God Bless America

Thank you for visiting the Brightleaf Amateur Radio Club. The club is located in Greenville, North Carolina. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month.

North Carolina

Jack Kear, K4MI (SK), Bob Knapp, W4OMW (SK), Charlie Wells, K4SKI (SK), Lamar Reed, K4BPF, and Ray Davis (SK) were some that met to organize the Brightleaf Amateur Radio Club in 1967. Why the name Brightleaf Amateur Radio Club? According to Life Member Jack Kear, K4MI, one reason was that the tobacco companies would pay for the QSL cards if the name "Brightleaf" was used. There is more Brightleaf tobacco grown in Pitt County than any other county in the United States. (or was?)   The club call sign, W4AMC, was formerly held by Gilbert Smith (SK) of Robersonville, one of the Charter Members that helped organize the club. 

 General Information

The Brightleaf Amateur Radio Club is located in Greenville, Pitt County, North Carolina. The purpose of the club shall be to further cooperation within the community of Amateur Radio Operators by promoting radio knowledge, operating efficiency and the exchange of information between members. We do so by conducting activities and programs that advance the general interest in the welfare of Amateur Radio in our community. A net is held Monday's at 8 PM on the W4GDF 147.09 repeater. VE sessions are usually held every even month (Feb, Apr, etc) on the third Tuesday at 6:30 PM.  (Click here for dates.)

June means ARRL Field Day. Tents, antennas, radios and generators are set up and several stations are operated. The Saturday evening meal is usually a big cookout with the families joining in. Check out the pictures and videos.

BARC participated in Exercise "Strong Angel"  in June 2000 with communications between the VOA site C and Hawaii.  For more information, click on the link.

Any person interested in Amateur Radio is eligible for membership. The address is P. O. Box 8387, Greenville, NC 27835. An application for membership (pdf) has the latest rates for annual dues. 

Meeting and Membership Information

Club meetings are generally held the second Tuesday of each month in Greenville, North Carolina. The meeting usually starts at 7:30 P.M. Latest information is on the home page.

In the past, the club has occasionally toured one of the Voice of America transmitter sites near Greenville in place of a regular meeting. It was always interesting to see the 500,000 watt AM transmitters and the antenna farm covering over 2000 acres with over 80 towers with heights up to 300 feet. What an antenna farm!!  Check out Jim Hawkins', WA2WHV, Radio Room web site for old pictures of the VOA Site A near Greenville, NC.  That site has been shut down and the property now belongs to Beaufort County.  See the Site A tower demolition in 2016 at <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcsbny8PFZw>.

VOA Site B	Small part of the 2000 acre antenna farm	One of the many USIA antennas
Click on pictures for larger picture

In December, the meeting is usually replaced by a Christmas social with the families attending.  Annual awards and certificates are presented at this time including the BARC Ham of the Year. 

An occasional meeting will be a field trip or combined meeting with nearby clubs.

Annual dues for regular members are twenty dollars ($20) and it is two dollars ($2) for family members living in the same household. The family member will share the Ham Chatter. Dues for first year new hams over 18 are ten dollars ($10) and under 19, five dollars ($5). Associate members (non-licensed) dues are five dollars ($5). See Application.

Area Nets

See the latest Ham Chatter for area net information.

VE Exams

THE INFORMATION BELOW IS OUT OF DATE.  NEW SITE AT:
https://w4amc.com/get-your-license-ve/

Map to VFW Post 7032

VE sessions are held every two months on the THIRD Tuesday of EVEN months except for special circumstances.   All sessions will accept walk-ins.  Please bring the following:

1. Photo ID
2. ORIGINAL AND COPY of Amateur Radio license if applicable
3. ORIGINAL AND COPY of CSCE if applicable
4. FRN.  SSN will be required if you do not have an FRN.
5. The proper fee ($15.00 CASH). 

If you are applying for a new license and you do not have an FCC Registration Number (FRN), you will be required to use your Social Security Number (SSN) the first time.  It is best to go to the FCC web site and register to immediately receive an FRN number.  Go to http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=home and register with the FCC and get your FRN.  It's a simple process.

Also, if you are upgrading from Tech Plus license that was obtained via the General Class exam before March 21, 1987,  a copy of the proof will be required such as an expired license with a starting date before March 21, 1987 or other proof, such as a dated callbook.

Training information HERE.

NEW LOCATION STARTED DECEMBER 17.  Check back.  May be cancelled due to coronavirus.
ECU Greenville Center, Room 1200, 2200 Charles Blvd., Greenville, NC.
All VE Sessions are scheduled to be held at the ECU Greenville Center, Room 1200, 2200 Charles Blvd. 
Enter the building on the side closest to Charles Blvd.  Inside go straight ahead and Room 1200 is at the end on the left, just ahead of the exit doors. (This building is just North of the State Employees’ Credit Union).  
Exams will start promptly at 6:30 PM.  For latest information or questions, email Gary, KK4GC, VE Liaison qsl-ve @ w4amc.com.  (remove spaces).

• Tuesday @ 6:30 PM - June 16, 2020 CANCELLED
• Tuesday @ 6:30 PM - August 18, 2020 CANCELLED
• Tuesday @ 6:30 PM - October 20, 2020 CANCELLED
• Tuesday @ 6:30 PM - December 15, 2020 CANCELLED

Map and Aerial view of BARC Meeting Location (ECU Greenville Center) at 2200 S. Charles Blvd in Greenville 

Click on Map for larger map.

Click on picture for larger picture.

Google Map to the VFW Post 7032

Map and pictures of VFW Post 7032 on 1108 Mumford Road in Greenville