CLUB NEWS
Tour de Cure Date Announced (Posted May 3, 2008)
The Tour de Cure for 2008 will be Saturday October 11th this year. If you would like to find out more or to volunteer to help see this link.  Also, on August 9th there is a Diabetes Health and Wellness Expo at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center.  Click here for more information.
 
VE Session Update (Posted August 02, 2008)
Congratulations go out to Colin KCØOBO who recieved his Tech license, and to Lawerence KD6IRI and Richard KC8JDH who upgraded to General class last Saturday July 26, 2008.
 
Volunteers Needed (Posted July 10, 2008)
Team Lewis & Clark/Raymond James & Associates cycling club is putting on the Arkansas State Road Race on Sunday, August 3, 2008. Volunteers are needed to help provide communication support.  <Click Here For More Information>
 
Order Your Own BCRO Shirt (Updated July 2, 2008)
If you would like to order a BCRO Shirt, please contact Jim KI4WMF and he can get you the information for ordering, or put you on a list for a group order at a lower price.  Thank you Jim for doing this.  The shirts are great and we appreciate you for it.  If you'd like to see a picture see these links; Front View and Back View.
 
Field Day Pics Posted (Posted July 2, 2008)
Here are a few of the Field Day pictures I have.  If you have any you would like to share please feel free to send them to me.
 
For Sale (Posted July 11, 2008)
For sale: a Kenwood TH-K2AT that I have had for about 2 weeks. <Click Here for More Information>
 
Items Wanted (Posted May 14, 2008)
Jim KI4WMF is looking for Rohn 25 tower sections. <Click here for more information>
 
Hamvention Web Stream (Posted Apr. 28, 2008)
Tom Medlin WA5KUB will again be streaming his trip to and from Dayton, and also all during Hamvention. Starting May 14 and ending when he gets back home.  It's almost like being there. Check out Tom's stream, and chat with him while he uses the helmet cam to show everyone Hamvention.
 
New Pictures on Photo Page (Posted Apr. 28, 2008)
There are two new sets of pictures posted on the Photo Page for you to look through.  They are the Blackjack Enduro Race pics, and also the recent Hamfest pictures.  I hope you enjoy and if you have others you'd like to send me I'll get them up also.
 
Items For Sale (Posted Apr. 24, 2008)
For Sale by W5KR Rob; Kenwood TS-940SAT, Ameritron AL-811-H Amplifier, MFJ Versa Tuner 3, Kenwood TH-F6 Tri-Band (144/220/440 MHz) Handheld Transceiver and MFJ Antenna Tuner.  <Click here for more information>
 
VE Clinic in March (Updated Mar. 03, 2008)
A FREE VE Clinic will be held on Saturday, March 22nd starting at 11:00 AM at the Bentonville Public Library 
 
Blackjack Enduro Races (Posted Nov 13, 2007)
Sunday Mar 30th the Blackjack Enduro Curcuit will be in Combs again, and Buster AD5AM needs volunteers to help work communications.
 
Testing Results (Posted Feb 23, 2008)
We had nine folks testing with us at the testing session today.  Now we have seven new Technicians, one new General, and one new Extra.  Also, we had four new members join the BCRO group.  Congratulations go to all you guys and we hope to hear you on the air soon.  Thank you.
 
Next Club Meeting (Posted Feb. 13, 2008)
The Benton County Radio Operators will meet at the Centerton Fire Department on March 11th 7:00 PM for the next meeting. We'll be learning to operate the radios in the Benton County Mobile Command Unit.
 
2008 Weather Spotter Training (Updated Feb. 14, 2008)
Benton County Bentonville area is scheduled for Feb. 26th.7:00 PM at the Shewmaker Center, 1100 S.E. Eagle Way in  Bentonville.  It's behind the Northwest Arkansas Community College and the Mercy Medical Center.  Same place we met for the volunteer meeting for the Tour De Cure.
 
On Feb 28th there will be another class in Siloam Springs at 7:00 PM at the Siloam Community Bldg.  See this link for more information.  On Mar. 4th McDonald County, MO has a class usually at the Court House in Pinesville.  See this link for more information.
 
Arkansas Section Traffic Emergency Net (Updated Feb. 20, 2008)
If you would like to hear the Arkansas Section NTS Training put on by Tom K5WTH on Monday Feb. 18th, email me. Note: it's over 8MBs in filesize.
 
Technician Class (Posted Feb 20, 2008)
Thank you to everyone who attended the technician class put on by Glenn WB5L.at the Bentonville Public Library.  Also, good luck on your test, and I'm sure you guys are more than ready and prepared to pass the technician test.
 
White Rock Classic (Posted Feb 02, 2008)
We had a good turn out to the White Rock Classic on Saturday Feb 02.  We had 9 club members on the mountain working the event.  The weather turned out very nice.  There were approx 90 runners going up the mountain, and more than half that coming down.  This was a lot of fun.  Check out the the pictures on the Photos page.
 
