|
Newsletter of the Binghamton Amateur Radio Association
Please note that this month our
Volunteer Exam (VE) Test Session for Amateur Radio Licenses
will
be held at Noon on Saturday during Field Day instead of prior to our monthly
club meeting.
Antenna Activity Day
Saturday, June 6, 2026 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Weather Permitting
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, 698 Underwood Rd, Vestal, NY
Plans are underway for a “Hands-On Antenna Day”,
and all members are encouraged to stop by, lend a hand,
or simply enjoy the
opportunity to learn something new. Whether you are building your first
antenna, tuning
an existing design,
troubleshooting a problem, or comparing notes with fellow operators, this
will be a relaxed
and collaborative event
focused on practical skills and real-world experimentation.
The day is not intended to be a formal antenna course or
large-scale antenna fabrication workshop. Instead,
the emphasis will be on
practical solutions, demonstrations, troubleshooting, and operating
experience.
Mobile installation SWR
checks may also be available, depending on equipment and volunteer
availability.
Cortland
Hamfest & Technology Fair
Saturday, June 13, 2026 7:00
AM to Noon
Cortland County Fairgrounds, 4301 Fairgrounds Drive, Cortland, NY
This annual event offers a wide range of equipment, components,
and electronics available for sale or trade.
Admission is just $6 per
person, with children 12 and under admitted free. Outdoor flea market space
is included
with your admission, and
indoor flea market space is available for $10 per 10 feet; with electricity
provided, but vendors must bring their own tables.
For more information or to register for VE testing:
https://skylinehamradioclub.org
BARA Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 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,
you are encouraged to
join us. Meetings offer a chance to connect with local operators, exchange
ideas,
learn from others, and
stay informed about club activities.
Unable to
attend in person? Join via Zoom https://qsl.net/bara/zoom
Doug's Fish Fry Fundraiser
Thursday, June 18, 2026 11:00 AM to 6:00
PM
Tractor Supply Co., 154 Vestal Pkwy West,
Vestal, NY
 
Support our friends at Vestal Fire Department Company #2 by enjoying a delicious meal from
Doug’s ToGo!
Fish Sandwiches, Shrimp Dinners, Scallop Dinners, and Thursday offers Onion
Rings in addition to Fries.
Click here to download a poster and help spread the word: https://qsl.net/bara/dougsfishfry
Alan Jones Vestal XX
Saturday, June 20, 2026 7:30
AM to 11:00 AM
Vestal Senior Center, 201 Main St., Vestal, NY
Join us for the 54th edition of the Vestal XX Run, now proudly
renamed the Alan Jones Vestal XX to honor the former TCRC president and race
director, Alan Jones. This iconic 20-kilometer road race, winding over the
scenic hills of Vestal, NY, celebrates Alan's notable contributions to the
running community and continues a tradition that dates back to the 1930s,
making it the oldest road race in the Southern Tier.
If you’re interested in helping with radio
communications, contact Ford AB2HS on the 146.865 repeater.
You will need to arrive
on-site between 7:30 am and 8:00 am as the run starts promptly at 8:00 am.
Breakfast Get Together
Saturday, June 20, 2026 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Blue Dolphin Diner, 7670 NYS Route 434,
Apalachin, NY
|
|
Join us for good food
and great company at the
Blue Dolphin, a long-standing BARA tradition.
We meet on the third
Saturday of each month,
beginning around 9:00 AM for breakfast at the
Blue Dolphin Restaurant in Apalachin and
continuing until the last conversation wraps up.
|
ARRL Field Day - Volunteer Exam
(VE) Test Session
Saturday, June 27, 2026 Noon to 1:00 PM Walk-ins are welcome
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, 698 Underwood Rd, Vestal, NY
|
|
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 passing
your exam and your application is
processed, the FCC will
send you an email with
instructions for
submitting the required payment.
|
For more information: https://larc-vec.org/displayteam.php?team=BARA
ARRL Field Day
Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 2:00 PM
to Sunday, June 28,
2026 at 5:00 PM
Kopernik Observatory & Science
Center, 698 Underwood Rd,
Vestal, NY
Field Day is always the fourth full weekend of June, beginning
at 1800 UTC Saturday to 2059 UTC Sunday.
Be sure to let us know if you plan to
attend: Click here to complete for the BARA
Field Day Survey-
Wilkes-Barre
Hamfest and Computerfest
Sunday, July 5, 2026 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Polish American Veterans, 2 South Oak Street, Plains, PA
Admission is $10, and children under 16 as well as XYLs are
admitted free. Each paid admission includes one tailgate space, with
additional spaces available for $5 and pavilion tables available for $10 on a
first come basis. The event is held rain or shine and features buying and
selling of new and used radio equipment, computers, and electronic gear,
along with door prizes throughout the morning.
For more information: https://murgasarc.org/hamfest.htm
|
|
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 is a platform that lets you communicate
through voice and video calls, text messaging and media sharing. You can
chat privately or join virtual communities called 'servers,' made up of
chat rooms and voice channels.
Join us on the BARA Discord Server and be part of the conversation.
|
|
|
BARA Logbooks
We have a special offer for our members. Each 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 from local
police, fire departments and emergency services, delivering real-time,
accurate and timely audio directly from
the first responders who protect our community.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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.
You will get an Explorer QRZ-1 5W VHF/UHF handheld
transceiver, RT Systems software
and programming cable for just $17.99 (plus tax and
shipping).
|
|
|
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're 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 without the need to locate a club
or site administrator.
|
|
|
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.
.
|
|
