BARA is offering another opportunity to get BARA branded apparel and callsign name badges again.   For more info:  https://qsl.net/bara/merch  


BARA Field Day
Held on June 27-28, 2026
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, 698 Underwood Rd, Vestal, NY 

Held annually on the last weekend in June, the Binghamton Amateur Radio Association joined the most popular on-the-air event in the US and Canada, combining public service, emergency preparedness, community outreach, and technical skills in a single event.  More than 18 operators, including several who passed their license exam that day, made nearly 700 contacts across 7 bands and 3 modes. From inside and outside Kopernik, we made contacts with more than 50 states and provinces. The public had the chance to join in, get on the air and learn more about ham radio's science, skill and service to our communities and our nation.

    Check out some photos and videos of the event at BARA Field Day 2026

If you operated a Field Day station using your own Callsign, please email us at [email protected] so we can help you add your scores to the club total.


The 13 Colonies Special Event
Wednesday, July 1st at 9:00 am through Midnight Tuesday, July 7th
Which is July 1, 1300 UTC through July 8, 0400 UTC

The 13 Colonies Special Event is one of the biggest annual on-air ham radio events. It celebrates the original American colonies with special event stations K2A–K2M, plus bonus stations WM3PEN (Philadelphia), GB13COL (England), and TM13COL (France) . You can work any station you like, or go for the coveted Clean Sweep by contacting all 13-colony stations plus the 3 bonus stations. All HF bands except 60m are used, and modes vary by station (SSB, CW, digital, etc.) . QSL cards and downloadable certificates are available each year.

The official website is:   https://13colonies.us  


Wilkes-Barre Hamfest and Computerfest
Sunday, July 5 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Polish American Veterans, 2 South Oak Street, Plains, PA

Admission is $10 and children under 16 and XYLs are admitted free. Each paid admission includes one tailgate space, with additional spaces available for $5 and pavilion tables for $10 on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is held rain or shine and features the buying and selling of new and used radio equipment, computers and electronic gear, along with door prizes throughout the morning.

While you are in Wilkes-Barre for the Hamfest, you can keep the day rolling with a classic summer afternoon just a short drive away. After lunchtime, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, will host the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, at PNC Field in Moosic, PA. First pitch is at 1:35 pm, and topping things off, it is Sunday Family Fun Day, complete with family-friendly entertainment and ballpark activities throughout the game.

It’s a perfect double-header of hobbies: spend the morning talking radios, then settle in for a great baseball matchup as the Rail Riders take on Norfolk

Tickets for the game are available at:   https://swbrailriders.com/tickets  


Roger’s RAGS Hamfest
Saturday, July 11 from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm
Camillus Elks Lodge, 6117 Newport Road, Camillus, NY

   For more information:  https://ragsclub.org/ham-fest  


Volunteer Exam (VE) Test Session
Wednesday, July 15 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
 Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, 698 Underwood Rd, Vestal, NY

Please create an FCC account if you do not already have an FRN number.   fcc.gov/coresWeb/regEntityType.do

Bring your FRN number (for upgrades: a photocopy of your current license) to the test session, along with a photo ID. Walk-ins are Welcome 

While our exams are offered free of charge, the FCC requires a $35 fee for new licenses, license renewals and vanity call sign requests. This fee is not collected at the VE test session and must be paid directly to the FCC. After your exam is passed and your application is processed, the FCC will email you instructions for submitting the required payment.  


BARA Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, July 15 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, 698 Underwood Rd, Vestal, NY

All are welcome to attend our monthly meetings. Whether you are licensed, studying, or simply curious about amateur radio, you are encouraged to join us. Each session offers a mix of technical insight and field-tested experience, creating a space where newcomers and long-time operators can learn from one another. Attendees can expect thoughtful discussion, practical advice and plenty of opportunities to exchange ideas with local hams. It is an excellent way to stay connected with the club, keep up with ongoing activities and be part of a community that enjoys learning, experimenting and sharing knowledge.

