OUR HISTORY

The Estancia Valley Amateur Radio Association was formed in May, 2005.  The organization was created to support Torrance County (New Mexico) in RACES and Amateur Radio Emergency Service, as backup communications for public safety operations within the county.  To appeal to a broader range of hams, it was decided the association would not focus solely on emergency communications, but would become a general interest amateur radio operation and knowledge..

At that meeting, a slate of officers was elected, and the beginnings of a constitution were proposed.  Initial officers were Gary Kayser. KE5CDA, (who was also the county emergency manager) as president, Joel Lockwood, KJ5EY, as vice president, Darlene Campbell, KD7HPN, as secretary, and Bob Scupp, K5SEP as treasurer. Ed Brooks, W5HTW, was chosen to be the county District Emergency Coordinator, pending ARRL and EC approval. 

Also present that that meeting were Earl Campbell, N8TV, Georgia Overlander, N5GOY, Glenn Overlander, KD5BP, and Bob Ayre, N5LVR.  Bob Ayre was the County Manager at the time.

Gary provided us with access to the EOC, which at the time was a small room in the courthouse.  Already installed in there was an Icom 2720 dual band, with power supply, and an Icom 718 HF rig, also with power supply, plus a Motorola public safety radio. 

Gary left the OEM, and the club, as well as amateur radio.  Joel Lockwood became president, and Georgia became secretary.  For the following two years, Joel remained president, and Darryl Clutter, NX5W, became vice president.  Joel also took over duties as acting Treasurer, and Georgia resigned as secretary, leaving that position appointed to Ed Brooks, W5HTW

In May, 2009, a new slate was elected, consisting of Ed Brooks, W5HTW, as president, Daniel Starks, KD7UFS as vice president, Paul Engle, AD5SX as secretary, and Georgia Overlander, N5GOY as Treasurer.  The club has grown to over twenty members, and nearly twenty seven members counting some on inactive status.

EVARA GOALS are to provide a time and place for those interested in amateur radio to meet, talk and socialize.  EVARA also supports emergency communications and several members are also members of ARES.  We are exploring ways to recruit new people into amateur radio, and we have in our club a very active VE (Darryl Clutter, NX5W) in both the W5YI and ARRL VECs, as well as being a certified ARRL instructor. 

We promote amateur radio when we have a chance, and are always interested in expanding the club membership as well.  

In the 2009-2010 club year we hope to have many more activities besides the monthly club meeting, and hope to be on the air fairly frequently with the club call sign of NM5EV, operating from the mobile van that is temporarily used as a club station. 

If you are an amateur located in the Estancia Valley or East Mountains area, east of Albuquerque, and would like to check us out, we remind you visitors are always welcome at our meetings as well as other activities by the club.  You do not have to be a licensed amateur radio operator, just have an interest in it, or a desire to learn more about it. 

We are presently working on Bylaws, which when finished, will permit us to file for ARRL affiliation. 

EVARA is a New Mexico non-profit organization.  That means we can accept donations of equipment and/or funds to help build the club in its support of emergency communications.

Welcome to EVARA

Ed Brooks, W5HTW

President