Are you a ham radio operator
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We Communicate
Olympia Amateur Radio Society
"OARS"
ABOUT
OARS, the Olympia Amateur Radio Society, club call sign NT7H, is an ARRL Special Service Club dedicated to promoting and supporting Amateur Radio in the Olympia Washington area as well as all of Thurston County. We are also a Washington State Non-Profit organization and in the process of becoming a Federal 501(c)(3) Non-Profit.
We meet weekly every Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM on the OARS Repeater system (see the "OARS Repeater" section on this site) and on Zoom, 216 944 109, no password.
The monthly meeting is the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM at Tugboat Annie’s, 2100 West Bay Drive, Olympia, WA. Come early, order dinner and enjoy the meeting. You can also join us on Zoom 435 905 935 password 147360.
Note: You have reached the site of the Olympia Amateur Radio Society in Thurston County, Washington. If you are searching for the Clallam County Amateur Radio Club their address is https://olyham.com/
We meet weekly every Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM on the OARS Repeater system (see the "OARS Repeater" section on this site) and on Zoom, 216 944 109, no password.
The monthly meeting is the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM at Tugboat Annie’s, 2100 West Bay Drive, Olympia, WA. Come early, order dinner and enjoy the meeting. You can also join us on Zoom 435 905 935 password 147360.
Note: You have reached the site of the Olympia Amateur Radio Society in Thurston County, Washington. If you are searching for the Clallam County Amateur Radio Club their address is https://olyham.com/
Membership
Here's why OARS is the perfect place for you:
- Learn from the best: Exchange ideas with experienced Ham operators and pick up valuable knowledge.
- Make lasting connections: Join a welcoming group of people who share your fascination with radio communication.
- Dive deeper into your hobby: Monthly meetings and a weekly net schedule provide endless opportunities to explore the world of Ham Radio.
Annual Membership Dues:
1. New Member (first time joining OARS): Free for the first calendar year
2. Regular Membership Renewal (individual and family): $25 per calendar year
3. Associate (unlicensed) Membership: $20
4. Newly Licensed HAM (past 12 months) : Free for the first calendar year
5. Student Membership: Free for full time students
Members desiring to make their dues payment, please use our secure online payment here: Online Secure Payment
Ready to join the fun? Fill out the easy online application and you will start an exciting journey to connect, learn, and explore the exciting world of Ham Radio!
Volunteer for OARS
Our rapidly growing club is in need of help to assist in various roles. Please fill out this form below. No experience required!
We are lookng for:
Tech Savvy: Help with repeater maintenance, website development, social media management, or setting up technical demonstrations.
Event Planning: OARS 2025 Summer Field Day, Tech Ops, contests, potlucks, guest speaker events, and more.
Training & Education: Share your knowledge by assisting with training courses, operating instruction, or mentoring new hams.
Community Outreach & Support: Help us spread the word about amateur radio and our club by attending local events and representing OARS.
General Support: Assist with member onboarding, club backoffice e-paperwork, communications, or any other general tasks that keep things running smoothly.
We are lookng for:
Tech Savvy: Help with repeater maintenance, website development, social media management, or setting up technical demonstrations.
Event Planning: OARS 2025 Summer Field Day, Tech Ops, contests, potlucks, guest speaker events, and more.
Training & Education: Share your knowledge by assisting with training courses, operating instruction, or mentoring new hams.
Community Outreach & Support: Help us spread the word about amateur radio and our club by attending local events and representing OARS.
General Support: Assist with member onboarding, club backoffice e-paperwork, communications, or any other general tasks that keep things running smoothly.
Calendar
Repeaters
NETS:
TCARES (see wa7oly.org) Every Tuesday Evening beginning at 7:00 PM on the OARS Repeaters.
OARS Information Net Every Tuesday Evening beginning at 7:30 PM on the OARS Repeaters.
| Location | Frequency | Offset | PL tone | Call sign |
| Olympia | 147.360 MHz | +0.600 | 103.5 | NT7H |
| Crawford Mt | 224.460 MHz | -1.600 | 103.5 | NT7H |
| Crawford Mt | 441.400 MHz | +5.000 | 103.5 | NT7H |
All three repeaters are linked for greater coverage of Thurston County.
License Testing
LICENSE TESTING:OARS EXAM SESSIONS
NOTE: Time Change Effective January 2024
The OARS license exam sessions are held at Tugboat Annie's, 2100 West Bay Dr. Olympia WA from 5:00 to 6:00PM on the third Wednesday of each month except for December. This is the same night as the OARS meetings, so walk-ins will be welcome, appointments/reservations will no longer be required.