Unable to attend in person?   Click Here to Join via Zoom   


Breakfast Get Together
Saturday, July 18 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am

Blue Dolphin Diner, 7670 NYS Route 434, Apalachin, NY.


We meet on the third Saturday
of each month, beginning at
9:00 AM for breakfast.


Join us for good food and great company at the Blue Dolphin Diner.


POTA Support Your Parks Weekend
Held Annually on the Third Full Weekend of July 18-19, 2026

 

Join us for Support Your Parks Weekend as we head outdoors for a relaxed and enjoyable operating session. Whether you are an experienced activator, a casual chaser, or someone who has been curious about portable operating, this is an ideal opportunity to get on the air, learn from fellow operators and experience the fun of field-based radio.

The focus will be on practical operating, simple setups and sharing techniques that make portable work both effective and enjoyable. Participants can expect a friendly mix of real-world advice, hands-on guidance and plenty of chances to compare gear, antennas and operating styles. It is a great way to spend time in the park, support the POTA program and connect with local hams that enjoy taking their stations into the field.

Use the Discord #portable-ops_pota_sota_etc channel to help schedule meet-ups and share info on sites.   Join at https://discord.gg/fPFAP6qkz   


Doug's Fish Fry Fundraiser
Friday, July 31st • 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Tractor Supply Co., 154 Vestal Pkwy West, Vestal, NY

 

  

Support BARA at our Doug’s Fish Fry fundraiser by downloading a poster and help spread the word:   https://qsl.net/bara/dougs       


Ithaca Hamfest
Saturday, August 1 from 7:00 am to Noon
Tompkins County Fairgrounds, 2150 Trumansburg Road, Trumansburg, NY

 

For more information:  www.tcara-ny.org/hamfest  


W1AW/2 Portable in New York
Wednesday, August 26th thru Tuesday, September 1st


Do not miss your opportunity to operate using the W1AW call sign.

 

Operate from your own station during the week and/or from the BARA Club Shack at the Kopernik Observatory.

 

As part of the ARRL America250 Worked All States Operating Event, we will again have the opportunity to activate as W1AW/2 Portable New York.

During the week of August 26 through September 1, we can operate under the special-event Callsign after registering and reserving your one-hour timeslot for band and mode. Only one station can be active in any given time slot, band, and mode. You can even combine this with a POTA activation. We are working on plans to operate from the Kopernik if there is interest.

Please register ("Offer Your Help") now at www.nnyarrl.org/w1aw .

Once you receive your password you can start reserving your timeslots.

Note the next dates for NY are August 26th  thru  September 1st  

Review the Activator instructions at qsl.net/bara/w1aw2.pdf  

Special POTA logging procedures, Kopernik/group schedules, along with more info and training to follow.  


YouTube Channel Playlists

 

 

BARA Activities

Monthly Meetings

Monthly Programs

 

 

Marconi Day

NE2B POTA CW

News Stories

 

 

 

 

 

Calendars

 

 

Analog and Digital Voice Nets

Ham Radio Calendars

Upcoming Local Events

 

 

 

 

 

Local Amateur Radio Nets

 

 

Radio Net

Schedule

Frequencies

 

 

Morning Net

Weekdays & Saturday at 8:00 am

146.865 -.600 MHz

PL 146.2 Ingraham Hill

 

 

BARA Net

Wednesday at 8:00 pm
except for Club Meeting Wednesdays

 

 

BRAT Net

Sunday at 8:00 pm
Radio Amateur Technical Net

 

 

Early Bird Net

Weekdays at 5:30 am

146.730 -.600 MHz

PL 100.0 Binghamton

 

 

STAR Net

Southern Tier Amateur Radio Net
Daily at 6:30 pm

 

 

Six Meter Net

Wednesdays at 9:00 pm

50.200 MHz USB

 

 

North / South
Group

Thursdays at 7:00 pm

3.900 MHz LSB

 

 

NYS RACES

Sunday at 9:00 am

3.993 or 7.281 MHz LSB

 

 

STNYDV Net

Southern Tier Digital Voice Net
Sunday at 7:00 pm

BM TG 31367, Wires-X 83721,
Google Meet and YouTube.