Two New Amateur Extras (Posted Jan. 27, 2008)
Congratulations go out to Jeff K3DEI and John KC5JGL for passing element 4 on Saturday Jan. 26th.  Good job.
 
White Rock Classic 25/50K Run (Posted Nov 07, 2007)
Saturday Feb 2nd the White Rock Classic will be held and volunteers to help are needed. 
Contact Buster AD5AM if you have any questions or to volunteer.  Also, you can reference White Rock Classic for more information.  I like their moto, "no fees, no frills, no whimps".
 
We will meet at the IHOP in Rogers between 5:00 AM and 5:30 AM to caravan down.  If you can't make that we'll meet at Turner's Bend just south of the Mulberry River near Cass on Highway 23.  We will disperse from there to the check points at 8:00 AM.  We will be operating on simplex at 146.550 MHz.
 
Technician Class Starting in January (Posted Oct 27, 2007)
Starting January 28th BCRO will hold a weekly technician class at the Bentonville Public Library.  Class dates will be Jan 28th, Feb 4th, Feb 11th and Feb 19th, and then testing will done on Feb 23rd.  Class start time will be 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.  You will need a ARRL Technician Class Book.  Class space is limited.  If you have any questions about this class please contact Glenn WB5L or Jay KCØCNB.
 
Radio For Sale (Posted Jan 06, 2008)
The world’s first HF/VHF/UHF self-contained battery-powered Multi-mode Portable Transceiver. Providing up to five watts of power output, the FT-817 is designed for operation on the 160-10 meter HF bands, plus the 6 meter, 2 meter, and 70 cm bands.  This radio is sold.
 
Jan Club Meeting News (Posted Jan. 08, 2008)
See this link to the club officers for 2008. We also discussed the recent storm activity in our area and our response.
 
Next Club Meeting (Posted Dec 11, 2007)
All business from the December meeting will be discussed at the next club meeting on January 8th, 2008.  We will also be voting for club officers for 2008.
 
November Testing Results (Posted Nov 18, 2007)
Congratulations go out to 11 year old Adam KE5OPX. who tested with us on Saturday November 17th and upgraded to General.  Congratulations Adam, hope to see you at a BCRO meeting sometime soon, or talk to you on the air.
 
Next Club Meeting (Posted Nov 18, 2007)
The next meeting will be Tuesday December 11th at the Roger's Public Library.  The club will purchase and provide a Ham/ Turkey and some drinks.  Everyone please bring your favorite side dish and plenty of it.  We will also be voting for club officers for 2008.
 
N5NTI Balloon Launch (Posted Nov 07, 2007)
Tuesday November 20th, N5NTI will have a balloon launch at the Helen Tyson Middle School in Springdale at 1:15 PM.  <Click Here For More Info>
 
October Testing Results (Posted Oct 27, 2007)
Congratulations go out to Eric KE5RGH. a new technician that tested with us on Saturday October 27th, and also Mark KE5QEO who upgraded to General.  Congratulations guys and hope to talk to soon on the air and also see you at a BCRO club meeting.
 
N5NTI Balloon Launch (Posted Nov 07, 2007)
Tuesday November 20th, N5NTI will have a balloon launch at the Helen Tyson Middle School in Springdale
.
Helen Tyson School, South 40th Street. Exact location of launch is not known because it is a function of which way the wind is blowing..... literally.  It is timed to coincide with the presence of the Springdale School Board.
 
The launch is scheduled for 1:15 PM, but they will be setting up at high noon and could use help with crowd control and moral support. It takes about 30 min to inflate the balloon.
 
The payload will contain a CW beacon on 147.475 squawking N5NTI. It will also broadcast on APRS at 144.390. There will be a digital camera on board taking a frame about every 50 seconds. It will even contain a "sonic locator beacon", which is a teeny tiny amplifier that will chirp (not loudly, but is there just in case ;-) Tracking vehicles will be working from the ARKAN 146.955 repeater most likely.
 
Other hams are welcome to come and join in the festivities and lend a hand where needed.
 
73,
Hal K5NOW
 
For more info visit Hal's site http://www.k5now.org/balloon_launch.htm or contact Hal at hal@k5now.org.
 
More Tour de Cure Pics (Posted Oct 24, 2007)
More Tour de Cure pictures have been added to the Photos page.  Thanks Louie N5SQV.  <Click Here To View>
 
6 Meter Presentation (Posted Oct 20, 2007)
Steve KC5FWE has been putting on a presentation of 6 meters on the Cabot Area Simplex Net. I recorded the one from Saturday Oct 20, 2007 and have it up for your download and listening pleasure.  Email me if you want to hear this.
 
October Meeting Notes (Posted Oct 9, 2007)
October's meeting was held on Tuesday night October 9th.  We had guest speakers Bill Graham N5QEM and Mark Huffman from the Northwest Arkansas Technical Institute of Springdale speaking on Near Space.
 
