03/09/08

Tri-State Amateur Radio Society  W9OG

TARS was founded in 1947 to support the Amateur Radio hobby in the Tri-State area and has a membership of 80 Amateurs. It is affiliated with the ARRL and is an ARRL Special Service Club. It is designated a not for profit organization with 501c3 status. 

The Club exists to provide service to our community and advance all aspects of Amateur Radio. TARS provides communication support to a number of community activities such as: Hoosier 200 Relay, Red Cross Soccer Tournament, Welborn Soccer Tournament, Freedom Festival Parade, Thunder on the Ohio Race, Freedom Festival Balloon event, Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks Display on July 4th, Drums on the Ohio, Fall Festival Parade, Diabetes Association Walk, Evansville Bike Club’s Great Pumpkin Metric Bike Ride, and assistance to the Henderson Amateur Radio Club on the Shrine Club Christmas Parade. TARS has also provided communication for Habitat For Humanity when "Blitz" building projects are undertaken.

TARS holds monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month which gives us a chance to share experiences, have some fun and be updated on some aspect of amateur radio. Some of our meetings have included: a used equipment auction, bingo, EME, a tour of a local cable TV facility, talk by the President of the ARRL, ATV demonstration, Contesting,  Skywarn, tour of central dispatch, new ham equipment The Ham Station, DX activity and the Christmas Dinner.

A newsletter titled "Sparks" is mailed to members monthly.

TARS provides close cooperation with various emergency organizations.

TARS maintains two repeaters, 146.79 and 147.15, which provide good coverage of the Tri-State area. An Autopatch with access to Evansville, Newburgh, Boonville, New Harmony, Mt. Vernon, Chandler, McCutchanville, St. Joseph, St. Philip and Elberfeld is on the 147.15 Repeater. In addition TARS sponsors the 443.4 repeater which has extensive weather reporting capability and a phone patch with the same coverage as the 147.15 repeater.  TARS sponsors the Tri-State Emergency Net each Wednesday night at 8:00 pm local time on the 146.79 repeater. Net Script

TARS holds a number of classes to help individuals obtain their first license or upgrade their license. VE’s provide test sessions which are coordinated with the classes as well as special exams upon request.

TARS operates a Field Day station (for both points and fun) and has placed fourth nationally in category 3A Battery and has ranked well a number of times. TARS members also support the Boy Scout Jamboree on the Air and other events.

Officers and Board Members for 2008

TARS ELMERS