Introduction

WHAT IS THE DIXIE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB?

Utah's Dixie Highlighted

The Dixie Amateur Radio Club (DARC) is a non-profit [IRS 501(c)(3)] association of Amateur Radio operators, also known as "ham radio" operators, in southwestern Utah. DARC is affiliated with the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the National Association for Amateur Radio. Please use the navigation links below to explore our website.

Amateur Radio operators are federally licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide a radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles:

(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.

(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.

(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communications and technical phases of the art.

(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.

(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.

Members of the Dixie Amateur Radio Club provide voluntary public service radio communications throughout the area for activities such as the annual St. George Marathon and the Huntsman World Senior Games.

Amateur Radio operators also maintain a readiness to provide emergency communications locally, regionally and world-wide in the event of a natural disaster or other calamity.

WHAT DO HAM RADIO OPERATORS DO?

Ham radio operators use two-way radio stations from their homes, cars, boats and outdoors to make hundreds of friends around town and around the world. They communicate with each other using voice, computers, and Morse code. Some hams bounce their signals off the upper regions of the atmosphere, so they can talk with hams on the other side of the world. Other hams use satellites. Many use hand-held radios that fit in their pockets.

Hams exchange pictures of each other using television. Some also like to work on electronic circuits, building their own radios and antennas. A few pioneers in Amateur Radio have even contributed to advances in technology that we all enjoy today. There are even ham-astronauts who take radios with them on the International Space Station and thrill thousands of hams on earth with a call from space!

Using even the simplest of radio setups and antennas, amateurs communicate with each other for fun, during emergencies, and even in contests. They handle messages for police and other public service organizations during all kinds of emergencies and events including, but in no way limited to:

Earthquakes
Tornadoes and floods
Motorist accidents
Fires and chemical spills
Search and rescues
Large public events such as marathons

A well known motto is:

"When all else fails... Amateur Radio is there"

Please click on the link below to visit the "Frequently Asked Questions" on the American Radio Relay League website for more information on Amateur (Ham) Radio:

http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/hamfaq.html

Please e-mail any local questions regarding Ham Radio to: w7drc@arrl.net

[Home][Introduction][Events][Membership][Newsletter][Library][Links]