🎙️ Welcome to The Jay County Amateur Radio Club

Located in Portland, Indiana, JCARC serves the amateur radio community across East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio. Our open repeaters support both casual chat and emergency communications.

Whether you're a licensed ham, a curious newcomer, or just ham-curious, we’ve got someone who can answer nearly any question — from antenna design and equipment types to licensing and digital modes.

Did you know you can get a starter handheld ham radio that works with our repeaters and EchoLink for under $30 with antenna, battery, and charger included? Step into digital for less than $100!

📡 JCARC Net

Join our weekly net every Tuesday at 8:00 PM Eastern — except the third Tuesday, which is reserved for our club meeting.

Primary Repeater:

• W9JCA – 145.210 MHz (– offset), PL 97.4 Hz – Pennville, IN

Linked Repeaters:

• W9JKL – 443.475 MHz (+), PL 100.0 Hz – Portland, IN (EchoLink Node: 412960)

• KB8SCR – 442.675 MHz (+), PL 107.2 Hz – Fort Recovery, OH (EchoLink Node: 949238)

• Connect via EchoLink using a compatible repeater, your computer, or a data-enabled smartphone. (Note: Links may be disabled during inclement weather.)

🗓️ Monthly Club Meeting

Third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM

📍 Scout Cabin, Jay County Fairgrounds (east side entrance)

Visitors welcome!

📧 Contact: w9jcarc@gmail.com

👍 Like us on Facebook: W9JCA

🔧 What Hams Do

From chatting on your commute to volunteering for emergency services, amateur radio is all about two-way communication. Equipment ranges from handhelds and mobile units to base stations with outdoor antennas — and the possibilities are endless.

🌐 What Is EchoLink?

EchoLink lets licensed hams connect worldwide using the Internet and streaming audio. You can link a radio to a repeater, computer, smartphone, or another EchoLink node — enabling global conversations from local gear.

• Over 200,000 users in 162 countries

• Around 5,000 active nodes at any time

• Great for remote check-ins to our weekly net

EchoLink rivals social platforms in reach — but with real radio soul.

🔊 DMR — EchoLink on Steroids!

Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) is a newer mode using handhelds or mobiles, often connected to repeaters via the Internet. DMR supports two simultaneous users using TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access).

Key concepts:

• Codeplug (your radio’s programming file)

• Color codes, zones, and talkgroups

• Worldwide reach with effortless switching

Unlike analog, DMR uses structured digital channels. It’s not a cell phone, it’s not private — it’s ham radio, and it’s a lot of fun!