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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A Thank You Note for Removal of Tower and Antennas
Date: 10/26/2022 3:26 PM Subject: Removal of Tower & Antennas Dear Larry Krainson, President I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the following members of The Hampden County Radio Association for removing the tower and antennas from my home: K1VOI-john Plaster for helping with the arrangements for this to happen and was part…
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HCRA Board Meeting Minutes – October 2022
2022-10 HCRA BOD Meeting
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December 5 Holiday Party
The deadline to make your paid reservation is November 21st.
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Big Raffle for $150 DX Engineering Gift Card
Are Your Dues Paid? Pay Your HCRA Dues Before October 31st and you could WIN $150! Have you paid your HCRA dues yet? If you have, or will do so before October 31st 2022 you could be the lucky recipient of a DX Engineering Gift Card worth $150 smackers at DX Engineering! Each member that…
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The HCRA wants to know from you
The HCRA would like to know your thoughts and comments on the club and ham radio. This questionnaire will only take a few minutes to complete and your comments are greatly appreciated and will help us to make the club even better. Thank you. Link to the questionnaire
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Hybrid October 2022 Meeting – both in person and via ZOOM
The October 2022 meeting will be hybrid. You can attend in person or virtually via ZOOM. The ZOOM link can be found on the Meeting Schedules page.