On the air
Make contacts near and far
Explore HF, VHF/UHF, contesting, CW, digital voice, and other operating modes alongside local operators who are happy to share what they know.
Explore nets and operating →Explore · Experiment · Connect
Radio brings people together.
From making your first contact to building antennas, trying digital modes, contesting, and supporting our community, BARA is a place to learn by doing and share the excitement of amateur radio.
Monthly meetingsThird Wednesday · 7:00 PM
Kopernik Observatory, Vestal, NY
Kopernik Observatory, Vestal, NY
New to amateur radio?Visitors, students, and curious beginners are welcome.
License examsVolunteer exam sessions before monthly meetings; walk-ins welcome.
A club for radio, technology, and community
There is more than one way to enjoy amateur radio.
Hands-on
Let’s build something
Learn through practical projects involving antennas, RF, electronics, station setup, logging, and experimentation. Bring an idea or learn from someone else's.
Read Jim Lawson W2UO’s article →Community
Get involved at your pace
Help with operating events, public service, club activities, outreach, or planning. You can contribute as much or as little as your time and interests allow.
Discover ways to participate →Featured from BARA Facts
Build skills, not just talk about them.
Jim Lawson, W2UO, makes the case for getting hands-on with RF in the modern age. BARA’s Activities Group is also looking for ways to turn members’ interests into projects, presentations, field trips, and shared learning.
Whether you are an experienced builder or just beginning to understand how a radio works, there is room to learn together.
Read “Let’s Build Something!”Coming up at BARA
Meet fellow operators, get on the air, or take your next step.
Oct17Saturday
Breakfast Get-Together
9:00–10:30 AM · Blue Dolphin Diner, 7670 NYS Route 434, Apalachin. Informal conversation, good food, and radio talk. No agenda; just friendly company.
Oct17Saturday
New York State QSO Party
10:00 AM–10:00 PM · Kopernik Observatory, 698 Underwood Road, Vestal. Join the club on HF or try the dedicated 2-meter simplex station. Your individual score can contribute to BARA’s club total.
Oct16–18Weekend
Jamboree on the Air / Jamboree on the Internet
Scouts around the world use amateur radio and the internet to meet one another, share experiences, and learn about other communities.
Oct16–18Weekend
Autumn Support Your Parks Weekend
Get outdoors and activate a park, or stay at home and contact Parks on the Air stations. A simple way to enjoy portable operation and make contacts.
Oct21Wednesday
Amateur Radio License Exams
6:00–7:00 PM · Kopernik Observatory, 698 Underwood Road, Vestal. Walk-ins welcome. Bring your FRN, government-issued photo ID, and a copy of your current license if upgrading. The FCC charges a separate $35 application fee.
Oct21Wednesday
Monthly Club Meeting
7:00–8:30 PM · Kopernik Observatory, Vestal, with remote attendance available. All are welcome, including people studying for a license or simply curious.
Oct28Wednesday
BARA Activities Group
7:30 PM · Online. Help shape practical activities, projects, learning opportunities, and ways for members to get involved.
Nov4Wednesday
BARA Board Meeting
7:30 PM · Online. Members are welcome to observe and offer input as appropriate.
Event information reflects the club website and the October 2026 issue of BARA Facts. Please check the club calendar for updates before traveling.
Find your place on the air
Local nets are an easy way to listen, check in, and get to know other operators.
| Net | When | Frequency / details |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Net | Weekdays and Saturdays · 8:00 AM | 146.865 MHz, −600 kHz offset, PL 146.2 · Ingraham Hill |
| BARA Net | Wednesdays · 8:00 PM | Except on club-meeting Wednesdays |
| BRAT Net | Sundays · 8:00 PM | Local informal net |
| Early Bird Net | Weekdays · 5:30 AM | 146.730 MHz, −600 kHz offset, PL 100.0 · Binghamton |
| STAR Net | Daily · 6:30 PM | 146.730 MHz, −600 kHz offset, PL 100.0 · Binghamton |
| Six-Meter Net | Wednesdays · 9:00 PM | 50.200 MHz USB |
| North / South Group | Thursdays · 7:00 PM | 3.900 MHz LSB |
| NYS RACES | Sundays · 9:00 AM | 3.993 or 7.281 MHz LSB |
| STNY Digital Voice Net | Sundays · 7:00 PM | BrandMeister TG 31367, Wires-X 83721, plus online options |
| Southern Tier Fusion Net | Sundays and Wednesdays · 8:00 PM | Yaesu C4FM digital radio required |
Net schedules can change. Confirm current details with the linked net resources or local net control.
Useful links for your radio journey
Good starting points, whether you are new or experienced.
Get licensed
Amateur Radio Licensing
Study resources and guidance for earning your first license or upgrading.
Start studying →Stay connected
Club meetings online
Attend a monthly meeting remotely if you cannot make it to Kopernik.
Open the Zoom room →Read and contribute
BARA Facts newsletter
News, member projects, operating opportunities, and ideas from the club community.
Read October’s issue →Curious about amateur radio?
Come see what it can do.
You do not need to be licensed or already know how everything works. Visit a meeting, ask questions, listen in, or join a project. BARA welcomes anyone interested in radio and electronics technology.
Meetings: third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM · Kopernik Observatory and Science Center, 698 Underwood Road, Vestal, NY.