It was a day like any other day in 1988 as Ron, KA1RMY, was driving along Route 7A in Arlington.
Upon spying a yard full of antennas, he stopped to see who this ham radio operator might be.
As it turns out, it was a CB’er named Randy, going by the handle of “Banjo Picker”, who Ron promptly asked if he would “like to be a ham?”.
“Banjo Picker” became a Novice in 1988, and was awarded the call KA1TYE. He quickly upgraded again, obtaining the Technician call N1GWL,
or as he was affectionately known, the “Number 1 Guy With the Ladies”. He began to wonder how many other hams were out there, and how they
could get together and meet.
So it was a fateful day in 1989, sitting at KA1RMY’s picnic table, that Randy (N1GWL),
Ron (KA1RMY), and Pat Honan (WV1P) founded SOVARC, the Southern Vermont Amateur Radio Club.
Randy was named Interim President, Pat became Treasurer, with Ron taking Secretary duty.
They obtained a list of all the hams in the area, mailed out an introductory newsletter, and anxiously waited to see if they would get any response.
About a dozen people showed up to that first meeting so long ago. One of them was Bob Moeller, KA1PXF, who just happened to be a trustee at the
Bennington Free Library, who obtained a meeting room for future meetings.
SOVARC continued to grow to an all-time high of 82 members in the 90’s, making it the 3rd largest in the state.
In 1992, they held their first organized ARRL Field Day event, which continues to be the high point of the members summer.
The repeater and cavities were donated by the now disbanded GEARC (GE Amateur Radio Club) of Pittsfield, MA.
A work party gathered at the base of Bosquet Ski Area to ride the chair lift to the top where the repeater was installed.
It was disassembled and carried down via the chair lift. It now operates with the call K1SV and is located in Bennington Vermont.
Repeater
SOVARC operates a 2 meter repeater located approximately 4 miles east of the Vermont-New York border.
It serves Bennington County and adjacent New York and Massachusetts.
The repeater operates on 146.835MHz with a PL of 100Hz. It can also be accessed using Echolink (Node 68420).
It is maintained by Repeater Manager Chuck Watson (WA1NBU).
This is an OPEN repeater - you do not need to be a member to use it.
Membership
SOVARC membership is open to anyone with an interest in Amateur Radio.
You do not need to live in Vermont or have an amateur license to join.
Membership is $25 a year.
Your membership fee helps cover the clubs operating expenses.
Some of these expenses are: repeater maintainance, event insurance, supplies used during events.
Membership Application
Fill out the application and bring to one of our meetins or events.
Meetings
Regular meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
Location: 425 Main Street, Bennington
Anyone with an interest in Amateur Radio is welcome.
You do not need to be a member or be licensed.
** Always check the website before each meeting to see if there is a change in location or time **