacts, contacts, contacts on one of our two HF stations. 6pm to 7pm, Dinner "Everyone's Welcome" Sunday, June 25th: Midnight to 8am, More contacts, contacts, contacts, and alot of Tom's magic espresso machine. 8am, Reveille and breakfast 8am to 2pm, More contacts, the final push 2pm, FIELD DAY ENDS !!!! (we made it !) 2pm to 4pm, Take down and return all the equipment

Join us for Powhatan Area Radio Club 2026 Summer FIeld Day! PARC Summer Field Day 2026 June 27-28, 2pm - 2pm Fighting Creek Park, Large Shelter, Powhatan, VA Schedule June 27 Breakfast: Join us at the County Seat at 8 am. Set Up: 9:00 AM. Go On-Air: 2 pm- 11 pm (weather permitting) Club Dinner: TBA June 28 Go On-Air: 9 am - 2 pm (weather permitting) Tear Down: 2:00 pm Stations PARC Station Radio: PARC Yaesu FT-710 Antenna: TBD, W/PL-259 Connector Power Source: 12-volt 100AH LiP04 Battery Bring a comfortable chair to sit in Bring Your Own Radio Station Radio: BYOR or use PARC FT-710 Antenna: TBD, W/ PL-259 connector. Power Source: Bring your own batter to spare ours but we have one if you need it. Reserve Time on Air From 6/1/26 through 7/26/26, you can reserve your spot to volunteer to help with the event or get on the air or log contacts. After the deadline, any remaining open slots will be available for sign-up on-site the day of the event. PARC Dinner Join us for the annual PARC Field Day Dinner on Saturday the 27th at 6:00 p.m. Families are welcome, and an RSVP is requested (See the attached Google Form link) so we can make sure we have enough for everyone. Curt, Debbie, & Vicki have all the dinner covered this year, so no need to bring a dish to share. We do ask that you consider bringing a dessert to share after dinner. Snacks for the operators over the weekend, drinks other than water, and ice is always appreciated. The RSVP link will be posted on May 1st and closed at Noon on Thursday June 25th, so don’t delay. Help with Event Volunteer Opportunities: Operate on the air or log contacts during a 60-minute session Help with setup, teardown, or equipment transport We appreciate everyone’s help in making this event a success—thank you for signing up! Field Day at PARC For PARC, Field Day goes beyond just a competition. It's a chance to hone our emergency response skills by setting up temporary stations and operating under simulated emergency conditions. We also use this opportunity to educate the public about the capabilities of amateur radio and its potential to support the community during times of need. This year we will be setting up in the large shelter at Fighting Creek Park and operating the radios on batteries. We will be using two end fed half wave wire antennas for HF and a j-pole for VHF/UHF operation. One HF antenna will be for the “Bring Your Own Radio” station. So bring your own HF radio and plug in! The other antenna will be used with a Yaesu FT-991A. One hour time slots are reserved on a first come, first serve. Be sure and sign up! Anyone can operate a ham radio during Field Day! Curious about ham radio but you heard you must have a license to operate? No problem! PARC lets everyone have a chance to talk on the radio at our ARRL Field Day event. You can experience the fun of ham radio under the guidance of our licensed members. Make your own calls on the airwaves and connect with hams across the US and the World! The PARC Field Day operates under the club's N4POW callsign. As a Field Day participant, you'll use our club call sign and a control operator's license privileges to operate under their supervision. This means if you have no license at all, you can operate the radio. Even if you have a technician class license, you can operate on the HF bands at our event. What is ARRL Field Day all about? ARRL Field Day is the biggest on-air event for ham radio operators in North America! Every year on the fourth weekend of June, PARC transforms ARRL Field Day into a unique blend of fun, practice, and community outreach. We will post ARRL's Theme for Summer Field Day when they Update. For more information check out ARRL Summer Field Day. PARC Dinner The highlight of PARC's Field Day is the dinner on Saturday evening at 6 pm. It's a time to relax, share stories, and celebrate ham radio with fellow club members, family, and friends. Get Your License or Upgrade! If you're looking to obtain or upgrade your license, we host a VE testing session in conjunction with the KC4TS VE team from 10 am to 12 pm on Saturday. Walk-ins are welcome and we stay until everyone is finished. For fees and what to bring with you to the test, check out the KC4TS VE website or contact David Thomas - WD3O, at thomasdavida@gmail.com . Where to Find Us The PARC Field Day is held in the large shelter at Fighting Creek Park, 2505 Mann Road, Powhatan VA. The park normally closes at 8 PM, but we secure permission to remain in the park for the entire 24-hour period. Restrooms are just a few steps away from the Field Day site.