Would you like to know more about amateur (ham) radio?

Are you a licensed ham and new to the area, been here forever or just have an interest in amateur radio, consider joining SMARC. Our 70+ members would enjoy meeting you, making a new friend and sharing the excitement. One good way to learn about SMARC is to join a Zoom session either every M-Th at about 8:30am to 10:15am or at a monthly meeting. Click the Join Zoom Link below. Passcode is w4olb. Are you already a ham and just need to ask a question and do not know who to reach out to, just click the Email us button below and ask your question.

NOTE>>> SMARC MOVES BACK TO ZOOM MONTHLY MEETINGS

As of the September Staff  meeting we are going back Zoom meetings. Meetings are the 4th Monday, at 7:00pm. Most start arriving before 6:45pm. Typical agenda will be recognizing guests and introductions, reports, announcement and then a program. 

The presentation at the next meeting, Sept. 27th, will be by Don Mills K1VX entitled:

"Digital Modulation and Protocols"

CLUB MAILING LIST

To get on our email list, just join our groups.io by clicking here. You will then be on an email list where you will be sent for more information and announcements of SMARC club meetings and activities. Just want more information or to contact SMARC leadership, click the button below to email us.

As a little background relative to SMARC, there is some early history under the More tab on the ribbon above. If you are not yet licensed, SMARC holds a regular Technician class and also routine FCC tests are given locally (see below). Some ask, what does amateur radio cost?

• Technician course book is $25
• Technician class is FREE, just your time
• FCC Test is $10 (administrative fee)
• A basic two meter portable radio can cost as little as $50
• A basic digital radio, $150 - $250
• First year of SMARC Club membership as a new ham after completing the class is FREE ($25 per year thereafter)
• Over time and assuming you enjoy the hobby, likely you will acquire more used and/or new equipment 

We are now into September, 2021!

Our August SMARC meeting was held in-person and via Zoom. We had nearly 40 in attendance. The agenda included regular business and our Treasurer, Carroll, reported $8,344.33 in the bank account which includes the Fusion repeater fund, now totaling $4,746. Carroll also reported there are over 100 member of which 87 are dues paying. Bob suggested we begin planning for the club's 75th anniversary celebration and a Special Event Station, suggesting he will appoint a committee. Melvin reported on the weekly nets and requested net control operators are needed. The evening program was presented by W4GBI, Tim, "All About Repeaters." Mark your calendar for the next meeting via Zoom, September 27th at 7pm. 

New Fusion Repeater Update {8-31-2021}. Meetings have been held with the City of Maryville for this new repeater. A site visit was conducted at the John Sevier Elementary School water tower by Bob W. Kurt M. and Dave K. A frequency pair has been requested from the coordination group and an MOU agreement was signed by Carroll and Bob and has been sent to the City for signature. As a reminder, our club Treasurer is collecting funds for the repeater and if you have not donated and wish to, please send to Carroll. The fund presently sits at $4,750 plus $1,000 from the club. The latest estimated cost, as based on the site visit, about $10,500, thus we are short. LATE BREAKING NEWS: The repeater has been returned to Yaesu for replacement due to a low power issue. Want more info? Contact Dave, N9KMY or Bob, KK4XA.

Blount County has another amateur radio organization, Blount Emergency Communications Service (BCECS) which is an ARES, an Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) active group. This is not a club, rather a service group formed under the structure of the ARRL. ARES communications operators receive emergency communications training and offer services for the local community to such organizations as Blount County Emergency Management, Blount Memorial Hospital, the local American Red Cross chapter and other community organizations. 

In 2019, SMARC donated their communications trailer in support of the Blount County ARES group. A grant request has been submitted to ARDC for funds to update the trailer and make some needed repairs. ARDC has announced the award to BEARS has been made and soon the funds will be made available. Plans by the ARES group will shortly begin. Planned upgrades include a new air conditioner, a DC power system, improved lighting, new chairs and changes to the generator plus of course the addtion of radios and antenna systms. 

The ARES group today meets at the Blount County 911 Center and its regular Thursday evening Net. Want more information? Contact the BCECS TEAMAPP button below and/or take part in the Net, it is open to all licensed amateur radio operators.

The Smoky Mountain Amateur Radio Weekly Net is held each Thursday at 7:00 P.M. on the W4OLB Club Repeater (146.655 MHz, Tone 100.0 Hz) with the backup repeater being the WB4GBI (146.625 MHz, Tone 118.8 Hz). All amateurs are welcome to take part. Net Control will ask only for your Call Sign, Name, Location and Affiliation. We also hold a simultaneous Zoom video conference which you are welcome to take part in by clicking here and using passcode 'w4olb'.

KK4XA Morning Net

Join the "The Bobs or Mike" every Monday through Thursday morning for the very informal KK4XA Morning Net beginning at 9:00 A.M. on the W4OLB Club Repeater (146.655 MHz, Tone 100.0 Hz) or the KK4XA DMR Repeater, 444.075 MHz, CC1, TG 314742. We also invite you to join the Zoom Conference, just click here and use passcode 'w4olb' to join the KK4XA Morning Net Zoom.

The W4OLB VHF Club Repeater and the KK4XA DMR Repeater are Linked

The KK4XA DMR repeater is connected to the internet via Brandmeister, thus these two repeaters can be accessed from anywhere by connecting to Talk Group 314742. 

EVERY THURSDAY: Want to get involved in a face to face technical discussion? A number of members meet at TC's Grill on 2514 Old Niles Ferry Road, Maryville starting about 11:30am every Thursday. Just come in and look for the big group of folks in the back of the restaurant. All are welcome to stop by.

EVERY FRIDAY: We also welcome you to join a number of our members, spouses and guests for breakfast at TC's Grill on 2514 Old Niles Ferry Road, Maryville every Friday morning at 9am. Just come in and look for the big group of folks in the back of the restaurant. All forms of radio any other topics are likely discussed. See: S.M.A.R.C. (w4olb.org)

FOX HUNTS and PICNIC: This event will be planned as weather permits where the club sponsors a picnic and then has a fox hunt. Announcement of the event, location, time and date will be sent out via email to all registered on SMARC groups i/o. {NOTE: This event is subject to COVID restrictions.}

TAILGATE and POT LUCK: This event is usually held in the spring where members are invited to bring any ham related equipment to sell and then afterward for a pot luck with meat dish provided. {NOTE: This event is subject to COVID restrictions.}

CHRISTMAS PARTY: This event is held of course in December, in place of the normal club meeting where the meat dish is provided and attendees are required to bring a salad or desert to share. {NOTE: This event is subject to COVID restrictions.}

WANT TO KNOW MORE: Just go to the SMARC Team APP for most up to date information.