Our July meeting will feature a presentation by Bill Lynch, AB2UW, on test equipment - from the basics to the exotic. We will have a follow-up hands-on workshop on Saturday August 2 (the Saturday immediately following the meeting) where you will have an opportunity to use some of the instruments highlighted in Bill's presentation to test or troubleshoot a project or radio of your own.

If you have a project that’s a “work in progress”, you are encouraged to bring it to the August 2 Workshop meet at the Middle Country Public Library. The workshop will be in the Foundation Room on the second floor at the Middle Counrty Public Library. If you are bringing a "boat anchor" and are concerned about lugging it up a flight of stairs, have no fear - there is an elevator available to get you and your stuff to the second floor. Even if you aren’t working on anything in particular, you can just bring yourself and see what other members have been working on. If you are planning to participate in the Build-It/Test-It workshop and are looking to get access to a particular piece of test equipment, feel free to drop Bill, AB2UW, an e-mail at or talk to either Bill or me at the July meeting.

Radio Central Amateur Radio Club meetings are open to non-members as well as members. Anyone interested in Amateur Radio or wireless history is welcome to attend.

Our 2014 General Meetings will be at the Middle Country Public Library in Centereach. You can get directions to the Middle Country Public Library here.

International Marconi Day QSL Information:

Send sase to:

Radio Central Amateur Radio Club, W2RC

PO Box 396

Centereach, NY 11720

  Ham Radio and Distracted Driving

In light of increasingly strict "Distracted Driving" laws, our ARRL Hudson Division Director contacted the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles to get their position on operation of mobile Amateur Radio equipment with respect to Distracted Driving laws. The DMV responded with a letter of opinion that appears to be very favorable to Amateur Radio. Basically is says that talking via ham radio does not constitute a violation of the Distracted Driving laws. It should be noted that though the DMV's letter (which can be downloaded from the Hudson Division web page here, of or from the RCARC web page here) is pro-Amateur Radio, it's an opinion from the DMV, not a binding agreement, so it's still possible to get pulled over, cited, and required to appear in court. More importantly, you should always give the road and traffic absolute priority over operating your radio while driving. In Mike Lisenco's own words: "Feel free to print out this opinion, but understand that it is not a license to be stupid! Let’s hope that you never need to use it."

Online Renewal is Working Again!

Our capability to renew membership via Pay Pal has been restored. Go here for details.