(INDEPENDENCE, Iowa) — On November 18, The Buchanan County Amateur Radio Club (BCARC) was officially recognized as an ARRL-affiliated organization. ARRL Midwest Division Director Wade Walstrom, WE0J, presented the Charter of Affiliation to BCARC President Clair Franzen, KC0RFN during the Club’s November meeting at the ISU Extension Office meeting room in Independence.

The Buchanan County Amateur Radio Club was formed earlier this year after months of preparation by several area hams. The club is currently working very closely with the Buchanan County Emergency Management Agency to develop a plan to provide communications in the event of an emergency. The main goals of the club are as follows: to provide public service and emergency communications, allow ham operators in Buchanan County and surrounding areas of Northeast Iowa a chance to socialize and share knowledge and personal experiences, generate new interest in ham radio within the community, and to have FUN!

Amateur Radio is about having fun, but it can also be an important communications resource during emergencies. When disaster strikes, Amateur Radio operators often volunteer for backup communications duty to help local officials, the National Weather Service and service agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

Amateur Radio is very much alive and well in the 21st century. Hams are experimenting with cutting-edge digital communications, serving their communities in times of need and having fun making friends with people all over the world.

Today, there are more than 650,000 Amateur Radio operators in the United States and more than 2.5 million worldwide. For more information on the Buchanan County Amateur Radio club email info@bcarc.net or visit their website at www.bcarc.net. You can also receive information on how to get into Amateur Radio by calling the American Radio Relay League at 1-800-32NEW HAM.