Lakeland Amateur Radio Club

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Lakeland Amateur Radio Club

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.

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!

03/04/2026

📡 LARC March Meeting -- CORES, Not Coors!

The Lakeland Amateur Radio Club will meet Monday, March 9th at 7:00 PM.

This month we're talking about the FCC's CORES system -- the COmmission REgistration System used for licenses, callsign changes, updates, and FCC fee payments.

Russ Delaney, N4RTD will walk us through how it works.

We'll also discuss upcoming club activities:
• Kathleen Historical Society Festival -- April 4
• Sun 'n Fun Fly-In -- mid-April
• Field Day planning -- we need a Field Day Coordinator

📝 Ham testing starts at 5:30 PM
📍 Parkview Baptist Church (across from LRH)

Hope to see everyone there!

02/07/2026

🎙️ February LARC Meeting -- Contesting Season is Here!** 🎙️

In the spring, a young ham's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of CONTESTING!

Join us Monday, February 9th at 7:00 p.m. at Parkview Baptist Church (across from LRH).

Buddy Morgan, WB4OMG, will present a program on CW contesting and preview the upcoming Florida QSO Party (April 25--26) -- your chance to be _the hunted_ instead of the hunter!

📝 Ham testing begins at 5:30 p.m. (thanks to Russ, N4RTD).

🔜 Upcoming Events

• Orlando HamCation: Feb 13--15

• Kathleen Historical Society operating event: April 4

All are welcome -- see you there!

01/08/2026

🎙️ LARC January Meeting -- Monday, January 12th!

It's 2026, and we're kicking off the new year strong!

Join the Lakeland Amateur Radio Club on Monday, January 12th at 7:00 PM at Parkview Baptist Church (across from Lakeland Regional Health).

📡 License Testing Returns!

Testing begins at 5:30 PM. New license or upgrade? Testing is FREE!

🎤 Guest Speaker: Paul Womble, K4FB

Paul is an avid QRP CW operator and POTA activator -- and in his day job, he serves as Polk County's Emergency Management Director. He'll be speaking on emergency communications and how amateur radio fits into disaster preparedness as hurricane season approaches.

👉 Bring a friend, bring your questions, and help us start the year on the air!

12/03/2025

🎄 LARC December Meeting & Christmas Dinner 🎄

It's time to celebrate the season together! Join us for great food, friendship, and a look back at a fantastic 2025.
Dinner Menu: Brisket, BBQ Chicken, sides, desserts, and more!
Cost: Adults $10 • Kids 12 & under $5
Time: 6:00 pm (note early start!)
Location: Parkview Baptist Church
No VE testing this month.
Bring cans of food for VISTE!

We'll also hear the 2025 Field Day results--LARC did great!

And meet your 2026 Officers: Geoff, Buddy, Eleanor, and Lydia.
Bring family and friends--everyone is welcome!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 🎅📡

More details are on the LARC Blog: https://blog.lakelandarc.org

11/16/2025

LARC Election Results + Big Field Day News!

Here's a quick update from Monday's LARC elections. The positions of President and Treasurer are still open, and outgoing President Jim W4XDS is talking with potential candidates. More info soon!

2026 Officers:
• President: OPEN
• Vice President: Geoff Shuck, WA4MMO
• Secretary: Eleanor Marshall, KK4VCN
• Treasurer: OPEN

Directors: KQ4KX, W4EMT, KT2T, K1DU, KQ4DRX, WB4OMG, N6MRS

And now the big news…
LARC placed 18th out of 180 clubs in Class 4A for Field Day!

Congrats to everyone who helped make this possible! Fred, K1DU, will have more details at the December meeting.

And remember -- December is our annual Christmas party (no ham testing that night). Hope to see you there!

11/05/2025

LARC Election Night -- Monday, Nov 10 @ 7 PM

It's time to choose our next club leaders! Join us at Parkview Baptist Church in Lakeland (across from LRH) as we complete voting and announce the results for the 2026 slate of officers and directors.

If you're a member in good standing, check your email for the ballot from Jim Stewart, W4XDS, or vote in person at the meeting.

Our guest speaker will be **Jimmy Russ, AB4KA**, ARRL WCF Section Manager, with an update on pending legislation protecting ham antennas from HOA restrictions.

📡 Please vote and get involved!

10/10/2025

⚡️ Battery, Solar Power, and Safety!

The October LARC meeting is Monday, October0 13 at 7:00pm at Parkview Baptist Church.

🎙️ Guest speaker Grant Burhans, W2BF will show how he powers his ham station with*solar + battery--and how to do it safely. 🌞🔋

✅ License exams start at 5:30pm.
✅ Last chance to run for LARC leadership!
✅ Learn about helping with the Warrior Wal* on Oct. 25 around Lake Hollingsworth.

See you there!

Address

509 Parkview Place
Lakeland, FL
33805

Website

http://blog.lakelandarc.org/

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