The Ozaukee Radio Club, Incorporated (ORC) is a non-profit corporation and is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a Sec. 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations are tax deductible. ORC qualifies as an ARRL Special Service Club. ORC draws its members from not only Ozaukee County but from all of the surrounding counties as well. The prime interest drawing the members together is Amateur Radio and community service. The diverse membership is comprised of all age groups as well as technical vocations. The Club operates radio repeaters on the 144, 220 and the 440 MHz bands. Family members are welcome and actively participate.
Newsletter ORC publishes a monthly newsletter that is published on the Club website. This is a well known newsletter in the community, don’t miss it. It contains information about the monthly meeting, what is happening in the amateur radio community and news about our members. To submit an article or inquire about newsletter reprinting/sharing please contact our Newsletter Editor.
Amateur Radio Classes
Classes leading to an Amateur Radio license are held periodically by the Ozaukee Radio Club. Persons who complete the 6-week course and pass the FCC test will receive an Amateur Radio license allowing them to communicate with other “Hams” around the world. A Federal regulation established in 2008 deleted the Morse code requirement for ALL amateur licenses. Over 650,000 persons in the U.S. are licensed Radio Amateurs. They range in age from pre-teen to senior citizens. For information on future classes please contact Tom Ruhlmann.
Meetings
ORC holds meetings on the second Wednesday of each month at the Grafton Multipurpose Senior Center,
1665 7th Ave, Grafton, WI 53024The doors open at 6:30 PM for meet and greet. Meetings start at 7:00 PM and non-members are always welcome. Meetings are in person and via Zoom, if not a member email the ORC President for a Zoom invite. Map
Programs
A technical program is a usual part of the ORC monthly meeting. The subjects range from Ham Radio topics, to computers, to anything that would be of interest to the members. The presentations may be formal or informal and always generate lively discussions. If you would like to present a program please contact our 1st Vice President.
Field Day
The Ozaukee Radio Club participates annually in the ARRL sponsored Field Day Weekend. The object of Field Day is to set up and operate amateur radio stations using emergency power and temporary antennas. An emphasis is placed on developing skills to meet the challenge of emergency preparedness. Operators try to contact as many other amateurs radio stations as possible during this period and at the same time having fun with their families in the outdoor camping atmosphere of Field Day. The location for the 2016 ORC Field Day event (held each year over the fourth weekend of June) is at Pleasant Valley Nature Park in the town of Cedarburg, WI. Map For more information of to help out please contact our Field Day Chairman.
Public Service
The ORC provides communications for civic events and in emergencies. Communications for events such as Saukville Riverfest (cleanup), Port Washington Fish Day, and the Grafton Christmas Parade have been handled in the past by ORC members.
Scholarships
The ORC Scholarship Fund has been established with a goal of granting a $2,000 scholarship. Eligibility requirements for the ORC Scholarship are:
1. Hold an Amateur Radio license of any class
2. Be a resident of the State of Wisconsin
3. Attend any school intending to achieve a baccalaureate degree in any course of study
The ARRL Foundation will administer The Ozaukee Radio Club, W9CQO, Scholarship and determine the recipients of the award to be the most-deserving, depending on personal statements and recommendations, and superior among the scholarship applicants. The scholarship award will be $2,000 annually. Scholarships are for the exclusive use of the winner, to be applied to tuition, books, mandatory fees, on-campus housing, and other bona fide educational expenses.
https://www.arrl.org/scholarship-program
Swapfests
ORC has two swapfests (amateur radio flea markets) each year. One is the Saturday in early May/late April and the Fall swapfest is on a Saturday in early September. In addition to radios, antennas, books and other “bits and pieces” there is frequently computer hardware and software. To inquire or help out with the Spring Swapfest please contact Tom Trethewey KC9ONY our Spring Swapfest Chairman.
Further Information
Sound interesting? For more information on Amateur Radio or the Ozaukee Radio Club, Inc. you are welcome to come to one of our meetings, ask any ORC member or send us an email at info@ozaukeeradioclub.org.
