Founded in 1954, the Alexandria Radio Club takes pride in our service to the community. Through our Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) section, we serve the City of Alexandria during emergencies. We also provide radio and digital communications support for the George Washington Birthday parade and the Marine Corps Marathon. The Alexandria Radio Club is an affiliated club with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the Foundation for Amateur Radio (FAR).
The Club meets the second Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Alexandria Fire Training Center, located at the rear of the Nannie J. Lee Center at 11108 Jefferson Street in Alexandria, VA.
Membership is open to everyone.
Club
Equipment
Our club operates six repeaters on the following frequencies:
53.130; 147.315; 224.820; 444.600; and 1282.600. (A repeater is a device that
regenerates radio signals to allow for greater geographic coverage.) Besides the
public service activities outlined above, our club's expertise includes satellite
communications, digital transmissions, and equipment repair.
Communications
Trailer
In 2005, the club purchased a new 12 foot enclosed trailer. With
public donations and through our membership's labor, the trailer is now available
as a mobile Communications Center. The first deployment of the trailer was in
support of the 2005 Marine Corps Marathon.
Field Day
Each June,
we participate in the ARRL sanctioned Field Day where we set up our emergency
equipment and operate "off the grid" for 24 hours to help prepare for
an actual emergency.
Classes
Twice a year we conduct entry level
and advanced classes to help those interested in amateur radio become licensed
and on the air. Classes are usually held one day a week at the Alexandria Fire
Training Center, located at the rear of the Nannie J. Lee Center at 1108 Jefferson
Street in Alexandria. Classes usually begin in February and September depending
on room availability. Morse code training is available, even though Morse code
is not a requirement for the entry level Technician License.
Elmering
The
Club prides itself on providing technical help when necessary in friendly learning
environment. Whether you need help troubleshooting a rig or have organized an
antenna party, club members always lend a willing hand.
Hamfests
From
time to time, members carpool to area hamfests to buy, sell, or just explore what's
both new and old in the world of ham radio.
Socializing
The club
is very social with members gathering for dinner on Monday and Friday nights.
On club meeting nights, club members usually dine at the Chicken Out located at
701 S. Washington Street in Alexandria. Please consider joining us.
Most community service events will find members getting together after for lunch.