W4CA

Roanoke Valley Amateur Radio Club (RVARC) is dedicated to the advancement of amateur radio, serving Southwest Virginia, since 1932

Blue Ridge Bonanza
Special Event

September 13, 2026
9AM – 4PM ET

Tom Wilcox W4TKW
This event commemorates the beginning of construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway in September, 1935. On the Sunday following Labor Day in September we set up stations along the 469 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway and make contacts.  We will show the results of the 2026 event soon:
 

W4CA’s Contest Summary Report for N3FJP’s Amateur Contact Log
Created by N3FJP’s Amateur Contact Log Version 7.0.11 www.n3fjp.com

Total Contacts = 
Total Points = 
Operating Period: 2025/09/13 13:17 – 2025/09/013 16:46
Total Contacts by Band and Mode:

Total Contacts by State \ Province:   

Total Contacts by Operator:

Hamfest 2025!

RVARC Auction: April 25, 2026

The RVARC Auction this year was very good.  Lots of great items for sale.  Thank you for those members, former members, and families of hams who contributed goods for us to pass on to new hams.  And thank you for those who attended to purchase these items.  Some were vintage, some were modern. But all will be used again, hopefully. 

Radios in the Park March 21, 2026

Radios in the Park at Greenhill Park in Salem was a success in spite of the cold! We had about 6 stations set up, doing POTA [Greenhill Park is POTA (Parks on the Air) station 9935], HF, and more.

Marty has acquisitioned a trailer from the Red Cross to set up as an emergency radio station. Jaden worked CW from inside. 

Potluck Dinner, Feb 27, 2026

Our annual potluck dinner on February 27  was great!  30 people attended, including 3 visitors and 2 hams new to the club.  

The food was terrific!  It was noted that the club’s favorite is dessert!  But there was also a lot of salads, meats, and side dishes enough to fill everyone and most people had to take some of their dish back home. 

Winter Field Day January 24, 2026

RVARC participated in Winter Field Day on Saturday, January 24 from 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM.  One radio was used in the radio room. 86 contacts were made there.  When the snow started, we closed up for safety.  As we all know, the snow Saturday turned to sleet and ice, so staying through the night to Sunday would have been risky. More information will be shared  shortly. 
 
In the conference room we had Power Pole connectors and crimp/solder coax connectors with tools for projects or repairs, or just to learn how to attach them.  Seven hams worked in the conference room on various projects.  One was to get VarAC software loaded, get the program working, and make some contacts. 
 

After a lunch of pizza from Dominoes, Avery KZ4WC Gibbs gave a presentation on getting started with CW (continuous wave or Morse Code).  He will repeat the presentation at a future program meeting, so stay tuned. 

I have to apologize.  I was at the Red Cross through most of the day, but I forgot to take any pictures.  I never have been a good picture taker, and I’m afraid I need to be reminded when I am at functions, to take pictures.  Sorry for the loss.  Here is the only picture I can provide, of Avery’s CW presentation. 

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Past Year's Events

Christmas Party

 
 

Our Christmas party at Mama Maria’s was attended by 22 people including regular members and their spouses.  Fun was had by all, and the food was superb!  There was lots of excitement in the air, discussion of the season, and what is going to happen for the club in 2026. 

Doug N4MGW, Marty K4EQS, Mike K2JML, Monica, Dorinda, Robert
George, Ben N4FHL, Steve KQ4VGC, Grace, Ben KK4EWT, Cathy K4NIT
Lynn W4KDZ, Tom W4TKW, Bill W4TIO, Avery KD8YWT, Georgianna, FM KI4LH, Pat N3AYW, Theresa KD6NYS
Award to Cathy K4NIT for her service as 2025 President
Award to Mike K2JML for his dedication in service to the club.

Mill Mountain Star
Special Event Station

November 2, 2025
10 AM – 3 PM ET

Commemorating the Roanoke Star on Mill Mountain. Shining its light on the city below since November 1949 and giving the nickname “Star City of the South” to Roanoke, Virginia.

10-15 hams came together for fun and working radios at the pavilion at Mill Mountain Star. Some of those included were Marty K4EQS, Mike K2JML, Doug N4MGW, Ben KK4EWT, Cathy K4NIT, Tom W4TKW, Avery KZ4WC, Steve KQ4VGC, and Ben M.

Radio were set up running on 10 meters, 15 meters, and 40 meters.  

The lunch was potluck with hotdogs and hamburgers furnished by the club. The extras were donated to a church youth group.

Additional Information

More information about the star’s history can be found at www.playroanoke.com/the-roanoke-star.