Lakeland Amateur Radio Club

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Lakeland Amateur Radio Club

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Club meetings are at 7:00 PM on the second Monday of every month at Parkview Baptist Church, 509 Parkview Place, Lakeland FL 33805.

We also offer testing beginning at 5:30 PM. The LARC is the largest amateur radio club in Polk County, and we are always eager to introduce new folks into this diverse and exciting hobby! A little history...

Lakeland Amateur Radio Club was formed back in 1976 and has been active throughout the county ever since. Each year, the club offers support to many organizations. As Amateur Radio Operators we are on a constant mission to protect our airwaves and to provide assistance to our community. From Hurricanes, to tornados, to free Radiograms at Airshows, to providing communications for Hunger and Breast Cancer Walks. As Amateur Radio Operators we are focused on being there not only for each other, but for our community as well. LARC is an American Radio Relay League affiliated club and is a part of the West Central Florida section of the ARRL. We meet at Parkview Baptist Church in Lakeland, Florida the second Monday of the month. We offer testing at 5:30 PM and the club meeting starts at 7 PM. You don’t have to be a member to come to a meeting, so come join us.

10/10/2026

Tokyo Calling! 🇯🇵📻

The Lakeland Amateur Radio Club is going international again!

Join us Monday, October 12th, as Russ Delaney, N4RTD, takes us on a virtual trip to Japan for a look at the 2026 Tokyo Ham Fair, Asia's largest hamfest!

Expect plenty of pictures, stories, and highlights from one of amateur radio's biggest events!

📍 Parkview Baptist Church
🕠 License Testing: 5:30 pm
🕖 Club Meeting: 7:00 pm

There's more club news to share, too!

Get all the details on the LARC Blog:
https://blog.lakelandarc.org

09/11/2026

📡 All Meshed-Up!

The September LARC meeting is Monday, September 14th at Parkview Baptist Church at 7PM.

This month, VP Glenn, KO4MDY, will introduce us to Meshtastic. What is it? How does it work? And what can you do with it?

📻 Free Ham Testing: 5:30 p.m.
📡 LARC Meeting: 7:00 p.m.

Also coming up: 2027 club elections, our Spring Picnic, and some great donated ham gear looking for new homes.

See you Monday night!

For full details, check out the LARC Blog:

All Meshed-Up! The September LARC meeting is set for Monday evening, September 14th at 7:00pm. For this month, our VP Glenn, KO4MDY, is presenting on Meshtastic. What is it? How does it work. What can you do with it? How active is it in our area? Find out Monday evening! As always, if you are intere...

08/04/2026

📻 Is That Really HAM?

Join us for the August LARC meeting on Monday, August 10, at Parkview Baptist Church in Lakeland!

Ham radio testing begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the club meeting at 7:00 p.m. Mike Lunsford, KB4HFP, will present "Is That Really HAM?"--a fun look at terms, phrases, and names we associate with amateur radio.

We hope to see you there!

07/08/2026

📻 LARC Keeps Busy This Summer! ☀️

Think amateur radio slows down during the summer? Think again!

Join us Monday, July 13, for a meeting packed with news and presentations:

✅ A complete recap of LARC Field Day 2026
✅ Buddy Morgan, WB4OMG, shares photos and stories from the Ham Radio International Expo in Friedrichshafen, Germany 🇩🇪
✅ Meet our new Vice President, Glenn Sims, KO4MDY
✅ Learn about the club's move from the CQ email reflector to [groups.io](http://groups.io)

📍 Parkview Baptist Church (across from Lakeland Regional Health)
🕠 Ham Testing -- 5:30 PM
🕖 Meeting -- 7:00 PM

Whether you operated Field Day, are interested in international ham radio, or just want to spend an evening with fellow hams, we'd love to see you there!

06/06/2026

It's Field Day season! 🎉 ARRL Field Day is June 27th and 28th, and the Lakeland Amateur Radio Club is setting up at a new location this year:

📍 Tom Davis Education Center Sun 'N Fun Campus 4590 Rocky Road, Lakeland, FL 33811

This year we're looking for a Field Day Coordinator! We need someone to step up and help lead the effort. It's a great opportunity to make your mark on one of amateur radio's biggest events of the year.

Russ, N4RTD, will handle setup on Friday 6/26 and takedown on Sunday 6/28, and will also be representing LARC & the WCF Section by traveling with the ARRL West Central Florida Section Manager to Field Day sites across the section.

All the details get worked out at our next club meeting -- Monday, June 8th at Parkview Baptist Church, 509 Parkview Place, Lakeland, FL 33801 (across from the hospital on the east side). Ham testing at 5:30 PM, meeting at 7:00 PM. Hope to see you there!

05/08/2026

📻 LARC May Meeting -- Antennas!

Our next meeting is Monday, May 11th at Parkview Baptist Church near Lakeland Regional Health!

🕠 FREE Ham Radio Testing -- 5:30 p.m. 📡 Meeting -- 7:00 p.m.

This month, Buddy Morgan WB4OMG brings us a program on antennas -- and rumor has it he might build one right there at the meeting!

We'll also hear Field Day plans from coordinator Jim Stewart W4XDS. Field Day is always a highlight of the ham radio year, so you won't want to miss this preview!

Good news on the personal side -- Geoff Schuck WA4MMO is home from the hospital and improving. Please keep Geoff and his family in your thoughts and prayers. 🙏

See you Monday! 73

04/12/2026

Tailgate Time at LARC!

Looking to upgrade your shack--or clear out some gear? This Monday's meeting is our annual Tablegate, where the business meeting is short and the buying & selling takes over!

You'll find:

🔧 Radios, antennas, tools & accessories
💰 Great deals from fellow hams
📦 Items from the N4HCZ estate (donation-based!)
…and a LOT more!

⚠️ Just remember…

DON'T BUY FROM _THAT_ GUY!! 😄

📅 Monday, April 13
🕖 7:00 PM (Meeting)
📝 5:30 PM (FREE Ham Testing)
📍 Parkview Baptist Church

Bring cash, bring gear, and bring your best negotiating skills!

Address

509 Parkview Place
Lakeland, FL
33805

Website

http://blog.lakelandarc.org/

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