 

 

Southern  Tier Fusion  Net

Sundays & Wednesdays at 8:00 pm

Requires a Yaesu C4FM Digital Radio
Click for Connection Entry Points

 

 

TTDTN

Third Tuesday of the Month

Twin Tiers Digital Training Net
on Zoom

 

 

Amateur Radio Licensing

Interested in obtaining or upgrading your Amateur Radio License? Learn about the different license classes, the requirements and how to get started on your journey.

 

ARRL Membership for Students

Full-time students aged 21 years or younger have the opportunity for a no-cost student membership. As an ARRL member, you will learn skills and make connections that may advance your education and future career goals.

 

BARA Brochures

The club has printed out about 100 BARA Brochures to help spread the word about our organization.

 

BARA Discord Server

Discord lets you communicate through text messaging, voice and video calls. You can chat privately or join virtual communities called servers.
Join us on Discord and be part of the conversation.

 

BARA Logbooks

Each BARA member can receive a FREE Logbook as a gift from BARA. This offer is limited to one logbook per member, not annually. Families get one for each licensed member.

See Steve KA2YRA to claim your copy.

 

BARA Stickers

Show your support for BARA with our exclusive BARA Stickers.

Priced at just $3.50 each or 3 for $10.

See our Treasurer Greg KE2CAV to get yours.

 

Broome County Live Scanner Feed

Stay connected to Broome County’s emergency services with ScannerNerds.com. Listen to live Motorola P25 transmissions delivering real-time, accurate and timely audio directly from the first responders who protect our community.

 

Calendar of Upcoming Events

We are excited to share the following reminders for upcoming events.

 

Callsign Light Displays

Discover these beautifully engraved and colorful Callsign light displays crafted by our very own Bill Jakaitis, KB2SIN and other fantastic ham radio-related gifts.

 

Contest Calendar

Detailed information about amateur radio contests throughout the world, including their scheduled dates/times, rules summaries, log submission information and links to the official rules as published by the contest sponsors.

 

New Ham Cheatsheet

Alongside the QRZ Jumpstart Program, Frank Heaney W2FJH has developed a “New Ham Cheatsheet.” This handy guide is designed to help newly licensed hams get started on their amateur radio journey with ease.

 

New Ham Jumpstart Program

Are you a new ham who obtained your amateur radio license within the last 6 months? Apply now for the QRZ Jumpstart Program and receive a fantastic welcome package.

 

Pictures from Our Various Events

We are excited to share the following pictures from our various events.

 

Ham Radio Dashboard

A fast, privacy-first dashboard offering HF band conditions, space weather, DX spots, POTA/SOTA activity, grey line maps, contest calendars, a Morse trainer and simple logging tools, all in your browser with no account required.

 

Ham Info Map

An interactive map showing licensed amateur operators across the U.S. Useful for exploring nearby hams or planning contacts.

 

Hear Ham Repeater Directory

A centralized, easy-to-navigate repeater directory with frequency, offset, mode and system details.
Works on desktop and mobile.

 

Radio Station World

Your gateway to discovering radio stations from every corner of the globe.

Whether you are exploring local broadcasters, streaming stations, or specialized radio services, this directory brings the world of radio together in one place.

 

 

Seven 3 Dot Net

A social network for hams by hams started in the Southern Tier of New York as a means for hams to spread the word about anything and everything ham radio related.

 

Swap and Shop

Here, you can buy, sell or trade ham radio equipment with fellow enthusiasts. Discover the latest listings and snag some fantastic deals.

 

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