Okaw Valley Amateur Radio Club - AD9OV

04/06/2026

James Beverley Hudson, Jr. WB9QPM
September 8, 1951 — April 3, 2026
Shelbyville, IL

James Beverley Hudson, Jr., 74, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 11:40 a.m., Friday, April 3, 2026, in his residence.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday April 8, 2026, at Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. Military rites will be conducted by the Shelby County Honor Guard. Memorials may be given to Shelbyville V.F.W. Post #4829. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL.

James was born on September 8, 1951, in Shelbyville, IL, the son of James Beverley Sr. and Helen Louise (Renner) Hudson. James graduated from Shelbyville High School and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. James worked for IHI Turbo as a maintenance mechanic until his retirement. He was an avid Ham Radio operator and was known by the call sign of WB9QPM to his friends from far and wide. James served as the Emergency Response Coordinator for the State of Illinois for many years. He could fix anything and he learned this life skill by reading books and working for people that had similar interests. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and flying his remote-control airplane. James was a member of Shelbyville V.F.W. Post #4829 and Shelbyville Moose Lodge #1294.

James is survived by his son, James D. Hudson and wife, Dawn of Shelbyville, IL; daughter, Logan Lee Hudson of Charleston, IL; sisters, Denise Montgomery (Neil) of Taylorsville, KY, Cara Montgomery (Mark) of Shelbyville, IL, and Linda Banning (Gary) of Shelbyville, IL; grandchildren, Janessa, Kendall and Olivia; and great grandchildren, Lucas and Addison.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Kacy; sister, Julie Ferguson; and many aunts and uncles, including a special uncle, Bill Renner.

James Beverley Hudson, Jr. Obituary April 3, 2026 - Howe and Yockey Funeral Homes

The photo of Jim WB9QPM, taken August 13, 2022 at the West Central Hamfest, Carlinville, IL. Jim has his red hat on Jim's left is Jim Pitchford N9LQF & Adam Thull KC9DAA.

02/16/2026

The Okaw Valley Amateur Radio Club based in Greenville, IL is hosting "Amateur Radio Technician-Level Review Session & License Testing February 21st and 28th, 2026.”

Review Session will be held over two Saturdays - Feb. 21st & Feb. 28th, 2026

Location: Bradford Bank Community Room, 100 E. College Ave.
Greenville, IL 62246.

Pre-registration encouraged here:
https://www.ovarc.net/resources

Look for: Ham Radio Review & License Testing Feb 2026

Testing Fee is $14.00 for those over 18 years of age. School age through Senior in High School is free of charge.

Questions: [email protected]

01/21/2026

Bluejay Nest Amateur Radio Club working as W1AW/9 on 14.322

01/20/2026

Are you ready for an Adventure?

Each year, Hamvention invites the amateur radio community to come together in celebration of innovation, friendship, and the limitless spirit of radio. For 2026, we are proud to announce our new theme:

Radio Adventure

Radio has always been about exploration — of ideas, technologies, distances, and possibilities. From the earliest spark-gap pioneers to today’s digital experimenters, satellite operators, contesters, emergency communicators, and outdoor enthusiasts, amateur radio continues to be a gateway to discovery.
Begin your trek to Hamvention — three days filled with learning, discovery, innovation, and community. Whether you come to shop the flea market, attend forums, explore new technology, volunteer, or reconnect with friends old and new, your adventure awaits in Xenia.
Our volunteers are working hard to make this the best show yet!

73,
Brian Markland, N8UDQ
General Chairman, Dayton Hamvention 2025
And all the amazing volunteers who bring it to life

01/11/2026

The Okaw Valley Amateur Radio Club will be holding a Technician Amateur Radio Class on February 21 & 28,2026. There is no charge for the class, but $14.00 to take the FCC Exam on February 28th. See flyer details or check out our website https://www.ovarc.net/resources

Students under the age of 18 will be tested free of charge.

You can sign up for this class on our website.

01/03/2026

Winterheat is in its 3rd day of the month long FM Simplex Event.
Hamactive.com

11/08/2025

It happened this morning, our new home for our 2 Meter Repeater was finally installed. Thanks to the many club members that helped make this possible. Special thank you goes to Rex N9DAN & Brian KB9VKQ, for their special contribution to this project. More work to do.

11/08/2025

Our 2 Meter Repeater is back online along with a backup generator. The Central Illinois Linked Repeater System is fully operational !

11/05/2025

Our 2 Meter Repeater 147.165 will be off the air from 0800 hrs to 1200 hrs on Thursday, by 11/06/25. The new Generator is being installed during this time. It will affect our connections via the Central Linked Repeater System to both the 442.250 & 442.200 repeaters. Thanks for your patience! 73 AD9OV

11/03/2025

10/04/2025

The Okaw Valley Amateur Radio Club members deserve recognition today for their outstanding efforts. Members successfully dismantled our 40-year-old repeater building, cleaned up the repeater site, developed a plan for installing our new repeater building. The building was relocated to Greenville today and awaits the next phase of our new repeater site.