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ARRL Alaska Section (AK)Section Manager
James H. Larsen, AL7FS 3445 Spinnaker Dr Anchorage, AK 99516-3424 907-345-3190 al7fs@arrl.org |
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News last updated: Thu, January 24, 2008 at 7:53 PM ET
Welcome to the Alaska Section webpage.
Amateur radio is alive and well inside Alaska. Ham Radio operators have supported public events and emergency response operations in Alaska for over 70 years. With three ARRL 50+ year affiliated radio clubs and more than 3400 amateur radio operators throughout the state, ham radio has the ability to provide communication coverage all over the entire state. As you can see from the size comparison map, that is a lot of coverage. Alaska is twice the size of Texas, 413 times the size of Rhode Island and yet has only one section for the entire state to support activities and emergency communications.
Each operator has a radio, their own power supply and a general knowledge of emergency communications needed to provide emergency or priority communications traffic compliant with the Federal Response Plan National Traffic System. Amateur Radio is a key component in the State of Alaska Emergency Plan. The Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) of Alaska www.aresalaska.org provides auxiliary communications support for local governments, disaster relief, and search and rescue groups during emergencies, as well as support for various public service community events. ARES operates throughout Alaska via several "regions". In Anchorage, ARES meets on the third Saturday of each month at 9:30 AM in the Carr-Gottstein building, Alaska Pacific University campus.
Amateur Radio Clubs in Alaska
The Anchorage Amateur Radio Club serves Anchorage, Eagle River, Chugiak, Girdwood and Indian. The club call is KL7AA. Meetings: 7:00 PM, 1st Friday, every month, in the Carr-Gottstein building, Alaska Pacific University campus. Check out www.kl7aa.net for more information, map of meeting locations and a listing for local repeaters serving South Central Alaska.
The Elmendorf Amateur Radio Society (EARS) serves primarily military personnel on Elmendorf and Fort Richardson. It is open to local civilian members as well. Club call sign is KL7AIR. EARS is also an active MARS participant with the call sign, ALM7BAA. Meetings: EARS Meets quarterly third Saturday of the month 3pm. Jan/May/Aug/Nov 08. Additonal meetings as needed or desired. Meetings at the EARS club house, (R-1 North, CAP Wing Headquarters) on Elmendorf AFB. http://www.kl7air.us
The South Central Radio Club (SCRC) is also based in Anchorage, but serves the entire state via its associate membership program. Club call is KL7G. www.kl7g.org
The Matanuska Amateur Radio Association (MARA) KL7JFU serves the Greater Matanuska Susitna Valley, Palmer-Wasilla-BigLake-Sutton-Willow and Talkeetna area. Meetings: 7:00 PM, on the last Friday of each month, at the Fire Station 61, in Wasilla. MARA sponsors a Hamfest and flea market every year, usually in the spring. www.kl7jfu.com
The Arctic Amateur Radio Club Inc. (AARC) KL7KC, is located in Fairbanks, Alaska. KL7KC was the first Amateur radio club formed in ALASKA in 1939 and incorporated in 1966. Today there are over 250 members. They meet at 7:30 pm on the first Friday of the month at the International Arctic Research Center, Room 401, which is located at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. www.kl7kc.com Check out the KL7KC website for a good map of repeater coverages in the interior and when driving to ALASKA.
The Alaska QRP Club – No dues, no rules, everyone welcome. Low power radio is fun! Enjoy “do it yourself” radio and visit with other hams. Meetings at 7:00 PM, (6PM to eat) third Friday each month, at the Denny’s restaurant, near the corner of DeBarr and Bragaw streets in Anchorage, Alaska.
The Moosehorn ARC serves the Kenai-Soldotna-Sterling area. Club call is AL7LE. Meetings: 7:00 PM, first Thursday of the month, at the Kenai Peninsula Borough building. Moosehorn sponsors a Hamfest every year, usually in July.
In Kodiak, the primary mission of KARES is to support the community through the augmentation of communications for local, regional and governmental entities and community groups during times of emergency and non-emergency events when normal communications fail. Meetings are Monday nights held at 7:00 PM in the Bayside Fire Hall, 4606 Rezanof Drive E in Kodiak.
The Juneau ARC (JARC) serves the Juneau - Douglas - Auke Bay areas. Meetings are at 7:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month except July & August. Meetings are held at the National Weather Service Office, 8500 Mendenhall Loop Road.
Nenana ARC serves central Alaska in the Nenana area.
The Petersburg ARC serves portions of Southeastern Alaska, along the "inside passage". Petersburg is located on Mitkof Island.
The Seward Peninsula ARC (SPARC) serves Nome and surrounding communities in Western Alaska. Meetings: 7:00 PM, last Monday of each month, at the Nome Fire Hall. www.sparcalaska.com
Then our newest radio club in Alaska is BARK, AL7YK, the Bethel Amateur Radio Klub. From the hard work of a few mentors to the good outreach of ham radio, the Bethel hams have been very active in promoting amateur radio in Western Alaska. For a better understanding of the unique operating conditions rural communities encounter check out the Bethel radio clubs website at: www.al7yk.org
Our big activity for 2008 is the ARRL ALASKA STATE CONVENTION. The radio clubs of Alaska have come together for a joint HAMFEST and Convention in 2008. This is the first time since 1978 there has been a convention in ALASKA. If you have ever dreamed of an Alaska vacation this is a great opportunity to combine a trip of a life time with a great hobby. For more information about the convention please check out: www.akhamfest.com for a detailed schedule, tour opportunities, and the many activities we have planned for our guests and vendors. We hope you will join us for this once in a lifetime event.
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