Band Conditions

Become a Ham

There are good resources here in our area to get your first “ticket”, and to move through into the General Class and finally the Extra Class license.  These are the clubs in the area that routinely hold class instruction, as well as testing, for all three license classes.

VE Testing Locations

The Queen Anne’s Amateur Radio Club (QAARC) holds free amateur radio license exams on Saturday mornings from 10 am – 1 pm at the Queen Anne’s County Library in Centreville (121 S. Commerce St. Centreville, MD 21617). Pre-registration is encouraged by emailing ve@qaarc.org. Testing starts promptly at 10 am.

QAARC Testing Dates 2024

We hope to resume testing soon. Check this page for updates after January 1st.

The Anne Arundel Radio Club (ARRC) holds free amateur radio license exams the second Saturday of each month.  Please visit their site for exam dates. http://www.w3vpr.org/

The Kent Amateur Radio Society (KARS) holds both exam study classes and free license exams.  Please visit their site for instructional sessions and exam dates.  http://www.k3ars.org/

The Laurel VEC located in Laurel, Maryland, holds both exam study classes and free license exams.  Please visit their site for a complete listing of class and exam schedules.  http://lauralvec.com

Area Nets

Local area amateur radio club “nets” are a great way to develop radio communication skills after receiving your Technician License. The club nets also provide information on upcoming club events, activities, and training.

Queen Anne’s Amateur Radio Club (QAARC)
Every Monday evening at 20:00 hrs. on the 146.940 (-) repeater, PL 107.2

Kent Amateur Radio Society (KARS), Chestertown, Maryland
Every Tuesday evening at 20:00 hrs. on the 147.375 (+) repeater, PL 156.7
http://www.k3ars.org/

Anne Arundel Radio Club (AARC), Annapolis, Maryland
Weekday mornings (Morning Commuter Net) at 6:00 hrs. on the 147.105 (+) repeater, PL 107.2
Every Wednesday evening (AARC Talk Net) at 20:00 hrs. on the 147.105 repeater, PL 107.2
http://www.w3vpr.org/

Easton Amateur Radio Society (EARS), Easton, Maryland
Every Tuesday evening at 20:00 hrs. on the 147.045 (+) repeater, PL 156.7
(except the 3rd Tuesday of each month which is their meeting night.)
http://www.k3emd.com/

Kent Amateur Radio Society (KARS), Chestertown, Maryland
Every Tuesday evening at 20:00 hrs. on the 147.375 (+) repeater, PL 156.7
http://www.k3ars.org/

Anne Arundel Radio Club (AARC), Annapolis, Maryland
Weekday mornings (Morning Commuter Net) at 6:00 hrs. on the 147.105 (+) repeater, PL 107.2
Every Wednesday evening (AARC Talk Net) at 20:00 hrs. on the 147.105 repeater, PL 107.2
http://www.w3vpr.org/

Easton Amateur Radio Society (EARS), Easton, Maryland
Every Tuesday evening at 20:00 hrs. on the 147.045 (+) repeater, PL 156.7
(except the 3rd Tuesday of each month which is their meeting night.)
http://www.k3emd.com/

Mid-Atlantic DMR Net: The “Mid-Atlantic DMR Net.” Is held on Maryland State Talkgroup 3124 TS 1, on Thursday evenings at 8:00 PM. TG 3124 is an always on channel so you will not have to kerchunk it to hear the net.  Net control operators are seeking net control hosts, on a rotating basis, for the net. If you are interested in hosting the net please contact Ross – KC3LUV (rrhodesjr99@gmail.com).

Boy Scouts of America – Radio Merit Badge

Queen Anne’s County is located within the Boy Scouts of America’s Delmarva Council and and is served by two Boy Scout Troop Districts; the Chop Tank District and the Two Bays District.
http://www.delmarvacouncil.org/openrosters/view_homepage.asp?orgkey=1515

Boy Scout Merit Badge Requirements can be found at the following link:
https://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Radio

QAARC invites Boy Scouts to attend our club meetings, Field Day, and other activities.  We encourage all Scouts to work toward the Radio Merit Badge.

Grounding Second Floor Shacks

If you have your “shack” on the second floor of your home, or you have been placed in the attic, chances are you are experiencing RF at the desk.  You may have an “ungrounded ground”.  This paper describes general grounding issues and a grounding method that may solve our problem.

http://kc.flexradio.com/KnowledgebaseArticle50426.aspx