Welcome to the Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club

The Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club (KARC) is an amateur radio club affiliated with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the national association of ham radio operators. The KARC is located within Kalamazoo County, Michigan.

Almost all KARC activities are open to the public and free to attend. Visitors are very welcome to our activities.

KARC meets monthly on the third Thursday of the month at the Southwest Michigan Red Cross Chapter. Meetings generally begin a 7 pm and last until 8:30 pm. The January meeting includes election of officers. The June meeting includes preparation for ARRL Field Day. The December meeting is our annual holiday party we share with spouses and friends. No business is conducted at the December meeting, just fellowship.

The KARC regularly participates in ARRL Field Day (third weekend in June) and Winter Field Day (third weekend in January). Field Day activities include taking equipment away from your home and operating from the “field”; a space outdoors, under a tent or pavilion or within a trailer or hut. Winter Field day is normally operated from a rented, heated cabin.

The KARC is a regular partner that helps organize and run the local hamfest (Kalamazoo Hamfest) at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center the third Sunday in October.

Most KARC members pay annual dues, see membership application form in the People menu. Newly licensed hams are given their first year of club membership free. If you want to join and are licensed within the year, let a club officer know. Retired members receive a membership discount. Families receive a substantial membership discount, with only one person paying the full membership cost.

If you are interested in joining the Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club, please see our membership information or reach out to any club officer.