Welcome to KL7KC - Fairbanks Alaska

"We Can - We Will - We Do". The AARC club's webpage says it all. A group of spirited and motivated individuals bringing a tremendous amount of energy, innovative ideas and raw determination to successfully accomplish what seems to be the impossible - all for the benefit of the entire community. (Anonymous comment overheard at the Yukon Quest headquarters during the Quest 2010 event)

AARC Club Members Operate The National Weather Service (KL7FWX) For Pure SKYWARN Fun This Week. Our 2011 Skywarn Tally: 371 Qso's consisting of 127 DX stations and 244 US stations - 42 States (including 3 Canadian Provinces) - 23 NWS Offices - 56 FM echolink, 123 on CW, 5 on PSK31 and 187 on SSB, putting KL7FWX in 7th place overall.

Thanks to Mac (KL2GS), Bob (WL7GK), Ron (WL7CPS), John (KL1AZ) along with 12 year old guest operator Dale, Larry (N1TX) and our two resident NWS ham radio operators Tracy (W7EIK) and Randy (KL1BF) as well as our constant technical adviser Jerry (KL7EDK).

Mac (KL2GS) operating the echolink station and guest operator Dale calling CQ CQ this is KL7FWX - SKYWARN

The infamous Peanut Brittle supply - our source for fast energy.

Last minute radio operator instructions.

CQ - CQ - Skywarn - Tracy (W7EIK), Dan (KL1JP) and Mac (KL2GS) activly engaged in radio operations.

The KL7FWX 2011 Skywarn Station consisted of a Yaesu FT-950 radio, microHAM MK2 keyer, foot switch and Yamaha headset. A G5RV antenna is on the roof transmitting 100 watts. The laptop is loaded with DXLab suite software controlling it all.

....And if you "got us", you can receive one of the new and very cool QSL cards.

AARC Club Members Operate National Weather Service (KL7FWX) Emergency Radio Room During November 8-10, 2011 "Bering Sea Super Storm"

"Alaska Amateur Radio operators have been critical in the collection of weather observations and impacts due to the storm."

The National Weather Service was extremely pleased with the quick response to the Bering Sea Super Storm weather emergency. Using KL7FWX HF ham gear, radio operators were successful in receiving "real-time" weather reports from Marty (KL2MR in Nome), Mark (WL7BCT in Bethel) and from Brevig Mission. By shear tenacity of a few volunteers, the club managed to staff the radio room for a full 40 hours during the critical time-period of the weather storm, adding credibility to ham radio being used as a valuable tool for communication by the National Weather Service. Having several NWS press releases go out to the media stating that ham radio operators were talking directly to the villages was very important. Thanks to: Bob (WL7GK), Carl (WL7BDO), Dan (KL1JP), Ed (AL7N), Gary (NL7Y), Glenn (KL1TH), Jerry (KL7EDK), Larry (N1TX), Linda (AD4BL) and Ron (WL7CPS) for their help in this "real" emergency.

KL7KC (146.88) Repeater Antenna Is Repaired

A beautiful fall weekend was used for the repair of the AARC main repeater antenna system. Thanks to Jerry (KL7EDK), John (KL1AZ), Bill (KC8MVW) and Myles (KL1NU) for their work efforts.

Work of this kind quietly takes place in the background - keeping the AARC repeater system operational for members as well as for special events such as the Yukon Quest.

You can see all of the Fairbanks valley in the distance from the top of Ester Dome.

New antenna and heavy duty guying system, designed by Jerry (KL7EDK) which will ensure the antenna stays put through the many upcoming windy and snowy winter months.

New antenna support guy in place.

The 2011 AARC Hamfest - Bentley Mall August 6, 2011

The AARC Hamfest was held at the Bentley Mall on Saturday August 6th, 2011 with lots of public participation.

For some hams, it's ALL about the equipment that's for sale.

Linda (AD4BL) talks about the club and its role in Emergency Communications

AARC member Chad (AL2D) reaching for his wallet.

Hamfest registration was hot and heavy...Sterling is handling all the paperwork.

A lots of public stopped by to find out what ham radio is all about.

2011 Field Day Deemed A Marvelous Success

CQ CQ KL2R 4E Ak, that's 4 Echo Alpha Kilo

Carl (WL7BDO) and Elaine (KL6C) operate two of the four HF stations, making contacts. Field Day was 4E this year.

Luci (KL1WE) and Dan (KL1JP) at the public information table, featuring directional finding equipment and information about how to use it.