Come to the November 13th meeting with nominations ready for club officers, and ready to discuss what we will do for the December meeting.
 
Tour de Cure Results (Posted Oct 9, 2007)
Awesome does not even begin to describe our event last Saturday! It was spectacular. What a committee! You guys went above and beyond at every turn. Thank you! It should not surprise you then that we BROKE THE TOUR RECORD for Northwest Arkansas!  Here are the stats as of today....
 
5K Run - 114, 10K Run - 79, Half Marathon - 119, Walk- 69
Riders - 431 and Total Participants- 811
 
Total Dollars Raised- $236,310.  Our Goal was $225,000, we exceeded goal by $11,310.  Our Growth from last year is 32%. What a show! I am so proud of all of you.
 
Sincerely,
Allison Hickey - Director
American Diabetes Association
 
MGM Film Presents Radio Hams (Oct 1, 2007)
A film from Metro Goldwayn Mayer that promotes Amateur Radio has surfaced on the Internet.  Produced in 1939 by Pete Smith, "Radio Hams centers on a family called to dinner.  All but the teenage son respond.  When family members go looking for him, one by one they are snared into a world of ham radio high adventure.  Unlike most films promoting ham radio, this one is not a documentary.  It's a fully scripted 10 minute dramatic presentation.
 
"Radio Hams" is really a nostalgic look back at ham radio the way it never was, You can see it on-line on YouTube.
 
How Prepared Are You? (Posted Aug 23, 2007)
If you’d like to hear a true life story from a amateur radio volunteer during a recent Minnesota emergency, if you want to listen to this Handiham episode email me.  This volunteer describes in detail what happened during his volunteer experience, and what I imagine is probably a common occurrence during these types of situations.  If you guys have a story to tell (similar or not) please feel free to let me know, we’ll get together at your convenience and get it documented.  It’ll help the new guys understand what to expect in cases like these, and the other guys might be able to compare with their experiences and offer some suggestions how to resolve problems that you might have encountered.  Please send an email to KE5JVH@arrl.net if interested.
 
September is National Preparedness Month (Posted Aug 19, 2007)
The goal of National Preparedness Month is to increase awareness about the importance of preparing for emergencies. It is vital that Amateur operators take steps to prepare for emergencies. <Read More>
 
Search Scheduled (Posted Sept 11, 2007)
If you would like to volunteer and help the Benton County Search & Rescue Team this Saturday Sept 15th, contact Brad KJ5YD or Jane Christensen KD5TLK. 479.502.6461 for more information.
 
ARKAN Parkfest on Sept 22 (Posted Sept 8, 2007)
The 3rd annual ARKAN Parkfest will be held at the Lowell Park in Lowell on Saturday September 22, 2007 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. For more information go to the ARKAN website.
 
FCC to Lower Vanity Call Sign Fees September 17 (Posted Sept 2, 2007)
The FCC will reduce the regulatory fee to obtain or renew an Amateur Radio vanity call sign by more than 40 percent starting September 17. <Read More>
 
Do You Have "The Knack?" (Posted Aug 24, 2007)
This is a link to a funny little Dilbert video I thought you might enjoy.  Oh, and for the engineers in the group.
 
Bella Vista Repeater Group in the News (Posted Aug 22, 2007)
‘I hear you loud and clear, over’ <Read Article>
 
Huntsville, AL Hamfest (Aug 17, 2007)
Wish you could be at the Hunstville, AL Hamfest, site of the 2007 ARRL National Convention?  Go to Tom Medlin WA5KUB's website and see live video feed all weekend long.
 
Two New BCRO Committees (July 10, 2007)
There are two committees that were approved by the club members; Field Day Readiness Committee, chaired by Scott KE5LEN and Mark AD5WI.  Email them if you would like to be a part of this group or if you have suggestions.  The other committee approved is the Activity Committee; which will investigate special interests within the club and make recommendations on forming SIGs.  Scott KE5LEN is the chairperson for this committee.  Please email him if you'd like to be a part of this group or would like to make suggestions.
 
Hamfest Committee (July 10, 2007)
Jay KCØCNB is looking for volunteers to help with organizing this next years hamfest at the Jones Center in Springdale.
 
New Meeting Location (July 10, 2007)
Starting August 14th we will move the BCRO meetings to the Roger's Public Library in the Community Room.  Date and time schedule is the same, this is just a location change.  This will make it easier to get into the meeting without having to pass through a county building.  We will try this for a few months and if all works out we'll use it, if not we have the option of moving back to the Administration Building.
 
Online Membership Roster (June 15, 2007)
If you are interested in having your name and call on an online membership roster please send an email to KE5JVH@arrl.net and I'll have you added.
 
Operator Licenses Class Sign Up (June 13, 2007)
If you are interested in taking a class for your Technician or General Class operators license, we are gearing up for a eight hour training class soon.  Please send an email with your name, call sign and phone number to KE5JVH@arrl.net and we'll let you know more information as soon as possible.

BPL News


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