Washington County Amateur Radio Club

The Washington County Amateur Radio Club currently has 75 members and continues to grow. Our roster represents communities throughout Washington County—including Brenham, Burton, Chappell Hill, Independence, and Washington—as well as neighboring counties and communities. We are especially proud that eight of our members are under the age of 18, reflecting our commitment to introducing Amateur Radio to the next generation.

We are proud to call Washington County home. Known as the ‘Birthplace of Texas,’ the county includes Washington-on-the-Brazos, where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed in 1836. Brenham is also home to Blue Bell Creameries, one of the area’s best-known institutions. That combination of Texas history, community identity, and local pride is reflected in our club and its commitment to fellowship, education, and public service.

Our membership includes newly licensed operators, longtime hams, public-service volunteers, and people interested in everything from emergency communications and local repeaters to HF, digital modes, contesting, and Parks on the Air.

Our annual dues are:

• Family membership: $50 for a household with two or more members
• Individual membership: $40
• Associate membership: $10 for students up to age 25 and individuals who live more than 100 miles from Washington County

We meet monthly on the last Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Washington County EMS facility in Brenham. Average attendance is approximately 30 members and guests.

Our formal Sunday Night Net meets every Sunday at 7 p.m. on the club’s 443.250 MHz repeater. It includes club news, announcements, and information and averages approximately 40 check-ins.

The formal net is followed by an informal net at 7:30 p.m. on the same repeater, averaging approximately 10 check-ins. The club also hosts an HF roundtable on 3.953 MHz LSB at 7:30 p.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. All licensed operators are welcome to participate; club membership is not required.

Our repeater system supports several analog and digital modes:

• 145.390 MHz, Brenham: Analog FM with a 103.5 Hz tone; linked to the Cross Roads Ham Radio Club system
• 147.260 MHz, Brenham: Analog FM and Yaesu System Fusion/C4FM with a 103.5 Hz tone
• 442.275 MHz, Brenham: DMR, Color Code 3
• 443.250 MHz, Brenham: Analog FM and Yaesu System Fusion/C4FM with a 103.5 Hz tone; also linked to our dedicated AllStar hub, node 579140
• 444.825 MHz, Somerville: Analog FM and Yaesu System Fusion/C4FM with a 103.5 Hz tone

We are currently working to revitalize the Amateur Radio Emergency Service program in Washington County. Local ARES activity became inactive before 2020, but renewed interest among our members is helping us rebuild the program and strengthen our emergency-communications capabilities.

Throughout the year, we use ARRL Field Day, Winter Field Day, and Parks on the Air outings as practical training opportunities. These events allow members to practice setting up temporary stations and antennas, operating on emergency power, and communicating under field conditions.

Our most recent major training exercise was ARRL Field Day, held June 27–28, 2026, at the Prairie Hill Volunteer Fire Department. The club also has an arrangement with the department to provide communications assistance during an incident if requested.

Fortunately, the club has not yet been called upon for an actual emergency-communications activation. Our goal in rebuilding ARES is to develop the training, organization, equipment, and relationships needed so that we are prepared if that need arises.

Our most recent public-service and outreach event was ARRL Field Day, held June 27–28, 2026, at the Prairie Hill Volunteer Fire Department.

Club members established temporary radio stations, deployed field antennas, operated using emergency power, and made contacts under conditions intended to simulate the loss of normal communications infrastructure. The event gave experienced operators an opportunity to sharpen their skills while allowing newer members to gain practical experience with field operations.

Field Day was also open to the public, giving visitors an opportunity to see Amateur Radio in action and learn how trained volunteers can support their communities when conventional communications are unavailable. Although we have fortunately not needed to conduct an actual emergency activation, exercises such as Field Day help ensure that our members and equipment are ready if called upon.

Yes. Fellowship is an important part of our club. Our regular activities include:

• Monthly club breakfasts
• ARRL Field Day
• Winter Field Day
• Several Parks on the Air outings throughout the year
• Our annual June “Eating Meeting”
• Our annual Christmas party in December

These gatherings allow members and their families to socialize, share ideas, mentor newer operators, and enjoy Amateur Radio together outside our regular business meetings.

We do not currently publish a traditional club newsletter. All members are subscribed to our email list, through which we distribute weekly updates about club news, meetings, activities, training opportunities, and other announcements.

We also share club news and upcoming events during our weekly Sunday Night Net and on our website.