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Oswegatchie Valley Amateur Radio Club (OVARC) is primarily made up of members in southern St. Lawrence County, although the roster does include members in Jefferson and Lewis Counties and some from out of New York State.  OVARC is dedicated to promoting ham radio in St. Lawrence County New York. Membership in this organization is open to anyone interested in ham radio, whether or not a currently licensed radio amateur.

The club meets on the second Tuesday of each month, September through June, with meetings starting at 7 PM. These meetings are held at the Edwards Fire Station in Edwards, N.Y.  Formed in 1978, the roster has stood at about 30-35 members for the past several years.

Membership dues are $25 per calendar year. Memberships entered after the May meeting are $12.50 per year for the remainder of the year and expire on December 31st., Membership covers licensed ham radio operators living at the same address.  Dues should be sent to the club secretary.  (Go to www.ovarc.us for the address) and checks should be made out to the "Oswegatchie Valley Amateur Radio Club" or O.V.A.R. C.  Meeting attendance is not necessary for membership but all are welcome to attend.  Anyone who is not a licensed Amateur Radio Operator is welcome to become a member and attend meetings but will not have a voice in club activities or decisions.  Meeting are held the second Tuesday of the month at the Edwards Fire Department, 115 New Street, Edwards, N.Y.  Meeting time is 7:00 PM.  There are no meeting in July and August.

Membership payments and inquiries should be made to the secretary. General club correspondence should be directed to the OVARC president.

Material to be included on the web site can be submitted to the Webmaster at any time.  Any material found on this site may be reprinted but please credit the Oswegatchie Valley Amateur Radio Club, the original author, and the original publication.

OVARC sponsors a vhf repeater on 147.135+ with a 151.4 pl-tone and a digital DMR repeater on 442,175 Mhz.  Both repeaters are located on the Ridge Road in the town of Fine, New York. Both machines covers most of St. Lawrence County and much of northern Jefferson and Lewis Counties, although several stations frequently use the repeater from Rochester, Syracuse, Tupper Lake and well into Ontario. A net, the Oswegatchie Valley Amateur Radio Club Net, is conducted on this repeater each Thursday evening starting at 7:30.  In late March 2013 a Echolink node was added to the repeater.  It can be accessed by using node # 823942 or WA2NAN-R, it is active 24/7 give it a try.

The Oswegatchie Valley Amateur Radio Club is affiliated with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and over one-half of the OVARC membership roster are ARRL members.

For more information on OVARC, please direct a message to the president.

In addition, Kerry Bickford, WA2NAN, OVARC President, is St. Lawrence County Radio Officer for RACES, the ARES EC and ARRL DEC for St. Lawrence, Jefferson, and Lewis Counties. Anyone wanting any information on RACES or ARES can contact him.

The Amateur's Code

The Radio Amateur is

CONSIDERATE...never knowingly operates in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.

LOYAL...offers loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs, and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally.

PROGRESSIVE...with knowledge abreast of science, a well-built and efficient station and operation above reproach.

FRIENDLY...slow and patient operating when requested; friendly advice and counsel to the beginner; kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.

BALANCED...radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.

PATRIOTIC...station and skill always ready for service to country and community.