Several "official" visitors representing our local elected government as well as representative of a served agency stopped by for Field Day. They included Tim Beck (Fairbanks North Star Borough Assemblyman), David Guttenberg (Democratic member of the Alaska House of Representatives), Tammie Wilson (Republician member of the Alaska House of Representatives) and Steve Adams (Chair of the University Fire Service Area Commission as well as KL1JR). All were seriously interested in understanding more about the capability of ham radio in the event of a "real" emergency. In this photo, Larry (N1TX) is talking to representative Guttenberg about the capability of his equipment at the KL2R contest club.

Dan (KL1JP) rolled in his Big Foot camper along with a 10m beam. A solar charger and generator provided the power.

AARC club members Myles (KL1NU) and John (KL1AZ) stop by the FD operations center.

The shack fills with those curious about ham radio, magical interfaces and the digital modes.

(credit: photo by John Shadle W4PAH)

Field Day at KL2R - general overview showing the shack, multi-generator setup and public information area. In addition to the KL2R tower equipment, a brand new 5 band Hex Beam sits on top of the shack.

The brand new 5 band Hex Antenna goes up into operating position.

Carl (WL7BDO) operating "barefoot" with 500 watts. (Acom 1010 amplifier in the background)

Larry's tower assembly and its capability makes operating at KL2R fun.

(credit: photo by John Shadle W4PAH)

Ken (W6HF) giving visiting hams a lesson in using his "homebrew" satellite antenna to make contacts.

Visitors, both hams and non-hams, were plentiful at the Field Day operations.

Visitors, young and older get a lesson from Carl (WL7BDO) in directional finding.

All hands on deck - AARC members volunteer their time to complete the Field Day set up.

Ken (W6HF) and Luci (KL1WE) managed to get our satellite bonus points QSO.

Just plain tenacious - Field Day at 3 AM and still trying for QSO's.

Field Day was advertised on several local radio stations; KFBX (970 AM) by Charlie O'toole who conducted a 20 minute in-depth interview with Neal Brown, president of AARC and on National Public Radio-KUAC (89.9 FM) by Dan Bross. In addition, the Field Day event generated several stories in our local Newsminer newspaper by Dermot Cole and staff reporters.

More photos will be posted as soon as they become available.

Club "Team-Work" Moves Donated Equipment

The generous donation of Push-Up Masts in a variety of heights, several types of tripods, rolls of guy wire and miscellaneous parts was gratefully received from a local television company going out of business. The equipment is for sale - to AARC members and non-members alike - to put more ham radio operators on the air and to generate funds for club activities. (click here for prices)

Steve Estes and Charles Beaudreault carrying guy wire, Kevin Abnett and Bill Brookins loading push up masts on Bill's trailer.

Mike Perry in his Bob Cat like tractor, Sterling Muth, Bill Brookins, and Jerry Curry placing masts on pallets in Mike Perry's secured yard near North Pole.

John Slater's truck and trailer, front row Kevin Abnett, Bill Brookins, Jerry Curry, Sterling Muth, Neal Brown, back row-John Slater, Steve Estes, Charles Beaudreault, Mike Perry.

The two different tripods that are available. The smaller one is about 3 feet high with 2 1/2" hole, the tall one is about 5 feet high with 2" hole. Both have two gripping points on a push up mast, one at the top and one about half way up.

Tour de Cure - 2011

Tour de Cure 2011 Route Sign.

Tour de Cure 2011 - Its all about the riders !

AARC member Myles (KL1NU) helped support the event by riding the 10K.

Traffic at the Goldstream and Steese Checkpoint.

Tour de Cure

Choose your direction !

Traffic at University Ave and Geist Road Checkpoint.

AARC members & volunteers staff the Yukon Quest communication hubs and checkpoints. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the start of the race and continue until the last musher crosses the finish line.

AARC members joined the Yukon Quest staff and volunteers at all of the checkpoints.

Ham Radio operations begin Saturday morning 5th at the Quest HQ in downtown Fairbanks. Arctic Amateur Radio Club members operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Overview of the 53 Mile Chena Hot Springs Yukon Quest Checkpoint.

Ham Shacks at the 53 Mile Checkpoint. WL7GK operated out of his RV until the temperatures dipped below minus 25F, then moved into the log cabin.

Bob (WL7GK) at the Quest 53 Mile Hamshack Operations Center. Winlink HF was used as the primary means of encrypted communications.

Bill (KE4ITP) burning the midnight oil and patiently waiting for Bib #19 Hank DeBruin - the recipient of the 2011 Red Lantern Award.