Radio club opening communications facility
The Hill County Amateur Radio Club will celebrate the Grand Opening of their communications facility Saturday, March 5 from 1-3 p.m. at the River Star Arts & Event Park, adjacent to the Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville.
A real-time demonstration of worldwide international communications will be ongoing throughout the open house. Communications within Kerr County will be also demonstrated.
In a ceremony to be held during the open house, the station will be dedicated as a memorial to former Hill Country Amateur Radio Club member Bill Tynan, who passed away in 2018. Tynan was one of the founders of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation and was influential in placing satellites into space for scientific and amateur radio communications purposes.
Tynan’s multi-decade contributions to the advancement of Amateur Radio have been nationally recognized. His former call sign, W3XO, has been officially dedicated for use by the HCARC’s radio station as a memorial to him. Bill’s widow, Mattie Tynan, will be on hand for the station’s dedication.
The Kerrville based Hill Country Amateur Radio Club has been in operation for over forty years and averages 100 members.
Club President Bill Stegemueller emphasized the value of a centralized facility made possible with the assistance of the Kerr County Commissioners along with a healthy club investment and a lot of volunteered hours.
Plans are already in the formative stage to expand the stations capabilities over time to include additional operating positions and a permanent emergency generator.
“Working together, our member’s skills, resources and enthusiasm will take us to the next level in serving our county and surrounding communities,” said Stegemueller. “The Hill County is a magnet for many hams moving into the area. We welcome the opportunity to greet them and integrate their skills in our ongoing activities
Throughout the year, Amateur Radio license training classes and testing will be conducted at the facility; available to anyone in the community wishing to learn about the many facets of ham radio and, if interested, how to assist with emergency communications when the need arises.
“We invite any interested Hill Country residents to come see what ham radio is all about and if interested, take advantage of our training classes and fellowship. Those that can’t make the open house on March 5th can join us during one of our regular meetings held the first Thursday of every month at 7pm in the Union Church building on Memorial Boulevard.”
For more information, contact Stegemueller at 830-796-5799 or bill@stegemueller.com or Clayson Lambert at 830-285-8580. The club’s website, currently being updated, is kerrhams.org.