**Remember you need a federal registration number, available for free on the FCC website, https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/knowledge-base/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/getting-fcc-registration.
Follow this link for more information:
http://oars-ve.duckdns.org/
OARS Membership application: Online Application
Technician Training: Let this year be the year to get licensed! Lee Chambers, callsign KI7SS, will lead a new Technician training class starting in March. Lee is one of our most experienced HAM operator and instructor. The Online registration and class information is available here: Technician Class
New HAM Resources
Listen to us online!
If you don't have your license yet, you can still listen to our Tuesday Information Net that begins at 7:30 PM every Tuesday from this link.
Learn moreFree Online Technician and General Courses
Online training for the Technician and General License
Learn moreContesting
Welcome to the WA7BNM Contest Calendar. This site provides detailed information about amateur radio contests throughout the world, including their scheduled dates/times, rules summaries, log submission information and links to the official rules as published by the contest sponsors.
Learn moreWatts Newsletter
Links of Interest
Broadcastify link
Listen to the OARS Information Net without your radio! Great resource if you are traveling or without your HAM kit.
Weather Underground
My Weather Underground station on Olympia's West side. Check the NWS site as well
Propagation Estimates
http://www.hamqsl.com/solar101vhfper.php?ver=1695920710263
Gallery
Articles
Written by our own Dr. Eric S. Messelt, W8ESM, this pamphlet will strive to answer many of your questions about ham radio.
Read More1 min read
With spring (hopefully) just around the corner, late winter is a great time to evaluate our station lightning protection arrangements prior to lightning season.
Read More2 min read
In the early days, amateur radio and hams were considered irritations and nuisances to the "real" communicators -- the commercial sector and the military.
Read More2 min read
Roster & Documents
Members Roster (as of Feb 2025)
1 min read
OARS Constitution
1 min read
OARS By-Laws
3 min read
TCARES - OARS MOU
2 min read
Officers
2025 OARS Officers and Key Personnel
| Position | Name | Call Sign | Phone |
| President | Howard Lim | W1COL | |
| Vice President | Paul Smietan | NT7PS | |
| Secretary | Mark Gayman | KK7MCI | |
| Treasurer | Dr. Rick Miller | KK7RMH | |
| Member-at-Large 1 | Eric Messelt | W8ESM | |
| Member-at Large 2 | Bill Mackey | N3DPQ | |
Committees and Key Contacts | |||
| Position | Name | Call Sign | Phone |
| Club License Trustee | TBD | TBD | |
| Repeater | Mark Weisenfeld | K7TUM | |
| Information Net | Lee Chambers | KI7SS | |
| ARES Net Manager | Ernie Bodoh | KK7ASX | |
| ARES Liaison | Steve Tomlin | W7SLT | |
| Newsletter Editor | Corinne Tobeck | KK7ZHM | |
| Classes | Lee Chambers | KI7SS | |
| License Exams | Klaus Neubert | AC7MG | |
| Web Developer | TBD | TBD | |
| Director of Marketing | Doug Grover | N7POV | |
| Historian | Phil Cornell | W7PLC |
Please use the contact page if you need to reach any of these officers and key personnel.
Contact
- Olympia, Washington, United States
Olympia Amateur Radio Society PO Box 2861 Olympia, WA 98507 For web site issues or questions contact the Web Developer
Swap-n-Shop
March 2025 Monthly Meeting Agenda
March 2025 Monthly Meeting Agenda
6:00 - 7:00 Eyeball QSO/Dinner Social Hour
7:00 - 7:45 Guest Speaker Presentation
- Opening Remarks by Howard, W1COL
- Welcome newest members/visitors
- Guest Speaker: Marc Spardello, W1NJ
- ARRL Overview
- Guest Speaker: Brandon Cheney
- Thurston County Emergency Coordinator
7:45- 8:00 Break/ Say Hello to our newest members
8:00 - 9:00 2d Speaker/Business Meeting/ Closing Remarks
- Don Chase, KK7QCE
- Tech Ops Initiative
- New Business/General Info
- Final Remarks, Howard, W1COL
The monthly meeting is the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM at Tugboat Annie’s, 2100 West Bay Drive, Olympia, WA
See us on Zoom 435 905 935, password 147360. Come early, order dinner and enjoy the meeting.