Butler County VHF Association W8CCI
Butler County VHF Association W8CCI
There has been a carrier with no audio timing out the repeater over the last 6 months. It seems to be a mobile unit as the signal fades in and out frequently and apparently goes on and off with the ignition. If your mobile is on this frequency please pay attention to your radio to assure its not transmitting while in motion. It most likely is a sticky PTT switch or a shorted PTT line causing the issue. It also seems to start on the fringe of our coverage area and normally last between 20 to 45 minutes in duration so we are assuming your not close to any town or city. If this continues we will be forced to shut down the repeater altogether because as you travel about TRANSMITTING a dead carrier no one can use the repeater anyway! A responsible operator would at least LOOK AT HIS radio once in 6 months to assure it is functioning properly and NOT CAUSING harmful interference. If this does not stop we will be forced to file an official complaint with the FCC field office.
Thank You!
We will be collecting 2026 membership dues January 07, 2026 at the monthly W8CCI meeting.
OPS-2 is now on the air with the new 7 band off center fed dipole!
OPS-1 & OPS-2 are getting new computers capable of running WINDOWS 11. Both have been loaded with our commonly used software and we will try to get both of them functional Jan 7, 2026.
OPS-3A & OPS-3B computers are still Windows 10 to be upgraded at a later date.
OPS-4A & OPS-4B computers are still Windows 10 to be upgraded at a later date.
*REMINDER: Membership dues are now being collected for 2026, you do not have to be a member to attend the meetings! If you use our repeater's it would be greatly appreciated if you joined the club in support of the use of these repeaters.
W 8 C C I - Our Amateur Radio Club Callsign and Providing Community Service Since 1958
Who we are:
Butler County VHF Association (BCVHFA) is a leading amateur radio (ham radio) association in Butler County, Ohio. The organization is located just north of Cincinnati near Hamilton, Ohio. BCVHFA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and has been serving our community with non-commercial communications during emergency conditions since the formation of our club in 1958. Members operate with a license granted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and operate primarily under regulations contained in U.S. CFR Title 47, Part 97, "Amateur Radio Service." BCVHFA specializes in Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio technologies and participates in amateur radio activities using VHF and UHF equipment. High Frequency (HF) radio operation also complements VHF/UHF capability for extended range communications. Some members operate microwave amateur stations as well.
What we do:
Emergency communications support to local officials during emergencies to supplement their communications when overloaded.
Homebrew Equipment - Kit building, antennas and repeaters.
Club Upgrades - 4 operator club station, club generator, club operating accessories, club towers and antenna systems.
Participate in a weekly net on Thursday 7:30 P.M.
Contesting on sites for - State Parks On The Air, Field Day, Lighthouse special events, covered bridges and several other contests that members participate in annually.
Training - Weather Spotting, Emergency Support, Club Equipment Operation.
Digital Communication - VHF/UHF Packet, APRS, AIRMAIL, D-Star, Echolink, Fusion, P25, ircDDBgateway, HF Digital Modes such as digipan, FL-DIGI, HF-ALE, WINLINK 2K etc.
Amateur radio computer platforms - Windows, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone Black, Banana Pi, Arduino.
Amateur Radio Software - Winlink2000, HF-ALE, DigiPan, FLDigi, G8BPQ, Ham Radio Deluxe, Linux
Amateur radio licensing - Assist non-hams acquire FCC amateur radio license.
New Licensee Mentoring - Help new ham radio licensees get started operating radios.
Seek new members for BCVHFA - We are always looking for good hams to become members of BCVHFA.
When we do it:
Main Meeting: First Wednesday of each month starting at 7:00 P.M.
Where we do it:
BCVHFA holds activities at Butler Technology and Career Center 3603 Hamilton Middletown Road Hamilton, OH 45011 - Room 209 or the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Center (ARECC)
Why we do it:
"Because We Can" Radio Amateurs enjoy communicating with other amateurs both locally and all over the world; promoting international good will. Many have made friends for life through ham radio contacts. Radio amateurs enjoy constructing their radio station from store bought equipment and/or homebrew equipment sometimes advancing the "state of the radio art."
How we do it:
BCVHFA amateur radio operators are licensed by the FCC. Each license upgrade allows the use of expanded radio frequencies. Potential ham operators must pass an exam showing they understand basic radio communication concepts and regulations before obtaining their license. Each operator can have a home "base" station as well as mobile and handheld radio stations. According to regulations, amateur radio operators can support community officials after a declared emergency when community owned radio systems fail to operate or become overloaded.
Please Join The BCVHFA Organization And Enjoy Amateur Radio With Us !!
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