Amateur radio is such a diverse topic that it is impossible to explain in one paragraph. The hobby consists of people who like to communicate and learn about the various methods involved in establishing two-way radio communications.
Have you ever wanted to talk to someone in another country to discover what it was like to live there? Amateur radio is your gateway to that dream. Using radio equipment, the amateur operator is able to accomplish this task that might otherwise seem impossible or expensive. Amateur radio allows you to talk to others using voice (radiotelephony), data, Morse code, packet radio and digital modes such as PSK31. The possibilities of amateur radio are endless.
The amateur service is established not only in America under the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), but globally under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The amateur service exists for those people who wish to communicate without any pecuniary interest. It provides opportunities for licensed operators not only to communicate but also to learn about electronics and radiocommunication and to help with communications during emergencies.
The Pine Valley Repeater Amateur Radio Club (PVR) was reactivated in June of 2004 after many years of inactivity. Four licensed ham operators got together to do what was necessary to get the Club up and running. They are: Bob Naegele (W9MZ), Dick Neumann (W9JR), Mike Kaufman (WB9SLI), and Chris Kanable (KC9CMD). Since that time, the organization has grown to a roster of 35 licensed Amateur Radio operators.
PVR was restablished to promote the hobby of Amateur Radio. Currently the Club has a repeater station located on top of Quarry Hill in Richland Center (WI) which any licensed Amateur Radio operator may use to communicate with other hams. This is about to change as a repeater relocation project is pending.
The Club is also dedicated to helping new members become licensed by providing materials and assistance to study for amateur license exams. The Club also works to increase awareness of the amateur service in the community.
The reasons for joining PVR varies from person to person. PVR provides opportunities to learn about radio communications, electronics, and the amateur service as well as becoming a licensed operator and communicating. The field of amateur radio is extremely diverse and can teach anyone skills and lessons to last a lifetime.
If community service is your area of interest, PVR provides an an opportunity to serve as communicators for community events, and to serve as storm spotters (SKYWARN).
Anyone who has an interest in radio communication, electronics, or the amateur service. No radio license is required to be a member, though being licensed does allow you to use the Club's equipment during events and activation for storm spotting.
If you wish to obtain your license, the Club desires to help you to achieve your goal through the provision of study aids and interaction with licensed amateur radio operators.
Anyone, except representatives of foreign nations, may obtain an amateur radio license from the FCC. The only requirement is that you pass one or more examinations, depending on what license level you seek to obtain. One can always go and take additional exams to upgrade ones license, however, so there is no limitation of growth.
As one of our goals states, PVR is dedicated to helping members become licensed. Getting a license does not mean you have to get a radio of your own, because Club members may use the Club's radio equipment that they are licensed to use. This is one of the greatest advantages of working with a club, rather than working by yourself.
As a Club, PVR has equipment that most people could not easily get for themselves, such as repeaters, which extend the range of communications capable by small, low-power, portable devices, or a HF band transciever that can be used to make contacts around the world.
If you are interested in finding out more about PVR or amateur radio in general, then please feel free to attend a meeting and ask us in person, send us an email, or even a telephone call will do.
The date and time of our next meeting can be found in the News section of our website. We are glad to answer your questions.
In order to prevent phishers of email addresses from obtaining our email addresses, we have used () in the place of @. You will find this true for all of our email addresses. Thank you for your understanding.
You can email the club at:
rnaegele()countryspeed.com
redstamper()mwt.net
Or you can contact us by snail mail at:
Pine Valley Repeater Amateur Radio Club
Bob Naegele, W9MZ, 22998 Badger Lane
or
Richard Neumann, W9JR, 591 E. 4th St.
Richland Center, WI 53581
Bob - (608) 647 6430
Dick - (608) 647 3039
The Club is affiliated with ARRL (Amateur Radio Relay League). Founded in 1914, the ARRL has more than 150,000 members. The ARRL not only reflects the commitment and the enthusiam of many American hams, but also provides leadership as the voice of Amateur Radio in the USA, whether in dealings with the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), the World Administrative Radio Conference, the International Amateur Radio Union, or with the general public. Being a member of the ARRL is important to hams! You can obtain more ARRL information here.
"It is not the class of the license the Amateur Radio Operator holds --- but the class of the operator who holds the license."
