The Bullitt Amateur Radio Society was founded in 1974 filling a need in a growing part of the Louisville metropolitan area. Most members came from the southern Jefferson and northern Bullitt County areas, hence the name. The group quickly founded a reputation as the club with the 'friendly' repeater. For many years the Bullitt ARS had the only open autopatch in the area as well as a repeater that had outstanding coverage.
For many years BARS met at the Dorothea Stottman library in Hillview KY. Through these years the Bullitt ARS held many weather spotter classes and amateur entry level classes. One of our founding members, George Leaver WA4AGH, is said to be responsible for the entry of well over 100 people into the ranks of amateur radio. Carlie Manion W4BDC held trusteeship of the repeater operation for many years and many times it was heard 'see you on the bacon, donuts and coffee machine'. With the reintroduction of vanity calls the club opted to 'retire' Carlie's call and go after an identity all its own.
 KY4KY FD 2000; Pat (KE4OTP) and Bill (KE4FPQ) Ball operating SSB |
The meeting to decide on which calls to apply for was fun to be involved in. Many options were discussed with valid reasons from all but the decision was made to try for something with KY in it. We were fortunate enough to grab KY4KY on day one. Now when you hear the Bullitt ARS on field day you don't get many requests for QTH!
The club is actively involved in KY Skywarn and many of our members man the National Weather Service station during periods of threatening weather. The NWS thinks so highly of amateur involvement they have recently upgraded the permanent ham station at the NWS office. We provide links for not just the Louisville area but Lexington (central KY) and western KY. In May 1996 an F4 tornado passed with 1/4 mile of our primary meeting place. The firehouse quickly became a scene of emergency communications with the Bullitt ARS providing several thousand man hours of service over the next two weeks. We provided links between shelters and the command center as well as law enforcement, DES, fire and EMS units. For this effort we were recognized by Bullitt County Disaster and Emergency Services as well as state and federal officers.
We continue to offer weekend 'crash' course entry level opportunities when requested and as we are able. The success rate for these classes remains high and the club takes the extra steps needed to keep the new hams involved and learning. We are actively involved in monthly testing session with John Embry K4AT and even have WAS verification available through Buddy Sohl KC4WQ.
Our meetings always attempt to introduce our members to different aspects of amateur radio. In the past year we've discussed PSK in depth, concluding with a 3 hour special event station during the meeting. Our most recent meeting was a tour of the Louisville International Airport Control Tower.
 Ahh... there it is, right behind the cole slaw bowl, the coveted Foxhunt trophy. We finished eating and got ready for the second main event of the day. The "fox" finds his hiding place and the hunt begins; but that's another story |
The Bullitt ARS sponsors an annual foxhunt each fall. The winner gets to take the big trophy home for the year and is dubbed the fox for the following year. Participation is excellent and there have been some very unique hiding places. The greatest part of the foxhunt is the looks from all the regular people as we cruise around an area approximately 100 square miles. Another weekly activity is our ROMEO group.... 'retired old men eating out'. What started as a couple of members grabbing an early breakfast together has grown into a good-sized group who, along withtheir YL's, get together Monday mornings to eat and catch up on the weeks events. Our group also assists the Louisville Hamfest Association with the largest area hamfest each year. The past two years the Louisville fest has been held at the Bullitt County fairgrounds and many of our members assisted in set-up, tear down as well as providing KY4KY repeater talk-in.
One of our activities is the annual Christmas dinner and awards ceremony. Some lucky member is nominated and selected as Amateur of the Year. You can only be nominated by another and the President, Board Chair and Preceding Years recipient are not eligible. The award is named in honor of one of our founding members, Russ Palmer W8INY (sk). Russ was always there to lend and ear or a hand and spent many hours talking folks through town on the 146.70 'friendly' repeater.
 Golden Screwdriver Recipient Gary Clark AE4NU |
Also awarded each year is the 'Golden Screwdriver Award'..... awarded for the most impressive foul-up in the preceding year. Recipients have been honored for pulling the mike cord too tight while reaching to stir a pot (radio ended up on floor in pieces) to dropping a full size 3 element 40 mter yagi from 85 feet as well as other great feats of screwdriving.
Over the past several years we have provided active amateur stations for the Cub Scouts at Scout-o-Rama held each year at Churchill Downs. The boys were given a brief introduction to ham radio and then explained to passers-by what was happening in the booth. We've run HF and packet for the scouts. The most interesting application was two years ago when the booth consisted of one person and a TV monitor as our scouts roamed the crowd with ATV in tow interviewing other scouts and parents and 'broadcasting' back to our booth. One of the judges commented it was the most unique booth he'd ever seen at scout-o-rama.
The club has recently begun using email to update club members on pending activities and events. We have published a quarterly newsletter for a number of years and provide it electronically for our members as well as hard copy for those not yet net savvy. Past issues are available on the web also. In the past we have had a couple of blind members and the newsletter was transcribed to tape by our editor. The Bullitt ARS is a diverse group of guys and gals. Our ages run from 20 something to 70 something. Our interests cover most all aspects of the amateur radio hobby.
Our website is posted at http://www.qsl.net/ky4ky. Bob Myers KG4ERU, our webmaster, provides fresh and current data with zeal and vigor. Check the site often to keep up with the Bullitt ARS. Our membership is open to anyone with an interest in radio and/or public service. Drop by and visit.