Welcome!
Welcome to the website of the Hampden County Radio Association, or HCRA, a group of amateur radio operators (“hams”) in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. The club has existed since the mid-1940s; the first newsletter we have on file is from September 1948. You can browse through it and the rest of the newsletter archive for a complete history of the club’s activities, but it’ll take you awhile.
HCRA has a long tradition of maintaining a diverse membership spanning a wide range of interests. Many of us are deeply involved in all kinds of HF communication, from CW and SSB to the latest digital modes. There are also members active in low power communications, in the microwaves, Parks on the Air (POTA), Emergency Communications, Summits on the Air (SOTA), project building and nearly every other aspect of this amazing hobby. There’s a place here for everyone.
The HCRA is an Affiliated Club and a Special Service Club with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the national association for amateur radio. Find out more about that on the ARRL New England Division web site.
Many of our club members are technical and build projects or help others with their questions and projects.
- A feature of membership is assistance for any question you may have, the club offers a specialist who can work with you at your level.
- If you chase DX, the QSL bureau costs $7 per group of cards plus a fee for the weight of the cards. The club offers a pooled QSL service for members, saving you a minimum of $7 every time you send cards through the ARRL DX QSL Bureau System.
- The club also lets members join the HCRA group on ClubLog. It’s a fun way to compete with your friends and their DX chasing accomplishments.
Whether you are a new ham who just earned a license or an old timer who’s been on the air for decades, there is something for you in the HCRA. Join the HCRA Facebook page and keep up with the daily goings on of the club and its members. Come join us at our monthly meeting and introduce yourself. We meet the first Friday of every month at the Holyoke Medical Center Auxiliary Conference Room.
I know I speak for the whole club in welcoming you to the HCRA. We look forward to meeting you. If you are not yet a ham, we can help you with that too.
73 and I hope to see you at the next meeting!
Alan Dove, AB1XW
HCRA President
Latest Blog Posts
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Next HCRA Meeting Friday, January 3rd
Next HCRA Meeting Friday, January 3rd Guest Speaker Fred Hopengarten – K1VR Bundle up and come on out to HCRA’s January meeting where guest speaker Fred Hopengarten – K1VR will discuss the legal aspects of antennas and towers. Fred is the author of the book Antenna Zoning published by the ARRL and has been a…
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2013 ARRL 10 Meter Contest – That’s a Wrap!
Another 10 Meter Contest has come and gone. Excellent conditions and no shortage of stations around the world. If you haven’t done so via the HCRA Facebook page, email me your QSO breakdown, the category you entered as, and your total claimed score. Please do this regardless of the number of contacts you made as…
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ARRL 10 Meter Contest This Weekend!
Hello Fellow HCRA Members, This is a reminder that the 10 meter contest is this weekend and we will again be participating not only as individuals, but also as a club. The band has had some great openings over the last couple months, so there is some potential to see quite a bit of activity…
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Last Chance for Holiday Party FUN !!!
If you missed the December 1 deadline we are extending it until tomorrow (December 3rd) at 8:00 PM. You need to contact either Marty, Diane or myself via telephone, email, or Facebook with your desires. We will put you on the list and you can pay ‘at the door’ of the Steaming Tender on December…
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Twitter Is -Not- The Woodpecker Of Old…
Many of our older, Er, Ah, I mean…more experienced Hams in the club, may recall the “Russian Woodpecker”. Beginning around 1976 till around 1989 when it ceased, this powerful radio signal was heard world wide and when triangulated, the source was found to emanate from inside the Ukraine. Hence the name, the Russian Woodpecker. Twitter’s…
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Board Meeting Minutes 11/5/2013
HCRA Board of Directors Meeting November 5th, 2013 Location: West Springfield, MA Time: 7:00 PM Present: KK1W, KB1NWH, AA1YW, K1YO, N1FJ, N1KXR, Kx1x, W1MSW OFFICER REPORTS Vice President – KB1NWH Membership Report: 64 Regular, 3 Life, 8 Family = 75 Total Helped Bob/K1YO erect his tower Treasurer – AA1YW Current financial report: $8817.00 Status of…
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Board Meeting Minutes 9/10/2013
HCRA Board of Directors Meeting September 10, 2013 Location: West Springfield, MA Time: 7:00 PM Present: KK1W, KB1NWH, AA1YW, N1MFL, N1FJ, N1KXR, Kx1x, W1MSW OFFICER REPORTS Vice President – KB1NWH Details on donation to Agawam for FD. $250 check should go to the Perry Lane School Database is up to date Treasurer – AA1YW Current…
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Board Meeting Minutes 8/18/2013
HCRA Board of Directors Meeting August 18th, 2013 Location: Brimfield, MA Time: 2:00 PM Present: KK1W, KB1NWH, AA1YW, N1MFL, N1FJ, N1KXR, W1MSW OFFICER REPORTS Vice President – KB1NWH Field Day report (with W1MSW) and 2014 FD planning – See new business Treasurer – AA1YW Current financial report – $6267.14 Secretary – N1MFL Status of state…
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Board Meeting Minutes 6/11/2013
HCRA Board of Directors Meeting June 11th, 2013 OFFICER REPORTS Vice President – KB1NWH Report – Nothing major to report. Database results for June show 76 regular, 20 family and 15 prospects. Treasurer – AA1YW Current financial report – $5980.57 Secretary – N1MFL Current secretary report – Mail is up to date. Dave questioned…
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Board Meeting Minutes 05/07/2013
HCRA Board of Directors Meeting May 7th, 2013 Location: West Springfield, MA Time: 7:30 PM Present: KK1W, KB1NWH, AA1YW, N1MFL, W1MSW, N1FJ, W1MJB, Kx1x OFFICER REPORTS Vice President – KB1NWH Report – Database is up to date. Treasurer – AA1YW Current financial report – $7796.67 Secretary – N1MFL Current secretary report – No mail, everything…